Generic 2011 Round-up

Songs of 2011

If Ever I Stray- Frank Turner-Finally Frank found his voice and his own tempo, no longer recycling cynical angst, his beautiful love and passion explode from this folk-rock gem

Let ‘em Come- Scroobius Pip- A forthright punk-gilded rap outburst, less of the story-poetry of earlier work, more a two-fingers assault

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised- Grace Petrie- A perfect political protest tune raging against the media and press, as uplifting as it is sweet-sounding

For The Kids of the Multiculture- Sonic Boom Six- Finally, a whole generation introduced to chavcore and SB6 perfectly reflecting 2011’s Britain, predicting the backlash from Racist Tram Lady

Bones- Random Hand- Another anthem for the ska-punk scene

Albums of the Year 2011

Richie Blitz- Protest Songs & Sing-a-longs

Grace Petrie- Mark My Words

Dropkick Murphys- Going Out In Style

Chris T-T- Disobedience

Claypigeon- Time Won’t Cease

Frank Turner- England Keep My Bones

Scroobius Pip- Distraction Pieces

Random Hand- Seething Is Believing

Stand Out Riot- Carnival Militia

Lowkey- Soundtrack to the Struggle

Best film of the year

Attack The Block

My highlights of 2011

I was grateful for Shattered Glass Media for a gig with Don’t Let Paris Fool You (R.I.P.) to start the year off. I performed my stuff to various punks and punk fans at Strummercamp 2011, meeting acts like Louise Distras, Billy Liar and lending a hand with Bootscraper’s Tim & Joel. I performed in London & Manchester for the first time.

At the Edinburgh Fringe I saw too many shows to mention, but shout-out to Matt Rudge, Tim Clare, Luke Wright, Tim key & Richard Marsh whose shows were lovely combinations of stand-up, comedy, theatre & spoken word. I also came 2^nd overall in the Hammer & Tongue slam. Ace. Next year. Take a show. Fingers crossed.

Come September I performed in 40 Years On, a great bunch of lads and a fun performance to be a part of and cement myself within the Theatre Royal.

I supported John Cooper Clarke, compered the acoustic stage at Pie Race 3 with Jake & The Jellyfish, Joe Tilston and once again Billy Liar and Louise Distras. I compared a night at Stereo with Helen Chambers, Jonny Gill and Nathan Luke. I also put on my own gig at The Basement with Chris T-T and Franz Nicolay.

Me and my girlfriend Lizzie launched Snapping Turtle Press, a ‘zine pure DIY, home-made style to get my work out there but other poets and illustrators. Also so I could sell some stuff at gigs to put a bit towards trainfare. Drop me an e-mail if you want one, a mere 50p + P&P.

But it’s not all about me. Because that would be a boring year. I marched on the 26^th March with hundreds & thousands of other angry protestors. At the Tory party conference aftermath I did Protest Hugs at Occupy Manchester. I marched again with the students in London in December. But I was also invited to read poems at the rallies to support strikes on the 30^th Nov and the 30^th June. I feel like I’ve been a part of a beautiful movement this year, with many heads and many arms. The Hardest Hit, the Trade Unionists, The (A)narchists, The Occupy Movement, the Militant Students, we’ve all played our part.

So…THE highlight:

Snapping Turtle Press #2 launch night, with some of my closest friends both performing and in the audience. Comedians, musicians, poets, story-tellers and randomers. I loved you all, and it was a great night. More to come in 2012.



So thanks to everyone for checking me out at a gig, speaking to me, giving me feedback, protesting with me, protesting at me, giving me a gig and buying the ‘zine. Oh, and thanks for reading this blog.



Next year’s resolution: The perform more and more gigs (naturally), to branch out to new cities, to take a show to Edinburgh Fringe (fingers crossed) and to work with more young people in an educational format, including workshops and devising.

So thanks again everyone, hope 2011 was good, hope 2012 is even good-ier.

Love

Henry

Upcoming Jan & Feb 2012

Before I do my review of 2011, I just wanted to list some upcoming gigs and events so far for 2012

Jan 25^th:  Part of Jonny Gill’s great line-up for his album launch at Duchess (York), I have tickets for £4 if anyone wants one

Jan 28^th:  Comparing the Goods Vs. Evil night at Stereo hosted by Sky Rocket Jack

Feb 1st-2^nd:  Letter To The Man (from the boy), my one-man spoken word show at the University of Leeds, Workshop Theatre.  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=559553641&ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/150593345049677/

Feb 5^th:  Something at Stereo (York)…more details to come

Feb 8-11^th:  At some point during the Leeds Fringe I’ll be performing a short story, will post details as soon as I get them!

Feb 10^th:  Letter To The Man (from the boy) returns to York, this time at the City Screen Basement http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=559553641&ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/298150430228710/

Feb 25^th:  Supporting Howard Marks at the Duchess, get in touch for £5 guestlist entry:  http://theduchessyork.co.uk/whats-on/detail/807

And that’s all before March!

A Little & A Little Adds Up To A Lot

This weekend I was privileged enough to perform at The Little Festival of Everything, the brainchild of Alex Wright (Belt-Up and Flanagan Collective) and Tom Bellerby (Pilot Theatre).  The setting:  The Fauconberg Arms in the small North Yorkshire village of Coxwold.  The plot:  To provide arts to a small community and allow companies to network and test material.  The cast:  Theatre companies, performers, musicians and poets from across the country perform in the tiny pub to local and travelling audiences. 

I wrote a poem about it, which I think sums it all up:

There was a little bit of sketch comedy when a man fell into a chasm

Two writers in a restaurant trying to out-do the other one

There was a little bit of music, the ugly sister’s side of the story

And foot-stomping, fist-swinging, hot dancing folk music glory

There was a little bit of poetry, lines written and read

Conversations with a copper who was also her Dad

There was a little bit of story-telling, William and Polly in the stars

Smiles on faces when we found out drinks were free at the bar

There was a little bit of heroism from tinfoil armoured knights

I had dinner with Dr. Higgs and I don’t think he’s quite right

There was a little market stall, a little chiselling of stone

A little filming too to tell the whole world what we know

That a little and a little and a little adds up to a lot

Going on in this friendly, old North Yorkshire pub.

So please check out 6 Lips Theatre, Snickelways Theatre, Hannah Nicklin, Tucked In, Whitebone, Forward Theatre Project to name but a few.

I think that the event really tapped into the ‘folk’ element of theatre and poetry that we forget amongst the busy hustle of London and the rainy leaflet-driven world of Edinburgh.  To perform to a small handful of people in a small room in a small pub can achieve so much, when said show/pub/village/room is full of appreciation, friendliness and love.  Poetry and acoustic music and theatre can pretty much be performed anywhere, all you need is an audience, it’s a very rootsy ideology.

Also, remember I’m doing a gig this Thurs, by which I mean physically putting it on off my own back, so please come down, it’s Franz Nicolay, ace acoustic musician, and Chris T-T, protest music artist, plus Copasetics and Helen Chambers.  City Screen Basement, £6, starts 8pm, Dec 1^st:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=294161147279011

The Three Ps: Politics, Protest & Poetry

"When they say cut back, we reply: March, Strike, Poetry-ise"

Just read Dorian Lynskey’s article in The Guardian about the current protest music scene (http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/nov/10/protest-music-akala-grace-petrie?newsfeed=true).  Made me think about poetry and politics.  I want to talk about a point Grace Petrie has hit the nail on the head here, to quote from The Guardian:

“The challenge, she believes, is to convince people alienated by mainstream politics to feel empowered in other ways. ‘What I'd like to achieve through my songs is to put it into a language that people who are new to politics can understand. There's not much to be gained by singing to rooms full of lefties who agree with me already.’”


Chris T-T has encountered this problem too, and has written the song Preaching To The Converted.  Itch from the King Blues has said more or less the same thing.  Who changed more people’s opinions, chart-toppers The Jam or The Clash or underground Anarcho-Punk bands like Discharge or Conflict?  I bet Anarcho-Punks are more dedicated to politics than fans of The Specials, but the number of people who bought and were stimulated by Ghost Town greatly outnumber the punx.


So, if we are talking about empowering a mainstream audience, please allow me to explore the medium of poetry and poetry open mics.  For poetry, it’s not really all that common to hear a politicalish poem here and there at open mic nights or slams.  We poets are, by nature, going to be upset with authoritarian government impeaching on our artistic liberties.  And, even worse than the musicians, we own a notion that we have something essential to say to the world.  And that the world wants to listen.  But we do have a fair whack of history behind us.  We have Shelly’s Masque of Anarchy to back us up, and the anti-war poems that emerged from the First World War.  We have William Blake.  We’ve got Allan Ginsburg.  We’ve got The Lost Poets, Jack Mapanje, Gill Scott-Heron, Ian McMillan, John Cooper Clarke and Attila The Stockbroker. And shout-out to less known fellows Captain Of The Rant, Cat Brogan, The Ruby Kid, Kate Tempest, Monkey Poet, Chemical Poets, Luke Hoggarth, Martin Dawes and Young Dawkins.


But in all times where there’s clearly a mass movement, an injection of inspirational art never went amiss.  Coming from a theatre background, I’ve never been comfortable in going down the Emily Dickinson route of keeping my poems locked away privately.  Reading aloud to a crowd, words can stir the soul to thoughts and actions.  Like music, a poem read live is one of the most powerful tools we have in changing the world.

Reading political poetry aloud is not without its traps.  Perform a poem with too much aggressive politics, it makes the room uncomfortable.  Talking about violence, anarchy, socialist revolution and standing on a chair screaming your mouth off would be totally out of context.  And rightly so, poetry gigs are usually in a cosy back room of a pub or small bar, maybe even theatres or libraries.  Without the drive of music backing the work, it can fall embarrassingly flat.  And worse, it makes your issue seem like an over-zealous, extremist, radical and alienating affair.  But, as Grace says, it’s not about preaching to the converted.  It’s about creating accessible art that engages people and inspires them to perhaps take further action.  Like Sonic Boom Six’s Kids Of The Multi Culture, The King Blues’ Save The World, Get The Girl or The Jam’s Town Called Malice coming on the radio with a catchy hook, a poem in the right space at the right time has such incredible power and energy it’s no wonder poets and artists have been feared in dictatorships around the world.

So if you’re thinking of joining the foray and writing a political or protest poem about current issues, here are my thoughts.  I’m far from the most experienced ‘political poet’ out there, if anyone’s interested in writing some protest poetry, here’s some vague advice:

·         Don’t force it.  Allow the poem to come organically.  Let the thoughts mull around in your head.  Wait for inspiration; else the poem lacks that authentic element.  Don’t worry, watch the news enough and read newspapers you’ll find your spark.

·         Make the poem into a story.  Stating the facts is boring and too much like a speech.  Focus on a character, a situation, an emotion.  Make us care about the human issue.

·         Believe in what you’re saying.  Don’t talk about violence if you don’t agree with violence.  Don’t be naively optimistic if you feel somewhat cynical.  All honest individual feelings give your poem weight and avoid it becoming meaningless propaganda.

·         Have a read about issues online.  Look at pictures.  Go down to an occupation, picketline or march.  Talk to people.  Immerse yourself in a vibrant world.

·         Take delight in feeling like your poem will change the world.  It won’t, but it may well change people’s opinions.  Far more exciting for an artist if you ask me.

Anyone with some thoughts, please let me know suggestions or ideas.  Drop me an e-mail henrythepoet@btinternet.com or on my FB www.facebook.com/henryrabypoetry, I’m always looking for different ways to write and be inspired to write.

Here’s a few examples of protesty/politicalish poetry.  My poem Protest Hugs (which you can see here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-xCWGKNhD4) is a love poem in disguise, with some daft images it sort of works at open mic nights depending how it’s delivered.  Same for my new poetryzine The Unkettleables.  Here’s me performing at the rally for June 30^th 2011 strikes, far more aggressive but the audience interaction works well with a crowd who are used to chants:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF_4dxnR_-Y.  I remember Inua Ellams reading a poem that was heavily narrative-driven, focusing in on individuals, both police and protestors.  Luke Wright’s The Vile Ascent of Lucian Gore & What The People Did (http://www.lukewright.co.uk/books) is packed with humour.

Poetry, like all mediums, is our tool to inspire and engage audiences.  If poetry is meant to reflect the beauty of humanity, then I assure you there is nothing more beautiful than people unified.  And if you think the movement only has frenzied hatred, then it’s your responsibility to inject it with some love and poetry.

P.S. In response to the continous search for political music, personally, finding decent acts has never been a problem.  I think large protest movements do inevitably give rise to more people getting involved with making political music, so if you’ve having to desperately scour to find political music online or at the right sort of gig, maybe you’re looking in the wrong places.  Need some UK acoustic folk, with hints of the political, social conscious and protest?  Louise Distras, Jake & The Jellyfish, Billy Liar, Richie Blitz, Ducking Punches, Mike Scott, Robin Leitch, Chas Palmer-Williams, The Casual Terrorist, Chris T-T, Gary Kaye, Mike Scott, Mike Only, Ed Ache, Emma Hallows, Perkie, Joe Tilston, Babar Luck, The Last Laugh, King Charles, Sam Russo, Al Baker, Shankland, Liam O’kane, Oxygen Thief and the collective Fold.  Bands?  Too many to mention.  Here’s a few.  ONSIND, The Junk, Tyrannosaurs Alan, Throw Rocks At Cops, Crazy Arm, The Exposed, Resolution 242, Dirty Revolution, Stand Out Riot.
 

There.  Now grab a guitar/pen & paper and do it yourself.

THE UNKETTLEABLES

 

When you’ve been kettle tight by police,

So close its nose-to-armpit

And you really badly need a wee

And there’s not even enough room to hop from one foot to the other

And you’re human rights have been abused

Because they won’t even tell you that night’s X-Factor result…

You call…


The 'zine cover



A new poetryzine, Unkettleables is a 14 page story about a hardy group of kettled individuals attempting to escape from a police blockade.  However their methods involve pogo sticks, space hoppers, catapults and a legion of pigeons to slip past the police lines.

Written by me (Henry Raby) in the spirit of humorous punk poetry and lovingly illustrated by Lizzie Alderdice, this ‘zine is 100% DIY style.  The story itself is a like a fusion of Doctor Seuss and Shelly’s Masque of Anarchy.  A entertaining read anyone who’s ever been on a protest or anyone who enjoys surreal little stories.

To grab a copy simply drop me (Henry) an e-mail at henrythepoet@btinternet.com.  They’re priced 50p to cover printing/time/stapes/ink etc, plus however much P&P will cost, as wel accept Paypal.  I have them at most of my gigs as well.

This is part of the Snapping Turtle Press bibliography, which includes two compilations of poems my myself, Lizzie and other poets, both 50p each.

Cheers J

Henry

Here's some examples of the 'zine:

someone else suggested balloons.  Admittedly some read Congratulations but there was no call for celebration too soon.

His design for a makeshift catapult was fairly ill-conceived, whilst his slingshot made from banners and flags needed to be seen to be believed. 

If the Bad or Good Times are comin'...let 'em come!

I sit and type this fully intending to listen to Horror Punk and Psychobilly for Halloween (like Lord Byron used to do), and I might get to that later, but for now I’m listening to Chris T-T’s album of his show Disobedience, a collection of acoustic/folk songs based on the poems of A.A. Milne.  It’s a lovely set of poems, perfect for anyone of all ages, heart-warming, guaranteed to put a smile on your face, and only slightly left-wing J

Listen and/or buy here: http://christt.bandcamp.com/

I supported the living legend that is John Cooper Clarke on Saturday night at the Duchess.  I always prefer it when JCC does more poems that his anecdotes, they sort of trail off into nowhere, and I’ve heard his jokes many times before whereas I can listen to his poems over and over again.  I think it’s an example of a tight show, even though it’s £15 a ticket, I reckon I’d rather seen 60 mins of quick-fire Clarke than the blurry 90 mins.  I think I did a decent enough set, people were engaged, new faces watched me intently, and although I had to break out the shoutier stuff to grab the babbling audience’s attention for my last 2 poems, I think it went quite well.  Nice to have a dressing room, eee that’s the big time.

Last night I went to see Scroobius Pip supported by B.Dolan last night.  It makes me think about my relationship with rap and hip-hop, a genre I came to because other bands I liked were influenced by this sort of music, it never clicked with me when Eminem etc. was all cool When We Were Teenagers.  So I really like their style of rap, intelligent, hints of the political and very theatrical, definitely showmen (B.Dolan wore a noose round his neck, Pip chatting in-between songs).  Same with The Ruby Kid, Sage Francis and MC Lars.  However I’m glad Pip commented how people in this country look like cat trying to reach something when doing the sort of hands up hand movement thing when the beat drops.  I’m no rapper, but as Pip and B.Dolan show there’s a blurred line between spoken word/poetry and rap music, but we all share energy, passion and great live shows whether acapella or with beats backing us up.  And Pip’s collection of poems with illustrations is brilliant, what I imagine Sbapping Turtle Press (the DIY poetryzine me and Lizzie do) will evolve into (http://www.facebook.com/SnappingTurtlePress)

In other news:  2012 is looking busy busy busy already!  Here’s a list of upcoming gigs/events:

5^th November PIE RACE FESTIVAL 3 comparing the Bar Room Hero acoustic stage:  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=225997504089847

16 November GILLGATE OPEN MIC another outing with Can’t Sing, Can’t Dance, Don’t Care comedy collective.  Dunno what I’ll do for it yet…but I’ll do it!

27^th November LITTLE FESTIVAL OF EVERYTHING I’ll be performing Letter To The Man (from the boy), my one-man show at this fantastic festival up in Coxwold at the Fauconberg Arms:  http://www.fauconbergarms.com/blog/a-little-overview-of-the-little-festival-of-everything

1^st December FRANZ NICOLAY + CHRIS T-T I’m putting on a gig (so you can be sure I’ll be doing the odd poem) at City Screen Basement.  More info here, both amazing musicians:  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=294161147279011

1+2^nd February 2011:  LETTER TO THE MAN (FROM THE BOY) comes to Leeds.  My spoken word show, I do some poems, the audience do some scribbling, we all reminisce about growing up, becoming adults but never forgetting what we once loved.  Plus it’ll be free!  Two shows, one on the 1^st, one on the 2^nd, but limited capacity, so watch out for more info

8^th February 2011:  LETTER TO THE MAN (FROM THE BOY) comes to York, this time in City Screen Basement Bar.  Haven’t decided price yet, but will get some support acts to make it people’s threepenny.

So thanks for checking out the blog. Have a good Halloween (a pagan ritual where we dress up as Frankenstein).

Henry

How Awesome Merchendise Saved Rock 'n' Roll

Dave stared into the abyss.

The emptiness of the room gazed into his soul

Tore through his chest and took a shit in his heart.

The promoter held back tears like a brave soldier

And the sound guy kept checking his watch out of spite.

They packed the gear away.

The van spluttered in embarrassment onwards

And trapped inside, nobody spoke or met each other’s tearful eyes.

Dave arrived home.

He still believed in the dream, and went online

As he usually did to update the band’s necessary Facebook status.

“Great gig”  He lied.

He could not bear to look at himself in the mirror

And felt a small bubble of bile and vomit clog his throat.

Rock ‘n’ roll nearly died.

The ghosts of Elvis and Cobain were silent

They did not even bother to criticise this miscarriage to music.

But then, Dave noticed something.

An advert online for something called Awesome…

Awesome Merchandise for bands and artists alike.

Click.  Click.  Click.

The shopping cart was brimming like a packed venue

And the packages flying faster than a crowd-surfing singer.

Rock ‘n’ roll did not die.

Dave’s band never slowed down after that fateful night

And their fans were innumerable and armed with badges and t-shirts.

Their logo was omnipresent.

Upon lighters, bags, banners, coasters, hats, plecrums and mugs

Dave’s face was everywhere and automatically dubbed Awesome.

Eventually Dave would die.

Drugs and easy women took their predictable course

And greatly affected his musical abilities to the level of a small child.

They would find him dead.

Alone, in a pool of fluids, pen and paper in hand, with a half-written song

Which even his most loyal fans admitted was pretty naff.

But no one once blamed his merch.

His Awesome Merchandise.

Video HERE:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umrM8Mtbg9Y&feature=channel_video_title