GU1 Punx aren’t a band who have decided to utilise a central Guildford postcode in their moniker. Instead, and perhaps more aptly, GU1 Punx are a recently formed live music promotion collective based in Surrey who are utilising said postcode.
Forget the difference between a company and a collective (we presume it has something to do with income – a collective doesn’t need much to survive other than beer), because in recent months GU1 Punx have been putting on a number of high profile shows around the Surrey area. The likes of Hearts Under Fire, Yearbook, Hindsights, and No Omega have all graced stages promoted by the trio.
Nai Harvest and Bluebird take to the stage at their next show, alongside Hindsights and two-piece emo revivalist headliners Dads. The quick relocation to Kingston fits with the collective’s history as do the choice of bands. Each show is directly influenced by the trio’s taste in music, heavily reflected in the corresponding day jobs: as a Hassle Records intern, a video producer and a member of hardcore outfit Palm Reader.
“Book your favourite bands,” they tell us when we ask for advice for up-and-coming promoters. “We recently put on Hindsights in a tiny sports pub in Guildford. If I’d read someone else was doing that I’d be like ‘shit dude, this sounds fucking SWEET!’ and tell everyone I knew. So promoting this show was just loads of fun!”
Reluctant to appear like they have all the answers, the collective are aware of their relatively short experience. They rely heavily on what attracted them personally to the business – and that certainly wasn’t money, or even notoriety.Pizza seems to have had a bigger part to play in their ethos, only just behind the music.
“The three of us are very like-minded people. We all love similar bands, all enjoy hangin’ out and all love filling our stomachs with beer and pizza,” the trio agree. And they were increasingly frustrated about the lack of activity in a town bustling with musical talent.
“For so long have seen the potential our town has for a solid punk rock scene, but no one seemed to be grabbing it by the balls. That’s where we decided to step in and try make people excited about music again.”
With one hell of a mission statement – reinvigorating music is no mean feat – yet it’s an attitude that can be seen sweeping the country. Promoters across the UK work tirelessly to bring new music to countless towns and cities; an activity by no means limited to Guildford. Those involved have fought the crushing disappointment of empty rooms, enraged artists and pissed up punters, all for little reward.
“Just make sure you’re doing what you love and are doing things for that reason alone,” GU1 Punx note. Seems logical, but those looking to make a quick buck out of the music industry are likely to end up frustrated. As the promoters point out, there is little money to be squeezed out of an overstretched industry with overworked bands.
Local ambition is what keeps these types of businesses alive. Whether promoters have national or international glory at the back of their mind doesn’t matter if they have a genuine love of music and the local scene is lacking.
“[We just wanted to] bring our town’s alternative community (and those outside of it) together to just hang out at shows and actually get involved in live music but keep a very humble and DIY-like attitude to putting on shows to just have fun,” they confess. The sincerity seems to be working in their favour.
GU1 Punx are starting out on a journey travelled by many before them. Generating a live collective for them is about identity – a DIY ethos and a family feel. With the music at the forefront it appears to be a winning formula, but only time will tell whether forthcoming shows will see the response garnered by those to date.
In the meantime, grab a beer and a slice of pizza… “Put on bands you love with your best mates. Have a good time and worry about all the money you’re losing later.”
You can catch Dads, Nai Harvest, Bluebirds and Hindsights at The Fighting Cox in Kingston on November 21st 2013.
BEN TIPPLE