DISGUISE THE LIMIT – SPRING 2016

Send stuff to [email protected] The online archive can be found at randomartists.org/rupture.shtml French scene TEKNIVAL update Teknival (techno+festival) / Sarkoval local sound-systems and labels; a space ward! It was a festive, happy, tolerant and (Sarkozy: French minister of the interior to buy their merch (records, cds, t-shirts respectful time. at the time the term ‘Sarkoval’ was invent- etc). These were also places to meet with As the movement grew, politicians ed, who went on to become president) / like-minded people and share informa- jumped in and created a new law: ‘La Teknivalls (Emmanuel Valls, current prime tion about upcoming gigs/raves/’teufs’ loi Mariani’ in October 2001. This was a minister) (teuf: inversion of the syllables in the law designed to slaughter freedom and The teknival first cameinto being on the word fête (party), which became a gener- to control rave-partys and teknivals. The 23rd of July 1993, thanks to Spiral Tribe, ic term for raves). Of course, in the early first legal teknival, or ‘Sarkoval’ took place Bedlam and a few other rigs from France days flyers were very handy, as back over the first May bank holiday weekend and the UK who set up near Beauvais then there were no mobiles, no Facebook in 2003 on a disused military base near in the north of the country. On site were and no internet! Marigny (close to Paris). three or four sound-systems and less It was like going off on an adventure – than 500 people – the ‘electronic revolu- finding the meeting points and heading tion’ had begun in earnest! off in convoys of vans full of ravers. No Since 1993 this movement has evolved; one really knew where we were all going; it became ‘democratised’ and went everyone filled with feelings of freedom through a period of being enormously and discovery… ‘mediatised’, which lead to it becoming In the beginning, everything was home- a fad. Despite this upheaval there are still made; un-experienced sound-systems hundreds, even thousands, of sound-sys- with strange looking rigs that sounded tems that can be found all over France even stranger! “OPEN TO ALL!”… TAZ today. (the idea of Temporary Autonomous Local record shops became places of Zones), DIY and PAF (Participation Aux discovery, where you could find out about Frais – donations)… this was the way for-

Other legal teknivals took place on this site and the first May bank holiday became the official authorised date for a teknival in France (as opposed to all the others that, to a lesser extent, continued to spring up throughout the rest of the year) and this became the reliable annual European meet-up for sound-systems and ravers. The biggest teknival to date took place in Chambley (Lorraine region, near Germany) in 2004, assembling 100,000 people over five days!

Photo from this year’s event... Continued on the next page... Continued from the front... • The spirit of freedom and self suffi- respecting the land. There is also the ex- Over the years, the repression against ciency, sharing, solidarity, respect and tra task of getting in safety services such us and our movement has grown: the bartering has disappeared; the spirit of as fire brigade, the Red Cross, ambu- state seizes sound-systems and acts in ‘being in it all together’ has gone lances, paramedics and field hospitals. blatant disrespect of its own law (amen- • Instead of a freespace, teknivals have We are ashamed of what this has be- dement Mariani 2001), enforcing this re- now become ‘Ultra FlikÈ’ (flic: police), a come – this is no longer our story, our vi- pression by using brutal policing meth- place where one can find the army, the sion of partying free in Tempoary Autono- ods – all to stop us having free parties. gendarmerie (paramilitary police), drug mous Zones. We want our freedom back, This has lead to many people boycott- squads and many more undesirables we are not sheep... FUCK POLITICS! ing the legal May teknival, both for politi- Added to that are the exorbitant costs Therefore, this year there shall be no cal reasons and for others, such as: of hiring land and ensuring the presence consulting with the state – it’s back to total • It became the techno equivalent of a of adequate quantities of bins and water; illegality... come one, come all! RAVE ON! school fete, or a funfair, filled with hired the sites after a teknival are a mess, with A successful illegal French teknival took sound-systems and part-time ravers rubbish strewn across acres of land, dis- place in Salbris, 29 April – 2 May 2016

got Signal is automatically encrypted. The fact that it’s attached to your phone number IN/COMMUNICADO makes it one for an easy everyday-use tool, rather than the prime choice for question- able activities, but its still a tried and tested These days it’s pretty easy to succumb to SIGNAL and easy-to-use little app. the notion that the powers of law and order A very easy to use app for smartphones, SURESPOT are able to spy on our phone and internet Signal provides an easy-to-use encrypted This is the current head of the pack for communications at will. Whether its mass messaging service endorsed by the people private communication via phone, falling interception of our emails by GCHQ, police the government really are out to get (Ed- down only on the fact that although the forces being able to gather text messages ward Snowden’s a fan). Plus points include code is open-source (i.e. that the program- stored for months and months by your net- the ability (on Android devices anyway) to ming that makes it work properly is open to work, phone call data and internet usage make it your default text-messaging app, being scrutinised for flaws by anyone), no history without warrants or email or mes- so anything you text to anyone who’s also external auditors yet have looked it over. saging providers like Google and Face- book scanning the content of your conver- sations for targeted advertising – there’s no shortage of prying eyes keen to have a little listen to what you’re saying to others… But, as the technology and capabilities have advanced to enable this erosion of privacy, so too has the ease of use of meth- ods that allow a welcome wall around our conversations with others… So whether you’re dodgy as they come or simply look- ing to enjoy a bit of private conversation, here’s some simple and easy to use tools for having a quiet word… Note that it’s worth doing your own re- search into these, as their security status will vary over time and to familiarise your- self with the way they work and the most secure way to use them. Its also worth bearing in mind that in the UK it’s a criminal offence not to hand over your passwords when asked for them (punishable by up to five years in prison) – so it’s always worth not just using the meth- ods below, but properly deleting any con- versations that might land you in hot water as well as changing encryption keys and deleting old ones. Sara Maria Klos Nevertheless, it’s had government and messages with a couple of button clicks, with a good old fashioned police warrant, intelligence figures shitting bricks in the and through your existing email service. Al- and you’re forced to give up your password press, to the extent that our glorious leader though very easy to use, it is worth remem- or face prison time. Its ALWAYS worth stor- even promised to ban encrypted messag- bering that storing your private encryption ing your encryption key on a cheeky little ing services under law in the new Snoop- key (the bit that means you can decipher memory-stick/bit of paper that you could er’s Charter (this has however stash/swallow/shove up your been dropped from the latest arse in an emergency rather than versions of the privacy crush- actually on your computer. ing Bill that is currently flying its PRIV-NOTE way through parliament as fast Although perhaps not as se- as the home office can hurry it, cure as the rest, Privnote is still before anyone realises how in- a handy little tool if you’re not in vasive it is). a position to use some of the bet- This is another PGP-encrypt- ter options. You use it to create ed messaging app, which re- online notes with their own web quires no actual knowledge address that are then deleted af- of how to create encryption ter they are read. keys or anything similarly head TAILS scratching for the non-technol- Rather than a single communica- ogy savvy with its very easy- tion tool, Tails is a whole goody- to-use interface. Unlike Signal, bag of privacy tools and much Surespot allows you to create more besides. It’s a memory stick multiple identities not attached containing a version of Linux – to your phone number; instantly that works as a ‘live operating providing an extra layer of an- system’. Basically, you plug it into onymity. Another great feature your computer and boot from the is the ability to permanently de- USB into an operating system lete (in theory at least) any mes- loaded with encrypted chat and sages between you and others email tools, secure Bitcoin cli- from your phone and theirs with ents, wireless cracking and other a couple prods of your screen. hacking tools, Tor and many more MAILVELOPE useful little titbits besides. You Until recently, encrypting your can then simply reboot into your emails using PGP (basically normal operating system, leav- where you use a pair of en- ing no trace that you used Tails cryption keys to encode your or any of your activities while us- messages for others into in- ing it. An absolute badboy when decipherable nonsense and it comes to using your computer decode those sent to you) has securely, and like all Linux tools, been a bit of a ball-ache for Paul Sargent massively versatile – albeit with a those who seemingly hadn’t bit of a learning curve. taken an advanced course in geek-speak… the gobbledegook sent to you) on your That’s it for this little roundup, remember its but this cheeky little plugin for the Mozilla computer – as is the default method – isn’t always a good idea to get an idea of how and Chrome browsers makes it as easy going to work out very well for you in the se- these tools work to make sure you’re using as it comes to encrypt and decrypt PGP crecy stakes if your computer gets seized them as securely as possible…

SYNTHAMESK – REGRESSION tifully-crafted array of drums and percussion. filters which whirl the sound around in3D out 04.04.2016 on Kaometry Records This masterpiece of composition and per- space. formance shifts seamlessly through multiple The multi-instrumentalist and mentalist People often talk of music sounding ‘cin- time signatures, time periods and musical Synthamesk glides effortlessly around the ematic’ but rarely is that premise delivered moods, as if taking us on a journey through world of music, from the classically cinemat- with such depth and intensity as it is here by the history of cinema. ic large orchestral sound to that of intimate Synthamesk. The Regression LP employs It’s breakcore sure, and you can cer- chambers, gothic horror, delicate swung the heavily dynamic and impactful multi-in- tainly expect a fair amount of mindwarping jazz bands, synthfunk, early 90s bleep and strumental approach one associates with the manipulation on the basic jungle breaks techno, grime and neuro DnB to create a most accomplished film scores, yet is driven alongside gargantuan kick drums, all spun world that is both impressively diverse but at breakneck speed by a frenetic and beau- mercilessly through dazzling distortions and yet also immediate, dynamic and essential. Travelling on Film Gypsies and Other Travellers by Will Phuq – An expanded version of this piece will be published on www.dissidentreality.com, launching soon

The word ‘Traveller’ refers to anyone here for yourselves. I also can’t recom- KNUCKLE (Ian Palmer • BBC Storyville / who has a nomadic way of life. While there mend Jeremy Sandford’s book ‘Gypsies’1 Irish Film Board • 2011) are no official statistics for Travellers in highly enough – an important collection of A filmmaker spends time with an Irish Trav- the UK, local government caravan counts oral histories from Britain’s Gypsy commu- eller family, visiting them for annual up- estimate there are around 300,000. These nities first published in 1973. dates over 12 years. Documenting a long- can be split into two groups – ethnic Trav- GYPSY WARS (? • BBC Three • 2005) running and aggressive feud between the ellers (for example Romany Gypsies and A three-part series providing an outline clan and some of their relatives, he man- Irish Travellers), and those who live on the of the continuing conflict among various ages to provide a fascinating insight into road for financial or ideological reasons groups of Travellers, councils, and locals; the traditional bare-knuckle fights used to (for example New Travellers and Show- paying particular attention to communities settle old scores… men). without proper/any planning permission OPERATION SOLSTICE Whenever we discuss ‘Travellers’, it is for their sites. The focus is chiefly on the (Gareth Morris • Channel 4 • 1991) important to remember the term is not spe- Irish Travellers, covering the lengthy nego- Another film first shown on Channel 4, cific to any one community, covering as it tiations and barricades at Dale Farm and this time examining 1985’s shameful po- does various ethnic and social groups. In a conservationist fighting to regain control lice versus peace convoy clash known as the UK alone we have the Bargees (boat of her orchard at Cottenham, among other The Battle of the Beanfield2 (for a definitive people), Indigenous Highland Travellers, dramatic and depressing events. overview check Andy Worthington’s book Irish Travellers, New (Age) Travellers, KILROY’S WEEK WITH THE GYPSIES ‘The Battle of the Beanfield’3). Features Roma Gypsies (Manush, Nachin, Roman- (Finn McGough • Channel 4 • 2005) traumatic footage of the event – which ichal, Welsh Kale), and Showmen. British Unpopular former talk show host, failed ITN repeatedly tried to repress – mixed law only recognises Gypsies and Irish MP and MEP and founder of the short- with talking heads interviews with some Travellers as ethnic groups, and even then lived Veritas political party, Robert Kilroy- of those involved; an eye-opening and im- since only fairly recently. Silk attempts to spend a week with a fam- portant document of a shameful episode I’ve been going through my archives ily of Gypsies (although at first baulks at of police brutality. and thought that I would highlight a few actually sleeping in a trailer). Thus, the SCENE – NEW AGE GYPSIES documentaries involving various strains of expected culture-clash hilarity ensues, (? • BBC • 1987) these often-maligned folk. Short apprais- and while Kilroy unsurprisingly does prove A particularly interesting BBC schools als follow, but if the reader has any real himself an utter cunt, to be fair the family programme, aimed at 13-16 olds and interest in the subject, I’d suggest watch- doesn’t always present themselves in the surprisingly balanced, considering its ing at least some of the material reviewed best lights either. demographic. We visit various New Trav- ellers (including survivors of the Bean- field) and are even shown violent foot- age from the Battle. Music is by Danielle Dax (Lemon Kittens). Incidentally, if any- one reading this ever comes across a copy of the 1970s episode of this series, ‘The Travellers’, please let me know via [email protected] TRAVELLER FEUDS (? • Channel 5 • 2013) Documentary reporting on the complex and violent feuding traditional among a mi- nority of Traveller families living in Ireland (at least one of which features in much more detail in ‘Knuckle’). While bare-knuckle boxing is traditionally used to solve conflict among some Travellers, it now more com- monly seems to be an exacerbating factor in the escalation of hostilities (aggravated further by the accompanying Facebook hatred campaigns and YouTube ‘call out’ videos). Beatings, stabbings, shootings Sara Maria Klos and even animal mutilation, arson, bomb- ings and rioting have been a feature of these often multigenerational feuds, so this programme makes for dramatic viewing in- deed. The film features talking-head inter- views with anonymous Travellers (who feel that they are both unfairly tarred by this vio- lent minority and threatened by them too), journalists, activists, and other members of the settled community. WORLD IN ACTION – THE NEW AGE TRAVELLERS (? • Granada TV • 1992) Taking a fairly even and sympathetic ap- proach to the subject, World in Action fol- lows a convoy of New Travellers as they try to go about their lives, despite unfriendly farmers and repeated police harassment (in which the filth display a complete lack of rationality, consistency, and compas- sion). Conservative MP Paul Marland also makes a royal cunt of himself; proclaiming the travelling lifestyle as a problem in itself and suggesting the solution that travellers be tethered to their hometowns if they wish to receive state benefits! ALSO OF INTEREST: AMERICAN NOMADS (Gerry Troyna • BBC4 • 2011) An intriguing feature-length piece from writer, journalist, and former nomad Rich- ard Grant, based in part on his book ‘American Nomads’ (UK: ‘Ghost Riders’)4. The film follows Grant as he trawls the truck stops, highways, deserts, railroads, rodeos, tent ministries, and other haunts madic, travelling vast distances for free barding them with lumps of wood, stones, of the American South-west, seeking the by jumping trains and hitching. Originally and petrol bombs (although they kept cu- eponymous archetypes of the road. A de- commissioned for BBC4, the film’s score is riously quiet about this later on in court). mographic made up of perpetual hitch- by Ross Godfrey (Morcheeba). Six years after the battle, the police were hikers, hoboes, crazies, gutter punks, ENDNOTES finally found guilty of wrongful arrest, as- motorhome retirees and others from the 1 Jeremy Sandford – ‘Gypsies’ (Abacus sault, and criminal damage. “All of us were margins, escaping their pasts, looking Books, 1975) – Revised as ‘Rokkering to shocked by what we saw: police tactics for adventure, work, spiritual rewards, or the Gorjios’ (Interface, 2000) which seemed to break new grounds in just a place they want to call home. Eight 2 The ‘Battle of the Beanfield’ was a vio- the scale and intensity of its violence. We years in the making, ‘American Nomads’ lent assault on a convoy of New Travellers saw police throw hammers, stones, and is a marvellous document of a 6000-mile by Wiltshire Police that took place on 1st other missiles through the windscreens sociological journey, without judgement June 1985. After stopping the 11th Stone- of advancing vehicles; a woman dragged or glamorisation, and is overall empathic, henge Free Festival from going ahead, away by her hair; young men beaten over inspiring and entertaining. From mobile the police took it upon themselves to en- the head with truncheons as they tried to home groups overwintering in the desert ter a nearby temporary site, “methodically surrender; police using sledgehammers to the Temporary Autonomous Zone en- smashing windows, beating people on the to smash up the interiors of the hippies’ campment at Slab City, the abused and head with truncheons, and using sledge- coaches.” – A witness to the Beanfield abandoned to elderly drifters, Grant meets hammers to damage the interiors of their 3 Andy Worthington – ‘The Battle of the and interviews an array of curious, truly coaches”. This account was supported by Beanfield’ (Enabler, 2005) free, characters. The most obvious differ- all the independent witnesses and upheld 4 Richard Grant – ‘American Nomads: ence between those depicted here and by subsequent court verdicts. However, at Travels with Lost Conquistadors, Mountain their equivalents in the UK and elsewhere first, the police maintained that they had Men, Cowboys, Indians, Hoboes, Truck- is that it is possible for them to be fully no- simply responded to the travellers bom- ers, and Bullriders’ (Grove Press, 2005) How to help fuck up the fascists this summer

So there’s this in/out shake it all about is basically a form that you get from the sign up someone you trust to vote for you referendum in a few weeks to decide if this Local Electoral Office. Google ‘declara- on the day. This person has to be regis- glorious nation is going to remain in the tion of local connection’ + the local au- tered already and intends to be at home equally glorious European Union. There’s thority where you want to sign up; get a and vote in person. Anyone registered lots of froth available on the intermedia if form, print it out and send it back. With can be the proxy vote for up to two people you want to find out more about the (non) this Declaration, you can use the address – more if they are related. arguments, but today I want to talk about of a drop-in centre, a community café or You can either get the proxy sorted out voting to remain just to wipe the smile even a door-way or park bench. If you for this one time only. That’s best and easi- off the faces of the fascist knuckle- can’t actually receive any post at this ad- est – you just say you’re on holiday for a draggers that walk among us. Look, I’m dress you’ll have to then go get a postal or month and send the form to your Local not saying if you hate the EU that means proxy vote sorted out. Electoral Office. Anyone can do it – just you are a fascist – I am saying that every If you’re not sure where you’ll be in the let your proxy know to expect your vot- fascist in the UK, all over Europe and be- run up to the referendum and/or, on the ing slip in the post and tell them to vote yond wants the UK to leave the EU – they day itself, you won’t be at home, then you Remain or you will, for example, kneecap are, at this very minute, salivating with the can apply for a proxy vote. Basically you their gerbils. prospect of yet more right-wing national- ism. Well, fuck that. You might not normally vote for whatev- er reason but, unusually, this referendum means your vote is worth as much as any- one else’s. If we want it to be a straight fight between left and right, we can make that happen. The UK will probably vote to stay in the EU so we might as well take the opportu- nity to send a big fuck you to that Farage geezer, all those fuckmuddling cockheads that stink up the place and the even more overt fascists actually getting into power in France, Austria, Slovakia, etc. They all want us to leave the EU – let’s wipe the smile of their fucking faces too and send a message of support to our com- rades. Make sure you’re registered to vote – you just need an address where you can pick up the post (it should be somewhere you know and they know you). You can sort out a proxy vote and get someone you trust to vote for you on the day – you can be the proxy yourself for a couple of people. If you know where you’re gonna be a couple of weeks before you can get a postal vote sent there. You can register online and download a form for the proxy or postal vote which you have to send to your local election office. Register to vote: www.gov.uk/register-to- vote – if you have an address you can do it here with an NI number. If you don’t have a permanent address, you’re homeless, you’re squatting, living on a boat or in a truck, you have to make a Declaration of Local Connection which C ardiff Arms Fair Subvertism

In March, anti-militarist activists in South our printing done relatively cheaply over Wales organised a resistance to the DPRTE the internet, so with a bit of graphic design Arms Fair that took place at the Motorpoint skills you can get your ‘advert’ looking as Arena in Cardiff. Around 150 people attend- professional as theirs. You can usually find ed the protest and two activists occupied high-res or vector versions of company log- the roof of the arena; six people were ar- os and www.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/ to rested and will be in court at the end of May. find the same font that they use. To raise awareness of the arms fair taking Another cheaper option of course, is to place, some activists hacked into bus stop break into the bus stops beforehand and advertising spaces with their own satiri- liberate the original poster adverts. Then cal posters criticising and ‘advertising’ the you can create your own DIY artwork on the arms fair taking place. back of the adverts with whatever materi- Like most spaces in our cities, bus stops als you have, and put them back in differ- have become commodities and the space ent bus stops (never return to the scene of is sold to multi-national companies to adver- the crime!) This won’t look like a real advert, tise their shit to us. Most of the bus stop ad- but will add interesting art to our streets and vertising spaces (like billboards) are owned still be a protest against the bombardment by the likes of giant advertising companies JCDecaux and Clear Channel and we can’t click the bus stop cover back into space, go anywhere without having products forced admire your amazing work and walk away upon us. They will sell anything and every- Ingredients proudly! thing to us; making us feel insecure about • T30 Torx Key Handy how-to video: search for Special Pa- our bodies, our health or just making us feel • H60 Pin Security Hex trol Group – Total Propaganda on YouTube hungry for cancerous junk food. Fuck ‘em! • Orange hi-viz jacket (even better if If you live in a city, no doubt you walk past you can screen print with name of dozens of bus stops and pavement adverts advertising company, i.e. JCDecaux everyday. Thanks to globalisation, you can or Clear Channel) gain access to most of these street hoard- • 4-Way Utility Key (although not ings with this easy guide... often needed) Check which company your local bus • Artwork: JCDecaux: 110cm X 170cm; stops are (name is usually at the top or Clear Channel: 120cm X 180cm (aka, bottom) to know which size to design your 6 Sheet) advert in, or take a tape measure to be • If you have any other security keys, double-sure! These days you can get col- take them along!

of adverts we have to face everyday in our lives. It is recommended that you do the action in the daytime, with a high-viz jacket, so you blend in and look like a normal worker. Put yourself in the mindset of an ordinary worker; stay calm, act professional and no- body will look twice! If you can’t open the Call out for anyone with a skill to share. bus stop, don’t worry – move on to the next Viva La Metamorphosis! will be trans- one, some of them are jammed or rusty forming a space in central Bristol dur- and aren’t easy to open! Once you’re in the ing 18-21 May. This is a creative space swing of it, it gets easier. where ALL can get involved... an area Although you can clip the poster at the where you can express yourself freely – top it’s recommended that you also take be it through Art, Music, Workshops or some clear tape and if you can’t clip it in, Contemporary Modern Dance. just tape it. This makes the action much If you or anyone you know would like to faster, as there’s less faff – it will still look get involved with this project please email amazing. Once the poster is in place, [email protected] RUPTURE has been produced on a fairly regular basis since A Little Poem on Spirituality 2000 and draws on the life and soul of the free party, squatting and activist scenes. We welcome contributions of all kinds... (Fuck Off)

There’s a great little word I learnt recently Ukranian Anarchist Clown Posse You might be surprised given I’m over 23. Peering from a train window I pondered A little word The loves of Hungarian station masters, followed by residing in little sun-baked Magyar houses. ‘Off’ or ‘You’,

My eyes itched with anticipation Yes that’s right, my friend for the Ukrainian border. I’d just like to say: Fuck You. Back in Bristol I bawked at black-clad armchair activists I can say it on the bus moaning voyeuristic about I can say it in the kitchen the intangible state of affairs again. I can say it when you just won’t stop bitchin’. and why it’s not their turn to wash the pots of the squat again. Your emotional issues are out of control You’re dragging me down, pal, My mind wandered back to Uzhhorod; You’re stealing my soul. old man farmers bent over in the fields tracksuit bottoms bums spelling ‘BABY.’ I could say: listen, I could say: hey, I could say I’m so sorry you feel that way, American clothing imports gone wrong. I could say: listen, love, life’s been unkind. Chiga Biga Ukraine Clown Posse Harlequin revolutionary I could say I really think you need to unwind... Running workshops for local kids without the help of their government. I could practice my zen Brushing off nightly police interrogations, like a Buddhist monk scrubbing pots and pans, no argument. but what I really want to say is... listen, punk, Chiga Biga Ukrainian Clown Posse Fuck You. taught me the meaning of anarchy driving home 10 excitable children Who knew a little word could be so spiritually enlightened? in one Lada to grateful parents No longer does your two-faced piss take make me feel fright- whose efforts live a good life ened. despite the corruption are rewarded with poverty. You throw your weight around because I’m smaller than you But I’m no target for the shit you spew.

The power of a tiny word makes me feel great Your big words don’t do shit

Because you know what mate... Fuck You! Fuck Off, Fuck you.

These two poems are by Shanna F Jones shannascribbles.blogspot.co.uk in Groningen are currently under threat; statistics show that at the end of 2014 the Netherlands Villa Friekens, Ubica, De Vloek, OVB, level of vacancy of office space across Squatting Tabakspanden, Overval and more are the Netherlands was running at 17% (with gone now. However, it’s still rare to hear 10% empty for more than three years). It’s Update of people actually getting convicted for been increasing at 1% a year since 2009. squatting and a new squatters handbook However, 210 people have been con- Squatting was criminalised in the Nether- just got released. Also some people, like victed for squatting; so that’s shit. Also, lands in October 2010. So what’s changed in the UK, are now choosing to put their 42 people were tried but walked free (so since then? Well, places are still regularly energy into legal social centres. about 20%). Of the convictions, 39 peo- squatted, but the scene has shrunk. Plac- The government recently released a re- ple have received jail-time; 9 of those for es now last for months not years and after port evaluating the law that criminalised over a month. Most people got fines and/ some legal fights, there still needs to be squatting and also was supposed to regu- or community service (plus a criminal re- a court-case (so this sounds familiar from late vacancy. Regarding emptiness, pretty cord). the UK context right!). As people get older much fuck all has been done. The law sug- So, it looks like now we are in a kind of they move away from squatting – that’s al- gested some weak bylaws for councils to post-CJA moment, like when raves got ways happened – but now, less younger adopt to make owners do something with pushed underground in the UK in the mid- people are choosing to squat since the their empty building, which have been 1990s and most people shifted into legal cities are gentrifying, so there’s less empti- adopted by 7 of the almost 400 councils. clubbing options; but then rave never died ness in the city centre; if you squat then So, the iron rule of private property hasn’t and instead slowly came back. Squatting supposedly you’ll end up with a convic- really been adjusted at all. is still happening in NL, but most people tion and anti-squat (services) is sadly both The criminalisation of squatting, sold as who did it because it was an easy option cheap and available. a way to reduce emptiness by making it have resorted to anti-squat or living on a Most cities still have big squats, often le- easier to evict squatters, has clearly not sofa somewhere instead. Actually, raves galized, which are used as venues and liv- helped (as the report itself admits!). The themselves are happening a lot less than ing spaces; but these sort of places aren’t report’s figures show that emptiness is still before, but they still go on, even if for big really being replaced when they eventually on the increase, with the main problem be- parties people prefer to go to Belgium. On get evicted: ADM in Amsterdam and Pino ing vacant office space. Countrywide the that note, there is talk of Dutchtek 2016...

self-built Reaktor modules that have won Game over? Monster X – him listeners and fans of extreme and For those of you that don’t already know, abrasive music from Europe to Japan. the crew that have been putting on the Democracy Although a professional radio/TV annual squatters football tournament de- Out now on Abstrakt Reflections sound designer by day, it’s his night time cided not to bother this year because of persona as Monster X that has gained the actions of a few violent dickheads in There are few artists that live up to their him notoriety worldwide, both as a live 2015. name, but Julien Caraz – aka Monster X– performer and recording artist. One of The tournament (cum mini-festival) is one of those special few. For when he the few whose work manages to balance started as a way of having a family-friend- takes to the stage, a monster is truly un- great precision with great fury, his tracks ly day out in the park, but the level of vio- leashed, leaving a trail of destruction as have seen support from discerning la- lence last year means that if we contin- witnessed at various raves and festivals bels such as Peace Off, Tigerbeat6, ued the same event in the same place we all over Europe. Combat Recordings, Murder Chan- would be putting people in danger. The French born sonic-hooligan nel, Fyerhammer, Bedroom Research Obviously, this is part of a wider and moved to London 10 years ago, after a and Mutant Sniper, to name but a few. timeless debate of how to deal with vio- performance in France caused a small This latest work on Abstrakt Reflections lence at events and parties; but honestly, riot among old punks fighting in a record shows a deeper, colder ferocity and you can’t reason with a dog-shit of a man shop, resulting in smashed windows and more mature side to his production. As and life is too short to waste any of it trying other damage. Since then he’s evolved ever the music remains dystopian and to compete violently with people too fuck- his production and performance abilities, futuristic, yet the not-too-subtle track ti- ing stupid to see how unnecessary it is head-banging his way through a myriad tles suggest inspiration and anger drawn to stab somebody because they punched of midi controllers, hardware boxes and from current world events. their friend, because “he deserved it”. Anyway it’s been great, and we send a massive thank you to everyone who ...the current schedule for Rupture is to put together at least two issues a year, and helped out and came along for a good in a slightly longer format than the original monthly ‘news-sheet’. In the early days we time over the years; and to the dickheads called it ‘an anonymous platform for voices from the party scene’ but as that scene – bravo for ruining a good thing, maybe changed, so did our remit to match. Please send your articles, rants, poems, reviews, you could hurry up and die! listings, pictures, photos or words of support to [email protected] With Friends like these

So, as probably not very many of you erated quite a response and after a lively The eviction of the building would easily know, the Freedom building at 84b Wh- meeting an uneasy peace has been estab- be the death of some of the groups that itechapel High St is held on trust by a lished with a pretty reluctant promise not to use it, plus the bookshop and it’s ad-hoc group called Friends of Freedom Press, for sell the building yet! While the people who legal advice centre that has kept an un- the publishing of Freedom News told number of our friends out and anarcho books. This trust of court, prison and other trou- has done nothing of note since ble over the years. It seems before most of you reading this the Fiends are less than ap- were born which, while it hasn’t preciative of the usefulness of helped maintain the building or the Whitechapel space to our the printed any books, it hasn’t community of general trouble- ruined everything by selling the makers, or the need to be in building with suspiciously vague an accessible part of London. promises of another building Whilst the users of ASS, NBTA, with only ‘a little’ money deviated and the general legal support for pet projects of the trustees. it provides are happy to not (those of you hot on your trustee have to cycle to the arse end law are fuming I know…what of nowhere to get some ad- can I say...they’re anarchists??) vice, the Friends focus only on Anyway, in order to make up how the bookshop isn’t raking for lost time and ruin everything, in enough cash to build a pub- that’s exactly what the trustees lishing empire. Joe Fur voted for in one of their now reg- Alas, life goes on... The Au- ular meetings, hurriedly sending tonomy Club at Freedom has a Notice To Quit the building to just been refurbished into its its many tenants... Tenants you own mini social centre called are probably familiar with: Haven Decentre, they’re hosting film, (books for prisoners); Corporate poetry, art and cafe nights Watch (watching corporations among others (decentre@ri- and their abuses); Advisory Ser- seup.net if your interested). vice for Squatters (squatting/ And in the name of fundraising legal advice); National Traveller (read: drinking) there are going and Bargee Association (helping boaters actually used it for all these years add try- to be monthy social nights at the building stay afloat); Solidary Federation (a revolu- ing to raise funds towards repairs to their for the foreseeable on the second Friday of tionary union); Anarchist Federation (class workload in an attempt to impress those the month. Pop in, have a chat and show struggle anarchists). with the power to evict them. the Friends we like being in Whitechapel This, to the surprise of the Friends, gen- So that’s more or less where it is now. and people like us being in Whitechapel. UK undercover policing inquiry

Remember in 2011 when that tattooed prick who used to sell drugs to children while pretending to be an activist (so he could party and shag his way around the country and entrap people in crimes that he orchestrated) got outed as a pig? The world turned upside-down for plenty

Paul Sargent of people, and lots of things like Climate Camp stopped happening (always tough, losing your state funding for an event). These two poems are by Jack Houston Well, the story didn’t end there, and over jackisreading.wordpress.com the following years a few more of his mates far that we are being treated to that most British state’s primary concern. If they don’t were revealed to have been adopting the expensive of cover-up spectacles: The release the names and hold sessions in identities of dead children, conducting the ‘Public’ Inquiry, which means there must be public then many of the victims groups are odd fire-bombing, fathering children before a lot more shit to cover-up good and prop- planning to walk out, because most victims disappearing and writing the leaflet at the er. Perhaps it’s worth taking a moment to can’t know whether they were victims or centre of the UK’s biggest libel trial etc etc. remember that the organisation in charge not while the names remain private. Oh no, wait, that’s just one of them! Some of most of this, The Met, when concluding So how does this affect you? Well, given of the others managed to find taxpayer- its own internal corruption investigation, the vast remit of police operations revealed funded time to infiltrate the campaigns for Operation Othona, saw fit to destroy all the so far it’s impossible to know, but for over justice for victims of racist violence, like documents relating to it. 40 years the pigs have been writing their Stephen Lawrence, in a desperate attempt After hearing opening submissions the own rules on who they can spy on and to dig up dirt on his family to distract atten- inquiry is currently deciding on whether a how. There is every chance you or some- tion away from the fact he was killed by a list of around 130 police cover names will one you know has been affected. racist gang who were protected by police. be revealed and whether much of the ‘pub- To find out more check out Well yeah, such was the enormous scale lic’ inquiry will be held in public. Yes, that’s undercoverresearch.net and of wrongdoing by the few pigs revealed so right, pretending to give a fuck is not the campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com

Steak Christmas Poem cat who hisses, shows fangs, wants to swipe at

I hear a someone at the bar explain anyone dares comes near me. The pixies squickle across the to someone else that they prefer champagne – And I retch and out comes carpet, spitting the sofa, becomes the wall, the vitriolic piecemeal persuasions, behind their heads an out-sized clock floor, the door. I am the little red caps ticks, tick, tick, tick... fountain now. To our secrets: glittering and jingling. They you can keep them all. But look like Christmas Orders fall on in elves, legs dangling. Their tiny like soldiers: I prep ‘em: they go out: Ding! anyone dares come near me sharp eyes pierce and I retch and out comes

My shift’s nearly ended, the last of the wee buggers in vitriolic piecemeal persuasions. nearly, like the steak I’ve just taken from the fridge, spent, dead; their sparkly finery. Their little Little red caps, bums Aminita Muscaria, jiggle too, I lay its fresh flesh on the counter fountain now to our secrets. some sat on by the and it bleeds a little. You can keep them all; but elves, legs dangling; their tiny be careful, whatever you do, sharp eyes pierce Shirl sticks two more orders up never say you see and attack me wherever I go like fingers – apparently me not calling ain’t made too much around the room. the last of the wee buggers in of a good impression. Was gonna see her here weren’t I? You their sparkly finery, their little Aminita Muscaria jiggle too. have to let it sit, bums Some sat on by the allow the blood to haemorrhage and split glittering and jingling. They cat, who hisses, shows fangs, look like Christmas. wants to swipe at within the muscle. Be careful. Whatever you do and attack me wherever I go The kitchen’s all a bustle, never say you see around the room. the pixies squickle across the The sofa becomes the wall, the open-planned carpet, spitting. floor the door: I am the so the punters can see me cram

burgers to their buns, chips at the punnets.

I take a hammer, more of a mallet really, and whack – whack – whack that steak nice and tender, ready for the pan.

These two poems are by Jack Houston jackisreading.wordpress.com 240v TEKNIVAL SOUTH LONDON PUNX PICNIC 2016 Listings Sat 28 May Sat 4 June Check with your usual info channels or ask 2pm-7pm. Free, innit. around... stand up and be counted! Brockwell Park, Herne Hill, SE24 VIVA LE METAMORPHOSIS Wed 18 – Sat 21 May 2016 BLANK GENERATION: 40 YEARS OF OFF WITH THEIR HEADS Autonomous exhibition space with a theme PUNK IN 3 DAYS Sat 11 June around developing the artwork and space Fri 27 – Sun 29 May Outdoor free party in a central London loca- during the show. Some more info at 5:30pm – 11:55pm . £55 for whole weekend. tion to celebrate the Queen’s birthday. taaexhibitions.org – To get involved please [email protected] Bring what you expect to find, but leave no email [email protected] T.Chances, 399 High Road, London, N17 trace. Phone 07776 836377 after 9pm 6QN RAVE – Random Audio Visual Exhibition 35th INTERNATIONAL MUSIC DAY Fri 20 May – Sat 21 May 2016 Tues 21 June 2016 This exhibition is a celebration of the art, The whole world celebrates free music on music and style of the underground sound the longest day of the year, whilst the UK system subculture. Featuring creative and continues to pull it socks up and join in the music workshops in the daytime. Evening fun! Find an event near you, or create your entertainment on the Friday evening and own. Check out the listings and event map rave music on the Saturday night at: www.musicday.org.uk The Island, Old Bridewell Police Station, Music Day UK are doing two events this Nelson Street, Bristol BS1 2LE. year – a community event in Weaver’s facebook.com/events/1069756929730096 Fields, Bethnal Green and a high-profile takeover of the London Bridge City Summer CRUX Festival. Follow on Twitter and Facebook

Sat 21 May under ‘musicdayuk’ The regular audio-visual perfomance meetup event and showcase pulls up at a AV DEPOT new venue for an Ableton Link jam, work- Sat 25 June shops/presentations and some liveset per- AV Depot was created out of a desire to formances. 4pm-11pm. £5 entry (after 6pm, promote and showcase art works and includes free digital EP). New River Studios, performances merging technology, art and 199 Eade Rd, London London N4 1DN Dybbuk science with a focus on interactivity and www.crux-events.org DIY CULTURES 2016 performance. From 7pm. New River Studios Sunday 29 May (Ex Fed building), Ground Floor Unit E, 199 VJ LONDON – MAY MEETUP 12pm-7pm. Free entry. Rich Mix London Eade Road, London N4 1DN

Weds 25 May 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA vjlondon.com/avdepot Monthly meeting and presentation of AV www.diycultures.tumblr.com work. 8pm, Donation entry. facebook.com/events/1122363277796492 ROMANIA TEKNIVAL New River Studios, 199 Eade Rd, London 12-23.08.16 London N4 1DN vjlondon.com SPLICE FESTIVAL Info: freeromanianteknival.blogspot.com Fri 3 – Sun 5 June UKRAINE TEKNIVAL 12v TEKNIVAL Splice Festival is a new audio visual per- 17-23.08.16

Fri 27 May forming arts festival for London taking place Check on: shockraver.free.fr/infoparty23.htm This open-invite event for battery-powered on at Rich Mix, Shapes, l’Klectik Art Lab and BULGARIA TEKNIVAL sound systems will take place after Criti- University of the Arts, LCC Campus. 26-?.08.16 cal Mass London, which assembles under www.splicefestival.com Beach area, location for GPS: Waterloo Bridge at 6pm 49.361939, 32.278049 www.network23.org/criticalmasslondon

FOR FURTHER LISTINGS c8.com / www.residentadvisor.net radicalhousingnetwork.org For gigs: www.partyviberadio.com/forums Advisory Service for Squatters Search for T.Chances on Facebook; FURTHER LINKS www.squatter.org.uk Eroding Empire – Eroding.org.uk Social centre – diyspaceforlondon.org Squatting News – en.squat.net International free-parties: News and events – www.rabble.org.uk Fight for Aylesbury Estate Campaign – shockraver.free.fr/infoparty23.htm Anarchist news and bookshop – fightfortheaylesbury.wordpress.com Other events: www.freedomnews.org.uk London Wide Eviction Resistence – www.squatjuice.com E15 mums – www.focuse15.org evictionresistance.squat.net