There’s something magical about poetry that refuses to take itself too seriously while still cutting to the heart of life’s raw, chaotic, and utterly ridiculous nature. Ian Shipley’s Daft Punk Verse And A Flick Of The V’s is exactly that kind of book, a raucous, unapologetic, and fiercely entertaining collection of punk poetry that punches hard, makes you laugh, and leaves you nodding along in recognition. This isn’t highbrow poetry for the tweed-clad intellectuals, it’s the voice of the street, the pub, the gig, and the grimy reality that so many of us navigate daily. And it’s brilliant.
Shipley, a longtime presence in the UK punk underground, takes the raw energy of his years in bands like the Screaming Willies and Nervous Tension and channels it into words that read like anthems, confessions, and piss-takes all at once. What do you do when the bands you’ve fronted for decades call it quits? If you’re Ian Shipley, you sharpen your wit, lace up your boots, and throw your words onto the page with the same passion you once howled into a microphone. The heart of Daft Punk Verse And A Flick Of The V’s is, of course, the poetry. Shipley isn’t here to impress with flowery metaphors or intricate verse structures. His words hit like a punk song, short, sharp, and straight to the point. There’s an unfiltered honesty in his writing, capturing everyday struggles, wild nights, brutal hangovers, and the absurdity of modern life with a knowing smirk and a raised middle finger.
His themes range from the hilariously crude to the unexpectedly profound. He writes about fights, beer, drugs, girls, and the peculiarities of the punk life with a self-awareness that makes it all feel like you’re listening to an old mate tell stories at the bar. The humor is a highlight, sometimes dark, sometimes surreal, always with a touch of the absurd. At times, the poems hit with unexpected weight. Beneath the daftness, there’s an undeniable depth, a keen observation of human nature, the struggles of working-class life, and the fleeting moments of joy that make it all worth it. Shipley was, above all else, a storyteller, and every poem in this collection tells one worth reading. Shipley’s writing style is electric. It’s conversational, punchy, and dripping with punk ethos. If you’re a fan of John Cooper Clarke or Attila the Stockbroker, you’ll find a kindred spirit here. But while those poets had their own unique delivery, Shipley carves out his own niche, he never performed his poetry live, instead embedding it in music and zines, letting the words speak for themselves.
His use of language is delightfully irreverent. He plays with words like a guitarist plays with distortion, cranking it up to the limit, twisting meanings, and throwing in unexpected punchlines that make you laugh out loud. Yet, for all its wildness, there’s an unmistakable precision in his craft. Every word feels deliberately chosen, every verse structured for maximum impact. His rejection of the so-called “poetry police” is evident throughout. There’s no pretension here, no need to conform to what poetry “should” be. Instead, Shipley revels in the freedom of verse, spitting out lines that might not win literary awards but will certainly win over anyone who’s ever felt the pull of punk’s DIY spirit. Shipley’s passing in 2024 adds an extra layer of poignancy to this collection. This book exemplifies a life lived with passion, wit, and defiance. He was a gravedigger by trade, a punk at heart, and a storyteller through and through. Reading Daft Punk Verse And A Flick Of The V’s feels like being let in on a great secret, an invitation into the mind of someone who saw the world through a lens cracked from years of mosh pits, long nights, and a refusal to ever settle down. He flicked the Vs at convention, at authority, at the expectations of what poetry should be, and in doing so, he gave us something far more valuable. Raw, unfiltered, honest expression.
If you’re looking for a poetry collection that breaks the rules, makes you laugh, and reminds you of the grit and absurdity of life, Daft Punk Verse And A Flick Of The V’s is essential reading. It’s a celebration of punk in its purest form, not just a genre of music, but a way of thinking, living, and writing. Shipley may have been dubbed “the best worst punk poet ever,” but that title does him a disservice. He was, simply put, a poet for the people, the ones who live on the edges, who embrace the chaos, and who know that sometimes, the best way to face life is with a beer in one hand and two fingers raised in the air. This book is his legacy, and what a bloody brilliant legacy it is. Head to Earth Island Books for more information about ordering the book.
Thoughts Words Action 