One of the most appealing aspects of the punk revolution was the 'do-it-yourself' attitude. Anybody could get up on stage and make a racket. All you needed to play was three chords and sing about what pissed you off. Back in those days, it was refreshing to see young (and not so young) bands spring up all over the place. In Brighton it was the Vault that spawned a whole clutch of new acts playing some exciting stuff.

It was a resounding 'up yours!' to the big record companies and the whole hype machine. Likewise the established music press - NME. Sounds and Melody Maker. Punk fanzines were produced with nothing more than glue (which many sniffed), scissors, and a photcopier. This was a whole new culture that was to sweep away the credibility of a lot of fat bloaters who had turned rock into some grotesque pantomime. It was time to get back to basics. Long before John Major and his ghastly grey ilk. This was Thatcher's Britain.

Independent record shops and distributors sprang up all over the UK, including Brighton with its own Attrix Records shop and record label. In some ways it's not so different today. Punk has moved on with the digital revolution. With samplers and CD burners, anybody with a half-decent computer can make some memorable music and distribute it worldwide with a few clicks. The onset of the web as a place where anyone can post a site, such as this one and others like it, means the punk attitude lives on. Some of us continue to say 'up yours!' to the dictats of the mainstream.

THE PROVOCATEURS
Angie & Robin Banks (ex-Lillettes) are now working on their first album release. The 'Provs' are being joined by your very own Punkdaddy and former Nicky & the Dots bassman, Dave 'Blotto' Williams. First person who mails them saying 'Oi! Punkdaddy sent me' gets a free copy of their 'Brand New Girl' EP! Just go to >
www.theprovocateurs.com