Claire Griffiths

Blackpool's Rebellion Punk Festival is a an absolute Photographers paradise. All those human works of art making Blackpool look interesting and cool. Street photography is pretty tough, especially when you are jostling for space with a number of other photographers all posturing for position. But AltBlackpool takes great delight in welcoming a number of other fine photographers to the team who are happy to share their work through us, we hope you enjoy the photographs. I spoke to a few Punks and discussed how there are no decent counter cultures anymore. Was the last true youth culture the rave scene?…

On Friday 24 May I trundled down to Marton Institute, that well know Blackpool drinking hole, to experience Cowbell Radio's very own Beat Generation DJs. What a lovely evening to check out some old tunes and get down with some of the 'Mod Heads' in Blackpool. Marton Institute is a traditional setting with a cool dance floor, good sound system and a, very well received, cheap bar. There were a number of people in attendance and a good atmosphere throughout. As the night pushed on, as with any good event, the attendees took to the dance floor with Northern Soul…

I have had the pleasure of photographing Government in the past and I am more then aware that they attract a lively crowd who know how to get down and party hard. Their line up has changed since their last shows. The band's new line up composes of Scott McMillan on drums, Mathew Cox on hammond/keys, Aaron Pounce on bass, Gary Lees on percussion/vox, Gemma Callighan on vox and Steve Brooks on guitar - and they know how to belt a tune out. I headed down fashionably late to an extremely busy Blue Room filled with thumping bass. Government's renditions…

This Bank Holiday Sunday, you may be lucky enough to have tickets to the highlight open air gig of the year. Alfresco at Blackpool Cricket Club will play host to a number of acts including: Aim & Nico Flash Atkins Galaxians 2 Billion Beats Martin Brew Jack Bee Government And a whole host of Cowbell Radio and Tha Gods DJs. The event itself is focused on being family-friendly, offering a number of entertainments for children as well as a rich offering of very cool music for the adults. This year artists have also been invited along to offer free demonstrations…

On Sunday I attended Cowbell Radio's 1st Birthday at Blackpool Cricket Club. Billed as the presenters party, it was really an open invitation for all the presenters, family, friends and listeners to kick back and enjoy something very relaxed. Starting early at 4pm, the barbeque was smoking and tunes were drifting across the cricket pitch lifting the already high spirits of the attendees who were looking forward to enjoying the unique feeling that only Cowbell Radio provides on a sunny bank holiday Sunday. A family friendly event, there were plenty of children enjoying the wide open space of the cricket…

Saturday night at Blackpool Cricket Club involved an exclusive gig for Blackpool. NYC Hip Hop DJ/producer, Edan, played the intimate venue and allowed the best sort of atmosphere; charged and full of expectant music lovers. When I arrived, quite late, the party was in full swing and people were really getting down and shouting their appreciation. Talking Heads was being mixed up and people were going wild. Edan's influences vary and include 60's psychedelia to Jimmy Hendrix to Thin Lizzy. These genres are right up my street and a fair number of other people seemed to agree with me.  The Cricket Club was…

Claire caught up with Chinny (Mark 'Chinny' Davis), the voice behind the very successful Cowbell Radio, as the station looks to celebrate their upcoming first birthday. To start us off, Chinny gave some background about how Cowbell Radio began. "It was created in February last year and we first aired as a station on April 12 . Basically, Ed, (Ed Mahon) and myself  had a show on another station which we both felt was going nowhere. So the logical step was to set up ourselves. The name Cowbell comes from the previous show. Basically everyone thinks it comes from the Will…