The Kane Gang Newcastle Mayfair November 1984
I saw The Kane Gang at Newcastle Mayfair in late 1984, when they were touring around the time of their “Small Town Creed” and “Closest Thing to Heaven” singles, both of which made the singles chart that year. The Kane Gang come from the North East, and featured two vocalists, Martin Brammer and Paul Woods and Dave Brewis on guitar. This was a home gig for them. My memory is of a soul revue type show, with a large backing band. Support came from Big Sound Authority. I found a setlist from a gig of that period: Loserville; Amusement Park; How Much Longer; Printers Devil; Small Town Creed; Closest thing to heaven; Gun Law; Brother Brother; Respect Yourself; Mighty Day. Just watched “Small Town Creed” on YouTube. Its a pretty fine song, and brought back some memories of seeing the two guys sing it. This band is largely forgotten, other than for “Closest Thing to Heaven” which was their biggest hit. A CD retrospective has recently been released which includes their entire recorded output, and had had pretty good reviews.
Posts Tagged ‘music’
10 Aug
The Kane Gang Newcastle Mayfair November 1984
9 Aug
Geoff Travis in Conversation Pop Recs Sunderland August 8th 2013
Geoff Travis in Conversation Pop Recs Sunderland August 8th 2013
Laura and I went to see Geoff Travis in Conversation at Pop Recs in Sunderland last night. Geoff Travis is the founder of Rough Trade Records. Rough Trade started as a record shop in London in the early days of punk, and then launched a highly influential record label and distribution network which was home to The Smiths and many other bands. Pop Recs is a record shop, coffee house and venue launched and run by local band Frankie And The Heartstrings. The event was over-subscribed, and was aimed at local musicians and those involved in the music business, being part-organised by local music business catalyst Generator. Guardian writer and Music Business commentator Eamonn Forde was asking all of the questions, and made sure that there was also plenty of opportunity for questions from the audience. It was a fascinating evening, with Geoff talking about the formation and growth of Rough Trade, and giving us insights into what made it such a success. He explained that he started the company so that he could have control over his own destiny, and follow the music that he loved and believed in. Rough Trade was set up on a set of socialist values of honesty and fairness, and Geoff told us how he has always followed his own interests and worked with bands and artists who he believed in. He explained the importance of being spontaneous, and not waiting to act on instinct, citing an example of how Rough Trade failed to sign the Stone Roses, because they didn’t act quick enough in issuing a contract. He also spoke fondly of Morrissey and Marr, and Javis Cocker. He talked about the recent rebirth of Rough Trade with artists such as The Strokes (who he heard down the phone and knew in 10 seconds that he wanted to sign them) and The Libertines. An inspiring evening with a guy who has certainly been there and done it.
8 Aug
Killing Joke Middlesbrough Gaskins Sat 25th April 1981
Killing Joke Middlesbrough Gaskins Sat 25th April 1981
“Killing Joke lurk in rock and roll’s shadow world where they weave with electronic instruments of mystic fire magical incantations and dark grinding musical shapes that linger in the air like Aleister Crowley’s opium-scented nightsweats” (dangerousminds.net).
And so it was when Dave and I experienced “The Joke” at Middlesbrough Gaskins in 1981. Gaskins was a club in Middlesbrough town centre which played host to a number of punk gigs in the early 80s, frequented by the same crowd that assembled at the Rock Garden, the Town Hall Crypyt and Redcar Coatham Bowl. The first thing I recall about this gig was arriving to an empty ballroom with a large pentagram set out on the dance floor in front of the stage. The gig started to fill up, and the aforementioned pentagram was inhabited by a fire eater, known as “Dave The Wizard” who then proceeded to breath fire at us, while performing a primeval war dance. Dark spooky stuff. This was the world of Killing Joke at the time, very influenced by Mr Crowley, black magic and the dark side. The line-up was Jaz Coleman on vocals and organ, Kevin “Geordie” Walker on guitar, Martin “Youth” Glover on bass, and Paul Ferguson on drums. Jaz had his face painted with black make-up, and Youth looked very like Sid Vicious. And the music was loud, dark, doomy, pounding and relentless. There was something sinister and unnerving about the evening; a power and energy that transcended the music being performed. This was music from the dark side and took punk to another epic level.
From a fanzine site: “NC: Can you tell us about the fire-eater? JAZ: Oh yes, that’s a long time ago. The Wizard, he used to blow fire. He was a real nut case, that guy. He used to blow fire and war dance. He has not done it for a long time. He had some interesting ideas. He blows fire, this is about him not us, but he blows fire, he does not blow it in the sort of conventional theatre-come-cabaret sort of act. He blows it in a very ritualistic sort of way. He takes fire as being your will, your desire, and he uses it in that way, and it was really good at that time, and it just seemed to fit, and that was it” (No Class Fanzine No 1).
7 Aug
King Crimson Newcastle Odeon 8th December 1972
King Crimson Newcastle Odeon 8th December 1972
My memory has been playing tricks with me again. I was convinced that I saw King Crimson in 1974, around the time of the “Red” album. But no, when I checked, I found that I was wrong again, as I often am these days. The concert that I saw took place on Friday 8th December 1972, when Robert Fripp and his mighty band played at Newcastle Odeon, not that long before the release of their fifth album “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic”. This was the one and only time that I saw King Crimson in concert, and I went with my friend John. Support came from Lloyd Watson who I have blogged on separately, as John and I went to see him playing in a pub in Peterborough a few years ago. Lloyd won the solo category of the Melody Maker competition in 1972, appeared on “The Old Grey Whistle Test” and did two British tours, one supporting King Crimson and the other Roxy Music.
I went along to the Odeon that night with tunes from Crimson’s glorious first album running through my head, hoping to hear songs like “In the Court of the Crimson King” and “Epitaph”. Of course, the band didn’t play either of those tunes. I should have expected that, as the line-up of King Crimson had changed completely (apart from main man Robert Fripp) just prior to the tour. The line-up for the late 1972 UK tour was: leader Robert Fripp on guitar; John Wetton, fresh from Family and now coming to the fore on vocals and bass; Bill Bruford, who had just left Yes, on drums, David Cross on violin, flute, and keyboards; and Jamie Muir on percussion. Newcastle Odeon was a massive venue which was far from full for this gig, and John and I claimed some empty seats, which were much closer to the front than the cheap (60p! bargain :)) rear stalls tickets we had bought. The show was not what I expected. It was much more improvisation, and jazz, than rock. 
King Crimson started with a long instrumental track featuring Cross on violin and Muir on percussion which, based on setlists from the period, must have been “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic (Part 1)”. Fripp remained seated throughout the performance, speaking to the audience only to announce the songs at one point. John Wetton handled the vocals on those songs that had any. But the guy who sticks in my memory from this concert is Jamie Muir. Muir came from a free improvisation background and “contributed an assortment of unusual sounds from a wide variety of percussion instruments, including chimes, bells, thumb piano, mbiras, a musical saw, shakers, rattles, found objects, and miscellaneous drums” (from Wikipedia). His performance that evening was just incredible. The only familiar song was “21st Century Schizoid Man”, which was was the final track and was loud, dark and very heavy. Overall I left the gig unsure as to what I had just witnessed. I found it pretty heavy going at the time. The set consisted of the entire “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic” album (which had not yet been released, so the material was all new and unfamiliar to the audience), closer “Schizoid Man”, and some free improvisation numbers. I’ve just googled and found a live recording on YouTube of a gig at Hull Technical College around the same time. I listened to some of it, and it sounds great! This concert is another one that seems much better on reflection than I probably realised at the time (if that makes any sense :)). And its also another concert which I would love to go back in time to, and experience all over again. Setlist from the Hull Technical College recording: Walk On… No Pussyfooting; Larks’ Tongues in Aspic (Part I); Book of Saturday; Robert Fripp announces the songs to be played; Improvisation: Vista Training College Under Spot Light; Exiles; Easy Money; Improvisation: Fallen Angel Hullabaloo; The Talking Drum; Larks’ Tongues in Aspic (Part II); 21st Century Schizoid Man. I am pretty sure that the Newcastle performance was a similar set. King Crimson are another band on my ever growing list of bands to see again (if, of course, Fripp ever decides to reform the band).
6 Aug
King Kurt Newcastle Dingwalls mid 1980s
King Kurt Newcastle Dingwalls mid 1980s
I only experienced the majestic madness and mayhem of King Kurt in concert once, at a gig at Newcastle Dingwalls, sometime in the mid 80s; it was probably 1983 or 1984. King Kurt were a totally crazy psychobilly band, who formed in 1981 and split up in 1988. The gig I attended was around the time of their best known single “Destination Zululand”, which was released in 1983. I went to the gig with my mate Dave, and a jolly good time was had by all, particularly the crazy followers of King Kurt. Seeing this band live was like nothing I’ve ever seen before or since. Singer Gary “The Smeg” led the band and the totally nuts crowd through a set of crazed rockabilly music, but it was the extra-muiscal antics which were the most fun. By this time King Kurt and their fans had become infamous for “food fights” at their gigs. The band and their fans came heavily armed with eggs and bags of flour, which were then thrown around, both on and off stage. The whole front area of the crowd was a big mess. We lurked at the back avoiding the deluge of debris. One lucky guy was invited on stage for a custom crewcut administered by Smeg and the boys. But the highlight was a stage prop known as “The Wheel of Misfortune”, a piece of torture equipment the like of which I have never seen since. It was a large wheel on which a lucky fan was strapped and fed snakebite through a tube. The lucky recipient must have drunk about 10 pints of the stuff before he vomited it all over the stage. For the music think The Cramps meets the Sex Pistols meets Carl Perkins meets Zulu rhythms. “Destination Zululand; hum diddle dee dum hoo wah he ho; Come on boys jump in the van; People came from foreign lands; on motor cycles and in vans; to see the latest Zulu band! Destination Zululand; hum diddle dee dum hoo wah he ho!!!” They just don’t make bands like this anymore (although I see that a reformed line-up of King Kurt has just played the Rebellion festival in Blackpool). Wahoo Wahoo 🙂
5 Aug
Jon Anderson Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre August 4th 2013
Jon Anderson Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre August 4th 2013
A special solo performance with the frontman of YES – Jon Anderson
Last night I went to see Jon Anderson in solo concert at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. The show was billed thus: “Frontman of one of the biggest bands of all time, Jon Anderson brings his stunning voice and exquisite songs to Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre for this very special solo performance. Expect a magical night that draws from the YES songbook and includes all-time classics such as Owner Of A Lonely Heart, Wonderous Stories, Long Distance Runaround, and Yours Is no Disgrace.” The venue sounded interesting and lived up to its description on the Royal Exchange site: “The Royal Exchange Theatre is a seven-sided, glass-walled capsule, literally suspended from huge marble pillars situated in The Great Hall of the historic Victorian Cotton Exchange Buildings in Manchester city centre. The unique design means all seats are less than nine metres from the circular stage giving views from all angles.” I arrived around 7pm after a uneventful drive down the A1 and across the M62. I parked the car in the Arndale NCP, and found the venue, which is situated right in the centre of Manchester, just up from Victoria station. I had a look around, and took my seat. Although I was in Row G, which was the back row of the lower level, I was still very close to the performance area. In the centre of the floor a carpet was set out surrounded by candles, and a couple of microphones. Behind the carpet stood two guitars and an electric piano. Shortly after 7.30pm Jon walked into the theatre space unannounced to the sound of bird song, with the light still on. It was clear this was going to be a special evening; the venue was sold out, and the setting was perfect for a low-key, friendly acoustic concert. The lights went down and Jon stood in the centre of the floor, a few feet from all of us. I notice that during the show he took care to turn around so that everyone got a good chance to see him.
The set was a mix of Jon Anderson’s back catalogue; mostly Yes, but also some from his time with Vangelis and from his solo career. I recognised most of the songs, but a few were unfamiliar to me, so apologies if I haven’t got the setlist quite right. Jon seemed very relaxed, and pleased to be with us. The format of the show was Jon accompanying himself on acoustic guitar for most of the evening, with a short spell on a dulcimer, a ukelele and piano. Some of the songs were performed in full, while others were snippets of the Yes originals. Between the songs Jon told some stories drawn from his past experiences, and told some (not particularly good :)) jokes. The set went something like this (I am sure that I have missed some): Yours is no Disgrace; Sweet dreams; America (Jon told us how he recently met Paul Simon while he was in Australia); Time and a Word (a reggae treatment); One Love (the Bob Marley song). The next few songs were performed on a dulcimer; Under heavens door; Flight of the Moorglade (? I think). Jon was then back to acoustic guitar; he talked about his first meeting with Vangelis, and how he had originally attempted to line him up as a replacement for Rick Wakeman in Yes. That didn’t work out, so he decided to record with Vangelis himself. This led into Jon singing Find my way Home, and recalling an interesting memory of how he had to persuade Vangelis to play on Top of the Pops (“I am a serious musician”). Then it was back to Yes songs: Starship Trooper; Give Love each Day; Long Distance Runaround; and Owner of the Lonely Heart, brought the first half of the concert to close. After a short interval, Jon resumed the show sitting at the electric piano for a medley of Close to the Edge; Heart of the Sunrise; Marry Me Again; and The Revealing Science of God. He then picked up a ukelele for You Got the Light. It was back to guitar for And You and I; and Ritual (Nous Sommes du Soliel). For the next song “Tony and Me”, Jon took us back to 1963, when he was a young guy playing in a Beatles-influenced band, along with his brother Tony. He told a story of seeing the Beatles at Southport Floral Hall; of playing with Joe Cocker in Sheffield; of smoking a joint with Robert Plant up in a club in Newcastle when Plant was in Listen, and of a Liverpool band called the Undertakers whose singer (I think it was Jackie Lomax?) came on stage in a coffin and how one night he was trapped in the coffin. A couple of more songs led into John Lennon’s Give Peace a Chance; and then he closed the show with Yes favourites I’ve Seen All Good People and Roundabout, with everyone standing and singing along for the last song. He couldn’t leave without an encore, and sang a few more songs: A Day in the Life (back to the uke for a cover of the Beatles song); Sun is Calling; State of Independence; Wonderous Stories; and Soon. The show finished around 10pm, and I was home around 12.15am.
A great evening. Of course if was very different from seeing Yes, but the personal and intimate approach worked well. Jon’s voice was fine, much much stronger than I expected, and he was in good spirits, very chatty with the home crowd. My next Yes event will be seeing the latest version of that band up in Newcastle early next year, a concert which I am looking forward to. I also notice that Rick Wakeman is going out on tour next year with his Journey to the Centre of the Earth album. Now I wasn’t a big fan of the album when it came out, but I must admit I am tempted to go and see the show. The comings and goings of Yes band members remains as complex and confusing as ever, but I guess it was ever so.
4 Aug
Howard Jones Newcastle City Hall March 1984
Howard Jones Newcastle City Hall 1984
Howard Jones first single “New Song” was released in September 1983 and rose to No 3 in the UK charts. His second single “What is Love?” was released a couple of months later and made No 2 in the charts. In March 1984, Howard Jones’ released his fist album “Human’s Lib”, which was a massive success in the UK, Japan and the USA. The album entered the UK album chart at the No. 1 spot, spending a total of 57 weeks in the chart, and reaching double platinum status. 
So Howard Jones was pretty big news when he toured the UK in March 1984 in support of the “Human’s Lib” album. “New Song” and “What is Love” are joyful songs, and Howard in concert was an enjoyable electropop experience. I read a review of a concert on the tour which mentions a revolving stage; which I don’t recall. Support for the tour was Scottish band Endgames. Howard’s single “Like to Get to Know You Well” was also a big hit later in 1984. I saw Howard Jones live once more, at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in 1985, where he played “Hide and Seek”. He is touring quite regularly again at the moment.
1 Aug
Jethro Tull Acoustic Middlesbrough Town Hall 2007
Jethro Tull Acoustic Middlesbrough Town Hall 2007
In 2007 Jethro Tull released “The Best of Acoustic Jethro Tull” which included some of the band’s best known acoustic tracks from 1969 onward. To promote the album the band toured an acoustic show, which called at Middlesbrough Town Hall. 
The line-up of Tull for this tour was Ian Anderson, Martin Barre, David Goodier, John O’Hara and James Duncan Anderson. They were accompanied by special guest Violinist Anna Phoebe. Setlist: Some Day The Sun Wont Shine For You; Living In The Past; The Water Carrier; Gypsy; Katerina’s Theme; Jack In The Green; The Donkey And The Drum; Thick As A Brick; Birnam Wood To Dunsinane; Fat Man; Bouree. INTERVAL. 99 Lives; Dun Ringill; Pastime With Good Company; Steal; Aqualung; America; My God; Beside Myself / Rocks On The Road / Budapest; Locomotive Breath. The folkier side of Tull was never my favourite in the late 70s and early 80s, but I grew to like it as time passed. I certainly enjoyed this gig, which presented the softer, acoustic side of the band.
31 Jul
Jethro Tull Newcastle City Hall 2004 and 2006
Jethro Tull Newcastle City Hall 2004 and 2006
I saw Jethro Tull at the City Hall in 2004 and 2006. Tull were involved in quite a number of projects during these years. In 2003 they released The Jethro Tull Christmas Album, which consisted of a collection of traditional Christmas songs, along with some Christmas songs written by Jethro Tull. The album was a big success and their best selling release since the 1987 Crest of a Knave.
The set for the 2004 concert included quite a few Christmas songs as a result, as well as some great old favourites like Beggars Farm and Nothing Is Easy, taking us right back to the very early days of the band. The setlist for the 2004 Newcastle concert (I got the list from a bootleg which was recorded at this gig): Aqua-Intro; Living In The Past; Nothing Is Easy; Beggar’s Farm; Eurology; A Christmas Song; Farm on the Freeway; Pavane; Weathercock; A Week of Moments; Mother Goose; Misére; Songs From The Wood; Too Old To Rock ‘n’ Roll: Too Young To Die; Heavy Horses; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; Flying Dutchman; My God; Holly Herald; Aqualung; Wind Up; Locomotive Breath; Protect and Survive; Cheerio. 
Both shows were great Tull fun. I went along with Norm and Will and we all enjoyed seeing the old guys again.
In 2005 Ian Anderson released a live double album and DVD called Ian Anderson Plays the Orchestral Jethro Tull. In addition, a DVD recorded live at the Isle of Wight 1970 and a live album called Aqualung Live (recorded in 2004) were both released in 2005. There were also further line-up changes in 2006 with bassist Jon Noyce leaving to be replaced by David Goodier, and keyboardist Giddings leaving to be replaced by John O’Hara. The 2006 tour was billed as the Aqualung tour, and Tull played that lp in its entirety. Setlist: Life Is A Long Song, Skating Away…, Living In The Past, Slipstream, Up To Me, Griminelli’s Lament¹, Aurora³, Wond’ring Aloud, Mo’z Art, Cheap Day Return/Mother Goose, She Is Like The Swallow, Bourée. Interval. Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody, Kashmir (incl. Whole Lotta Love), Cross-Eyed Mary, Hymn 43, Morris Minus, Flying Dutchman (intro)/My God, Budapest, Aqualung, Wind-Up, Locomotive Breath, Protect And Survive, Cheerio. Tull were accompanied by electric violinist Lucia Micarelli for this tour, and she also fronted the band herself for a couple of songs notably covers of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and Zeppelin’s Kashmir. Electric violinists featured alongside Ian on a couple of Tull tours around this period. The 2006 concert was a sell out, proving that the band retained their popularity, and that they still have a loyal fan base.
30 Jul
Jethro Tull York Barbican 2001
Jethro Tull York Barbican 2001
My interest in Jethro Tull had been revived by the great show that I attended at Newcastle City Hall in 1999. I was therefore quite disappointed when their 2001 outing missed out Newcastle, so I persuaded Marie to come and see them with me in York, which was the nearest show on the tour. The concert was held at the York Barbican centre which was a sports complex and also used for concerts. This was the first time that I’d visited the Barbican. I did go with David to see Steve Winwood there a couple of years later. The Barbican has recently been refurbished, and it reopened a couple of years ago as an entertainment centre, which plays host to lots of concerts. I need to find a reason to visit again 🙂 
Tull were on grand form as usual, and I enjoyed the show, although there were quite a few songs which were unfamiliar to me. Looking at the setlist today, I understand why. At least four of the songs were Ian Anderson solo tracks (Ian had released three solo albums by 2001). Even Marie (sort of) enjoyed her Tull outing, although we had a (friendly) argument about Ian’s flute solos. When he started a solo he would press a foot pedal. Marie was convinced that the solo was on tape, and that Ian was switching the tape on with the pedal. I was equally convinced (and remain so to this day) that there was no such use of tapes at all, and that the pedal was merely an effects pedal. Setlist: Aqualung; My Sunday Feeling; Cross-Eyed Mary; Roots to Branches; Jack-in-the-Green; Thick as a Brick; Sweet Dream; Beside Myself; Hunt by Numbers; Bourée; The Water Carrier (Ian Anderson song); The Habanero Reel (Ian Anderson song); Set-Aside (Ian Anderson song); Pibroch (Cap in Hand) (Instrumental); A New Day Yesterday; In the Grip of Stronger Stuff (Ian Anderson song); Budapest; Mayhem Jig; Aqualung; Locomotive Breath; Living in the Past; Protect and Survive (Instrumental); Cheerio
Vintagerock's Weblog. 