So if you have a book stall, zine, journal, workshop, talk, film showing etc that you would like to bring to the event please contact the bookfair here.

For more information see www.bristolanarchistbookfair.org

More details are on the Pens, pencils and photocopiers website - http://comicsandzines.wordpress.com/

50 simple things you can do to stay in denial
A Graphic Novel Derrick Jensen & Stephanie McMillan

“We will go quietly, meekly, to the end of the world, if only you allow us to believe that buying low energy light bulbs will save us.”

Inside these 220 odd pages hides the unhinged reverie of author and activist Derrick Jensen. Aliens that crap gold, one-eyed terrorist rabbits and talking trees are just some of the characters that make up this witty yet wacky tale dealing with the destruction of the natural world from the perspectives of earths different inhabitants. However behind this comic veneer “As The World Burns” addresses some of the most important issues that face humanity today.

‘As The World Burns’ presents the contradictions of action being taken against global warming and the destruction of the planet, drawing attention to the falsities of putting faith in small lifestyle changes and consumer habits as a catalyst for social change. This book is for all those that feel they are “doing there bit” buying into ethical shopping and advertising campaigns drummed up by the marketing maestros of the world’s largest corporations.

Those familiar with Jensen’s other work, specifically ‘Endgame Volumes I and II’ will probably recognise some reoccurring themes in his work. Like his other books this graphic novel also looks at social issues such as the power structures in the police force and there relationships with the general public, the contradictions of pacifism, vivisection and the defective nature of bureaucracy amongst others.

McMillan’s illustrations are naïve yet captivating, offsetting Jensen’s writing well rather than eclipsing it. Each character is well considered in appearance and her individual style helps to create substance in each scene.

Jocular and charming yet ferociously political, poignant and engrossing. ‘As The World Burns’ could just save us all! Give a copy to family members, next door neighbours even your local politician and ask them what they are going to do about the crimes against nature that are occurring every day around the world.

Published by Seven Stories Press

Check >indymedia for updates on various actions.

Bush’s last visit to London back in November 2003 was met by mass action throughout London. More information about the events that happened then are at: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/actions/2003/bush/

The line up so far is looking great with an cool list of international acts with more to be confirmed.

Listed to be playing are:

NO TURNING BACK [nl], BANE [us], LACK [dk], DEATH BY STEREO [us], HERO DISHONEST [fin], SSS [uk], RAEIN [it], DISCARGA [bra], TRUE COLORS [bel], LAKME [cz], VOETSEK [us], WAR FROM A HARLOTS MOUTH [ger], MENEGUAR [us], XNIDALX [cz], DAITRO [fr], BLAK FRIDAY 29 [ger], GRIDE [cz], ANCHOR [swe]

For more information check out www.fluffmusic.com

Kicking off proceedings tonight is Drewvis. I was expecting one man and his guitar, but I am greeted with two – he’s brought a bassist. It’s kind of like a less geeky, electric version of the Flying Marrows. It’s all clean-cut fun, as I’ve come to expect from Brighton with the likes of Pog. The addition of bass is daring without a drummer to instil some discipline, but really brings something to the performance with adventurous funky lines.

Dirty Revolution is up next and a lot of people seem to creep forward to enjoy them. It’s a new song second, switching between snarling angry punker stuff to funky mellow twangs effortlessly, as seems to be their speciality. They pull off a good solid performance of their EP, and with the heavy drop into ‘Police’ people begin to move. There are a bunch of new songs as well, mixing things up and highlighting Reb and Stu’s highly complimentary vocals.

Next was Robb Blake. Although I knew he was the frontman of ska-punkers Whitmore (transporting me back to my schooldays and Scuzz) I hadn’t heard any of his stuff before, but apparently he has an album out on Do The Dog. I wasn’t really into Whitmore back in the day, except for the track ‘Sober Days’ which I still like a lot. Most of the crowd seemed to be wondering why he was on the bill above Dirty Revolution, as everyone crept back to their seats. Robb played guitar and sang over a backing track that kept skipping at the beginning, not the best start to a set. It was rock’n’roll with gruff vocals and some ska breaks. The songs were thoughtfully constructed but it definitely seemed strange to go from a full band to one guy playing along with his iPod. One person’s suggestion that “it’s like if Jack Black auditioned for The Wedding Singer” also seemed to ring a little too true.

Suddenly the room packed out before New Town Kings, and everyone started dancing as soon as the eight members hit the stage in their pork pie hat and suit uniforms. During a fun set including a ‘Monkey Man’ cover they got a lot of singalongs to the ‘woahs’ and a lot of people seemed to be really into their stuff. A heaving mass of sweaty bodies was left on the dancefloor after the set, luckily they had a while to compose themselves before Rebelation.

Despite it being relatively late for a gig (past 11pm) before Rebelation graced the stage, there was no sign of fatigue and they played until almost 12.30am. One of the first things that struck me about this band the first time I saw them all those years ago, and something I still love to see about them now, is they look so happy throughout whenever they play. They smiled their way through old favourites and new, from ‘Politrics’ to ‘Reggae Woman’. They even stuck in a brand new track debuted on this recent tour, ‘A Week’s A Long Time In Politics’, which is about London’s recent mayoral election and seemed to strike a chord at the Rhythm Factory. The dancing was a little less sweaty for this set as the crowd had thinned out, but those that were left still had the energy to move for every song, especially Robb Blake who could be seen letting his hair down at the front.

After the bands were done, a bunch of people stuck around and a load of new people seemed to appear. DJs including Sonix of NASIN fame spun the reggae, 2-tone, first wave, dub and even a bit of drum and bass until 4am when the sun began to rise and people stumbled home. With people from all ages and walks of life, I think SkaNights have a really diverse audience compared with most promoters in London, making their nights a completely different experience from the norm.

From what I can work out, it’s one guy called Drew from Brighton band Second Time Lucky, talented ska-punkers I remember seeing somewhere quite a while ago. It sounds bigger than just one man, with layered vocals and other instruments including bass and keys chucked in.

If you bought the original lo-fi release of Skylar’s self-titled album, and enjoyed it, the likelihood is you will like the feel of these seven tracks.

Arriving at 7 I thought we’d be in time to catch at least some of Ill Scarlett, but as soon as we’d bought a drink we were confronted by Pepper bouncing onto the stage. They sound something like Pennywise trying to play speedy ska interspersed with some mid-paced dub, with lyrical ‘highlights’ including “pussy licking” and “hot dirty sex”. The Pennywise influence is confirmed when they do a thirty second rendition of ‘Bro Hymn’. Pepper are joined by some members of the headline band for their finale, while the bassist, free from his instrument, sings while excitedly bounding around the stage. They get a reasonably good response from the front of the crowd and obviously have a fair few fans present, but I’m left unimpressed. The band has energy and confidence in abundance but I just find the songs pretty dull and uninspired. Apparently Flogging Molly met them on the Warped Tour and perhaps they’d work better playing an early slot at a Summer festival, though I doubt I’d be convinced even in a setting more suited to them.

After a relatively brief interval the assorted members of Flogging Molly stride onto stage, greeted by cheers, screams and shouts. And the band are just as you’d expect – they get a huge response from everyone crammed into the packed venue as sweaty bodies jig around frantically. Predictably the best reactions are reserved for fan favourites like ‘Drunken Lullabies’, ‘Salty Dog’ and, of course, ‘What’s Left of the Flag’, which is the last of the set before the two-song encore. Tracks from the new album such as ‘Requiem For a Dying Song’ and ‘The Lightning Storm’ don’t get quite the same frenetic reaction, although they’re still welcomed with sing-a-longs aplenty. ‘Float’, the title-track from their newest release, is perhaps the exception to this rule - despite it being quite restrained it’s perfect for swaying and singing along to, as well as linking arms and jigging when then drums kick in. Unfortunately there’s precious little room for dancing as the crowd lurches back and forth throughout most of the set. Perhaps Flogging Molly have become a victim of their own success or perhaps they just need a bigger venue.

Essentially there are no surprises from the set; it’s played well, the crowd dote on every word that passes Dave Kings lips, and it’s a good night out for anyone who likes the bands brand of Irish folk-punk. Conversely, there’s nothing to convert anyone who’s not already a fan. So if you enjoy a bit of jigging to the Molly and haven’t already had your fill of them on previous tours, now’s as good a time as any. Just don’t expect anything too different from the last time you saw them, because little has changed – but it seems their legions of fans wouldn’t have it any other way.

“The death of Marie Vesco, aged 19, en route to the Carnival Against the Arms Trade outside the Arms Factory EDO-MBM, has been a blow to everyone involved in the campaign. Marie and her friends were cycling from London to Brighton to participate when her bicycle was hit by a car. Marie was a committed anti-war activist with the Whitechapel Food Not Bombs and the Brixton Reclaim Your Food groups. Her commitment against climate change and war was what motivated her and her 11 companions to cycle from London to Brighton for the protest.

A close friend of Marie’s said, “She was a very warm and generous person who was always laughing and always made people laugh. She had just moved in with her boyfriend and had plans to open a social centre. She was very giving and always lent a helping hand. Things will never be the same without her.”

The fact that she was killed on the roads, whilst cycling lawfully and safely, speaks volumes about the priorities of the British government. Whilst arms dealers are subsidised to the tune of billions of pounds, the relatively small amount of money that it would take to provide safe cycle lanes for bikes is held back.

Andrew Beckett, Smash Edo press spokesman said “EDO’s weapons are used in wars that are fought for oil to fuel the automobile industry that is burning up the planet and responsible for countless deaths. The Smash Edo campaign is ready to give any support they can to Marie’s friends and fellow campaigners.

There was a minute’s silence on the Level where protesters gathered after the demonstration in her honour.”

smashedopress@yahoo.co.uk

www.smashedo.org.uk

More information on what happened at the Carnival can be found at http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/06/400163.html?c=on#c196871