Doc Martens and Elmers Glue Hairstyles

Written and Photographed By Rhyan Paul

Benidorm Punk Weekender is a three day festival in the coastal city of Benidorm that featured old school and new school punk bands, from both the United Kingdom and Spain. Reckless Correspondent Rhyan Paul was there to give us an inside look at the festival.

Benidorm, Spain

Benidorm.. Ahh, Benidorm. It’s a special place- expat heaven or expat hell, depending on your persuasion. A place overrun with aging Brits on mobility scooters, burnt to the colour of antique mahogany. Other than Fish and Chips (the one guilty pleasure I miss from living in the UK) why would I visit?

Last week I was given a very good reason to visit - The 3 day Benidorm Punk Weekender. And not only a punk weekender, but one that was sold out and had some of the best in old and new punk - both British and Spanish. Time to dust off the Doc Martens try to not throw my back out…

There is something special about punk - nearly 50’s since those first obnoxious sounds were created and it is still going as strong as ever. Mohicans are not just for the young, but also for the old (and those original punks can still show these new kids a thing or two!)

I arrived early and the venue was already packed, two floors and an outdoor area heaving with Elmers glue hair styles. This is what I love about punk, it’s a community. No animosity, no fighting, just new friends, lots of drunken laughter and a few fisherman’s tales about the scene “Back in the day”.

Due to other photographic commitments , I only managed to hang out on the first day. Even so I was treated to performances from Hospital Food, Punko!, Aubrey Eels & The Baron, Fire Exit and Resistance 77. All of which were fantastic!

Finishing at 11pm it was perfect for old fuckers like me. Whilst I drove back to Valenica and the older punks sipped on hot chocolate reminiscing, the new generation no doubt reaped havoc on the Benidorm mobility massive until the early hours. Good time!