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SMI Lost Track of the Week: “World Destruction” by Time Zone

By on February 26, 2012

John Lydon AKA Johnny Rotten fronted one of rock’s most influential and provocative groups, Sex Pistols. The seminal punk outfit disbanded in 1978, shortly after their ill fated US Tour. In the 80’s Lydon then went on to form PIL (Public Image Limited). 

Afrika Bambaataa, an American DJ, who hailed  from the South Bronx, New York was a pioneer and godfather of the hip hop movement. He had a huge impact and was a driving force in the growth and evolution of the genre in the 80’s.

Lydon and Bambataa formed a side project called Time Zone. In 1984, they duo released their most popular single,“World Destruction”. The collaboration between Bambaataa and Lydon also included producer/bassist Bill Laswell.

The number featured a strong thumping beat, guitar, samples and predominant synth lines with Lydon and Bambaata trading swapping lyrical rants with a hip hop and punk sensibility. “World Destruction” was obviously written and produced as a reaction to the President Regan cold war era. Time Zone held a mirror up to humanity, warning us that if we continue the path we are on, our story will not have a happy ending but we can dance and tap our feet in the aftermath.

You won’t find it on iTunes but we have it right here for your listening pleasure…

Not only is he a multi-media journalist, he is also an accomplished musician. He is the founder of SMI and drives the creative look, feel and branding for the publication. His years of writing, arranging, and performing live music in a variety of genres inform his ability to communicate the message and the mechanics of music. Roth’s work on SMI reflects his philosophy that music is the universal language, and builds community. He believes it has the power to unite people of every race, religion, gender, and persuasion.
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