If anyone had told me a few years ago that I would wander round the Rebellion Punk Festival 2011, feeling completely relaxed, at home and happy, I would never have believed them. I just didn’t think Punk was ‘my thing’. But it is Paul’s and in 2006 he got together a special Punk CD to help raise awareness and funds for Blackpool Tiggers, a charity who organise trampoline therapy for children on the Autistic Spectrum.
We went along to Rebellion in 2008 to launch the CD with out friend Helen Harrison, who had a walk on part as Mrs Dyson, the Flower Lady in the first ever episode of The League of Gentlemen. That was my first introduction to Rebellion and I had to admit I enjoyed it. And then, with the help of Phil Parker who came up with the Lightning Process, a life-coaching method and our nearest Practitioner, Helen James of Bury, I began to turn my life around.
We started presenting chat shows on Preston FM Community Radio and interviewed some of the bands attending Rebellion 2009 in the West Coast Rock Café in Blackpool. Listening to the A-Heads explain that Punk is not just about music but that it is a way of life and how it came about as a reaction to the hippy, flower power of the 1960s really switched a light on for me. It also made me realise that some of my lyrics would fit very well if I did them in a Punk style.
During that recording session, we met Knox of the Vibrators and he was amazing – so interesting and inspirational – and Mauri, Clash City Rocker from Milan with his wife Barbara and friend Max, and Monica and the Explosion, as well as Kassandra Killjoy a burlesque entertainer and a Burlesque DJ called "Lord Holyrude"…
In 2010, we went to Rebellion on all 4 days and I enjoyed the Literary and Acoustic stages (where Mauri performed), I also loved the Art Exhibition – there is a lot of talent among the Punk bands. So that brings us to 2011 with Rebellion bigger and better than ever. This time, the Sophie Foundation had a stand – this is the charity set up in memory of the Goth girl Sophie Lancaster who was beaten to death because she looked different. I found this very sad and we contacted the organisers back in 2009 ad went to a fund raising gig in East Lancashire. I got a S.O.P.H.I.E. bracelet when specialist make-up company Illamasqua brought out a special eye pencil in Sophie’s memory bracelet a while back, and I wore it all weekend. The Art Exhibition had moved on too – this time it was held in the Spanish Hall with stands selling Punk jewellery and ceramics. There was also a fashion show. So much going on.
We started off with the Vibrators on the Olympia Stage on the Friday evening, before nipping off to see Vice Squad's first ever acoustiuc set and then checking out the rest of the Festival. On the Saturday, I just had to listen to Cock Sparrer, who were being interviewed on the Literary Stage, and whose story I found fascinating. They, like the A-Heads, said that “Punk is an attitude of mind, a way of life”.
I felt so relaxed and happy and though I don’t wear Punk gear, I didn’t feel out of place. We saw Mauri on the Acoustic Stage, with Max taking a more active role this time – he even had one young fan coming up to him having recognised him on You Tube. We spoke to Louise Distrass with Billy Liar and Choking Susan,
On the Sunday, Paul, having waited 29 years to see the A-Heads, was looking forward to seeing the A-Heads on stage in the Arena and he was quite surprised to find me right at the front loving every minute. Not as surprised as me though. We finished off on Sunday where we had begun on Friday evening – this time to hear the very talented Monica and her band Explosion, who we met two years ago. Monika has worked extremely hard and is a really class act - I was completely enthralled. 
Because I felt to relaxed, happy and at home, I was really astonished when Paul told me that one of the security personnel on the entrance hadn’t wanted to let us in on the Sunday because we ‘didn’t look right’ – but surely that is what S.O.P.H.I.E. is all about? So there you have it – Lucy’s impressions of Rebellion 2011.
Listening to Monica and the Explosion, I even got inspiration for a piece of art work! I simply can’t wait for next year’s Rebellion Festival!
