Whatever Happens, We Elect Positivity
020 11 04 / 4th November 2020
Ramblings of a Rocklands Love Pirate (a.k.a. TheZineUK Events Department)
5am ish. I awoke early. My mental health avoided the electicle dysfunction of AmeriKKKa, yet I still have that impending doom feeling which awoke me early on 12th December 2019 when I knew that cheating and propaganda really had won a decade earlier with 26% of the vote and the collusion of the lib dems to create The Austerity Heist.
In 2011 I filmed the general public response that I was part of. By August, there were riots. They have culled police and health since then, divided us to conquer.
To this day, 21st century Goebbelspeak triggers even decent people by dog whistling "the left" and "Corbyn" into snarling snarks. Well played, Murderoch and other puppet masters, the Stockholm Syndrome is complete. If the world ended at Winter Solstice 2012 then that would explain a lot.
I couldn't care so much about the party or politics of a member of parliament if they are decent, imperfect (human) but moral and on the side of the people. Without greed, corruption and bloodthirst, a nation can function as a society. This won't work for the Fash Regime. We are so lawless that rapists and paedophiles are protected by the establishment. It's actually re-establishment which can't even offer cake to the peasants, in assistance to a real People's Leader, Marcus Rashford.
If the law is an ass then money is it's hole, for just yesterday a satanist neonazinonce terrorist has avoided jail with toff’s priviledge via the house of Lords. Even Vader and Voldemort say that this rancid vermin's nest is too corrupt for them. Give me Lord Buckethead, any day.
Notice how it’s often The Arts who bring balance to the force? Sporting sport, dance routines, uniting to save theatres, music venues, the planet…? Positivity! How about music save the musicians?
I dig where ethical streaming platform, Resonate, are coming from. https://resonate.is/ Kat Five of Feral five introduced me to it. Pictured at the DEUX FURIEUSES album launch October 2019. Our mates have got so many strings to their musical bow!
Good people save us all. Positivity.
In the new world disorder, my mental health has been a roller coaster which the fruits of creativity have salved. Every single human being with the capacity to think or even empathise, has had an especially overwhelmed 2020. It's not guaranteed to be over for some time.
A lawless dictatorship will last as long as propaganda and “power” enable. There have been some people-powered shifts that prick the conscience of decent folk, but not of moral free actual pricks. Many celebrities have shed their public image skins to reveal angels and lizards.
It has not been dull - fiction can’t match reality for plot twists. Concept compilation album, “Now That’s What I Call 2020 Bingo Card” would have a spectactular soundtrack!
It’s no secret that TheZineUK documenting loves Nova Twins, one of the driving forces woven into this story, since Chapter 1. ‘Play Fair’ is taken from their 2020 debut album ‘Who Are The Girls?’. Keeping DIY music, attitude and stage style, 4REAL, they are already a fertile influence of the future.
#2020Vision also turned out to mean being able to see clearly. Agreeing and disagreeing without going apeshit while having the bigger picture to focus on, which is The Planet and it's children of all ages.
It feels like we are rapidly morphing into the underdogs of the dystopian movies. Mentally, physically, visually, politically. We must choose our path. I wish we would look out for each other like friendly, tech-savvy cyberpunk rebels.
Monefa Walker and Ruby Blue at The Camden Mix Up, July 2019
It feels like many of our friends want this. Nurturing their peers and allies, alike. The internet has brought us behind their scenes, audiences, industry, media on side are, indeed allies. This year, I’ve read more NME than in years, as they get behind Music Venue Trust for the spaces that express new music. Also seeing more of the names from our doc deservedly going next level, attention wise. Positivity.
2020 was the release of ‘Genetic Cabaret’ the third album from Asylums. It is boulder sized rock power from start to finish. Latest single, ‘The Distance Between Left And Right’ has gotta be one the defining statement songs of NOW. (live video just dropped, mixed by Dave Eringa - Manics are a thread of of TheZineUK and MSP fans, get into Asylums, I say!) but hands up, who is missing live shows? - Right?! Also taken from ‘Genetic Cabaret’ - The fucking JOY of why TheZineUK is compelled to look forward, visualised in their video for ‘Platitudes’
We need these escapisms.
“Reality” is social injustice, mass confusion/suffering and depresssion, knuckle-dragging gammon rage and everything in between and beyond as the elite stay safe in their socially distanced residences ready to take to their yachts if the seas rise. Continuing life as if nothing has changed, they have us plebs divided to conquer as we tweetscream daily at each other. Might as well let off our anger, fears and over riding LOVE by dancing and jumping around, punching the air, not each other, that’s too close these New Abnormal days, anyway.
Makes more sense than some of the bollocks I’ve seen written on the side of a bus these last few years
In lockdown, I glam up a bit more just to safari up the high street. Sparkle like you’re in Bugeye, dear friends. Another stupendously wowing band from our huge cast and crew of stars. (peruse our diaries like a catalogue and employ them all)!
Just as Nova Twins and Asylums multi task from our early chapters, Bugeye are another multiple tasking cog in the steampunk time travel of pop’s newer wave. Raising serious issues through seriously good tunes and beats. Oops, this commentary has turned a bit Albums Of The Year but what can I say? ‘Ready Steady Bang’ will also nag your brain with expansive arena sounds that hopefully you can experience live on stage again a.s.a.p. The cool ‘Blue Fire’ video is a lockdown creation of adaptivity. The stop start animation of ‘Don’t Stop’ is a fantastic collaboration with the increasingly feted visual vixen power of 31% Wool. ArtBeat is in action with ALL the bands on this page.
Six years of documenting my love of rock and roll for TheZineUK, sharing social media of political backdrop to the theatric dramas unfolding since Chapter 1 of the picture diary was uploaded in March 2014.
Within a seven year itches worth of this tapestry weaving, we will have landed on a grave new world by March 2021.
Pic: After Autumn 2013 that first issue was compiled with Fashion Art Music Entertainment as core. Co-founded by a large collective of creative ArtBeat Amersham Arms regulars. What amazing writers, photographers, tech, ideas and moments flavoured the unbelievable journey to 2017.
Larking about pre an ArtBeat show Autumn 2013 photographed by Rupert Hitchcox at Amersham Arms. TryLife’s Nicky and Paul returned to film the club scene from TryLife Episode 2 at this venue, included in TheZineUK Chapter 1.
I coined the name TheZineUK with the emphasis on THE. I believe in fanzines and magazines as alternative documentary. Music photography and journalism take us to extra places when the gig or song has ended.
I’ve done zines since arriving in London. I can't actually write, photograph or design myself, I keep learning. I still wanted a mega zine - and thanks to the actual talents involved, it feels like one. UK obviously can’t stand for united kingdom, but kin feels positive, and right.
Massive thank you to The Wizard Of Wolverhampton!
The bands change line ups, names or even disband in the same way that the cast and crew form relationships or fall out of friendships. Souls have departed in death or have arrived on this world with new life. TheZineUK is imperfect, human but whimsically wholesome. Like the artists, TheZineUK changes line ups and ways of working.
The opportunities to engage with contacts are still there. Behind the scenes, our talented teams are as much Future Picks as the on stage stars of the story.
Our team also go on to some great new enterprises (like Ragged Cult Magazine, Why Generation? Zine and Rupert Hitchcox being part of the multi media platform, Joyzine, have ensued by 2020). Duncan Stafford's exhibition at Amersham Arms graced various high profile events, more from Duncan coming soon. Trust A Fox has just held a live music photography extravaganza. Seriously, get involved.
https://raggedcult.com/ | https://whygeneration.co.uk/ | https://ruperthitchcox.photography/ | https://duncanstaffordphotography.com/ | https://trustafoxphotography.com/ *
Without funding and sponsors, TheZineUK’s aim of hiring artists, DJs, writers, photographers, presenters, designers etc couldn't go forward. We had to adapt.
Luckily, TheZineUK is situationist, immersive performance theatre. Creating a holistic interdependent, newer wave of music industrious was taking on legs of it’s own. It’s all HAPPENING.
Pre Brexit, and via our third Expo, #ArtBeatFest, we had assembled a strong cast. We deconstructed and reconstructed in 2017.
Led by our editor, Dizzy Spell, whose dynamism (and theatre director experience) magnetised an extended crew of female talent, then has raised our readership over the last three years. BTW I believe that Sandy K. Moz is beyond special. Stay tuned.
By the end of that year, Dizzy, Monefa, Heather, Katie and myself from TheZineUK crew had joined forces with Rachel Brown of Northern Exposure for The Music People Party to reboot TheZineUK. It was, of course, positively WILD.
From Fashion Art Music Entertainment (2014-2017) we had evolved into the #FertileEnvironment of #StageStyle that TheZineUK has become.
Zeenagers? Ain’t a clique, all generations welcome and have contributed.
Thanks to Heather Minx (Minx Media, TV, Video, Film and stay tuned…!), we have #FootballMusic as a thread via Soccer Six (from Chapter 1), ha ha, that legendary SoccerSixFest of September 2017, though! We were also on the yellow brick road to CroCroLand…
From 2018, tipping music journalists like Susan Hansen and Louise Schofield alongside the artists, promoters and tech such as TryLife and Flare Audio the interdependence made increasing sense thanks to the events and industry who gave us access to include them in our documenting.
In January 2018, The Music People Party’s first DJ host, Katie Owen makes her filmed interview debut with The Velvet Hands at This Feeling’s annual “Big In…” love in. Also playing that night, Calva Louise, Nadia Sheikh and The Lodgers. We all love This Feeling! 51 Second teaser filmed by David Gomes.
Future Picks budding in a Fertile Environment: By 2020: Laurie Wright & The Lockdown came from The Lodgers, Calva Louise are on a roll and have just signed FRKST records, Nadia and her band toured with Stereophonics, Katie presented on BBC Radio 1 in December 2019.
The Velvet Hands have graced huge stages galore (with Paul Weller, Liam Gallagher, more, festivals) and international radio, courtesy of their 2018 album ‘Party’s Over’ and via strong contending new material. ‘When This Is Over’ (Summer single for Music Venue Trust’s #SaveOurVenues campaign) has been called 2020’s catchiest song and their raw and raucous brand new single, ‘Back On A Winner’, really lives up to it’s name as across the board the band are hailed punky rock n roll saviours. “one day soon the bands will play…”
…and yes, the visual art/beat collaborations continue. The Music People Party nights of that year and 2019, yet again united a nationwide of sets that belong on bigger stages with an international mix of industry and media (grassroots and otherwise).
As TheZineUK’s Events Department, Rocklands ArtBeat only created one show this year. By then we had earned an amazing sponsor (and some private kindnesses behind the scenes that got us a bit emotional! Aww, the appreciation is appreciated).
Yes 2020 foiled our plans, same as everybody else but just last week, one of our favourite music journalist legends gave us further affirmation then one of our favourite musicians. So whatever happens, onwards, then.
January’s #FuturePicks TV pilot with Louise Schofield started something new. It speaks measures of the character of the artists that we adore on recordings and live on stage, that they (and the interdependent new music world gifted to the established one), have collaborated and adapted to share the joy.
“Do things out of love and not fear” (Jean Genie’s Massive Hugs)
Jean Genie, bringer of sunshine, image by Fascination Street Photography
Louise also hosted the Joyzine instigated Balcony Festival series on line that began the day after Britain’s first “lockdown” more and definitely less, began. Both “Lullaby Lou” and Susan have contributed to TheZineUK and are increasingly in demand. Liam Gallagher and Sleaford Mods are on board bigging up Susan’s insightful journalistic skills. Too right!
Equally prolific and adventured, Louise (herself of BBC Sesh and much more) has a new podcast coming that the industry are LOVING being part of (Chat The Great - with Victor M. Moses), and has just landed a slot on Islington Radio alongside James Walsh of Starsailor, Libby Phelps (Hoxton Radio) John Dawkins (Libertines, Tom Grennan etc manager), Ed Harcourt and many more movershaker names. It’s ISlington not ISN’T-lington, after all! https://twitter.com/IslingtonRadio
The fertile Newer Wave of rock n roll as a festival happened in 2019 with CroCroLand (Louise presents a fraction of the action). We will never stop going on about this festival. Blessings to all the extended, interdependent friends who shared and supported. Created by Angela Martin (Bugeye) and Julian Woolams (31% Wool), TheZineUK was honoured to be on the roll call of involvement. Here are Bang Bang Romeo interviewed by Katie and Heather, before the band went on tour with Pink last Summer.
See all that above, but there is still no such general phrase as “A&R Women”. No worries, we’ll scout yer dick off, festival bookers, if you get stuck for female representation on your bills. With the likes of Clit Rock, DecoloniseFest, Get In Her Ears, Loud Women and more, it’s not as if there’s nowhere to pick up tips.
2020, then:
WTF.
This year we have learned new skills from washing our hands and brutal truths of history to Zoom conferencing, we have enhanced our live streaming game and green screens are part of this DIY media. Me? For the first time in my life I want to obey rules. I have taken heed of what our NHS, the scientists and my Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, have advised.
Not only did some big Music Industry hitters have the time of day for meetings with TheZineUK (special thanks to Featured Artists Coalition who joined our story), pre Pandemica, but I can't believe that I got to see two live gigs since the False Heads album launch for the (yes, you know it!) ace ‘It’s All There But You’re Dreaming’ in March.
Did not expect to be double blessed by live music, again, until 2021. Seized it.
Jean Genie (of Massive Hugs fame) and Jonny had two weeks to create the week long SNCFest 2020 in September as the crime syndicate (or “government”, whatever) took time from siphoning public funds with impunity, to move the goalposts a bit. I'm grateful, because physically distanced, seated gigs with extra cleaning could happen. Not only that, Jean Genie’ has a ‘Vaccine’! She is one of the Balcony Festival alumni. Joyzine managed to create a new collective of collaboration which raised thousands for charity.
Half a minute of MOSES, October 15th at Amersham Arms. Another 2020 debut album smash. Rising under the radar and proportionately hot for a word of mouth band, ‘Almost Everything Is Bullshit’ has passed a million streams and the vinyl repaid for themselves as soon as they were released. Bombastic pop euphoria with a punky rock n roll live SHOW. Another name to pay serious attention to. Gigs coming together for 2021 where you can FEEL, as well as see/hear something happening.
As a long time rock n roller, another positivity I take from this is seeing beloved bands AND cleaner venues. Experiencing how music people come together to try even when being told to retrain and “get better jobs”. Claustrophobic and a bit OCD, I'm in my element until one day we can explode with joy at being in a real gig or festival again. This year we got closer to the artists that we love.
Always finding new faves on top. Bonus! Awww, nearly got to catch BLAB live this month, it’s postponed, delayed gratification, bring it ON! ‘R.I.P.’ is ripping! Rule of Essex #AnotherCoolThing
This year is so wondertuned that 100 people could name their Top Ten Albums of 2020 and each list would be different. If we are lucky enough to have security and sustenance we have the luxury to appreciate such things more. We help the less fortunate even though charity should be an addition, not what the state leans on, for we pay our taxes. Directly off shore, it seems, but we want to do it anyway. That is also positivity.
OMG. We are all ‘PMF’ extras, now! We are living through a Post Modern Fairytale. Future Picks, The Novus called it last Autumn. Ahead of the pack as ever, this rock band have just completed a sold out, socially distanced tour in 2020. The future is positively firing, in the resiliant hands of brilliant bands.
#WeMakeEvents
I wanna be in a field next summer “singing” my lungs out to a favourite song. I’ll do it in a mask if I have to. We miss our family and friends. Thank goodness for technology and the creativity it can share. “Retrain”, my arse.
To get to that dreamed of field, I mask up for the safety of my neighbours and the public in general. I shield at home (watching Agents Of Shields is shielding, right?) while creating, working towards a future, in hope.
I just want this over. I want there to be national grieving, for the sick and frightened (with whatever illness) to know that so many people care. I cover my spreader-holes in respect. I genuinely want to Be Kind.
Jelly J’s art is another of the ArtBeat Future Picks, such vibrant street heART.
That picture is from a magical day I’d been looking forward to. Then a phone call out of the blue brought me really low and I decided to stay in. A 15 minute Love Quota meditation and I calmed down realised that had been the intention, rebelled, put it down to another 2020 reveal, cheered up and went out to meet my friends. We found One For The Road SE14 close to where TheZineUK began. There’s something in the #SELondon air, and it’s not just covid 19.
From December 2019 onwards it’s been a bit “What Fresh, Shitting Image Hell Is This?” Actually, it’s not fresh, it’s pretty stale now. I’m rebelling for some fresh HEAVEN.
There is some sparkling positivity.
Take this wonder woman for instance: With classically voxed beats and melody singing the perceived prey calling out the predator, TheZineUK called ‘Black Lolita’ by Michelle O Faith “a breathtaking instant pop classic” - within six weeks the video has surpassed 40,000 views.
I love our newer wave of pop stars! You can see why we’d like a TV show? Future Picks will return. Who wouldn’t want to entertain the good people of the world, make them feel good with big tunes.
Now that we know who the essential people are, the carers, public services and the staff who make each day a better place for us, why are the corrupt and evil elite still leeching off us. Surely they must have enough by now, to let us get on with our climate, law, education, health, arts, compassion and sanity. Most civilians actually WANT to be civilised! Self expresion, creativity and performance are indications of evolved society.
Hence the establishment’s thuggish culling of the arts to the point that in 2014, Music Venue Trust was compelled to form - Independent Music Venue Week also.
TheZineUK launched then. A tiny DIY pebble in an underground pond, but boy, are we rippling out. Thank you to all who wish for a fairer society. Where there are educated youth, there is hope for the future.
Big TUNES fuel TheZineUK story, still - multiple-tasked talents like author John Clay who has filmed, broadcast, you name it, through this movement like the art immortalised Rock n Roll Superman that he is.
One of the bands, Birthmarks, have another 2020 debut album that is also incredible massive. The line “I used to pray for a day like today but with a better ending” goes through my head regularly, lately, so I think I’ll pick ‘Pale’ taken from ‘…And Then The Rain Stopped’ to share with anybody who will listen.
Music, Musicians, Audiences, Music Tourism, Crew, Venues, Events, Festivals - this is what Britain and Ireland can do together, increasingly. We have learned how important this art is in connecting them all. It’s been a harsh lesson to learn for those who can’t appreciate that it needs paying and revering.
If we learned nothing in 2020, what was it all for? I have learned that I retrain, every day in what I do, and sincerely await examples of these so called “Better Jobs”. Until then, positivity to spread. I go share joy...
6am ish. Braves social media. All is well with the world, Lord Buckethead and Count Binface are trending on twitter. Of course they are. Never forget who we really are, GREAT Britain, you eccentric beauty.
Whatever happens, we are TheZineUK and we will continue to elect positivity to the last breath. Gonna leave the last word with Irvine Welsh
