The Edinburgh Evening News
June 06, 2006

Danger man Bronson in tune with hardcore city punk band

by JANE BRADLEY

HE is one of Britain's most dangerous criminals and is kept in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day.

But now notorious life prisoner Charles Bronson has found "artistic freedom" through the music of a hardcore Edinburgh punk rock band.

And the band, the Capital-based Swellbellys, plan to take Bronson on a tour of the UK - including dates in Edinburgh - as soon as he is released.

Bronson, 51, who became a fan of the band when they sent him a copy of their music, features heavily on their latest album All Dried Up, and performs an hour's worth of spoken lyrics, which he penned himself. Bronson's notorious rooftop protests and hostage- taking exploits have featured on previous Swellbellys albums.

He was initially jailed in 1974 for armed robbery, but has since had his sentence extended after launching a violent campaign against prison authorities.

Currently an inmate at Wakefield Prison in West Yorkshire, Bronson recorded the words in his prison cell with a tape recorder. They feature his opinion on drugs, religion, war and also his theory on the death of Princess Diana.

The Swellbellys, who have played at Edinburgh's Bannerman's pub and the Exchange on Grove Street, as well as doing international tours, have put backing music to the lyrics and recorded the CD in Edinburgh.

The band's frontman, Needles, aka 44-year-old Walter Risalla, said he got in touch with Bronson by writing to him after reading his book.

Now the band write to Bronson every week, sending him postcards from their tours in France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Holland and Belgium.

Former tattoo artist Needles, said: "The link came down to the fact that we had experience of prison and knew some people who had been in prison.

"We once wrote a song about him and sent him a copy, and it went from there.

"I was in prison myself for a few months in 1987, and although I have never gone back inside since then, I know what it is like.

"Bronson is misunderstood. He is fighting the system and he's doing it his way - I respect him for that."

Needles said he had nearly managed to meet Bronson on a few occasions - but visitor permits had been withdrawn at the last minute, or the band were unable to make specific dates because of touring commitments.

He added: "We hope to meet him soon. Then, if he is freed next year, we'll all go on tour."

Although he has never killed, Bronson is classed as one of the most dangerous prisoners in the British penal system.

He has made a series of bizarre demands during rooftop protests, including requests for a blow-up sex doll, a helicopter to fly him to Cuba, a machine gun and a cheese sandwich.

During his time in prison he has written a number of books, including a manual entitled Solitary Fitness, penned poetry and raised money for several charities by donating his drawings. He is also believed to have joined a prison rock band.

Bronson is due to appeal his conviction at the end of this year - and if he is successful could be released next year.

The Swellbellys' CD is available at the band's gigs and also via their website - www.swellbellys.net.

IN CHARLIE'S WORDS

A SAMPLE of Charles Bronson's lyrics on All Dried Up covering war, religion, Princess Diana and drugs.

• What comes next, World War III? Bombs out of space, destruction? I hope they land on the religious rich.

• Those extremist religious b******s, stirring it up, hate breeders. Believe in my god or I'll kill you? The same freaks of god, killing for god, bombing for god, killing for religion. Hypocrites. I've got more faith in fish fingers.

• Princess Diana - let's discuss a real lady. Was it an accident? Don't make me laugh, don't insult my intelligence. An accident? Some accident. Fate timed that well. She was a threat to the system, danger to the royals. It's obvious why, an embarrassment, a problem.

• Parasites, blood suckers feeding off your face, breathing in your space, suffocating your dreams, highly dangerous.