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Lyrics: “Thatcher Fucked the Kids” – Frank Turner, 2006

Ever since I saw Frank play this song to a UK audience in Coventry (and Liverpool) about a month ago I had pondered writing this post. Or to at least gather my thoughts on the revival of this song and why I scream along to it with gusto, even though I do not live in the UK nor do I have or ever had a UK passport. Thatcher’s politics never ever personally affected me.

But then COVID hit and the idea slipped my mind. Until the song came on in my “Mix Mix” (very original, I know) playlist in my car on a drive back home this afternoon.

The song is from 2006 and was and still is a very harsh, honest, valid account of how much the so called “Thatcherism” hurt and messed up parts of the British society. And how these policies reverberated for years after and still do. For quite a long time (2010 onwards maybe?) Frank didn’t play the song live anymore. I think to avoid being put into a “lefty political songwriter” box for one. Maybe also to avoid the senseless shitstorm from conservative fans / journalists / people on social media. Either way we all considered the song to have been retired, except for the rare occasion of a “let’s play ALL songs of this time” concert (e.g. Lost Evenings) or live stream during the pandemic. The few times I heard it live before or even when it came on in one of my playlists, I liked to sing along, mostly probably because it is a catchy tune and sometimes it is fun and freeing to just bitch and swear about something.

I admit that until quite recently I didn’t really look into Thatcher’s politics. I knew she was a Tory and that she cut government spending, was anti-union and such. I never read up further or looked into the whole “free market”, privatisation, lowering taxes, restraining the unions side of it all. And I think it’s this neo-liberalism philosophy, which I hadn’t associated with her so much before, that makes me sing this song with so much more rage than before. Because I oppose most neo-liberal policies with a passion!

I’m happy that my Green party is part of the government coalition in Germany at the moment. But the other smaller partner in the 3-party coalition are the Liberals, which follow quite neoliberal philosophy these days. And I absolutely hate it! Whether it’s the current climate / energy crisis or how to handle the pandemic or the welfare state. Their “solution” also always is: free markets, wait for new technologies, but never ever impose any restrictions. Like a speed limit on the German motorways! All based on the idea that everybody shall be able to do as they please and that anyone can just pull themselves up by their bootstraps. Which we all know is not true!

So yeah, I’m rather frustrated by our German government these days, because even though the Liberals had the smallest share of votes, they seem to be the loudest in the government and seem to decide on policies more often than the other two. And I hate it, because I think their policies are wrong and hurtful and destructive on a societal level. Of course the neo-right party AfD and other groups (Anti-Vaxers, Pro-Russia) also add to the rift in our society, but it just pains me to see that these neo-liberal ideas seem to be such a huge part of our governmental strategy.

To bring this back to Frank. I don’t really know why he decided to put the song back on the setlist these days. At the two shows I saw he clearly stated his frustration with the current government before/after the song. Maybe he wanted to take a stand again. Or maybe he just wanted to provide his UK audience with a 3 – minutes emotional outlet for all their frustration with this government by singing along to this song so fiercely. It worked for my frustration with my government at least, so thanks for that, Frank.

For all my “Not-Frank-Fan” reader: here are the lyrics and here is the song:

“Romeo and Juliet” – William Shakespeare, 1597

If you follow me on social media – and I assume you do, because where else would you have found this blog? – you will know by now that after 2,5 years COVID finally got me as well. I’m doing okayish on day 5, but the first few days have been difficult for several reasons. Do I know where I caught it? Sadly, yes, pretty much. It was just shit timing to visit the UK to see Frank Turner play some shows. There has been enough of Frank here, so instead look at some photos of lovely Shropshire.

Lyrics: “Pass It Along” – Frank Turner, 2011

It’s always difficult to not compare similar events with each other, right? This was my 3rd Lost Evenings Festival and yes it was very different from the first two for me. But it was just as much the same. It’s Frank Turner’s Lost Evenings, for crying out loud.

Compared to my previous two LE’s in 2017 and 2018 in London, I did less “socialising with new people” and I’m not quite sure yet how I (should) feel about that. I spent time or at least chatted with / said Hello to quite a few people I’ve gotten to know over the years from Germany, Europe and North America. And that’s always lovely. Each night I had people I know from other gigs and/or social media around me. I easily chatted with the people I didn’t know around me in the queue or at the barrier. Which I wouldn’t have and in fact did not do during my first few years at Frank Turner shows. My main objective for going to LE wasn’t to make tons of new friends. So why do I feel like I failed in that regard? Lots of reasons, probably, and most of them all in my head, which is a never-ending story.

One of my main other reasons to not socialise as much was still the pandemic, I guess. I tried to limit my time inside closed rooms as much as I could. (And yes, I could not NOT be in the venue right after the doors opened). I watched a few selected panels, the one with Frank mostly, because… he IS the reason I’m doing “this” (being a fangirl) after all. But I didn’t join any other group activity like pubs or sightseeing outings and such.

Stats | Some song stats, because I’m a nerd. In my count the Frank played 95 songs in total. 18 of those he and the Sleeping Souls played twice, 77 only once. Which is quite impressive, especially considering that the lyrics of many songs have so, so, so many words. He played two of the five rarer ones I had hoped for, which is good. There are just too many songs to choose from. Songs I heard him play live for the first time this weekend? The rarer ones of EKMB, for sure, like “Nights Become Days”. The Solo/Duo Night was only the second time I heard “Worse Things Happen At Sea”. And of course, I was thrilled to hear “Pass It Along” once again.

Most surprising to me rarer ones, he chose to play: “Oh Brother” for some reason and “Bar Staff”. I’m so glad I had the chance to sing along to some of my old favourites and especially twice to some of my new ones. All those FTHC songs, which speak to me in my current not always best state of mental health.

Women Power | All the panels with Frank (and the Sleeping Souls) were wonderful, entertaining, insightful. But my favourite might have been the “Women in Music” one, which shone a light on the many disadvantages women (in punk bands, but in the industry in general) are still facing. Some of the stories the women from Berries and also Tre and Silke from the production side of it told, were horrible. Sexist and rude and all. Not surprising though, because we’ve all had our share of these experiences as well, right? I’m glad some things seem to be changing, but it’s a slow and tedious process and as a music fan I once again felt empowered to do my bit. Listen to more music from women. Go to more gigs from female bands. Talk about it and share it…

This weekend I also had the chance to meet two female artists, I really like, which was lovely. I had met Jess Guise after the show on Monday already, but it was nice to chat to her again on Saturday with a few more of her Patreons. A very cool surprise was to see Grace Petrie arrive at the venue and other fans daring to ask her for a photo and such, so I did as well. It was just a quick chat, but I was of course over the moon to have her say “I’m thrilled your wearing that shirt” to me.

Souvenirs | I didn’t buy and LE merch this time and I’ve got all the FTHC merch I like. The new Pet Needs shirt was sold out in my size, so I allowed myself to spend a probably insane amount of money on a set of unique (only a few of this kind exist) Christmas Ornaments. Which I probably hang / put anywhere but a Christmas tree, because I don’t usually do one. These were items to raise funds for the Ally Coalition, one of the few charities Frank and his team are working with. This one helps LGBTQ+ youth in the US and LGBTQ+ is a cause dear to my heart, so I thought: You saved on merch, it’s a good cause. go for it! 

And now I’m off meditating, journaling or anything to get that new “Oh, you’re so stupid and not worthy” thought out of my head. Trying to bring back the uplifting, life-affirming power I have felt at all my five Frank gigs this week. Wish me luck…