If
there's a reliable fact in the wonderful world of The Damned it's
that their gigs at Stourbridge are always right belters. This was
one certainly was with a shaken up set list, a song that hadn't been
played live for many moons, others that only rarely see the light
of day and sundry other good bits.
I'm getting canny about the set lists now, don't bother to remember
them and simply wait for Dog or WR to post them on the Message Board.
It worked a treat this time - thanks chaps.
Even I would remember that Smash It Up was first up - a complete
change from it being the usual last song of the night. Took me completely
by surprise but it worked very well. The sound was excellent, nice
and clear and just the right volume. Then came New Rose, Absinthe
(which slowed the mosh pit right down!), History Of The World,
Perfect Sunday, Democracy, a welcome return for a cracking
Blackout, Alone Again Or (played in tribute to the late
Arthur Lee), Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (told you there were some
rarities), Little Miss Disaster - which sounded rather good
and went down very well, Eloise which was very extended with
a long middle bit. Eloise is one of those songs that everyone claims
to hate but it always hits the spot with the crowd, 13th Floor
Vendetta, Plan 9, Generals (another rarity), a snatch
of Turkey Song and a really good Jet Boy Jet Girl.
For the encores (for which Captain was clad in a tiger print thong.
I think - didn't look that closely) Curtain Call and (complete
rarity alert) Rabid Over You, which was announced by Mr Vanian
as not being played live since 1977. Dave apologised for the rather
crumpled piece of paper he was clutching. I thought it was the set
list, but it was actually a lyric sheet. "If I get half way
through this I'll be a happy man" said the great man. They
got all the way through it in style, Dave checking the lyrics as he
went - which I thought added to the brilliance of it all rather than
detracting from it. The whole band looked genuinely pleased with the
result - as Dave said "Well done lads". Pinch claimed
that they only rehearsed it that afternoon. I wonder.
Last song was a storming I Feel All Right which was ended by
a drum solo from Pinch. "I hate drum solos you rotters"
(well almost those very words but I don't want to offend).
A truly outstanding gig with a nigh on perfect choice of songs - one
or two old stalwarts were omitted but that was more than balanced
by the replacements.
Favourite moment - after Alone Again Or when Captain mentioned
that he wasn't in the band when they recorded the song. "How
could they sack me?" he enquired. "Because you were
making too much money. Don't you who I am - Mr Happy Talk"
countered DV. Captain found this genuinely amusing. There were loads
more good bits but I only had three and a bit hours sleep before going
to work on Monday and I've only started to come round as I write this
three days later, so I'm afraid they've let my little brain never
to return.
Froggy
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Thanks
to Froggy for the above photos!
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