Review: Tramps!

Digital: Tramps! (2022)

A documentary digging deep into the heart of Britain’s New Romantic scene of the 70s and 80s may not on the surface seem like an ideal subject matter for an ageing rocker such as myself, who spent those years in an entirely different subsection of music influenced society listening to different music and wearing very different clothes…mine being essentially jeans and a tour t-shirt (of which that is still my wardrobe all these years later).

However, the interesting and engaging characters being interviewed, along with their stories, drew me into their world and made me want to know more.

A decade in the making, writer/director Kevin Hegge follows how the UK’s New Romantics, AKA the “Blitz Kids”, became a cultural movement influencing music, fashion and a variety of lifestyle choices, including squatted communes where life really was led just day to day.

Despite not knowing the majority of the people onscreen (Boy George being an obvious exception), their stories, both positive and negative (hate speech/crimes against them were disgusting) had me interested and wanting to know more.

If an old hair metal rocker like myself can relate to and enjoy this, then I’m sure that goes for people whatever your music/fashion sensibilities are…give it a go.