One of the best aspects of internet culture is that it’s been awarding long-overdue recognition to some true pioneers in music. Bands swallowed up by the music industry machine of the late 20th Century are given new life and appreciation through blogs, indie docs, and online forums. 2012 film A Band Called Death chronicled the Detroit garage rock pioneers’ struggle in the ’70s as an African-American proto-punk band and their newfound appreciation today, and that same year, a Philadelphia-born band considered the first all-black punk group ever reformed to play their first gig in 33 years.
That band is called Pure Hell, and along with Death, are considered pioneers of the Afro-punk movement in the ’70s. Pure Hell play T.T. The Bear’s Place in Cambridge tonight, taking interest from documentaries and spotlights of the past few years and bringing their sound where it really belongs: to the live stage.
Raised in Philly and then a part of the insane New York punk scene of the late ’70s, Pure Hell released one single, “These Boots are Made for Walking”/”No Rules,” and recorded a lone album, 1978’s Noise Addiction — which was unreleased until 2006.
Check out a few clips of the band below (the second video is a must-watch, relaying some crazy stories about NYC’s punk scene and the band’s tour of Europe) as well as a full recording of Noise Addiction, via YouTube.
Advance tickets to tonight’s Pure Hell show are available here. NoToX (ex-Toxic Narcotic), Damn Shame, and Symptom round out the bill.
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