Talking Heads, 'Psycho Killer' Live at CBGB, 1975

Live at CBGB, New York, NY, 1975.
Introduction by Seymour Stein, Sire Records.
From the film "Talking Heads: Chronology"

[markbrown]

What strikes me as a minor revolutionary act in the year 1975 is wearing your hair short enough to show your ears. That and collared shirts. Nobody outside the military had short hair in America in the mid 1970's. And everybody at concerts wore t-shirts. These guys were deliberately uncool, which is really cool.

[Madrrrrrrrrrrr]

If he doesn't sound nervous, he's not David Byrne

[mikeyoungblood]

Pretty crazy you had Talking Heads, Ramones and Blondie, 3 bands who totally changed music history playing for handfuls of people at CBGBs in 1975

[sydgriffin]

I guarantee if I had been in the audience I'd have scratched my head thinking "who the F are these clowns?" They were like no other band at that time.

No offense to them by this comment. Talking Heads are my all time favorite band for over 40 years!

[larrymcqueary]

It's not that often you get to see video footage of a band like this from their earliest days, when they were just another band in New York... polite applause, mistakes and all. Awesome.

[wonderfulenglish]

I love how they were an unknown support act and there's about fifteen people clapping at the end because the crowds hadn't arrived for the Ramones yet. TH were ten years ahead of their time here. Kudos!

[brfswigcham]

Holy shit, this is history. This is the history of the "heads, " rock 'n roll, New York City music scene, CBGB's, new wave, etc. 

[Burreearden]

That's the best version of Psycho Killer I've ever heard!

[jeffdawson]

I could see myself there that night after the show, drinking with my friends, “Yeah, they’re okay, but I don’t think they’re going anywhere.” Then I bought Talking Heads ‘77. Oops, my favorite album.

[BrianTakita]

Less intensity seems to convey the psycho more.

[someguy]

Before he knew how good his voice was.

[branevans]

The beatnik era of the punk scene. Great songwriter and amazing band

[jvanson]

He looks like my Uncle Tristan. We committed him to the Dryden Psychiatric Institute in June of 2008. It was for the best.

[plbnsf]

Such an amazing band dynamic with the Talking Heads. Anti social lead singer/player (basically a genius). Self-taught bass player who ends up blazing her own unique styles. And a drummer perfectly suited to support those two. And Jerry, who was able to work with all of them! Listen to David's 'How music works' audiobook and Chris's audiobook and it gives a good view of the starting point of the group. I just find it interesting to research how groups evolved and started. So many groups start up...not many make a mark in music, takes perseverance, talent, luck and just the right combo of people. Then sad when it falls apart. But so many bands end up with complicated histories, band member changes and heartache. Have to learn to enjoy things when it's good and accept change.

[teddyblankenship]

Talk about a freaking legendary place. In the span of about 1 year you had Blondie, Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, The Ramones, Patti Smith.... and thats all before 1976. Then those acts got huge. Mustve been a hell of a scene. Totally different sounding bands, Talking Heads (like college dork rock but awesome), Blondie with that very poppy proto punk, and The Ramones just blowing the roof off with what we consider now the modern punk Probably the best music scene ever.

[ronniestanley]

The CBGBs movie did such a great job portraying that whole thing!! The sound is more real seeing it exactly the way I imagine a fledgling band with a new sound, should be. Raw. And still finding their sound. And in black and white. Cause, who had the money for color back then? Fucking love it!

[gurigran]

Fantastic material! A quiet Byrne and Tina with her gray green Jazz Bass... Almost made me cry. Regards from Argentina.

[RandallGoya]

I saw T Heads about a year later, at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, RI. I thought they were terrible, particularly the bass player. By the next time I saw them a few months later, they were an exciting and sublime experience. Saw them many times after, every chance I had.

[jonmc]

Next time you hear a garage band that doesn't quite have it all together yet - they might be the next TH. There was still a little magic in that clip. Lovely to watch that.

[actkind]

This is amazing... 1975 - any guess as to how many Quaaludes David has taken to calm his little nerves before this performance? Love this bit of history that's taken 39 YEARS to get to me. Thank you PRI!