Jonathan Lethem Quotes

There are several books out on punk history, but I haven't read any of them. I was there.

I think punk rock needs an 'Amadeus.'

I've always loved punk music, since I was in my early teens, since middle school.

I listened a little to punk when I was younger, but it was straight edge punk. It was nothing like what is going on now, like poppy punk.

I never met Johnny Rotten, and I didn't want to meet Johnny Rotten.

I created Punk for this day and age. Do you see Britney walking around wearing ties and singing punk? Hell no. That's what I do. I'm like a Sid Vicious for a new generation.

When I was a teenager, you couldn't get straight pants. Then in '76, when punk started to hit, it was a revelation that you could find straight pants again.

I pretty much grew up when punk was big in the UK. The Sex Pistols were heroes for me. I used to run around like Johnny Rotten. I had a jacket like his.

I can't think of anything I hate more than a former punk - they are the most self-righteous people in the world.

When punk came along, I found my generation's music. I grew up listening to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd, 'cause that was what got played in the house. But when I first saw the Stranglers, I thought, 'This is it.'

Growing up in San Diego, I can remember going with my brother to see bands like Pennywise and NOFX - good punk bands that were fast and tight.

I started going to Madame Louise's, the lesbian club where all the punk bands used to go - the Sex Pistols, the Clash. I remember seeing Billy Idol walk in there; he was gorgeous.

I was a punk when I was 15 - I was definitely into it in a big way and loved it - but I came to London when punk was maybe where you'd say punk is dead.

I was a punk rocker when I was a teenager. I wanted to look like Nancy Spungen. I had dyed blonde hair and lots of piercings.

No part of Manhattan these days really has the same vibe I get from a Ramones song or a Velvet Underground song.

After the Ramones, it was more about new wave for me than punk.

I didn't really see the British punk movement, if that's what it was, as wildly original, because I had been listening so intently to all the New York music since 1973, really.

I was originally like a punker, know what I mean, like the punks are today, I'd spit in a minute.

I had a big time punk-rock phase and psychobilly phase. I used to go mad for the Guana Batz.

I mean, gosh, my first tours I ever did were with the Ramones and Iggy Pop and Love & Rockets.

People perceive punk rock in the sense of Sid Vicious, all strung-out, crazy and insane.

I was the first person to have a punk rock hairstyle.

I was a punk before it got its name. I had that hairstyle and purple lipstick.

I used to go and see the Clash a fair bit. I did think they were dead cool, and very handsome.

I don't think any punk bands really ever got their due.