Punk bands Sanction This, Red London and Slalom D will be playing at Sunderland Museum Vaults on 21 June. The gig is to raise funds to build a community monument to remember the International Brigade Volunteers from Sunderland who fought the rise of fascism during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.
Slalom D vocalist Fi Duncan talked about how the gig came about…”We’re good friends with Julio, one of the main organisers. He asked us because we’ve always taken a stance against racism and fascism. Especially at a time like this, we all have to stand up for what is right.”
“The International Brigade will always be an inspiration for people wanting to be on the right side of history. It’s an excellent cause, in one of our favourite venues, surrounded by our mates, it’s going to be a great gig”.
Entry is £10 on the door.Museum Vaults, 33 Silksworth Rd, Sunderland SR1
Follow up to debut album ‘All the Rage’, post punk three piece Heed Case release new album ‘Mongo’ on Friday 31st October 2025.
Heed Case are former Angelic Upstart guitarist on vocals Newts Newton, bass Si Cadelik and drums Mr Dusty. They squeeze between the bubbling volcanic crack where The Fall and Killing Joke lie.
And who doesn’t love a solid thunderous drum intro? Infectious album track ‘ADHD’ crunches and buzzes in yer ear…. ‘Impulsive can’t sit still, Destructive, too many pills, Can’t sit still for meditation, too much pressure and medication’.
The sheer anthemic guitar calls out…. ‘Cast adrift in a sea of challenges with a feeling of being left to drown. Frantically waving to be rescued. But all the lifeboats have run aground’.
Where did the album title come from?
‘The title ‘Mongo’ comes from a phrase the three of us use to describe our autism and adhd. Example, I have to everything in order. You open a cupboard in my kitchen and all the tins face forward and stacked alphabetically. Instead of saying “Oh that’s just a trait of autism, I’m neurodivergent don’t you know”. I’d simply say that’s just my mongo!’
‘However, it’s original source came from Si’s bass audition. I’d asked people to learn two tracks video themselves playing them and send it within 5 days. Si was the only one who followed the instructions to the letter – his mongo made sure of that.’
‘But when I watched the video he was concentrating so hard he was quite stiff and cumbersome. So much so that he reminded me of Mongo from the film ‘Blazing Saddles’. Hence Mongo became a word our traits and mannerisms associated with being neurodivergent.’
You are open about various medical conditions within the band….
’The broad theme of ‘All the Rage’ was about narcissism and entitlement in modern society. For ‘Mongo’ we chose to write about our experiences of living with autism and adhd whilst using different samples and FX to create soundscapes that reflected what the inside of our head often feels like – at times fecking scary!’
‘The song ‘Manic’ for example, is about how dealing with everyday tasks often feels like being hit with a tornado. A visual representation would be the swirl of colours you see when Henry the mild mannered janitors car, turns him into Hong Kong Phooey in the TV cartoon – and that’s what we tried to recreate with the audio.’
‘You may notice that the guitar isn’t as prominent through the tracks, its being used more as a texture rather than a traditional role in a guitar band. ‘All the Rage’ was a transitional album, ‘Mongo’ goes further down that road towards our aim of broadening our horizons beyond the punk genre.’
With the album in the bag are any live dates planned?
‘Yes, we’ve already played about 17 gigs thus far, including Rebellion Festival, Punk on the Peninsula, Punk & Disorderly Festivals and our last gig was at the Dublin Castle in Camden a few weeks ago. We’ve got a few more coming up and adding dates all the time as we want to keep busy’.
New 10 track album ‘Mongo’ release date Friday 31st October on all platforms, vinyl & CD format.
All needles are gonna be in the red zone at Newcastle Trillians this Sunday for the Geordie Hunt Sabs benefit gig.Sin City Rockers, Extinction of Mankind, Cazimi and Bastard Face are the four face peeling punk bands who’ve promised this’ll be the only show in town.
GHS member Rosie Brock “We are really grateful to all the bands who dedicated their effort and time to the upcoming gig”.
The GHS recently received some great news as they are now officially approved by the Hunt Saboteurs Association.
“After our hard work we have been recognised for our dedication and commitment to protesting wildlife and taking direct action against bloodsports. We’re proud to stand alongside other HAS groups in the UK” explained Rosie.
Throughout the summer the GHS continue their vital animal rights work by fundraising. On the door for the gig is £10 for this important cause.
“All the money that we raise now goes towards keeping us on the road, we need petrol and money for repairs after tyres are slashed and windows broken. Be part of the resistance on Sunday May 4th at Trillians in Princess Square, Newcastle”.
Further insight to the work of the Geordie Hunt Sabs >>>
The North East has become a home from home for 57 year old Bob Campbell. In a phone call he talked about his love of music and his contribution to the punk compilation record produced in support of Hunt Saboteurs.
I love punk. You know punk to me is urban folk music – music by the people for the people. You’d have people in rural areas singing about combine harvesters then you’d have punks singing about inner city decay, the music was full of energy. After first hearing it in 1977 – I thought that’s for me.
I was born on the Isle of Lewis and grew up in Perthshire, Scotland and came down to the North East to study at Sunderland Polytechnic in 1985. I worked in Gateshead and Blyth before finally ending up working here on Teesside since 1992. My wife is local to this area and my son was born here – yeh you could say I like the North East.
I’ve been taking my son to Rebellion Festival in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens since he was 9 year old – he’s now 28. He formed The Anti septics who played the festival twice. I took the band to a lot of their gigs where I was always down the front dancing. I’m 6 foot 5 with a mohawk hair cut and wear bright colours when everyone wears dark clothes. I stand out a bit! I don’t care what people think.
I started writing songs in the late 90s then during the covid lockdown I wrote over 300 and just wanted to give them a life. I couldn’t find people to sing them as they wanted to sing their own songs so I thought I’d do it myself. I went to a few folk clubs got some ideas and formed a band in October 2022. Last August the Gutter Folk played on the Rebellion Festival – it was like holy shit!
For years on the punk scene I’ve been friends with Julian Kynaston who is a huge supporter of Hunt Sabs. He set up a gig in September 2022 in Barnsley and got me to do two songs acapella – basically my first time on stage!
At that gig headlined by UK Subs, their frontman Charlie Harper said ‘Those people who kill foxes, just remember they’ll kill you without a fucking thought’. That quote really struck a chord with Julian and inspired him to put out the compilation album ‘Give the Fox a Gun’.
Back cover of the album with Charlie Harper quote.
We recorded a couple of songs about fox hunting. As I was a countryside ranger for 20 years I know a shit load about foxes and the lies told by the fox hunting fraternity so I can articulate that into the songs.
Julian Kynaston and Alan Walton produced the album which features bands including Gutter Folk from Middlesbrough, Darlington’s In Evil Hour, Burning Flag from Halifax and punk royalty Angelic Upstarts from South Shields who contribute with their anti-hunt track ‘Give the Fox a Gun’.
Countryside wildlife was my profession for 20 years, I was a ranger around the Tees Valley so I know a lot about fox habits. Foxes are incredibly clever and smart essentially they are scavengers they would rather find something already dead than hunt for food.
When they are being hunted they will take to ground and some hunts dig them out. They’ll climb trees and follow streams so as not to leave a scent.
When sheep are worried, they huddle into a pack which is their defence mechanism. The fox will go into the middle of a flock of sheep who aren’t bothered about the fox. When the hunting dogs come along the sheep huddle tightly keeping the fox safe from the dogs.
The hunt say what they do is pest control but really they don’t catch enough to make a difference on numbers and they say it’s only the sick or old animals they hunt. It’s absolute lies. They breed and release foxes in areas they don’t know, they are completely lost so it’s an easier hunt for them.
One time they were importing foxes from France – that’s not pest control. No, the only reason they do it is for rich people to see a living animal torn to shreds in front of their eyes.
Why would they want to introduce the killing of defenceless animals to their children? They smear their kid’s faces with the fox’s blood that’s just been murdered in front of them. Hunters try to justify it as a kind way to go….no the animals are just scared, terrified.
Do you know fox hunters will pay men to protect the hunt and beat up the Sabs? Thing is fox hunting is illegal. It’s madness when you think that they are paying people to beat up people who are on the right side of the law. What we’ve had for many years is Hunt Sabs trying to break up and disturb the fox hunt – the fight goes on.
The Hunt Sabs are aiming to raise money to go towards buying equipment like a vehicle or drones to help their work. All takings from the album go toward supporting the Hunt Sabs – 90% Sheffield Hunt Sabs & 10% Gabo Wildlife.
To buy the 13 track compilation album on red vinyl contact the official website >>> www.givethefoxagun.com
I listen to all styles of music it’s been a constant through my life. Even when you’re sad there are tunes that can pick you up. I’ve seen bands like Crass the more abrasive side of punk but I love the power pop as well. I may be a big punk rock fan but also love ABBA… explained Radio Northumberland presenter Keith Newman. We talked about his passion for music and the special moments when you are a teenager blown away watching your first concerts and meeting a band.
Thanks to local historian Steve Elwood for the advert taken from the Evening Chronicle.
It was May 79 and The Dickies were doing a signing session in HMV, Newcastle. Banana Splits was their latest single and they were signing copies. I nicked off school to get there it seemed like everybody else had the same idea cos it was rammed with queues of kids to see the band.
HMV had a big window at the front and with all the pressure of the kids pressed up against it, it smashed into the shop – and me with it.
Police were called, the kids scattered – I never got me autographs. But it was on the telly and my mother saw it and I got knacked. Years later when interviewing Stan Lee from The Dickies I mentioned the HMV incident and he couldn’t believe I was there. We got on great after that.
Actually, the first band I saw was The Dickies at Newcastle Mayfair, most anticipated gig was first time for the Ramones at Newcastle City Hall.
Keith on stage with the Village Idiots.
In 1980 we formed a punk band called The Village Idiots, we rehearsed in a portacabin in Leazes Park, Newcastle. We played three gigs in all, shouting and screaming, we couldn’t play – it was just noize.
Our first gig was on a bill with four other bands playing for the patients in Prudhoe Mental Hospital. Before going on we were interviewed live for Hospital radio. When I told the interviewer the name of the band his face dropped and quickly cut us off. Subsequently we were banned off the radio – a very punk thing to do.
We opened for Total Chaos at The Garage in Newcastle it was a real punk venue. Total Chaos were a proper band and we were on with them – couldn’t believe it! Thing is I remember we were bad but now I get some people saying yeah I was at that gig and The Village Idiots were great. I say no we weren’t. We were crap. Really we were.
It’s a strange thing…three gigs and immortality…we’re down in folklore! There’s even a photograph of us in the book about North East bands Closest Thing to Heaven. After the Idiots I joined a band called Damian – and they could play. Very goth, Iggy Pop – Lou Reed sounding – we also had two female backing singers.
I also run a PR company called Highlights PR and how I got started in radio was through a business contact. Ultra Radio were based in Ashington and I asked to be punk DJ. That went well until the licence ran out so myself and another DJ, Stewart Allen, formed Radio Northumberland 15 years ago.
It’s only on the internet at the minute although plans are to go DAB next year plus we’ve just moved into a new studio in Alnwick. We’re always looking for some sponsorship to help with the costs – anybody out there just get in touch.
The show New Wave with Newman has built up a decent following. It’s live every Monday night where I play Ramones, Undertones, Skids those types of bands. 1979 was my favourite year for music.
The show also showcases a lot of local bands, its great to see their development, Slalom D from Sunderland have done really well after releasing two albums and playing Rebellion Festival in Blackpool.
The show not only gives me the chance to play the music I love but to meet my heroes. The first interview I did was Jake Burns from Stiff Little Fingers, then The Dickies – I even took Stan Lee shopping in Newcastle for a new ipad.
Keith and Marky Ramone.
But the one that got me really nervous was with Marky Ramone. I found he was doing a DJ set in Newcastle. He was so cool and recorded a few spoken intro’s that I used on my show ‘Hi this is Marky Ramone from the Ramones and this is ‘Sheena is a Punk Rocker’. Fantastic.
I first saw them in 1980 at Newcastle City Hall and bought the t-shirt from the gig which I never took off. I remember next day I was going to a corner shop in Forest Hall to get me ma’s tabs – yep we could in those days – and I could see a coach outside. As I got near it pulled away.
I went in the shop and the assistant said ‘eeh see those lads on your t-shirt – they’ve just been in here. They were Americans asking for milk and cookies’. I couldn’t believe it I ran outside but the coach was away up the street.
For years I wondered if it really was them so when I talked to Marky I asked him about it and he told me Johnny Ramone had OCD and after every gig he had to have milk and cookies.
I also interviewed CJ Ramone on zoom and that was interesting how he talked about the legal wranglings about getting a percentage of the merchandise. Another Ramone drummer I talked to was Ritchie, I arranged to meet him before soundcheck and we caught up in an Italian restaurant. He was really nice we chatted for an hour. The kitchen staff and waitress were Ramones fans so they came over – yeah it was great he was really easy going and signed my albums.
Thing is I’ve interviewed Skids, Undertones and Baz Warne from The Stranglers – just loads of these supposed to be nasty punks – when they were all really nice to talk to. Martin Metcalfe from Goodbye Mr McKenzie was the latest. I rate them as a good band.
What does music mean to me? I just love music. I do the radio, I do the Tyne Idols Bus Tour, I do a lot of PR work with bands like Eddie and the Hot Rods and music festivals – that’s me bread and butter. Yes, music has been important in my life not just for relaxation but for work.
It’s also good to see when friendships are formed through the radio show. We have listeners in Scotland, Teesside and Cumbria, and strangely the most popular area is Sunderland. There are listeners now in USA and Canada – probably folk who used to live in the North East.
There are a lot of shows on Radio Northumberland where you hear the authentic Geordie voice which a lot of listeners like. Yes we’re really grateful to the people who tune in.
Heed Case are North East UK musicians Newts Newton (ex Angelic Upstarts guitarist) and Si Cadelik (Northumbrian Psych rock bassist).
“We’ve been involved in music since our late teens, so that’s approximately 40 years and counting. In some ways it feels like forever, in others, like only yesterday” said Newts.
“Recently I noticed the closure of the Marsden Inn in South Shields and was saddened because that’s where I played my first gig back in 1984”.
Are the duo still angry after all these years?
“The album explores gaslighting, narcissism and entitlement. All three elements feature heavily in populism and identity politics. Social media allows this to flourish, elbowing aside balance, objectivity and critical thinking. This emboldens extremists and those who seek to radicalise people with their brand of hateful rhetoric”.
This album ain’t no snoozefest. Heed Case deliver hefty chunks of pneumatic post punk on steroids, their angry vocals reflect the problems of the world around them, and us, today.
“Rather than tackle the causes of problems, the trend is to scapegoat. This should be a worry and concernfor everyone, not just two people in a band. One day, that scapegoat might be you!”
All Wankers, Rats and stand out track WTFH are on a 16-track album that clocks in at a ball busting 30 minutes.
“The album was recorded at home but mixed and mastered by Martin Trollope at his studio Harbourmaster Productions. We think he did an excellent job, he was a pleasure to work with.” explained Newts.
Heed Case debut album June 2024
With an impressive debut album in the bag the Case are in no mood to rest on their laurels.
“It’s an introduction album but also a transitional one, we hope people will enjoy what they hear and stick with us moving forward as we look to broaden our horizons beyond our punk and psych roots”.
Next up for Heed Case is transferring the songs to a live stage. Can it be done?
“Absolutely. We must do the hard yards and tour – it’s as simple as that. We’re working on that right now, so please like and follow our socials for news of when and where we’ll be making a nuisance of ourselves around the UK and beyond.”
Debut album ‘All the Rage’ is released on Friday 21st June 2024& on pre-sale from the website.
For further info-music-video-merch- contact official website
The previous post featured South Shields born Will Binks, who at 16 started a successful North East punk fanzine, in this second part he talks about his passion for photography.
Will can often be seen ‘doon the frunt’ at North East punk gigs so if you see him give him a shout.
Will in action at a gig in The Black Bull, Gateshead 28 July 2022 pic. Pete Turner.
After the fanzine and short-lived tape label I was ready for something new, and even as a child I always had a passing interest in photography.
When did you start taking photos, was it with North East punk band The Fiend back in the 1980s?
When I was eighteen years old, in 1984, I got a Pentax SLR camera and flash from Alan Brown’s shop on Frederick Street in South Shields. I took it to gigs and yes I did do a photoshoot with the lads from The Fiend.
(The Fiend featured on the blog in January 2021)
The Fiend in rehearsal rooms 7th September 1984.
However, it was a bulky camera, with film, batteries and developing not cheap at all. I was at the age where I wanted to socialise and enjoy a drink with friends, so I often left the Pentax at home and took out my parents’ Kodak Disc camera. It was pocket-sized and you just pointed and clicked.
Great I thought at the time, but in retrospect a mistake. The quality of photos was to put it bluntly, terrible. I wish I persevered with the Pentax. Isn’t hindsight a wonderful thing?
The Fiend at The Station, Gateshead 14th December 1984.
What was the atmosphere like at punk gigs?
To be truthful, it was scary sometimes but mostly it was okay, although I know folk who suffered violence. There were times when you could sense trepidation in the air, and you just knew what was gonna happen.
Thankfully, I sidestepped any trouble but I definitely had a few lucky escapes.
There seemed to be a lot of that irrational tribalism between different areas. I never did understand folk wanting to assault someone just because they were from another town or city. I’m pleased to say that nowadays it is much, much better.
For you what is the difference between taking photos on film back then, and digital now?
Back in the day, I was restricted by how much film I could afford to buy and having the cash to get those films developed. It wasn’t particularly cheap. Photography was, and still is, an expensive hobby.
The good thing was once I had taken my pics and had the film developed that was that. You had your images and there was no post editing back then.
Nowadays, your time is split between taking pictures then spending hours, if not days, at home editing your images to your own specifications. It is very time consuming but I thoroughly enjoy it.
I’ve always said I take pictures for my own gratification. If anyone expresses a liking for any, then I’m pleased, but I should stress that it’s not the reason behind why I do what I do. I am non-commercial. I am not motivated at all by financial gain.
Sunrise 12th September 2016.
Hard to say, I know, but what is your best pic?
A very difficult question. Regarding my live music photography, it changes constantly. Here’s one I took of a sunrise from back in 2016, something that I always enjoy witnessing.
Greg Graffin, Bad Religion, Newcastle University, 5th June 2022.
Where can people see your pics ?
I’ve had some of my images used in books and by bands on their record or CD sleeves. All I ask for in return is that I am credited, and that I get a copy of the product once released. I don’t think I can be much fairer than that.
All my pics are public and viewable in full resolution on my Flickr page. I invite everyone to follow the link and check out the many albums of pictures there. Hope you enjoy what you see.
I’ve come across some grand postings on social media by archivist Stig Chivers. He’s added articles from Sounds music paper 1975-80, some featuring bands from the North East.
In the 18 August 1979 edition is a Garry Bushell live review of the Angelic Upstarts gig at the Nashville in London.
Angelic Upstarts in Sounds 18 August 79
In a recent interview with music journalist Phil Sutcliffe, Phil talked about the Upstarts and remembers a gig in Newcastle which was a spin off from the Bedrock programme broadcast by BBC radio Newcastle.
‘Putting the Angelic Upstarts on before North East band Neon at the Bedrock festival proved to be a mis-judgment as a huge fight ensued, a rather one-sided affair given Neon fans were student’ish and Upstarts fans were from South Shields’.
Brian Rapkin from Punishment of Luxury remembers that infamous gig…
‘We were bottom of the bill and during our set someone lobbed a can at the stage. I caught the can and put it in my pocket. Later the Upstarts charged the stage. There was carnage, people beaten up, blood everywhere, the police came and made the rioters walk home to South Shields without their shoes’.
For more articles from Sounds Magazine 1975-80 by archivist, Steve ‘Stig’ Chivers check twitter:@SoundsClips.
For further posts about Sounds type in: ‘Raw Meat in the Sonic Mincer’ in the blog search bar.
Read about the Angelic Upstarts in ‘The Butchers of Bolingbroke’ here:
You will find some grand postings on social media by archivist Steve ‘Stig’ Chivers. He’s added articles from Sounds music paper 1975-80 some featuring bands from the North East.
Sounds singles review 9/6/79.
9 June 1979 issue carries a singles review featuring Newcastle post punk band Punishment of Luxury’s ‘Jellyfish’. Not a favourable review to put it mildly ‘Pathetic attempt to capture early seventies quirkiness’ ouch!
In an interview back in April 2021 Brian Rapkin (Bond) told me…
‘The first single after we signed was supposed to be ‘Jellyfish’, but the board at United Artists didn’t like it as an A-side so we reluctantly agreed to ‘Engine of Excess’ as the A-side’.
‘Then we signed to Screen Gems-EMI Publishing who gave UA a bollocking about the choice of A-side. So UA re-released ‘Jellyfish’ as the A-side. But by then it was too late to get airplay. The momentum was lost’.
The diamond in the dust amongst the reviews is a favourite in my top singles list – Babylons Burning from The Ruts – ‘Music to riot too’ shouts this week’s reviewer Garry Bushell. Yer got that right Gazza.
Also came across some pages from the Reading 1979 official programme, or the official title – 19th National Jazz, Blues & Rock Festival.
The Jags are on the 3pm Friday slot with Punilux at 4.30pm. Motorhead take the stage as the sun goes down. Scorpions and Ramones headliners on Saturday and Sunday.
Look out for Penetration and Angelic Upstarts on the next Sounds Clips posts.
If yer lookin’ for a Chrissy present to buy why not take a butchers at these goodies that have appeared on the blog this year. 2019 has seen nearly 100 interviews posted mostly musicians and also featured authors, artists, poets and TV presenters….
Gary James from The Tube, spills the beans on the groundbreaking ‘80s TV music show in his autobiography ‘Spangles, Glam, Gaywaves & Tubes’….
‘It’s a fabulous main present for ‘70s & ‘80s music and fashion fans you love, or a stocking filler for those you don’t. All for a paltry £12.99 (or cheaper if you can be arsed to shop around). Some bad language (he says ‘sod’ in it)’.
Lowfeyeare musician/producer Alan Rowland and song writer Carol Nichol…
’Some songs on our album POW can be political or critical of society. I find the mainstream music scene along with TV celebrities really awful. It’s bland, it’s beige, it’s plastic and unfortunately we are spoon fed this crap by radio and TV’.
Contact Carol via Facebook and get yer copy at only £5 from paypal.me/lowfeye
The Fauves punk band formed in South Shields in 1978 and got back together 2016, bassist Bri Smith…
‘I’ve got the perfect stocking filler for xmas for all you punks out there – The Fauves latest cd album ‘Back off World’. Most of the songs were written between 1978-81. There is a couple of new tracks and we think it has come out really well. Have a wonderful xmas you won’t be disappointed’.
Get yer copy from Goldies opposite South Shields Town Hall or contact The Fauves on their official website thefauves.wordpress.com
The Attention Seekers have a regional feel about some of their songs which gain’s regular play on local radio and at St James’ Park. Guitarist, Alan Fish…
’If you’re looking for a chilled Xmas why not relax to the sounds of the latest CD from The Attention Seekers ‘A Song for Tomorrow’. Or if you’re looking for something more action-packed why not start Xmas Day singing along with ‘The Fans’ version of ‘The Blaydon Races’. Physical copy of ‘A Song for Tomorrow’ available from
ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE 