A  friend asked me the other day what "punk rock" means to me, I couldn't answer there and then as I didn't know. I've had a few days to think about that question and I still don't know for sure.

I believe that each and every one of us has a different interpretation of what "punk" is and none of us are right or wrong as there are no written rules laid out and each individual takes different things from the music, the attitude, the politics and the scene in general. To a lot of people it is just a "phase" that they'll go through and enjoy themselves, contribute and then discard it as a period of rebellion towards, well God knows, towards what? Parents? School? The status quo? Only those people will know and if they feel it's a good thing and that they've made a valid statement using the "tools" of punk rock to achieve purposeful alienation, acceptance and credibility then that's just part & parcel of human nature.

For me I don't believe any of those aspects were the reason that I was allured into the realms of punk rock.
I really don't want to go into some long & boring story of how, why & when I first got into punk rock as that doesn't matter. The first bands I ever loved were THE WHO, THE BEATLES and THE BEACH BOYS. Then things swung towards STIFF LITTLE FINGERS, THE JAM, THE VAPORS, ADAM & THE ANTS and THE BOOMTOWN RATS. Hardly a selection of the "punkest of punk" bands by any means, but I have never been interested in labelling and categorising the music that I like & love. The majority of what I listen to does indeed fall under the banner of "punk rock" and I don't have any problem with that, but I have never and will never limit what kind of music I listen to.

But I am, to a small degree involved in the UK punk scene via SUSPECT DEVICE magazine and a few other publications. I also sell CD's & records mail order and have been known to put on the odd punk rock show. I'm not saying that this makes me any more "punk" than others, in fact I am probably less punk than most others due to the fact that I hardly buy any new releases, I'm an asshole for not checking out new zines and I really should get involved with more with things at a grass roots level.

Oh, if that previous list of bands seems a little odd then I best add that those were the first bands that I loved. On a contemporary level my tastes fall between DOWN BY LAW, THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES, RANCID, J CHURCH, SCREECHING WEASEL, DESCENDENTS, SOCIAL DISTORTION, THE QUEERS and about a hundred more.

But what does it all mean to me? For one it's great music that just connects with something within.
Then there's the content of the songs, observations, criticisms, ideas on a level that is real.
There's the friendships that I've made whilst being involved in the world of punk rock, when I put out my first zine in 1986 I was bombarded with mail and to this day there are several of those folks who took the time to write over ten years ago whom I'm still in contact with and meet every now and again.

The most positive aspect of my life in the punk rock field is the association I've had with the folks who put out SUSPECT DEVICE fanzine and all the great people who seem to stem from the Southampton punk rock scene and the S.T.E. collective. They are just a total inspiration to me and If I hadn't have got to know Tony and the gang then I think I would have been outta this scene a fair few years ago.
So let me re-cap, the music is great, what's being said is great, the notion that we can do a lot of this stuff ourselves is great and the friendships just top off what a superb music scene this is to be involved with and contribute to.

So what does "punk rock" mean to me? Everything I guess, I have a life outside of it also which is rewarding at times and keeps me feet firmly on the ground, but when I'm doing punk type stuff, going to gigs and meeting up with friends from all over...I tell you what man, it don't get much better than that and I love it.

Something else, Tony Suspect & myself have written a book together. It's a collection of personal writings although our styles are completely different. It's going to come out this year sometime but when exactly I have no idea as this is all new ground to both of us. If you're at all interested in finding out more then drop either Tony or myself a line and we'll give you the full scoop as we know it.

I'm not going to say it will be the world's greatest book, but it's honest writing and hopefully interesting to those into punk rock and those who aren't.

Ok, I guess that's about my lot. Thanks to Rick for running this and if you want to find out more about COOLSVILLE mailorder, SUSPECT DEVICE fanzine and the other stuff that's going on with us then drop me a line at 26 UNION LANE, CAMBRIDGE, CB4 1QB.

Later y'all

David Stuart.


ENDNOTE: Hey kids, if you've not yet checked out the LITHIUM JOE CDS then do so right away as it really is a great release. Some of the coolest poppy punk sounds I've heard from this country is a long while. If the song "If we're not careful" doesn't melt you on the spot then you'd best take an emotion check bud! Used tens only Rick, ta!