Generation Messed Up: Best UP!
Once Upon Another Time (10th February, Chinese Lunar New Year)…
…after the Rough Trade Riot, we all left with an ASBO
Further reading
January:
Straight Outta “CM fuckin’ 2” Essex rock blast, Bilk, sold out half of their ‘Stripped Back & Signing’ gig in five hours. Tickets were soon all gone and discernably hot. WAY to start 2024…
February:
The iconic Rough Trade stage on East London’s Brick Lane has witnessed some memorable live shows. Hold tight Saturday night, we’re at another one!
Changed in the last few weeks to a full electric set, the euphoric, youthful energy of Bilk obviously means a lot to their fans and there’s an excited queue before the doors open.
When they do open after soundcheck, it’s to a virtual installation of Brandon Hepworth’s front cover photography for ASBO Magazine.
ASBO “the street in print” is multi media with stage style, that came to our attention and never left, now with added scene mover shakers, Jean Genie & Jonny giving us all a very warm welcome.
Rock SHOW
Some people still believe guitar music has no power. They don’t appreciate how rich in this culture Britain and Ireland are - from Beatles/Stones, Oasis/Blur to Skindred, Skunk Anansie still KILLING it live/winning awards. Fontaines DC and Nova Twins are internationally in the vanguard of a newer wave. What’s not to love? Loudly.
Young escapism is vital. There are upcoming hopes like ALT BLK ERA, The Molotovs, Noah And The Loners and media star, Arlo the Pint-sized punk - so culture-war fakers can’t fool themselves that guitars ain’t a force for good, for future, forever…
Photographer, Adora, is in the mix of alternative arts blooming adora (@alwaysadora) • Instagram
Poetic bite abounds in these politically dark days in a daze. KILL, THE ICON! BIG SPECIAL - and Bilk are among a mental health boost of wordsmiths who have it in bounds.
The latter, Chelmsford street punks, have been building globally, gradually. Building Noticeably. Perfect for a Rock Show to remember.
Bilk deriders inadvertently fuel the band’s social media algorithms with put-downs amidst what is mostly thrilled feedback from the growing number of invested feelings with a connection to the band. A gang of community.
Rough Trade East, Brick Lane, Shoreditch
10 Feb 23
Exactly a year before tonight’s set, Bilk released a self-titled album that flavoured a chapter.
(Perfect full stop statement from ‘Fashion’ to round off some SXSW clips in Spring). Then festivals and European dates through Summer and Autumn.
Bilk sold out their winter UK tour around the release time of the single/video ‘RNR’, “about living your life as a rock and roll star. Even if you ain’t one, it’s about going out and believing you are”.
10 Feb 24
Tonight those who are lucky enough to have got a ticket are in cheerful party mode. I spot some faces from the newer wave of rock n roll dreams parallel to the world on the news
I spot all generations in the house nodding to Blondie, The Clash, The Jam and The Undertones before Bilk take to the stage like Punk’s Oasis, and raise the energy levels palpably.
Thankfully there were a load of professional photographers in the house, including ASBO’s star snappers
“Trying to be someone else is just a waste of who you are”
‘Fashion’ (from the LP) kicks off and life imitates art as they are ‘RNR’ stars and the set only gets more energetic.
As one of the original melanin punx it thrills my heart to be amidst this ongoing vibe for decades. Weird circles of life, too (my first music job was at Rough Trade). The child inside this vintage rock chick grinned at the noise joys of the crowd.
We need our fun!
Us every day people are trapped under the fash boot of lies and greed. The tories have been in corruption for more than half the lives of the band alone. Steam gotta come out at the boil…
Generation Messed Up, Saturday night Bilking it
Malice-free mosh rowdiness. Bilk’s followers know the score: “If anyone falls over, pick them up, yeah?” - There was a riotous pit or two and a stage invasion, but it was actually the roaring along to the songs, that lifted me most. A deep mine of classic musical references filtered through the reality of broken Britain.
It just lit up the audience. There were children of all ages feeling exuberant from stage diving junior school rockers to original punks and rockers. My fave kinda crowd. Mixing experience with fresh ideas fuels endless possibilities that fuse decades of inspirations with future creations.
In the end, nobody and nothing got broken. I think some of the people in the room will remember as “I Was There” from whatever angle of opinion. Personally I muchly enjoyed.
The signing ended up happening outdoors. Now they’re the Rough Trade banned band (see Bilk’s insta) there’s a newly announced Camden show to help the homeless.
Onwards then. If you’re a “don’t do dull” ‘Daydreamer’, Bilk gonna show you a good time!
(a minute or so of video clips from night)
(Big love/thanX to the JJBirds!)
Just announced and already tickets are selling out
words and almost-pix, Caffy