- Venue
- Millais Gallery
- Location
Hitsville UK is a graphics exhibition of album covers spanning from 1976-1984. A gathering together of sleeve artwork covering all of the bands that are considered to have been part of the Punk movement in Britain. Taking into account the rebellious D.I.Y ethic of the anarchic players that brought it into existence, this display is remarkably clinical and well ordered in appearance. Being as it is, a chronological catalogue of the many minor differentiations in musical styles between one band and the next and the geographical origins of these stylistic variations. The most evident display suggestive of action was the title of the show stencilled directly on to the gallery walls in fluoro spray paint.
Discharge played an explosive live set via a projection on the wall in the foyer on the way into the main exhibition space, setting the audio mood and demonstrating the ferocious driving force behind the artwork. They seemed far removed from the airy spacious room beyond. I half hoped that a real life punk band would fall through the doors to begin a loud impromptu gig on the gleaming floor; maybe that would capture the attention of the group of visibly lethargic students attending a midweek morning lecture in the gallery? Historical facts are placed alongside the time line of releases: 'Sex Pistols play live at the Lesser Free Trade Hall, Manchester, a gig organised by Pete Shelley and Howard Devoto of The Buzzcocks' This triggers contemplation of today's varied music scenes and who might be putting on gigs now that will be written on gallery walls in years to come.
The covers themselves often depict disgruntled looking, dishevelled youths scowling angrily into the camera lens. These portraits are interspersed with bright colours, screen printed graphics, newsprint and humorous, once shocking titles and phrases– 'Penetration-Sounds from the Suburbs; Orgasm Addict; Nice Legs Shame About the Face'. The raw energy personified by the band members featured in the show has been stuck on museum style boards, which have a similar distancing effect as glass cases on pedestals; fitting to the context of historical status to which they now belong.
