I've got a punk rock compilation CD and the very last track is Kung Fu International by John Cooper Clarke. This got me thinking about punk rock poetry. I used to dabble in poetry in my adolescent era and I know that a few of you do too.

Anyway, here's John C. Clarke to get you in the mood:

embedding disabled, gaaaahhhh!!!!!

anyway, what ws the point? it just came across as doomsayer panicking, sensationalist bollocks

explain, mr. feltch

Edit: Does it matter that there's music? it's still poetry. If you can find it the dan le sac remix of that song is really good, I don't think it's on youtube.


Edit: more poetry http://www.last.fm/music/Buddy+Wakefield/_/My+point+forever+endlessly?autostart

The point of my video is that it's poetry, but with a little dash of oi. I like humorous poetry, John Hegley used to be my favourite.

I REALLY don't like that King Blues thing.

It's so cringeworthy.

I really don't like the King Blues.

I really like saul williams though, one of the most amazing things ive seen at leeds fest in 11 years was his 2nd set (he did a normal set of his more music based stuff on the carling stage) where he appeared with youthmovie soundtrack stratagies, and improvised poetry over them jamming for half an hour. it was magical.

Fantastic thread my friends, excellent stuff here.

Poetry is something which can say a great deal very powerfully in a brief space / period of time.

I remember hearing Kung Fu International back in the day. Very funny.

What If Punk Never Happened is something for the naysayers to listen and learn I reckon...interesting that its got a bit of a negative response here. Thanks Steff for posting that vid, a real raw rendition of it.

Saul Williams is sick as fuck. Its all about the delivery with this cat I feel.

Can't find a vid or whatever for it...which is a shame because the delivery is brilliant, but here are the words to a spoken word track off The Business' "No Mercy For You" entitled "Oi The Poet," I happen to think its boss as fuck and something we can all relate to in our own way:

STREET PUNK
where you belong.
They say they're right
you know they're wrong.
Bored on the street
there's nothing to do.
Every day
You're just taken for a fool.
REJECT
you don't fit in.
They beat you down
but you never give in.
Never had a proper wage
no future
no job
and you're always told you're just a lazy slob.
Well
I may have nothing
but I shine twice as bright.
I know what's wrong
and I know what's right,
So stick your city job
and your suburban wife
cos looking at you
I love my life.

On a lighter note, the aptly named character 'Poet' in Oz delivers some mad lyricism...trust me, watch the first two, you will be missing out if you don't:








PEACE!

That guy wouldn't need such an unwieldly piece of long paper if he wrote with smaller writing.
Nah but seriously, I didn't like the start of that but I was getting into it by the end, nice one. A few more listens to that and I'd be a fan.

The king blues video wasn't the one I was actually looking for, I was looking for the dan le sac remix. He adds his own response to what itch is saying, and it's really fucking good. Disclaimer: IMO.

Did anyone click the link I posted to last.fm?

someone else worth mentioning: I think sage francis has some of the best lyrics ever in both his spoken word and songs. I can't choose just one song http://www.lyricsmania.com/lyrics/sage_francis_lyrics_15308/

steff my brother i was about to try and find a sage track called 'hey bobby' which has no music and is just poetry. sage is a legend a lot of very good political and socail commentary, though my favorite pice is probably about the most personal one he did 'inheritted scars' about him finding out his sister was self harming.
"Could I erase your body language telling you its all been said before?
Or change the words you wrote, exchanging your scars for my metaphors?
I'd add them to my collection while smiling
Next time you want to paint with razor blades and need a canvas use my skin"
that bit chokes me everytime i hear it.

ok this is taken from hidden track on an ep so the actual poem propper doesnt start till 1minute in almost eactly so fast forward to there or lsiten to a minute of silly stuff)

Yeah I've heard that one, it's sweeeeet.

I was listening to it earlier actually, a live video though.

" Monkey see, monkey do. I wonder what those fucking monkies saw."

I like how the end is the same as the beginning.

yeah, that was on purpose