Black Xmas Exhibition Curated by Gaye Black (Advert) at Signal Gallery Nov 29th-Dec 21st: featuring Sophie Lo, Ben Edge from Thee Spivs, Jowe Head and many more...

Don’t expect jingling bells, carol singers or a Santa’s Grotto this year at Signal Gallery for Christmas. After a year of jubilees and twinkling medals, the Gallery really felt the need to redress the balance with something not festive at all. So they asked their resident Punk legend Gaye Black (aka Gaye Advert), who’s always in favour of a good dollop of the dark side, to curate this one with malice. All the artists in the show have been given strict instructions not to have a good time and have been chosen for their penchant for the quirky, anyway...Expect the worst!

Features Artwork from Gaye Advert and Retro Man Blog's favourite Rock 'n' Roll poster designer, Sophie Lo, who has also designed our new Retro Man gig poster for TV Smith and The Len Price 3.

Ben Edge – Front man from the neo-punk band Thee Spivs and damn talented artist

Brian P – Extraordinary artist from Australia.

Carrie Reichardt - Renegade potter and mosaic artist.

Dale Grimshaw – Dark & moody gallery/street artist with a punk past.

Ella Guru - A founding member of Stuckist movement.

Espira – Purveyor of edgy/controversial images.

Gaye Black – The legend herself! Many shows this year, including USA, London and Berlin.

Jason Atomic – Cartoon artist from London and much more.

Jowe Head – Punk legend from the influential 70s punk band the Swell Maps.

KEELERTORNERO - Collaborative artists producing surreal collage and paintings.

MyDogSighs – Known for painting on crushed tin cans and more.

Rufus Dayglo - Comic book artist of Tank Girl fame.

Sophie Lo - Parisian artist/designer – iconic poster & album design.

Tom Spencer - Tattoo stained glass artist and bass player in a number of bands including the Loyalties

Wreckage International – From Mutoid Waste.

Black Xmas: November 29th-December 21st at  Signal Gallery, 32 Paul Street, London EC2A 4LB

Charlie Harper & Knox live at Signal Gallery London December 17th

Photo by Steve Worrall

This was a very special treat to mark the last day of Gaye Advert's superb and very successful Punk & Beyond Art exhibition at the Signal Gallery. Charlie Harper of the UK Subs and Knox from The Vibrators played a solo acoustic set each and then joined together for a run through of a few classics in front of a packed out gallery. The two used to play together in the Urban Dogs, their first release being the excellent "New Barbarians" album back in 1983, and today they played the outstanding "Limo Life" from that record along with a version of the Subs "Warhead". 

Both Charlie and Knox were extremely entertaining and kept the crowd amused with their between-song banter and humourous asides. On the announcement that signed exhibition posters were going to be sold off for charity Knox quipped "Yeah, for Knoxfam...!" Before that Knox had the crowd singing along with the Vibrators' classic "Baby Baby" and further tracks from their excellent debut album "Pure Mania" such as "Wrecked On You" and "Whips and Furs". Charlie then ran through a selection of old Blues numbers and also versions of UK Subs tracks "Tomorrow's Girls" and "Stranglehold". It was a pleasure to hear these gems played in such an intimate and stripped down manner.

Charlie Harper - Photo by Paul Slattery

But there was no rest for Charlie, as after generously chatting to fans, he was straight off to the Garage in Islington to play what was to turn out to be a blinding full-on set with the UK Subs.

UK Subs have just released their latest album "Work In Progress" which features Charlie being ably supported by the fantastic line-up of Alvin Gibbs on bass, Japanese guitarist Jet and drummer Jamie Oliver. You can buy the album and loads of other merchandise from UK Subs official site.

Knox has a country album out now under the name of Knox & The Trailer Trash Orchestra called "The Knoxville Boy". The album is available now from all the usual outlets or direct from Trashville.

Photo by Paul Slattery

Finally, it was sad to see the Punk & Beyond exhibition finishing, it was a great show and I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent there seeing the artwork, hearing some great music, meeting some very nice people - including a fair few of my original Punk Rock heroes (and heroines...!). I sincerely hope that Gaye will consider a repeat event next year as I am sure that it would be an even bigger success due to all the very positive reviews and comments. Here's to next year (fingers crossed!).

Please check the Blog archive to read previous features on the Punk and Beyond exhibition opening night and TV Smith's solo acoustic performance at the Gallery.

Charlie Harper & Knox - Photo by Paul Slattery

Charlie Harper - Photo by Steve Worrall

Charlie Harper - Photo by Steve Worrall

Gaye Advert with Knox and Charlie Harper - Photo by Paul Slattery

 With thanks to Paul Slattery for contributing photographs.