Yeah, this is "real" raw stuff alright. Though I can't speak for the VU's true NYC hype years in the 60s, for the local NY Punk scene 25 years ago, it most certainly *wasn't* about spoiled rich kids from Upper East Side private schools posing as dissillusioned, disaffected, disdainful layabouts. (...)Musically, the word derivative shouldn't be tarnished by it's employment in a critique of these hooky fabrications, whose "authenticity" is more contrived than the biggest selling Nsync disk. (When leader Julian Casablancas was a mere babe, his pops, John was pushing Disco to Baby Boomers, not as far as I recall, Punk to Punks...). (...)You want "real" New York? There's dozens upon dozens of amazing, (actual) talented and native bands constantly showcasing their wares in clubs and venues; many of whom don't have the benefit of a well-connected music business father or loaded European parents.