Credit is not always appropriately allotted, but Tom Verlaine’s seminal New York band Television literally founded the CBGB’s punk scene. Initially playing cool virtuoso to Richard Hell’s gutter poet, the revered guitarist went on to craft an enigmatic solo career which included work with Jeff Buckley. His anxious vocal delivery and frenetic guitar style have influenced generation after generation of punky upstarts, most recently and obviously with fellow New Yorkers, the Strokes. With two astonishing new releases at the ready – one vocally endowed (Songs and Other Things) one instrumental (Around) – we asked Verlaine, “What do you think music’s primary cultural role is today? Do you think it still has a revolutionary zeal, and if not, what would it take to regain that?” Ken Scrudato