There are many kinds of music and each has its dedicated followers. Andy talks to some of them about their music, their fashion and their passion for their particular tribe. ModsMike Clapham is a Mod from Birmingham. He wasn't at the infamous Bank Holiday clashes beating up Rockers all those years ago, he was too young. But he is a true authority on the scene, despite not owning a scooter. He's now a web designer for a music store. Hiphop | | CRC - Birmingham Hip Hop artists |
Ollie Perrins, aka Solocypher, is a Hip Hop MC from Moseley. Ollie's recorded an album of his own material and can regularly be found battle rapping with the best at Birmingham Hip Hop night Goldie Looking Chain. In a nutshell, he's down with the kids (literally - he's a trainee teacher). PunkChris Gee is a Punk, also from Moseley. He's not just a music fan, he's also the organiser of the punk festival Academy in the UK, which hit the Birmingham Academy for the fourth time on Sunday 6th May. Chris says Punk's not just about music, it's a political statement. R&BPheann Walters is an R&B fan – she’s not from Brum but is working here. Beyonce Knowles is her role model. While other R&B singers are waxing lyrical about bling and pimping their ride, Beyonce is talking about being a successful, independent black woman. Not that Pheann would turn her nose up at a bit of bling herself. New Romantic | | Duran Duran in concert |
Beth Kilsby-MacNab is a New Romantic from Erdington. You may think that being married to a punk rocker-turned photographer, Beth would be turned off the peroxide perms and eighties synths of the New Romantics, but you'd be wrong. Apparently she used to hang around with Duran Duran, don't you know. DanceChris Holmes from Moseley is a Clubber. Going out clubbing is the perfect antidote to long days spent working on his politics PHD, but it doesn't end there. Chris is also a DJ and producer and lives, breathes and sleeps dance music. When he's not making his own music he's out buying it and when he's not doing that, he's mixing it with gusto in his bedroom-cum-studio. Just spare a thought for his neighbours. Folk | | Moseley Folk Festival |
Carl Gervis from Moseley is into Folk. As the organiser of the Moseley Folk Festival he knows a thing or two about the scene, especially folk's 1960s heyday - the hippie era. Yes, drugs were a part of the scene he admits, but it's the festival atmosphere that gives the ultimate high, five thousand people in a field for two days turning on, tuning in, and dropping out. EMORich Perry from Coseley is an Emo. Is Emo music just about being an angst ridden teenager? Not exactly. Does Rich spend his Saturday afternoons in Birmingham's "Pigeon Park"? Possibly, but so what if he does? The kids there are just taking a well-earned break from the stresses of school. And stop calling them miserable! Goths | | Emos around St. Philips |
Lisa Tauw from Birmingham is a Goth. As the owner of Birmingham's goth clothing store Psiclone Lisa knows a fair bit about the scene and says it’s about much more than having the right CD collection. Fashion is just as important as a Nine Inch Nails back catalogue. RockersTim James from Smethwick is a Rocker. He may look like a friendly guy, but don't be deceived - leathers, greasy hair and a motorbike are the order of the day for this rocker, and the look is best topped off with a menacing snarl! While Mods are preoccupied with perfect lapels and immaculate hair, Tim admits that means these conflicting tribes have more in common than you may think. Andy interviewed all the above people for his series on Tribes, first featured on BBC WM. | 
