How were the UK and Polish underground scenes in the 80s similar? How were they different?
On 20th July we will ask this question to our guests to get insight into both music scenes and the connections between heavy metal and punk fans.
Join us to learn more about the history of the British and Polish underground scenes from people who experienced this cultural phenomenon firsthand!
Our guests:
Chair: Dr Asya Draganova – a Lecturer in Media and Communications at Birmingham City University as well as an active researcher within the fields of media and cultural studies, popular music, and cultural sociology. Currently, Asya is working on developing a study focusing on the local and international significance of heavy metal for the cultural identity of cities, including Birmingham.
– Leszek Gnoiński – music journalist and author of many biographies and books about Polish rock music (as “Republika. Nieustanne tango”, The History of Polish Rock”). Together with Jan Skradzinski and Chris Salewicz he directed “Beats of Freedom” – a film about underground music in Poland.
– Jarosław Rybski – former journalist of “Tylko Rock” mgazine, translator of many music biographies to the Polish language (as biograpgies of John Lennon or Jimi Hendrix). One of the first fans of Heavy Metal in Poland. His collection of music objects we exhibit at “Looking beyond the concrete wall” exhibition.
– Johnny Doom – Kerrang Radio DJ and founder of Doom – seminal Birmingham Crust Punk Band
– Ania Lyons – Polish photographer and journalist. From the late ’70s she photographed punk subculture from Warsaw, she also wrote texts to one of the first punk-zine in Poland called ‘SZMATA‘. She is also the author of the 1991 album “Polski punk 1978-1982“.
After the discussion we will screen ‘Beats of Freedom’ movie and we give the floor to one of the film directors – Leszek Gnoiński, who will answer on the audience questions.
The discussion and screening are a part of our programme related to Home of Metal, to celebrate the global phenomenon of #HeavyMetal culture!