If you're a sucker for archival NYC footage like I am, you've doubtlessly disappeared down a few YouTube rabbit holes, watching either endless reels of super-8 home movies of people's shitty vacations, or those compilations of stock footage. I've put several up here, over the years. They're usually compelling, but fairly banal. Still, I can't stop myself from watching them, always hoping to catch a glimpse of something out of the ordinary, or something that speaks directly to my own experiences.
I found one such clip today. Yawnsomely titled "Greenwich Village 1970s," this nine-plus minute video does pretty much exactly what it says on the packaging, showing undated footage of downtown Manhattan. Upon hitting play, I didn't expect anything too exciting.
In reading the description, though (find that here), I was struck by the following blurbage….
03:01:06 Inside CBGB club. VS Punk band practicing (w/ sound). Man talking about music groups, money. Footage is dark here as people talk at bar. Pan audience & bar to band. CU drums. Guitars warming up & sound check.
My curiosity piqued, I sped to that section to check out who the band might be. Expecting just a gaggle of nobodies, imagine my surprise to spot none other than an early iteration of The Cramps (there's absolutely no mistaking Bryan Gregory). You don't get a complete song, but you get snippets of "The Way I Walk" and "Domino," which is pretty goddamn amazing, if you're into this sorta stuff.
There's also plenty of footage of the old West Side Highway scene, well prior to any semblance of gentrification.
Enjoy the time warp.
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