A-Infos (en) Chumbawamba "ices" Labour Deputy Prime Minister

[Chuck0 <chuck@tao.ca>]

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>From MSNBC:
http://news.uk.msn.com/news/1471.asp

Prescott drenched with water at Brit Awards 
Musician Danbert Nobacon tussles with deputy Prime Minister 


 Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has condemned anarchist band
Chumbawamba after he was drenched with water at the Brit Awards.

 In a statement, he described the incident as "deplorable" and "totally
unacceptable public behaviour".

He tussled with band member Danbert Nobacon after the musician leapt on
the table which Mr Prescott was sharing with his wife Pauline and other
guests.

Police were called to the London Arena as Nobacon, carrying a jug of
water, was held by security guards.

The statement issued by Mr Prescott's office said: "It now appears that
it was a publicity stunt designed to draw attention to the group's act.

"He thinks it is utterly contemptible that his wife and other women-folk
should have been subjected to such terrifying behaviour simply because
they were accompanying a public figure at an event designed to support
the British music industry."
 
But Nobacon hit back saying he had no regrets about his action and that
he would do it again given the chance.

Arriving at Heathrow wearing a black leather miniskirt, a black puffer
jacket, black boots and long black socks, he said: "It was a metaphor
for the underdog pissing on the steps of Downing Street.
 
"People talk about new Labour being wonderful, but they are an illusion
and say the same things as everyone else, but with bigger smiles and
sharper suits."

Police were called to the London Arena as the musician, who had been
armed with a large container of water, was held by security guards.
 
Nobacon was arrested, but released without charge after Mr Prescott
declined to make a formal complaint.

The politician's son David, a TV producer, said the matter was still in
the hands of the police.

His father had not yet made a decision on whether to press charges, he
added.

After the incident, David, speaking on behalf of his father, said: “John
had been at the awards with wife Pauline.

"They were sitting at a table which included four other women. The party
were having a very good time enjoying the awards.
                              
  Agressive Act

"During the course of the evening a man came towards the group with a
bin of water. He jumped on to the table and the women, including John’s
wife, were terrified by the aggressive act.
                            
"John leapt to their defence and pushed the man off the table, but
during this incident John and the rest of the people on the table were
drenched with water."
                              
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said that police had not received a formal
complaint about the incident.

She confirmed that officers were called to Monday night’s event by
organisers after an allegation of common assault. 

 A 35-year-old man was arrested and later released without charge, she
added.

Nobacon’s father, Roy Hunter, backed his son’s direct action against the
Deputy Prime Minister. Mr Hunter, whose son’s original name was Nigel
Hunter, said: "Chumbawamba want to open up debate.
                              
"They’re in the position, with recently having a big hit, that they can
do that and they see it as is part of their job."

However, Mr Hunter, from Burnley, was unable to say what debate the band
wanted to ignite, saying: "I have no idea until I speak to him."

Asked if he shared in the humour of the situation, Mr Hunter added:

"Once we have got used to the fact that it has happened and why he did
it, I don’t see that it is any big deal." 
---------------------------
BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_55000/55279.stm
Tuesday, February 10, 1998 Published at 19:01 GMT 

UK
Agitpop is back at the Brits

Chumbawamba say New Labour has sold out

A catchy tune brought Chumbawamba to the attention of millions. But
their guitarist's decision to drench the Deputy Prime Minister John
Prescott at the  Brit Awards will not have damaged the band's
grass-roots street credibility. 


Leeds-based Chumbawamba were formed in 1984 and positively revel in
their anarchist status. 

Quite what Mr Prescott's soaking will do to bring about social change is
uncertain. 

It is unlikely to result in an invitation to a Downing Street drinks
party. Not that Chumbawamba would accept. The British prime minister has
set a trend of entertaining Britpop stars, but the group, as their
latest hit Amnesia details, feel betrayed by New Labour. 

Politicians who have hitherto been eager to ally themselves with the
Cool Britannia renaissance in British popular culture may also think
twice. 


Mr Prescott condemned as "deplorable" the incident in which band member
Danbert Nobacon leapt on the table he was sharing with his wife Pauline
at the ceremony. 

Band with a mission 

Nobacon's father Roy Hunter, who revealed his son's original name was
Nigel, defended the incident. 

He said: "Chumbawamba want to open  up debate. 

"They're in the position, with recently having a big hit, that they can
do that and they see it as part of their job." 

However, Mr Hunter, from Burnley, was unable to say what debate the band
wanted to ignite. "I have no idea until I speak to him." 

Chumbawamba have frequently accused "New" Labour of selling out. 

Message 'diluted' 

But the band are beginning to face the same accusations from fellow
anarchists who feel their message is less potent now they are reaping
the rewards of being pop stars. 

There is even a Boycott Chumbawamba webpage. 

The eight members of the band, made up of squatters and punk rockers,
originally lived together in a commune. 

They now live separately and have signed up to a major label, EMI, but 
maintain their principles remain the same. 

Singer Alice Nutter, said after the band hit the charts: "We're still
anarchists. We still carry the idea we had 12 years ago that no one
should have to go to work 40 hours-a-week and do a crap job." 

Their hit - Tubthumping - with its chorus "I get knocked down, but I get
up again" was the breakthrough single last summer that propelled the
group to pop stardom. 

Joy of getting drunk 

Celebrating the joys of drinking, it initially plunged the band into
controversy because it extols the virtues of whisky, lager, cider and
vodka. 

It was condemned by Alcohol Concern as irresponsible. 

But it became a big hit in America and has achieved anthem status, being
played in baseball and football stadia to motivate teams and the crowds. 

The band has also been involved in high-profile stunts, including their
own fly-posting campaign featuring Ecstasy victim Leah Betts and the
slogan "Distorted" - a wordplay on the government drug information
campaign "Sorted". 

They produced their own anti-Band Aid album, lambasting the music
industry for profiting from starvation. They called it Pictures of
Starving Children Sell Records. 

Their Anarchy album was also banned because the cover, featuring a baby
being born, was branded pornographic. 

Last month their records were banned from Virgin stores in the US after
the  band told fans to steal them because big shops "can afford the
loss". 



-- 
Chuck0

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