Rebellion Day 1
Is there a more synonymous saying associated with punk rock than 1-2-3-4. That was the mantra screamed at speed before every Ramones track. It so happens that this years rebellion festival falls on those dates in August and the organisers keep reminding us. The marketing must have worked as despite the festival having arguably a weaker line up than recent years it still managed to sell out. 10,000 Punks descend on the seaside town in what must be one of its bumper annual weekends. In a reminder of Blackpool’s nod to the 70’s our self catering accommodation hasn’t changed that much since that glorious era. The colour schemes remain brown and I feel the only modernisation it’s got is the stair lift. It is still a gem and perfect for the occasion although I would appreciate a longer bed as this one doesn’t fit my 6”1’ frame.
I eventually get to the Winter gardens and catch Tits Up. The cavernous club casbah with its huge stage and booming sound might have been a little bit big for the openers of the day but they filled it with their abrasive sound. I stood under the air con as the message of safe gigs and safe spaces rang from the stage
My first clash took place almost immediately and i had to run upstairs to the Spanish hall to catch a bit of Molly Vulpyne’s acoustic set. The Irish are out in force again this year and ready to support their own wherever possible. Molly had her acoustic guitar for accompaniment and played a lovely set.
Lucky Hit were on the introducing stage. Moved this year to the pavilion, one of the best of the 7 sounding rooms, this small 800 capacity room is perfect for new bands. Lucky Hit were completely new to me. The band were all full of smiles on stage, genuinely seemed to be happy to be standing there at 1.30 on a Thursday afternoon. An excellent three piece with a tight pop punk sound.
NVS hit the turned round arena stage with songs about lazy bastards and such things. Coming across a bit like fellow Welsh punks Cowboy Killers. This was punk rock with dips into early us hardcore. Full of energy.
Yur Mum played the empress. The large ballroom had a great crowd in place to see the noise that the Brazilian two piece threw out. They managed to pull off the big stage with such a small number. The guitarist alternating between each side of the stage where mics were placed. They tell us it’s the biggest crowd they have played to date but something tells me their crowds will get bigger.
Cyanide Pills played a blistering set. They have that tuneful garage sound down to perfection. It’s brash and it’s snotty and well worth your time. Like a stick of dynamite going through a yard of garage bands.
Enrico and elisa from Los Fastidios were doing a q&a on the literary stage. Part of me wanted to go and see if they were approached about playing Israel and ignoring the cultural boycott. The band are very proudly anti fascist so I know they don’t support the politics of the situation but I didn’t want to give them the oxygen so I stuck with Cyanide pills and venture down to see Pete Bentham and the dinner ladies. It’s always good entertainment value watching Pete and his dinner ladies dressed up as such.
I then needed a break to stock up on supplies for the accommodation so missed out on the Ramonas and Kent Nielsen.
I made it back for the Meffs. The Meffs are another 2 piece. It’s not their first rebellion as they remind us but it’s certainly their biggest and dare I say best. Good punky tunes and a sound that brings you in. There’s some power in these 2 Pieces.
Laura Logic in the literary stage opened up about her upbringing near Wembley and her interest in musicals before punk rock kicked in. Laura auditioned for X-ray spex without hearing any punk but wanted to be in a band and had a sax to bring into the mix. She had a sad and abrupt end to her time in X-Ray Spex when the bands manager told her she was no longer needed. She was 16 at the time, had co-written many of the songs and then was told good luck. She kept playing the sad and guested on a Stranglers album as well as starting her own band Essential Logic.
Loud Women are having a partnership with rebellion this year and a lot of bands that have travelled through this group are playing on different stages. They are curating the Introducing stage on Sunday. Club Brat have played Loud Women gigs in the past and have some interesting songs. They have a bass sound that screams with 2 guitarists meandering along the way. This is not sing along stuff but each track is a journey into sound leading to noise road
Lydia Lunch was full on with her talk on the literary stage. A real New Yorker she was the life and soul of the party. She spoke of growing up in Rochester and being goth before goth even happened. She always viewed herself as a loudmouth bad ass and as she sat there drinking her red wine and talking of teenage Jesus she still carries off being a bad ass.
Steve Drewett is the reason I started coming to rebellion. The Newtown neurotics were doing a reunion show and I felt I had to go. I used to write to Steve and at one stage the Neurotics were coming to Ireland with Atilla the stockbroker. They couldn’t make it work financially but I feel a sense of duty to go see him sing. For this I miss the end of Lydia Lunch’s literary set. Steve was on stage with his friend Atilla at the front of the crowd still cheering each other on after all this time. The songs are more suited to the accompaniment of his band mates but as I sit there I’m just so happy that this event exists as people like Steve are still singing about making positive change. He finished his set with a newish version of “we kicked out the tories” with some slightly more uplifting lyrics. As I look around at what is going on in Ireland, the Uk and beyond I wonder are we too early with our positivity
Steve Ignorant is the former front man of crass. The band wouldn’t make you think of introverts but that’s what Steve is as he shyly and humbly takes the stage. Rebellion has transformed Steve’s life. He had moved away from music but got back into it a few years ago. His slice of life gigs are far more innovative than his crass sets but the Crass songs are real classics.
Carol Hodge is Steve’s band mate in Slice of life and her acoustic set is a step close to vaudeville. Beautifully sung songs.
Steve Connolly, former roadie for the pistols and the clash and known as Roadent spoke of the effect punk has had on culture, be that films or fashion. There’s punks involved in all aspects of culture. It’s not always positive as Pete feels the music industry is a regressive industry that serves to make money. He feels that the music industry tried to negate the effect of punk.
Palmolive from the Slits spoke of growing up in Spain under General Franco’s dictatorship. She felt alone in her thoughts before moving to London and being involved in the squat scene in 1973. While there she met Joe Strummer who was in the 101ers at this stage. They became partners and experienced the incoming London punk scene as they emerged from their “hippie world”. Their relationship got rocky and music took over for both. While strummer had the Clash. Palmolive started an all “girl” band. This band went through 8 managers in 2 years and they went out and just did it. Palm olive is putting together at the book on this story and it sounds like it’s going to be some read. Punk has had an influence in the bigger culture but interestingly she also raised the point that corporations looked to make money out of it.
I go to the cavernous car park that is club casbah to see the Queers. Fast power pop hardcore. Full of energy and tunes. Barely stopping for air between the songs they rock them out at blistering pace.
I catch a couple of song form Barrow In Furnaces biggest export Voodoo Radio another 2 piece. Both front and centre. It’s one Dad and his daughter which as a parent takes a different constraint. Daughter is the drummer playing a stripped down kit and a Dad was rocking a guitar full of too many solos for my choosing.
I get back to the empress to see Bar Stool Preachers entertain the crowd. What a show they put on. The packed crowd all sing along, they are here for a good time and that clash punky reggae ska sing song sure made sure that they did have that good time. I go see Bar Stool Preachers every time I’m at rebellion and they never disappoint. They are more polished this year as TJ roams around the stage seeking crowd participation. The crowd and me had very high expectations for this set and tonight they exceeded many’s expectations.
I finally settle back into the arena for Tom Robinson band. As I sit there listening to a singer who just gets better with age(6 years younger than Charlie Harper) I contemplate Blackpool, The opera house and the festival. All improving despite the odds. This is not a lesson in nostalgia it is respecting what has gone by and preparing for how best to tackle the future.
The day finishes with 5 men who were playing music before the first band I saw today were born. It’s up to bands now like Tits Up to carry the torch of the protest song and keep speaking up for those who don’t feel safe.
As for me I resolve to try and slow down for the next few days. Pace will be needed.
niallhope
