Rebellion 2016 – Day 1

Rebellion 2016. Day 1

 

It’s not quite premiership weekend in Dublin airport but the punks have replaced football fans on the Manchester flights. There is a sense of excitement as we wait to board the myriad of plans descending on the north west of England this weekend. It’s early morning but there are legions of loyal supporters ready for the days trip.

Rebellion promises to be extra special this time around. There’s more stages than ever, an outdoor arena and the literary stage has moved to the fancy surroundings of the Opera House. Will we be able to fit in all we hope for? The next four days will tell but for now it’s the thoughts of a starting 11 of jennie russell, Geoffrey oicott, pears, Jaded eyes, flag, Billy liar, bouncing souls, lost cherries, tv smith, descendants and the pukes with a definite sub to come on in TSOL that has me excited

There’s a bigger buzz about Rebellion this year. Much larger crowd than previous opening days, outdoor stage that is blasting the likes of evil blizzard makes it a different atmosphere but a one way system for people in operation makes moving between stages that but more difficult

Pears play high octane hardcore with tunes promising to breakthrough but it’s an assault for sure.

Vicki viortex and the cumshots are of one of these band names. Singalong basic enough punk rock. Plenty of 1-2-3-4 along the way. They are on at the same time as Ted diabase so a select few songs from both bands was enough. Ted diabase is much more punk rock’n’roll but full of power like all the best three pieces.  We all looked on bemused as Hundreds of Diabase pounds were spread into the audience

 

Jennie Russell is one of the brains behind rebellion so I really wanted to hear what she had to say. A great thing about rebellion is the literary stage. The stories of the punks who live through the past 40 years are related here. I really wish they could be recorded and stored as a document of our history but I suppose tongues wouldn’t be as loose that way. This years literary event is in the 2.200 seater opera house. Just one of 7 venues being used With a venue this big it takes a lot of filling and whilst the opera house was sparsely attended as jennie spoke of the history of rebellion over the past 20 years Jennie is bound by the questions asked and watching her I was wishing they were better prepared. No insightful questions but still a pleasure to hear her talk

I read about army of skanks in the latest suspect device so in a way it was luck riche rocker ran out of questions for Jennie as I caught a few of their songs. Tight enough punky sound.

Jaded eyes however brought it to another level. New band they aren’t really but they were on the new band stage. US influenced sound and I only cut the set short as it was a long trip round be one way system to see flag. Looking forward to listening to the new record i bought,

Not black anymore just stripped down to flag. They still made me leave jaded eyes and it the set proved me right. These are hardcore pioneers, it was worth being in the middle of a smoking area to hear such songs. Kind of weird listening to a band with the sun shining in my eyes though (another rarity for Blackpool. The sun was shining). If you’re reading this then chances are you have either got a black flag record or the bands you listen to certainly do. However after leaving the intimate surrounding of the new band stage I feel my punk rock belongs back there. Whilst I loved the flag set in the open air it is with jaded eyes I belong. Flags set seemed like a greatest hits yet the band had no hits. So many classic songs that have stood the test of time. Not that flag don’t deserve your attention. These people played the small rooms for years and trailblazed the way for other bands. It’s just that it seems so alien having them on a big stage seperated from us.

Svetlana from Russia have all the power of flag with an almost menacing feel. It grabs you by the throat and is full on attack. Raw power.

Mauro clash city rocker gave me a chance to sit down as he played acoustic versions of clash and Ramones songs. Sing along for sure and then when he got our attention he threw in an original song

I catch two songs from London band the duel. Maybe it’s me but I just don’t get it. I do get Billy Liar though. Scottish folk punk with a quirky acoustic style. Songs are reflections on life and are class.

It’s back out again for bouncin souls with poor sound. Still always nice to listen to 7 Seconds / Bad religion type songs.

I felt like i stumbled across a secret party with youth man on the new band stage. Huge energy, powerful sound. Post punk with the volume turned up. I’m glad to be part of this gang. Looking forward to the new ep, best band of the day. Check them out

youth man video
I then settle into the anarcho punk sound of lost cherries. I listened to these back in the 80s and still remember those idealistic days when anarcho punk was the soundtrack for what was about to change in the world, it just had to!! Lost Cheeres are still screaming about the rights of the voiceless. And long may they have that anger.

TV smith warmed me up for the double highlight off the night. Tim is as essential to rebellion as rock is to Blackpool. His acoustic sets are legendary but tonight he moves to the larger opera house capacity. It’s no problem and we are treated to a set of TV Smith with various guests blasting out classics over the past 40 years, including a new song too

Due to time clashes I caught half sets from the descendants and the membranes. The descendants are much lauded for their pop hardcore speed, almost leaders of that social sound. I was willing to skip the Membranes as I will see them again in December but there was something missing with the Descendent, maybe Milos voice or maybe that big stage is just too big. Maybe you need to be right up the front.

The sound in the Opera House is spot on for the half Membranes set I catch. Guitar assault backed up by the steady bass fuzz of John Robb and Rob Haynes solid drums the Membranes are an all inclusive group of troubadors. Robb tries frantically to get people on stage, seeking out scientists. I just wanted to sit and watch at this stage.

Finished the day off with the pukes ukelele fun, 13 people on the Opera House playing punk classic with their ukeleles, whats not to like there.

niallhope