Rebellion

I find blogging about gigs difficult at the best of times because I don’t make notes while I’m there. Rebellion was spread over four days and I was drunk for much of the time but it needs writing up so here goes. Sorry if it’s a bit disjointed but that just reflects my memories.

Last year, I didn’t really dress up for Wasted. I wore my favourite band t-shirts for three of the days but wore normal jeans and trainers and looked pretty normal. This year, I really fancied going a bit more punky so I went to Afflecks Palace in Manchester on Thursday morning and became the proud owner of a pair of black and white tartan bondage pants. These are not the exact ones but I’m sure you get the picture.

After taking the girls (Bobbie and Charlie, who had helped me choose the trousers and had also made some necessary purchases themselves) home and having a quick lunch, I set off for Blackpool. I booked into my hotel (after a lengthy wait for Mine Host to appear) and while I was waiting, I rang my very good friend, the rambling man, who was already there and asked him where I could find him. He told me he was in a pub called the Blue Room so I said I’d go there after I’d got my wrist band.

So having dumped my stuff in my room and donned my new trousers, black t-shirt and braces, I set off for the Winter Gardens and got myself wrist-banded up. On my way there, I saw a gentleman with green hair, whom I recognised as German Mike. I tapped him on the shoulder and greeted him warmly, giving him a big hug. I then got my wrist band and went off to find The Blue Room, a rather pleasant hostelry in Blackpool, which serves a reasonable selection of cask ale. The rambling man got me a pint in and I sat down with him and his mates, a group of punks from Doncaster. More on them later.

After a while, I dragged the rambling man off to see the first band I wanted to see, Middle Finger Salute. These young gentlemen from Blackburn play a fast, raw punk and I think they’re great (they also read my blogs so I like them even more for that). We encountered German Mike in the Winter Gardens on our way and I took the obligatory shot of him and the rambling man together.

We then went off to see Middle Finger Salute, who did not disappoint (and more importantly, impressed the rambler). I just think they’re great and I get this sort of avuncular feeling everytime they play. Well, maybe I should say av-auntie-ular feeling – I make a better auntie than uncle, after all.

A little later, after a few more pints (not quite as nice as those available at the Blue Room), I saw 3CR. 3CR are again a good raw punk band and their repertoire includes the thoughtful and tender love song I fell in love with a Minger. The lead singer and bass player, Boggy, has a magnificent red Mohican and was sporting what looked like dog collars just below his knees which made him look a bit like a demented Morris Dancer. I’ve had a dream of forming a punk Morris Team for some time now and I think Boggy would look great in it. I made a mental note to tackle him about it if I saw him later.

A drink or two later and we went to see The Duel. The rambling man introduced me to the Duel; well, not literally, he gave me a CD. I think they’re great and Tara Rez has a great voice. I am happy to report that they are equally good live. There was a slight problem with one of Tara’s shoes coming apart while she was on stage but, apart from that, the set went without a hitch. I stood right at the front (my favourite place at a gig) and soaked it all in.

After that, it was back to the bar but I spotted John Robb and went and had a chat. He remembered me! I also had my photo taken with him (this was the first of a few I had taken with lead singers of bands I like). I have to admit, I look a bit of a loon in the picture but it’s not everyday I get a kiss off one of my heroes. So here it is. I may have mentioned in previous blogs that it is my considered opinion that John Robb’s sweat has magical properties. Well, so do his kisses. He turned my knees to jelly and my feet to ice-cream.

In the bar, I saw Jock, the lead singer of the Straps. I first saw the Straps in 1979 or 1980, when I was 16 and I thought they were great. I spent the next few months stalking Jock, who worked at Boy, a punk boutique on the Kings Road and hob-nobbing with the band at every opportunity. Jock is now married with kids (a bit like me) and he was accompanied by his wife, Kate, who I liked immediately. At one point, I bought the Straps’ new CD from Jock. We were joined a little later by the guitarist (and sole original band member), Dave and I took this picture of Jock and Dave in conference with Charlie Harper of the UK Subs.

Sometime later, I spotted Boggy from 3CR and went over to him to confront him about his Morris Dancing Accessories. He told me that they were dog collars but that didn’t wash with me. I know lots of Morris Dancers who fasten dog collars just below the knee. The only difference is they attach bells to them first. I suggested to Boggy that he might want to join my punk Morris Team (still to be formed). He did not seem too receptive at first but I persisted and eventually, he agreed, although I think he was simply trying to get me to shut up and go away. I obliged but not before I had my photo taken with him. 3CR might not be the best known punk band out there but I think they’re great and that makes Boggy punk royalty. So I have to have my photo taken with him. As you can see, I’m proudly clutching my new Straps CD.

I also found another lead singer to have my photo taken with – Animal from The Anti Nowhere League. Being a shy, retiring sort of person, I asked Jock to take me over and introduce me. Jock obliged, Animal obliged and I had my photo taken with him by (I think) Shady. I actually managed to maintain a relatively normal facial expression too. Not bad really.

The last two bands I saw were Splodgenessabounds and The Last Resort. I was tired during the Last Resort’s set so I retired to bed before it finished. You see, I may be a punk, but I’m an old punk and I like to be tucked up in bed with my cocoa by 10pm most nights. Not getting to bed before 2am really takes it out of me so I retired relatively early.

As it would say in one of my favourite magazines, “That’s enough for now – Ed”. Don’t worry, though, this will be continued.

~ by Jester on August 18, 2007.