Well, am pleased we will be ending the year with a gig at the 12 Bar – ‘London Calling’ a night promoted by a dear friend ‘Barnet’ – who i think has done wonders to putting on a ‘kool’ stamp on the venue and all its shenanigans.
I know this because i always go to Barnets punk nights at the 12 bar when i can – and when we were asked to play at The Gaff’s launch weekend – wasn’t offered money but was only too pleased to say yes – cos 12 bar has given me alot of good memeories, and even when my memeories have been bad – the people there have made the moments bearable.
Not so at The Gaff Club – got treated like absolutely SHITE from the word go. Probably shouldnt say any more than that for now – but in retrospect – i realised actually whats kool and what has my loyalty at the 12 Bar is mainly down to Barnet and the nights he’s put on, the atmosphere , and the length of time he has been bringin decent gigs in that venue – truly they have benefited positively – and i gotta say – luv all the crew there -
But don’t necessarily immediately think you’ll get the same greeting at The Gaff Club – just because 12 Bar have taken this venue on.
It will take time and a lot of lovin sweat to bring that venue and its workers up to the same standard of atmosphere – u cant just live off a name - the people within the name are wot counts.
As for me, what happened there unfortunately will have a long painful stain on my brain – but enough of bollox – let’s party where we’re the happiest
Rebellion Festvals do it in style again. They are promoting the legendary Cocksparrer at the well aclaimed Melkweg in Amsterdam in November next year. Another excuse for punks united around the world to get thier arses to pastures green (hehe) to show em who we are what we like and that we are still together.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Cocksparrer the let me fill you in:
Cock Sparrer Will Always And Forever Be..Colin McFaull – Vocals, Steve Burgess – Bass Guitar, Steve Bruce – Drums, Mickey Beaufoy – lead guitarist Daryl Smith-Guitarist and Will Murray – Road Manager..
This is how there career is described on Wikipedia and i think all it does is inspire and demand an up to date interview of their thoughts,experience and drive in the punk movement
‘Cock Sparrer was founded by Colin McFaull, Mick Beaufoy, Steve “Burge” Burgess and Steve Bruce – who had known each other since the age of 11. Playing in nightclubs in and around London, they developed the style that was later to be known as streetpunk or Oi!. In 1976, the band met with Malcolm McLaren, who allegedly offered to sign the band alongside to his newest discovery, the Sex Pistols. According to the members of Cock Sparrer, the deal never happened because Mclaren refused to buy them a round of beers. Another explanation is that they refused to cut their hair as McLaren wanted.
In 1977, Garrie Lammin (Burge’s cousin) joined in as second guitarist and the band secured a deal with Decca Records, who were hoping to cash in on the now blooming punk movement. The first Cock Sparrer single was “Runnin’ Riot”, released in May 1977. It did not sell well, nor did the following singles, and Decca dropped the band in 1978. The band members had already recorded an album’s worth of material, which remained officially unreleased until 2006. Cock Sparrer disbanded in 1980, but in 1981, old Cock Sparrer songs were included on several Oi! compilation albums, and interest in the band began to rise again. They reformed in 1982 and signed to Carrere Records, which released the “England Belongs to Me” single followed by Cock Sparrer’s debut albumShock Troops. It was released in fall 1983 and included the songs “Where Are They Now“, “I Got Your Number”‘ and “Riot Squad.” In 1984, Beaufoy left the band and was replaced by Shug O’Neill, who was later replaced by Chris Skepis. The album Running Riot in ‘84 was released in October 1984.
The band performed several reunion concerts in 1992 (with Daryl Smith as the new second guitarist), and in 1994 they released a new album, Guilty as Charged. In 1997, they released the album Two Monkeys. Since then, Cock Sparrer has occasionally toured and has performed sporadically at punk festivals including the Wasted/Rebellion festival. In April 2008 they headlined Rebellion Vienna [2] and also headlined Rebellion Blackpool in August 2008.[3]‘
I saw this band properly in Vienna – a festival put on by Rebellion – it was a truly memorable anthemic night and specially every time ‘Because your Young’ and ‘England Belongs To Me’ is played i go mad singing along filled with power and excitement. To achieve this in songwriting is a very credible acheivement . To affect the multitude crowd from the ones down the front to the ones on the fringes at the back – all arms up singing with passion – what more could you ask for as a band and an admiring on looker
I missed the gig in Wolverhampton, but i was well pissed off i did, didnt hear anyone coming back to say they had a naff time haha.
So … book early to avoid being bitten by the credit crunch and get arses and boots to Amsterdam for a gig of difference – come on you know you are dying for something to pluck u up and lift you out of your daily grind …
i was going to finish by sayin come and let your hair down .. and was amused at the thought of how a skinhead would do this . :chuckle:
Also check out one of my favourate sites for indepth info of the band :
