“The Bard of Salford,” John Cooper Clarke is a seminal punk. His poems leaps deftly, surreal and vitriolic, poking wry fun at a little bit of everything. Wild youth, the underprivileged, fashion (specifically track suits), crooked cops, and the potent discomfort of curse words are As an artist he has unflinchingly done the unfathomable; touring - as a performance poet - with the likes of The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Elvis Costello, and The Buzzcocks. Joy Division were supporters of his cause, as are The Arctic Monkeys, and Jarvis Cocker. He has left an indelible mark on popular culture through his sharp prose, his framing of the punk ethos, and his iconic style - the drainpipes, the mess of hair, and the Cuban heeled boots - which have become a trademark punk look favored by many and reference by more.