Rebellion Festival: Part III – Saturday 5th August 2023

We wake to discover that the British summertime has reasserted itself after two consecutive dry days, undeterred we head out ready for day three. In comparison to other cities and towns we note that Blackpool is pretty much unchanged by the passage of time, this begged the question does this town exist when we’re not here? Had we been drinking when he considered this, well yes, what’s your point? Anyway, as Rebellion progresses it becomes increasingly difficult to walk more than about 50 yards without encountering a friendly face, this even seems to apply to the light Police presence who are amiably chatting to punks, there may be ulterior motives for this but everything seems good natured everywhere you go. Whilst this means you miss bands it is an equal part of the Rebellion experience, to paraphrase Joe Strummer, without people we are nothing. 

I’ll have one of what Smoking Gives You Big Tits are having please. Highly recommended by those that know, and rightly so. With bands you sometimes get idiosyncratic, sometimes raw power. Rarely both. But now … and should punk be this much fun? Yes it fucking should. Smoking Gives You Big Tits are a brilliant band who probably don’t give a fuck if you don’t like them. We do. They’re ace and wickedly funny. And very very punk. Remember the Weird Noise EP on Fuck Off Records from the early 80s? Smoking Gives You Big Tits resurrect that irreverent spirit with daft songs about Neighbours characters, Smash Hits correspondence and bellends. All wrapped up in glorious punky pop, so it’s not daft at all. Perfect.

Underrate the South Korean power pop punk trio of Rumkicks at your peril because they have more balls than a large handful of bands here today. A vivid and super-energetic show to a huge crowd. An immensely likeable and engaging set of gorgeous power pop performed to a hugely appreciative and packed Empress Ballroom. If you like superbly-executed, catchy tunes, you’ll love this. Catch them if you get the chance, and be prepare to fall a little bit in love. We did, and when they explain that they are treated as “weirdos” in the home country, and that they feel they have found their family amongst the “weirdos” of Rebellion Festival, more than a few hardened punks are claiming to have something in their eye.

The Opera House was damn near full already when we arrived, this was probably down to two reasons, firstly it was the legend of the punk/new wave scene Duncan Reid & The Big Heads playing, but also this was going to be his last ever appearance at Rebellion Festival, so missing it would be remiss of all of us. From the moment they hit the first chord and Sophie (Rhythm Guitar) did the trademark flick of her long hair, you knew this was going to be both a poignant set and also a much remembered time of joy for the fans. Songs that have stood the test of time like Montevideo, Kelly’s Gone Insane or Bombs Away gave us a snapshot of the extensive back catalogue from this incarnation of his career. The icing on the cake had to be hearing him give his tribute to a band Joey Ramone held in such high regard, and the band that launched his long and fruitful career too, The Boys. The classic single First Time seemed to be a fitting end to his Rebellion legacy, or so it seemed, but it turns out he would make one final guest appearance later today.

Proper old school Belfast OGs Protex have still got it. Scene mates with the Good Vibrations roster and masterfully adept at that particularly tuneful power pop musicality that grew out of the Irish show and and dance band tradition. Entertainers to the core and a timeless slice of late 70’s Northern Ireland that is ageless. Victims originally of upping sticks and moving to that London, then disappearing. Protex know what they can do and are still doing it brilliantly.

Entering the cavernous room that hosts the Club Casbah stage in the middle of a Saturday afternoon in August at your favourite independent punk festival, and getting to listen live to a band you have liked for so long but never managed to catch live is just a joy that cannot be fully explained (try it if you haven’t already, book for 2024!). The Generators from Los Angeles are the said band, and have mustered an appreciative audience even at this early stage of the day.  A huge list of past members has kept this band fresh I would say, and this showed in this set, Doug Kane (Vocals) and Mike Snow (Guitar) being the only two original members, were fully at home with the rest of the band, even here in Blackpool, the songs do all the work for this band, it’s not about the members, it’s how you feel with their music. 

We then catch Midwich Cuckoos in the Pavillion, since our last encounter much has changed, including a brand new singer. The changes have a brought a new dynamic to their sound, with a sound that is now embedded in an even harder edged rocky sound, with a line up boasting more guitarists than Iron Maiden, that blends seamlessly with a punk sensibility. Next up is Ghost Dance, a band with a solid pedigree and keenly anticipated in the Opera House. I’m not sure if it’s the early evening slot that doesn’t suit these creatures of the gothic night, but something’s just not clicking here today. Ghost Dance aren’t connecting with a substantial crowd. This is a rock show and maybe not the darker goth angle people were expecting. Something is just not firing today. Still good, still well received but not the best Ghost Dance there has been.

So now we are heading into the evening list of bands for this strong Saturday line up, and who better then Ferocious Dog to kick of a night to be remembered, they haven’t missed many Rebellions over recent years, and there’s a reason for that, the fans will always be there and the room will always be bouncing throughout the set. They kick off and sound issues rear their ugly head, not something that’s normally a problem at this well oiled festival, but it did anyway, so off the audience go with Ken Bonsall’s favourite filler Nelly The Elephant, that kept us all entertained until normality was resumed. The set this time round was a much more heavily laden old school set, not so many of the newest songs, maybe you need to look back to keep things real sometimes, either way, this was without doubt a crowd pleaser of a show.

Due to the inevitable and by now constant clashes and reunions we only catch a few songs by The Chisel, no holds barred hardcore that gives zero fucks and zero Compromise, something that explains their ascendancy and the buzz around them, speaking of ascendancy, it’s back to the Introducing Stage for another Rebellion debut. This the place to be if you’re jaded and fed up of generic big venue bands. The Battery Farm are full on battering punk with a brutal in your face vibe that means they take no prisoners. Not everyone’s taste, maybe, but 100 per cent pure punk and absolutely no fucks given. A great show that you’re not going to forget any time soon. As much personality as you’ll ever see on one stage. Thoroughly recommended. After this we head down into the Casbah early as the line up in the underground venue is absolutely stacked today, so we’re in for the duration. It’s hard to remember the last time we camped out in a single venue at Rebellion, but tonight’s line up is something special so we’re here until the early hours of tomorrow.

Pegboy make their first appearance in the UK since ‘92, like much of the weekend both socially and musically it’s a welcome reacquaintance. Vintage US punk rock that sits near the top of my list for the weekend. My first experience of Pegboy makes me wish I’d been here in ‘92, this is one of the beauties of Rebellion, whilst aware of Pegboy the live experience far outweighs any expectations. Vocalist Larry Damore Descends into the crowd, and as as age catches up with us all is he isn’t making it up back onto the stage, frankly neither would I, so he stays in the photo pit and sings straight into the crowd until he ascends back onto the stage with the assistance of several security staff to a round of applause. At the point they cover Mission of Burma’s That’s When I Reach For My Revolver we lose objectivity, and truly fell for Pegboy. After descending once more he isn’t returning to the stage so stays in the photo pit clambering up the barrier and surfing the crowd, age really is just a number for Pegboy.

We’re still in the dark cavern / car park of the Casbah because we want to save our spot for the next tw0 bands. So Toxic Reasons are an unknown quantity. What we get is anthemic old school American punk, clearly loved by an appreciative Casbah crowd. This is a blistering set of full on hardcore. An ironic intro of the Star Spangled Banner sets the tone. Chiming dual guitars? This ain’t no Eagles. God Bless America indeed.

We have a lot of love for Millie Manders & The Shutup here at The Punk Site, it’s hard to convey into words how life affirming and upbeat they are, but let’s have another go at it! There are few bands that constantly exude the energy and positivity of Millie Manders & The Shutup at every gig, and I mean every time we’ve seen them. We’ve been seeing Millie Manders & The Shutup since the days of tiny capacity venues, and seeing them boss the cavernous Casbah Stage feels incredible, I can’t imagine how the band feel. This is a totally deserved affirmation of everything we have said about said this band, they deserve to be massive, and maybe, just maybe, they are on their way there, if there’s any justice they will be. The early tastes of their sophomore album indicate that this is something to look forward to, Shut Your Mouth in particular is a classic in the making that builds on everything this band has achieved to date, watch this space and expect great things, I can guarantee they will deliver. 

There’s a massive sense of anticipation ahead of German punk royalty Die Toten Hosen‘s set in the Casbah. Fan comment has been divided, if our conversations with fans ahead of this gig are to be believed. The expectation is for a crowd-pleasing English language set. Hardcore fans have expressed their desire for an old school Die Toten Hosen set, harking back to the early days. Kicking off with Alle Sagen Das (Everyone Says), it’s clear that this is going to be a rollercoaster. Super polished and designed to please fans old and new, this a wide-ranging set for everyone, but most of all it pleases the band.

The nearly ubiquitous Spizz is the first guest. Where’s Captain Kirk indeed? Punk cabaret? No one gives a shit. This is Die Toten Hosen paying their dues to the heroes that shaped their own musical journey. It’s their Ronnie Biggs / Sex Pistols tribute Carnival In Rio (Punk Was) next and then Wreckless Eric‘s Whole Wide World. TV Smith (The Adverts) is the next onstage guest and, of course, it’s Gary Gilmore’s Eyes, followed by Duncan Reid (The Boys) giving us First Time. This could easily be a hometown gig, from the amount of Germans in front of the stage. They seem pleased, the band seem pleased, it’s a brilliant atmosphere. If punk has taught us anything, it’s that it’s perfectly ok to end your set with an audience-participation song about ham and egg sandwiches. Trust us, it was perfectly logical.

Photography by Phinky, Mark Cartwright and Scott Bradley (Phukin Photos)

Words by Peter Hough, Phinky and Mark Cartwright