One of the best books about the music industry is Gareth Murphy’s Cowboys and Indies: The Epic History of the Music Industry. More than just a standard history, the book focuses on the individuals who made huge changes to the industry. People who founded record labels, often as D.I.Y. enterprises on a shoe-string budget. … Continue reading Gareth Murphy on early punk, entrepreneurs and women
Rebellion 2017 Protex
https://youtu.be/Vj2I-Z0B-oQ The pioneering punk/new wave bands of Northern Ireland including the Undertones, Stiff Little Fingers and Rudi didn't just write great songs, they wrote great pop songs. Of course we didn't appreciate it at the time but they didn't just write pop songs for the moment, they wrote songs that stood the test of time. … Continue reading Rebellion 2017 Protex
Rebellion 2017 Petrol Girls
Petrol Girls The reason why a festival like Rebellion is such a goldmine for me is that you can discover fantastic new bands that deliver on every level. And so it was with the mighty Petrol Girls. In fact this afternoon's trio, the Membranes, Interrobang, and Petrol Girls indicate why punk is so interesting, even … Continue reading Rebellion 2017 Petrol Girls
Rebellion 2017 Heavy Drapes
Heavy Drapes Another band I hadn't seen before, Heavy Drapes had the '77 style with shades and Vivienne Westwood DIY designer punk gear. They also had infectious melodies, the sound that brought sixties dream pop/rock into the punk scene in the first place. The tunefulness and power of bands like the Small Faces, as well … Continue reading Rebellion 2017 Heavy Drapes
Rebellion 2017 – Day 4
And so it drifts to a close, we may want it to go for ever but most bodies can't take the pace. There is a world out there to return to, families and friends to be cherished and minds to change. Again Rebellion has been a cracker, my years of animosity towards this festival were … Continue reading Rebellion 2017 – Day 4
Rebellion 2017 The Membranes and the Choir of Choirs
The Membranes and the choir Just when you think that it's all been done, that punk/DIY/independent music can be placed into a nice, neat category alongside comes a 'happening' that is inspiring, creative, funny and life-affirming. I don't want to say too much about the Membranes and the choir...because if you missed it, well, you … Continue reading Rebellion 2017 The Membranes and the Choir of Choirs
Rebellion 2017 The Sophie Lancaster Conversation: Dead for Being Different
Some things in life are difficult to think about, you'd prefer they weren't there, that you could turn your head away. But life isn't simple, it isn't right, it certainly isn't fair. It might seem like an odd thing to have at a festival, but it says so much about the punk community that space … Continue reading Rebellion 2017 The Sophie Lancaster Conversation: Dead for Being Different
Rebellion 2017 Interrobang
Interrobang A plush theatre in the North West of England. A new band, an audience of punks in a room full of history. There is a sense of excitement. I certainly don't know what to expect, except that Dunstan from Chumbawamba is involved. Naturally, being creatures of habit, we look at the stage......then from behind … Continue reading Rebellion 2017 Interrobang
Rebellion 2017 Youth Man
Youth Man They were promoted, quite rightly, from new band stage last year. Youth Man are a Birmingham three-piece who play fast and furious rock with a mighty girl guitarist who trades vocals with a male vocalist who played bass and wore a Smiths t-shirt...how cool is that! An absolute highlight of the festival for … Continue reading Rebellion 2017 Youth Man
Rebellion 2017 Matilda’s Scoundrels
Matilda's Scoundrels Celtic punk is alive and well and full of energy.....that makes me realise just long ago I first saw the Pogues opening for the Shillelagh Sisters in Camden's Irish Centre. I am old, and that's OK.....as the t-shirt says: 'I'm Old But I Got to See All The Good Bands' well almost most … Continue reading Rebellion 2017 Matilda’s Scoundrels