And so we reach the end of the marathon! My admiration for those who write books for a living, full time, has grown hugely in the process - it’s been incredibly hard work and amazingly good fun. At my side throughout its creation, Robina has often lovingly, in a silly voice and with tongue in cheek, referred to this work as ‘The ADVENTURES of ME: stories about ME, for people who want to read about ME, written by ME’. Yes, she knows me better than I know myself: I’m aware that I can be a bit ebullient and over the top! I have intended this book to be as much social history as about me, however, and I hope that’s the way it comes across, but of course it’s about me: it is, quite literally, my life’s work.
I am angrier now than ever before at the state of the world. Given the massive inequalities and injustices being perpetrated all over it, there would be something wrong if I wasn’t, and I shall spend the rest of however long I’ve got left speaking out, as I have done up until now, supporting just causes and fighting for change. I was asked to stand as a candidate in the 2015 general election by both Class War and the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition, which I take as a great honour and proof that the fire in my belly burns as strongly as ever. The result of this election left me seething, as I am sure it did you, both at the abject selfishness and/or downright gullibility 38% of the population demonstrated in their choice of vote, and at the electoral system which deemed that such a vote share gave an absolute parliamentary majority to a bunch of snooty, heartless bullies. But the result didn’t daunt me in the slightest: like I say, I’m even angrier now. We carry on!
My feelings about politics are in sharp contrast to my happy personal situation. As I hope my story has shown, I have had and am having a very fulfilling life, with the love of a wonderful wife and loads of good friends, and I am fully aware of how fortunate I am to have been able to earn my living doing what I love for nearly 35 years. I’m still reaching new audiences: Robina and I have just been to the Shetland Islands for the first time and I’m always looking for new places to play and countries to visit. I’ve just recorded a new spoken word CD ‘Live at the Greys’ to coincide with the publication of the book, which has been proof read - thanks again to Robina – and is now off to be published by Cherry Red (sponsors of AFC Wimbledon and a host of minor football leagues, I’m happy to say, so we are linked by a love of grass roots football as well as by my early history as Attila). It will be officially launched at the Magna Carta Festival in Lincoln in September 2015, around the 35th anniversary of my first gig, and then I’ll be charging all over the country and further afield on a massive tour performing and reading from it. A book launch tour which will, in fact, last as long as I do, hopefully for many years to come – this is the book of my life, and will be on sale at every gig I do for the rest of it.
With Cherry Red’s help, I shall soon be concentrating on the next stage: inviting the thousands of people on my social media sites to get hold of a copy and spread the word and selling it through the web and as many bookshops as are interested. Everyone will be doing their best to get it some conventional media publicity: if you’ve read this far and enjoyed it, please tell your mates. Most people who hear about me do so literally via world of mouth – or, more usually these days, finger of keyboard. If the cultural opinion-formers of the day come beating a path to our door asking me to appear on their programmes and in the columns of their newspapers after ‘Arguments Yard’ is published I’ll happily do so – but if they don’t, I won’t be surprised or losing any sleep. After all these years I know where I stand! My views and attitudes don’t fit in the bland, corporate mainstream media of today: I know that, and I’ll take whatever happens on my stubborn, stubbly chin. With a smile of defiance radiating out immediately above it, a host of people rooting for me, and a great big world wide web for them to spread the word in.
I’ll finish, as I started, with some words for fellow poets, writers, musicians.
I’m constantly meeting talented people with great ideas who haven’t yet got the DIY message and are waiting for other people to ‘discover’ them and do things for them. If the corporate media embrace you - as long as you can stay true to yourself, go for it. As I’ve pointed out already, I’m no DIY purist: the Clash signed to CBS and their first album is my favourite record of all time. But if they do and you can’t, or if they don’t: don’t be disheartened, do it yourself. In the 80s all we had was a phone and a fax machine: now you’ve quite literally got the world at your fingertips. There’s no excuse not to, and it’s a bloody sight more fun than working in a bank, isn’t it, Billy?
Writing this, I’m thinking of my friend Louise Distras, a bold, sharp, talented, committed punk singer-songwriter from the new generation, determined to get her message across, fired up, working hard, giving her all. Go for it, Louise. You’re brilliant. And there are many more like you on the DIY road: good luck to each and every one. At my Glastonwick festival, and at my gigs up and down the country, I have always tried my hardest to support and encourage new and up and coming performers, and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.
Now I’m signing off – and off down the pub for a celebratory pint. And an argument, maybe: wouldn’t be the first time.
Keep the faith and cheers for reading!
Attila, May 2015.