1. 2 Tone: Lives & Legacies
Me and my bestie met up in Coventry to attend the opening of this fantastic exhibition. It gives a great overview of the development of 2-Tone and the backdrop of 70s Coventry. It was great, though a bit more detail and interviews, especially with key players like Terry Hall, Lynval Golding and Neville Staple would have been great.
Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry until 12 September 2021.
2. We Are Lady Parts
This is genuinely new, which is so rare these days - a Muslim, riot grrrl feminist punk rock comedy and even better, it's REALLY funny. It takes some brave risks (one of their songs is called Nobody’s Gonna Honour Kill My Sister But Me), but at the same time it's sweet and heart warming. Thoroughly recommended.
It's available on Channel 4.
3. Punk
New four part documentary from designer John Varvatos and the legendary Iggy Pop, featuring interviews with Johnny Rotten, Dave Vanian, Terry Chimes, Viv Albertine, Duff McKagan, Flea, Marky Ramone, Debbie Harry and more. I wasn't bothered by the third episode, which focuses on US hardcore, and overall it was a little too US focused for me. But it's a great overview of all generations of punk. Worth a look.
It’s available on Sky / NOW TV.
4. World Goth Day
22nd May was World Goth Day - if you inexplicably chose an all-black wardrobe this week, now you know why...
5. New record shops!
Visited my friends N&M this weekend and we managed visits to three record shops - Just Dropped In in Coventry, plus Head and Leamington Record Store, both in the lovely Leamington Spa.
See you next week, blogs include reviews of the new albums by James and London Grammar, a look back at This Is Big Audio Dynamite, plus I Will Survive - 25 bands that have survived, and thrived, after a key member left. Stay safe, x