What
a night!
Haven't seen any gigs at this venue before, but will definitely return,
its a bit on the small side but got a couple of bars and space to
escape and chill out if things get too manic which they did a bit!!
First band up were The Clash City Rockers, not a bad tribute
band, but just not my thing, got a few up dancing about and overall
went down with the crowd ok.
Next up, The Rezillo's, I was looking forward to this, saw
them years ago and could not remember that much from back then, good
to see them on stage and a few more people started jumping about on
the floor which started to build up the atmosphere.
At this stage it was my turn to get the beers in, last chance before
The Damned were on, I timed it right and got served while everyone
was still watching the last chords being struck downstairs. On my
way back I bumped into the Captain and after a handshake and he trying
to swap his bottle of water for my beer (not falling for that) me
and my mate found our place on the barrier and waited for The Damned.
When the lads came on the crowd went MAD! The place was packed and
being at the front was hurting! At this point I would like to point
out that its not 1977 and to those mindless few who started to jump
into the pit time and time again, its not funny, once I can forgive
with the atmosphere and all, but the same few kept doing it throughout
the gig, and one lad landed on his head and was in a bad way, sorry
to moan but its gotta be said.
Anyway, what a set The Damned played.... Fantastic! All the band played
their hearts out and gave 100% I've said this on here before but its
good to see a band enjoy themselves that much and the crowd loved
it, one or two hiccups with the sound only added to the night as it
was all handled in their stride. The set contained old and the new
and it was all put together in that way only The Damned can achieve,
which is hard to describe after the event! Captain managed to get
his hands on my beer twice during the set, so if you read this Captain
you owe me a pint of stella.
If you have never seen The Damned before and are reading this, do
yourself a favour and go, you will have a great time..
Till next time, take it easy,
Neil T .
The evenings proceedings kicked off with the North East's very own
Clash tribute band, 'The Clash City Rockers' who did justice to every
song they covered. A stomping set that was a great start to the night.
Following
them was The Rezillos. Wow - can that woman belt out a tune?!!!
Fantastic!!
With
the first dramatic chords of the 1980's classic 'Street Of Dreams'
The Damned took to the stage. Captain Sensible, wearing his trademark
red berret and shades, was followed by "King Of the Vampires"
Dave Vanian. Throughout the night there seemed to be a happy, relaxed
atmosphere with a bit of playful banter.
The
set was a fantastic mix of their old classics with a handful of their
most recent album, Grave Disorder thrown in. 'Alone Again
Or' made a surprising, but very welcome, addition to the set.
But one of the highlights of the night was their amazing version of
'Magic Potion'.
The
crowd (consisting of original Punks, Goths, Students and everyone
else in between) were completely enthralled and rocked through the
likes of New Rose, Second Time Around, Eloise,
Absinthe (which went down particularly well this time round),
and went crazy during the finale 'Smash It Up'.
According
to reports, they hadn't had any time for rehearsal for this mini-tour
(Durham being the 3rd date out of 4) but that wasn't evident - except
for Captain's false start to 'History Of The World'. (Well
it wouldn't be a Damned Gig if everything was too perfect!)
In
all, great set, fantastic performance, brilliant atmosphere - and
a Damned good time had by all!
XXXX
Durham
.... absolutely brill gig .... Damned and Rezillos!!!!! ..... who
could say no!!!! .....
Gig was absolutely brill ... Clash City Rockers were really really
good as well .... when are the damned next in cambs ????
Bobhunts1