He’s churning them out like Billy Whizz. On the Nottingham poetry scene he’s a blur of free verse, and his world view often rings true. It’s another top quality collection – funny, thought- provoking, exploring a range of themes from the deeply personal to the small, everyday frustrations of modern life. If you’re a local poet and you’re considering getting a pamphlet together, watch out for Frank – he’ll get there first. Every time.
Frank’s books are available at DIY Poets gigs, and at associated literature events.
As featured in today’s Nottingham Evening Post, and fresh from the exertions of Nottingham Poetry Festival, mingling with the likes of Henry Normal and Lemn Sissay, and from jumping on stage to perform at any given opportunity, DIY POETS are back on home turf at the Maze.
So, to sample some very fine poetry, from a diverse and colourful line up, covering every subject under the sun, from potatoes to Donald Trump, although the difference there is not great, from bass players to unruly technology, from chocolate bunnies to mobile phones, from romance to psychedelia, it’s kaleidoscopic, a sonic tonic for the chronic cynic, and also too for innocent bystanders who only came in for a quiet pint.
Headlining is the metrical maestro, Leanne Moden, who has the knack of pulling you right into her dazzling breeze of words. Don’t miss.
And stay around to check out POP ORCHESTRA, our music act.
On Saturday 18th July, DIY Poets shared the bill with James, The Specials and Bananarama, amongst others. We took to the stage at Splendour Festival, Wollaton Park. Okay, not the main stage, but we let Roots Manuva use that to warm our audience up.
Andy Szpuk introduced the set on the Fringe stage and we found the audience to be in fine voice through a bit of call and response audience participation. Next, Clare Stewart took everyone on an exhausting and squelchy walk through Scottish heather, heather, heather before leaving us to relax with a smooth whisky. Music was the theme of Frank McMahon’s trio of poems. It wasn’t all about the bass, ‘bout the bass, but also exploring the reactions to guardian angels in leather and denim as well as comments on Johnny Cash’s sartorial choices.
Next was Lytisha with her poems looking at relationships, both with people and food stuffs. John Humphreys embarked on an uncharacteristically short introduction, (he even kept within the allocated time slot and didn’t even need the ting of enlightenment!) to his poem celebrating all things Ska.
Trevor Wright took us into the home straight with cautionary tale of the migrating pink toed tarantula. Finally Captain Andy Szpuk was back and not only was Poetry Airlines literally launched containing poems from the Flight Attendants Richard C Bower, Hazel Warren,Chris Page and other DIY Poets, but the Best of DIY Poets book was launched too, and managed some chunky sales.
A great day all around and a fabulous audience.
DIY Poets would like to thank DHP for booking us and providing a super stage and sound man. Thanks too to Keith Turner for the photos and video.
If you missed it you can catch us and get your copies of Best of DIY Poets at The Maze on Thursday 13th August from 8pm.
Clare Stewart (photo by Keith Turner)
Frank McMahon (photo by Keith Turner)
Lytisha (photo by Keith Turner)
Trevor Wright
Richard C Bower and Hazel Warren (Photo by Keith Turner)
Andy Szpuk, launching Poetry Airlines (photo by Keith Turner)
Frank McMahon’s Fourth Published Volume of Poetry – ‘Forthright’
It’s Frank’s fab fourth, a typical collection of snappy verse, encapsulating the experience of a 20th century poet as he brings his unique world view into the here and now. Frank effortlessly sets his inner Tardis to random as he weaves tales from his more distant past and stitches them to the present day. Cultural references settle around the reader like winter snowflakes on a lumpy seventies football pitch, and mid way through the second half, Shane MacGowan almost ends up in a duet with Elvis – ‘Whole Lotta Snowman’ would have been a certain number one for them in more favourable conditions. Frank takes revenge on sadistic sports teachers, architecture and homophobic football fans in humorous, lyrical fine style.
Featured poet on this occasion is the wonderful, evergreen Jim Willis. Jim’s granite Edinburgh tones deliver his butterfly light stanzas across a vista of verse with steel elegance. He originally developed an interest in poetry when attending Leith Academy, now turned into flats. Jim likes to link his poems, no matter how tenuous that link might be, and without any semblance of order. Jim will be exploring three main themes: music, holidays and cats – the order guaranteed to be random! Music is provided by folk based singer song writer Jezz Hall. 8 til late. £3 entry, A bargain!
STOP PRESS: Sources close to DIY Poets have revealed today that Frank McMahon will be debuting a happy poem.
