Russ Bestley has established a reputation as one of the great historians of popular music. His specific area is punk, post-punk and DIY music. The 2015 book, The Art of Punk which he co-authored with Alex Ogg is one of the best books ever written about popular music. It includes many of the most original … Continue reading Russ Bestley Interview. The Art of Punk
Steve Mack Interview. Stag, That Petrol Emotion and the US punk scene.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x75EdTZi_5E This was a particularly exciting interview for me. That Petrol Emotion were one of the greatest live acts of all time, and their records captured their musicality, originality, fun, ambition, enthusiasm and ability to construct amazing unique songs. When I mentioned to one of the stalwarts of Ireland’s independent rock … Continue reading Steve Mack Interview. Stag, That Petrol Emotion and the US punk scene.
Thursday’s Tunes…in memory of Grant Hart
Husker Du Don’t Want To Know If You’re Lonely https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoKeH7JYE48 This week’s Thursday’s Tunes are posted with a deep sense of loss. Apparently Grant Hart from Husker Du has died. I’m so sad. I never met the man, yet his music touched me in so many ways at different times of my life. Husker … Continue reading Thursday’s Tunes…in memory of Grant Hart
The Future of Punk: Heavy Drapes Interview
Has punk lost its energy and direction after 40 years? Has it become a formula? Can you combine influences as diverse as Crass, the Damned, Hanoi Rocks and Morrissey? The new Scottish rockers, Heavy Drapes, combine a punky energy and style with a brash attitude and songs that pack a mighty punch. Live, as I … Continue reading The Future of Punk: Heavy Drapes Interview
Interrobang‽ Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI_Mljg8DGg How do you follow up on the most unlikely global hit pop song ever? A song, perhaps best known for the infectious chorus, ‘I get knocked down, but I get up again’, scorched across the global pop charts some years ago. Its title was Tubthumbping and the collective responsible for it were Chumbawamba … Continue reading Interrobang‽ Interview
Paranoid Visions talk about Rebellion festival
One of the most-talked about events at the Rebellion festival this year was the collaboration between Steve Ignorant from Crass and Dublin’s punk stalwarts, Paranoid Visions. They took to the stage in front of one of the biggest crowds of the festival. For anyone who has been following Paranoid Visions since their early days this … Continue reading Paranoid Visions talk about Rebellion festival
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 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