As we move into the colder, darker months of the year, I'd like to introduce those of you who don't already know them to a band called Death. This group is credited with recording one of the earliest punk albums, back in 1975 – a year before the debut albums from the Sex Pistols and the Ramones. The album is For the Whole World to See.
There aren't many bands in history that can claim to have been so far ahead of their time. Death comprised three brothers: David, Bobby and Dannis Hackney. Growing up in Detroit, they were surrounded by the sounds of Motown and initially started playing together as a funk band. However, after seeing bands such as The Who and Alice Cooper, they quickly changed direction and developed a much harder sound. They struggled to be taken seriously at the time, something they largely attributed to the segregation of musical genres for African American artists. Most Black musicians were expected to record funk and soul, with rock music rarely being an option.
However, the band managed to impress local producer Don Davis, who recognised their potential. Through his connections, Death caught the attention of Columbia Records, which offered them a recording deal. Tensions soon arose when the label objected to the band's politically charged lyrics. Death, however, refused to compromise.
At this point, you might think that signing with one of the biggest record labels in the world doesn't sound particularly punk – and you'd be right! Columbia had one dealbreaker: the brothers were told to change the band's name. David, the band's driving force, flatly refused, choosing the band's identity over a record deal. Instead, Death went on to record seven tracks independently. The recordings were largely forgotten, with the original tapes and most of the records eventually ending up in the family attic, where they remained for around three decades. The brothers went on to lead relatively ordinary lives.
It's not just their uncompromising attitude and refusal to conform that has led many to regard Death as a genuinely punk band. The music itself makes the case. While the musicianship of each member is far more accomplished than that of many 1970s punk bands, the raw guitar sound and vocal delivery wouldn't feel out of place on a Ramones record. The anti-establishment lyrics on tracks such as "Politicians in My Eyes" and "Let the World Turn" further demonstrate how the band prioritised their message over commercial success. This isn't just an important piece of music history; it's also a powerful, fast-paced and thoroughly enjoyable 29 minutes. And, as a drummer myself, I feel obliged to point out the incredible playing of Dannis Hackney!
In the mid-2000s, rumours of the single began circulating, with vinyl collectors reportedly paying up to $800 for battered copies. A low-quality MP3 recording also appeared online, attracting a little attention. Then, around 2008, the music was played to Julian Hackney, who recognised his father's voice. The original members gradually discovered that their music had developed a following, and a New York Times article in 2009 helped bring their story to a much wider audience. Eventually, the original 1975 recordings were mastered and released, appropriately under the title For the Whole World to See.
The album is available to stream on all major platforms. If you'd like to hear the full story, I, like many others, discovered the band through the brilliant 2012 documentary, A Band Called Death.
Joe, November 2026