Independence, it was angry one worded cry that took a flowering Empire by surprise as a group of men poured their representation of taxes and drained them into the harbour of Boston. Independence, it is the frustrated plea from downtrodden people who believe they are ruled by an unfeeling and uncaring governing body only happy to bleed dry the ordinary edges of Humanity, the kick always coming downwards. Independence is also the watchword for the anti corporation, the humble independent record store fighting against the rage of subjected plastic and unnatural bands and artists delivered for profit and false dawning hope and not for their message of reality, it is also the word in which many a venue stands beside with pride, independence is the most natural and honest state to be in as it guarantees music is played for the people by the people.

With the closure for three months of The Lomax, independence seemed to take a battering in Liverpool of late, but the breath of artistic freedom will always find a way past the stench provided and in the spirit that has seen many of Liverpool’s previous generations fight openly against, perhaps arguably underhand manoeuvres, the spirit of The Lomax lived on for another night as musicians, fans and the battle scarred made sure that music and culture would continue to appreciate the remarkable job that Frank Hedges has done for the young unsigned bands of the city and the pulse was perhaps never more keenly felt as the East Village Arts Club welcomed them in and the music throbbed and weaved like a prize-fighter  in full flow, the great Muhammad Ali could not have found a way past it.

The evening at the East Village Arts Centre was to be yet another way of proving the point that the independent nature of music in Liverpool will not go away; as local musician Steve Thompson, himself full of praise for the work that Frank Hedges has done over the years and who acknowledges the impact he has had in allowing musicianship to thrive in The Lomax, said, “Like The Lomax, Rock and Roll won’t die.”  Judging by the vast throngs of people willing to testify to that statement, groups such as John McCullogh and The Escorts, Steve Thompson and The Incidents, Jimmy and the Revolvers and the pounding bass driven beat of the Super Fast Girlie Show opened up the evening to great applause and cheer in what was to be a tremendous night of music.

Music, like words, is not be owned by corporations or the political agenda and the current watchword, the theft of such deprives a future generation from coming and having a voice that might get drowned in consumerism. If the police and council are to get tough on a certain element in the city centre then it has to be seen as acting with equal measure across the board. It is possible to come out the arguably safe environment of a back street music venue and walk straight past the more uncomfortable thought that a spilled out crowd any night of the week, the over consumed stag and hen nights that flock to the city and who abuse the locals, and the fights that are fuelled by testosterone injected nonsense are far more disturbing a sight to see than what can happen in another form.

If there is too be parity across the board then it needs to be seen to be placed in action and the revellers of the two o’ clock pre hangover subjected to the same rules and regulations, if the city centre is to be thought of as, allegedly, safe.

For the fans of music inside EVAC, this was yet again a powerful show of support and sympathy, a night in which all who had nothing but great words of encouragement and deference to a man who has helped them every step of the way.

Ian D. Hall