Steve Ignorant

Every summer the PVRS (Palling Volunteer Rescue Service), the Coastguard and the RNLI work together to keep the swimmers save that take part in the Reef Swim. A yearly event, which is organised by Active Outdoor Sport in conjunction with North Norfolk.

This year was no exception, the weather was good, the tide was coming in and the crowd was waiting for the first swimmers to arrive.

All swimmers had to start from the beach and run into the sea. They had to swim 1 mile following buoys between the reefs and the beach. Luckily they were swimming with the tide and the first swimmer arrived within the half hour, while others took a more leisurely pace.

Once the swimmers arrived they had to make a dash to the finish point on the beach, cheered on by the crowd. All swimmers received a medal and trophies were handed out to the winners.

A great event, well worth watching or taking part in.

In the far distance the first swimmers hit the water.

At the front the new Sea Palling life boat, Lionheart, followed by the surfcat, the Sisters.

A mile can take forever when swimming in open water.

A mad dash to the finish line.

What a sight.

What's it all about?

Mick and Steve watching the final swimmers head to shore.

The RNLI on paddle boards and the boat bringing in the buoys.

The Coastguard keeping a watchful eye and are in constant radio contact with the life boats.

Medals and trophies are handed out.

Matt told me the Subs were playing in Norwich at some pub. Would I be interested? Flipping right! Me and Jona meet Matt in a pub which does real ales and as I go to the bog someone says 'Steve'. I turn around and there is Gaz and we're all there for one reason. To see the Subs.

Steve are you on the guest list? - Nope.

Get in the venue, suddenly everyone is going 'hello, I thought I see you here' and from that point it was back to the White Lion in Putney. Boom! Everyone was drinking, talking, smoking, and we all had a great time. To tell you the truth I didn't think that Charlie would recognise me, but fuck me, we had some larks.

Thank you to everyone who bought us drinks and lets do it again.

Matt, me and Gaz catching up, two lovely people. I could've stayed in that pub all night with those two, but I'm hoping Charlie will do 'All I wanna know is does she suck'.

If my pager goes now I'm fucked.

Come and hang out in Norfolk. There's a welcome there for you.

I'd just walked in and Dangers Close were playing, what a great band.

We look great, but Jona said: 'I've missed the top of his hair'. Can you do it again? Can we fuck, we're at the Subs, having a laugh, no we can't bloody do it again.

So, being twats we bent down for the photo.

Hotwired play their set. Great Bunch.

Seen it all before, revolution at my back door .......

On the Euro piss ..... are you ready to go on Charlie?  

What it's all about ..... having a laugh, and meeting people.

Yeah, he was ready!

Still doing it and just as good.

Last Saturday evening there was a 'do' down the local pub to celebrate the ceremony of the lifeboat. A band called The Volunteers were meant to play but unfortunately their drummer died from a heart attack, and I offer my deepest sympathies. Carol, Pete and me had agreed to do a little performance and in the afternoon we did a quick run through and then it was time for me to sit and sweat till showtime. Come 3 in the afternoon I couldn't sit still no more so I went to the pub to have a pint and try and calm myself. Nigel was in there on his own catching a bit of the football, so we hung out till Carol and Pete arrived to set up. I couldn't believe how nervous I was, but then the last time I performed was at Shepherds Bush on a big stage in front of loads of people and this was in my local with no stage and a few people who know me, and doing something I've not really done before. Bloody hell.

Seven o'clock and a few people drifted in, half eight a few more and then it was time to do it. A mate of mine, Ian, was there with his wife Sue and her and their daughter Chloe plonked their chairs right in front of me - come on, entertain us, - which really put me at ease, but I got my revenge cause the next morning Sue had some of the words stuck in her head. We did five songs, and I did some talking in between and it went down really well, and it wasn't people just being polite. Afterwards it was great just hanging out with each other and drinking and talking. A bloke called Dan Mudford, who is making a documentary was buzzing round all night getting bits, Andy T was there chatting to a couple who'd come over from Brundall who'd also been at London, at this point the beers kicked in as I relaxed and it was just like a really good social. A little bit of work to do on it, always room for improvement, but d'yer know what, It might not be long before it comes to a local near you. Thanks to all who came and shared beers. What a night. Let's do it again.

Saturday begins.

Carol and Jona having fun while Pete and Andy do the cool thang.

Do you reckon we'll get a go on the boat?

Give Andy T a chance and he'll perform anywhere. Don't encourage him Dan!

Today The Old Hall Inn, tomorrow the world.

Big Ian, Julie, me and Chippy shooting the breeze.

Gilbert, Gordon, Dan, Andy T and Nicky sampling the delights of an evening in Norfolk.

Eddie and Leslie (crew), Carol and Pete (band) and Emma chilling at the bar.

Recovering from the night before.

Pack lunches for the long drive home. Courtesy of Jona's catering.

Last Saturday was the official naming and blessing of the Sea Palling Independent Lifeboat. The day started at 10.30 with the boat being towed to the church where a service was to take place, and when we got there it was greatly moving to see well over a hundred people waiting inside and out. Inside there was standing room only, we the crew had the two front pews, and as I sat there I looked up at the boards on the walls telling of rescues made since the 1800's it suddenly dawned on me that I and the rest of the crew are part of that, I don't mean this in a flash way, just that we're trying to keep a traditional thing going, I dunno, it's like when I see old photos of lifeboat crews from those times with only woolen sweaters and cork lifejackets I think: dunno if I'd have had the bottle in your day but I'll give it my best shot today. A weird feeling.

Anyway the service went ahead, some members of the crew got awarded medals for recognition of service, prayers and hymns and then it was follow the boat back to the beach for the naming and blessing. Luckily the weather was good and everyone was smiling in the sunshine, a great queue of people showing support for something that's part of their community. Paul Dale (Helm), Sam Sheldon (No.2) and me (No.3) got suited up and had the honour of taking Lionheart on her maiden launch after having been blessed and officially named.

People cheered as we hit the water and we did a few passes so people could take photos, local telly and papers were there as well, and then it was time to put ashore. Everyone crammed into the boatshed for food and drinks and generally natter and a great day was had by all. A proud moment for Sea Palling.

Thanks to everyone who took part, the Coastguards, the foodmakers and tea brewers, Stalham Brass Band, the villagers and anyone I've forgot. A special thank you to all at Goodchild Marine for making Lionheart the vessel she is. On behalf of Sea Palling Independent Lifeboat, THANK YOU.

On the road to Galilee

Blessing the boat.

Preparing to launch.

Lionheart cuts her teeth.

Recovering the life boat.

The smokers' union outside the boat shed.

How the other half live - plenty of salt on mine please.

Latest news from Sea Palling is we've got our new lifeboat and we've been training like mad on it. As I said last time, there'll be a naming ceremony which is on the 9th June, the blessing and church service happens about 11am, then the boatshed is open to the public during the day so people can come and look round and talk to us, tea and cake and stuff.

Later that evening there's a do in the Old Hall Inn pub, a band is playing and before they go on I'm doing a few songs with Carol and Pete on keyboards and guitar. We're doing a couple of Schwartzeneggar numbers and a couple I've never performed live before. I'll be doing a bit of nattering in between songs as well, I'm hoping 30 - 40 minutes?

So if you're interested come along. Dunno what you'll do about accomodation, Sea Pallings tiny. Oh and it's free to get in. Hope to see some of you but this really is the sticks out here.

Speak again soon, Steve.

A well behaved Evie, not!

Ready to go after finishing our rehearsals

For the last three weekends we've had people staying so I haven't been able to write about Dublin so that's why it's late.

I got invited to go and do some vocals for Paranoid Visions, they're putting out a single and an album, and I really love that bunch of people so I jumped at the chance to do something for my mates.

Got to Dublin airport and looked for Peter Jones who was going to meet us but couldn't see him anywhere. We'd got in ten minutes early so we assumed he was still on the way, Dublin airport aint that big, he definately wasn't there. So I said to Jona let's sit at the bar, you can see the doors from there and anyway I needed a drink cause I hate take off and landing. Nice cold pint, Jona went to get something to eat so I nipped in and got another one to see Jona coming back with Peter. He'd been there all the time but the muppet was sitting down so you couldn't see him behind the other people. Anyway we caught up on each others' doings and the headed off to do the recording.

The recording took place at Pauls' little set up behind his house, I had my usual butterflies because I didn't want to cock it up but I needn't have worried, Paul is really great to work with and we only had to do two takes on each of the songs. It took about hour and half and then of course it was time to experience the great Dublin hospitality.

A quick freshen up in our room, then Jona and me went round the corner - literally - to Sweeneys to meet up with Paul and Peter again. Upstairs there were bands playing, one was doing classic punk, you know slightly Ramones-ish, and Jona decided that punk music is alright. As the night went on more people turned up, quite a few said hello which was nice and then Dekko arrived with Aoifi the green haired bombshell who proceeded to take the piss out of me, so I took the piss out of Robin cause she was younger than me, had a bigger mohican than me and so she deserved it. A really great night was had by all, I really loved it but about 12.30 I started flaking so Jona and me went to bed.

Next day we walked around the Temple Bar area and passed the Button Factory venue where The Last Supper was held, that bought back some memories, went to a museum and then went to The International Pub where there was people jamming on guitars and stuff. A couple of beers and then back to the room, I noticed some cool jazz coming from the dining area so went to check it out and sat there for a couple of numbers, and then it was time to meet Peter and Dekko in the Foggy Dew pub where there was a great ska band doing all the greats - 5446, Al Capone, Monkey Spanner, ah I tell you for me it was heaven, great music. Fergus, who'd been at The Last Supper gig came over, Steve,what you doing here - I'm looking for Peter Jones and Dekko - they're sitting round here - and another great night. Dubliners, thanks for being the lovely people you are.

The Paranoid Visions single comes out on Louder Than War and the album,Escape from the Austerity Complex comes out 17th September.

Speak again soon, Steve.

Paul getting ready to record

Job done

The only way me and Peter can have a mohican

Letting it all hang out

Lovely end to a lovely day

The three degrees

Since The Last Supper gig in London things have been pretty quiet for me, there hasn't been much going on to tell you about and I didn't want to ramble away on here just for the sake of it.

I think maybe I wasn't expecting the comedown to be as big as it was, but then for eighteen months of constant work to suddenly be over, it would be a lie to say that it didn't affect me. This isn't a sob story looking for pity, don't worry, I'm just trying to explain the long silence. One minute you're out there, travelling all over the place, meeting hundreds of people every day and night, and the next you're on your own in your local with a pint of europiss listening to Chris Rea driving home for christmas. The phone goes quiet, there's no interviews at silly times of the night and at first it's like a holiday, not having to pack and say goodbye to your home. And then a few weeks later you realise you're saying to people: when I used to... and it brings it home that it's over, done with. Self doubt slips in and your confidence goes and you find you can't think of anything to say or write without scrutinising it and then dumping it because it's crap. The worst moment is when you look along the bar at the others and think: I'm just one of them now. That gave me a boot up the arse. The night that happened I came home, opened the bottle of wine I knew Jona had stashed away for when visitors come, put the headphones on and played Stratford Mercenaries and Schwartzeneggar. And I realised that some of those songs aint bad, some could work as acoustic versions...hmm, that's got me thinking...

On a different note, a few weeks ago the Caister Independent Lifeboat crew payed us a visit as they wanted to see if they could use a trailer like ours to launch their small boat from it. They very kindly invited us to take a trip from Caister to here on their larger boat and we jumped at the chance. On that morning they had to perform the spreading of two peoples' ashes and it was great to see it done with dignity and sympathy. It's something we've done on our boat many a time and it's always done as caringly as possible. Then we set off for Sea Palling. Man, that boat can move. It just cuts through the waves like anything and you hardly feel it. A great way to spend a Sunday morning. Thanks Caister for the opportunity.

Still on lifeboats for a minute - well I am involved - we take possession of our new lifeboat in a couple of weeks time. Our old boat met with an accident so we had to salvage what we could from it and get a new one built. Fortunately we're off service during winter so it hasn't meant we've missed any shouts, but we go back on service very soon so that means we've been working really intensively on chartwork, first aid and stuff in readiness. Once the new boat gets here it's going to be full on getting used to it and practice practice practice out at sea.

Also in June there will be a naming ceremony where a Bishop comes down and blesses the boat (it's called Lionheart) and there's a church service, yeah I know you don't have to tell me, we're also having an open day at the boatshed, and in the evening there's a 'do' at the pub. Clarkey asked me if I'd think about doing something, and yeah, Im going to. I'm planning to do a spoken word thing that'll last 30 to 40 minutes, Carol and Pete have agreed to back me, so that's what I'm working on at the moment. I don't know if anyone's interested but hopefully it'll be entertaining and there is a band playing as well, you know the usual keep everyone happy sort of thing but apparently they've got a great brass section. It's free to get in but donations would be welcome. I'm not giving the date yet as I don't want people booking flights and christ knows what, it's going to be a very small local thing but if anyone thinks they can make it you'd be welcome. Let me see what the response is and I'll give more details. I'm not teasing, it's just the way it has to be done for the moment.

Right, I'm off down the pub and think up some things to say. It's good to be doing something like this again, good to have something to talk with you all about. Till soon, Steve.

I got invited to be on a panel at the Un-Convention convention discussing the politics of music on Saturday at the Roundhouse in Camden. Had to leave early from here to be in London for 11 o'clock, and what with a bit of a late night and the sub zero temperatures knifing off the sea I wasn't my usual chirpy self to begin with. After a coffee and a read of the paper on the train I felt a lot better and was ready for the big city.

I've never been that enamoured with Camden Town, not even back in the day, I dunno why, maybe it's the endless shops selling bubble gum punk rock stuff that's always got up my nose or the way it's supposed to be a Mecca to visit if you're even slightly involved in "the biz", I've just never felt comfortable there. We made our way to the Roundhouse past some bloke selling something and doing ear-splitting birdsong impressions and met up with the organiser Ruth. She showed us into the green room where we met John Robb and the other panelists.

There was a nice crowd there and they got involved in the discussion too which was really nice, I can't remember the exact questions that were asked but John did a great job of asking ones that included the whole panel which consisted of me, a jazz trumpeter and two blokes from the hip hop scene. A good time was had by all I think and when the talk was done I had a chance to meet and natter with various people.

Had to get back to Norfolk because of the dog so we went early, hoping to catch an earlier train but this being England we couldn't change the times on our tickets unless we paid more money than what we'd bought the bloody things for on tinternet. Still it gave us a chance to relax in the pub at Liverpool Street and warm up a bit. Well worth doing despite my grumping, and hopefully I'll be asked to do more. My thanks to all concerned from Un-Convention.

Stunning views from the train

In the Green Room, getting ready to go on

Ruth, John and me

People came from as far as Venuzuela

Trying to answer John's question

Acoustics were great, would be perfect for a spoken word performance

A quick pint and a fag before jumping on the train back home

Home Sweet Home

Right I'm off to London in 3 weeks time to spend the day at the Un Convention. A great music event for independent music, starting at 10am till 7pm. It is an opportunity for everyone to discuss the future of independent music and how it will develop and grow in the technological age we are living in.

Apart from wandering around, meeting old and new friends, I will take part in a discussion about political voices and social messages through spoken word.

The Hub:
12:45 – 13:45 Panel: The Politicisation of Music
Featuring: Riz MC (Moderator), John Robb (Goldblade), Dizraeli, Kate Tempest (Sound of Rum), Soweto Kinch, Steve Ignorant (Crass), Jon McClure (Reverend and the Makers)

For more info visit their website on http://www.unconventionhub.org/

All photos taken by Dod Morrison. Thanks for sharing them.

You can see more of his stuff on his website or on my facebook page.

Just arrived, thinking what it will look like when it's full.

The luscious Mr Wilson.

It's behind you! No wonder he needed shorts.

Pushing it to the limit.

All join in - Heard Too Much About.

Berketex Bride. I think she means it.

Me and my old mate doing it one last time.

Eve Libertine performs Darling, the darling.

A unique version of that song.

Shine on them. Sea Palling Independent Lifeboat crew get some well deserved applause.