So what is this blog about? Well, it is not about a nostalgic reminiscing of bygone years, of “what we did when we were young” As an Ethnomusicologist I have travelled to different countries researching: stories, music/s, events, people/s, instruments, venues, histories etc. yet I have ignored my own; not just my UK culture and music, but my own life and what music/people/bands I have been involved with.
If it was just a reminisce then I would probably not begin it, but what happened between the years (1978-1989) of playing in bands in and around Carlisle/Cumbria was a social history of Carlisle and the people who lived (and died) in those years, and I think those people deserve a mention, just as much as people deserve a mention anywhere.
Carlisle is often overlooked. It is a city that is on the “Border”, and places/people on the border are often ignored and driven passed! This was certainly the case with a lot of “big” bands (then and now) who prefer to go to Newcastle or to Glasgow than come across over the Pennines, or through the remote beauty of the Scottish Lowlands, and play at the limited venues Carlisle has to offer. Carlisle hosted no real proper musical venue back then, it had a Market Hall that was transformed into a gig area, which used to host the bigger touring bands; or it had the small pubs and clubs for the small local bands.
Collaborations
This blog is inspired by a Carlisle musician/singer called Pod, he has an encyclopaedic memory when it comes to punk bands and it is due to conversations with Pod that I started this social history. He has given me lots of music over the years, as I was trying to fill in the gaps of “my lost years” (the years I had spent abroad learning other people’s music), and when I began to think of the bands that I had been involved with, and the bands that had influenced me, I saw it as something worth while to write about. I mean it is “our history”, not an invasion of another country or of kings and queens… and we should take ourselves seriously.
Intention
Now with the Internet a lot of punk groups can be viewed and listened too anew, bands from all over the country, but when I researched Carlisle bands I found a “gap in the market”…where were we? Again, we had been by-passed, or perhaps we had by-passed ourselves and taken ourselves not too seriously, as usual.
Pod and I intended to write a more detailed history of Carlisle Punk bands a few years ago, but the project was too big and it folded. But this is a modest project dealing with the bands I was involved with and the people I had met. But I want it to be about other Carlisle bands too, either punk bands or bands which were influenced by punk. I welcome contributions from anyone, and anyone can write to me or include comments, memories, photos etc. all is welcome; it is a work in progress…
Content
There will be mp3 examples of some of the bands mentioned, some are recorded using the equipment of the day…cassette recorders placed beside the amps, or home demo recordings done a 4 track recorders, others are studio recordings, or live performances. The quality is just more important than the written content, as it is a “photograph” of those times, a “smell from the past…” a description of “what it was like”. People, comments and memories are just as important too; I would like to hear from people who remember gigs; the audience who saw the bands play, who still see punk bands play today. I would like to have contributions from other band members; I know a lot of bands were around then, but I have not the knowledge to write about them: who was in them? what songs they did? what gigs they played? If you write something I will find space to put it in.
Influences
Punk influences trickled though the counties of the UK until it reached Carlisle: Raffles, Currock, Harraby, Morton, Stanwix, Lowry Hill, Scotby, and other areas surrounding Carlisle; and these influences took the West Coast line to Workington, Whitehaven and onto the West coast of Cumbria. Also north over the border into Southern Scotland: Annan, Dumfries, Palnackie etc. These musical influences formed people into bands and these local bands naturally wanted to play. This localized Punk movement created a positive energy, which changed, for a time, the musical landscape of the Borders.
This is not about the beginnings of Punk, some of the bands mentioned maybe not be classed as punk, but the spirit of punk was certainly inside of these bands. All of them came from nowhere, went somewhere and returned to nowhere… and that’s the way it was, and that is the way it was all over Cumbria and the UK. The music was supported by venues, and the managers, who owned those venues…a silent community which is often overlooked. Landlords and club bosses giving these bands a try…
This could be the story of Punk in the late 70s/80s, like elsewhere in the UK, Punk released a wave of influences ranging from literature, music, artwork, and philosophies…which are still alive today. I welcome your memories.
I’m sure I had a sell on 20% clause when I sold you my home made speaker 40+ years ago Kevin 😉 Congratulations on the site and on how you have bettered your self since the heady days of the Porcelain Dolls! I’m not sure how to contact you privately for a chat but if you know how let me know.
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Hi David, i hope you are well? yes those heady heights of the PD, thundering bass lines… remember it well. and the smoking speaker cab… i think one of the last times i saw you was in your room and you were taking bass lessons…. from a teacher!!! are you still playing bass? not sure if this mail will reach you… if so, take it easy. best wishes.
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Yes he said there was no hope for someone who snatches at his notes… Dammit he was right…
Yes I’m still playing bass along with guitar, keyboards and programming drums in my home ‘studio’ I left Carlisle in 87 and now live in Edinburgh. We should catch up ‘sometimes’
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Amazing archive! I recognise several faces in there including my own. In the Wheel. Probably around 87ish
❤️❤️❤️
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cheers Giles, i posted your post, and i got your mail. not sure why it did not post, but hopefully you can see your post now. Many thanks. i think people have to include an email address to post something, then it has to be “approved” so it takes a while to get out there.
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It was a bit odd, it said I had already posted my comment.
Anyway
Thank you 😊
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Hey there Trouble, I hope all is well with you and yours, I am in Carlisle at the moment, so if you would still like to meet up and have a chat and cuppa Tea?
I have been able to locate all of my journals and much more, and would be happy to contribute more if you would like?! AX
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Hi Andrea, i would have loved to have met up. i was in carlisle all last week, but i did not see your mail. i am back in glasgow now. so it is not possible for now. how long will you be in Carlisle? if it is for a few weeks then i should be back down by then.
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Great page looking at this brings back memories of my punk days in Carlisle,i moved away from Carlisle in about 1990 so lost contact with lots of people,it was funny listening to Pods interview when he was talking about him and a friend trying to start a band when i lived in Sybel street the moved to Harraby yes we were not very good but thats what it was about getting up and trying,keep up the good work
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Nice To hear Your Comment Pogo..We Did Try
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https://crass.live/gig-list
Hi Kev above link is a list of gigs by crass from 77 till 84…a nook is being published hopefully very soon on all things crass.. more info on site. Ph
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Great blog. I wondering if you could give me a little help with a project I’ve been working on—trying to flesh out a discography of Scottish punk bands with actual releases from 1977–84. It can get a little fuzzy around the border, so I thought I’d go to the source! The Limp seem definitely from Annan, but most (or all) of the other Matchbox bands were Carlisle? And what was up with The Veldt? Is the Veldt on the “8 From ’80” comp the same one that had a split single with Beat Necessity? And were they Carlisle? Obsessive details, I know. And from a long time ago. Thanks for all the great info on the site!—Michael
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Hi Michael, thanks for your mail. i will have to ask around as i do not know the answers myself, to your questions. The Limps were from Annan; and i think all others were from carlisle on the 8 from 80 (but i will have to check this). i know nothing about the Velt except what i included in the blog, but maybe someone reading this can help? i will get back to you.
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Thanks! If anybody knows the answers, give a shout!
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Hi
Veldt were from Carlisle. Johnny Becker the guitarist was at Trinity School (same year as Kirsty (& the Husbands) and then the Art College, later becoming a photographer.
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Hi ethnopiper,
I hear you were trying to contact a member of The Limps for some info, what would you like to know?
Tam
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Hi Tam, thanks for getting in touch. i am trying to “interviews” now with people who were in bands at the time (late 70s & 80s), and i was wondering if you would be willing to meet up and to talk about the Limps and the scene back then? it is very informal and it is like a chat, talking about music and what the gigs were like. examples are on one of the pages in the blog under “interviews” it would give you an idea what i mean. i would work it around you, where and when you want to meet? cheers for writing back.
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Yo, this is lit. I thank you for finally looking at what some people want in carlisle. You’re pretty cool my dude.
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Thank you Tilbs for the blog, great to hear and read this, I still have recordings, art work and other stuff that perhaps you would like? I also have info about the local punk community from then to now,,, I will be back from Poland in a few days and I will be swinging by Carlisle, giz a shout, Andrea, Dungs girlfriend😎Namaste. X
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Hi Andrea, it will be lovely to meet you, it has been a long time. I would welcome any photos, comments, music, memories that you have. We ca arrange to meet up.
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Howdoo tilbs.. Sec a grand blog site! Good reading about and seeing old photos of old friends. See you soon for a catchup and a pint?
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Ellie, great to hear from you. It’s been such a long time. We certainly will catch up soon, looking forward to it and to hear what you have been up too. Check out the Penrith band’s page you will il recognize all of the bands. See ya Ellie
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Hi there
I’m currently writing a piece for Uncut about non-London punk scenes to get an idea of what it was like outside the major cities. I’d love to talk to you for this piece – be fascinated to hear about things in Carlisle. Could you drop me a line if you are interested in sharing some memories?
Thanks so much
Pete
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Hi Pete Merry Christmas I,ve heard you published your article in Uncut. What months issue was it in?
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Hi Jeff, I have heard nothing from Pete, he said he would let me know know when it was published. Maybe he forgot to tell? I will try and find out. I have not heard anything.
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there is a mention that the article is published in Dec. 2017, I have not got a copy.
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Amazing, never thought i’d hear The Beguiled again, misplaced the cassette a long time ago(possibly in the attic of the kings head, with all my other music, last place of residence in the UK). Anyway, fantastic work you’re doing here, also found it by accident, testing a slightly water damaged, sticklebacks, xposure cd. This lead to Universal Suffering, and a search to see what the Exiles were up to these days, and here we are. This has got to be one of the best things i’ve found in years. Keep it up.
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Many thanks Harry, for your comment. From time to time more info is added, if and when, it comes to me from other people. Keep looking at the “blog” page for the newest undates.
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This is such a great site. Doexs anyone have copies of carlisle fanzines ? Dead on Arrival? Monkey Talk,
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I have been trying to track down some Fanzines from Carlisle, but as yet no luck. I am sure they are out there somewhere…?
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The after births were listed under the clash in sounds gig listings , I still hav clippings. (Ph)
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Another memory on the after births we were listed under the clash in sounds gig guide ., I still hav the clipping.
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Hi PH, could you scan and send the clipping?
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I’ll get pod on it
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I’ve sent it to your email address via WordPress .
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Amazing Web page, Keep up the great job. With thanks!.
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Thanks for all the hard work you have put into this. The limps and no support at the city hall was one of the first gigs I ever went to. I think I was about 14. Keep it up
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Mr Watts, it must be 30 years.
You ever back up north ??
Mark..(fid)
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Yes it 32 years this month I left Carlisle.
I get home about about twice a year to see my man and dad, and my brother dave who lives in keswick.
I love this blog. The only down side is it makes me feel old. Take care
All the best Bob.
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I am pleased you like it Bob, never old though…
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Just want to say what a fantastic thing you’re doing here, Kevin. Although none of the bands ever achieved any kind of huge fame, they meant a lot not only to their members, but also their many friends. It’s great to see all their work and so many memories compiled here. Thanks a million, pal. Keep on keeping it real. You’re a top gadgy! 🙂
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cheers Mark. all the best to you.
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