I have been recently told that the London Celtic Punks collective and other Celtic punks fans have turned their back on the band from Reading Smokey Bastard. The last straw would have been a recent interview in which the band was asked about people's biggest misconception about the folk punk genre. As a result, a discussion took place on the band’s Facebook wall and both parties decided to part company.
I have read the interview and the only thing that I can say about that answer is that I find it sad. I understand what the band wanted to say and, to a certain degree, I agree with them. However, I don’t like how they said it. I feel that they could have said the same message without mentioning the name of another band. Anyway, we all know that the story of rock’n’roll, punk and pop music is full of these provocative opinions and that is not enough to put them on a black list.
As far as other points are concerned, the members of the band have clearly showed their position. I feel that unfortunately the relationship between London Celtic Punks and Smokey Bastard has not been good from the very beginning and it seems to be a problem of incompatibility.
Therefore, I am not going to remove the “Yuppie Dracula” video from the blog and I am going to post the review of their second album (by the way, an excellent album). On this blog I only write about music and I don’t find any offense on Smokey Bastard’s lyrics. I’m not a judge and I think that every fan can draw his own conclusions (you can read the interview and the Facebook discussion clicking here. If you need more information, please contact London Celtic Punks and Smokey Bastard)
On the other hand I would like to say that this doesn’t mean that I’m taking a position against London Celtic Punks. The fact that I have decided not to boycott Smokey Bastard doesn’t mean that I’m backing the band. As I have told above, I feel that they have a problem of incompatibility. London Celtic Punks are doing a great job and I hope that they will respect my decision as I respect theirs.
I have read the interview and the only thing that I can say about that answer is that I find it sad. I understand what the band wanted to say and, to a certain degree, I agree with them. However, I don’t like how they said it. I feel that they could have said the same message without mentioning the name of another band. Anyway, we all know that the story of rock’n’roll, punk and pop music is full of these provocative opinions and that is not enough to put them on a black list.
As far as other points are concerned, the members of the band have clearly showed their position. I feel that unfortunately the relationship between London Celtic Punks and Smokey Bastard has not been good from the very beginning and it seems to be a problem of incompatibility.
Therefore, I am not going to remove the “Yuppie Dracula” video from the blog and I am going to post the review of their second album (by the way, an excellent album). On this blog I only write about music and I don’t find any offense on Smokey Bastard’s lyrics. I’m not a judge and I think that every fan can draw his own conclusions (you can read the interview and the Facebook discussion clicking here. If you need more information, please contact London Celtic Punks and Smokey Bastard)
On the other hand I would like to say that this doesn’t mean that I’m taking a position against London Celtic Punks. The fact that I have decided not to boycott Smokey Bastard doesn’t mean that I’m backing the band. As I have told above, I feel that they have a problem of incompatibility. London Celtic Punks are doing a great job and I hope that they will respect my decision as I respect theirs.
Paddy Punx has decided to drop them from the blog! If they dont want to represent the scene we promote, we will not promote them! But thats just our decision, we for one respect yours!
ReplyDeleteI abhor censorship of any kind so I'm very happy that this site allows people to make up their own mind.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the issue between LCP and SB. I know someone at LCP accused Smokey Bastard of racism, because they didn't seem to understand what was being said. Smokey Bastard are all incredibly nice and intelligent guys. I agree they definitely should not have put down another band, but taking sides and dividing the community can never be a good thing
c'mon though, whether or not you like the mahones (or any band in a similar vane), that's a pretty feckin arrogant, silly comment. some folks love the fact that this sorta music gives them a connection to their ancestry, and it's implied by SB that that's a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteAlso, basically, who the feck are they?! Wind your neck in, son. This scene or whatever you might like to call it is supposed to be a community- I might know bands who i'm not crazy about, but I keep my trap shut, i'm just glad they're trying and not trying to sound like Frank Turner getting buttfucked by the Dubliners
"c'mon though, whether or not you like the mahones (or any band in a similar vane), that's a pretty feckin arrogant, silly comment. some folks love the fact that this sorta music gives them a connection to their ancestry"
ReplyDeletetotally agree, and in the days of the internet, and in interviews bands have got to watch what they "officially" say!!! .. a band i do not care much for Killswitch Engage, had an interview in Kerrang! and the singer was out right slagging off his band members, he got cocky cus he knew he could, big interview, video on mtv... i knew what would happen next, and yep a few weeks later he was out the band....
i have no personal issue with Smoky B, or in what direction they take there music, Paddy Punx would still cover then if they played Irish-tinged Ukrainian folk pop! but after telling Donny from LCP's to "feel free to fuck off" they have kinda took there stance! whatever the truth, if we started telling people to "fuck off" we would expect a backlash, even my own mother wouldn't even stand for that! paddy PaddyPunx.blogspot.com
I think the term for what they are doing is cultural appropiation, kind of like prince Charles wearing a kilt. They take something they havent a clue about and try to claim its their own. Hence they use the term folk-punk instead of celtic punk. They want the sound and the energy and authenticity of Irish music but they dont want to admit that is where they get it from. They'd call it English folk music if they could get away with it.
ReplyDeletewe dont ask for them to be banned but for people to be aware of what they have have said and done.
as for the racist comment.they deny it we are sure they said it...
Well, being the optimist I am I'd be inclined to give the band the benefit of the doubt. I would need to see a continual behaviour pattern (over a period of time)b4 I make judgements based on an interview that may have been taken out of context....my 2 cents...
ReplyDeletewell steven we've seen a 'continual behaviour pattern' since around feb of this year when they pulled out of a dreadnoughts gig at riduclously short notice almost causing the cancellation of the gig because the PA wasnt good enough!constant slagging off of other bands and the whole celtic-punk scene culminating in a overheard anti-Irish comment made at the Bastards On Parade gig in May.the person who made the comment was lucky to leave the venue in one piece thanks to my intervention.i wish i hadnt bothered now...
ReplyDelete