Dare to Defy

Today I was thinking of how the Hellworld dystopia overlay marches onward in 2026 peering at the headlines of wars upon wars of imperial dominion just like Rome. Then the song by the Punk band Theatre of Hate popped into my mind with it’s ever prescient lyrics written 45 years ago. I was a young original Punk back in those days of fear, fire, storm, grit and glory and I still am in my heart and bones, it never leaves you. Still the tiger with claws and teeth intact and still fighting for the underdogs against a destructive and exploitative system that drew me into those lost tribes of resistance. I miss those days because of the hardcore crews I was a part of who stuck together, fought together and struggled together to make something independent of a predatory system that had it’s hands about our throats and promising no future. We rejected it all fully and rebelled in defiant attitude, dress and lifestyle, it galvanised these elements and those swept up in it produced music, art, squat living, and other means to survive and thrive in a cold and unforgiving world. We had one another to rely on and we were demonised, physically attacked, threatened, followed, surveilled and our crimes? Wanting a life of our own, with brothers and sisters to build with. To inspire and change the world. That’s always a problem for tinpot dictators and sub-human elitists and they respond just as they have historically until movements are either infiltrated and destroyed, or co-opted. I’d like to take you all back to that grand world if just for a wee moment with the banner fire of Theatre of Hate and their brilliant song “Nero”. I’ve posted the lyrics to follow along because it infuses life and energy into an already superbly dynamic and lamentful song of power, defiance and reality. The lads do an epic job and throw themselves fully into their work which continues on just as strong in their live shows. Vocalist Kirk Brandon's signature style is urgent, compelling and dynamically anthemic. Theatre of Hate - Nero lyrics: [Verse] A personal invitation to dance As Nero plays for the last time Tonight you will mix with The prophets without honour [Refrain] Play, play, play Nero [Verse] The criminals who were never convicted Those who've fallen from grace Recognise faces old and dead They know you and welcome you [Refrain] Play, play, play Nero Play, play, play Nero [Outro] The world burns, but Nero plays on The world burns, but Nero plays on The world burns, but Nero plays on The world burns, but Nero plays on The world burns, but Nero plays on The world burns, but Nero plays on