An edition of the Tees Television series investigating topics affecting life in the North East. In this edition presenter Ian Payne looks back on the punk music scene in the region as it celebrates its 30th anniversary by speaking with members of bands such as Penetration and Angelic Upstarts. The programme also looks to the future of the music scene in the region and how punk has helped. Outside the Carling Academy on Westgate Lane in Newcastle a queue of people waiting to go inside....

An edition of the Tees Television series investigating topics affecting life in the North East. In this edition presenter Ian Payne looks back on the punk music scene in the region as it celebrates its 30th anniversary by speaking with members of bands such as Penetration and Angelic Upstarts. The programme also looks to the future of the music scene in the region and how punk has helped. Outside the Carling Academy on Westgate Lane in Newcastle a queue of people waiting to go inside. Presenter Ian Payne walks past introducing this edition on the 30th anniversary of punk. He heads inside. Title: Northern Eye. What Punk Did for Me A montage features some of the individuals featured in the programme talking about their experiences of the punk scene that changes to people, some dressed as punks, heading into the Carling Academy for a concert; part of the Orange Evolution Festival celebrating 30th years of punk. A poster advertising the festival is mixed with image of the punk scene that was started by The Sex Pistols in London in 1976. Ian speaks with some of those in the queue about which bands they are here to see; the band Penetration proves popular. A poster for the festival, the camera focusing in on Ferryhill band Penetration. Inside the academy members of the band climbs a set of stairs changing to them performing on stage back in 1979 as part of an edition of the Tyne Tees Television series ’Alright Now’. Lead vocalist Pauline Murray explains what punk meant to her over black and white images of her in the band back in the 1970s mixed with archive news footage from the time. She talks about still having some of the same attitude towards life today as she did back when she was younger, as she speaks more footage of the band performing in ‘Alright Now’ mixed with her performing today. In her office in Newcastle’s Ouseburn area Pauline speaks with a client on the telephone regarding a booking at her successful musical rehearsal business. She continues to talk about the different sounds created by the various punk bands of the time; an expression of themselves. The poster seen earlier for the festival focusing this time on South Shields band Angelic Upstarts. Black and white photographs of the bands lead singer Thomas ‘Mensi’ Mensforth changes to him walking along a corridor inside the Carling Academy. A clips from the Tyne Tees documentary ‘Liddle Towers – A Case to Be Answered’ is used to highlight the band’s first single about the notorious death in police custody of Liddle Towers. More black and white photographs of Mensi performing on stage in the 70’s and him singing ‘The Murder of Little Tower/Police Oppression’. He speaks with Ian about the song which he sees as being relevant today. Archive footage of people on Tyneside in the 1970s and a coal miner working underground. Mensi explaining about why his songs are political and how they are based on things that were happening around him. More archive this time of Angelic Upstarts themselves walking around a muddy scarp yard. Mensi sees punk being as relevant today as it was back in the 1970s. Archive of the group perform on a small stage in 1980 and Mensi talking about how and why he became involved in the band. As with Penetration, archive of Mensi singing in 1980 mixed with him and the band performing today. With a smile on his face Mensi explains why he hates the music business, but when on stage he loves it. The festival poster again and several new bands including Jarrow’s Crashed Out. Decca Wade and brothers Chris and Lee Wright from Crashed Out walk along a corridor inside the Carling Academy carrying their instruments smiling at the camera as they pass. Sitting on a sofa they talk about getting into the musical scene and starting the band intercut with them performing on stage for an enthusiastic crowd. They discuss the different types of bands that form part of the punk movement, the type of songs they write and the importance of playing well for a crowd and making them happy. Inside the Carling Academy during a concert presenter Ian Payne holding a pint of beer while listening to the music. The first part of the programme ends with Sunderland band ‘Toy Doll’s performing on ‘Top of the Pops’ in 1984. Title: Northern Eye. What Punk Did for Me Outside the Carling Academy in Newcastle, Ian Payne says some of those who saw themselves during punk as having no future aren’t doing too badly today. Inside the Psyche department store in Middlesbrough owner Steve Cochrane looks over pairs of designer shoes. He talks about forming a band but finding more success in opening a punk clothes shop called ‘Sliced Tomatoes’. As he talks about his experiences working in the punk scene photographs of him as a younger man. A stall sells studded garments and other punk related outfits like those sold in ‘Sliced Tomatoes’. Archive of a group of punks coming out of an underpass changes to show various fashions on display inside Psyche. Steve talks about the experience he gained during this period in fashion, he also says he’s still rebellious. Inside a Sunderland restaurant Ian Payne comes up a set of stairs changing to the kitchen where celebrity chef and former Toy Doll guitarist Pete Zulu is cooks a steak. In another room he put on a record after which he talks with Ian about his experiences playing in the band and of lead vocalist Olga (Michael Agar). On stage on ‘Top of the Pops’ in 1984 Toy Dolls perform their hit rendition of ‘Nelly the Elephant’. Pete is asked who punk did for him, he replies that his fame allowed him to do things and has helped enhance his restaurant business. On a different stage the Toy Doll perform in 1982. Outside the independent record shop ‘Alt Vinyl’ on Thornton Street in Newcastle Ian Payne explains the independent DIY ethic of music production created during punk is still alive today, but how much should the region help bands of the future? Keith Armstrong, Managing Director of Kitchenware Records states that without punk he would have never thought of releasing a record never mind run a record label. Posters and moving images from some of Kitchenware’s bands including Prefab Sprout, The Lighthouse Family and The Editors. A billboard under a bridge promotes another music festival headlined by regional band Maximo Park. In the window of ‘The Dog and Parrot’ on Clayton Street West in Newcastle various posters for local bands. Keith believes the local council now see Newcastle as a cultural place where people will visit. A derelict building which Keith says is the proposed site for the ‘Soul Kitchen’, a place where anyone can get involved in music. Aerial of the Sage Gateshead which Keith criticises as ‘not of the people’, not for kids and bands and a little to ‘high brow’. Another queue of punks outside the Carling Academy changing to show other music venues in Newcastle such as City Hall on Northumberland Road and the Tyne Theatre also on Westgate Road. Jim Mawdsley from Generator North East says that if Newcastle/Gateshead or the region wants to be considered having a ‘real north east music industry’ then the infrastructure needs to be in place for sustainability. Another aerial of the Sage Gateshead which Jim describes as an amazing facility. Photographs of Whitley Bay band Indigo Colony performing changes to Rob Howe from the band explaining that while all the records companies are in London, they will come to see you if you are good. There isn’t a need to go to London anymore, can do a lot from within the region. He talks about the importance of a regional identity such as the likes of Maximo Park. Back inside the Carling Academy a montage of Penetration and Angelic Upstarts performing on stage to a punk crowd including Ian Payne still drinking his pint. Outside Lee and Chris Wright from Crashed Out talk about the experience of seeing these bands perform during the festival, its about having a good time. Outside the entrance Ian Payne end the programme by saying that punk has certainly not gone away, and that there are encouraging signs that the north east is supporting its music scene. Title: With thanks to Newcastle College Performance Academy, Chris Gee, Rik Watson, Chris Tritschler Credit: Presenter Ian Payne Camera Phil Driver Sound Robbie Carruthers, Andy Bennett Lighting John Mason Graphics Dave Richardson, Jon King Music Magregor Cook Editor Kerry Plummer Sound Post Production The Edge Production Manager Christine Stewart-Tilling Additional Production Eileen Brown, Georgina Kiedrowski Executive Producer Jane Bolesworth Producers Chris Phipps, Ben Stanger © ITV Tyne Tees 2006 End credit: Production for ITV