After much bullying, persuasion and a hint of blackmail i managed to coax this nightmare interview out of my wary and reluctant Dad.
He had no confidence in his ability to comment on anything remotely fashion related but i think we were both suprised on what we knew and found out
Now then, eyes down, we commence.
Me: Evening
Dad: Evening. I only have ten minutes of dog walking time so hurry up
a nice way to set the tone of the interview, you know, accommodating...
M: ok then here we go with serious interview time. So HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE NEW ROMANTIC STYLE
D: (with a groan of dread) ohh well the think that stood out the most was the idea of shock. Yes they dressed completely to shock.
M: so it was all about reactions?
D: Oh absolutely. It was like a continuation from punk but without all the anarchy. Men wre really heavy make up and dressed femininely and really overly glamorous! They often were really daring and expised quite a bit!
M: oooh la!
D: oh I know. So 80's. I think the word we're looking for it theatrical. THere was a LOT of hair involved. Hair was a big deal.
At this point I bored him with the history of Vivienne Westwood and her pirate fetish.
D: so next question...
M: oh yes! WHAT STATEMENT DO YOU THINK THE NEW ROMANTICS WERE MAKING?
D: definately to appear as indviduals. Creative artistic individuals. They wanted to totally shock and horrify but after punk people were used to shock so it was really in vain. So they really concentrated on FASHION and wore beautiful, amazing clothes and spent a lot of time preening.
M: did you preen?
D: i dabbled.
M: with mascara??
D: hmmm ...
/
M: Ok so HOW DID THE NEW ROMANTICS BEGIN? WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE SUBCULTURE?
D: I guess it was a natural progression of how music evolved. Punk was a revolutionary movement and the New Romantic/New Wave/ Electro music was a backlash against punk. From What I remember The whole sbculture emerged from nightclubs like the Blitz Club, Heaven and Camden Palais.
Stops to reminice of how "cool" he was in his youth for going to these places...
It started as a very extreme and very select culture. It was a really small night time scene and a big gay scene. It was mainly gay at the start because they were still sort of underground. I mean if you listen to Culture Clubs music all the songs are about Boy Georges relationship with his drummer but NO-ONE knew about it at the time! I went to school with him and no-one even knew he was gay for years!
M: oh, how sad for him!
D: So Steve Strange played a huge role in it as well as i think he owned the Blitz club and Heaven and then opened Camden Palais. Then all the bands came through like Spandeau Ballet . They actually played theyre first gig on HMS Belfast!
M: Ohh how original! anyway pressing on... DESCRIBE THE NIGHTLIFE AND MUSIC
D: well we've talked about the music, and youve got ears so you can listen.
M: Brilliant
D: But there was a very heavy drug scene which isnt really talked about, not like the 60's or the 90's! Stuff like hash , speed, qualoods, ammal nitrate.
M: que?
D: stuff you find under your kitchen sink really
M: oh like gloryfied poppers. Hardcore
Lecturing my Dad on drug misuse in his youth was a bizarre part of my life
M: WERE THERE ANY SOCIAL OR POLITICAL SITUATIONS THAT EFFECTED/FUELLED THE NEW ROMANTICS??
D: No, they weren't reall a political group, it was more about the nightlife and the fashion and self expression
M: But didnt they have to stay underground to hide their sexuality? Wouldn't you say that's social opression?
D: Oh, i suppose. Yes because they had to form their own culture in order to be accepted. Well done for that
M: Thank you
Ok last one i promise . ANY ANECDOTES OR SNIPPETS OF AMUSEMENT?
D: Well I used to party a lot with Boy George. There was never a dull moment then, he was mental.
M;Elaborate...
D: Ok well there was about 30 of us on the tube going to a party in central London and this bloke asked Boy George if his hair was all orange. He shouted yes and showed the evidence by whipping down his trousers and flashing his...area. And back then things like that were NEVER done. It was outrageous.
M: Ohh wow. Well Thank you for lowering the tone of my interview. And for the mental image.
some very childish sniggering ...
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