Classic Punk Subculture in 2020 North East

Forty years ago, the emergence of classic punk paved way for the marginalised to be something other.

Thanks to filmmaker Rob’s upcoming documentary, Organised Chaos, the subculture has been thrust into the eye of the media again.

Rob (left) and his colleague Lewis Dodds (right) collaborate, alongside others, to make documentaries for the filmmaking organisation Tyne and Weird. They previously achieved an RTS Award for a documentary on parkour. Credit: David James Wood.

Rob (left) and his colleague Lewis Dodds (right) collaborate, alongside others, to make documentaries for the filmmaking organisation Tyne and Weird. They previously achieved an RTS Award for a documentary on parkour. Credit: David James Wood.

Rob, from Seaburn, said: "The region has a detailed history of punk from the first wave of bands that visited here, like The Clash and Ramones."

Punk rock band Buzzcocks playing at Riverside, Newcastle, in 1992: one of the many pieces of archived footage set to appear in Organised Chaos. Press play to activate the video. Credit: Paul Storey.

But why now?

Classic punk, as an alliance of direct action and individual liberty, is an ideology that Rob believes is making a comeback in society today:

"The idea of a community coming together is something that I think is coming into the limelight again in 2020, with movements like Black Lives Matter and Extinction Rebellion.

"I have always found counter-culture interesting, which has led me to make this documentary."

North East Parkour: the award-winning short film created by Tyne and Weird. Credit: Tyne and Weird.

Background credit: Brian Gibson.

Newcastle punks in the early 1980s. Credit: Brian Gibson.

Classic Punk in the North East: Does It Still Exist in 2020?

Investigation into the region's punk scene has required, like any non-mainstream subculture, some level of digging. What was found was a community of local, mainly older, people who are maintaining the heart of a culture that is special to them.

Classic punk there is a state of reminiscence, sustained by the outlets that allow it to thrive. Its prevalence is tucked away, but the principles continue to be far from quiet.

Punks at Museum Vaults, a punk venue, in Sunderland. When punk pubs and venues re-opened before the second national lockdown, they were heaving with punters. Credit: Jon Saxby.

Punks at Museum Vaults, a punk venue, in Sunderland. When punk pubs and venues re-opened before the second national lockdown, they were heaving with punters. Credit: Jon Saxby.

The crux of classic punk’s relevance is live music, something that, as a region proud of its working-class roots, serves as an emblem of memories entangled with anarchism, diversity and non-conformity.

Press play to activate the gif.

Wayne Bryant, from Newcastle, has described classic punk as "disconnected from what modern bands out there are churning." He has insisted, though, that small North East venues, their punk-enthusiast owners, and the close-knit community that engages with them, have maintained its regional relevancy. The idea of what is popular doesn't faze today's punks; it never did.

He said: "I feel as if commonly recognised music venues have relied on the indie genre to draw in the crowds. If we're talking overall reception, punk just isn't as popular.

"However, there are smaller venues all over the North East completely devoted to punk shows. Places like The Black Bull in Gateshead are even run by punks."

He added: "The North East is working class. More than ever, we continue to see ourselves differently to the Government and down South.

Streetblood in rehearsal. Press play to activate the video. You can check out their Instagram @_street_blood_. Credit: @_street_blood_

"I know from my past that this is harder to find in other parts of the country.

"Once the punk bars re-open here again, I know without even needing to consult my mates where I'll find them."

Members of the North East Punk Rock Facebook Page revealed their favourite regional punk venues. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, they are closed, but are available to check out here:

Background credits: Alan Christie for Serial Bowl Records.

Credit: Alan Christie for Serial Bowl Records, a punk record label based in Sunderland.

Punk in the Pandemic: What now?

The North East, embroiled in Tier 3, has closed its venues for the foreseeable. Live music is in hibernation, leaving a considerable gap in the lives of gig-going punks.

Paul Storey runs The Punky Paul Show, broadcasted by Radio Northumberland. He hopes that his show can be the crutch for North East punks who need their fix.

Paul 'Punky' Storey has been hosting The Punky Paul Show for a year, after co-hosting the Newman's New Wave Show with his colleague, Keith Newman, for seven years. Credit: Paul Storey.

Paul 'Punky' Storey has been hosting The Punky Paul Show for a year, after co-hosting the Newman's New Wave Show with his colleague, Keith Newman, for seven years. Credit: Paul Storey.

He said: "Because of the second lockdown, I've noticed more activity on my show's Facebook page, suggesting that more people here are turning to radio during these terrible times.

"I try to promote lesser-known punk bands, like what the region's smaller venues here do. Right now, my show is one of the only available outlets for them.

"I know that, despite the circumstances, it will take more than a pandemic for the North East to let classic punk die."

You can access Paul's show via the TuneIn app:

Or, you can listen to his song recommendations of local punk bands' work:

And if you're intrigued by the history of North East punk, check out these archived images below:

Background credits: Robert James McDonald (first) and Steve White (second)