#ste mccabe

Ste McCabe

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Gay

DOB: 14 February 1980

Ethnicity: White - English

[Zero images to accompany this post bc Tumblr is being a buggy, glitchy nuisance. Grrr.]

2015 at Banquet Records/Untitled by Siobhan Alcaide

Two-in-one from my local music shop heroes, Banquet Records —10 years strong this year! The first, a year in review via their top 10 AOTY; the second, a lovely untitled collection of sketches [of bands, performers, crowds] drawn at Banquet shows, by Siobhan Alcaide.

Shape & Situate #7

The latest/last issue of the brilliant Shape & Situate #7, curated by Melanie Maddison, featuring my piece on Iceland's first eco activist, Sigríður Tómasdóttir <3

After Grrrl

I’m still my working my way through this cathartic collection of “small stories from big lives”, put together by Jessicka Addams, for the Jack Off Jill reunion tour. Riot goth 4ever!

Now That’s What I Call Invisible!

An inspired and thought-provoking swan-song from working-class, queercore pop punk hero, Ste McCabe. NTWICI! contains astute and timely observations on both the current state of queer community/scenes and the DIY circuit.  LOVE YOU, STE x x x x x

Bent Fest zine

STE MCCABE, 'BRAINS OF BRITAIN'

Punk lives on in the 21st century, and it continues to manifest itself in many forms. With 'Brians Of Britain', Ste McCabe adds to current output by offering critical observations on contemporary living. Right from the first lines of the opening track 'Fool', it is clear that Ste is not one to meekly accept the status quo:

“Look out world, there are new rules From liberation pre-school ................ Look out world for new language And middle class guilty baggage”

Beginning with some electronica the music in general is not the dischordant, guitar-based and 'shouty' material that some might expect on being faced with the punk 'label'. The tracks on the album are varied and considered – with a very definite acerbic tone to the lyrics which are clearly an extremely important part of his work. Indeed, unlike many song lyrics, Ste's lyrics stand up very well on their own and could easily be published one their own.

Among the ten tracks contained on this release, two are collaborations; one in conjuction with the legend that is Billy Bragg, and another with Hayley McAfee and Ainsley Reid of Hawick band Spat.

The joint venture with Billy Bragg, 'Cockroach' pulls no punches and there is no doubt who it refers to,

“posh public school boys running our country bullingdon club bullies who make the poor pay just because they're poor”

'Don't We Have Nice Hair?' is the track recorded with Spat – at first it sounded particularly odd to me as I have been privileged to have been able to use an instrumental phrase from it as the bed for weekly speedway reports (about Berwick Bandits) that I prepare for local community radio. The piece that I have been familiar with has since been expanded with lyrics added and is sounding great!

Although I do appreciate instrumental music and some songs with fairly banal lyrics, the tracks that have greatest appeal to me are those with inciteful and intelligent lyrics; this album certainly fulfils that criteria. Perhaps my favourite line is “ 'cause you serve your hate with bean salad,” but as I've said previously, I'm not big on selecting 'bests' and there are toomany here to choose from!

1/ Fool

2/ Cockroach (with Billy Bragg)

3/ Mantos '99

4/ The Family Values Song

5/ Chinless Wonders

6/ Don't We Have Nice Hair? (with Spat)

7/ I'll Do It

8/ Go Polski Boy

9/ Them There Different People

10/ What Are You Worth?

Tracks 1,2,3,4,5,7, 8, 9,10 written and played/programmed by Ste McCabe, additional lyrics and shared vocals on track 2 by Billy Bragg.