You never outgrow your dreams. Once We Were Punks kicks off with fifty-something former school pals Justin, David, Noel and Paddy reminiscing about the good old days, as they meander through the streets of their hometown in Bailieborough, Co. Cavan. Directed by Frank Shouldice, the documentary looks back at the lives of these four friends who grew up in a county that ‘the Brits didn't want... and the Irish didn't give a shit about.’ As teenagers, when the punk scene rolled around in the 70s, frustrated and inspired, they decided they would become rockstars.
They called their band ‘The Panic Merchants’ and they themselves would be the first to admit that musically they weren't the strongest; they barely knew how to play their instruments. However, John Kelly’s lyricism was exceptional. His words, underpinned by their music, underpin the narrative, these little stepping stones guiding us through the experiences of each band member. It's these lyrics that play a key role in depicting the rather grim Bailieborough of the 80s. Often referring to specific pubs, or old characters in the town, I’m sure many Cavan locals and music aficionados of the time, will be brought on a pleasant trip down memory lane.
Their diligence and enthusiasm prevailed, and their songs put this small town in Cavan on the map. Each had their own journey and challenges in life. Shouldice compares the kind of people Justin, David, Noel and Paddy were growing up to the men they are today, two having moved far from the town they were raised.
Aesthetically, this documentary treads the timelines well, contrasting that chaotic, nostalgic archival footage with vast, rich cinematography. Atmospheric aerial shots of the Irish landscape give way to those intimate talking-head moments of reflection. Unfortunately, back in the past, their goal of becoming rockstars were short-lived and, after a lack of success in finding a fan base, the band moved on with their lives.
However, 25 years later, after chatting at a funeral, these men decided to give it one more go. They continue to chase the dream that never died. Acknowledging they were a band that so few had heard of, Shouldice doesn’t focus on ‘The Panic Merchants’ (or ‘Sons of Southern Ulster’, as they were later called), but rather the men behind it. Their lives have been shaped by loss, politics, rediscovering sexuality and falling ill, and yet the music, and the joy it brings them, have stayed the same. ‘Small town life. That's our bread and butter here. It's what we do. We're not gonna change now.’
Once We Were Punks is in cinemas 15th May 20226.
