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Underground > Radio & Music >

Thee one and only Billy Childish

12:17 / 04.05.05

Any fans of punk rock's renaissance man?

Always thought the guy was some kind of snide fashionista, rifling through old shadows records with an ironic sneer, but have recently fallen for him in a big way.

Not only is he totally committed to his sound, and basic production values, but is also utterly unafraid of doing things the hard way, such as refusing interviews with the NME on the grounds that they were only talking with his p.r. people.

Had the pleasure of interviewing him recently, and the thing that struck me was both how spiritually at peace he seems, and that he was so keen to draw the line between doing what you want, and being a controversialist bastard.

12:46 / 04.05.05

absolutely a fan- Steady the Buffs was bloody great- not got Medway Wheelers yet anybody heard it- Thoughts?
Are they still playing their monthly residency at the Dirty Water club in Tuffnal Park?
( a quick check in the listings shows that The Buff Medways are indeed playing the dirty water on the 24th June- one for the diaries ladies and gents)
I kept meaning to go last year but never got round to it- I always heard fantastic things about them live.

For everyone that has never heard Billy Childish music but loves punk/ garage rock- Go and check out anything by thee Headcoats, Thee Headcoatees, The Buff medways, thee Mighty Ceasers also a great album with Holly Golightly 'In blood' you eally won't be disappointed.

He's an absolute legend that continues to soldier on and sell a moderate amount of records/ shows to a core fanbase- much like Mark E smith he's released 100+ albums over 25 years. There has got to be a few fans amongst the Barb?

15:09 / 04.05.05

I've also fallen big time for Mr Childish in the past year or so, partly due to my ever-growing appreciation for bad-ass '60s-styled garage punk in general, partly through the realisation that his general philosophy and way of life render him an absolute, unquestionable Dude, but mostly through the encouragement of Saveloy and the "25 Years of Being Childish" compilation (which I would recommend to all).

I saw the Buff Medways play just before Christmas, and let me say in no uncertain terms that they ABSOLUTELY FUCKING ROCKED IT. They had no support band, and played for about two straight hours through their own huge, vintage speakers which sounded amazing. They played close to the audience as possible, with the drummer at the front of the stage, and played just utter, non-stop, unbeatable rock n' roll gear from start to finish, inspiring unprecedented levels of Duracell Bunny styled jiving in the crowd.

I now have two torn and mud-splattered Billy Childish lyric sheets stuck next to my guitar at home, just to remind me how it's done.

15:20 / 04.05.05

so....

the dirty water on the 24th June?

anybody in?

15:53 / 04.05.05

I'm in...