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

Various Short Interviews And News Items 1977 To 1985

 

More of the kind of stuff that was added to bootlegs to fill up unused space on expensive tapes back when the cassette was king. This is a very short collection (running in at 16 minutes) and worth a listen. The '77 Piccadilly Radio interview in Manchester with JJ runs fast, that is unless the station heads were in the habit of pumping helium into their studios!

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-Dbl8vJP8KR

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-B7s65uIzI1

Interview With Rat Scabies And Dave Vanian (Radio Wyvern 1982)

 

Here is a short interview that I found tacked onto the end of a Damned gig recording. And as this, the Year of the Rat, draws to a close with the classic line up on tour, it seemed like a good idea to post it. Dave and Rat sat in on the 'Bedrock' show on Worcestershire's Radio Wyvern back in 1982, shortly after the release of Strawberries.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-hfuBuKBcqu

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-gzcGgOPiXR

Television Personalities John Peel Session 20th August 1980

 

All I really knew about the Television Personalities is that they has recorded 'Where's Bill Grundy Now?' and 'Part-Time Punks', great tracks and a rather satirical view of the punk scene. It was my daughter who started talking about the band. I think that she once took a bit of a lead from me musically, but she very quickly went off on a multitude of tangents leaving me a long way behind.TVP were a case in point.

I did go with her some years ago for a gig at the 100 Club for a celebreation of Dan Treacy's music. Prior to this gig, I did a bit of hoemwork and reaslised that I knew more than the aforementioned two tracks. Not many more, but a few!

Here is the Peel Session that they did back in 1980. I think it's great, very different.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-XLiuFXtEXp

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-b3WdyL897a

The Damned Royal Court Liverpool 19th October 1982

 

So with the The Damned on the road right now it is no surprise that my social media feed, such as it is, is rather Damned heavy in content. I wasn't however expecting to wake up this morning to be confronted with our daughter''s beaming face in the company of the individual members of the band!

I love the idea that the waring factions with the band had it within themselves to bury the hatchet (and not into each other!) so that we could enjoy that amazing on stage chemistry for perhaps the last time... who knows. In anticipation of the Roundhouse gigs here's one that they made earlier in Liverpool, a mere 42 years ago. The Strawberries tour. I wasn't there but for me at least, this was their live zenith. That is not to say that the band necessarily declined on the live front after '82, it's just that this was the period of greatest musical change for the band as they challenged the widely held preconceptions of what a punk band shouldsound like and how!

This recording is really rather good, setwise it is impeccable, and sound-wise, it is good for its age.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-bA80wmX9ix

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-vxY9wAhVxs

Verulum Arms Watford 14/2/83 - 'Browned Seasoned and Thickened' LP - Rat Zone Remaster

 

It never was in the Top 10 of inspirational bootlegs, besides which better and full set versions of this 'secret' gig are out there (and on here in fact). Nevertheless, it is a part of the band's history and some years back The Rat Zone did a splendid job of making it available in this digital form with original artwork to boot.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-CgIDPXLZMR

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-EJ2RlmPhjD

JJ and Baz on Liz Kershaw's 'Legends In Their Own Lunchtime' Show (BBC 6 Music)

 

Here's one that I dredged up recently. As far as I can see I haven't posted this before. Broadcast on 12th December 2021, this one hour mix of music and chat looks both backwards at a long career and forwards, 'Dark Matters' having been released a few months before. So cast yourself back to that Covid period of suspended animation for 59 minutes.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-kO6Min26Qy

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-d2fP4CrJMf

A Request For Replacements

 

As mentioned a few days ago, I spent a recent stormy weekend sorting through old discs, a proportion of which had been rendered unplayable as a result of use in the past of some dodgy CD labels.

In the event, the damage wasn't as bad as I was anticipating and the list is pretty short. If anyone had versions of the following (preferrably in lossless format) and can help I would be very grateful.

The Stranglers
Rainbow Theatre London 8/7/80

Sophia Gardens Cardiff 16/11/81

De Vereeniging Nijmegen 21/2/83

Roskilde Festival 4/7/87 (Radio Broadcast)

JJ Burnel

Purcell Rooms RFH London 13/12/2000

Hugh Cornwell

Cafe De Paris 27/1/05 (Alternative radio broadcast (16 tracks)

Cheers,

Adrian.

Ulster Hall Belfast 30th November 1981

 

Back to familiar territory now, here's The Stranglers on this night 43 years ago at the Ulster Hall in Belfast. Not the best quality I am afraid, but posted nontheless. Quality aside, there's nothing to complain about with that set.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-fLpU7oqqLS

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-KnJVGywPRf

Hugh Cornwell Electric Ballroom Camden London 28th November 2024 - A Review

 

It did make me smile to read a comment that with the recent posts on Hugh, this site is starting to resemble the Burning Up Times Forum. That is not the direction that I am heading in. That said, as a card carrying Cornwell fan, somewhat entrenched in the Mk I era of the band, I make no apologies for crowing occasionally about what Hugh is doing.

I have said on here in the past that I used to enjoy those occasions on which The Stranglers fucked up, as bands do from time to time. These days, so polished is a Stranglers' performance that such errors are few and far between. That happens when you have a tried and tested crew behind you. That is not the case with Hugh, that is not to say that he is prone to regular fuck ups, but the performances are more raw and the bum notes more audible. I like that!

Hugh's London show was opened once again by a hit heavy set from EXTC... and that band did undeniably have some great tunes. 

With his band on stage, Hugh appeared to spend the first five minutes tuning his guitar as the instrumental 'Duce Coochie Man' announced their presence. Two numbers from the 'Moments of Madness' album opened the set, 'Coming Out of The Wildeness', a great platform for that signature Cornwell growl that was lost to The Stranglers all those years ago, and 'Too Much Trash', the latter being a disposable (no pun intended), protest against the proliferation of litter, as subject that has been on Hugh's mind since his time in The Stranglers. With its adoption of American terminology and heavy reliance on a rhyming dictionary, this song would not sound out of place on Sesame Street! Not a favourite of mine it is fair to say!

'Sleazy' was his first foray into Stranglers's territory and it sounded pretty good to me. A surprise in the set was 'Dead Loss Angeles' a song described by Hugh as underated. I would agree, but it is a shame that the band did not resort to the two bass arrangement for the song. Mid set was graced with 'Moments of Madness' and for me the strongest track on the new album 'When I Was A Young Man'.

'Monster', my favourite post Stranglers album, was only lightly represented in the set, but they played a good version of 'Mr Leather', a clever lesson in writing as is is so evocative of Lou Reed's style and the sound of The Velvet Underground. 'Nuclear Device' and 'Down in the Sewer' were very enjoyable, but the best, and the reason why I dragged myself into London on a cold, Thursday evening, was yet to come... most of side two of 'Nosferatu'. Gunta describes this material as 'Killing Jokey' and I guess she has a point. The album is intentionally, discordant, claustrophobic in a way that makes for uneasy listening in parts.... it's exact appeal in my books. The set closed with 'Wrong Way Round', a song I never believed I would get to hear live. And, the bass player filled the shoes of the fairground barker, the late, great Duncan Poundcake, with aplomb.

Sorry for the crap photographs. Must do better! 

Hugh Cornwell The Hay-On-Wye Arts Festival 1st August 2002

 

If you will indulge me a couple more Cornwell related posts, here's a cracking radio broadcast from the annual Hay-On-Wye Festival. Hugh featured on 1st August 2002 on the BBC Radio Wales programme 'The Saturday Social' in which he plays a mix of solo and Stranglers' material with commentares in between.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-0GRewBpfYD

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-EmcNelsnyM

Hugh Cornwell The Empire Belfast 10th November 2024

 

A huge thanks to the Historical Field Recording Unit for this recent recording from Hugh! We didn't have any tickets for these dates and it was only when Mo, after seeing him in Leeds last week, suggested that I may particularly enjoy the Nosferatu element of the set (well Mo, it is the best solo Strangler album by a country mile!!).

Take a look at the set, great to see a bit of variety in The Stranglers' selections, 'Dead Loss Angeles', 'Tank' and 'Sewer' back. And let's not forget that encore to die for! The upshot being that Gunta and I are going to the Electric Ballroom on Thursday.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-y7gwcIJ0np

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-Tep8AMnu91

NOTE: It has been pointed out that this is not the original file as recorded and checking on the Dime info file this would appear to be the case 'The only thing I've done to this fine recording is Amplify the Right Channel +3db to balance the audio...'. As a consequence of 40 years in close proximity to Burnel's bass stack my hearing in my right ear is slightly impared... so any imbalance is rather lost on me.

Theatre Verdure Nice 12th October 1983

 

I owe this weekend's Storm Bert a thank you. The shite weather that Bert offered us this weekend meant that I had no excuse not to tackle a task that I have been putting of for years now. When I first got the wherewithall to transfer old bootleg cassettes to CD-Rs I was using CD labels. However, whether it was because they were cheap or whatever, some interaction over time occured (leaching of the inks or adhesive components into the business bit of disc) that rendered many of them unplayable. It took two full days to go through everything, some were rescued by careful removal of the labels whilst for others I had digical versions (often superior remasters (thanks DomP!) on various hard drives.

The upshot is that only 5 or 6 discs were lost and need replacement. I will post the short list soon, if anyone can help. An upside to this arduous task was to unearth some unposted stuff that I had listed but mislaid.

This is one such, The Stranglers in Nice, for the first time since the 'riot'. Hugh makes some cryptic reference to their last visit.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-5QjPb2QYSs

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-GEymraqvCB

Sex Pistols With Frank Carter Rock City Nottingham 20th September 2024

 

I have said quite a bit about the Sex Pistols over the last few days, so I have little more to say other than you should give this a listen. Cook. Jones and Matlock are guaranteed to make a magnificent racket on the day. Thanks to the original Dime poster (Hotpoint).

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-JFFRA9lfTG

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-IfnoqjSOld