Cretin Family - History of the ramones through TRIBUTE BANDS
A Ramones talk on one One Life Radio, by the author Mark Leadon
If your a fan of the Ramones and you must be or you wouldn't be on this site, take a listen to the interview Mark did on the 14/05/2025 with One Life, supporting the Music Venue Trust.
Great back history on The Ramones, but are you one of the venues or Ramones covers/tribute bands spoken around.
One way to find out, take a listen to the radio show !!!!!
Music Venue Trust is a UK registered charity which acts to protect, secure and improve Grassroots Music Venues.
Created in January 2014, it aims to secure the long-term future of iconic Grassroots Music Venues such as Hull Adelphi, Exeter Cavern, Southampton Joiners, The 100 Club, Band on the Wall, Tunbridge Wells Forum etc.
These venues have played a crucial role in the development of British music over the last 40 years, nurturing local talent, providing a platform for artists to build their careers and develop their music and their performance skills.
MVT work to gain recognition of the essential role these venues fulfil, not only for artist development but also for the cultural and music industries, the economy and local communities. We aim to preserve and improve venues, making them more efficient and improving the experience for performers and audiences. Long-term we plan to acquire the freeholds of as many of these vital venues as possible.
The team’s work is supported by a Board of Trustees, made up of professionals who are passionate about Grassroots Music Venues and their social, cultural and economic value. The Trustees voluntarily oversee the work of Team MVT, holding a legal responsibility for the charity’s conduct and fulfilment of its mission. To register your interest in joining the Board of Trustees please contact chair@musicvenuetrust.com.
Get your copy of the book here Cretin Family: A History of the Ramones Through Their Tribute Bands Worldwide: Amazon.co.uk: Leadon, Mark: 9781805416159: Books
"Cretin Family" is for the fans by the fans
Were proud and honoured to have our front man Mark, an esteemed author and without doubt an authority on all things Ramones, which makes him a hard task master in rehearsals, if you want to feel sorry for the rest of the band, Mark recently had his first book about The Ramones published, which tells the story of The Ramones and the towns they played at, through also detailing a tribute band from each of those towns, It's a great read and you never know, you may find you or someone you know in the book, We guarantee you will learn something new about The Ramones, even after all this time.
Formed in 1974 in Forest Hills, New York, The Ramones were one of the most influential bands in punk rock history. Famed for their dirty sneakers, knee-holed jeans, T-shirts, black leather jackets, and cries of “1, 2, 3, 4,” the pioneering 'Brudders' left a legacy few contemporaries can match with their stripped-down, hyper-paced style.
Their 1976 debut album set the foundation for punk rock, inspiring countless musicians to start their own bands. "Cretin Family" not only traces the band's history—covering their formation, record releases, tours, disagreements, and line-up changes up to their 1996 break-up—but also examines the numerous tribute bands worldwide that pay homage to the Ramones.
This manuscript draws from global sources, offering facts about The Ramones' tours and local venues, highlighting information often lost to fans. As the stories unfold, new narratives about the group emerge, revealing the Ramones' colossal legacy.
Get your copy of the book here Cretin Family: A History of the Ramones Through Their Tribute Bands Worldwide: Amazon.co.uk: Leadon, Mark: 9781805416159: Books