Where do I start with rebellion? If its new to you check out www.rebellionfestival.com it’s an annual gathering of the punks to blackpool. Blackpool is such an apt location for it as its a city stuck in the 70s with bits of modernisation but very much old school. Rebellion has over 200 bands playing during its 4 days and I’m here for the weekend, here’s a snippet of Thursday’s action
First up for me was the tea time antics of max splodge (yes of splodgenessabounds). He was compering bingo later (it is Blackpool after all) but for now it was an acoustic set ably backed up by 2 men in drag running around the room.
I ran up to the art exhibition upstairs which had been home to a q and a earlier which saw the mercurial John robb in conversation with mickey fitzgerald from the business. It’s a great concept and I vowed to do my best to catch it tomorrow. Anyway the art was surprisingly good. Knox, from the vibrators. Charlie harper, from uk subs. Gaye black from the adverts all had work on display. One notable exhibitor was David worth’s punk rock cartoon. Www.punkrockcartoons.com. I only wished I had of stuck with my ferry plans for travel as I could carry so much more.
Back to the music and off with their heads were banging out some anthems. It’s my kind of sound, loud tuneful, heartfelt songs.
Different to Jim sorrow who was doing an acoustic set but no less heartfelt. Hull troubadour Jim was strumming that banjo like it was his Gibson sg. He also plays in freaks union. I couldntvstsy for more than three songs as the filaments were on in the empress ballroom ( yes the same venue that hosts bale rom dancing and darts competitions). It was upbeat, fast with a manic trombone player. Great to hear an openly anti fascist song as its amazing how unnerving it is seeing so many people in the crowd with short hair and union jacks.
After the Filaments shredded it was back to the acoustic room for Lucy ward. Lucy is a regular on the folk scene and this is her first rebellion I think she’ll be back especially if she keeps throwing in an odd clash song.
I couldnt pay too much attention as the excitement of seeing snuff was about to explode. I remember first seeing snuff in Belfast in 1988 (I think). They blew me away that night and have been a regular on my playlists since. They only have Duncan from that line up but are still amazing. The songs are so good. They didn’t (maybe couldnt) play I’m not listening anymore but more than made up for it in their 45 minutes. Class
I think because it was a further two hours before the buzzcocks were due to go on stage that it became a struggle. I suffered through Rory McLeod and his acoustic, spoon led warblings. I wondered if the Newtown kings were the commitments of ska or maybe the resident wedding band for rebellion. I found demob, the heavy metal kids and the business pretty painful. They signified to me what is bad about these events. Sometimes there’s no need for middle aged men to get on stage. Maybe if they meant more to me back in the day!!!
Speaking of middle aged men, the buzzcocks finally played to a packed empress. Those songs are so good, songs like boredom and what do I get with shelleys trademark tones. The huge crowd lapped it up and I sat there happy that I started my journey 22 hours previously to get to this point
