I don't know where the songs on Chipmunk Punk caught my 9 year old ears, but the record ended up on my Christmas list in 1980. Somehow, gift-giving channels got crossed and I ended up with two copies, but to rest the heart of the cousin that was feeling bad about that, I told her: "It's always good to have a back up!"
When you had the fumblefingers I did with vinyl, that was the truth, yo.
Now, on Chipmunk Punk there's no God Save the Queen, I Don't Care About You, or Johnny Hit and Run Paulene, this shit's meant for kids after all. Though many cult record enthusiasts through the 40 years since its release have apparently complained about the lack of true punk on its track listing, I rather dug it. It really was my introduction to New Wave and Power Pop, and that's no joke. Blondie, The Cars, three from The Knack, and Glass Houses-era Billy Joel were all dropped on me here. All artists and albums that frequent my personal rotation to this day.
It may have been the pre-empt to my true punk turn seven years later in Wausau, WI.
Besides, it is very difficult for me to visualize Alvin, Simon, and Theodore thrashing about on stage with safety pins grafted to their fur. Yes, please try to picture Alvin with the A on his shirt adjusted to the "Anarchy" icon, Simon slam dancing with Wendy O Williams, and Theodore attempting to stage dive during a solo for California Uber Alles. Wait. There's no solo in that song.
It also caused a resurgence for the Chipmunks as they bounced back into the public eye like they hadn't been since the late 60's. I can remember their Saturday Morning cartoon igniting just a year or so after this record went gold.
YES. Chipmunk Punk sold over 500,000 copies, and that's pretty amazing for a novelty record. One that doesn't include this on it:
I still have my copy, and no you can't have it. A wonderful Christmas gift from 40 years gone by is still resting comfortably in my album stacks.
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