Things
kicked off with Wreckless Eric doing his one-man support act
- slightly extended due to absence of The Weirdos. Bit of a
contrast to The Damned - just him and a guitar but he put on a fine
show with nice line in dry wit. Concentrated on the latter part of
his catalogue but a few of his best Stiff songs where there too -
including Reconnez Cherie, Whole Wide World and - requested
by none other than Captain himself apparently - The Final Taxi.
Eric got an appreciative reaction from the crowd - definitely an underrated
talent who I've got a soft spot for.
Talking of underrated talents and soft spots, The Damned came on stage
and started off with Jet Jet Boy Jet Girl closely followed
by Disco Man. They'd played at Speedfreaks at 2 that morning
but you'd never have guessed it from the customary energetic performance
(although a certain drummer looked a little careworn I thought). I
thought the set was biased towards the slightly softer (if that's
the right word for a Damned tune) songs including Absinthe,
Would You Be So Hot, Street of Dreams and Alone Again
Or. Plenty of the faster numbers there too - Neat Neat Neat,
Noise Noise Noise, Love Song, Melody Lee and
Second Time Around. Smash It Up made a mid-set appearance
which confused me no end. Move back where it belongs, please.
There were also two new songs - Little Miss Disaster and another
one called (I think) Perfect Sunday. Both sounded pretty good
to me with Perfect Sunday being the much rockier number of
the two. As it finished DV muttered "You'll be hearing plenty
more of that one" or possibly "You won't be hearing
much more of that one". I wonder which it was.
The Junction sound was pretty good, although a Herbert in the crowds
asked via Dave's mic "Would ask your sound man to turn it up
- it isn't fucking loud enough". Captain helpfully pointed out
where the PA stack was "It'll probably be louder if you stood
in front of that".
The band seemed in good humour especially Messrs Vanian and Sensible
as they managed to indulge in a spot of "stop Scott the roadie
from getting across the stage" during New Rose without
missing a beat. During the same song Dave showed his grasp of stagecraft
by posing with a cheesy grin while someone took his photo. Talking
of Scott, according to Captain, he's the only vegetarian who doesn't
like vegetables.
Pinch
announced he was bored during one of Captain's ramblings (he also
looked half asleep to me). This prompted DV say "What's the
matter with you lot - he's bored and" (gesturing to the audience)
"they're holding a conversation".
Highlights
of the set - Ignite with Clapton Sensible (that's what he said)
doing some blistering geetar work (including behind his head), a great
Neat Neat Neat and a rollicking last number in New Rose.
There was much pogoing during these. I also liked Captain and Dave's
conversation about Kate Bush and Rolf Harris getting, ahem, friendly.
"Can you imagine that" asked Captain, "Yes"
came the reply "tie me Kate Bush down, tie my Kate Bush down".
What wits.
There was the slightly surreal sight of Captain wearing a pair of
pink sequinned knickers on his head during Ignite. They were
flung on stage and greeted by Sensible with "This isn't a
Tom Jones show Madam, this is The Damned" followed by a tip
on how find out if you're on a winner with such garments if your a
bloke - I'm not repeating it here for fear of causing offence!
Another fine show, rounded off by a quick burst of Happy Talk
featuring just Captain, DV and Monty.
Froggy
Shame
that The Weirdos were not on the bill but hey the show must go on!!!
Wreckless
Eric was great. I've not heard any of his stuff since way back
when I was an obnoxious spotty teenager in the seventies. He really
is underated . His perspective on life (tainted by a few too many
jazz woodbines over the years I would hazard a guess!) through his
songs and his pathos ridden banter was spot on. Very entertaining.
I asked Monty after the show who's idea it was to have Eric on the
tour? He had no idea and just reckoned Eric turned up. Rock on Eric!!!
On
to the Damned...
Bit
of a strange one this. Cant remember the set list but starting the
gig with Jet Boy Jet Girl!!! what the bloody hell was that
all about. So back to the bar I went. Not alone I may add.
The
whole vibe in the venue was subdued to say the least for the first
few songs. Discussing this with a bloke at the bar we looked on and
I can honestly say that the whole crowd were just standing, arms folded
looking like they were waiting for a bloody bus!
I
have never seen a Damned crowd like it. We decided that the sound
must be part of the problem so yours truly had to do something. (I
was the drunken wag who got the Captains mic and politely asked Mr
Soundman to turn it up!!!!) I got a cheer of approval from quite a
few of the bus queue, (sorry, crowd) The Captain seemed amused. The
sound seemed to improve. Then goooooo!!! We were off. Proceedings
got better. Up until this point the loudest thing in the building
was that chicken pox ridden shirt of Mr Sensibles!!
All
was well. We as a crowd and the band it was beautiful in its chaos!!
Anyway enough of this old shit, I am sounding like a bloody music
journo (what the fuck do they know ?)
After the gig Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible did their Del Boy bit
and came to the merchandise stand to help sell their iffy clobber!!!
I bought the new DVD which is excellent. (Highly recommended) Dave,
Captain and Monty signed it. After ribbing Capt about his dodgy dicky
dirt I left.
All
in all another night in the rich tapestry that is The Damned
Gawd
bless em all!!!
Anon
