Catching Up with Black American Showmen, Punk Rock, and Hip Hop

I've been involved in another non-music related writing project but that does not mean I've not been keeping up with my pop culture interests.

 Stephen Hudson - pic J Coyle 

Mostly I have been gong to gigs in my local area. In recent weeks I have seen original punk band, Peter and the Test Tube Babies, plus Dirt Box Disco, Mitford Rebel, and singer-songwriter Stephen Hudson plus a variety of support acts, mainly punk.

I've also discovered the thriving punk scene here that spreads throughout the North West, partly due to Dr Paul Duerden, who had a birthday party in Burnley, Lancashire, out home town, in December at which a member of Burnley-based 1970's punk band, Notsensibles was playing. Notsensibles are performing a reunion gig at Hebden Bridge Trades Hall, Feb 10th, which I hope to attend while visiting Burnley and family.

Mitford Rebel - pic J Coyle

Notsensibles song 'I'm in Love with Margaret Thatcher' features in the Oscar-nominated film Iron Lady, starring Meryl Streep.

In other news, I am reading Nelson George's book, Hip Hop America, (Nelson George also wrote The Michael Jackson Story, 1983) and I am still listening obsessively to Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Also listening to Life After Death by Notorious B.I.G., the rapper's final studio album which was released posthumously.

Notsensibles - pic Kevin Cummins