God Save the Queen

.....I mean it ma'am. I am a nice person, I wish no harm to anyone. (mostly). However I still couldn't give a bunch of marauding monkeys about the Jubilee. It's not for me. Pomp and circumstance, and a celebration of one lucky family's big win in the lottery of life. Actually they should run it as a lottery and have a new family winning the right to reign each year. It could be you...

I think for me the Royal Family are a bit like Madame Tussauds. Rumour has it that tourists love it- but I cannot see the appeal myself.

The council have stuck a ruddy great union flag on the front of my house. I asked them why? And they said that they are putting them all down the high street as a sign that, with the jubilee and the forthcoming Olympics, we are joining in the party. I am damn sure I replied saying I wasn't going to that particular party. Unfortunately the long-term lease holders apparently gave their approval, so we have to put up with it.

The long term lease holders do not get a say about what we put on the windows from the inside tho, so for one weekend only our windows will be sporting our tribute to a connected anniversary....

Jamie Reids now iconic artwork.

Because its also 35 years since The Sex Pistols single, and the heyday of Punk.

I was 3 at the time of the Silver jubilee. I wore red, white and blue and waved my flag. But roll on about 13 years to 1986 and the thirteen year old me discovered The Damned, via Eloise and Top of the Pops. (I miss TOTP - but that's for a another post!) I loved them immediately, and from their most commercial, I worked my way backwards til I was at the beginning. New Rose- the first punk single released. And I loved every single tiny thing, the music, the attitude and the look. I had found, for me, the music that fits. It was always gonna be Punk- right from the purchase of my first Adam Ant record. But until I was a teen it didn't know it had a name.

The Damned led to other discoveries via my second hand record shops (snupeas) punk section I found more and more that I loved. To this day my list of favourite bands still includes The Damned, and The Buzzcocks. And many of the more recent bands that I love have their roots firmly in Punk rock.

It isn't just about the music either. I think punk appeals to those who feel they don't quite fit societies moulds. I am a mild rebel. I won't scream in your face these days, though I would still march for something I believe in. I don't sit outside society, or quite within it either. I skulk round the edges. I am a misfit. And so are many of my fellow punk lovers. Generally intelligent, articulate and frustrated by the status quo at times, a lot of us are underachievers by society's standards, choosing to pursue things we have passion for- music, writing, art,  so-called career opportunities passed us by while we spouted our vitriol. I/We don't really care for a status provided thru a job. I value people for who they are, not what they do. Several friends would make great politicians, the kind that could change things for the better. But their faces wouldn't fit, and they are rubbish liars.

Am rambling off topic really. I started with the Queen, and ended at Punk. I suppose the two are inextricably linked. Symbols of opposing sides of society. I should imagine those who were old enough to be punks at the time of the silver jubilee will probably not be rushing off to street parties, but instead breaking out the old singles and having a pogo round their living rooms.

Me- I am going to see the Buzzcocks. And I can't think of a better way to celebrate!

Love Miss Moderately Rebellious Cisco xxx