The hottest April in Britain for 300 years and an earthquake in the 'garden of England'. Nature fights back at humankind's destruction of the planet for profit. Expect more of the same, just as capitalism has spread across the world 'natural disasters' are now no longer just confined to countries on the other side of the globe. We are starting to reap what has been sown, and it's not a good harvest.

A SPACE ODDITY

As regime change and climate change kick in Professor Stephen Hawking thinks the world will end by nuclear war and global warming and that our future is in space. In the same week as Professor Hawking is getting into training for space travel scientists discover a new planet with a life supporting atmosphere. He's not daft is he?

Taking a day off from any social/political comment/ranting today; my brain is tired.

At last.......

a decent album is released. Send Away The Tigers the newie by MANIC STREET PREACHERS is a blinder. Short, sweet and straight to the point at around 35 minutes long, it's a return to their earlier Gold Against The Soul sound, a lot more bite than their last few offerings and lyrically it says more than any other band around at the moment.(apart from The Enemy) It has leaked on the net so it's out there if you hunt around, or wait till it comes out in 'the shops' well, well, well worth a listen. I'm not gonna post it, instead here's James Dean Bradfield covering a couple of Clash numbers live on his solo tour last year (Clampdown and Lost In The Supermarket): http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RT8U7Q93

GENERATION X - Live In Sheffield 1978

Yes here's some more 'old skool punk rock' this time it's Generation X. These guys were probably the most 'rockist' of the punks (this can be heard in the encore melody on this recording) their image seemed as important as their music, which was of a far more pop vein than their contemporaries, it wasn't a case of 'No Elvis, Beatles or Rolling Stones' for these guys, in fact they sounded like all three of them. Billy Idol was the 'punk Elvis' with his pretty boy looks and curling lip; they were the perfect punks for Top Of The Pops and the poster mags that were popular at the time. Often called 'punk posers' they made no real political statements, but had some fine rockin' tunes. By 1981 the band had split up Billy Idol headed for L.A to live out his king rocker rock star dream and had a few massive world wide hits. Tony James has been working with Mick Jones(The Clash) for the last 3 years on their Carbon/Silicon project which is coming to fruition. As I type they are preparing to release their first commercially available product, prior to this all their other stuff has been only available to download through their web site. Anyway I appear to have gone off on a tangent, here's Generation X live in 1978. It's just a click away: http://www.sendspace.com/file/q8ic1m

SHOULD HE STAY OR SHOULD HE GO ?

Well, I wonder if any other serving soldiers are given a choice like Harry? and what about the families who have already lost loved ones, how might they feel? were their sons or daughters allowed that privilidge? So what if he gets killed, that's the chance that anyone who joins the army 'to fight for queen and country' (or in Harry's case gran and country) takes. So what if he's captured and the Iraqi's gain a propaganda coup. We shouldn't be there in the first place and no one should be killed or captured. What about Harry? he seems keen to go and do his duty. So let him go, I'm sure it's what his mother would have wanted.

CHELSEA - Live @ The Music Machine 1978

Another 'bunch of old punks' captured live. This time it's Chelsea; formed in 1976 by the manager of Acme Attractions, a clothes shop on the Kings Road in Chelsea as a rival to the Sex Pistols. Early line up included Billy Idol and Tony James who left after a few gigs to form Generation X, leaving vocalist and motor mouth Gene October to recruit some new members. Over the years Chelsea's line up was constantly changing. Their classic debut album wasn't released until 1979 leaving them as probably the last of the first wave of punk groups to release an album, they had previously issued a string of anthemic singles including their attack on unemployment and trade unions; 'The Right To Work' Chelsea were also one of the only original punk bands that carried on and became part of the 80's Punks Not Dead scene, supporting the Anti Nowhere League, Chron Gen and The Defects on the infamous So What tour. A latter line up of Chelsea included two former Chron Gen members; Jon Thurlow and Pete Dimmock. The Alarm, Southern Death Cult and Fields Of The Nephilim all got their breaks by doing gigs with Chelsea at The Marquee and Chelsea well they didn't achieve any real success, but continue to gig and release records. Their last one 'Faster, Cheaper and Better Looking saw the 1978-79 line up reunited to produce a corker. Anyway enough waffle here's a live recording from The Music Machine in 1978. It's just a click away: http://www.sendspace.com/file/iynvds

A GRAVE NEW WORLD

'The greatest triumphs of propaganda have been accomplished, not by doing something, but by refraining from doing. Great is the truth, but still greater, from a practical point of view is silence about truth. By simply not mentioning certain subjects, by lowering what Mr Churchill calls an 'iron curtain' between the masses and such facts or arguments as the local political bosses regard as undesirable, totalitarian propagandists have influenced opinion much more effectively than they could have done by the most eloquent denunciations, the most compelling of logical rebuttals. But silence is not enough. If persecution, liquidation and other symptoms of social friction are to be avoided, the positive sides of propaganda must be made as effective as the negative. The most important Manhattan Projects of the future will be vast government- sponsored inquiries into what the politicians and participating scientists will call 'the problem of happiness'-in other words, the problem of making people love their servitude.' - Aldous Huxley (1946)

999 - Live @ The Nashville 1979

Another bunch of 'punks' that were never really given the credit they deserved by their peers, surprising when you think that their drummer Pablo LaBrittain went to school with Joe Strummer and was the first Clash drummer, until he fell out with Bernie Rhodes, and Tony James (Generation X) was briefly 999's bass player. Shows that the 'original punk scene' was really an elitist clique of faces that fitted the clothes. Never mind 'cos the punters loved them and their catchy sing a long anthems. They released a string of killer singles, their albums were sometimes a bit patchy, but all in all a great fucking band who are still playing occasionally today. This recording captures them at The Nashville in 1979, it's Just a click away: http://www.sendspace.com/file/2buwic

YES, WE ARE ALL TERRORISTS!

Thanx to durruti @ Old Punks Never Die for bringing this to our attention.

Leeds Anarchist Black Cross have issued the following press release. Please read it and take whatever action you can to support John in the run up to his parole hearing. Remember, an injustice to one is an injustice to all.

STATE ATTEMPTS TO KEEP JOHN BOWDEN BEHIND BARS
ANARCHIST BLACK CROSS VILLIFIED AS TERRORIST ORGANISATION
15th April 2007

John Bowden is a long-term prison resister who has spent most of his life behind bars, including 25 years of a ‘Life’ sentence. After being moved to ‘open’ conditions last year, and being let out for fortnightly home-leaves, the indications were that John would be released on licence this June.

However, as John predicted in his recent pamphlet Tear Down The Walls:
“I’m sure the system was hopeful that I would not survive my term of life imprisonment, and indeed inflicted such treatment on me over the years that survival was unlikely. I’m sure too that it’s intention now is to prevent my release for as long as possible; Few lifers are released unbroken or at least severely diminished in terms of their ability to ever again defy the system.”

In the past the weapons John has faced are the boots and fists of prison guards, years of isolation, constant transfers, treatment often amounting to torture. Now, as John should be preparing for release, he faces the lies and calumnies of a right-wing prison social-worker. This individual, Matt Stillman is attempting to block John’s release by highlighting his contact with the Anarchist Black Cross, and vilifying it as a terrorist organisation.

In an official report, dated12th March 2007, Stillman states:
“Bowden has written for a self-proclaimed anarchist website called ABC Brighton, and says he supports many of their ideals and actions. A review of this website brings into question the nature of this group. The members of this group appear to be primarily eco-terrorists or para-military members involved in what they see as battles against political systems and principles.
“In a previous report from HMP Edinburgh it was reported that Bowden had received visits from people involved in terrorism.”
This statement is quite clearly not only an attack on John Bowden, but a vicious smear, without any foundation whatsoever against a legitimate prisoner support organisation. To characterise the ABC as “para-military” or “eco-terrorist” is quite simply the basest of lies, and something that needs to be strongly challenged. The visit Stillman refers to was a visit to John by two members of Brighton ABC. John Bowden has been supported by the ABC for many years, and we will continue to support him to the best of our ability.

The Parole Board will sit on John’s case in just two week’s time. Therefore, please write urgently to:
Matt Stillman, H M Prison Castle Huntly, Longforgan, Dundee, DD2 5HL, Scotland.Fax (FAO Matt Stillman): 01382 360510
The Parole Board for England and Wales, Grenadier House, 99-105 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2DD, England.Fax - 020 7217 0118You can e-mail the Chairman of the Parole Board, Duncan Nichol at: duncan.nichol@paroleboard.gov.uk
Send letters/cards of support to John Bowden at the following address (if possible please enclose a few stamps): John Bowden, 6729, H M Prison Castle Huntly, Longforgan, Dundee, DD2 5HL, Scotland.

“For having stood up to and resisted unlawful and inhuman treatment in prison, and retained some basic human integrity and humanity in the process, I probably shall now remain imprisoned far beyond what even a reactionary judge deemed an appropriate period of time all those years ago. Hell will freeze over, however, before I surrender that part of myself that had the courage and integrity to fight back and resist when resistance often seemed futile.”John Bowden (from Tear Down The Walls, available from Leeds ABC.)

Please circulate as widely as possible.
LEEDS ABC, PO BOX 53, LEEDS, LS8 4WP. ENGLAND.LeedsABC@riseup.net www.myspace.com/leedsabc

For those who don’t know, John is an anarchist, prison activist and former member of the Angry Brigade, who has been locked up since 1980 (apart from a couple of glorious years on the run following a daring escape!) for his part in trying to dismantle the state.

'MONEY'S A WEAPON OF TERROR'- The Pop Group

WATCHING ME, WATCHING U, BUT WHO'S WATCHING THEM?

4 Million CCTV cameras to keep the streets of Britain safe. Micro chips in our rubbish bins to see if we are recycling enough. Tagging the elderly to see that they don't come to any harm. Satellite navigation systems to make sure no-one gets lost when driving. CCTV systems to protect our homes from intruders. The first line of defence when the state uses one of the 266 laws at it's disposal to enter our homes. By buying into these the consumer has helped legitimise the use of surveillance as social control, and with the state playing on the publics fear of terrorism a climate has been created where this control goes unquestioned. Expect more of the same; as the new head of MI5 is a former terrorism expert, but at least we will be safe in the hands of the state and it's trusted guardians; the politicians and peers.

THE HEARTBREAKERS - Live in '75

A totally random posting for no real reason other than I haven't seen much Thunders stuff in blogworld recently, and you can never have enough. This recording is from CBGB's in Sept 1975, it rocks, and it's just a click away: http://www.sendspace.com/file/dtb7m8

BIG BROTHER'S WATCHING THE GRANDPARENTS

New Labours 1984 Total Surveillance Society, (TOSS for short) nightmare continues. Tagging the elderly to keep them safe, how altruistic. Shame they weren't so caring and thoughtful when they were robbing the pension funds. If they're selling this for the good of the individual, well I aint buying it. A few years down the line the state will have the ability to track any militant 'grey power' marxists who can now be branded terrorists thanks to the Anti-Terror laws brought in post 9/11. It is happening, the old are revolting. They have had enough of seeing their world and values disappearing, their pension reduced, having to work for longer and the NHS falling apart. They have had enough of being pushed around and are starting to stand up and raise their voices in refusal. No wonder the government want to keep an eye on them.

FROM VIRGINIA TO BAGHDAD, IT 'AINT NO DISNEY FILM.

The Virginia Tech massacre is messed up on several levels. Gun laws in America, violence and the media, state sanctioned killing and the authorities role, all in the context of a Liberal Capitalist democratic system of governance.

The 'right to bear arms' has drawbacks 'cos when they're in the hands of people that's when the trouble starts.
Violent films and video games seep into the unconscious mind. Minds that have already been brainwashed into a competition of consumption were not every one is a winner, a system that breeds resentment. Media images of perfection fuel the rejection.
Images of an illegal war are broadcast, there are massacres daily in Iraq. The Virginia Tech shooting now dominates the global news, while at the same time the Americans are dividing up Baghdad into 'zones' to try and bring their unlawful intervention under control, an old Vietnam tactic that failed there. I wonder where the Americans hearts and minds are now? Baghdad or Virginia?
Subjected to a high level of images of state and media violence in a time when the move to a technological society is effecting people psychologically it is no surprise that some snap and take up the tools that are their right and use them to kill the innocent. In a post modern twist Cho Seung-Hui, the 'campus killer' (who the authorities knew was a 'ticking time bomb' about a year ago) took a break after killing 2 people. The authorities used this time to do, not a lot because two hours later Cho Seung-Hui broke the US record for civilians shot in one go by killing another 30. During the break between the shootings Cho Seung-Hui went to the Post Office to post a video he had made in which he acts out his feelings like a character in a movie. The tape went to NBC who subsequently broadcasted it to a global audience. That's entertainment, makes a change from Iraq, where another record was broken in Baghdad; the most civilians killed by a car bomb. From the macro to the micro this is the 'beauty of capitalism' every tool at the disposal of the state is there for the citizen, from weapons to the media. It's just how they are used by the state and the citizen; this is the problem and there are no simple solutions in a messed up world.

OIL OUT WAR.

In the swamps of the Niger River delta there are a group of militant Irajaw tribesmen who've frormed themselves into the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) they are not Communists or even revolutionaries, just extremely bitter men. They are taking the fight to the giant oil companies and continuing the struggle of Ken Saro Wiwa, who demanded the oil companies paid compensation for the damage they were doing to the land and also an increase in profits from the oil for the local population. Ken was stitched up by the government and hanged for murder.
The 'beauty of capitalism' has made some of the worlds richest countries the most poor. Corrupt governments in places like Niger mean that just 1% of the population get a share in the billions of oil dollars, the rest live in poverty amongst the environmental devastation caused by the oil industry. All because the West refuses to slow down production and consumption, isn't it about time we MEND our ways?

No.13 out of 16: NEWTOWN NEUROTICS - When The Oil Runs Out: http://www.sendspace.com/file/gvdskx

'Going To The Disco' wiv THE CLASH @ The Roundhouse, London 5/9/76

5 gigs into their career and their last one with Keith Levine. From these days in 1976 you can see why THE CLASH became one of the few bands that have mattered. On stage early evening, before the bar had opened, polite applause from the assembled denim clad, sitting on their butts hippies. Their indifference saw Joe responding with his soon to be customary confrontational audience baiting banter. The bands anti-apathy, pro-action stance started here. The 40 minute set was a high octane rock'n'roll affair and showed what the future would be like. The final song 1977 sounds vital, a statement of intent and the audience has now become alive. After the gig Bernie Rhodes reportedly told the band they "were shit." Judge for yourself. This bootleg is an important piece of Clash history; 6 of the 15 songs have never been released and weren't performed live for much longer. The recording is brought to you via the good folks on The Clash Forum. Ignore at your peril, enjoy at your leisure: http://www.sendspace.com/file/g1ic31

FIGHT THE FASCISTS

Just found out that in the Local Council Elections on May 3rd the BNP have a candidate standing in my area. He will be one of many more standing across the country in these elections, and it's down to us, the people to make sure they gain no footholds to power. So if you've got a candidate standing in your area get up and vote. Local elections are notorious for poor turnouts, but at this one it is most important to make the effort and place a X against any party so long as it aint the BNP. Spread the word, tell your neighbours, send the message; that we don't want no Nazis here. Then get in touch with the party you did vote for and ask them what are they gonna do about the shit that we are living in. It's only because of the main parties failings and inadequacies that the BNP have a platform to stand on.

THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS! It's just not a good idea, in the wrong hands they kill. On the subject of all things mad, bad and American; why doesn't Madonna just be done with it and buy Malawi, cos at the rate she's going she'll have bought all the children there soon.

Is this what Sid and Kurt died for? and what Richey ran away from?

This is QUARANTINE and their brand of punk rock from the doped and boozed up streets of Stevenage. The politics of yoof. No grand political statements here, this is Jeremy Kyle car crash theatrics; dysfunctional and disjointed. Primark Punk; cheap and nasty, yet to some fashionable and stylish. These guys are fun with a capital FUCK YOU. A recent gig of theirs should have been terminated, an eye witness described it as the worst gig they'd ever been to, the band were abysmal, but just not bad enough for the audience to riot. Hear the band for yerselves, but don't say you haven't been warned: http://www.sendspace.com/file/v1ja9v