MarxistMark
Wed, 01 Nov 2000 12:37:01 -0800
<A HREF="http://www.antifa.net/insurgence/bandbio/angelicupstarts.html">I N S U R G E N C E</A> CLICK ON ABOVE FOR DETAILS ON LABEL;AND HOW TO GET THE CD.BELOW IS A GREAT I/VIEW RECENTLY CONDUCTED WITH THE MAN HIMSELF[FACE TO FACE];MENSI.THE CD HAS A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF LENIN PLASTERED OVER ITS COVER;FOR YOU SENTIMENTAL TYPES Angelic Upstarts - "Anthems Against Scum" IR 002 INTRO NEVER AD NOTHING TEENAGE WARNING LAST NIGHT ANOTHER SOLDIER SOLIDARITY KIDS ON THE STREET 2000000 VOICES I UNDERSTAND WOMAN IN DISGUISE MACHINEGUN KELLY ENGLAND I'M AN UPSTART MURDER OF LIDDLE TOWERS IF THE KIDS ARE UNITED SOLIDARITY (reprise) WHITE RIOT click here to read: the Angelic Upstarts interview :- THE INTERVIEW The following interview was conducted by a member of the Morning Star newspaper, with Mensi (Angelic Upstarts) and Kid Stoker (Red London) . A new music was hammering out a revolutionary message; the style was of a form "anyone can get up and have a go"! This music was labelled PUNK, some people labelled the movement new wave. The North East produced its quota of bands for this brutal, angry sound. The Proles, Penetratian, were just two of the them. But this interview concentrates on the Angelic Upstarts camp, with the Angelic Upstarts and their musical cousins Red London being featured. Red Alert (musical brother to Red London) were another band from this staunchly anti-fascist camp. The Angelic Upstarts music was a brutal, angry sound, but melodic all the same. The best sound to describe the Angelic Upstarts sound is "a classic standard working class thrash; a predictable and hardly timeless jolt of accented electric rabble rousing. But no less effective for it". Red London's sound was similar with its emphasis on its sound from the streets; raw and simple anthems about working class life. And although similar to their heroes the Angelic Upstarts brilliant all the same. In 1978 when most bands were singing about anarchy the Angelic Upstarts were producing their first release "The Murder of Liddle Towers" a protest song about the not so clear actions of the police with a man in detention. The foundations had been laid the path set for a course of asking questions that a lot of other bands didn't quite want to reach. 1979 brought this avenue into public gaze with their stomping single "Teenage Warning". It entered the charts and gave them a tea time slot on Top of the Pops; a lovely starter for anyone about to engage in their tea!The Angelic Upstarts released many singles of quality; still asking the questions, probing and always straight to the point. "Last Night Another Solider", "Two Million Voices", "Kids on the Street", Never 'ad Nothing" were early examples of these mind ticking albums. Unfortunately though being a punk band at that time and taking a progressive attitude of speaking up about the issues of the day (including racism and fascism) they had trouble with the far right at venues. A racist element was making a presence at concerts against bands they perhaps respected musically but not lyrically/politically.The Angelic Upstarts and Red London's ground was chosen; flag posted squarely and firmly in the right place, staunchly in the anti fascist corner.But hearing accusations, rumours, images about the Angelic Upstarts front man/vocalist Mensi; you'd perhaps think he was the Henry Cooper of Punk!But after speaking, meeting the front man of one of the most successful and well known bands from the new wave era (Seven hit singles/ Four top 50 albums) your perceptions will quickly change. Mensi sat back in his black mastermind armchair and kicked off his story, which was just the start of what was going to be a very interesting afternoon.Talking of the "highs and lows" of his bands (not finished yet!); he highlighted the highs of many benefit concerts the Angelic Upstarts had done for Anti Fascist Action. National and international concerts have obviously left a mark on this big hearted man, the real high was an Italian concert they'd turned up to; and looking at the crowed he'd seen vast waves of people sporting anti fascist/racist memorabilia. But he talked of lows also; the one that gave him concern was when the far right attacked the band. It was at the Astoria in 1990 when elements of the far right attacked the band with drainpipes.Kid Stoker had reflected on Red London's highs and lows; his personal thoughts were of simple progress from learning to play that extra chord on a guitar, to moving to writing good songs. Then onto finding yourself in a recording studio and even singing your first record contract, even though the label should be trading under the name 'Sharks-R-Us!'. Also holding your first recording and then reading the cover until your eyes hurt; Kid Stoker emphasising that they may be simple facts, but they carry great satisfaction for a musician. He talked of great gigs; one in Geneva at a squat run by punks and radical students. The venue was sandwiched between rich houses and even richer banks! During the sound check armed police descended on the venue, being English and unused to seeing armed police, Red London quickly raised their hands for surrender. Amazement though! The squatters calmly told the police of their rights, the police turned around and went. They now had their own special enclave; there own Utopia, if only for twelve hours. The lows; Kid Stoker did say "we've had regrets; but then again, too few to mention… wait a minute! I've just turned into a socialist Frank Sinatra!". Onto the favourite question, musical influences. Kid Stoker spoke of his influences they were the Beatles, Small Faces, The Who (in the mid sixties), early seventies Slade, Mick Jones from the Clash for showing how you work a Les Paul with style, likewise Joe Strummer for writing the punk manifesto. And a young Paul Weller for writing classic three minute anthems in the late 1970's.Mensi also showed great respect to the Clash; especially Joe Strummer. If you listen to the Angelic Upstarts, Red London and Red Alert, you will definitely hear and feel the influence of the Clash.I asked Mensi about the market for a punk revival; a lot of bands are reforming. A lot of new bands are quoting punk and new wave bands as influences. Mensi said the scene is picking up in this country; although it is stronger in Europe. He still believes though there's no substitute for live acts; and with punk and new wave you can definitely afford to watch bands live. I would have thought the Angelic Upstarts would have had a life of alcohol on tap etc. in their heyday. Mensi quickly dampened down that theory! The band were being paid £25 a week (unemployment benefit at that time was £27.50).But of course; managers and record companies were obtaining more that unemployment benefit. Only just!!?Mensi once said in an interview "I hate it when you go down the Marquee and kids come up to you to buy them a drink and when you tell them you ain't go no money they don’t believe you. Sometimes I get very cynical with the kids".It does go to show the calibre of this man, leaving a job of being a miner with a regular income; to become the lead singer of a band that was to become the political cutting edge of the punk movement. With no money coming forth he is a man of courage, determination and principle. As with the band. A person like Thomas Mensforth (Mensi) who is admired by many, is quick to show his admiration for other people, he was very quick to show respect and admiration towards Arthur Scargill. It was no surprise after reading quotes about Mensi being labelled the Arthur Scargill of punk!Mensi said "I wish I was half the man he was, and I wish I was half the man he is." "He was honest and true to his friends and comrades."Now for a man with his reputation (Mensi) to wish yourself to be half the man someone else is; this shows how much the man respects Mr Scargill. The Angelic Upstarts did a lot for the miners during the strike (also at least two tracks "Blackleg Miner" and "Jarrow Women" reflect this position).Kid Stoker reeled admiration's for George Orwell, William Morris, Keir Hardye, Tom Payne, Nelson Mandella, Muhammad Ali, Rosseau, Thomas More and George Best!Perhaps punk does have a conscience then; not just the media led image of yellow hair, Doc Martins and sniffing glue. Read on and find out. Everyone talks of their childhood memories; the times when most people remember only good times, the long summer holidays, doing what you wanted to do. I talked to Mensi and Kid Stoker about their childhood's, I asked them did their childhood's have any influence on their views today.Kid Stoker had no doubt about the fact that his traditional working class upbringing of life in the North East had a lasting effect on his beliefs. His father and uncles all worked in the shipyards; his grandfather was a dustbin man. And although they were never great radicals as such, they all possessed this incredible working mans dignity. And they all had three basic beliefs they never broke. 1. Join a Trade Union. 2. Vote Labour. 3. Never trust a Tory. Mensi told me his childhood had been a totally working class type background; being brought up on Labour politics, considering the Tories as an enemy. He also mentioned he never had no contact with fascists in the North East until he moved down to London.His father was a miner for 25 years and they lived on a council estate (Brockley Whins). The conversation quickly got onto the subject of Tony Blairs New Labour (sounds like a dodgy disco band).Mensi couldn't wait to spill the words "He's a better capitalist than Thatcher; at least Thatcher was more honest. You knew where you stood, at least Thatcher didn't pretend to be working class". He said he was totally disillusioned with the Labour Party.Kid Stokers thoughts were "In many respects the election of Tony Blair is the final triumph of Thatcherism. Blair is Margaret's final joke. If ever there was a liberal economist in Labour clothing, then it's Tony Blair. Any politician who smiles that much clearly has something to hide".So yes Mr Tony Blair we all know you have a Conservative Party membership card tucked under the carpet! So if you don't want a New Labour government (as in new New Labour government), what sort of establishment do you want?Kid Stoker answered "I would like to witness something like the election of the 1945 government, a party with a vision elected by a landslide by a British people truly wanting radical change. Only this government would not stop at a National Health Service and a Welfare State, but instead continue steps (political) three four and five and so on until we have a truly socialist state. And when was the last time the British voters had well and truly had enough of the Tories and wanted a change? The last general election, right? But instead we got short-changed by New Labour Spinning tired Thatcher economic policies". So perhaps Shane Warne couldn't even get into the Labour Cabinet team!?… Not even 12th man.Mensi asked for a truly socialist government; he would love to see it happen. He did refer to Britain being the last place in Europe to achieve a true socialist government, his views were that there's not a big enough challenge from the left.He feels that the challenge from the left needs to come from the working class as he felt it tended to more in Europe. But he still holds the view that it will take something catastrophic to happen,; to nudge people into really opting for radical change.He was worried though that Europe seems to be taking the same path of events that occurred before, during World War II; haven't we learned enough from that?If the left isn't challenging enough in this country then at the moment; do they need to unite? Can they? Is this the way forward?Mensi quickly responded that he'd love to see the broad left unite; but he had reservations that it had to be working class led. BACK What more can be said about this legendary band? The Angelic Upstarts formed in South Shields, England 1977. They've been serving up a unique blend of working class ideology and musical aspiration since. Vocalist Mensi (aka Thomas Mensforth) was always liable to provoke polarisation. His lyrics made much of his impoverished upbringing and lashed out at London's middle class intelligentsia, as well as the police and politicians. With Mond (guitar), Ronnie Wooden (bass) and Sticks (drums) on board, The Angelic Upstarts launched their three chord crusade with the independently released single 'Murder of Liddle Towers' in 1978. It's attack on police brutality earned them an early patron in Sham 69's Jimmy Pursey. Pursey produced the minimalist Teenage Warning (1979), a cul-de-sac of single idea songs made palatable by the band's wholehearted delivery and their denunciation of racism - a particularly admirable stance at a time when other skinhead bands, such as Skrewdriver, were flirting with right wing elements. With the UK hit singles, 'I'm An Upstart' and 'Teenage Warning' (both 1979), they focused on the plight of the 'working man'. Angel Dust (The Collected Highs) (1983) was a useful compilation of their best early work, and paved the way for Reason Why? (1983), an album on which The Angelic Upstarts came closest to the intensity and diversity of The Clash. Now with Tony Feedback (bass), Bryan Hayes (rhythm guitar) and ex-Roxy Music drummer Paul Thompson, they had also broadened their sound with the introduction of saxophones and keyboards. The Power of the Press (1986) incorporated working class folk ballads such as Eric Bogle's 'Green Fields of France', while the controversial single release 'Brighton Bomb' celebrated the IRA's attempt to assassinate the Conservative cabinet. However, there was limited evidence that Angelic Upstarts fans were growing with the band and this was confirmed by their break up in late 1986. The band reunited in 1992 and continue to gig all over the world with a new line up featuring Mensi, Max Splodge, Bryan Hayes and Chris White. Their latest full-length release 'Anthems Against Scum' brings the Upstarts to a mostly new generation of fans, still playing in tune with the anti-fascist cause. Pure dedication. _______________________________________________ Leninist-International mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.wwpublish.com/mailman/listinfo/leninist-international