Chris Butler

Reviews

There's Nowt So Strange As Folk. Demo Tape. Rock 'n' Reel review 1990.
Chris Butler suffers from the condition that plagues too many of the punk scene's troubadours. A monotone singing voice and far too many long winded wordy lyrics that although honest and conveying heartfelt opinions and ideas tend to be lost in the too lengthy narrative. The tape comes with It's own lyric booklet and is entitled 'There's nowt so stange as folk'. 'Millionaire Popstars' is a particular stand-out with its inventive riffs, sort of Billy Bragg meets Danbert Nobacon of Chumbawamba. He could certainly do with listening to early Dylan or perhaps Pete Morton. At 2.50 though for eleven tracks, it's certainly decent value.

The Importance Of Love In Our Struggle. Demo tape. Rock 'n' Reel review 1991.
Chris Butler is another from the punk scene who raises some good points, notably the overpricing of concert tickets, but once again the vocals are annoyingly monotone. His acoustic playing though is improving and given time he could develop. His twelve self-composed tracks, again recorded live, are energetic enough but need more invention, less rhetoric and a studio (even a 4-track!) His personal dramas caught in song are heart-warming I have to add.

Tallington Ashes 2002 - Can't Be Still review.

Chris Butler was next up, and I thought the sound was just right this year, you could hear his (in tune) guitar and his voice was clear. Although he did some of the songs he played the night before, it was like a continuation of that for me and it's always good to hear him play and showcase new material like Just Do It! Q. And Children? A. And Children, Strike! And The Ballad Of Dylan And Jack amongst others. With reference to Chris Butler's 'Wish You Were Here', a song about his holiday in Wales, someone commented that he could do for Wales what Norman Cook does for Ibiza! I'm still not sure about the "we're lovin' it, lovin' it, lovin' it" part at the end of that song though…hmmm.

Derby Music website. (Derby Victoria Inn Anti-war benefit 05/04/2003)

"Chris Butler. Not really my thing, but i stayed for a couple of songs and he seemed pretty pissed off with this war. I don't blame him".

"...the comedy/serious song matter that fills Chris Butler's set is entertaining for about half a song, but it soon wears off and whaddaya know, you're back in the bar...not bad, if you're well into folk punk i guess you might like it..."

Lancaster - The Gregson Community Centre 13/04/2007 Gig Review (Lancaster UAF website)

Coming in the middle of the city council election campaign trail, this gig gave local anti fascist activists a chance to take a break from the leafleting and to get together to have some fun! The political message however was not lost in the partying as Antifa, UAF, anarchist, and Palestine Solidarity information stalls were set up in the main hall, and the walls were decorated with “Don’t Vote BNP” posters and the familiar RBC red and black banner providing a backdrop to the bands and DJ. A projection of life under illegal occupation in the West Bank also ran on a continuous loop. Disturbing pictures of IDF army brutality were mixed with images of community resistance against the occupation and apartheid wall. Some of the media was kindly donated by a local activist who has just returned from Palestine working with the International Women’s Peace Organisation and Zaytoun.The evening’s entertainment began with Chris Butler. He is no stranger to the North West, having previously supported Chumbawamba at The Platform and played the Blackpool Punk Festival. He describes his music as “protest folk” and delivered an accomplished traditional folk set, fused with DIY punk energy, and heartfelt lyrics. His set for this anti-fascist event wouldn’t have been complete without a rousing version of “Don’t Vote BNP” and Chris didn’t let us down. Singing this anti-fascist anthem with genuine conviction;
“If equality on you is lost,
If you deny the holocaust,
Civil rights you don't give a toss?
The BNP's for you.”
Taking songs from his recently released “Protest Folk Singer” CD, Chris also introduced several new numbers including, “Celebrity Bus Crash”, “Tony Says Good Luck” and “See You In Hell”. “Tony Says Good Luck” was about Tony Blair's morale boosting visit to the troops in Basra just before Xmas last year. He signed a Challenger Tank with the message “Good Luck, Tony Blair.” It's about the stupidity of autographing a tank, explained Chris, and the fact there can't be much luck in store for the children of Basra with tanks in the area! “See You In Hell” combined a description a street celebrations after the death of Pinochet, and compared it to the imagined hell the souls of dictators like Saddam, and Pinochet deserve. Hopefully it won’t be too long before Margaret Thatcher will also be joining her friend in hell, and we can have our own celebration in Trafalgar Square!

Protest Folk Singer CD - Morning Star Review 29/09/2007

Sharp Politics.

THERE can be no doubting that Chris Butler's most recent musical offering Protest Folk Singer does exactly what it says on the label.
Heavily inspired by the anarcho wing of punk rock and by political folk singers such as Dick Gaughan, Christy Moore and Leon Rosselson, it's not surprising to find that Butler 's songs are high on political commitment.
It has to be said, though, that, while eminently worthy and heartfelt, his lyrics are not always subtle or sophisticated in terms of song craft.
His singing voice also has a slightly irritating tendency towards monotone, but then I could say exactly the same about some of my favourite singer-songwriters. In the end, it's all down to a matter of personal taste.
While he may not be Woody Guthrie or Billy Bragg, this album demonstrates that Butler is indeed a protest singer and one who is capable of penning honest, decent and engaging songs with a sharp political edge.

Available from www.fourdogsmusic.co.uk

DAVID GRANVILLE  

CHRIS BUTLER Protest Folk Singer - Greenworld magazine Autumn 2007.

The reviewers are "GreenDaD" and "SCO", a father and daughter team whose musical tastes sometimes coincide. She is on her second ipod and has never owned a record, he still has a stack of vinyl but the deck stopped working a while back and most is transferred to MP3 now...

Chris Butler comes from Derbyshire, this is actually his third full CD.

GD. So lets see what Four Dogs have sent us, ‘political’ music could cover some pretty dire ramblings
SC. First one is called ‘Protest Folk Singer’ by Chris Butler
GD. The title is ringing alarm bells already – and guess what, there’s a picture of an acoustic guitar and harmonica on the cover
SC. It’s dedicated to his mum and dad, and there’s a track called “Sharks Against Surfers”
GD. Different, here goes…
SC. He’s got a nasal voice, which is becoming a bit whiney
GD. Guitar, harmonica, nasal voice, ‘protest’ tag – I think we get the picture
SC. How old is he? He sounds quite old
GD. Good basic stuff, not at all challenging – where’s the protest? He must be about 50
SC. He’s got some good ideas, if this is his first album then maybe his second album could be good – he just doesn’t quite have the guts to go all the way with some stuff, he kind of bottles out when he is just getting going
GD. Here’s a song about the hardships of a council workers’ strike featuring the line ‘I couldn’t even take my library book back’ – and I don’t think it is meant ironically.
SC. I get the impression that he’s not singing about things he feels passionate about, it’s all just very obvious
GD. Obvious rhymes, punches pulled, very middle class safe protest that gives radical folk music a bad name
SC. I don’t know who he’s trying to aim at but definitely not me                                                                                          
GD. Me, neither... Next 

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