This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
We are the punks of L.A.
Brought together in unity
We live in the squats or a shit-hole place
But that's the only home we know
Together we take the streets
For some little chnage
If shit comes down tonight
We must throw down and fight
We must bond together
Survival is the only key
We swill some beers tonight
And hit the sheets in unity
Standing in the drinking field
Or in the drinking aisle
Getting fucked together I love this life
Keeping our head above the shit
A life you'll never understand
We are the punks of L.A.
Brought together in unity
Brought together in unity
We live in the squats or a shit-hole place
But that's the only home we know
Together we take the streets
For some little chnage
If shit comes down tonight
We must throw down and fight
We must bond together
Survival is the only key
We swill some beers tonight
And hit the sheets in unity
Standing in the drinking field
Or in the drinking aisle
Getting fucked together I love this life
Keeping our head above the shit
A life you'll never understand
We are the punks of L.A.
Brought together in unity
Lyrics submitted by illusionofsafety
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what the hell? no one writes in this song? i think this song is badass. its basically saying that they are from a shithole place but they dont fuckin care cause unity is the only thing that matters. together they get through anything.And they get fucked up all night but they love their life. WE ARE THE PUNKS FROM L.A. Fuck Yeah!!!!!!!! L.A.