The Nashville West Kensington - A Review (Sounds 3rd July 1976)

 

With reference to the previous post, here's a great example of the type of early press coverage that I am talking about. In this review of the band's 14th June 1976 performance at The Nashville in West Kensington, that appeared in the 3rd July issue of Sounds, Chas De Whalley hits the nail on the head. Chas, an early protagonist of The Stranglers seemed to have an inate understanding of what made the band tick and where they were coming from musically from the moment the press picked up on them. Pitching them somewhere between  Eddie & The Hot Rods and the Pistols is not a bad assessment of where the band were at musically in the Summer of 1976.

In his assessment of the music, it is clear that this was something different (and yet familiar from an earlier time.... isn't that true for all music though?). In the words of De Whalley 'Thus their music can be seen to strike an uneasy pose between the naively structured pop songs of the era and the heady raucous excesses of acid-rock'. 

From what I have read, review-wise, relating to the band in this period, it is very evident that they intregued and discusted the music writers in equal measure, but generally, even those that were critical wrote in such a way that the reader could make at least a partially informed decision on whether to be parted from 75 pence or so to go and see the band live or not (this being prior to the signing of any recording contract).

The Stranglers In Pre-History

I want to say thanks to laurence Prior who has taken the time to post some '76 gig reviews and music press gig ads up on the Facebook memorabilia site. It is refreshing to see this material from the early period of the band's existance pulled from the back pages of the UK music papers and shared. This stuff is not easily accessed. Old copies of the music press attract a premium price (when considering what they are) and if fans are going to be parted from their cash it is most likely to be exchanged for '77/'78 copies that feature major aticles on the band rather than a 2 inch square gig ad listing The Stranglers as the bottom of the bill supporting act culled from page 46 of Sounds from April 1976!. And yet this is the best archive stuff, the genesis of the band from a time that pre-dated the entrenched media position on the band. They were new on the nascent London punk scene and music journalists were in still in the process of formulating opinions on the band.

There are quite a few histories of the band around now but it would be fantastic to see one dedicated to the pre-history of The Stranglers (say one with a hard cut off of the 15th April 1977, the release date of 'Rattus' in the UK). A guy by the name of Paul Goodwin wrote a book along these very lines called 'Tubeway Daze, The Untold Story of Tubeway Army'. Many will know that the story of Tubeway Army is effetively the tale of two distinct bands, a punk version that disbanded in June 1978 after a violence marred gig in Acton with The Skids and the electronic version that shot to fame after 'Are 'Friend's' Electric?' graced the nations TV screens. The punk band's biography across '77 and into '78 is brief, but the book manages to bring pretty much all that ever appeared in relation to that band in the press together in one place. That is what I would love to see for The Stranglers.

The Damned Manchester Academy 6th December 2024

 

Here are The Damned doing justice to the Holy Trinity of 'Machine Gun Etiquette', 'The Black Album' and 'Strawberries'. If you weren't there first time around (and I wasn't) this is as close as you're gonna get to The Damned A.D. 1982 and its very, very good.

Thanks to the original Dime uploader (rbose1) for the share. 

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-dyBZ5ZzQF9

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-Ad1CwjWosx

The Damned The Roundhouse London 18th December 2024 - A Review Of Sorts

 

Lady Luck has not looked down on the family kindly this year, if indeed at all... that is with one exception. Earlier in the year I booked a couple of tickets to see The Damned. It was just as the first night at the Roundhouse was selling out and a second night was announced. Momentarily I was in a quandary, do I go for the packed sold out first night or go for the second night which may or may not be so rammed. Decision made, I opted for the first night as I knew other mates would be there on the Wednesday. On the night, it was painfully clear that the Captain was suffereing from the lurgy, his voice was shot and he was going through a box of man-sized at a rate of knots! Early evening the following day came an announcement from the band to say that upon the advice of the Dr Jekyll (presumably) the second gig should be pulled. It seems to be the case that the venue and the various ticket vendors are offering refunds so no rescheduled date... hard to manage I guess for the last date of  UK tour. My plans to see the band elsewhere, earlier in the year were also sunk by illness on my part so Wednesday was my last chance to see my classic line up of the band. Thank you Lady Luck!

We entered the auditorium as the the intro tape gave way to Paul Gray's first bass salvo as the band launched into 'Love Song'. We manoeuvered over to the left to the side of the stage, it being a little more spacious, but more importantly it offered a good view of the 'new boy' occupying the drum stool. Another taste of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' was delivered in the form of 'Second Time Around' and the band were in full swing. There then followed a brilliant 'Black Album' trio of 'Wait For The Blackout'. 'Lively Arts' and 'History Of The World', three songs that are so much a part of me as a teenage music fan. This was the time when I was really getting into The Damned. I have no idea what the bands rehearsal schedule was, but they were tight tonight and Rat didn't get a beat out of place.

Dave Vanian attempted to introduce 'Plan 9 Channel 7' with a bit of context around the song's leading character (Maila Nurmi (a.k.a. Vampira), B-movie actress ('Plan 9 From Outer Space'), horror film host and wannabe love interest of James Dean'. But alas, a chant broke out and Dave conceded 'So Maila is less interesting than Sensible wanking!...'.

The highlight of the show came early for me and looking at a posted photo of the set list it looked like it was a change that may have been made specifically for London. 'Are The Ruts in tonight, this one's for Malcolm' said Captain by way of introduction of 'Limit Club', the band's ageless tribute to Malcolm Owen. 'Gun Fury (Of Riot Forces)', a great song in itself, could not have been replaced by a better song!

A great version of 'Eloise' took Sensible's strained vocal chords to the limit, but you've gotta love the drama of that song, even Barry Ryan conceeds that The Damned's version is in a class of its own. 

It was very clear from the set that this was a celebration of The Damned's golden period of '79 to '82, with 'The Damned as MC5' represented by 'Neat Neat Neat' and 'New Rose' alone. After all, the punk thrash version of the band had been revived once more with Brian in 2022. The Damned tonight were less raucous, less chaotic (in truth they have not been chaotic for the longest time now!), tonight was a case of allowing the music to speak for itself . This was also the closest that I was ever going to get to the Strawberries tour, but I loved it. Seven minutes of 'Curtain Call' too, marvellous.

The only critisism that I would have would be concerning the drum solo.... always hated them... but it was Rat so I let it go :)! Oh, and with the prolonged 'Ignite', they have denied the set of an additional song (I feel the same way about 'Walk On By'!). In my opinion 'Ignite' is far superior when played as it was recorded. But these are trifles in what was a brilliant night. 

A speedy recovery for the good Captain and I look forward to doing it all over again (with a few more dates managed by me) next year.

Rebellion 2nd August 2019

 

In August 2019, The Stranglers graced the stage of the Empress Ballroom within the iconic Winter Gardens of Blackpool. The event was Rebellion 2019, a festival of now world renoun. This is a full set recording. Thanks to Paul for the share.

As a bonus there are five tracks from the set that the band played at the Wasted Festival (a forerunner of Rebellion) in May 2005.

DVD Disc Image: https://we.tl/t-l2C2juYMty

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-6X1LSrqq7F

Hugh Cornwell And Jet Black Interview (Capital Radio London 20th September 1977)

 

Another interview, perhaps a little more obscure this time. It's Tuesday 20th September 1977 on the eve of the start of the 'No More Heroes' tour. The band have just retreated from Sweden after their run in with the Raggare. Tonight they are in conversation with Tony Myatt on his 'Late Show' broadcast on London's commercial Capital Radio station. 

In a mix of DJ lead interview and radio phone in, Hugh and Jet discuss their rumble in Sweden, the recording of the second album, the enigmatic Celia and The bloody Doors influence!

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-FivNikWTxl

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-cGW2zH15a9

The Piece Hall Halifax 3rd August 2024

Making the most of the crew and the general expense of having a band on the road, The Stranglers slipped a quick outdoor gig into the Summer calendar after headlining at Rebellion Festival the night before (Friday 2nd August). Some Saturday night in Halifax!

Many thanks as ever to Chatts for the recording. Cheers!

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-YQJbpK108U

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-vNySAm9eTB