Singer is threatened for anti-racist stance

The lead singer of a Sheffield band who spoke out against the British National Party says he has received threats of violence from far right supporters.

John McClure, lead singer with Reverend and the Makers, says he was threatened after he took a stance against the BNP and organised a carnival in Rotherham to be staged in September. He says death threats have been made against him, and against Drew McConnell of band Babyshambles, on the Stormfront internet bulletin board and other far right websites.

The threats came in response to Jon's decision to organise a 'Love Music, Hate Racism' carnival at the Magna Centre on Saturday, September 6. He said: "I find these people dangerous but this is not going to change anything. Why should we let these people stop us? This shows their behaviour is fundamentally at odds with democracy."

The BNP won their first-ever seats in South Yorkshire in the May local elections. BNP councillors now represent the Brinsworth and Catcliffe and the Maltby wards.

Jon said: "The fact they have been elected in Rotherham is bringing disgrace on our area. I respect people's right to democratic choice. Democracy is all well and good but not when these people are spreading their hatred. That's not part of the democratic process."

Wentworth MP and government minister John Healey has also backed the anti-racist carnival and will be speaking at the event. He said: "I am pleased to back what promises to be a great event with such an important message. It is great to see big names in music coming to Rotherham."

Marlene Guest, spokeswoman for Rotherham BNP, said the party had no objection to the concert.

"As far as we are concerned, they can get on with it. We are not against it, it's a free country."

The Star

Babyshambles man takes on racism

Don’t judge a book by its cover, or more specifically in the case of Babyshambles bassist Drew McConnell, don’t judge a book by its unwashed hair and crackhouse-fancying lead singer.

One might decide from the look of McConnell and the rest of Babyshambles that the closest they get to government affairs is the back seat of one of those funny-looking British police cars. But McConnell raised eyebrows by urging Londoners to vote in the upcoming assembly elections in order to keep one of Britain’s political parties out of the assembly, NME reported Tuesday. What was his motivation? A drug law? An issue dealing with public display of reckless and gleeful drunkenness? Apparently it was only admirable concern over the state of his country. You go, Drewsky.

McConnell spoke out rather passionately, calling for voters to prevent the British National Party from gaining power. “The London assembly elections happen every four years, and last time the BNP were just 5,000 votes off getting a seat,” he said to NME. “That might sound like a lot, but 5,000 votes is actually just 0.1 per cent!”

The BNP is a right-wing political party whose aim, according to their official site, is to “secure a future for the indigenous peoples of these islands in the North Atlantic which have been our homeland for millennia.” They are generally regarded as a racist, pro-white platform that has spoken out against diversity in religion, ethnicity and nationality. Sort of like drunk grandma at Thanksgiving.

The indie rock crusader continued, “The polls are predicting the BNP to win two seats this year, which would be disastrous. As I understand it each elected member is given an office, £400,000 a year funding and, most terrifyingly in the case of the BNP, legitimacy and a platform from which to spout their vile hatred right into the heart of our nation's capital.”

McConnell will be performing at London’s Love Music Hate Racism festival April 27, in a band featuring Jon McClure of Reverend and the Makers and ex-Arctic Monkey Andy Nicholson. McConnell says his hope is for everyone who attends the festival to follow up their support with a vote.

“We know we're only musicians, and we can't change the world armed only with guitars and bad haircuts,” he said. “But there's nothing wrong with having a go, eh?”

Well spoken, Babyshambles. Well spoken.

Blend Music

Babyshambles recruit acts to fight racism

British rockers Babyshambles are joining forces with Dirty Pretty Things and The View to fight the spread of racism in the music industry.

Led by Babyshambles bassist Drew McConnell and singer Lisa Moorish - Pete Doherty's ex - the artists are to release a special album this year (07) to counter an attempt by far-right groups like the British National Party to influence young music fans by handing out free CDs.

McConnell says, "The manifesto for the CD is that multicultural Britain should be celebrated. Immigration is not to blame for unemployment or housing problems, and does not negatively affect the economy. The British National Party tell us this is the case. We want them to know they're not fooling us."

Other artists involved in the project, which is part of the Love Music Hate Racism campaign, include rapper Lupe Fiasco, Albert Hammond Jr and The Noisettes.

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