music

Relics from a Lost Era: How Big Biz Will Get Rid Of Alternative Culture If You Let Them

You must have heard about how in the last 10 years the council has shot down legendary UK venues such as the 12 bar and Madame Jojo’s in the Soho area, where UK subculture thrived for hundreds of years before.

Maybe you have thought that soon, there won’t be a place where you can hang out after a tiring day at work. Because if things keep changing so fast, the beating heart of London will soon be replaced by retail money grabbers of soulless corporations.

What they don’t know is that the highest bidder won’t keep London alive. It’s something that local people do. And here’s some proof of that.

The UK’s Tin Pan Alley – A Place Once Home To Anyone

We are, of course talking about Denmark Street, where The Rolling Stones, The Sex Pistols, David Bowie and Small Faces used to hang out, getting their first demos ready or just having fun.

Up until recently, you could see bands, DJs, cabaret and all kinds of unusual entertainment. It was a place where people could enjoy complete creative and sexual freedom and break away from the stigmas of everyday society.

It was a place well and alive with music gigs of all kinds to choose from. But if you visit a few years from now, the only choice you’re gonna get is to shop at Tesco or enjoy a drink ’til 11pm, then it’s off to bed with you.

It’s like someone up there declared that this disease of individuality must be stopped once and for all…to give way to mindless consumption and a force-fed, boring middle-class lifestyle.

But There’s Still Hope For Alternative Culture

Even though the council shut down local venues, they can’t get rid of its people so easily. We are still out there, even though somewhat scattered and sometimes directionless.

At FFR UK, we want to gather under one banner anyone who’s into different subcultures, let that be punk, folk, goth, reggae, hardcore or anything that goes against the norm. The goal is, to get together so we can organize  amazing, fun music nights with live bands anywhere.

We also want to keep some memories of our favorite venues and share them with you. So we (Tara Rez of The Duel and Segs Jennings of The Ruts/Ruts DC) went out to interview some fine people who were still active in the music life of Soho before the end.

On our Youtube Channel dedicated to counter-culture reports, interviews, and live music gigs you can check out and share what may be the last records of something great and unique.

You will remember to never give in to the pressure of big businesses and their wicked allies. Stick to where your heart is at. The sound of our guitars will break through the silence and our people will be free to enjoy life once again.



UK Now Wave Punks The Duel Announce U.S Management

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Continuing a momentous 2014 for THE DUEL, the British punk rock band is thrilled to announce they have  US management with Cliff Davis  and C.A.D HARDCORE.

With over a decade of boundary pushing releases, a lyrical presence unafraid to challenge social and political issues, and an impressive reputation for their explosive live performances, the band has emerged as one of the UK’s most inspiring punk rock propositions, with a live reputation to match.

Shows with the likes of Dead Kennedys, UK Subs, Vice Squad, Buzzcocks, Peter Hook, and Sham 69 over the years, as well as their own headlining performances and numerous appearances at the world’s biggest punk festival Rebellion, has established the band as one of the genre’s genuinely explosive and potently influential bands.

That reputation has spread beyond the shores of their homeland, and it is fair to say that “Waging War” and its predecessor, “Soundtrack To The End Of The World”, has helped sparked a hungry spotlight on their sounds in America. So The Duel are thrilled to take that awareness and presence to new levels and intensity through the linking up with the exciting management team at C.A.D HardCore.

Now The Duel cannot wait to taste the unique US punk scene and give it a healthy dose of now-wave incitement.

Pete RingMaster



FFR UK Reggae Punk @ The Intrepid Fox

As the heat of the summer turns towards an autumn glow, the temperature is set to remain high as FFR UK brings London another of their renowned and feverishly devoured Reggae Punk nights.

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FFRUK TV Larry Love Special Feature

love 24 feb 2014

Acoustic headliner Larry Love featuring Brendan O’Connell play an exclusive set for FFRUK Reggae Punk Night and you thought only Nick Cave and Johnny Cash could do murder ballads? Wrong, take a listen to Larry Love (Alabama 3) and Brendan O’Connell (Ghostflighters) and revise your thought processes!  They say that white men can’t sing the blues, but this one can, all the way from the Thames Delta with jazz-infused blues meeting Americana outpourings, infusing Merle Haggard with rebel resistance songs. The pair normally play together as Robert Love’s Ghostflighters and are a regular draw around the Brixton area in particular, their songs echoing the 12 Bar ghosts with their rich blend of poignancy and heartfelt tunes of hope, redemption, despair and all things in-between! A worthy headliner for the night that’s turning Monday into the new Friday!
Bison D Moore (Eaten Alive Zine)

Watch the show highlights and interview here on FFRUK’s very first TV Special :



Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream



FFR UK TV Monday 17th February 2014

The Duel + Dave Kusworth + anarchistwood + Will Sid Smith + More

Live streaming video by Ustream

Live streaming video by Ustream



Alabama 3’s Larry Love & Brendan O’Connell at FFRUK Monday 24 February 2014

O’Connell & Love (Brendan O’Connell of The Ghost Flighters & Larry Love of Alabama 3)

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Larry Love of Alabama 3 and renowned session musician Brendan O’Connell headline FFRUK’s Reggae/Punk Monday’s at 12 Bar, Denmark Street on 24th February.

After spending much time playing acid country house on the road with Alabama 3, Larry Love approached Brendan O’Connell in an effort to fulfill his passion to create some sweet narco acoustic country music.

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Short Video Of FFRUK Reggae Punk Monday Nights

▶ FFRUk Mondays Starts Again Monday 10 February 2014 for 13 Weeks Only ! – YouTube.

FFRUK Mondays starts again with the alluring infectious tunes spun by Resident Dj Segs from Ruts DC & London’s own nu-wave, futuristic commandos THE DUEL, plus very special guests each week at the 12 Bar Club Denmark St Soho

From 10th February 2014 til 28 April 2014

Full detailed line up up special guests each week please go to:

https://www.facebook.com/ffrukit/events



RUTS DC Unplugged At The Launch Of FFRUK Reggae Punk

FFR UK and their Reggae Punk Nights are back with an explosive bang, a place where something mad and great happens each week .  To celebrate the return of FFRUK Mondays , we are pleased to announce that Ruts Dc will be making a special live acoustic  appearance at the launch of the new 13 week residency at 12 Bar Club Denmark St Soho on 10th February 2014.

After a hugely successful UK Tour which left fans ecstatic and wanting more throughout the  country – for the first time ever the highly original and influential legends RUTS DC will be performing a unique  and intimate show consisting  of new songs  & classics  performed as an acoustic trio  with Segs, Dave Ruffy  &  Leigh Heggarty.

To add an extra exciting edge to the event, the whole thing will be streamed live to the world for free on the night . For those who want to really help make the event as momentous as it is destined to be, tickets are £3 and available online from Monday 13 January 2014,  please do book early to ensure you do not miss out.  Doors open at 8pm – 2am
With Resident Dj Segs from Ruts DC and passion arousing  Now Wave Punks THE DUEL ,plus very special guests each week ,the countdown begins for another set of memorable Monday nights in Soho.

RUTS DC at FFRUK Reggae Punk



Documentary – THE PUNK SINGER – TRAILER | Kathleen Hanna, Adam Horowitz, Joan Jett

Documentary – THE PUNK SINGER – TRAILER | Kathleen Hanna, Adam Horowitz, Joan Jett – YouTube.



The Prodigy To Play London’s O2 Arena On New Year’s Eve

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The Prodigy will headline London’s iconic O2 Arena this New Year’s Eve with support from Rudimental DJs, Jaguar Skills and Modestep.

Theband will unleash their electrifying live show and see in the new year with a selection of hits from their most recent album, ‘Invaders Must Die’, as well as tracks from their extensive back catalogue.

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