positively Kat five!

“Cyberpunk vixen”, Kat Five is fused into so many mixes of science and nature! She is Feral Five’s lead vocalist, a musician, a solo artist in her own right and a key audio tech consultant/events speaker. Just a few of the many hats “K5” wears.

Despite modern life, across alternative music’s independence, there’s an organic swelling, with firmer foundations, of eclectic career potential coming to wider attention in no one set way.

TheZineUK’s story spins a web from their artistry. Musical activism is bringing pleasure, hope and solidarity during times that can be stressful and perilous for grassroots venues and talent, alike.

In short, POSITIVITY is still a thing!

Music is one of life’s treasures which can give us hope. What about the musicians, though?

We asked Kat Five what gives her hope?

“Community, creativity and activism. People are really coming together right now to fight for change.”

Humanity, assembling, around the world is increasingly noticeable. This brings balance to the mainstream media’s mostly negative energy. Artists are so important for representing the escapist side of life. Eccentricity is an energy.

Feral Five have just appeared live at the giant installation-as-music-festival: Electromagnetic Field, performing an electro spectacle with algorithm visuals, dance, tech, style and interaction.

In April, Kat Five’s debut solo show was wonderfully received at Cro Cro Land Festival.

Both are music stories that are going places, especially since the influential debut album from Feral Five: ‘Truth Is The New Gold’ (2023).

Everybody starts somewhere. We asked K5 “where?”

“At school! School choir, some group guitar lessons, playing that old favourite (not) 'She'll Be Coming Round The Mountain'. Music education is so important. Early influences were amazing artists I saw on TV. The standout was Chrissie Hynde as she played guitar and made anything seem possible.”

It turns out that almost anything IS possible, hence our alternative art movements in sound and vision. Fast forward from school days to having made a genuine mark on the music and tech scenes as well as media acclaim. Read TheZineUK’s Spring’24 Kat Five article for further details.

There’s news for the near future, too. What’s happening, K5?

“Unleashing new music! Planning the next Kat Five single, one of the songs I premiered live at Cro Cro Land Festival, such an amazing place to play. More shows.”

Kat Five (@katfive_) • Instagram

It’s all kicking off!

Cro Cro Land Forever (please)

The sold out Cro Cro Land Festival of 2024 is so much more than a MOMENT of the year.

Read More

Cro Cro Land 2024

Cro Cro Land is already an event of the year for fans of rock, pop, electro, shoegaze, art and style presented on two stages at one location.

Read More

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 “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