Comedian Stewart Lee investigates a missing piece of punk history.
A rejected pop-art statue of King Kong, punk band The Prefects and post-punks The Nightingales – both fronted by Robert Lloyd – collide in ‘King Rocker’.
The anti-rockumentary by comedian Stewart Lee and director Michael Cumming (Brass Eye, Toast Of London) has been given a full international release, three years after it premiered on Sky Arts.
‘King Rocker’ investigates how Lloyd survived under the radar for over four decades, attracting critical claim and plaudits from the likes of John Peel.
Lee and Cumming weaves the story of Birmingham’s undervalued underdog into that of the city’s forgotten public sculpture of King Kong in a film that also features The Raincoats’ Gina Birch, DJ and former bassist/guitarist with the Fall Marc Riley, Ramones manager Danny Fields and many more.
The film can now be viewed online and will have two UK screenings at Wolverhampton’s Arena Theatre on 14 April and Kendal’s Brewery Cinema on 27 April.
Main Photo of Stewart Lee and Robert Lloyd: Michael Cumming
Need more Punk In Your Life?
Dutch punks Antillectual release a pre-election song against extreme right politicians
So far, all Antillectual songs have been in English. But now, their first-ever song in Dutch is out. Its title is ‘Voorrang Voor Rechts’, which
Live Review: The Stranglers ‘51’ Tour, Leeds o2 Academy, 17th Oct 2025
Now into their 51st touring year, The Stranglers have survived many of the very worst things that can happen to a band. Their immense and
Interview: Alex catches up with Andy Mansell of Barriers and RAD
Just when we started thinking we were a productive bunch at Punktuation, we encountered Andy Mansell, who fronts not one, but two excellent bands –
Live review: Disorder at Reading Facebar – 11th Oct 2025
Disorder, Healthy Junkies, and local punks Tape It Shut and Skinhawk brought the generations together at Reading Facebar. Disorder are still angry and all the
Book review: ‘Early Days, a conversation about art, punk & otherness’ by Penelope Houston with Maria Elena Buszek
‘Early Days, a conversation about art, punk & otherness’ by Penelope Houston of The Avengers with Maria Elena Buszek was recently published in the USA
Rats With Wings Records 5th Anniversary, The Prince Albert, Brighton 05.10.25
The Stereotypes (UK), Family Of Strangers, Noir Mates and Thee Derelique put on a punk party at Brighton’s Prince Albert to celebrate Rats With Wings
An occasional writer on punk rock.
Click on Dom’s photo for more of his articles
Did you know that we are 100% DIY? We run our own game. No one dictates to us, and no one drives what we can or cannot put on our pages – and this is how we plan to continue!
