LurkED

Kate Taylor (Punk Monk) The Sleeper

(to be) Lurked:

Where an individual feels compelled to act on a political issue within his or her immediate community or global community as result of experiencing another individual(s) act of anti-humourless political activism/performance. Eg. 'I/they have been 'Lurked'.

Some punk monks and a bunch of others crammed into the Red Rattler last night and got lurkED for the launch of The Lurkers new album ‘Shoot to the Moon’ and to send them off to Germany and then to the UN Climate Conference and beyond!

They promised a mighty hoedown suitable for your grandmother, your sister, your lover and any other and a hoedown they certainly delivered on all fronts. Punk Monk featured some shorts from their collection and Kino friend’s selection and got every comfy for the first act Emma Davis. An uplifting and activating support act -though no-one was prompted to jump up and start booty shaking, there was a lulling quality to her vocals that allowed the audience to sit back and be drifted away into a comforting reverie.

The Lurkers took to the stage, double bass, banjo and guitars in hand, voices aready (although Martin forgot his, with his health) smiles upon their faces staring into a crowd of about 200 people who almost couldn’t contain themselves with excitement. These guys have a serious following of very cool, supportive and eclectic fans, friends or to-be’s of each. I haven’t been to many folk/bluegrass shows before but there is a particular presence in the room- an embracing openness and intimacy- I felt like I was hanging out with a huge family (and every generation was counted for from infants’ to grandpappas’).

In sing-a-long style, with interludes of folk jokes (!) and in-band banter, it was hard not to either clap, tap your foot or bop your head (or dance wildly beneath the stage). The Lurkers don’t take themselves too seriously, emphasizing which songs were about Climate Change ("yes, another about Climate Change!", they’d add cheekily) and attaching anecdotes to each song such as discovering that sulphur may be added to the air to counter "the bad stuff in the air" turning the now blue sky white and how that “scared the shit” out of them or how at a festival gig someone suggested, in the prelude to a song about Nick’s grandmothers Alzhiemers that perhaps each time she heard a joke she’d heard before she was just “being polite” and not mentioning it. These personal touches, really helped the audience to connect to the songs and added something special to the gig for people to relate to. They certainly put everything they have into their sets and then some, coming back after an already epic bill to give us more (more, more!)

At the end of the night, the beautiful vibe in the room was presented physically in the branches of leaves, scrawled with well wishes for The Lurkers for their journey to Copenhagen and hopes for the future of our planet written by those present. What better way to set off towards hectic Copenhagen (where a rumoured 30,000 youth climate activists will join Martin, Mithra and Nick) then with this group of Sydneysiders cheering you on all the way?

Look out for The Lurkers in Copenhagen with two giant blow up kangaroos and a lot of heart.

You can follow them here and here.

For more information or to get a copy of the to-be-zine created from the leaves of the wish tree or if you have photos/questions about/love letters regarding the night, we’d love to hear from you- give me a bell: clare@punk-monk.com

Photos: Clare and Alex.

Get Lurked

Sydney eco- terrorists The Lurkers have more than one agenda set for their Red Rattler show this Friday (23.10). The folk trio who describe their music (and vibe) as 'subversive home-spun bluegrass' are putting on a big old hoe-down to celebrate the wholesome year so far spent, to launch their album 'Shoot to the Moon' and to get them in the spirit for campaigning for the future of our planet at the Copenhagen Climate conference.

Pretty Boy Floyd, Desert Rat Shorty and the Weary Hobo aim to activate others in their community via art, music and awareness. Their songs are satiric and uplifting and they bring an energy so important when trying to drive home a message. Have you seen them busking in Newtown or at Addison Rd markets or travelling far and wide around the country to folk festivals in their big yellow van? They've put in a lot of miles and a lot of passion and they seem to just never stop.

Friday night will be no different. With an eclectic mixture of silly, pretty and poignant films selected by Punk Monk Propaganda to start off the night, we'll be treated to the moving tunes of Emma Davis before The Lurkers hit the stage with some 'old timey music' with a contemporary twist .

Come and send off your good vibes, wishes and grand hopes for the climate change conference in some live sculpture, paper folding and alt-petition activities. Get involved, show your support and enjoy some sweet songs. Maybe you'll experience something you never have before and we're guaranteed some surprises!

Here's a sneak peak of the progress of the magic wishing vessel to house the greatest hopes of Sydney-siders for the decisions which will determine the earth's future.

Come along- it's a mere $10 which will all go towards representing your concerns in Copenhagen. Considering your friends The Lurkers may end up in a cell, perhaps they need all the support and well wishes you can muster! More details here.