Queer punk trio Daffodildos drop debut single ‘No Pride’ on 5th July on the Not Saints label!
Hailing from Brighton, ‘the LGBTQIA+ capital’ of the UK, Daffodildos launched their first single ‘No Pride‘ this week. Not only is there a connection between Brighton and LGBTQIA+ people, but since the 1970s start of punk, there have also been connections between Brighton and punk; and between the LGBTQIA+ community and the punk community. In Brighton, bands like Poison Girls, the Chefs, the Devil’s Dykes, the Objeks and the Piranhas were founded. It became the home of the late Jordan, of Charlie Harper and Captain Sensible.
In 1976 in London, lesbian club Louise’s became a haven providing safety from anti-punk violence for the nascent young scene around the Sex Pistols and Siouxsie Sioux. Gay Gene October of the band Chelsea persuaded a gay club to become the Roxy, the first punk venue in London.
Daffodildos have played at Rebellion Festival in Blackpool and at other festivals and venues. Emily Flea is on vocals and melodiously punky guitar. Captain Jax is on bass and backing vocals; Anni Von Flange is on drums.
Their lyrics are about various social issues, pro animal rights, against alcoholism, and more. Here’s the official video of ‘No Pride’; the song is against commercialisation of Pride events of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Sometimes, big businesses who think that they can increase profits by sponsoring homophobic politicians, sponsor commercialised Pride parades as well. They then demand to be at the forefront of the marches for maximum publicity, pushing away people without big money who really want to improve the situation of LGBTQIA+ people.
This problem already existed in 1985 – Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners were unwelcome at the London Gay Pride Parade then, as commercial sponsors were supposedly more important; until hundreds of miners who had not forgotten queer solidarity during their strike arrived and LGSM could march at the front.
The chorus of No Pride is: “We’re here,we’re queer/We’re never gonna disappear/We’ve been fighting for our rights our entire lives/Not just once a year.”
Their record label Not Saints is the world’s only not-for-profit record label and events organisation dedicated to working with those seeking a life free from drug and alcohol addiction.
Daffodildos will return on 3rd August to Rebellion Punk Festival in Blackpool. Their press release says: ‘No matter whether you’re gay, straight, sober or even a fan of punk music, ‘No Pride’ promises to have you jumping around the room and giving both your middle fingers to the powers that be.’
Main Photo Credit: SARA-LOUISE BOWREY
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In 1978 Herman co-founded Dutch Rock Against Racism and was a founder of Pin punkzine. He’s vocals/saxophone for Cheap ‘n’ Nasty and in 2021 co-founded the Punk Scholars Network, Netherlands.