F*ck 2011

[Elystan]

http://www.scathe.demon.co.uk/posipunk.htm

Richard North's article on "Positive Punk" from the NME, February 1983, provides a colourful overview of the fledgling scene (many thanks to Greylock for locating and transcribing it for me). It's worth noting, however, that Brigandage and Blood and Roses were nowhere near as important as they were made out here - the two new bands who were really important were Southern Death Cult and Sex Gang Children. Richard North, however, may have been a little biased, as he later went on to join Brigandage.

Mick Mercer added the following cautionary comment in a recent email:

"People need to remember Richard wasn't talking about anything other than a certain attitude of a very few bands in his Positive Punk article and he had no intentions whatsoever of proclaiming a movement. He was as mystified as anyone when the article made the front cover and was talking about thing in the way people now imagine. It was the sub-editors, on a presumably quiet week, who made this all up. He was just on about looking at a more imaginative Punk strain of thought, not a movement."

From NME, February 1983:

Is it too early for a '76 punk revival, or are these new warriors part of a brand new positivism in '83? RICHARD NORTH treads through the Blood And Roses of a new movement to uncover the answers. Photos: ANTON CORBIN

"Don't dream it, be it" - Rocky Horror Show

{PIC: Left to Right: Scott and Gez (bassist of Brigandage and Blood & Roses respectively); Bob (guitar with Blood and Roses); and a fan called Sean.}

PART ONE

THE BOY sits before the staring mirror and ponders his clean-shaven reflection. Smiling, he selects a carefully complied tape and slots it into his machine. 'Fatman' is the first track: Southern Death Cult excite him and he dances in his seat while unscrewing a tube of foundation cream

He's got to look good tonight - and it's becoming every night - because he's off out to a gig. He's going to see one of his bands, one of the groups he regularly sees. Brigandage, Southern Death Cult, Danse Society, Ritual, Rubella Ballet, Virgin Prunes, Specimen, The Mob... they're the only ones who mean anything to him anymore.

Tonight it's Blood And Roses at London's Moonlight Club and all his friends will be there. One of their tracks, 'Your Sin Is Your Salvation', comes up on the tape and the boy remembers the last time he saw them.

The blur of colour, the heady atmosphere, the fun, the collective feeling of motion - forward! - it made him feel alive, positive, and then he formed a group the next week.

Finishing his make-up the boy turns his attention to his dyed blue hair, carefully back-combing it into disarray. Last week he'd been beaten up by some skinheads because they didn't like the look of him. He remembers their fury but shrugs: he enjoys his appearance and is proud to look different. In a way he's almost glad that his clothes and attitude had provoked the attack - their mindlessness wrapped in a dull, grey, lazy uniform of bitterness gives him a reason to be their opposite.

{PIC: Scott - bass player with Brigandage}

He feels bright and optimistic about the future, slipping into a pair of leather trousers, noticing he's only got few quid left in his pocket. It doesn't matter though, the dole gives him time to do things, like his group.

A Brigandage number blares out: 'Hope', it seems to sum things up for him. With its message on his lips the boy half-dances across the room, through the door and out.

Five parts.

[Hydrodyssodia]

Late as fuck, but whatevs, that was a nice article, I enjoyed it.
Interesting to see all the focus on "positivism", "positive emotions", etc. Makes you think how much a genre's name influences it's imagery.