Buffalo, NY—Longtime readers of Buffalo Mud will recall local drummer “Just Ronald” lost his “Bad Ronald” handle after a series of absurd comments regarding the Cure’s masterpiece work Disintegration, endless needling of Tragically Hip fans and constant minute-by-minute overreations on social media during Bills and Sabres games. Just Ronald, however, is making a strong bid to reclaim the Bad Ronald moniker with his latest latest project—fronting a new band called Punk716.
Punk716 is a cover band playing old-school punk standards by the Sex Pistols and The Clash, newer punk by Green Day and Social Distortion, and punked-up versions of Elvis and Little Richard songs. While the band is still finding itself, they are admirably filling a vacant space in the pub music scene dominated by bands that endlessly vomit up “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Sweet Caroline” covers ad-nauseam. UNCLE, all-fucking-ready with those tunes. This fresh idea has led to support for the possible reinstatement of the “Bad Ronald” moniker.
Particular high notes in the Punk716 set were covers of Elvis,’ “Burning Love” and Little Richard’s “The Girl Can’t Help It.” The version of the Little Richard tune is a cover of a cover done by the Trenton, NJ, garage rock band The Swingin’ Neckbreakers. Punk716 didn’t quite hit the ferocity button like the Neckbreakers, but it is within reach for this upstart band.
The Rock-n-Roll Board of Governors will convene this weekend at the Chelsea Hotel, 223 West 23rd Street, New York City, to discuss the matter over vodka martinis and numerous eight-balls at the very table where David Bowie and Lou Reed made out in 1973. Word on the street is split over reinstating the “Bad Ronald” name. Those in favor do so with the caveat—play deeper cuts by bands like the Buzzcocks and Oingo Boingo—the latter being the Uriah Heep of the early 80s. Others who are still opposed say we’re getting ahead of ourselves, pointing out the dimiutive, and possibly hairless front man needs to create a more punk persona before he can be bestowed with the “Bad Ronald” handle again.
Here are some other voices speaking out on the Just Ronald/Bad Ronald matter:
Tom McDonnell (Dog Ears Bookstore)—How about we step back from this Just Ronald/Bad Ronald thing and find a middle ground? While we untangle this let’s call him—“Slightly Intimidating Ronald.”
Iggy Pop (legendary punk front man)—Dude needs to lose the shirt and eat some broken glass.
Maria Genero (former TV weather anchor)—You can’t front a punk band without getting spit on. I’d like to spit on that kid. I don’t care what his name is. I just want to spit on him.
Aunt Edna (Ronald’s aunt)—Oh Ronald, you were such a nice boy with so much potential. Now you’re mixed up in this punk rock suff. Why couldn’t you stick to playing nice music like Bob Seger and Frank Zappa?
Tim Watts (long-time friend)—Ron, I don’t care about your stupid name, When. Are. You. Going. To. Pay. That. Fifty. Back. To. Me. Motherfucker?
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