Belfast’s finest export since The Titanic, Bicep, have been awarded the city’s greatest honour, their very own mural in West Belfast.
Normally associated with sectarianism or paramilitary groups, Belfast’s murals are famous all over the world and have even become a tourist attraction since the Good Friday agreement in the late 1990s.
However, Bicep’s mural is an homage to cross community spirit and represents a new generation of youth in Belfast who have been brought together by their love of the sesh.
Marty Murphy, a twenty-three-year-old from the Falls Road, spoke to Wunderground earlier, “I think it’s brilliant that Bicep are getting their very own mural. People around here are sick of hearing about flags, marches and that sort of shite. It’s a well-needed breath of fresh air for the area and hopefully, it will help to spread a message about peace, harmony and getting bucked on eccies to all the kids around here.”
“Some of my best mates these days are from the Shankill Road, that would have been unthinkable in the past,” continued Murphy. “If you’d have told my Da a few years ago that, in 2017, his some would be doing bumps of ket with some wee lad from the Shankill he would’ve laughed in your face but here are, and it’s true.”
“In fairness to Bicep, they’re not the best looking lads like, but, after twenty-three years around here, I’m sick to death of looking at Bobby Sand’s face on the walls so anything is an improvement on that.”
According to Stormont sources, Bicep have now done more for cross-community relationships in Belfast’s Interface Areas than any politician in the history of the state.
“We used to see gangs of youths hanging around and causing trouble at the areas where catholic and protestant neighbourhoods met,” explained Sinn Fein leader Michelle O’Neill. “While you’ll still see gangs of youths showering each other with rocks, you’re every bit as likely to see gangs of youths dancing to Bicep tunes.”
Reports indicate that the mural will show both members of Bicep, Andy Ferguson and Matt McBriar, discussing the pros and cons of digital music with Michael Collins and Winston Churchill while watching reruns of Barry McGuigan’s title fights.
