Rebellion Day 2 Wait for the Blackout

Sep 22

***Dave Dictor*** of ***MIllions of Dead Cops****—Photo by* *John Greenwood*

Day two. Ankles swelling and strapped, blisters pampered and padded, first tube of ointment evenly applied. An 8 a.m. start for the 30-minute drive, destination: Blackpool, and the daily hunt for parking. Muscles tight, movement not as free as day one. Here we go! Sort of together, sort of not. Feel the love, love the pain. Winter Gardens, Rebellion Fest, Day Two.

Over a bacon sandwich at The Hive while waiting for the venue doors to open, I noticed a man in a full blackout outfit, supposedly so as not to distract from his puppet miming along to Clash and Ramones songs. But standing in a bright sunlit square with no blackout booth completely defeated the purpose. Still, bacon bliss first thing in the morning makes you more forgiving, and it gave me time to contemplate the Pandora’s Box of tempting events ahead. Now it was time for Johnny Boy to swill that bacon butty down with a pot of tea. Then my first stop: the Almost Acoustic Stage for Italian anti-fascist crusaders Los Fastidios.

***Los Fastidios****—Photo by* *John Greenwood*

I was surprised to learn they’ve been around since 1991, lending their voice to the SHARP movement, and pleased to see them well supported this early in the day. We need bands like this, brave enough to stand and say what must be said in these testing times. A far better wake-up than any cappuccino.

Fully amped for war on fascists, I hobbled to the Opera House for my first taste of Desperate Measures, straightforward rock ’n’ roll punk angst, with the luxury of a chair for those of us of a certain age. They were so good I bought both CDs and even got them signed.

***Desperate Measures****—Photo by* *John Greenwood*

Still, my anti-fascist tank needed a top-up, so it was back to the Almost Acoustic Stage for punk royalty: Dave Dictor of MDC. His passionate, unique acoustic renditions cut to the core of the evils lurking in dark corners across the globe. Formed in Texas in 1979, MDC has never shied away from speaking truth to power. True warriors for sanity and the people, and a welcome sight at Rebellion again this year. Dictor’s set was beautifully intimate; if you skip this stage, you really are missing out. The paneled hallways leading there always feel like wandering into The Shining’s Overlook Hotel.

Fueled by Uncle Dave’s stark visions of our rights and freedoms being stripped away daily, I was ready for the Empress Ballroom and the hailstorm of energy that is Riskee and the Ridicule. Their sheer heart, cutting lyrics, and raw gusto make them one of the most authentic bands around. Better every time I see them, and easily a highlight of the day. Two more CDs packed into my luggage—who needs socks and nickers anyway?

***Riskee and the Ridicule****—Photo by* *John Greenwood*

Over at the Casbah, Wonk Unit gave me my first glimpse into Wonk World. Fun, sharp, and memorable, especially with Alex Wonk sporting an Ibrahim Traoré T-shirt.

***Wonk Unit****—Photo by* *John Greenwood*

Then back to the Empress for another peak: The Meffs. Just two people, but a massive sound. Since their early days as unknown openers on this very stage, they’ve trailblazed their way into becoming one of the most exciting new forces in punk. Lily’s presence is extraordinary, and the full-on sound and infectious riffs make them unmissable.

***The Meffs****—Photo by* *John Greenwood*

Early UK punk experimentalists Swell Maps, these days skippered by Jowe Head of the TV Personalities, were a rare treat in the Opera House. They’ve inspired Nirvana, Sonic Youth, and more, and though missing the late Nikki Sudden and Epic Soundtracks, their set was a delightfully exotic addition to the Rebellion lineup.

***Swell Maps****—Photo by* *John Greenwood*

From the unlikely hamlet of Royal Tunbridge Wells came Anti-Nowhere League, uncaging The Animal once more at the Empress. Debauched savagery and mayhem intact, blasting through ANL favorites with the crowd screaming, “WE ARE THE LEAGUE!”

***Anti-Nowhere League****—Photo by* *John Greenwood*

Then Derry’s finest, The Undertones, with originals Billy Doherty, Michael Bradley, and the O’Neill brothers, fronted by Paul McLoone. The Empress was packed as they treated us to a best-of trip through their back catalog. Feargal who?

***The Undertones****—Photo by* *John Greenwood*

But that was just the warm-up. With the Empress already bursting, we somehow squeezed tighter. Docs shuffling, guts pulled in, belts tightened for The Damned. One of punk’s crown jewels, still pulling unprecedented crowds at Rebellion. They cruised through their set as flawlessly as ever, polished from years of global touring yet still radiating joy. That’s their magic: after all these years, they still look like they’re having a blast up there. Fun, chaos, and hysteria follow them wherever they go, and tonight was no exception. God bless ’em.