Classix Nouveaux, Theatre of Hate, Fad Gadget & Shock
Newcastle Mayfair 26th March
This tour was billed as The 2002 Review, and was a package tour of bands under the “new romantic” banner. I guess 2002 was chosen as a “futuristic’ date. It certainly seemed a long way in the future at the time! “During the early part of 1981 the band (Classix Nouveaux) established their following with two major UK tours. The first was the much publicised 2002 Review which sprang from Sal Solo’s idea of combining a number of promising new bands in one package. This gave national exposure to Kirk Brandon’s Theatre of Hate and Shock” (from ChemistryDaily.com). Classix Nouveaux were formed from the ashes of X-Ray Spex plus shaven headed singer Sal Solo (great name). Theatre of Hate were fronted by Kirk Brandon, later of Spear of Destiny, and were much punkier that the headliner. Fad Gadget (Francis John (Frank) Tovey) was a synth-based musician and early proponent of industrial music. I don’t recall anything about the band Shock. I remember enjoying Theatre of Hate who delivered a very powerful set with great passion from Kirk Brandon. I was also impressed by Classix Nouveaux, whose set was quite dramatic, and Sal Solo a great, charismatic frontman. Great value; all for £3!
Posts Tagged ‘music’
31 Jul
Classix Nouveaux, Theatre of Hate Newcastle Mayfair 1981
30 Jul
Cocteau Twins Newcastle Tiffanys 1984
Cocteau Twins Newcastle Tiffanys 1984
Support Felt
I went along to this gig with my mate Dave. We weren’t that familiar with the band’s music other than the exquisite “Pearly-Dewdrops’ Drops” single. I recall that the place was absolutely packed to the rafters, to the extent that you could hardly move at all. We were surprised just how popular the band were. I’m afraid I don’t recall whether or not we saw support act Felt. I remember being impressed by vocalist Elizabeth Fraser, whose “distinctive singing earned much critical praise. She was once described as “the voice of God.” (from Wiki). This band has somewhat legendary status these days, so I’m pleased I got to see them. I had a t-shirt from the gig, which was worn out and thrown away some years ago. I’ve just checked their gigography and now realise that I also saw The Cocteau Twins a year earlier in 1983, supporting Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. A recording exists of the Tiffanys gig, featuring the tracks: “Hitherto”, “Kookaburra”, “Sugar Hiccup”, and “Pearly Dewdrops Drops”. A review of the recording says: “the gig itself is a bit of an oddity. It might be due to the sound quality but Liz Fraser’s voice sounds much more upfront in the front, and she’s throwing out strange vocal inflections into nearly every line, oversinging almost everything to the point of almost showing off.”
29 Jul
Morrissey Manchester Arena 28 July 2012
Morrissey Manchester Arena 28 July 2012
Welcome home Morrissey! Laura and I went to see the great man perform at the vast Manchester Arena last night. We arrived early, had a look at the merchandise, but decided to pass as Laura was looking for any Morrissey vinyl. We also noticed that all the fast food stalls were selling veggie. Morrissey had obviously insisted that no burgers were to be sold. Support came from Kristeen Young, who has opened for Mozza for some time now. Her weird screechy music bemused the audience as it usually does. During the interval the customary video show displayed some choice obscure cuts, several of which we had seen before, and a couple that were new to us. I recognised Shocking Blue, Vince Taylor (who Morrissey must have modelled himself on to some extent), New York Dolls, Bridget Bardot, and a great video of Francoise Hardy travelling through the night lights of a city (London and Soho?) in an open top car singing “All Over the World”; just perfect. And then a taped rant of some of the world’s ills is played across the PA (Adolf Hitler, torture, Nelson Mandella’s imprisonment, cancer, etc, you get the idea) which must have gone on 5 minutes or more, and Morrissey’s onstage early at 8.35pm. The early entrance took the crowd by surprise, and many people were still entering the arena at that point. The screen shows a cheesy picture of Adam West and Burt Ward (60s Batman and Robin). Morrissey was on good form, and in a really good mood: “Wherever you may roam, there’s no place like… Hulme”. He told us that he “hadn’t been invited to the Olympic opening ceremony because my smile is too sincere”. The Diamond Jubilee also got a mention: “How much longer do we have to put up with that moronic family?” The band were all wearing “We Hate William and Kate t-shirts”. The set bore some similarities to last time Laura and I saw him at Middlesbrough, but there have been quite a few changes, including a couple of new songs that Laura and I didn’t know. The Arena was pretty packed with only a few empty seats right up back at the very top. Guitarist Boz was in drag and introduced by Morrissey as Gaynor Tension (whats all that about?). An image of Oscar Wilde with the speech bubble: “Who is Morrissey?” kept popping up. The sound was clear and loud, from where we sat in the arena, although I know others felt that the sound was poor. Great lights, and the band seemed to me to have a much heavier, darker sound this time round. Towards the end Morrissey gave the mike to the crowd, and let a few fans make comment. One guy thanked Morrissey for meeting him in Belgium (I think) and mentioned that he had given Morrissey a T Rex book. 
Morrissey got one guy up on stage, who hugged him; this prompted lots of people trying to get on stage and some crowdsurfing at the front of the mosh pit. Morrissey dedicated the evening to John McBeath, a promoter from Manchester who passed away earlier this year. The image of Adam West and Burt Ward returned at the end. Highlights for me were: Everyday is Sunday; How Soon is Now; Please Let Me Get What I Want, Still Ill, which I don’t think I’ve seen him play since the days of The Smiths. Meat is Murder was quit extended with lots of old video footage of animals being slaughtered. I wonder if this is the same footage that was used on the Smiths’ Meat is Murder tour. It looks pretty similar. The crowd were quite subdued; the reaction wasn’t anywhere near what we’d expected, given this was a homecoming gig and his only British gig this year. Nothing like the 50th birthday gig at the Apollo. Notwithstanding that this was a good gig, which both Laura and I really enjoyed. He finished shortly after 10pm, and we were home by around 12.45am. Setlist: You Have Killed Me; Everyday Is Like Sunday; You’re The One For Me, Fatty; How Soon Is Now?; I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris; Ouija Board, Ouija Board; Maladjusted; When Last I Spoke To Carol; Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me; People Are The Same Everywhere; I Know It’s Over; To Give (The Reason I Live); Scandinavia; Black Cloud; Action Is My Middle Name; I Will See You In Far-Off Places; Meat Is Murder; Let Me Kiss You; Speedway; Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want. Encore: Still Ill
28 Jul
Ry Cooder Newcastle City Hall 1982
Ry Cooder Newcastle City Hall 1982
Ry Cooder is, of course, a legend who has played with so many greats, including The Rolling Stones, Captain Beefheart, and Eric Clapton. This 1982 gig was the only time that I saw him in concert. The 1982 UK tour was to promote the Slide Area album. I recall this as a good gig, but I knew very little of Ry’s material. The new album featured all Ry Cooder originals, and much of the set was drawn from it. I also recall that the ticket price of £5 seemed expensive at the time. The programme states: “Ry Cooder continues as one of the most loving and inventive practitioners of modern music. Without a doubt, Ry Cooder is one of America’s most precious natural resources”. 
Band: Baboo on percussion; Jim Dickinson on piano; Chris Ethridge on bass; Jim Keltner of drums; Smitty Smith on keyboards; and Willie Greene, Bobby King and Pico Payne on backing vocals. A bootleg of the Hammersmith Odeon show of the same tour shows the setlist as: Little Sister; Go Home Girl; Smack Dab in the Middle; Denomination Blues; Down in the Boondocks; Fool about a Cigarette; Feeling Good; How can a Poor Man stand such Times and Live; I’m Not Worried; Its All Over Now; Blue Suede Shoes; Which Came First; If Walls Could Talk; I’m Drinking Again; The Very Thing that makes you Rich; Never Make your Move too Soon; Crazy ’bout an Automobile; Down in Hollywood; Chain Gang.
27 Jul
Camel Newcastle City Hall 1979
Camel Newcastle City Hall 1979
The last time I saw Camel in concert was in 1979 at Newcastle City Hall. By this time the late Peter Bardens had left the band, and had been replaced by two keyboard players. I remember wondering how the band would survive the departure of such a key founder member, and was a little unsure whether to go along to the concert this time around. However a few of us did go along, and the band performed as consistently as ever. 
The tour was to promote the new album “I Can See Your House from Here”, which was quite controversial as a result of its cover which features a crucified astronaut looking down on the earth. I haven’t seen Camel since 1979, although versions of the band have toured up until 2003; with Andy Latimer at the helm. Andy’s poor health has restricted Camel activity in recent years, however the good news is that the Camel website suggests that a new album is under development. Setlist from the London show of the tour: Echoes; Unevensong; Song within a Song; Neon Magic; Rhayader; Rhayader Goes to Town; Migration; Rainbow’s End; Wait; Ice; Hymn to Her; Announcement; Who We Are. Encore: Your Love Is Stranger Than Mine; Never Let Go
26 Jul
Michael Chapman: a Fully Qualified Survivor
Michael Chapman gigs in the 1970s
Michael must have spent the whole of the 1970s gigging up and down the country. I recall seeing him support several major touring artists: Emerson, Lake and Palmer; Focus and Camel come to mind, but I’m sure there were several others. I also recall going to see him as headline act at Newcastle Mayfair one Friday night around 1975 or 1976. Pretty sure he had a full band with him that night, featuring Keef Hartley on drums, and Rick Kemp on bass. Danny Thompson also often played with Michael, on acoustic double bass. If you haven’t heard any of Michael’s material, listen to his first album Rainmaker, or the Fully Qualified Survivor album, both of which are classics. Michael continues to play to this day, and is another guy who I really must catch up with and go and see again. I always enjoyed seeing him in the 70s, his guitar playing is as strong as his songs and his soulful voice.
25 Jul
Camel Newcastle City Hall 1978
Camel Newcastle City Hall 1978
Support Michael Chapman
I was back in the City Hall again in 1978 to see Camel, with support from Michael Chapman. This tour was to promote the Breathless album, and the set included tracks from the new album, as well as a medley of tracks from the Snow Goose album. I remember being quite pleased to hear the Snow Goose material. This was to be the last tour with founder Peter Bardens in the line up. 
Support Michael Chapman seemed to be gigging constantly throughout the 70s. I must have seen him support many different artists. Michael deserves a separate mention: I’ll blog on him tomorrow. Setlist: Earthrise; Unevensong; Song within a Song; The Sleeper; Summer Lightning; Tell Me; La Princesse Perdue; Skylines; Echoes; Never Let Go; One of These Days I’ll Get an Early Night; Lunar Sea. The Snow Goose Medley: Rhayader Goes to Town; Sanctuary; The Snow Goose; Flight of the Snow Goose; Preparation; Dunkirk; Epitaph; La Princesse Perdue; The Great Marsh. Encore: Air Born
24 Jul
Camel Newcastle City Hall 1977
Camel Newcastle City Hall 1977
I didn’t get fully into Camel until after their breakthrough Snow Goose album. I’m not sure why I didn’t pick up on them earlier; I did see them at the Reading Festival in 1974 and 1976 but they weren’t fully on my concert-going radar until 1977, when a group of us went to see them at Newcastle City Hall. This tour was in support of Rain Dances, which was their fifth album. 
Although I always enjoyed seeing Camel in concert, I was never as familiar with their material as I was with that of contemporaries like Yes and Barclay James Harvest. My recollections of Camel are of a progrock band with excellent musicianship; and sets which were largely instrumental, and quite orchestral in nature. My other recollection was that I sometimes confused them in my own mind with Frampton’s Camel, who I saw supporting Humble Pie around the same time. Setlist: First Light; Metrognome; Unevensong; Rhayader; Rhayader Goes to Town; Preparation; Dunkirk; Fritha Alone; La Princesse Perdue; Tell Me; Song within a Song; Skylines; Highways of the Sun. Encore: Lunar Sea; Rain Dances. Encore 2: One of These Days I’ll Get an Early Night; Never Let Go
23 Jul
Dr John The Sage Gateshead 22 July 2012
SummerTyne Americana Festival 2012
Dr. John and The Lower 911 featuring Jon Cleary
Plus support Phantom Limb
Dr John took to the stage around 8.45pm last night to close the SummerTyne Americana Festival 2012 at the Sage Gateshead. The Sage was buzzing with crowds who were taking in the music which was taking place in all three halls, and on the concourse. Dr John’s concert was the highlight of the weekend (for me anyway!) and took place in the larger Hall 1. I had been preparing myself for the gig by playing my old vinyl copy of his 1969 debut lp, Gris Gris, which introduced Malcolm John “Mac” Rebennack, Jr to the world as Dr John The Night Tripper. Gris Gris combines voodoo rhtyhms with psychedelic rock and New Orleans R&B, and features the song I Walk on Guilded Splinters which had been covered by many artists including Humble Pie and Marsha Hunt. Today Dr John retains some of that image, taking to the stage with his voodoo walking stick, dressed in a sharp blue suit, wearing a cap and his hair hanging in a plat at the back. 
His six piece band featured Jon Cleary, who is a New Orleans style R&B headliner in his own right, on keyboards and occasional guitar. The rest of the band included saxophone, trombone, bass, guitar, and drums. The stage was set with Dr John’s organ and grand piano taking centre stage alongside each other, a stool between them, allowing the Dr to quickly switch between keyboards, and to play both at the same time, which he did once or twice. The set was much more R&B and blues, than voodoo, although flashes of the latter crept in at times, as did New Orleans Mardi Gras. Dr John’s band is just excellent, with each musician great in their own right, and each getting the chance to solo. 
The lady trombone player was particularly outstanding. I recognised some, but my no means all of the songs, and was impressed by Dr John whose singing and playing were just superb. The Dr is a real cool dude, who led his band through a set of songs which would be at home as much in a smokey New Orleans bar, as in a concert hall. The set included his “hit” song Right Place, Wrong Time, and a series of standards, for example: St James Infirmary, Let the Good Times Roll, Making Whoopee. A great set, although I was disappointed that he didn’t play I Walk on Guilded Splinters. I had to leave during the encore to pick Laura up. Setlist included (I have missed a few that I didn’t recognise): Locked down; Down the road; I been Hoodood; Right place wrong time; Let the good times roll (Dr John on guitar); St James Infirmary; Jon Cleary song; Ice Age; Big shot; Making whoopee; Now that you got me; That’s life?; Revolution; Goin’ back to new Orleans; Mardi Gras day. Encore: Such a Night
22 Jul
Elvis Costello Sunderland 1980; Newcastle 1981 and 1982
Elvis Costello Sunderland Mayfair 1980
Very few of the top punk and new wave bands came to Sunderland, as most bands tended to call at Newcastle and/or Middlesbrough for their North East gigs. So when a punk act did come it was a big event. My 1981 the old Sunderland Locarno (or “Mecca” as it was more commonly known) had been renamed The Mayfair, taking the same name as its Newcastle counterpart. Sunderland Mayfair regularly featured heavy rock acts, and one or two punk / new waves bands also crept on to the schedule. The place was absolutely jam packed for Elvis Costello. I remember being down the front on the dance floor and being squashed and pushed all over the place. 
The next time I saw Elvis was a year later in 1981, when he was back at the City Hall. Elvis was incredibly prolific in the early years of his career. By the end of 1981 he had released 6 albums and 17 singles, and the vast majority had climbed high in the charts; an incredible achievement. This meant that he has a vast catalogue of songs to choose from in concerts, and his sets just got longer and longer over the years, often featuring in excess of 30 songs, which is some going, and certainly set him aside from many of his punk contemporaries. His shows were a great mix of high energy new wave, catchy jangly pop, beautiful moving ballads, with a classic cover thrown in every now and then. 
Costello was back at the City Hall a year later, at the time of the Imperial Bedroom album. 
The last time that I saw Elvis at Newcastle City Hall was some thirty years ago, in 1982. Support that evening came from The Bluebells, who were to hit the charts with Young at Heart a couple of years later. I saw Costello at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium, and then lost touch with his work. Reflecting back on these gigs has made me realise just how good he is, and I’ve promised myself that I will make every effort to see him when he comes to the Sage Gateshead in 2013.
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