Classic Grand, Glasgow, April 27, 7.30pm; Bongo Club, Edinburgh, April 28 2007, 7pm
As national institutions go, Billy Childish deserves a medal. Over 30 years service in primitive garage beat combos from Thee Milkshakes to The Buff Medways and his current guise with The Musicians Of The British Empire, Childish has become quietly iconic.
More than 100 albums, 40-odd books of poetry and several novels, including the semi-autobiographical ‘My Fault’, set to be filmed by ‘Kids’ director Larry Clark, bear Childish’s name. As a painter, he co-founded the anti-conceptualist Stuckists, inspired by a cross remark from former girlfriend Tracy Emin.
Childish fans include the late Kurt Cobain and Jack White of The White Stripes. Kylie Minogue took the name of her Impossible Princess album from a volume of Childish’s poetry gifted her by Nick Cave. Last year Childish was invited to take part in Celebrity Big Brother. But, as his latest album, ‘Punk Rock At The British Legion Hall,’ makes clear, fame’s trappings hold no appeal.
“I don’t want to be a pop star or a celebrity,” Childish maintains. “Ever since the New Romantics people have said I’m bitter, but that’s them judging us on their terms, which don’t apply.”
‘Punk Rock’ is a whip-smart critique of mainstream contemporary culture. Its title and accompanying World War One imagery bookend two defining epochs of Albion, through which Childish recognises a parallel between his generation and real-life battlefield veterans.
“They saw the end of their world, and in ’77 we saw the end of ours,” he says. “I saw punk rock as the end of then rather than the beginning of now.”
Accused of being a reactionary retro luddite, Childish’s singular vision in fact reveals an unswerving faith in the simple life.
“Being on the wrong end of a see-saw is fun,” he says, “but we don’t do it to be contrary. It’s the majority who are reactionary. That’s not bitter. That’s the truth.”
The List, April 2007
ends
As national institutions go, Billy Childish deserves a medal. Over 30 years service in primitive garage beat combos from Thee Milkshakes to The Buff Medways and his current guise with The Musicians Of The British Empire, Childish has become quietly iconic.
More than 100 albums, 40-odd books of poetry and several novels, including the semi-autobiographical ‘My Fault’, set to be filmed by ‘Kids’ director Larry Clark, bear Childish’s name. As a painter, he co-founded the anti-conceptualist Stuckists, inspired by a cross remark from former girlfriend Tracy Emin.
Childish fans include the late Kurt Cobain and Jack White of The White Stripes. Kylie Minogue took the name of her Impossible Princess album from a volume of Childish’s poetry gifted her by Nick Cave. Last year Childish was invited to take part in Celebrity Big Brother. But, as his latest album, ‘Punk Rock At The British Legion Hall,’ makes clear, fame’s trappings hold no appeal.
“I don’t want to be a pop star or a celebrity,” Childish maintains. “Ever since the New Romantics people have said I’m bitter, but that’s them judging us on their terms, which don’t apply.”
‘Punk Rock’ is a whip-smart critique of mainstream contemporary culture. Its title and accompanying World War One imagery bookend two defining epochs of Albion, through which Childish recognises a parallel between his generation and real-life battlefield veterans.
“They saw the end of their world, and in ’77 we saw the end of ours,” he says. “I saw punk rock as the end of then rather than the beginning of now.”
Accused of being a reactionary retro luddite, Childish’s singular vision in fact reveals an unswerving faith in the simple life.
“Being on the wrong end of a see-saw is fun,” he says, “but we don’t do it to be contrary. It’s the majority who are reactionary. That’s not bitter. That’s the truth.”
The List, April 2007
ends
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