all done

Reet. last gigs done.. Monkeypunch put to bed.. for 2025..

Osaka on saturday concluded 7 japan dates. And a mega year as The Dirt as we released second studio album “Monkeypunch” ..

Many cracking fests in the summer, a Spring of trying out live flavours of the new recorded album..

weve had some great reviews – landed on some end of year lists… and netween had some memorable gigs, met some cracking folk.

Thanks to those close to us on this journey.. Family for keeping my head in check.. From me to Sachiko guitarist and wife for been a talent and amazing wife.

The team – Jason shaw producer at Fuzzfacestudios. Neal Simmonds – Album and new Tee logo artist. Steve Reilly for digital finishing of all art.

Ta to every one we crossed paths with promo – sound / stage folk event space/ venue folk. The merch buyers the followers and gig attendees..

everyone played their part in keeping this DIY sonic psychpunk machine going..

we now camp up in Fukui for a week.. home if jaoans dinosaurs.. Fitting for two elder artists navigating the music scene!.

we chill take stock reflect and plot 2026.

lots in the diary already which have been announced or will be soon..

Thanks again everyone.. still Buzzin..

not seen or heard us yet.. come see what the fuzz is about…

As for Leon.. he did a couple of slots tjis year..  maybe 2026 is time to do a bit more.

few recent pics

Last leg.

2 more done – Kobe and Toyohashi.

both different.. both mega.

we landed in Kobe hit 3 days of tourism first. Street life – museums – Himeji castle. Food & craft beer!! Love Kobe, a vibrant city. not too big  but packed with culture and a global vibe.

The Gig – mega!. Makeshift is located one short stop on train out of town under a railway arch. run by a canadian fella. Rustic dive bar with a small cap and venue in loft area. Lots of local underground folk dropped in amongst a sprinkle of western expats.

Bands were mega – Mother (metal) Bibs (punk) loveLove (shoegaze/alt pop) Then… Blonde new Half (psych- punk!).. on our wavelength.. love jonnie the singer. 2nd time watching BNH and play again with them in Osaka.

we will be back!!!.

Next stop Toyohashi. (2 days).. more a mates catch up and matinee vibe gathering.

Plotted by our pal  Mitsugu at local venue bar calked Rin. He played solo loops. Also Bona played who we know. They are bass / Guitar duo make dance music.. theres a live feed on my FB personal page.. nuts!..  Also female solo singer Ako brought a great mix to the event.

I first met Mitsugu in Manchester at Rose snd Monkey 6 years ago. He was doing gigs and i did a Leon set same night. top fella!..

So… We are now in Tokyo.. here for 4 days..

Gig at HK 20000v is on Thursday and we play with more folk we like. Nettanoyoi from Koenji.. who i first watched at a protest march on back of a flatbed lorry chucking out bags of garage psych..

will be a belter!!

We then move onto Osaka…

And play a mega DIY underground venue, run by one of Hibushibire lads. They play, as do Blonde new half again.. And more belters..

we are blessed…

So.. after leaving my passport/bag on a train 2 days ago in Nagoya. i am reunited with bag (as lost) in tokyo.. Its the japanese honest and efficient way..

now for some tourism.. heres a snapshot of the last week.

living on a prayer!

well we are half way there .. in a faahion… almost!.. 3 dates done – Kanazawa – Kyoto and Nagoya.  4 to go!

whats left ? – Kobe (12th) – Toyohashi (13th) – Tokyo (18th) and Osaka (20th).

This week saw us travel to kyoto on Wednesday, hook up with  pal “mistake” from band P.C.2 who played Kanazawa gig! We got shown some cool bars. top fella..  Thursday joined up with Mark Garner – Koenji music.

Friday gig day great to see Aztec overdrive play who we met on last trip. And share a stage with Osaka mega psych heads Hibushibire again. Thanks to KT at Gattaca for sorting.

Top trivia – David Atkin, brother of EMF James Atkin came to watch! last met in Shrewbury, worlds apart. well continents!

Saturday – Gig at Stiff slack records in Nagoya. Sorted by pals Red Flag waltz (met in Toyohashi 2 years ago on Matt McManamon /Leon tour)

Good to see them live and other new folk. Nice to have sachiko friends join us and Mark again.  Good pal Mitsugu who i first met 6 years ago in UK when he toured and i did a leon set joined us too!.

Top Trivia – Koike of electrograve came he makes Fuzz pedals – sachiko has two – Bo Ningen folk use tgem. I use his quad oscillator box!!

So today we kicked back. Tomorrow we Alt tourism.

Then we move onto Kobe…

Lots bubbling in UK.. gigs been announced!.. keep an eye on socials. A busy year awaits as we continue to promote the Monkeypunch!

Right back to Japan. heres some pics.. we gave been putting gig vids on our you tube – thedirt1971

*First gig back in UK is Fri 6th Feb at Peerhat for Abattoir blues records. We will be playing/Trying new stuff!*

up and running

Yep. First gig as The Dirt in Japan ticked off!!.. Buzzin.. The warm up … in Kanazawa (Sachiko old gigging town!).

Thanks to pal Kinya for plotting with band Downes. And venue Guernica.

Was cracking to get stuck in to a thriving underground scene.. meet new folk.. Play with some cracking bands. Downes – Killpianist and P.C.2.. last couple bands are on Insta too…

Guernica – cafe by day, gig venue by night and a record shop.. Run by an Alt / shoegaze fanatic playing VHS vids of uk bands on loop… Top place!!..

This week we go full on..  2 gigs each weekend now for next three.

First up Kyoto at Gattacca (5th) then Nagoya at Stiff Slack (6th)… Bits of tourism in both towns either side.

While here we are  dropping plenty of UK gigs to get stuck into in 2026. Few announces in the last week.. Gig list poster on its way soon!!..

heres a few bits of the weekend and whats coming…

Airport natter

Sat in terminal 4 LHR.

Checked in.

Pint of Brewdog in Hand

Chatting with Sachiko. The box to box midfield general Engine room of what we (The Dirt) Have ahead.

On the way here… Met Stuart Pearce on the Train down. Nice fella Then…  Found out Mani suddenly Died. Ace bloke whever i met him!.

Life is Mega and suddenly wounding.

That why when opportunities come… fkn take em..

We are now chatting our next chapter – 7 Japan dates with some of the best DIY post punk – psych bands we know there.

if not heard, please check out Hibushibire – HalfnewBlonde – Netanoyoi – Schizophram – Bono – Red flag waltz – Aztec overdrive to start with.

Kanazawa – Kyoto – Nagoya – Kobe – Toyohashi – Tokyo and Osaka await!

I will be blogging after each weekend set of gigs.. Freshening up this weird natter indo.. Providing an insight into the Japanese DIY music scene.

we return to UK in 2026.. stacks of gigs events and fests planned…

Loving what is thrown in front of us.

Next chat – Japan!

Done.. Dusted.. Delivered.

So.. weve come down to Earth…
(back in the home rehearsal studio for Japan gigs now). stripped down gear.

Before we spread the japan tour love… would like to reflect on a mad 3 months and thank many folk.

Sister 9 Recordings Ta youve been mega. Thanks for having us with you.

The promoters – venues – event organisers that answered our DIY promo emails and provided us a stage. Trusted us… Thank you!
True gatekekeepers of the alternative.

The gig folk – Ace to see people turn out.
New and old.
Thank you! For joining us.
For supporting our unknown underground uncoventional and somewhat unfashionable and off- trend noise. New friends found all over
Buzzin..

The album and gig reviewers, and photographers who caught the events and brought them to life for others in words and images… Than you.

Ta to the folk who played our music on the wireless!!
And those in the album making.

The merch purchasers… youve been ace!Thank you so much..
You dug deep..
Presale, at gigs and online.. repping on socials too
You kept this DIY machine running… Ta

Lastly.. i (jack) would like to thank my wife Sachiko Wakizaka who IS The Dirt.
The box to box midfield general engine room who keeps this alt sonic psych punk noise alive and who grafted so hard relentlessly.

We now prep for 7 japan dates with a new stage set up.. Then rest…
And return to uk events in February.

Again to all who took part

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

couldnt get to one?.. lots next year!

New tunes in 2026?.. you bet!

As for this year we fly to Japan soon.. do 7 gigs over a few weekends then kick back for the festive season.

next year has new created projects in the pipeline. plenty of gigs booked.

Next few posts will all be Japan music.. an insight into the DIY scene. This will be fun!

Now at a Days inn

The conference centre is a distant memory.. But the gigs not. We had a top time mooching on our last batch of four gigs. Luton was nuts loved it.. And got a mixed and matered copy of our set.. Setmixer is a beltin concept. Top work at Castle live and by VBAH promo..

Pre set even did a music documentary interview. The DIY independent underground scene.. watch the space!!

Defo love a revisit too..

Cov was fun and to meet up with some mates along the way…  Ta GLC promo folk.. We were however clearly a sore thumb in a clean fistful of indie pop…

we then had a few days off in St Ives Cambs. And onto some Tourism in Norwich. I even let Leon out the cage for a local poetry spoken word night!!.. Buzzin..

Norwich gig was beltin last Friday.. Annie at Pica x4 .. ta for the invite… Voodoo daddys is a top gaf.. cool bar.. ace pizza. cracking venue… we will go back.. as performer or punter!!

Family time detour to York.

Then Leeds for 01977 promo.. Alan gathered a line up  and we bounced in the Fox n Newt. Great to hang out with family followers and Friends.

And now.. we sit in the M6 days inn. Barrow tonight for BUMS and tomorrow whanga records host The Dirt in Dunfermline.

we then finish this years monkeypunch tour next week … in Sheffield (5th) and lastly Leek (8th)… No digs needed for them!!

Between the road trips.. we gathered 5 new songs in Demo stages. We plotted spring/summer gigs for 2026.

Weve prepped for Japan trip n gigs.

we have some mega stuff to announce soon..  2026 is bubbling..

on that note.. heres some pics and posters..

Jack & Sachiko

a weeks gone.

Writing this from a conference center accomodation block just off the M1.

Killing time before we play Luton tonight and Coventry tomorrow. This is last lap.. Back straight of our marathon uk mooch as The Dirt.

Yep.. its even a week since we packed Night n Day in Manchester and had a mental local album celebration shindig. Hats off.. that was a nuts night….

The stats are so far adding up.. punters pitching up.. music sales and merch purchases.. Monkeypunch is flying. Buzzin…. Thank you everyone!!

But not speaking too soon. 8 dates left graft to give.. energy to push.. bounce to be had… And folk to lure to a gig near you!!… DIY is alive.. kicking .. and screaming

so what left after this weekend… (luton/Cov!!)

well Norwich (24) and Leeds (26) week after.

Barrow (31) and Dunfermline (01) week after that.

Then Sheffield (05)  and Leek (08) to punctuate the Autumn UK activities.

in other news we squeezed a 4th single from the album.. “Crash Test” is getting airplay.. reviews and Magazine exposure.  A little bonus before we head off to Japan. with new Tee design!

2026 is stacking up too. fests booked in.. spring gigs.. And already a mcr gig release.. 08.05.26. Gullivers. a co promo with pals [Slab]. tiks already out there and shifting!. come join us!..

so with that. gig poster time. and some pics from last week. courtesy of Pete Rooney…

chat soon.. or see at a gig..

7 summer fests cant be wrong

yep.. weve packed out 2026 summer already as The Dirt with a mega list of summer weekenders.

Weve got alot more this year to get through. 11 uk dates and 7 in Japan…

A busy spring to squeeze in a few places we couldnt this autumn and write new stuff.. 2 tracks bubbling on simmer already to launch on stage next year.

But its now about the Monkeypunch. And sharing them live….

We now have some sister 9 stock too as our vinyl records have flown off the shelves.. There seems an appetite for the genre bending sonic psych punk.

Tomorrow is bandcamp friday.. which means no fees to artist.. So if fancy some Dirt merch.. have a look tomorrow. its Thedirt71 at Bandcamp…

Tshirts  – CD – vinyl – mugs – Beanies – Hoodies – lyric/poem books … Its an emporium to delve into.. 

On the gig front.. Manchester is next week.. Fri 10.10.25.. Night n Day…

Weve got the Toon this Sunday. And loads more to get stuck into this month. Luton – Coventry- Norwich – Leeds and Barrow…

last few gigs have been mega Glasto psych fest – WSM groove village.. pure belters…

Co headliner with some mega mcr noise merchants.. If your at the Album celebration you hear it first!!..

And.. if you read this far down …. there will be a mega local gig announcement during our mcr set when tiks will go on sale on Sat 11.10.   Social post A.M same day!.. 

so her are some pics and posters…

Thinga move fast.

its almost a month and thinga move quickly. Gigs complete – networks made – Future boomings gathered. Now announcing Nov 2026. How did that happen….  And on same bill as Steve ignorant of Crass fame and Les Carter aka fruit bat of Carter USM.. Mental!!..

Not forgetting the masses of T ahirts Sold. stacks of CD and boxes of Vinyl records. Thingw appear to be moving in a mega direction.

Not least playing Equinox fesrival last weekend.. The reception – outstanding!.. Buzzin..

since the last natter we have Packed out Portsmouth. Loved Le Pub (Newport). Gone loud in Leicester, woke up Wolves, stomped through Stoke. Noise brokered in Notts and Gone wild in the Garibaldi (northants!). It works.. ish..

This weekend we hit the South west. Love cafe for groove village in Weston S Mare then onto Glastonbury psychbfest!…

we are halfway through 27 UK dates.. Vinyl stock is lowering. replens in all other areas inc our first album.. New crowds catching up… love it..

so whats left. After this weekend we still have some biggies..

Newcastle – Manchester – Warsop- Luton –  Coventry – Norwich – Leeds – Barrow – Dunfermline – Sheffield and Leek

Its a big ask.. but we are answering…

Quick fact – 2 vinyl sales at each gig left. And our pantry is then bare. The Dirt are clean out!!..

So.. heres a task.. tell mates.. share our tunes.. Offer them the Monkeypunch. Make this beaut shift…

Our aim to put sold out before we head to Japan!!… Or leave the lonely few with label sister 9 recordings.

we are on track but a little leg up dont go a miss..

so.. heres some pics and posters..

see folk somewhere soon.. hopefuly