Steampunk Kernow

That's me on the left, looking vaguely spiritual but feeling more like The Hooded Claw in that hat, as I proselytise (good word) with my Suzuki clutch tool and a wooden raygun that I found - fashioned by the forces of nature itself - by the tracks of the Liskeard and Caradon Railway

The Steampunk movement in Cornwall has been growing steadily during 2011 since a like-minded group of scientists, inventors, artists, explorers, adventurers, dollymopps, ruffians and natural philosophers had a bit-of-a-do fighting a squid in Falmouth last April.

Organised by a variety of inspired and industrious individuals under the collective identity of Steampunk Kernow, notable members of our illustrious circle have subsequently survived a hot-air balloon crash, broken innumerable speed records on the Bodmin & Wenford railway (the cream teas went especially quickly) and cavorted with specially created daleks and oods in a Dr Who-themed Christmas party in The Bird in Hand, an ancient coaching inn on one of the old routes out of Hayle, while rising steampunk combo BB Black Dog provided us with the appropriate harmonious diversions and musical edification.

And that is to say nothing of the smaller unofficial gatherings in coffee houses and taverns that happen from time to time the length of the county. Indeed, only the other week, there was an experiment in generating moving pictures, to music provided by local steam punk band Kaiak (note the spelling).

Invariably, we nonchalantly survived our depradations with quiet courage and the best sort of polite good humour. And sometimes the worst sort, too, but no matter - our gadgets, accoutrements and good names were only slightly tarnished by our adventures.

And it seems that danger is never far way.

As I sat down to the buffet on the Bodmin & Wenford Express, the spare batteries for my digital daguerreotype device shorted out against my car keys. Fortunately, I was able to discretely adjust my trouser pockets before I added smoke to the steampunk proceedings but things did get a little warm for a moment.

Some non-smokers fit smoke generator units to their pipes to create the right atmospheric, er, atmosphere but here a philosopher surgeon and his good lady achieve a similar effect with a top hat and a Great Western tank engine.

But we laugh at such vicissitudes and have stared disaster in the face many times, often defeating far more adverse circumstances with a mixture of high artifice, skill, nerve and no small measure of low animal cunning.

Our less than discrete Steampunk Kernow activities have attracted steampunks from across the Tamar and interest has been expressed in them - literally - globally, through various social media available on the aethernet.

In a way, this should not be in any way surprising. Cornwall has a rich industrial heritage and was the backdrop to many discoveries and innovations. It still is the home to a vibrant creative community who spark wild ideas off eachother. All it took was one person to decide that Steampunk activities needed a boost in Cornwall and that a little organising could bring all the hedonists together. Others have taken up that lead with further inspired activities and there appears to now be a critical mass (probably using artfully-refined molecules of heavy coal) to ensure further frolics and frivolities.

What does surprise me is how many people still have not yet heard of Steampunk.

Just prior to our successful record attempts with rail traction and the knees-up with Dr Who's worst enemies, I was engaged in some experiments in transferring life giving humours from one person to another, to wit, I was giving blood. Nobody at the donation session in Pensilva had ever heard of Steampunk.

But I bet they've seen it without knowing it. Steampunk is everywhere

Those that have heard of Steampunk in Cornwall often have not heard of Steampunk Kernow. That situation will not last for long. There could be a be-goggled adventurer near where you live.

It might even be you.

If you are reading this on Engine Punk then you will probably already know about Steampunk, the magnificently decadent expression of the high tech with a Victorian aesthetic and mind-expanding exploration of alternative history.  

There is a certain degree of posing and taking photographs of each other but it's not merely posing - it's adopting a persona to indulge in being magnificent, which may not be quite so easy to achieve every day of your life.

And let's be clear about this, I am not a natural poseur. The posing is optional and just one facet but I do find it pleasant to have a go at "being splendid."

Steampunk began as a sci-fi fantasy genre and, and against all the odds, has spawned its own look and fashion.

Gentlemen can simply get by with a waistcoat, top hat and goggles but many had put a lot of thought into their attire and looked extremely distinguished.

The ladies can be anything from a music hall dancing girl to a be-jodhpurred science jezebel via child labour grease-monkey. Mind you, I particularly like the librarian-about-to-dance-naked-in- the-fountain look.

Meanwhile, absolutely anyone can wear a moustache, young or old, and pipes and laudnum syringes also feature prominently.

It's the activities and ideas that I really like, the things people make, the stories they tell, the looks they create, the avenues of enquiry they follow, the glamourisation of personal protective equipment, the decadence, indulgence and debauchery of pursued passions and doomed -  yet inspiring - heroism in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Above all, I particularly like the sense of occasion Steampunk Kernow achieves.

This was most certainly the case at the recent Dr Who-themed Christmas Party.

I think the organiser behind both the railway journey and the party, Lady Seraphina Sprockett Twitcher no less, did an especially fine job.


The musical style is still developing and I was able to talk to the members of BB Black Dog about this at the party at The Bird in Hand in Hayle. They've been going for 5 years, following their own groove, but 2 years ago someone suggested that they were a Steampunk band and since then they've adopted this notable nomenclature as it is, for once, a handy pigeonhole in which to be.


We were lucky to get them, really, for they've recently had a packed itinerary, touring the UK as well as visiting the states and the continent.

Earlier this year, they even supported The UK Subs.

I particularly liked the ambience that Lady Seraphina achieved at The Bird in Hand, the management of which were quite happy to give her free rein in decorating the hostelry. I could have a good chat with my fellow steampunks whilst the varied musical selection played in the background. As Victor Meakin the music maestro for the evening said to me, "A lot of stuff is too much like a dirge, you need more upbeat and less obvious choices to vary the mood." His selection sounded good to me, though.

And among those chatting, as I circulated, were Dale and Axel of BB Blackdog, not to mention Demolitia Tribal who dances for them.

I was interested to hear how they were received by an audience of traditional punks. Trad punks? Mainstream punks? It still sounds wrong. Maybe Hardcore punks.

Anyway, Dale and Axel said it was one of their best ever shows.

When they played, it was good to hear upbeat stuff, too, stuff that can get the crowd on their hindlegs. The first part of the set were covers - Motorhead by Motorhead by BB Blackdog stood out for me - and then later  they played their own material. I did not as it were "fully get down" that night, although the head did nod and my feet couldn't stay still. It was a new sound to take in - as regular readers know, I verge towards the garagey end of punk and rock - and I was interested just to observe. My taste still surprises me, though and Chap-hopper Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer appeals to my sense of humour, though, despite my loathing of rap.

I wish now I'd asked BB Blackdog more about the technical side to their musicianship for they have no lead guitar but two basses, a conventional "high" bass and a "low", five-stringed bass. The effect was most intriguing - music you feel at times rather than hear - and I hope they'll be at another small but friendly gig again soon so I can ask them personally about this. The following night this hard touring outfit were in Penzance so this seems likely.

Demolotia Tribal dances to BB Black Dog in The Bird in Hand at Hayle. Billy the Headless Dalek couldn't keep up but did a mean moonwalk.

So there you are - a brief taste of what it's like to be at a Steampunk Kernow do. One minute you're talking to the main act,  the next to set designers for Star Wars ( I kid you not) or another band (Kaiak) who were there not only to enjoy themselves but also to invite people along to a promo video shoot.


I am strongly reminded of my art school days at Falmouth School of Art during the early eighties. It's not so much about New Romantics but romantics ancient and modern.. Nostalgia really can be as good as you remember it, especially when - just like back then - it seems anything is possible and indeed often is.

I find that the people at these events are invariably friendly and willing to discuss their exploration of diverse spheres of steampunkery,  for instance - writing, fashion, photography, engineering, magneto-galvanics and the (mostly) benevolent re-animation of the deceased - often when it's yourself.

It's about seeking out the alternatives, breaking down the barriers of preconception while wallowing in diversity and anarchy.

As the New Year beckons, there is already talk of future Steampunk Kernow events and it seems a flashmob at Trevithick Day 2012 is a certainty.

All I can say is come and join us.

As one of my friends put it, it's a bit like being a Goth but much more fun.