60s Advert
The Tokyo Rock n’ Roll Swindle, starring Gaye Advert, Tenpole Tudor, and Charlie Harper’s JP Subs, was held in Daikanyama last weekend and attracted a broad church of punks, expats, and aficionados of British art. Punk spoke of No Future, but we’re here almost 50 years on with three artists thriving in our present. The audience, paid-up punks all dressed up, and the curious catching up with their pasts, made it a night of joy and celebration. Youthful Gaye’s talk was enough in itself, but we were also treated to troubadours Tudor and Harper. Affection for all was palpable. The evening drew in and temperatures rose. As did age. As did energy. Appreciation too. No stasis here. No pipe and slippers for these.
Still, the day before, I questioned the worth of attending; ticketless, I snagged one just before Gaye’s talk. Aided by interpreters, she talked for an hour. New facts did not emerge, but her lack of artifice struck us all. Some questions betrayed a lack of knowledge of her career post 1980, but she took all in her stride. Prior to the talk, sat unassumingly by the merch stand looking the same as in a recent John Robb interview (but with dyed brown, not purple, hair), she became the centre of a hubbub of activity: from royalty and rockers, kings and queens. All spending filthy lucre. There were veteran J Punks, collectors, and vinyl obsessives seeking signatures for 1st editions of Crossing the Red Sea. There were royal emissaries, ghosting around, representing an establishment now accepting Jamie Reid and those he inspired. An establishment that has pardoned the punks.
Joining them I bought a t-shirt and tote bag emblazoned with iconic poses struck almost half a century ago. And then I noticed Iggy and Johnny within her montages standing above us all. Observing a natural reticence, I was unsure whether to chat, but realised how serendipity works for her. Signed goods obtained, I moved on to more serious business. Business of a stately nature, something not envisaged before reading up on her. Absolution on behalf of others.
Yes, absolution. A permanent resident abroad, I’m a son of Lincoln (a bastard scion) who was unhappy to learn that she and her band were set upon there in 1978. My city, a place where she felt fear. On behalf of the city, I apologised. An imp born-and bred, it is my right (divine or not). A babe-in-arms then, I sought a pardon now. Would she grant it? A quizzical look, an awkward laugh, and, finally, a grin. It was accepted. A punk pardon. Righting a wrong. A city cleansed. The cathedral will smile when I return.
70s Tudor
Lincoln louts have done worse than attacking a van in 1978, but some of its rowdy brethren were now forgiven. Time to move to the live venue and Tenpole Tudor. Wearing goods clad in yellow and blue fleur-de-lis, Tudor kept us in Lincoln mode. John de la Pole was the Earl of Lincoln who conspired against the Tudors at the start of a dynasty, one that ended with Elizabeth’s death shortly before turning 70. That was 1603. Tudor-Pole reached 70 last month and is now a troubadour with songs to entertain any crowd.
His acoustic set, after Mad 3 and Junior warmed us up proper, full of banter and hits (alas, no Wunderbar), was a great success. Few present knew his Crystal Maze entertainer guise, but all knew Bambi. If his deleted scene in Harry Potter had been used, younger Japanese might place him in their world (Robbie Coltrane leads many to Kate Bush), but his witty, wistful banter about Chrissie Hynde, his adult son as a toddler, and other philosophical reflections were enthusiastically received. But Bambi brought the house down.
80th Minute
He left the field singing Bambi in front of a Warhead. The battle won, Charlie appeared. Contest over. Here came a triumphal march. Harper had won before a song was sung. He’d chatted and charmed before-and-after Gaye’s talk and performed with victory assured. It was the 80th minute. Would he show mercy? Another punk pardon? Bambi was free. What could Charlie do? Gambol in the glade?
He acted the statesman, bringing two states together through his JP Subs. Elizabeth watched from above, waving her approval, as Stranglehold and time-tested tunes closed the evening victorious. There’s no immediate connection to Lincoln, but Harper is, like the cathedral, a permanent figure who has transcended an initial role. Life in rock gave him health; and it's something the Seaford air has sustained. The UK Subs played a Lincoln venue just last November, and probably one near you, too. I don't know. All I know is punk has been pardoned. Some of its stars now pardon too. 
Essential Info
Main image, iconic Barney Bubbles design sleeve for the first Adverts single, 'One Chord Wonders' of which Gaye Advert has said she found the focus on her upsetting.
Lower image by Richard John Walker
