'80s Indie

Punk kicked down the door in the late '70s, and flicked two fiesty fingers at the major labels, sparking a fiercely autonomous, DIY approach to rock that would catch fire . . . 1980 saw the compilation of the first-ever U.K. indie chart, and these landmark Essentials are drawn from indie's most glorious, creatively intense decade. A couple of anthems head up our selection: "How Soon Is Now?" by the Smiths and New Order's "Blue Monday", a cunning blend of Donna Summer, Sylvester, and Kraftwerk. Surreal, acerbic north-western satire-rock stands out among our '80s Indie Next Steps.

Independent music celebrated its differences in the '80s — that's why you'll find a huge contrast in sound and style here, from Gang of Four's socio-political funk-punk ("To Hell With Poverty") to the undulating layers of Vini Reilly's virtuoso guitar on "Otis" by the Durutti Column (Reilly would go on to work with post-Smiths Morrissey). The House of Love delivers the euphoric, softly psychedelic rock classic, "Shine On", and Half Man Half Biscuit hits a satirical high note with "Dickie Davis Eyes". Goth-rock, post-punk, industrial . . . our '80s indie Deep Cuts changed rock forever.

Stevenage-based gothic rock reached its zenith in the hands of Fields of the Nephilim, whose propulsive early track "Preacher Man" proved hugely influential, while Wigan's the Railway Children reached the top of the Indie album chart in '87 with Reunion Wilderness, featuring a perfect burst of happy-sadness in "Brighter". The Anti-Nowhere League kept the punk flag flying with their fast and angry 1981 version of Ralph McTell's "Streets of London".

As time goes by, the '80s indie scene continues to reveal itself in all its innovative, groundbreaking glory — this was the era when rock 'n' roll was set on constant reinvention (from the trippy reverb of My Bloody Valentine to the smelting plant feedback of the Jesus and Mary Chain); when the vinyl cowboys of rave formed an alliance with the rough riders of rock (via New Order, Happy Mondays, the Stone Roses); and when funk was re-imagined by the likes of Pigbag, Gang of Four, and the Higsons — featuring vocalist Charlie Higson, future star of The Fast Show.