Steve Drewett at The Half Moon in Bishops Stortford 27th October 2012

Steve Drewett

The Half Moon, Bishops Stortford

27th October 2012

Last Saturday's Oxjam gig (a nationwide fund raising event for the Oxfam charity) was ideal for me. A gig in the back room of a pub within walking distance from home. This was the room that was the venue for both Gunta's 30th birthday and Rudi's christening many years ago.

As I mentioned in a previous post this was our local until we moved to the other side of the town (at the time it was run by a lovely couple, James and Helen - James it transpired after we had known each other for a couple of years was sometime stand in bass player for the Adicts). Since moving the frequency of our visits to this particular watering hole have diminished somewhat, so it was really great to catch up with a couple of people who we haven't seen for some time. And so it was that by the time I ventured into the back room for the gig I was a bit Wibbly Pig!

I spoke briefly to Steve before he was due to take to the stage. His set this time around was much more Neurotics orientated that on the previous times that I have seen him play solo (albeit some years ago). Two of these songs I recorded.

'Inch Away'

Steve Drewett

 

 

 

 

 

'This Fragile Life'

Steve Drewett

The set closed with a rousing rendition of 'Kick Out The Tories'. Well at least it was rousing in my head. Gunta informed me that I was 'helping' Steve with the vocals from the front of the stage... how kind of me.... such a socialist act!

Mercury Rising Single Release

Yeah, I know, the single has had its day. As a promotional vehicle in this era of the digital download its value relative to the cost of production is limited certainly.

Nevertheless, as a record buyer of a certain vintage there still remains within me a certain tingle of anticipation that a single release brings on. So, having acknowledged the limited value in commercial and promotional terms, the real beneficiaries of the single release are the fans.... and I'm all for that! As an item, it works as a stop gap between album and tour.

I have had the email to inform me that the cd has been dispatched . I will report more fully when I have the item in the machine.

As to the content, it's great to have the option of an instrumental version and a live version from the last tour makes the 'Mercury Rising' story complete. The choice of 'Sometimes' is a bit of a puzzle. Perhaps the instrumental of 'Lowlands' as was circulated on Soundcloud would have been a better choice or maybe a live version of 'Time Was Once On My Side'. Still please do not take this observation as a moan, since as a fan I am more than happy to have product in hand!

No Nukes Festival Utrecht 9th April 1982

Here's a treat, consider it like a live e.p. From the No Nules festival 4 top quality tracks have been unearthed and they are just too good not to nick and put up here as well. So thanks to Dom P and the others on the Burning Up Time Forum responsible for getting this gem out there.

I give you:

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-Z2SrdD6gKM

01. Man They Love To Hate
02. Who Wants The World?
03. Baroque Bordello
04. Golden Brown

20 From '80 (20) U.K. Subs Music Machine Camden 8th August 1980

U.K. Subs pictured in 1980

It was of course the Subs who inspired this 20 from '80 thread idea with their refrain '1980 is a brand new age!', so it is only right and proper that Charlie's boys feature in this list and round it off.

1980 was indeed a very good year for the Subs who at the time were working hard to build up a following by relentlessly touring (a habit that they have not kicked to this day!).

I am happy to say that the U.K. Subs are still with us and still touring constantly. A quick check shows that they embark on an extensive UK tour next month, followed by Europe early in the new year.

Here's a show from August 1980 from The Music Machine in London's Camden. The set contains new material from the forthcoming 'Diminished Responsibility' album released the following year.

Music Press advert for the gig

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-lkLZyl1iHx

01. Emotional Blackmail
02. You Don't Belong
03. Confrontation Street
04. New Order
05. I Couldn't Be You
06. Tomorrow's Girls
07. Left For Dead
08. Warhead
09. Public Servant
10. Kicks
11. Fall Of The Empire
12. Rat Race
13. New York State Police
14. Teenage
15. Crash Course
16. C.I.D.

Also playing tonight:

The Bodysnatchers   Hornsea Floral Hall, London
Athletico Spizz 80/Tenpole Tudor   Marquee, London

20 From '80 (19) Squeeze Music Hall Toronto 11th April 1980

Squeeze in 1980

Here's another band that were highly active in 1980 that offered up songs of such quality that, 30 plus years on they still sound remarkable. Again, a contemporary off-shoot of punk rather than a punk band per se Squeeze's strength I think lay in the near perfect songwriting abilities if Glen Tilbrook and Chris Difford. As the age old advice goes, 'write about what you know' and you get the feeling that some of the material at least could be autobiographical of the band's life down in South London.

I only saw Squeeze once in 1989 (on the 'Frank' tour) and surprisingly I came away disappointed. It wasn't that the band played badly, rather they committed the cardinal sin, in my eyes at least, of playing a medley of hits. This happened quite a lot in the '80's (I also recall Motorhead doing it as well), but such practises should be consigned to the dustbin of time...... Stars on 45 and Jive Bunny... no more needs to be said.

I have tickets to see a reformed Squeeze in Cambridge next month so I will report back.

FLAC: On its way!

MP3: https://rapidshare.com/files/159217403/squeezetoronto110480MP3.zip

01. Slap and Tickle
02. Touching Me, Touching You
03. Slightly Drunk
04. Pulling Mussels From a Shell
05. Hop, Skip and Jump
06. Another Nail in My Heart
07. Cool For Cats
08. The Mess Around
09 I Think I'm Go-Go
10. Misadventure
11. It's So Dirty
12. Goodbye Girl
13. Encore Break
14. Up the Junction
15. There at the Top

In town on this night:

Whirlwind/The Newtown Neurotics   Dingwalls, London
OMD/Distractions/Flowers   Electric Ballroom, London
Joy Division   Russell Club, Manchester
Secret Affair   Free Trade Hall, Manchester

The Damned On Tour In The UK With The Dickies

 

Not since The Damned co-headlined the Brixton Academy with The Ramones have I seen such a great gig pairing. Here we have the clown princes of punk representing both sides of the atlantic.

The Dickies' Stan Lee with Messers Vanian and Sensible

The Misfits Fiend Fest 2003

I have posted about The Dickies before but I'll say this again, they are the only band that I have seen on many occasions that have never delivered a bad gig. Every other band (without exception) have played at least one howler!

Good luck to The Dickies. I hope the two bands bring out the best in each other.

'Got It At The Store'

The Dickies

The Garage, London 16th July 2011

...... Just a though.... any chance of adding Ruts DC to the bill..... no.... oh well.

Liverpool University 14th October 1977 - With Keyboards (and Bass!)

Now there's no offence intended here. I saw Hugh do 'Heroes' last week and my comments were positive. Still for the benefit of those with an interest in a compare and contrast exercise here's your chance.

One of the better bootlegs from 1977 and indeed recorded on the 'No More Heroes' promotional tour. I give you The Stranglers at Liverpool University. This recording also includes the soundcheck (complete?) and the elusive 'English Towns'.

NEW LINK: FLAC: http://we.tl/LpVliFry8t

 Sound Check
1. English Towns
2. Bring On The Nubiles
3. No More Heroes

Gig
4. No More Heroes
5. Ugly
6. Bring On The Nubiles
7. Sometimes
8. Dagenham Dave
9. Dead Ringer
10. Hanging Around
11. Five Minutes
12. Something Better Change
13. I Feel Like A Wog
14. I Feel Like A Wog (cont'd)
15. Straighten Out
16. Burning Up Time
17. London Lady
18. Grip
19. Down In The Sewer