System X

System X from; Dublin Active; 1979 – 1980
Style; Punk
Line up;
Vocals & Maracas; John B Fiddler (Snail)
Lead Guitar; Ellen McArthur (Slag)
Guitar & Vocals; Dave K
Bass; Reb Kennedy

They write uncomplicated but highly effective songs concerning the way reality is perceived and interpreted around them. The monotony of passive everyday life is challenged and written about with humour. The songs concern themselves more with personal politics rather than portraying heavy political statements. “Cabaret guitars” demonstrates the apathetic attitudes people tend to have with regard to live music. “Stale alcohol and cigarette fumes/big Tom’s voice out of tune/sing along for an o.a.p./doesn’t count when you’re sixteen”. The song finishes with: “No one listens when you’re on/No one cares when you’re gone/don’t say nothing/you’ve nothing to say/no one cares/life’s a cabaret”.

“My Bedroom” is another uncomplicated song and simply concerns itself with a bedroom nothing else. The lyrical quality of this song lifts it above the more mundane rock lyric and into an area of light poetry.”My Bedroom carpet is six inches deep/ I sleep there when it’s hot/and when it’s cold/I climb into my pre-warmed carry-cot. “The fact that the carpet is six inches

deep, reminds me of the ad, on TV for the TK range of soft drinks in which a group of kids sing “We’ve got litres”. Their song is basically a commentary on the phenomenon of one – upmanship – this superior knowledge some individuals seem to possess. Such commentary is essential in music but is sadly often neglected.

Their music exists on the fringes of Rock n Roll, but they are happier to experiment, rather than perfect safe rhythms and guitar solos. If a rhythm turns up, it is played until it turns itself into a song – if not it is happily discarded. When so many other bands are going 1234, System X are going 1357.

Reb: Our music is a reaction to all those things which have crippled punk/new wave in Dublin – the Ska revival, the trilby and of course Berlin and the Lookalikes. It’s sick. It’s negative. The whole scene has become tribalistic and trouble is inevitable, as the younger audience have become more aggressive.

Vox:And venues.
Reb: Many bands sprung up because of the Dandelion venue. Now, as it has closed there is no where for them to play. I don’t know where we are going to gig, but I know it’s not going to stop us from playing.

Vox: Does the band portray a particular image or do you think it is important?
Reb: We are all different thank you.
Vox: Thank you Reb.
Snail: It’s just that if you wear make up in Dublin, you are definitely dead – something is definitely wrong with you. Punks now are all the same, so that it really doesn’t shock anymore – it’s become acceptable again. People and bands in Dublin are very conservative and are nearly all into rock n roll and I don’t particularly like that.

It would be good to have bands such as Slight Seconds and the Fall living in Dublin, but then maybe we have. Maybe no one has recognised them yet, or maybe they just haven’t realised their true potential.

P.S. Their new set does not include Cabaret Guitars or My Bedroom. The best art is characterised by it’s impermanence – maybe this holds true for System X music also.  Photo’s below provided by Ellen.