FESTIVAL BAN ANTI-FASCIST TALK

I was invited to talk about my new book at GuilFest. The place was withdrawn when festival organiser, Tony Scott decided This Ain’t Rock ‘n’ Roll would be ‘too political’. When offered an alternative – to talk about my book on the history of 2 Tone – that suggestion was also declined.

Both books examine pop music’s enduring and problematic fascination with the swastika, racism and misogyny. Ironically, the Sunday booking would have coincided with a performance by Neville Staple who performs the songs of the Specials, a band exalted for their social and political message. Indeed, in the past, I have watched performances from the likes of UB40 and the Selecter at Guilfest who rally against similar issues.

I have spoken at events and festivals about both books across the UK, Europe and America; often sold out and always a source of great interest and debate. So I am surprised words cannot be spoken by authors, that musicians can sing.