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 from “stripped back” 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 Magazine (@asbo_magazine) • Instagram

ASBO “the street in print” is multi media with stage style, that came to TheZineUK’s attention during lockdown 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 music / 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 with songs, performance, even awards nominations etc. 2024: 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, Alex Spencer and music media star, Arlo the Pint-sized punk to name but a few.

Culture-war fakers can’t fool themselves that guitars ain’t a force for good, for future, forever…

Photography journalist/musician, 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. 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 feelgood 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 USA clips in Spring at TheZineUK’s TikTok). 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”. TheZineUK could not document without most of our stars self belief.

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

New VOODOO RADIO single and album!

Woohoo, who do the voodoo two do?

Out now: ‘TURN OUT THE LIGHT’ the new single from VOODOO RADIO (Holy Dotage Records)

‘Turn Out The Light’ is energised air-pumping punkabilly roc,k for turning up loud to jump n shout along to.

A new cosmic-beat outfit of generation tremorists, Voodoo Radio are Paige (vocals - she bangs the drums) and Tony (rock n roll guitar riffs).

At the end of January 2022, these cumbrian power-punks will unleash ‘POP PILLS’ - a debut 10” mini-album of eight self-penned, infectious pop gems of relentless, raw power.

If you’re bored with the establishment’s idea of what a band should be, you’re gonna love the way that Voodoo Radio are driving their own story - it’s like punk actually happened.

As a Shampoo fan, I hear where they’re coming from. Tony is a seasoned performer who was inspired by hearing Slaves on the radio. Unafraid to glam rock a guitar solo, he suggested to his daughter, Paige: “get two shoe boxes, anything that’s like a drum stick – a table knife and a wooden spoon and see if you can sing and play rhythms whilst hitting a beat”. Fuck, yeah, that’s worked an absolute treat.

In 2018, the hard working duo started rocking the tunnels of Central London’s Leicester Square tube station.

Their presence stopped commuters and tourists in their tracks with mesmerising ‘summer of 76’ power-pop.

TARDIS time travel from tube tunnels, through Planet Earth’s white mirror looking glass of the last few years, to 2021.

Fresh, fierce and full on ready to bring it.

Pre-order the debut VOODOO RADIO album, ‘POP PILLS’

https://holydotage.co.uk/shop/voodoo-radio-pop-pills/

The October 2021 debut single, ‘SPACE GIRL’, was recently on America’s iconic Rodney On The Rock radio show, as well as being track of the week on the BBC! A hint of B52s x The Cramps but a 21st century guitar-licked sound of their own.

p.s. I really enjoyed my first glimpse of Voodoo Radio live on stage this October.

Kick Out The Jams sure know how to pick out the glams. “How freaking cool.” TheZineUK remarked, capturing half a minute on our instagram.

Paige Cook of Voodoo Radio at Amersham Arms, New Cross, October 2021

After their set, I tried to join their mailing list without my specs on in the semi-dark of gigworld.

Bless the band for replying:

“Were really sorry but we didn't catch your name at the Amersham Arms we've got your email address and you wrote in our book that you didn't have your glasses so you've written it extra big Haha! Please let us know who this mysterious person is lol.”

It’s me, and I dig it!

(Caffy, TheZineUK Events Dept.)

That Break! This Feeling!

Artists blown away by audiences and vice-versa = This Feeling!

Louise Schofield presenter (also a This Feeling DJ over the weekend)

#TheZineUK - September 2021

Informative informal interviews by Louise Schofield where excited, exciting talents talk feedback, creative process and more!

Despite everything, artists are still coming through.

The Chase (who started their rock n roll dreams as child musicians) had just played their first major event.

Isle Of Wight is the daddy of music festivals and This Feeling is the mother of opportunity for guitar graced talent.

There’s a soft spot for both in our tale.

In the Skinner Brothers interview,  Zach reveals some introspect (and amusing) angles on being in the public eye.

It’s All Happening - Still!

Over the last five years, especially, grassroots venues have  witnessed a (r)evolution, despite mainstream media's opinion that "Guitar bands are OVER".  In a year of Manics, Inhaler AND The Lathums albums - to name but three (the latter two, also TF alumni) I’d tell these sofa critics, "nah, wakey wakey!"  Guitar genres and beats fuse, now that audiences make the trends.  

Lock-In. Rock out.

A tragic world needs musical joys for escapism.

In that vein, Lock-In blew the roof off This Feeling’s tent. Again, Isle Of Wight was their first festival! These uplifting, step-on-the-ladder tales are so needed.

Look again at TF “The Zone” social media and what a wealth of artists have to say.

Our  music world is devastated by the pandemic. Many things have to change.

Small venue communities like this, are a vocal blueprint for social collusion. Under the radar, over the rainbow.

Lou and Zach

Get involved at local shows like it's your last chance to dance with like-minded souls. Maybe one day, it will be, if we don't support each other.

Look what happens when they come together!

New music industrious add fresh talent to future potential by supporting a more diverse heritage: Mixing in working class to give the lucky posh some extra playmates.

We're all Playing Class Friends at gigs.

Some of the most heartwarming stories are unfolding and necessary, especially since Brexit piled on more misery. Just to be an artist or one of their allies, takes drive and determination. They deserve attention.

Spyres, for instance, are another band with a wealth of activity in the pipeline for popular music’s alternative tapestry. The reactions from their headline set at This Feeling set are jungle telegraph fireworks.

Nottingham in the area at This Feeling’s ReWired Festival Weekend (August 2021 - London/Leeds)

TheZineUK doc, in turn, consistently has new threads to weave, because we’re all part of a (perfectly imperfect) artful and rising entertainment network.

It doesn't look, think, sound or act like the old guard.

It's not so busy trying to be clique / cliche that it doesn't feel passionate, fun (and frankly often bonkers!).

It’s a moving movement and This Feeling are in the eye of a storming storm.

Want a great series to watch. It’s more Nutflakes than Netflix, but still, follow all these tales as they unfold. Gripping tunes.

Massive thanks (as ever!) to Mikey, George, Zone Rangers, the interviewees and our "Lullaby Lou" for these engaging and revealing chats. Very best wishes all, for the future - oh, and there’s more to come!

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