UK: "Aryan music fest" ends in disarray
01 July 1997
A fascist Rock Against Communism concert, planned for a venue in south Wales on August 9, ended in disarray after a large police operation involving a dozen forces. The police action, under the Public Order Act, took place after the anti-fascist magazine, Searchlight, published details of the event and Labour MEPs called for a ban. Two years ago a nazi concert, in Caerphilly, ended in violence after drunken fascists smashed up a public house and attacked local residents.
The concert was organised by south Wales nazi activist Billy Bartlett and was to feature bands from Wales (Celtic Warrier),
England (Brutal Attack, Squadron, English Rose and White Law), Scotland (British Standard), Germany (08/15) and the US (Intimidation One). The line-up represents the faction of Blood & Honour that is opposed to Combat 18 control of the movement.
Bartlett is lead singer with Celtic Warrier who were deported from Holland in 1995 after being arrested while recording racist material. Previously, Bartlett had fronted another nazi music outfit, Violent Storm, who came to a violent end when their other four members died in a car crash in 1992. Celtic Warrier have recently released a new cd dedicated to the memory of Ian Stuart Donaldson, the founder of Blood & Honour.
Shortly before the concert police raided Bartlett's home in Ely and arrested four people, including Bartlett, his girlfriend and two Americans, and seized CS gas and nazi literature. Bartlett was charged with public order offences before being released on bail.
About 800 nazis who arrived for the concert, including contingents from Germany and Holland, were turned back by South Wales police working with other forces in England and Wales. None of the overseas bands made it into the country - the Portland based Intimidation One being turned back at customs. Anti-fascists mounted protests at railway stations across Wales to counter any fascist invasion.
A police spokeswoman said: “The planned event did not take place in south Wales and there was evidence that the organisers were seeking a secondary venue to hold their event.” A rump of about 100 fascists found an alternative venue for a small concert in the Midlands.
Wales on Sunday 27.7.97; Searchlight press release 25.7.97.