Joyriders On The Storm

Like many people with an interest in the local music scene, I've been dismayed by the story of Jonny Black and his experiences in Derry. Two of his cars have been stolen in the city. On the most recent occasion, his vintage Golf, lovingly restored, was stolen and then burnt. Inside was his equally vintage equipment, Fender and Orange and Gibson.

Jonny is one of the good guys on the scene. He's the loose-mannered guitarist in LaFaro, looking chill but master of the wiry riff, the soaring distortion. He plays some country music on the side, and when I last saw the fella, he was cranking away at Johnny Cash in the basement of McHugh's, grinning plenty.

In response, Derry is throwing an impressive fund-raiser on October 17 at the Nerve Centre. The title 'Rage Against The Joyriders' is a spiky response that's turning into a collective gesture. And while rock and roll is traditionally on the side of anti-social behaviour, this marks a significant turn. If you don't mind a bit of robust language, read some online comments here. You may event chose to gift the fella some financial help here.

Solidarity is definitely a theme of the year, with some November concerts in Belfast organised under that very banner. In this latter instance, the energy is being channelled by And So I Watch You From Afar, but the bonhomie is widespread and seems genuine. We've often been an argumentative lot in the past, but 2008 is like a strange social experiment: a coming of age and a selective use of the rage.