Something better change

On Thursday night, Nick Walkley, CEO of Barnet let me in on a little secret. He shares my interest in a certain genre of music. Here's one for you Nick :-


Any excuse to play a bit of the Stranglers (not that I really need any excuse at all). I suppose one good thing about being a blogger rather than the CEO of Barnet is that I can spend ALL DAY watching punk rock videos if I want. The upside of not getting in is that it allows me more time to devote to Beer, Punk Rock and Football.

I was reminded of a TV ad a few years ago where a team loses the FA cup final and they all look as miserable as sin as they sup champagne. They then pan over to the losing teams dressing room and they are all ecstatically happy as they drink beer (Carlsberg I think) as they can have what they want to drink. I won't be missing any World Cup matches to attend meetings of the Pencil Sharpener Procurement committee. It's true to say that I took the defeat of my beloved Manchester City by Spurs as an omen of doom for the election (us City fans are probably the most superstitious of any). I must say that Chelsea winning the league is an omen that things can only get better from here on in.

Onwards and upwards to a stress free world cup for me. As I looked at some of the people Mr Walkley has to contend with as CEO, I must say that I realised Don't Call Me Dave's criticism of his salary is a tad unfair. He deserves it for putting up with that lot.

No More Heroes ........ Where are the Finchley boys now?

Whatever happened to Leon Trotsky? He got an Icepick, that made his ears burn ....

The Stranglers from 1977. You've no idea what effect this appearance on Top of The Pops had on me. Jean Jacques Burnel swatting flies with a newspaper when he was supposed to be miming the bass. At the time I was at Finchley Catholic High School, just embarking on what was to prove my final year at the school. The Stranglers hardcore fans were known as "The Finchley Boys". A bunch of herberts who suddenly had a purpose in life. "No More Heroes" was an anti anthem. A call to arms for all of us who were sick to death of being pushed around, told to respect people who deserved none (why did a vision of the face of Brian Coleman enter my head as I wrote this?).

I suspect that if the Stranglers hadn't appeared on Top of  The Pops singing No More Heroes in September 1977, I wouldn't be writing this blog now. I wonder what song in the charts today will still resonate with someone who is 14 today, in the year 2043 (When I was 14 in 1977, 2010 seemed a very long way away!). Maybe I'll ask my 14 year old Daughter the question and see what she has to say? As to the original Finchley boys? What are they doing now?

Enjoy your Friday Night. I'm off for a belated St Patricks night out at the Three Hammers with "Na Fianna" and a few friends. I'm rather hoping to sink a couple of pints of the good old black stuff !

Lesbian Role Models

A friend of mine confided in me recently that one of the things which really disturbed her was the lack of really strong Lesbian role models during her formative years. Being a punk and a really strong character, she said that she really identified with Patti Smith, above just about all of the other artists and the first time she heard Patti Smith's Gloria, was the first time she really understood herself.


The trouble is that Patti isn't a Lesbian, she was in a loving relationship with Fred Smith for decades. Sure there are all sorts of people she admires, but there isn't a Lesbian Martin Luther King or even a Patti Smith. She likes Beth Ditto, for instance but that isn't quite the same thing. I said that we're all members of the human family so it really doesn't matter. Her response? It matters greatly to her.

The conversation really prayed on my mind. Not because I need a Lesbian role model to look up to, but because I started to think "Who are my role models?". I grew up in the 1960's and 70's. By the time I was a teenager, the Stranglers were top of the charts with "No More Heroes". I didn't want heroes. I didn't want role models.



It was probably a generational thing, but I had bitter arguements with my Dad who was an RAF bomber pilot about the rights and wrongs of area bombing. His view was that his comrades were heroes. I'd never question their bravery, but I've always hoped that if I was asked to drop a bomb on Dresden, I'd have said no. I'm not a coward and I'd have happily dropped a bomb on a military target or even Hitler's holiday home. Can you be a hero if you are doing something that is fundamentally wrong?

In terms of sportsmen, probably the closest thing to a hero for me is Mohammed Ali. Just to get into a ring takes balls of steel. To challenge the establishment, go to jail as a conscienscous objector and still be the greatest boxer the planet has ever seen sets Ali apart. In our house, we'd always watch his fights. My Dad boxed in the Australian army, before joining the RAAF and he appreciated the way Ali fought. I can't think of another sportsman with the stature of Ali. Watching some old footage of him in his prime reminded me of what a giant among men he is. Now if I applied my friends criteria to Ali, he couldn't be my role model. I'm a White Roman Catholic, he's a Black Muslim. The thing is though, that he has strength, courage and faith.

I saw Ali, years ago on a documentary talking to some black kids in a ghetto. He said the following words (or words to this effect) and they've always stuck with me.

"You look up to me and see me as a role model. That means nothing if you lie, cheat and steal. I'm only a role model if you all go out and become role models as well".

I think that a real role model transcends, race, gender, religion and class.