Anyone who has ever decided to put on a live music event, will know that it is no mean feat, so to have been doing it for forty years is a testament to real dedication! Hats off to Darren Russell-Smith!
On the 2nd November 1984, a young Darren Russell put on his first gig at The Sugarhill Club in Dudley. Although the venue was 18+, the 16 years old’s debut evening of live music promotion saw bands, Chaos, 16 Guns, Indecent assault, Death Zone and Joust play, and so began a passion for promoting live music that has lasted forty years.
A few years later, and aged just 18, Darren had moved his live music events to venues across Birmingham. Gigs at The Mermaid, in Sparkhill became legendary, so much so, that Daz was entrusted to have the diary to book the bands he wanted to play. A mixture of genres, included, Swans, The La’s, Spacemen 3, Cardiacs, UK Subs, Napalm Death, Conflict, The Stupids, Icons of Filth and Chumbawamba, to name just a few!
When The Mermaid sadly closed in February 1987, Daz continued his promotion, including a number of psychobilly and punk all-dayers in London.
In 1996, the punk festival, ‘Holidays in the Sun’ was held in Blackpool. After moving to Morecambe, it returned to Blackpool, later to become ‘Wasted’ and then the much loved ‘Rebellion Festival’.
Rebellion Punk Music Festival is the biggest DIY punk festival in the world, attracting thousands of music lovers to The Winter Gardens, Blackpool, each year, to enjoy grassroots and well-known punk bands, across seven stages, including an ‘Almost Acoustic’ stage and Literary stage. Rebellion’s success has also seen festivals held in Australia, Japan, USA and across Europe.
Darren has resided in Hereford for the last 21 years, so where better to kick off his celebration of 40 years of promoting live music?
On Saturday 23rd November, The Herdsman, Hereford will host a fantastic line-up of bands including Culture Shock, The Samples, Choked, Borrowed Time, Dead Sheeran, Ambition Demolition, The Human Error and Sak. Doors open at 2.00pm until late.
Tickets are available online for Culture Shock, The Samples and more – Saturday 23rd November
On Sunday 24th November, returning to his roots in the Black Country, Day two of the celebration will take place at The Robin 2, Bilston. Cock Sparrer, Steve Ignorant Band (Crass set), Culture Shock, Paranoid Visions, Fire Exit, Last Tree Squad, M.D.M, Indecent Assault and entertainment from Rat Boy. Doors open at 1.00pm.
Come and help Daz celebrate! All welcome!
By: Sam Lennox