Stiff Little Fingers Brixton Academy 1st October 1988

 

Here's a blast from the past, mine at least. This gig happened in my first week at Brunel University. It was Freshers Week, Saturday night and I can't remember which bands were marking the event on campus. It didn't matter though as I has a ticket for SLF that night.

This was intended be the last ever SLF gig, Jake refers to the fact early on as does he mention Radio 1, the reason why the band were calling it a day for a second time. Jake had got a job with Dave Lee Travis, on the other side of the glass to the studio. It didn't last long and the band were soon in action once more. Listening through this recording this evening made me feel my age though. There are references to Margaret Thatcher, then in power for 11 years and towards the end of the gig Jake thanks the crowd for the loyal support given to the band over the last 10 years... what are we now 47 years in!!

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-eTXq8SYBfk

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-4PIQHtX11D

Demise of Bootlegs Continued

Just wanted to say a thanks for the responses on my lament about the decline of sites that are sharing unofficial live material amongst fans. One thing that I forgot to mention earlier is that the existance of sites such as this serve as one in the eye for those who seek to make a tidy profit by selling such recordings on sites such as eBay. 40 years ago, paying for a bootleg from a seller in Camden was a little different. For a start most people did not have the wherewithall to produce anything like that. These days, good quality recordings are in circulation from fans, to and for fans... with no money changing hands, just an enthusiasm for the material!

If anyone out there has files that they are willing to share, please let me know. I am looking to update the list of gigs that I have (it has been poorly maintained for a few years!) but even now there are some sizable gaps in the record. Please have a look and help if you can. If you can oblige, lossless format (FLAC) is preferable. I appreciate the help. Cheers!

Beacon Bristol 5th May 2024

 

Originally planned to be the penultimate gig on the UK 50th anniversary tour the Bristol date was necessarily rescehduled. Remind me, what was the issue again... Covid? The gig finally happened on 5th May. Thanks to Chatts as always for the share!

I wonder what are the future plans for inclusion of 'White Stallion' in the set!?

'The white stallion's rule is over
The pain is all in the past'.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-mAfXlXzR20

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-90Di3qRWjS

Hugh Cornwell The Booking Hall Dover 10th March 2022

 

Here's another great contribution from Chatts. Hugh playing at The Booking Hall in Dover (a venue that I have not been to but one that seems to be getting some good acts appearing on its stage) in 2022. Sets are split between solo material and the other band. Interestingly, The Stranglers' set opens with 'Dagenham Dave'.... no mention of vocalist Dave though.

 I have uploaded it here in its original 24 bit form. If you want to burn it the files can easily and for free be converted to 16 bit for burning (I use Jet Audio).

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-reLYyR4ul6

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-jtCxkKU2AR

Ruts DC PJ Molloys, Dunfermline 29th September 2024

 

Here's another great set from Ruts DC, as the Subs slow down, these guys are contenders for the 'hardest working band in punk' crown!

Thanks to Chatts for this fantastic gig that band recently played in Dunfermline. I have uploaded it here in its original 24 bit form. If you want to burn it the files can easily and for free be converted to 16 bit for burning (I use Jet Audio).

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-G81KUxMrA0

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-1wnzzLMFgH

Philharmonic Liverpool 14th November 1998

 

Another one here from the Paul Roberts era, the 'Coup De Grace' tour comes to Liverpool. It is what it is. I do not rate it but... but it represents a turning point in the band's fortunes. Key to this was the fact that JJ resumed writing (and critically) singing a greater proportion of the band's material. Sure, for the first time in their career there was a really long wait between the release of studio albums, 'Coup De Grace' and the return to form 'Norfolk Coast' were separated by six years, but don't forget, in that time too JJ went out and did his 'Songs and Stories' dates with a whole batch of new material. And, he ventured out on his own with this stuff which I imagine was pivotal to his regaining of confidence in himself as a musician and performer. So say what you will of 'Coup De Grace' (atually it was me hat said I didn't like it!) but there is no doubt that is was a stepping stone to greater things to come.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-0IpEsksi4U

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-pUQFNJ8SAv

01. God Is Good

02. Coup De Grace

03. Skin Deep

04. Money

05. Golden Boy

06. Nice ‘N’ Sleazy

07. Thrown Away

08. Sinister

09. The Raven

10. In The End

11. Toiler On The Sea

12. Tonight

01. Always The Sun

02. Valley Of The Birds

03. 96 Tears

04. Straighten Out

05. Brainbox

06. All Day & All Of The Night

07. Duchess

08. Golden Brown

09. 5 Minutes

10. Hanging Around

11. No More Heroes

The Demise of the Online Bootleg

 

Periodically, I trawl through sites that Aural Sculptors and other sites are linked to just to see what is out there and the results are very disappointing. So many sites have been removed by their owners or (even more frustratingly) the sites are still in existance but all the links on them are all dead. I was late to the party when I started this site back in 2011, mainly because I hadn't a clue how such sites worked, but even then there was a thriving community of file sharers willing to help a novice get on his feet with a new site. 

I am trying to figure out what is behind this slow depletion of such sites. It is time consuming for sure, often thankless (although the issues that some people have when trying to comment on a post is a contributary factor I think) and there is some cost associated with having a reliable platform on which to store files for a long period of time. These issues not withstanding I struggle with the idea that interest in live recordings is on the wain. This is especially so since the technology has moved on apace... no more tape flips or speed issues in these digital times. The quality achievable with modern equipment is also amazing.

I cannot believe that these type of live recordings are losing their appeal among music fans. Some of the definitive live recordings by any band are unofficial. For this reason, it cannot be that services such as Spotify are killing this 'scene'. Is it the case then that the teenage music fans of the 1980's who on a weekend would head up to Camden High Street in the hope of parting with a fiver to get mediocre recording of a gig they were at the week before have moved on? Maybe this is so.

Nevertheless, I plan to continue at least for as long as the old bands are out there playing! Many thanks as always to those who provide files, comment on content or contribute to the upkeep of the site. 

Adam and the Ants The Marquee London 12th January 1978

 

I stumbled across this early Ants recording online. It appears to be something of an upgrade on what I had in the collection. The Ants were becoming hot property in London at this time and a residency at The Marquee Club in Wardour Street did much to cement their reputation as a band with a future. At that time though, that future was unknown, who indeed could have foreseen the twists and turns that Adam would navigate before he achieved the 'Superstar' status mentioned in the gig review below. Whatsmore, Superstar Adam was a million miles from the Adam who cavorted on the Marquee stage in the Winter of 1978! Strangely, all that survived were some of the early pre-Dirk Wears White Sox era  were the songs that the Adam/Marco line up rerecorded and recycled as B-sides for all of the big hits. 'Fall In', 'Beat My Guest', 'Red Scab' and 'Juanito the Bandito' featured in this set were revived in this way, whilst 'Deutscher Girls' and 'Plastic Surgery' were rush released as a single as a final cash in when Adam split his Ants in early 1982.

Mentioned often before but Adam and the Ants in 1978 has always been one of my 'time machine gigs.

MP3 (as received): https://we.tl/t-B1KJfCFchv

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-LUB7mA9wZL

Here's what the Record Mirror reviewer said of one of the residency Marquee gigs.

Record Mirror (21st January 1978)

ADAM AND THE ANTS
The Marquee, London

“Have you seen The Ants before?” demanded a leotard –clad punkette as I complacently queued for the privilege of using the Marquee “powder room”.

“Well…”

“You haven’t? You don’t know what you’re missing! They are THE BAND of the decade! I’ve never heard anyone like him. Adam is gonna be a Superstar! He’s…”

Typical. I endured six minutes of ravings before discovering that it was at her second ever concert that this 15 year-old had latched onto the Ants. This was her third.

It therefore came as no surprise that her promises were rather far -fetched. I haven't formulated a definite opinion of The Ants yet, probably a near impossibility unless one has seen them two or three times, but I certainly cannot visualize them becoming world heroes. A cult perhaps ...

Adam is the chief Ant. He writes, sings and acts out all their songs (except the hideous 'Lou' written and
screeched by their manager Jordan, leaving Adam looking incongruous behind a guitar). Posturing like an insecure Ig in his black leather and stark make-up he shrilly spat out a total of 15 songs, including two unnecessary encores.

Some were uninspired. Others were quite catchy, particularly the almost Ramonish 'Hampstead' and others were just, er, unusual. 'There's A Whip In My Valise' had a great oom cha cha backing vocals while Adam's falsetto careering through 'Light Up A Beacon My Puerto Rican' and 'Juanito The Bandito' brought a pleasant variety to the set. There was even a tango flavour to 'Deutscher Girls'.

Some good rhythms lurking in the background, but the better points in the set were marred by the bad ones, namely Jordan and an excess of lame songs acting as time - fillers.

Blitz, the young support were surprising. Despite headlining (joke) The Roxy iater that evening they really let loose and enjoyed themselves along with the whole audience. Although stunningly unoriginal they played some very catchy numbers . . . in tune! Strictly for fun.

KELLY PIKE

Interviews by Chris Lowe (Signal Radio) 1986 and 1987

 

Lifted from cassettes many moons ago. Chris Lowe was a DJ on Signal Radio in Stoke who if I recall was sacked for featuring too much Stranglers material on his playlists!

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-yxn2NJ3KoJ

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-Ctt0cjmUbl

Feargal Sharkey 'Interview' Flexipop July 1981

Before Feargal was up to the top of his waders in shite on his worthy and welcomed crusade to free our rivers and waterways of poo, he was a great frontman with The Undertones... not that you didn't know that!

Here's one of those bitesize 'star chats' from the page of Flexipop from the Summer of 1981.

The Undertones Alabamahalle Munich 30th September 1981

 

Here's one that I came across when recently sorting through a mass of unlabelled discs. This proshot TV gig was new to me and it's really rather good. This is from around the time of 'The Positive Touch' tour of 1981, the band's third studio album. Clearly the band were looking to shed the parka image at this point and change the sound of the band and whilst at the time and in the years that followed I was focused on the first two albums what came after was OK, some of it very good in fact. 'Crisis of Mine' is particularly worthy of praise and the band must rate it too since it features in their sets to this day.

Disc Image: https://we.tl/t-MFPMZtdLi4

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-KbEuvQEZti

The Damned John Anson Theater Hollywood CA 21st October 1988

 

Here's the first night that the band played in Hollywood.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-vCkKXJIO3i

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-vw2j3sSio4

The Damned John Anson Theater Hollywood CA 22nd October 1988 (TFTLTYTD #15)

 

This was the second of theree nights that The Damned played at the John Anson Ford Theater in Hollywood back in 1988. Once again, the set is rather experimental with a handful of Rock 'n' Roll/Garage covers thrown in. The first, 'You Must Be A Witch' was by sixties Garage band, The Lollipop Shoppe. The track later appeared on one of the noted 'Pebbles' compilation LPs which I guess is how it probably came to the band's notice. 'Cathouse' is a Danielle Dax cover and the origins of 'Tonight' I do not know. Of course, 'Johnny Remember Me' and 'Fever' are both very well known. 

Support on these dates was provided by Sham 69.

This post is dedicated to bass player, Bryn Merrick who was with the band for much of the 1980's having replaced Paul Gray in 1983. Bryn succumbed to cancer in 2015 at the age of just 56.

The cover photos and ad are from the Unofficial damned Nonsence Facebook page.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-QNxQhyeGoH

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-TNQBBTKaDc

Big Country Audley End Saffron Walden Essex 11th August 2022

 

Audley End house is a huge country pile not so far from where I live. Originally the site of a Benedictine priory, it became an aristocratic family seat after the dissolution of the monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII. Now in the hands of English Heritage the site combines history and entertainment as a means of funding the upkeep of the house and gardens. In this Audley End is not alone. In recent years stately homes, forests and even racecourses have doubled up as high end gig venues. The bills for these summer events (the UK climate dictates that these events only occur in the summer months!) tend to be filled with bands that had their greatest sucesses in the 1980's, which makes sense when the organisers are looking to draw in an audience who can drive to the venue with family and friends. I have no real problem with this as a revenue stream if it contributes to keeping historic buildings and forests standing, but that said this set up is not for me... and its not just because I can't abide Simple Minds!

Soft Cell have recently played these events, and I love Soft Cell. Unfortunately, my Soft Cell is the sleaze sodden, drug fuelled car crash of a band of 'The Art of Falling Apart' era rather than the Radio 2 friendly electro-pop duo that your Gran would tap her toes to. What I am trying to convey is my disdain such 'Picnic in the Park' type affairs which sets designed to appeal to the most casual of gig goers.

Here, I can already hear cries of 'What about The Stranglers playing castles'. Point taken, but having been to the Caerphilly gig, the atmosphere was not much different to a normal Stranglers gig and I guess that this is due to the fact that the bill sets to tone, support coming in the form of Ruts DC in this case. I imagine the same will be true of Warwick and Lincoln.

Anyway, at the Audley End event Big Country were providing support for Simple Minds, this date forming part of a bigger 40th Anniversary tour. I am not a big fan of Big Country (although they have never provoked me in the way Simle Minds do!). I fully understand why they (BC) are as popular as they are, and I appreciate how loved Stuart Adamson was, especially in Scotland. So here they are... and who should pop up.... Jobbo! So I give you 'Skid Country' or perhaps 'Big Skid' (no perhaps not!). 

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-GRcihQmXnP

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-9v0bhcxqZA

Het Depot Leuven 20th October 2024

 

And here's another from the recently concluded European tour. Many thanks to a site contributor for the kind share of the files. Cheers.

MP3 (as received): https://we.tl/t-vze0hMiElA

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-fMbbZHpdLV

01. Intro
02. Toiler On The Sea
03. (Get A) Grip (On Yourself)
04. Duchess
05. The Raven
06. Nice ‘N’ Sleazy
07. Sweden (All Quiet On The Eastern Front)
08. Just Like Nothing On Earth
09. Princess Of The Streets
10. Water
11. Don’t Bring Harry
12. Ships That Pass In The Night
13. Breathe
14. Peaches
15. Golden Brown
16. Always The Sun
17. Genetix
18. White Stallion
19. Walk On By
20. Hanging Around
21. Tank
22. JJ Burnel
23. Go Buddy Go
24. No More Heroes

The Cure BBC Radio Theatre, Broadcasting House, London, 6 Music Session 30th October 2024

 

I am not the greatest fan of the Cure by any stretch of the imagination. I do however have a great respect for the and how they conduct themselves as a band, as an institution you could almost say. I like the buzz that they have consistently been able to create around the release of new material. With yesterday's release of 'Songs of a Lost World', their first abum for 16 years, they have excelled themselves. I didn't really follow the build up to the release, but the oganisation behind the band worked brilliantly with the BBC to make the release a highly anticipated feast of the Cure's music old and new.

Here's how they announced it.

'To mark the release of Songs Of A Lost World next month, we will head to the BBC Radio Theatre, London on Wednesday 30th October for a special 6music session with Huw Stephens and an exclusive RADIO 2 IN CONCERT with a very small audience. 

Registration for the free ticket ballot is open now at by clicking HERE and will close at 9pm on Wednesday 9th October. Please see the link for full details and terms and conditions.

Both shows will then be available to watch and listen from 31st October via the BBC iplayer and BBC sounds.'

As if that was not enough, a full gig (all three hours of it) at London's Troxy was streamed free for fans. 

I appreciate that Mr Smith and Co are not overly constrained by budgetary considerations in such matters but fair play to them for giving their fanbase world wide the oppurtunity to participate, even if only digitally, with such grand launch events happening in London.

Many thanks to the original Dime uploader (auto_pilot).

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-oupCzhPOjF

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-8gaJYb7AoJ

01. Robert Smith interviewed by Huw Stephens
02. DJ Intro
03. Plainsong
04. Last Dance
05. I Can Never Say Goodbye
06. DJ
07. Burn
08. And Nothing Is Forever
09. At Night
10. A Forest
11. DJ
12. All I Ever Am
13. Prayers for Rain
14. DJ
15. Disintegration

The Stranglers Photostory (Flexipop March 1981)

I am not sure whether this is still a thing in mangazines aimed at the teenage market. Come to think of it, I am not sure whether teenage magazines are still a thing in these more tech orientated times. But back in the '70s and '80s such magazines were a newsagent staple for which young adolescents were prepared to be parted from their pocket money. Photostoris were born out of girl's magazines that used photostrips to play out teenage dilema's, of the boy meets girl type. Occasionally, for humerous purposes some of the weekly music papers ran such photo stories in which they featured current bands and this is something that was carried through into the pages of the excellent but short lived 'Flexipop' publication, so named as each issue can with a flexidic single from a featured band. As an aside, these discs were notoriously fragile. Any mishandling of the waffer thin plastic would deform the disc such that your record players stylus would be thrown from the surface of the record rendering the disc unplayable! Anyway back to the photostory thing. 

The Stranglers had appeared previously in at least one such photostory within the pages of Record Mirror, so when Barry Cain moved on and set up Flexipop I guess he pulled in a couple of favours and got the Meninblack to repeat the process. Barry had long been a fan and supporter of the band, and in turn, he was one of the few music journalists whose name did not appear in Burnel's black book... indeed, the friendship and respect endures to this day. In this photostory, the band are forced to live in close proximity to each other for 60 days in a nuclear fall-out shelter as part of a scientific experiment sponsored by the military.

In some respects this could be seen as a portent for things to come.

Ruts DC The Underworld Camden London 3rd June 2017

 

Surprised that I overlooked this one on my hard drive. This is a great sounding recording (not sure who the taper was, sorry) of the band playing at The Underworld in Camden as part of The Camden Rocks Festival 2017, an event where one ticket gets you into all participating venues in the locality. Ruffy makes reference to the fact that if you were quick The Damned were playing up the road at the Electric Ballroom in half an hours time.

This was Ruts DC's return to the marvellous Underworld venue, where in September of the previous where they played a gig to launch the new album, 'Music Must Destroy'. A highlight of this set, and all Ruts DC's sets is 'Mighty Soldier' here dedicated to Tenor Fly who had died fairly recently.

Give this one a listen!

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-blp7ONep7G

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-xCatJFFavN