The Antipoet

A wry blend of anarchocynisism and comic observation.

Paul and Ian have brought together the wit and wisdom of one of the country's finest performance poets with melodic rhythms of solo bass and the odd piece of gratuitous percussion thrown in for good measure to create the unique sound and spectacle that is The Antipoet.

Paul's first collection 'LYRICAL  QUIBBLE & QUIP' was published by JOKAT in 1999 and is currently available to download from http://www.thelisteningzone.com.

Paul features regularly in poetry anthologies and his second collection 'THE KULT OF THE KAZOO' was published in December 2009 by JOKAT/RRRANTS.

Ian has played with a variety of bands and is often to be found playing bass with anyone who will have him! Most recently with Rock Remedy and The Odd Eccentric.

The Antipoet have gigged extensively supporting such luminaries as Matt Harvey, John Hegley, Elvis McGonagall, Martin Newell, David J, Attila The Stockbroker, TV Smith, Paul Lyalls, Jude Simpson, Af Harrold, Helen McCookerybook, Ivor Dembina,  Lewis Schaffer and Tim Clare

Some reviews of The Antipoet Live

You guys ROCKSTARRED the place ....woooo .. ENCORE !!

Huw Dylan Elilis Re the 2011 Nozstock Festival

'Sweet as Strawberries, sharp as lemon barley water'

Jo Bell, Ledbury Festival July 2011

'Original in material, and striking in appearance, the crowd loved them' Gary Longden, Variety Night, Imperial Banqueting Suite, Bilston,  September 2011

'Its like sharing a dressing room with a rock band. They made me feel like Debbie Harry'

Laura Dockrill June 2010

'The Antipoet is an act at the forefront of the new movement, with material dripping in parody. They take poetry to a new level, with performances as memorable as they are hilarious'                 

'The Stage'   July 2010

'Enigmatic beat poetry. a dazzling display of poetry, comedy and music, sometimes all in the same moment!' 

Fringe Review   August 2010

'Combining music, poetry and comedy is one of the hardest things to pull off but they (The Antipoet) do it brilliantly I'm glad I caught the performance'

Paul Lyalls   August 2010

'Great material! Totally professional but completely unpretentious'

Jude Simpson   August 2010

'You guys built a vibe. Did it for me big time.'

David J  August 2010

''Great singer & bass player", "He's genius"

Ed Tudor Pole July 2010

'The sexiest poets on the stage since I retired'

Yanny Mac September 2010

'eyeliner, triangle and double bass have never been funnier!'

Word Of Mouth, Norwich September 2010

Their first CD "Tights not stockings" and Their second CD "Hanging with Poets" which was released at the Ledbury Poetry Festival to a 'Sell out' crowd, are  available via the Rrrants Shop.

Ian & Paul along with manager Donna, are the founder members of the Rrrants poetry collective

http://www.myspace.com/rrrantsantipoet

We’re Artists!

We’re artists!

We’re of a sensitive disposition,

We can’t really be expected

to work in our condition.

Because we’re special:

We’ve got a lot to give,

We shouldn’t really have to

Prostitute ourselves so we can live.

Do you have any idea

    of the depths of pain and torment

    that the average artist endures

    for your entertainment?

    And we’re not your average.

    we pour our souls into our work,

    imbuing our creations

    with a quality of quirk.

And are we respected:

Rewarded for our artistry,

Appreciated for our dedicated mastery?

And given the freedom

From the drudge of the daily grind

To express our poignant stirrings,

for the good of all mankind?

(I tell you) we’re artists!

    We’re of a sensitive disposition

    We can’t really be expected

     To work in our condition

    (what we have is) special!

    And we’re doing it for you!

    We are who we are

    And what you see is what we do!

So punters, take pity

On the struggling artiste,

Put some pennies in our hat

Or buy our books and discs at least,

And save us from day jobs and;

From sullying our hands;

Repetitive strain,

Numbing the brain

Aren’t things that a poet understands.

Where’s our Arts council grant

For doing what we do so well?

Our government encouragement

To help us to excel?

Don’t make us work to earn our crust,

We need our time to ponder on

The trials of our existence

To put it in poetry and song.  

We’re artists!

We’re of a sensitive disposition,

We can’t really be expected

to work in our condition.

Because we’re special:

We’ve got a lot to give,

We shouldn’t really have to

Prostitute ourselves so we can live.

We shouldn't really have to prostitute, Ian

so we can live, but we do!

The Antipoet at The 100 Club Oxford Street London

The Antipoet. Edinburgh Fringe 2011

Cover of Paul's Book - Quaking in my Stack Heels