NEWS: Rhys Sticks His Oar In Racial Row

In the ongoing ‘racism fued’ between Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke and The Sex Pistols’ John Lydon, Super Furry Animals singer Gruff Rhys (pictured left) has stepped forward and made a statement.

Earlier this week the Bloc Party singer alleged he was the victim of an "unprovoked racial attack" by Lydon and his entourage at a Spanish festival.

As a witness to the incident the Neon Neon collaborator told MTV: “Kele is a very brave man and what he said is exactly what happened. The statements Kele has said are absolutely true. It did happen.”

The Quietus understands that Rhys is yet to make an official statement to police.

Currently touring with his Mercury Award-nominated side project Rhys described the attack as "horrific".

Lydon has denied reports branding Okereke a "liar" and claiming the singer is using the incident to seek "publicity".

Watch Neon Neon's 'I Lust U' below:

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

NEWS: Lydon Brands Okereke A 'Liar'

After this morning’s revelations about an alleged scuffle between Kele Okereke and John Lydon at a Spanish festival, the crazy eyed punk vet has finally provided a statement to the press.

In the short, sensitively constructed mail out Lydon denies his involvement in the racist assault by labelling Okereke a liar and someone in need of publicity.

“I feel very sorry for a man that needs to lie about what was a perfect evening.”

In the first public statement from Lydon’s camp about events on Saturday evening, the sex Pistols claims, “trouble was brought us, resulting in those causing the trouble being physically removed by festival security. If they need publicity so badly this is the allegation universe they run into.”

Using the punk-rock royal we he added, “After the show John Rotten and management remained behind to sign autographs, which we did for four solid hours without incident and had a great time talking to other Spanish bands, this seems to have sparked jealousy in certain bands.”

Lydon did however make one sole reference to the supposed racial accusations behind the incident, “We are in the middle of a wonderful tour, after 30 years we are achieving a true unity in our audience. They are multi-varied, all ages, all races, creeds and colours. When you are at a festival with bands who are jealous fools, lies and confusion usually follow.”

He then directs a comment directly at Okereke: “Grow up and learn to be a true man. It's a shame that the wonderful world of the media is riddled with nonsense like this.”

Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke is yet to release a media retort.

To have a look at last year’s Love Music Hate Racism roundtable debate featuring Kele Okereke click below:

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

NEWS: Bloc Party And Sex Pistols In 'Racial Attack'

Reports are emerging today of an incident involving Bloc Party's Kele Okereke and Sex Pistols' frontman John Lydon at a Spanish festival over the weekend.

A fight erupted at the Summercase festival in Barcelona on Saturday July 19th which has now been called an 'unprovoked racist attack' by Okereke.

According to the Bloc Party camp the singer approached Lydon to ask if he would consider reforming one of the his bands, Public Image Ltd.

In a statement Bloc Party claim the punk veteran "became intimidating and aggressive while his entourage responded with a racist tirade including the statement, 'Your problem is your black attitude'."

A fight occurred soon after in which Lydon's entourage were seen by some 50 people to attack Okereke at which point Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs and Foals' Yannis Philippakis stepped in to help the singer.

Other bands who witnessed the ruckus include Mystery Jets, Neon Neon and Har Mar Superstar.

The violence left Kele with severe bruising and cuts to his face and body and a split lip.

Festival security stepped in to neutralise the situation which was later reported to Spanish police. Okereke gave a statement to British police upon returning to the UK.

Speaking to NME.com the Bloc Party frontman said: "It's not an issue of the physical assault, even though it was an unprovoked attack, it is the fact that race was brought into the matter so readily.

"Someone as respected and as intelligent as Lydon should know better than to bring race into the equation, or socialise with and encourage those who hold such narrow-minded attitudes.

"I am disappointed that someone I held with such high regard turns out to be such a bigot."

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

LIVE REVIEW: Bloc Party, Brighton Concorde 2 (Date: 23.08.07)

The heat is unbelievable in here. On arriving, some two hours ago, the initially spacious bar in the Concorde welcomed some 250 fan club members with a blast of cool air, but that didn’t last long. The sun was low but still punished the early birds on the outside; not that you’d know from the heavy black curtains separating the casual drinkers from the late afternoon.

And now that dry heat has been replaced by the wet heat of bodies stood side by side, well within each other’s personal space; they’re all on tiptoes, booming heartfelt cheers in the direction of an empty stage. It doesn’t remain deserted for long, though, and the cheers turn to roars as the first, second, third and fourth pair of denim-clad legs stroll casually out.

Tonight might have been advertised and sold as a fans-only event, but it’s a Carling Weekend warm-up too. This doesn’t put off the punters thinking that this is all just for them, and why should it? Kele, Russell, Gordy and Matt all individually interact with the crowd to give the feel of a private performance. The songs are the focus, though, and when they’re played sound fresher than ever.

When Silent Alarm is played alongside A Weekend In The City in an environment that commands cohesion and harmony, the vast differences in the LPs are smoothed out and a guitar disco follows. ‘Banquet’, ‘Helicopters’ and ‘Price of Gasoline’ deliver a high-tempo, enthralling, impossibly passionate pounding that throws fists uncontrollably toward the wet ceiling. The enjoyment is acknowledged in the ridiculous smile that breaks out across Kele’s face every time there’s a lyrical break. Newer songs: ‘The Prayer’, ‘Waiting For The 7.18’ and ‘I Still Remember’: each deals a calmer dance, but a dance still. The build-ups are fantastically frustrating. The boys on stage know they are holding you in delayed ecstasy, and they love it.

Tonight is about embracing every single Bloc Party track, screaming the lyrics of every one of them and dancing your feet off without the threat of having an unknown tune thrown into the mix. And it’s a memorable occasion.

Words: Dean Samways

Photo: Dean Samways