Drumming is a basic human instinct crossing all musical traditions and cultures and, importantly, social classes. Flash Bang Wallop imagines and recreates the early memories and self-perceptions of drummers in a series of portraits featuring some of the most iconic players of the past 50 years.
Anyone can learn to drum without owning a drum-kit. Photographer Chris Payne’s portraits of selected drummers from a range of musical backgrounds explores their childhood memories of first-beats; intended to inspire young people to pick up sticks and learn about the rhythms that connect us as humans. It’s the musical equivalent of ‘jumpers for goalposts’.
Participating drummers include Dame Evelyn Glennie, Mike Joyce (The Smiths), Stephen Morris (New Order and Joy Division), Rick Buckler (The Jam), Gaz Whelan (Happy Mondays), Andy Paresi (Morrissey), Anna Prior (Metronomy), Rick Jupp (formerly of Elbow), Mike Spearman (Everything Everything), Johnny Kalsi (Afro Celt Sound System), Rob Cieka (The Boo Radleys) and many more.
“What’s beautiful about the exhibition is Payne’s phenomenal ability to capture the spirit of each of his sitters… HOME, as Payne tells me, has quickly fostered a warm and welcoming atmosphere since its opening in 2015. It is a place for stories and sharing, and Payne’s exhibition demonstrates that so gorgeously.” – Mancunion