Bipolar Mum Journey

That’s how the saying goes, int it? And honestly… it’s bang on.

All my old faves land proper different these days, especially now I’ve got a shiny badge of Bipolar slapped on me back. Songs I used to sing along to, I’m now sat there thinking, hang on a minute… is this song about me or what?

One of my absolute favourite bands growing up was Alien Ant Farm. Loved ’em. Still do.

Dryden Mitchell especially – proper eccentric, bit daft, full of energy… basically someone I saw myself in straight away. Didn’t hurt that he were easy on the eye either, let’s be honest.

Their track These Days is still my go-to, and I remember reading in a magazine back in the late 90s / early 00s that his personality was “kind of schizophrenic”. Even back then I thought, eh? he’s not owt like that, he just seems cool and dead charismatic.

Fast forward a few years and I’m clocking that most of the cool, loud, full-of-life people I’ve adored over time have later come out as having some sort of mental illness. Funny that, init? Frustrating an’ all, but there you go.

I’ve always seen myself as an outgoing, bubbly nutter who changes her mind like the weather… turns out there’s an actual name for it now.

Not just “she’s a bit mad, her” – it’s Bipolar

I’ll listen to owt me, but back in my skater days it were rock and indie all the way. Baggy jeans, winged eyeliner and an oversized black hoodie with a red anarchy symbol on it. 39 years later I’m still an anarchist screaming: F**k the system!

So go on then…

Who were your band growing up?

The one where as soon as the intro starts you get goosebumps and you’re straight back in your bedroom, pretending you’re an absolute rockstar?