Two Catholics and two Protestants unite to form a controversial punk band at the height of the troubles; but how far will they go to defend their anti-sectarian stance?

 

Disillusioned with an endless cycle of sectarian violence, teenage Catholics, ‘DAMO’ DONNELLY and his friend ‘MACKERZ’ form a punk band with two Protestants; drug fuelled powerhouse drummer ‘STIX’ and his sister, bassist SUZIE. Going under the contentious moniker of ‘King Billy & The Popes’ they embark on a musical journey destined for controversy with its anti-sectarian stance. But tensions also become fraught within the band when DAMO falls for SUZIE and the protective STIX becomes worried about their increasingly outrageous on-stage antics. Meanwhile watching in the wing, as the band gain in notoriety, is SUZIE’S deeply sectarian jealous ex-boyfriend GEORGE. When GEORGE discovers that DAMO’S father was responsible for his fathers death he sets out to take revenge with catastrophic results. But will the guitar ultimately prove mightier than the sword?

 

"This is a punchy and energetic piece of writing with a strong central premise and a likeable cast of characters brought together by their love of punk and their loathing of the violence that constantly intrudes into their lives. The writing is pleasingly visual and the opening of the story feels tense and engaging as we’re kept guessing as to exactly who is going to get hurt by the bomb blast."

 

BBC Writersroom