| On Earth, right now "punk" is in
vogue. That well known, ahem, trio (?!) The Clash are on the cover of a
monthly music mag and the word punk is bandied about every where. No end of exposure,
praise and recognition for The Datsuns/The Vines (they’re from New
Zealand yknow!), The Libertines (articles on their housing, so cred), Cooper
Temple Clause (hair), etc - all part of establishment media’s Punk Idols
interest (thanks largely to The Strokes and White Stripes).
By 002 Busted and Avril Lavigne even had the right
fashion style to introduce themselves to the public. Recognition of rock’n’roll is always great but I live in a land and
time of Jedi Knights, peace marches, common unity and the Monster Raving Loony party. i.e.
individuality. I don’t need to be told "this band are punk. you like them".
Apparently thanks to Yeah Yeah Yeah’s d.i.y. chic, alternative
rockers have even found a way of dressing themselves (well it says so in more than one
publication!) Oh please. Trendy is a nu-skool spin on punk that sits uncomfortably on my
nerves and comes up regularly in conversation among music fans. You can never replicate
discovering your own music. Besides, modern culture is drenched in punk heritage...
Piss on "cool", let's rock! There are many
undiscovered, unsigned, unnoticed and unfawned upon bands that have just as much
potential, and play just as exciting gigs, as the limited quota of the favoured few.
Hooray for the net, then...
I’m off to see three happening bands that were
introduced to me not by the establishment media but by R*E*P*E*A*T and Drowned
In Sound (from Planet Water’s Friend network) and word of mouth (The Jungle
Telegraph remains my media of choice). In the small venues and alternative media, like hip
hop and many other individualistic genres of music, punk rock has created havoc and
inspired dreams since the 70s. Tonight, Kinesis, Reuben and
Miss Black America will bring an unmissable
show to London Punk City.
That broad minded d.i.y., sharing vibe of the 70s never died.
Ridicule remains nothing to be scared of. Punk can’t be tamed and has had a huge and
highly visible influence on modern culture. Ms Dynamite is actually more
"punk" than many who are deemed it. Before all the awards and stuff tho, she was
already "The Ms. Iah", great tunes, positive lyrics, a proper lady, glamorous,
standing up for our rights and not letting fame’s bullshit turn her head. A great pop
star with the punk soul of an individual and the warm heart of humanity.
At the Anti Nazi League carnival last
September, she was on the same bill as Miss Black America,
who are firmly aligned with the anti-fascist stance of most human beings these days. Like Ms
Dynamite they are perfect pop stars for my personal taste. When establishment
media regularly acknowledges the obsessive-punk-cult bands I’ll probably find a
favourite music programme and start buying press again. There’s no point need right
now, I like all the "wrong" bands for current taste.
Fuck fashion, feel passion. I love tunes, attitude,
intelligence and beauty of spirit. I’m inspired by the energy flying from the minds
and mouths of groups like Mika Bomb, The Virgin Suicides and Corporation:Blend.
I can't even write all that well, but I don't care, still gotta say it... |
welcome to 
03-003 Brights -v- Brits