Well
this one had it all - cracking performance generally, audience members
invited up to play, stage diving drummers and a band that seemed to
be having the time of their lives - don't think I've seen them enjoy
themselves so much before.
It also won three of Froggy's 2005 awards - one for the hottest venue
for a gig, one for the shortest skirt sported by a singer of a support
band and another for strangest sight at a Damned gig - Captain ending
up sporting just his pants, a thong over his head and a pair of shades
with one lens missing - a vision which still makes me titter just
thinking about it.
Talking of support bands - they were called Dragster and weren't
bad at all. Think there were some technical problems as the doors
didn't open until 8.30pm and after that much on stage hanging around
taking place. Bit of a strange end to their set with singer (she of
the short skirt) leaping from the stage screaming her head off and
running through the crowd - hotly pursued by pieces of demolished
drum kit. Didn't see her again but I don't think she was rushing off
screaming because she was upset.
Anyway, The Damned came on at 10.30pm (Captain dressed in something
resembling a cow) and with minimum fuss off they went with the MGE25
version of Love Song. Up and rocking straight away with Second
Time Around next.
That Mr Vanian is a blinking rock photographer's nightmare, not keeping
still for more than about 5 seconds at a time, so what trying to keep
my eye on him and the camera any thought of remembering the rest of
the set list went even more out of the window than usual. I've nicked
DamnedMistress' list off the MB and it was:
I
Just Can't Be Happy Today
Disco Man
Born to Kill
Absinthe
Antipope
Neverland
History of the World
Ignite
See Her Tonight
Eloise
Neat Neat Neat
Encores:
Happy Talk (bit of)
Jet Boy Jet Girl
New Rose
Melody Lee
Smash It Up
and another encore
Looking At You
First
time I've heard Disco Man live for a while - very, very good.
All the songs were played to the usual high standard, although there
was a bit of mic trouble (in Absinthe I think with DV having
to nip round to use Monty's mic for part of the song). Eloise
was up and rocking too, although Captain inserted a twiddly bit in
the middle played with a beer can on the guitar - this went on for
a bit so Dave and Stu huddled round the drum kit for a drink and a
natter with Pinch. Talking of Pinch he disappeared just before Neverland
while Captain was talking about M Jackson Esquire, prompting DV to
say "You'll have to keep going, we haven't got a drummer".
Pinch did reappear and played part of Neverland one handed
while having a crafty smoke.
After the customary crash through Neat Neat Neat (longish version)
it was encore time. It was so hot by now, that Captain returned to
the stage clad in just his underpants. First up was a bit of Happy
Talk with DV doing some (rather reluctant) backing vocals, then
Jet Boy Jet Girl with just DV on backing vocals (Steve on merch
duties tonight and resisting with a V sign DV's attempt to get him
onstage). Then something very special, with the announcement they
would get an audience member on stage to handle the guitar work during
New Rose. Usually this sort of thing makes me cringe but not
tonight Missus. A young lad by the name of Dan came up and was handed
Capt's guitar and proceeded to play a blinding version of New Rose
as if been playing with the band at least as long as Captain. During
this marvellous bit of guitar work we had the surreal sight of the
underwear clad Captain leaning against the wall munching a slice of
pizza. "Leave us your phone number, Dan" said DV
as the lad left the stage. Didn't occur to me until I reached home
at 3am, that it was Daniel Gillett (a MBer in his own right and son
of our very own Pedro Cutthroat) - a real treat for him I should think.
The audience loved it and so did the band.
Quick rush through Melody Lee ("Try a bit less Les
Dawson, Monty" said DV during the intro). Talking of Mr Dawson,
DV did a fair impression of him whilst admiring a thong that was thrown
on stage and then hung off Pinch's drum kit.
The
some more audience participation, when an unknown gentlemen was summoned
on stage and did a very creditable piece of drumming on Smash It
Up, with Dave helping out on the cymbals with a "borrowed"
riding crop. Pinch took advantage of his leisure time by running across
the stage and doing a full blown stage dive into the seething mob
at the front (joined shortly after by Scott the roadie). Unfortunately
old Dopey here missed the opportunity of a photo of Pinch's athletic
leap. Mind you Pinch regretted it later when he was hauled back onstage,
muttering "I can't believe I've lost my job" - he'd
also lost his "bionic" monitor thingy that plugs into to
his ear.
Off they went and I thought that was it, but no - back for one more
number in the shape of a pounding Looking At You, with the
set drawing to a close just past midnight.
I don't think I've ever enjoyed a gig more - give a me a show like
that anyday rather than one by some pompous bunch with no sense of
humour and with a let's say a U and a 2 in their name. I also made
the amazing discovery that if you zoom down the M40 and then round
the M25 at over 90mph, you get home ever so fast even allowing for
a quick comfort stop.
My other favourite bits:
* When the stage was completely shrouded in dry ice, one of the
band (DV?) having a theatrical coughing fit;
* Pinch's "So you all like motorbikes then" with
DV reminding him that was the next day. "You sure?";
* Pinch cutting short "Happy Talk" with a quick
"This is Jet Boy Jet Girl";
* Captain hitting the aforesaid Dan over the head with the pizza
box as he left the stage;
Froggy
This
is what I remember of the gig.
I
restrung my guitar in the morning, then rang and persuaded Dad to
take the afternoon off work so we could go and watch the sound check
- scheduled for half four. I rang my friend Alice and told her to
be ready early!
We
arrived at the venue at about quarter to five - the crew were just
beginning to set up and there was no sign of the band. Dad chatted
to Steve from Wisconsin for a while then me and Alice went to the
Talbot Hotel with them. Dad bought half a pint of weak bitter shandy
for me explaining it was for me, they served us then a few minutes
later the landlady said I couldn't have it and we had to leave! We
went back to the venue and Alice and I bought some pizzas from Dominos
next door.
The
band finally arrived about six o clock-ish and the rest of the kit
was set up. They were still sound checking just before the doors opened!
Alice and I chatted to all the band, especially Stu who gave me a
couple of his plectrums. When I was talking to Cap I explained I'd
learnt how to play loads of Damned songs on my guitar.
The
support band dragSTER were full of energy although Alice thought
they were a bit too image conscious. The Damned came on stage at around
half ten and the place exploded. They started with a few songs from
MGE much too Alices delight, then Disco Man (Pedro's
favourite since singing it at the marrs bar in Worcester!). A few
sound problems early on meant that you couldn't hear Dave during "Absinthe"
and Captain had to take over vocals.
Neverland
started after Captain asked the audience whether Jackson was innocent
or guilty, followed by "History of the world" and
an extended version of Ignite with Dad and others doing the
"Woa-Woa-Woa's" into Captains mic during the choruses.
Captain declared two minutes silence for Brian James before announcing
"Bollocks!" and launching into "See Her Tonight"-
one of my favourite Damned songs. A great version of Eloise
was followed by "Neat Neat Neat" after which the
band left the stage.
Captain
re-emerged wearing only his Sensible Y-Fronts and his CND necklace,
and sang "Jet Boy Jet Girl". This was followed by
an energetic "Melody Lee" which Monty started perfectly.
Then, Captain asked if anyone in the audience wanted to play "New
Rose" at which point I jumped on stage and shouted "me!".
Dave asked me to introduce myself and Pinch refused to play until
he heard me play the opening riff! Cap gave me his guitar which was
a bit too low for me as he's much taller than I am, making playing
a bit difficult at some points. When Pinch was satisfied I could play
he did the drum intro and we launched into New Rose. While
I was playing, Captain put his beret on me then pulled it down in
front of my eyes so I couldn't see the guitar! I pulled it off and
carried on playing. We got to the end of the song and Dave shook my
hand and said they should take my telephone number, while Captain
jokily flicked the V's behind my back! After Captain whacked me on
the head with his empty pizza box, I went back into the audience and
joined Alice.
Next
song was "Smash It Up" for which part two Pinch had
asked for a drummer from the audience! I knew how he must have felt.
During part two, Pinch did a massive stage dive and forgot he was
still wearing his ear pieces which fell into the crowd! After Captain's
between the legs virtuoso guitar performance, the band left the stage
again only to be recalled for a second encore. They came back on and
played a blinding version of "Looking At You" especially
for Monty according to Captain.
After
the gig, we met loads more people and message boarders especially,
Mills, Tress, Sis and Heather. I thanked the band for letting me play
and loads of people were congratulating me! Got home about 3am after
dropping Alice back home but couldn't sleep as the adrenalin was still
pumping.
All
in all the best gig I've ever been to - and possibly ever will - not
just because I got to play but because the band were on top form and
the audience were great too.
Dan
Gillett
SET
LIST:
Love Song
Second Time Around
Just Can't Be Happy
Disco Man
Born To Kill
Absinthe
Anti-Pope
Neverland
History Of The World
Ignite
See Her Tonite
Eloise
Neat Neat Neat
Encore 1
Jet Boy Jet Girl
Melody Lee
New Rose
Smash It Up
Encore 2
Looking at You
~~~ Stourbridge Gallery ~~~
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Thanks
to Froggy for these photos!
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