In the heart of 1979, while disco was gasping its last breath and new wave was still finding its footing, a curious brown-hued package arrived in Germany. It wasn't some new krautrock experiment or a synth-pop import, but a decidedly British concoction from Ian Dury & The Blockheads. This wasn't your average punk band, mind you. They were a motley crew of misfits, led by the polio-stricken, sharp-tongued Dury, who looked like a Cockney art school dropout and sang like a gravel-throated pub philosopher. His unique stage presence, marked by his disability and flamboyant style, quickly made him a cult figure.
The album, aptly titled "Do It Yourself," was a sonic collage that defied easy categorization. It was punk, but with a cheeky grin and a danceable groove. It was funk, but with a distinctly British flavor, like a knees-up at a seedy pub. It was music hall, but with a rebellious swagger. It was, in short, a glorious mess of a record, brimming with wit, energy, and a healthy dose of social commentary. This eclecticism, coupled with the band's raw energy, resonated with audiences who were tired of the formulaic sounds of the mainstream.
"Do It Yourself" was recorded at Stiff Records' London studio, a hotbed of creative chaos where musical boundaries were routinely shattered. The album's production was helmed by Chaz Jankel, a multi-instrumentalist and Blockhead himself, who captured the band's raw energy and off-kilter charm with aplomb. The album's DIY aesthetic and unpolished sound became a hallmark of the burgeoning post-punk scene, inspiring countless bands to embrace their own idiosyncrasies.
The album's title track was a rallying cry for self-reliance and individuality, a theme that resonated with a generation disillusioned by economic hardship and social unrest. But Dury wasn't preaching revolution, he was inviting you to join the party. "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick," an infectious funk-infused number, became an unlikely anthem for this new wave of self-expression, sparking a dance craze that swept across Europe, while "Inbetweenies" celebrated the everyday struggles and triumphs of the working class with a wry smile. This song, with its relatable lyrics and catchy melody, became an instant classic, solidifying Dury's reputation as a voice for the common man.
The album wasn't without its controversies. Dury's lyrics, peppered with slang and innuendo, raised a few eyebrows, but his sharp wit and social commentary ultimately won over critics and fans alike. The Blockheads' eclectic sound, a mix of pub rock, ska, and even a touch of reggae, was equally divisive, but it was precisely this mishmash of styles that made them so unique and endearing. This fearless experimentation and refusal to conform to genre conventions made the album a landmark of the post-punk era.
The German release of "Do It Yourself" with its distinctive brown cover might have been a marketing ploy to appeal to a wider audience, but it also spoke to the album's universal themes of rebellion, self-expression, and the simple joy of making music. In a time of political turmoil and cultural upheaval, Ian Dury & The Blockheads offered a much-needed dose of humor, heart, and a healthy dose of irreverence. Their music was a reminder that even in the face of adversity, you could still find joy in the everyday, and that the best way to fight the establishment was to simply be yourself. The brown cover, a departure from the pink UK version, became a sought-after collector's item, a testament to the album's enduring popularity and cultural significance.
