Merry F****** Christmas to You All

Garage bands on The Tube

Back in late 1983, the appearance of a FOURTH channel on British TV, the obliquely-named Channel 4, was quite an event. It soon became clear that they liked putting on music programmes and some time during 1984 they launched The Tube, which turned out to be a great showcase for loads of upcoming and already-famous bands.

Apart from the live sets, they'd have items on various stuff and this report from 1984 on UK garage bands is what got me into The Prisoners, among others (hence a link with that old mix tape I dug out the other day). Filmed at the Pindar of Wakefield in London's
King's Cross, it also features Thee Milkshakes, Tall Boys and The Sting-Rays, and Gary's got the 7in Four on Four EP that was released off the back of the programme. Great footage of Billy Childish with Thee Milkshakes, and keep an eye out for a young Tracey Emin. MP

PS: Coming to see us on the stand at Verona? Check the updated post for our whereabouts.

Art: Childish and Death Spray Custom

I had a day chockfull of culture in our glorious capital yesterday. Took in the Billy Childish art exhibition at the ICA. Not quite as many exhibits as i'd hoped from such a prolific artist, but it was still good. When Mat left I had time to watch the video installations that you never bother sitting through normally. The poem, I am Billy Childish, signwritten on the old wood was great, as was the wall of some of his LP covers. I have about 20 of them. And the Prity Thing photo is of him and old squeeze Tracey Emin.
I found out two of his bands were playing that night, but it had sold out. I went for a pint with a mate who works just near Trafalgar Square then went back lurking to see if I could get in. I managed to get put on the guest list and then legged it up to Death Spray Custom's gallery opening. Mr DSC had played it down, and though it was a small exhibition I was impressed. On show was a variety of painted bicycles, motorcycles, helmets and more traditional art. Good people turned up too. It's at Exposure on Little Portland Street if you're in the vicinity.
Then legged it back to The Mall for the gig.
We're not here for a long time, we're hear for a good time. Don't spend your life sat in front of the TV. Well you can if you like, but I don't want to.

Outside, the DSC Boner Brigade bike from Sideburn 4 and Dai Jobu's FTR.


Chopper.

One of my favourites.
This is Steve Red Max's big bore Ducati 916. It's something like 1054. Crazy bike.

The numbers are steel, hand-formed. The geezer with his arm is a sling is photographer Richard Baybutt, part of the Corpses From Hell crew. Maxwell P was there, but cleared off sharpish. We've still never met him despite being within feet of him twice in two weeks. He's the Scarlet Pimpernel. GI

I am Billy Childish

This is the poem signwritten on the board in the exhibition. Billy Childish is dyslexic and the spelling mistakes are always left in.

i am billy childish
ex drunk
and compulsive masturbator
late nite vomiter of good liquor
kisser of purple lipped women
riter of poems celebrating the
emptiness of my love
poems hungering for the moment
of my passion
wishing it could always be so
to never let my cock fall

i am billy childish
ex strongman
and 2-bit lover
late nite namer of names
corrupter of the literate
riter of poems that dare
to dream to pass down
the centurys
and touch the harts of the
the yet-to-be-born
wishing to hold them
to my arms
and kiss them all

i am billy childish
ex-poet
and failed suiside
late nite vomiter of truth and lies
kisser of the arses of girls
like the stars of god
riter of poems to lick
the thighs of the dead
for ex- lovers to denounce
and teachers to hate
wishing to paint my life
and to never let my
voice quieten

Culture: This week in London

Death Spray Custom show.
I'm hoping to make it. (I better get some skinny jeans to fit in). Who else is going?
I'm going to try check out the Billy Childish exhibition at the ICA too. GI

Billy Childish on Radio 4

Very good interview with one of my favourite characters - artist, Headcoat, Buff Medway, Mighty Caesar, poet and all-round fantastic fella, Mr Billy Childish. Get yourself educated by listening again on the BBC iPlayer. GI