We are still floating in space…

When i first started this beautiful creative journey.

i never thought it would go to places it already has.

Now to quickly name drop a few – As The Dirt – here we go

Neds atomic dustbin support – EMF tour support, playing to a massive crowd at Rockaway beach fest. Been on the same fest billings at RDF (now pals!) Senser, members of chumbawamba and Carter USM.. members of The fall.. Buzzin.. for all of it.. theres lots more!

As Leon – doing solo slots with members of Dodgy, Happy mondays, rev & makers, charlatans, inspiral carpets. and much more!.. pinch me.

If in the mid 90s youd have said it was going to happen, and all within the first few years of picking up a pen.. id have laughed silly at ya.

Now give me a few secs to pick up them names i dropped. which is the tip of this journey may i add.

because every gig is mega and every band that plays has a place and we all create memories. And theres a few big hitters on the europe circuit too.

And the folk crowds and peopple weve met who get us is amazing… 

But here we are and with more to come.. announce.. and hopefuly more paths to cross.. Poppies.. please come chat.. haha.

But this post is meant to be about last week.. ive just rambled the intro too long!

Anyway.. the point!.. 3 words ..  “Hop and Grape”… simple…

When i moved to Manchester (yep im not a manc!) in 1999 my initial  go to places were Night n Day and The Hop n grape now Academy 3 to mention a couple…

smaller more independent alternative bands playin.. my cuppa

Now.. the two N&D gigs weve done have been mega.. but on saturday.. i got to stand.. then bounce.. and spout verse as The Dirt at Hop n Grape.. Academy 3

Im still buzzin loved it.

And to a crackin crowd… loved it…

And to be part of the first louder than war live and open the gig was crackin..

This event – this gig … will be etched in my mind long past the days when dementia kicks in..

Louder than war have backed.. reviewed and supported me since the kick off.

so to put a shift in was an honour.

Anyway this lad is chuffed.

And.. 3 days later .. still floating in space..

here are some pics from pal photographer Steve white.

The poster for our next manchester gig on May 8th and new logo are at the end!

Chat soon.. from the kid in a sweet shop

Bar lifted – Energy raised

since the last natter – 3 cracking gigs have occured.

cambridge as support to Meryl Streek with The restarts.

This weekend Leeds and Newcastle

all different – crowds – sizes – style.

All mega.. weve had a top time. in between tweaking the new stuff.

Some shared with a crackin response.

So far since we kicked off 2026 we have shared 4 new tracks

One Day – Borders – P.A.I.N and Age of Rage. Another is ready too ” Freedom”

we are loving the new stuff and still buzz off getting Monkeypunch and Agitator to new places.

some much so.. restocks on both albums is go..

This year.. another 30 events await..

Dates to record album 3 are pinned down..

So we now have one eye already on plotting 2027..

Things move quick – And as the header says.. The bar goes up.. with intensity…

Next stop louder than war fest in Manchester this weekend

We then do return gigs to stoke & notts this month.

April .. well thats a whole new busy month that includes a 3 date weekender with top lads interrobang..

So.. come see whatbtge Fuzz is about!

theres plenty going on at planet Dirt!

6 months on…

Wow.. that 6 months flew by!!

“Monkeypunch” has been alive and well and truly kicking a while now.

Recorded in live takes 15 months ago at Fuzzface Studio .. Thanks Jason.

Its cracking hearing folks comments on it.
Was ace to see some media pick it up.
And we love the response at live gigs.

The Dirt are not done yet.. This beast is still on a roll and finding new places to be let loose!

After 30 uk events and 7 in Japan with it so far. We have at least another 30 venues so far this year to share the sonic Psychpunk.
And chatting to few more!..

Thanks to all those who supported us on it.
Copies bought – Monkey Tee worn and streams. (they do help!) as do shares and mate telling..

It all helps
Thanks also to Sister 9 Recordings on this and Neal Simmonds Hart Art Gallery

not got stuck into it yet?
heres your chance!

its stream sites too.

come hear what the fuzz is about!

up and running

yes.. Our first gigs back in UK for 3 months. And two belters.

Manchester.. wow.. a packed Peerhat bounced to Agitator – Monkeypunch and 2 new ones. mega feedback on new vibes! Buzzin..

Hull – New Adelphi for Budfest.. a cracking day out.. top crowd too. Great to play at a crackin venue.

Both thrive on the DIY independent underground vibes! mega institutions

We now look forward.. And theres plenty to go at..

As well as polishing 6 new tracks. Then 2 more for a new alnum too.

Until then lets bounce and hit a stage or 7… heres the Feb to March run down

13.02 – Boro cafe Etch

28.02 – Cambridge – Portland arms

06.03 – Leeds – Pack horse

08.03 – Newcastle – Trillians

14.03 – Manchester – LTW fest

20.03 – Stoke – Artisan Tap

28.03 – Nottingham – Angel- chapel.

As for merch..

Restocked the vinyl box from Sister 9 label along with new tees and beanies…and…  weve discounted Hoodies.

So ” One day” and “Borders” have been stage tested and passed. buzzin..

Lots more booked for April/May.

Then its fests galore.

heres some posters and pics

busy behind the scenes

we have been back in tge UK almost 4 weeks.

The japan tour is now in tge memoey files.. on the laptop.. engrained in socials.

so we move on.. like the wheel.. this sonic osych ounk sound must keep turning.. standing still gives you cold feet.

so in the last few weeks we have kept moving..

merch restocks.. bandcamp new products.. And most importantly new music.

we have 2 tracks that will firm part of our live sets.. time permitting. “one day” and “Borders”.

There are four more too.. in the tidy up stages.. with a view to a third studio album.. That will beva while off.

we still have “Monkeypunch” to share and further embrace!..  Still a priority this year.. And its packed with mega gig fests support slots.

From This friday in Manchester at The Peerhat to a fest slot at the academy in Manchester at INFest late August.

Autumn is currently been built!!

So.. we are ready to launch 2026.. The new lyrics still started at poems.. And will reflect the current political sh1t5h0w that is present in both the UK and worlwide..

oh.. we are not easing back…

just going to deliver it inna new vibe..

so come join us.. take a peek..

Remember the revolution will not be televised..

its in the basements.. lofts.. side venues of the underground…

Full listing of gigs on Facebook / instagram.. Please take a look..

Been busy

Yep.. no rest!!..

Back in the UK only 10 days…

Been busy behind closed doors!

Writing verse … yes… always..

But its with The Dirt in mind.

With 30+ events scheduled already this year its a good year, not only to spread Monkeypunch album further but to try out new stuff that was dabbled with pre japan trip.

Sachiko geabbed a new (another!) pedal so new textures and sounds in the locker

We have 3 new tracks already getting ramped up.. loving the new sound.
ready to road test live – gather opinions.
They Have names too!

One Day
Borders
PAIN

Theres 3 others in scratch form too.. Going to mess about with them once these first few are tweaked..

Thats almost an album!!!… exciting!..

We will start airing a couple of them from Fri 6th Feb at The Peer Hat Manchester at Abattoir Blues Records night.

Thats in 20 days!

Then at selected events throughout spring…

More exciting times ahead.. weve got a great batch of gigs this spring, a load of great festivals innsummwr and a handful in Autumn already…

For now its announce a couple more soon.. Then knuckle down and get the gig sets ready.

still mostly Monkeyounch – bits of Agitator and where possible new noise!!

So.. going to lock ourselvescaway for another week and get tge sonic psych punk primed to light this years fuse!

in other news .. recently announced the Newcastle.. Stoke , coventry and leeds are imminent!

And i turned 55 at the week.. great numerology posirion too..

will post morw gigs on next post.. all are on Dirt socials.

https://facebook.com/events/s/the-dirt-plus-serfs-and-the-pa/803462112739404/

And just like that

its over.. 7 weeks in japan, it flew by. we split tge trip into 3 parts. Early family time – gig tour – local festive season. Full on diverse cultural immersion. Off the tourist trail places.

Family time chilling post uk gigs on the coast – Namerikawa

Gig tour – The Dirt did 7 gigs. Kanazawa – Kyoto – Nagoya – Kobe – Toyohaahi – Tokyo and Osaka.  Made some great new friends, caught up with old. Even had some uk based folk drop in to watch!

Festive season – new places – Fukui and Kawasaki, and 2 day pit stop back in Namerikawa for new year. Lots of reflection too.

The trip has been nuts. on the move, on the go and etched in the mind. Its as far to say life changing. Learnt alot this trip about myself and whats needs doing.

Its now 6pm UK time, in london having landed last night. straddled between 2 extreme time zones.

Now for a month off – get the houses in order – Home and Head.

A steady year in the Dirt awaits in uk as does bits of Leon creative stuff.

But first – Lock ourselves away – recalibrate and reappear in Feb with some new stuff created that we need to polish and present. And new places we plan to gig at!

First gigs-

Fri 6th Feb – Manchester The Peerhat

Sat 7th Feb – Hull New Adelphi (Budfest)

Fri 13th Feb – Middlesboro (cafe etch)

Sat 28th Feb – Cambridge Portland arms

RIGHT… heres some pics and posters.

off to try gran another hours kip!

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!*