Thanks to all at the @rocknrollcabaret for Weds night’s wicked event, especially the lovely Rachel Darq . Beforehand, I was a little apprehensive because we were clashing with a huge punk history launch five minutes away. But the Cabaret operates in an untamed eco-system of its own, and the place was rammed.
I read from and talked about Looking for a Kiss – my post-punk novel [bad weather in the English soul; speed, madness and flying saucers). Specifically the ‘1977’ piece, an addendum originally published in my Punk is Dead: Modernity Killed Every Night anthology (Zer0 Books) – released almost ten years ago to coincide with the 40-year punk anniversary as an anti-anniversary statement (because those ‘official’ events and publications are always so predictable and bland – same old stuff decade after decade).
If the spirit and meaning of punk exists anywhere it’s at the @rocknrollcabaretsoho (and places and cultural spaces like it) – one of the fiestiest clubs I’ve encountered since the old days, full of living and breathing wildness, energy, art and community – and not in the archival and essentially commerce-driven events elsewhere.
A good few people asked about Looking for a Kiss availability on the night. Online options in my Linktree/profile:
https://linktr.ee/richardcabut
For American readers, serious US distribution is scheduled for next year (I’ve been told) – meanwhile there’s a new US online store where the book can be easily ordered (Linktree). The European distributor has actually sold out of books, but should re-stock soon, I’d have thought. (Same goes for the Ripped Backsides UK/Europe distributor @public_knowledge_books incidentally).
Salut! x
Richard Cabut
Pics by @real_mistress_magenta Derek GibbsLaurence Govier @phoenix.leaderlaw__archives