Be Careful What You Wish For (Punk in Nederland: toen en nu)

The following week (the 25th to be precise) I find myself pressed into action as host for the Dutch punk celebration at The Paradiso Amsterdam. I must confess this will be a strange one. An Englishman who loves first wave Dutch punk, and some of the more obscure corners of the Ultra/post-punk scenes, gets to introduce  the bands. You'd have thought that there would be someone infinitely more suitable than me. This is what comes of the "academisation" of underground rock culture, no doubt. (I'm the bloke with the strange interest in what passes for "underground music" in The Netherlands after all). Or, maybe closer to the truth, I like chaotic evenings and this is a "plug in and play" thing, with everyone getting 10 minutes to blast out their tracks. Still; the line up boasts a number of the first and second waves of "legendary" (or, forgotten) NL punk acts (Tits, Filth, Mollesters, Rousers Mecano, Helmettes) as well as some great new bands like Venus Tropicaux. There's an exhibition at the Melkweg Galerie from Thursday the 18th too. Those interested in the country's alternative music should definitely make time to go and see that.