It is many years since I last saw Stiff Little Fingers. I seem to recall seeing them at Newcastle City Hall on their farewell tour, in the mid–1980s, supported by (I think) James (or did I dream that?). Somewhere along the line the band reformed, fronted by original member Jake Burns. Roll back a few years more and I remember witnessing their first Newcastle concert at the Guildhall in 1978 when they were supported by local punk heroes The Angelic Upstarts.
There was a lot of trouble that night as I recall. Keith Bell, a.k.a. The Sheriff, the manager of the Upstarts stood at the front of the stage keeping the crowd in order. This was at the time of their first album Inflammable Material and great songs such as “Suspect Device” and “Alternative Ulster”. So, roll forward almost 45 years and I am trying to make up for lost time, going to a SLF concert again. The band is once again fronted by Jake Burns. Perfect.
“In 2006, original bassist Ali McMordie returned to the fold, and the line-up has settled to the best ever; Jake Burns on lead vocals and guitar, Ali McMordie on bass, Ian McMallun on guitar, and Steve Grantley on drums. Though focused on their new material, they always play the old favorites at gigs. Jake said, “You have to strike a balance. The difficulty with a band like ourselves is to try not make it sound like a cabaret band.
Obviously, it’d be very easy to go, ‘Hey, here’s another old one you may remember.’ A lot of the old songs the audience greet like old friends. I suppose it’s the same as any band that’s been around for any length of time. And yes, there are nights that we don’t particularly want to play “Alternative Ulster” or “Suspect Device” because we’ve heard them ’til they’re coming out our ears. But there’s always the possibility that somebody out there has never seen the band before, never heard them.”” (From SLF website).
Support came from Glen Matlock, original Sex Pistol, who played a collection of his own songs, “Blank Generation” by Richard Hell, a Rich Kids song which was unfamiliar to me and “Pretty Vacant”. An excellent opening to the proceedings.
“Stiff Little Fingers formed in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1977 during the height of “The Troubles” and the early stages of the punk movement. In February 1978, in jest and as a very shrewd marketing move, the band made tapes of their inaugural single “Suspect Device” in packaging resembling a bomb, and dispatched it to record companies and radio stations.
One notable recipient who refrained from promptly tossing it into a bucket of water was John Peel. He played the track repeatedly, ultimately catalyzing a deal with Rough Trade and igniting a career that has endured for nearly 50 years, encompassing countless performances, 10 studio albums, 18 live albums, and only one breakup. 2024 is going to be a big year for Stiff Little Fingers with the “Hate Has No Home Here” tour, which starts in March in the UK.” https://www.inspitemagazine.com/in-spite-articles/stiff-little-fingers
The band were as incendiary as ever opening with “Suspect Device” and closing with “Alternative Ulster”. Along the way we were also treated to great songs including an excellent cover of “Love Of the Common People”, “Wasted Life” and “Nobody’s Hero”. Excellent. Jake Burns was on top form and the band were as powerful as they ever were.
Many thanks to Elaine for taking the photos and Jan for helping me manipulate the site.
Setlist: Suspect Device; State of Emergency; Fly the Flag; Hate Has No Home Here; At the Edge; Silver Lining; Love of the Common People; Just Fade Away; Last Train From the Wasteland; Roots, Radics, Rockers, Reggae; Empty Sky; Wasted Life; Get a Life; Strummerville; Nobody’s Hero; Tin Soldiers; Gotta Gettaway.
Encore: Doesn’t Make It Alright; Alternative Ulster
One year on and much has changed. Last year when I saw the band in the same venue they were at the point of retiring, as a result of the sad passing of original member and fantastic keyboards player Dave Greenfield. His Doors tinged keyboard mastery formed the backdrop and rhythm to many of their classic songs. Remaining founder member Jean Jaques Burnell felt strongly that it was time to call it a day and close 
The other big change was the layout of the City Hall. Last time it was all standing downstairs with the wheelchair area on a raised platform to the rear of the hall, with a great view of the stage. This time it was all seated with wheelchair customers right at the front of the hall. The view was equally good. However it was surprising that the hall was seated rather than standing. Most energetic bands including heavy rock and new wave/punk usually warrant a standing setup. I was surprised at this and the band also seemed somewhat surprised. Nevertheless everything worked well.
Finally the stage setup was amazing with raised platforms for the drummer and keyboard player who sat behind an amazing keyboard arrangement. Everything was set out in grey. It looked wonderful.
The other noticeable change is that Jean Jacques Burnell has taken more of a leading role. It seemed to me that he sang a lot more of the songs and has to some extent reclaimed the legacy of the Stranglers. I could almost hear him saying “this is my band and I am proud to lead it”. And so he should be. Alongside him local lad Sunderland’ s Baz Warne has taken over the space fronting the band which was left by Hugh Cornwell many years ago. And a great job he does of it.
As we got to the end and the encores, Jean Jacques announced “We started in 1974. There are few bands that have been around that long and kept going throughout. We came from the pub rock movement. Some bands seem ashamed of that but we are proud to have been born as a pub rock band. So let us go right back to the start and our first single “Go Buddy Go”. Fantastic. The Stranglers are back and proud to be filling venues like the City Hall again where I saw them over 40 years ago.
Setlist: Set 1: Just Like Nothing on Earth; Hallow to Our Men; The Raven; Baroque Bordello; North Winds; Genetix; Princess of the Streets; Breathe; Hanging Around; Down in the Sewer.
Evening 5 out of a crazy run of 6 concerts in 6 nights. I haven’t done this since before my accident and it is a marathon and a test of stamina for me and my carers! The final evening is Wishbone Ash and I will report on that very soon 🙂
I go back a long way with John, to the days when he was Johnny Rotten and I first saw Sex Pistols in a pub in Whitby in 1976. He was exciting, outspoken, challenging and exhilarating then and he remains so today. That evening in Whitby, and the following year in Scarborough Penthouse club, opened up my eyes to an alternative view of music.
Then a few years later I travelled to Manchester Belle Vue to see an early performance of his new band 
The set comprises many familiar and favourite songs: “Albatross”, “Poptones” from the first album; the singles “This Is Not a Love Song” and “Death Disco “, and “Flowers of Romance”. The sound comes across in waves as John and his band weave a strange aural cacophony which reverberates around the hall. For the encore we are treated to the first single “Public Image” and closer “Rise”, to which we all sing along; everyone is dancing in front of me. A great night spent with a familiar face and voice in a lovely new Sunderland venue. One more night to go! Thanks to Chris for the photographs.
Setlist: Penge; Albatross; Being Stupid Again; Poptones; This Is Not a Love Song; Death Disco; The Room I Am In; Flowers of Romance; Memories; Car Chase; The Body; Warrior; Shoom.
was young watching Top of the Pops. He didn’t dare reveal his true ambition to his mother who would not have believed him so he kept it quiet until he met his friend Wild Willy Barrett and the two of them embarked upon a lifelong career, all with the ultimate aim of making John Otway a true pop star. Sometimes along that journey the two would fall out but destiny would bring them back together again as they are today. The strange marriage has now reached its 50th birthday (wow! Can it be true) and the odd couple are travelling the roads of England singing their songs to cult followers old and new.
Now it is long long time since I witnessed Otway and Barrett. I have seen Otway advertised solo many times over the years but have passed on the opportunity of joining our true pop star in concert until now. The last time I saw the duo was probably in Newcastle Cooperage on a tour where to gain entry, free, you had to take along their latest 45 rpm single. Or maybe it was at Maxwell’s nightclub in Tynemouth (long since gone). Whatever, it was in the late 1970s or early 1980s. So, time to renew my acquaintance with the one and only true pop star, John Otway.
Jackie, my carer, and I arrived early and on time to snatch a couple of seats close to the front (well actually everyone is close to the front in the Launderette). In fact, the kind man on the door made sure that I had plenty of room in my wheelchair and that we had a great view of the stage. Soon our heroes took to said stage and it was not long before Otway delivered his hit, which made him a pop star “Really Free” and brought the duo into our living rooms on the Old Grey Whistle Test and Top of the Pops. Otway was on top form, really getting into the angst of his ballads, ripping his shirt open, and being, well, a pop star.
After a short interval, during which I was pleased to meet my old friend Mitch, who would often comment on my blog, we were away again with “Somewhere over the Rainbow”, “Two Little Boys” (yes the song which became a hit for he who shall not be named, but Otway sang it before that) and the wonderful “Beware of The Flowers… Coz You Know They are Going To Get You… Yeah!”. Soon we are close to the end and Otway tears out his heart in front of us to the beautiful Bob Lind ballad “Cheryl’s Going Home “; I can feel the emotion in his voice and his typically over-the-top melodramatic performance is well; just wonderful.” Choo-Choo “goes the train down the track taking Otway’s love Cheryl away for ever. My heart goes out to my favourite pop star. Melodramatic magic.
Now I must make mention of the many guitars and other instruments including a violin and a set of Bagpuss bagpipes played largely by Wild Willy and sometimes by Otway. And I just have to mention Wild Willy’s brown dustbin which he opens frequently to reveal a loud amplifier hiding within. Willy closes the set by sawing his guitar in rhythm to the music, hitting the same guitar with a claw hammer (I kid you not) and then stamping on it. He sells the guitar to a guy in the audience for £31.99 and promises that if you bring two of his smashed guitars along to a gig, you will be admitted free. And he means it. A couple of encores and then our two heroes are gone. Jackie is now convinced that Otway is indeed a pop star.
The 
The Residents hail from the USA and never reveal their individual or collective identities. They always wear masks on every appearance, album cover or indeed on their website. So, there is an air of mystery and intrigue about this band. I delved further into this strange collective and found their music interesting, sometimes hard to come to terms with, but ultimately enjoyable. Now every album, and there have been many of them, is different. I have listened to some of their music but I am not familiar with all of it and can’t claim to be a true “fan”.
From their website: “Alternately seen as a rock band, an arts collective, and a spirit, THE RESIDENTS have been regarded as icons in the world of experimental music for almost fifty years. In addition to their ground-breaking work in the areas of trance, world fusion, electronica, punk, industrial and lounge music, the group has also been credited with being among the originators of performance art and music video, with their videos included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Their lengthy career has also taken them into the world of film and television music, having scored numerous films and TV series as well as several projects for MTV. In addition, the group is also thriving in the world of digital media having released ten DVDs, and two internet series. “Wow! Eclectic, super productive and genre crossing or what!
So, I was determined, throughout the last 50 or so years, to keep my promise to myself and go and see this band if they ever came to the North-East. Now, to my knowledge, The Residents have never appeared in the North-East of England before. They have played in the UK on a number of occasions, Often at prestigious venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, London and Hammersmith Odeon, London; but have never ventured close by. I guess I have been lazy, and never travelled to see them in the past. More fool me! So, when I saw that they were coming to the Boiler Shop in Newcastle, I just had to go.
Bad timing of the night. I read on the Boiler Shop website that there was a support act so I figured the main act would be on stage around 8:30 PM to 9 PM. So, I asked my taxi driver to arrive at 8 PM to get me there just in time (I thought) to see The Residents. Big mistake. When we arrived at the venue and made our way up onto the wheelchair platform, our USA friends were already on stage. My carer for the evening (and thanks for the photos) Jackie, kindly went and purchased a fine pint of Guinness for me and asked at the bar what time they had taken to the stage. Apparently, they started at 8:15 PM so we had missed around 15 minutes. Anyway, their performance was fantastic in the true sense of the word. They had a great light show and behind them was a screen displaying images which, I assume, related to the songs and the bands mythology. I bought a T-shirt with their signature bubble eye mask displayed on the front, a couple of badges and a book which is an A-Z Encyclopaedia of The Residents (it will take some reading!).
The singer would do a crazy little dance moving his (?) arms up and down and bobbing up and down at the same time. Difficult to describe. They all had masks over their faces and instead of eyes appeared spooky lights. The crowd was a mixture of ages and different types drawn from their fan base: hippies, punks and those who were probably there out of interest and curiosity like myself. The place was reasonably full but by no means packed. I can’t begin to describe their music. Every song is very different with sometimes shocking and spooky lyrics. “Curiouser and curiouser!” cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English).”(Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll, 1865).I distinctly remember some of the songs: “Die! Die! Die!”, ” Kill Him!” and “Constantinople”.Definitely leading us further and further down that rabbit hole.
I was drawn into it. The crazy, spooky, music. Indescribable. New wave? Trance? Psychedelia? Labels don’t work for The Residents. A challenging, strange, difficult to describe yet ultimately enjoyable evening. 50 years too late, but worth the wait.
As legends go, they don’t get much more legendary than 
The Playhouse website announced the arrival of Cale thus: “Legendary musician John Cale is to play a special, intimate show at Playhouse Whitley Bay as part of this year’s Mouth of the Tyne Festival. One of the founder members of The Velvet Underground alongside Lou Reed, he was instrumental in the band’s early years and enjoyed acclaim stateside under the management of Andy Warhol. Cale brings over 6 decades of avant-garde music with him, having released over 30 albums, with his solo record ‘Paris 1919’ perhaps his best-known work. Cllr Sarah Day, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure said, “It’s a real coup to secure a show from one of rock’s most enduring performers. With a music style that’s hard to pinpoint, artists like this are real one-offs and I can’t wait to see him take to the stage at our Playhouse theatre this summer.””
Cale has just released a new album which is advertised: “MERCY, Cale’s first full album in a decade, moves through true dark-night-of-the-soul electronic torment toward vulnerable love songs and hopeful considerations for the future with the help of some of music’s most curious young minds. Cale has always searched for new ways to explore old ideas of alienation, hurt, and joy; MERCY is the latest transfixing find of this unsatisfied mind.” (
This was (I think) my third live streaming event by 
The event was billed as: “Patti Smith returns to Veeps for a very special collaboration with Electric Lady Studios and Spotify: streaming from the legendary recording facility on September 9th. A message from Patti “We are very proud to be part of this very special series at our favourite recording studio. It was a unique challenge and offered us an exciting and innovative platform”.”
Soon Patti did appear and we were treated to a great performance of the songs from the album. The aforementioned album contains a selection of old Patti Smith’s songs and some covers including a wonderful version of Dylan’s “One Too Many Mornings”. The lady was on top form and was backed by her usual musicians including long-time collaborator 
Setlist: April Fool; Ghost Dance; Blame it on the Sun; Broken Flag; Birdland; One Too Many Mornings; Peaceable Kingdom
An invitation from 
So I finally entered the live streaming era. I couldn’t resist, of course, “seeing”
daughter Jessie Paris on keyboards and Tony Shanahan or electric piano.
“Don’t Get Me Wrong” was followed by “I’ll Stand by You” and then after a few more songs my mind was flashing back again to the first time I saw the band in the Mayfair with the Kinks classic “Stop Your Sobbing”. “Back on the Chain Gang” took us towards the end.
Vintagerock's Weblog. 