Brix & The Extricated 28th March 2015 – Leeds Brudenell Social Club

Fantastic night last night – Seriously up there with one of my favourite gigs and definitely better than any Fall gig I’ve been to. That said, spending a night watching Sooty play the kazoo would’ve been better than about 80% of Fall gigs I’ve witnessed. Mind you I keep going back to em.

Was looking forward to this for a few months and I wasn’t disappointed.

Into the beautiful Leeds gig mecca that is the Brudenell Social Club, a couple of pints of Three Swords ordered and we’re down the front.   The venue isn’t rammed but there’s a healthy turnout.

The opening clicks on Hit The North bellow out of the PA and Brix and Co take to the stage.  From there on in it’s a fantastic onslaught (Brix really going for it!) of 80s Fall classics.  “Leave the Capitol”, “CREEP”, “Dead Beat Descendent” , “Cruisers Creek”, “Mr Pharmacist” it’s all good.  Booked tickets for the next one at Hebden Bridge.  Can’t wait.

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The Clash Myth #23244 – Strummer and co never made the album “Cut The Crap”

Always amused how The Clash have managed to write their “Cut The Crap” album out of the history books.

I’m amused cos in a sick way I actually quite like it. I know it’s effectively half of “The Clash” (Strummer and Simonon being the only original members at the time).  And I know manager Bernie Rhodes seems to be playing a game of space invaders throughout the recording of the album, which bizarrely the “beeps and blips” from said shoot out, seems to feature high in the album’s mix!  But that aside I quite like it.

I love its back to basics primal crowd shouting and boot stomping. Even its worst tracks wouldn’t seem out of place on Sandanista (which coincidentally I also rate).  Consider the classic “This Is England”, Strummer’s wonderful ranting on opener “Dirty Punk” and “We Are The Clash”.

So why “the myth” in this entry’s title?  Well the current Clash seem to shy away from this.

You can understand Mick Jones wanting to write this out of history but to not include it on the recent “Sound System” complete retrospective and similar seems a little strange.

If you check out Spotify its not there.  Trawl through The Clash’s classic albums and it just seems to end at “Combat Rock” unless of course you know your Clash history and you’re aware of that final album recording under their name.

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Amusingly, a search for “clash cut the crap” brings back said album but under a different guise.  Who the fuck is Joseph Gohr?!

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It’s their album though…..if you want it that is!

Hugh Cornwell – Saltaire Methodist Church 19th March 2015 – Book Reading

2 separate Stranglers activities in 3 days! The first being The Stranglers in Leeds on Tuesday night (see my earlier post)

Popped along to Saltaire Methodist Church on Thurs night to check out Hugh’s book reading of his new book “Arnold Drive”. I do like Saltaire especially the breweries monthly “Beer Club” and Fannies ale house.  So this was very inviting.

Walked into the Methodist Church to be greeted by Hugh tucking into fish and chips. Had a natter with him for a few minutes whilst a few other punters walked in.   Shook his greasy hand 🙂

He eventually sits at the front of the church and invites us all to sit in the first 3 pews at the front (which we did). We’re then treated to him reading a section out from his book and the floor is open for a Q&A session. Which starts out with some interesting questions from the crowd – apart from one chap who seemed a little “refreshed” and keeps telling us all about his red Indian blood.  Hugh turns to me at one point as he forgets the name of The Stranglers autobiographer – thankfully I recall the name.
Eventually, the questions predictably switch to music. Some points below …..

– Big tour of America being planned for June/July – “What you doing Hugh? East or West coast?” – “All of it”.
– UK Tour of churches in Oct/Nov (I’m guessing accoustic here?)
– Working on new book (Doctor in Miami in 2050 – he’s about half way through writing this one)
– Working on new music
– Some festival dates in Summer (one on East coast – is this the Skegness one?)
– No contact with Stranglers although he didn’t mention any negativity and wishes them well.
– He doesn’t run any more and hasn’t done for over 25 years – points out the dangers of running.

Quite an enjoyable evening all round.

The Stranglers Leeds O2 Carling Academy 17th March 2015

Never been a fan of gigs on a “school night” but I could hardly miss this one could I?

Being a tad more sober than the previous week’s Sheffield gig I stood in the middle of the venue and took this one in.   The band seemed on form although there was no Jet Black present tonight.

Similar setlist to Sheffield but we were treated to Dead Ringer. So that’s 3 Dave vocal songs – fantastic!  Although he did have a coughing fit half way through his vocal delivery of “Four Horsemen”

“Nice In Nice” sounded particularly good this evening – A much welcome bouncy Summer breeze of a song on a cold St Patricks night evening.  I think I was the only one who got Baz’s “…I’ve been to Leeds” comedy reference.

And who’s sick idea was this? Shitty lager £4.50 a pint.  £4.50!!!

Thanks to you know who for sticking me on the guestlist.