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News archive - March 2004
ASTORIA ROCKS AGAINST THE BNP
March 18, 2004, 12:12 PM
The LMHR benefit at the London Astoria last Tuesday night (16th) was an amazing occasion. Over 2,000 people heard storming performances from The Libertines, Buzzcocks, 80s Matchbox, Miss Black America and The Others, and hundreds signed up to get involved in LMHR and Unite Against Fascism. Clash legend and Rock Against Racism original Mick Jones even joined The Libertines onstage for their last four songs.
For a full report and pictures click below!
What a night!
Tuesday's LMHR benefit gig at London's Astoria served notice that many music fans will be joining the fight to stop the BNP in June's elections and beyond. As well as it being an amazing, full-to-bursting, sweaty and perhaps historic music event, Tuesday night showed that everyone was also there for a reason - passionate opposition to racism and fascism.
There was a speaker between every band - and every speaker went down a storm with this clued-up political audience, from Has Mahamdallie talking about Islamaphobia and growing up with racism in the 70s to Unite Against Fascism national secretaries Weyman Bennett and Sabby Dhalu to trade union and Ethical Threads organiser Geoff Martin, all were cheered to the rafters. We were also delighted to welcome to the stage two Scottish nursery nurses who are currently on a three-week strike against low pay. Their story and how they linked their struggle to the anti-fascist fight inspired everyone and a proportion of the bucket collection made at the end has been donated to them.
A massive thankyou to everyone who worked hard to make this event happen, to name just a few:-
Paul Samuels - for putting together such a fantastic line-up, plus Goatie at Creation, Matt Willis, all the agents and management.
Jamie Favell - for tireless dedication to the cause, and keeping everything running smoothly
Kerri Parke, Donna Guthrie, Louise & Jane Trainer and all the Unite & LMHR workers
Geoff Martin, Sarah Greene and all at Ethical Threads/Leftfield/Workers Beer Co
Tony Gulley - LMHR stage manager extraordinaire
Emma & Paul for amazing LMHR/RAR visuals all night long
Chris, Gillian and all at the Astoria for a friendly stress-free experience every time!
Dan and all at Darling Dept for press work
And of course ... all the bands, backstage crews and anyone we haven't mentioned
For a real taste of the gig, check out the superb photos below (more coming soon), donated to us for free by Phil Fisk (see www.philfisk.com for more of Phil's work)...
(Click on image for full size photo)
Carl Barat, Libertines singer ...
Buzzcocks' Pete Shelley
(L-R) Pete Shelley & Steve Diggle (Buzzcocks), Pete Doherty (Libertines)
LIBERTINES HEADLINE LMHR BENEFIT NEXT WEEK!!
March 09, 2004, 01:52 AM
We can reveal (if you hadnt heard already) that headlining next week's Astoria show will be the UKs finest band THE LIBERTINES.
Fresh from selling out three nights at Brixton Academy the rebel-rousing indie punks join Rock Against Racism legends THE BUZZCOCKS plus Brighton nutters 80s MATCHBOX B-LINE DISASTER, MISS BLACK AMERICA and THE OTHERS to raise funds towards this summer's LMHR carnivals and Unite Against Fascism campaign to stop the BNP in the June 10 elections .. get your tickets quick! (see item below)
Speaking on nme.com, Libs guitarist and singer Pete Doherty said: "For evil to triumph, all that is necessary is that good people do nothing. Apathy is a killer and it's easy to be complacent. We're dedicated to this in the same way we're dedicated to melody and bringing people together through music."
He added: "The BNP is on the rise like never before and it's a threat to us all. They have more councillors across Britain than ever. In 2003 they averaged about 17% in local elections and they're also ready to field candidates in the European parliament. It breeds on hatred, violence and racism."
Read on by clicking below for the full press release including quotes from the bands about this event.
LIBERTINES TO HEADLINE LOVE MUSIC HATE RACISM GIG
London’s finest are joined by Buzzcocks, The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, Miss Black America and The Others for anti-fascist fundraiser at London Astoria on March 16th
Libertines, Buzzcocks, The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, Miss Black America and The Others have joined forces for a one off show at London’s Astoria, to help raise money and awareness for Love Music Hate Racism. Drawing on the spirit of the Rock Against Racism campaign of the late ‘70s, these bands have united to make a stand against the racism and intolerance which is increasingly prevalent in Britain today.
Buzzcocks were keen supporters of the original Rock Against Racism campaign in the 1970s, where punk acts such as The Clash joined with reggae stars like Misty In Roots to give notice to the Nazis. Today, with the fascist threat as strong as ever, a new generation of musicians have been inspired to use music to further the ant-racist cause.
Pete Doherty of The Libertines, says "I don't think you have to be a particularly developed human being intellectually or spiritually to despise racism. It may be easy to becomplacent, but we need to encourage people to fight racism whether with words or actions. Count me in - I'll fight!", while co-singer Carl Barat said, "People don't necessarily realise there's still such a problem and that there's something rotten in the state of racism in this country. I support this cause and encourage everybody to do the same".
Guy McKnight from The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster says "I'd like to think that as a band with parents of six different nationalities between us (English, Scottish, Indian, Sri Lankan, Persian and Greek) that we represent how there should be no barriers within today's society. It's up to us all to destroy the ignorance that fuels racist attitudes in this country by blowing the Astoria's doors off their hinges with the Love Music Hate Racism gig."
Dominic From The Others says "I've lived in London for eight years, in Bethnal Green, Whitechapel and Brick Lane, so obviously the people I hang round with are not exclusively white. It goes without saying that racism is ridiculous and it's almost too obvious to state that any form of discrimination is a disgrace and a problem, but we're proud to be doing this show to reiterate that message."
Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) is an established national campaign, which has helped organise over 60 events in the last year - from last year's 30,000-strong Manchester LMHR carnival which featured Ms Dynamite and Doves, to a national tour of up-and-coming indie bands, to Burnley's most multiracial music event in many years at which the likes of Basement Jaxx and Tim Westwood performed. Each event aims to promote unity, bringing together black and white, young and old, to celebrate multiculturalism and to prove that mixing cultures via music is far more fun than suspicion and violence. LMHR is intended to complement and work hand in hand with other organisations aiming to fight racism and fascism, in particular the broad ‘Unite’ coalition which has been set up to prevent electoral success for the far right in June’s elections. Unite (see www.uaf.org.uk) was launched at an exciting 1,800-strong Astoria event last week.
In addition to the Astoria show, Love Music Hate Racism are launching a weekly ‘Rock Against Racism’ night at London’s Borderline. Featuring hotly tipped bands and some surprise guests, the night will take place every Tuesday, kicking off with an aftershow party for the Astoria show on March 16th.
Full details as follows:-
LOVE MUSIC HATE RACISM @ LONDON ASTORIA
16th MARCH
THE LIBERTINES
BUZZCOCKS
80s MATCHBOX B-LINE DISASTER
MISS BLACK AMERICA
THE OTHERS
plus special guest DJ and compere
Tickets priced £12.50adv from 08701 500 044 or www.meanfiddler.com
Doors 7pm, arrive early for this packed line-up
'ROCK AGAINST RACISM' WEEKLY LMHR CLUB
March 07, 2004, 01:56 AM
ROCK AGAINST RACISM WEEKLY AT THE BORDERLINE, Charing Cross Road, London WC1
As a fundraiser for our bigger events, but also a great regular London base for LMHR, each week we'll be hosting of the many wicked bands keen to support the cause, alongside special guest DJs, LMHR and Unite info and merchandise and erm, a good drinks promotion! Full line-up if you click below....
16th March Launch Party / Astoria Aftershow - feat. Art Brut Live
23rd March HAVEN And Friends (Acoustic Set) (£5/£4)
30th March
6th April The Ludes
13th April Camp Actor + Intensive Care Dj's + Mira (Ladytron)
20th April The Cherubs
27th April Gertrude
3rd May Special Needs
10th May Red Stripes (Punk/Reggae White Stripes Cover Band)
Time: 11.00pm - 3.00am (bands on stage at midnight)
Tickets/door: £4/£3 (NUS / UB40)
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