As part of the annual Mayfest at Liberty Hall Dublin, the history and legacy of Punk rock during the “troubles” will be explored. The event, being brought to you by Hope Collective, on Friday 10th May will feature a once in a lifetime line up of special guests, including key figures from the early days in Derry & Belfast , those who released the records & promoted the gigs and those who are keeping the spirit alive through books, documentaries and new CD releases.
It is fair to say that in the North of Ireland Punk Rock, as a musical expression and a youth culture, had a very different dynamic and sense of urgency than that in the 26 counties and the UK. It is a topic that has never been explored in such a comprehensive manner before, as organiser Niall McGuirk (of the Hope Collective) explains:
“In 1977 Punk Rock was shaking up the world of music while an angry & defiant youth culture was born. But while the Sex Pistols predicted “Anarchy in the U.K.” they did so from the comfort of Carnaby Street in London, while for some the chaos others only sang about was very real. In the North of Ireland there was a war raging, and daily life involved heavily armed troops on the streets, riots, bombings, shootings in a failed sectarian state.”
According to co-organiser Joe Mooney, the event will ask, and hopefully answer the questions:
“How did Punk Rock adapt to this environment? Could these exciting new bands address the political and social realities, could they help bring about change or was singing about ‘average’ teenage life a political stance in itself?”
The evening will feature chat, a panel discussion, some songs and a very special DJ set from the Godfather of Belfast Punk, founding father Terri Hooley.
Tickets only 5 euro available on Eventbrite.
For further information contact Niall McGuirk at niall@thumped.com
Joe Mooney at eastwallhistory@gmail.com
Facebook event page – https://www.facebook.com/events/572926096560259/
Further information on participants:
Terri Hooley: Founder of the Good Vibrations record shop and label, responsible for legendary such as The Undertones, The Outcasts and Rudi.
Henry Cluney: Guitarist with Stiff Little Fingers (1977 -1983 and 1987-1993).
Sheena Bleakney: Part of the Warzone Collective, formed during the early 1980’s in Belfast , influenced by the anarcho-punk ethos of UK bands like Crass .This soon became a focal point for ‘alternative culture’ in the city , with a cafe/drop in centre , practice space and gig venue.
Sean O’Neill: A punk since his childhood days he is the founder of SPIT records and co-author of the book “It makes you want to spit!”
Geraldine Quigley: Author of “Music Love Drugs War” (Penguin Books 2019). Her debut novel, a coming-of-age drama set in Derry in 1981 , tells the story of a group of teenagers who are enjoying life, with the soundtrack provided by the music in their local club . But these are troubled times, and the threat of war & violence is never far away .
Peter Jones: Guitarist with Paranoid Visions (since 1981), with decades experience of gig promoting and director of FOAD record label .
Roisin Dwyer: Commissioning editor Hot Press magazine, contributor to Radio Nova’s Rock Report and general music, movies, books and culture commentator.
Niall McGuirk: The Hope Collective has been championing the “do it yourself” philosophy since getting the Membranes over to Ireland in 1987. Between that year and 1999 they put on over 200 bands in Dublin including the likes of Therapy? Fugazi, Chumbawamba, Green Day and Neurosis. They also released a compilation record championing bands of the scene in the early 90s as well as publishing two books – “Document: a story of hope” (subsequently published in the states as Please Feed Me) and the more recent “In Concert : favorite gigs of Irish music community” which has raised €5,000 for the Irish Red Cross so far. Their basic philosophy “if you’ve got something to complain about you’ve got something to change” rings as true now at this annual ‘ We shall overcome gig’ as it did when putting on D.I.Y. and independent shows three decades ago.