Straighten Out return to...
Straighten Out return to the Hope and Anchor (London) on Saturday for another hugely anticipated gig in the capital...some tickets are still available so be quick to secure yours if you plan on attending...there's a link to ticket sales on the gig guide page...
They will be supported by 'Cash From Chaos' (8.00pm approx).

2010 Gigs:
Confirmed - Jan. 24th @ The Diamond (Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire) and Sat. 27th March @ Bathgate (Scotland)...venue to be announced...A very busy year lies ahead for Straighten Out as we have many more gigs already confirmed and they will be listed in the gig guide imminently...keep checking these pages...!

Just confirmed...the band have managed to slot another gig in for November. They will be playing Chester for the first time on Friday 20th Nov. This will be the first of their visits west as they have already lined up more gigs in the northwest for next year...in fact next year will see the band build on their success of the last two years as they both increase their gig schedule and expand their horizons to venture to new destinations...and indeed IF YOU want to see Straighten Out play in your area, and you know of a suitable venue, why not drop us an email and we might be able to accommodate you...! Anyone who has been to one of their gigs will testify to their abilities at re-creating that 'early-years' sound of The Stranglers...and besides, it's just fantastic music and a great night's entertainment...!

Moses Gate was rocking again last Saturday (Oct. 24th) as Straighten Out surpassed themselves and did a non-stop 2 hour solid session...they barely took a breath as they kicked in with Nuclear Device and No More Heroes for the opening two tracks, getting the crowd fired up straight away...the set included Peasant In The Big Shitty, I Feel Like A Wog, The Raven, Bring On The Nubiles and the whole of Rattus Norvegicus (bar London Lady) !! Plus we were treated to two recent additions - English Towns and Sweden - They wrapped the night up with Grip, Straighten Out and encored with Go Buddy Go and Down In The Sewer...120 minutes of the best music written since, well since this pop-music thing began, and admirally performed by the premier Stranglers tribute band out there...

UPDATED: Hope & Anchor...DATE CHANGE...14th NOT 21st November...
Hope & Anchor...second coming...! And Bathgate (Scotland) in the new year...!
Attention London Ladies...and Finchley Boys...
Straighten Out are back at the Hope & Anchor on Sat., 14th November...not the 21st as initially stated...!! The guys realised that the 21st clashed with a Hugh Cornwell gig not too far away on the same night. So they kindly rearranged their schedule to accomodate all you eager fans...you ain't got no excuses now...Get along there and make it yet another memorable night...!! Tickets will be available soon from www.wegottickets.com So keep an eye on that website...
They will be supported on the night by 'Cash from Chaos'...a punk rock tribute band from Scotland who cover tracks from the Adverts to the Vibrators and more from many of the usual suspects inbetween...! Check them out via the links page...
Straighten Out's gig in BATHGATE, Scotland is now confirmed for Saturday, 27th February 2010... again they will be supported by 'Cash From Chaos' plus 'Combat Rock', further details as we get them...keep checking these pages...!
NOTE: The proposed gig at the Shed, Leicester on the 14th Nov., has now consequently been postponed and we are looking to set a new date for a gig there in the new year...

ATTENTION...The September 19th gig has had to be CANCELLED...
Straighten Out's gig scheduled as supporting the Po Boys at the Irish Centre, Leeds has had to be cancelled due in essence to the economic situation affecting the Po Boys, Straighten Out had no choice on this one really...apologies to all...BUT, NEW DATES ARE COMING as you read this...Keep checking these pages for the latest series of gigs...!!

NICE'N'SLEAZY 2010...
Straighten Out will be appearing at the annual Nice'n'Sleazy Punk Festival in Morecambe next May, 2010...Great news - and more details as we get them...

September gig CANCELLED...
Straighten Out's gig scheduled for the Mason's Arms, Doncaster on Saturday 12th Sept. has now been cancelled due to unforseen circumstances...apologies to all...You can still catch up with them though this Sunday, 30th August at the 'Q Inn'...please note the early start time...!!

Good News - another gig added for October...
Straighten Out will be playing at Casey's school reunion night (that's Chaucer School, Sheffield 1984-'87)...the gig will be held at the Black Bull, Ecclesfield (Sheffield) on Friday, 16th October...since it's a public house gatecrashers are welcome!! School ties are not compulsory...!!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT...

Straighten Out's gig at Redhill Football Club, Surrey on 5th September has been CANCELLED...
Firstly, the band would like to thank John and Tania for initially setting up the gig and acknowledge that this cancellation is nothing to do with their efforts...
Straighten Out are a professional, well organised band who are willing to travel the length and breadth of the UK to perform the music that they enjoy so much and play so well, and wish to share with as many people as possible. They have always found the crowds to be very appreciative of their shows, as those who attend will testify...Like all professional bands Straighten Out need to make such trips economically viable as it is they themselves who have to finance their tours - transportation, fuel, accomodation etc., and when things occur which seriously threaten the viablity of such long journeys then the band are forced to make a defining decision...Of serious consequence are the 'liberties' taken by unscrupulous 'promoters' who take a disproportionate 'share' of ticket sales/door takings which significantly impinges on the bands wages for the night...
As a result of recent events the band are having to reconsider all such 'extended' trips across the Uk, with the immediate decision that the proposed return gig at the Hope & Anchor, set for later in the year, has now also been cancelled.
We must stress that these issues are in no way related to the excellent audiences that the band are attracting...their support is very much appreciated and the band know that some fans make a few sacrifices to get to the shows - that is what makes it more annoying for the band, they know many people out there want to see them and they have proved that they are more than willing to play at any place in the country, but any professional outfit has to make it economically viable...we are sure you will agree on this matter...but to all you guys who live 'off the beaten track' so to speak, Straighten Out have NOT totally abandoned the 'distant' regions of the country, they just need to find more 'accommodating' venues...the search begins...
Once again, the band wish to emphasise that they are very grateful to those who attended the recent Scotland and London gigs (some of you where at all of them!) and they hope to see you on the road in the not too distant future...! STRAIGHTEN OUT

Moses Gate saw the return of Straighten Out on Saturday and they were not disappointed...there was considerable concern early on for the band as the temperamental keyboards crashed and replacements were sent for...but Mick and the boys persevered and overcome this glitch in time for a packed house to enjoy 90 minutes of non-stop 'Stranglers' classics as the band ripped through tracks from 'Rattus', 'No More Heroes', 'Black & White' and more...with the customary growling bass of Shaggy and swirling keyboards of Mick (now working just fine!) combined with Bubba's excellent lead guitar work and held together by Casey on drums...and there was a nice cameo vocal from Mick on 'Peasant in the big Shitty'...!! The band are very professional in their work and they've got the sound nailed, coupled with the intimate venues that they're playing at present it gives you a flavour of what it was like in the early days of The Stranglers' career... Different, challenging, exciting...with excellent 'stand-out' tunes that have stood the test of time and still send a shiver down your spine when you hear the intro...! While you're waiting for your next 'fix' of The Stranglers, go and check out Straighten Out...! Oh, by the way "I wish I hadn't come to Bolton..." in "Thrown Away" was said in jest, honestly!!

Gallery: Photos from Straighten Out's gigs at 12 Bars, Swindon and Yardbirds (Warlocks MC), Grimsby have been added to the Gallery...

'Thank You' to all who made it a fantastic weekend up in Scotland...thanks to the bands who shared the bill on Friday at Ivory Blacks and Saturday at Bannermans...and a special 'thank you' to Mick Murphy (Combat Rock) whose hospitality went beyond the bounds of duty in accommodating a few of the regular Straighten Out fraternity...! Cheers Mick! Hope you've had some rest since...! The Druids crew enjoyed themselves as usual - hope their behaviour wasn't too 'alarming' though...?!?! Credit to the local band on Saturday afternoon too, who on recognizing Straighten Out in the venue, invited them to do an impromptu song during their set! 'Peaches' was tantalizingly offered as a taster for that night's entertainment...and greeted with rapturous applause...! And last but not least, a big 'thanks' to all of you who turned up at the shows, your support is greatly appreciated...! Straighten Out

Gallery: Photos from Straighten Out's gig at Three Tuns, Gateshead on 20th June have been added to the Gallery ('Rogues' photos to follow soon)...

NOTE: 'Cash from Chaos' will be supporting Straighten Out this Saturday at Bannermans, Edinburgh...you can check out their website on the 'Links' page...

Gallery: Photos from Straighten Out's gigs at 12 Bars, Swindon and Yardbirds (Warlocks MC), Grimsby have been added to the Gallery...

26th June 2009: Slight oversight on our behalf...Straighten Out will return to the 3 Tuns, Gateshead on Saturday 7th November. The gig has been correctly advertised by other sources, and you've still got plenty of time to make your plans and get there...!!

Media/Gallery: Archive pages have now been added so you can hear Straighten Out in their 'formative' years...! And see the collection of photos of both the band and fans from the early gigs...!

26th June 2009: Slight oversight on our behalf...Straighten Out will return to the 3 Tuns, Gateshead on Saturday 7th November. The gig has been correctly advertised by other sources, and you've still got plenty of time to make your plans and get there...!!

Pictures from the gig at the famous 'Hope & Anchor' are now up in the Gallery...

RE: 12 Bars, Swindon (6th June) - And NEW GIG added for Sheffield, Friday 18th December...

NEW GIG: Straighten Out will be at the 'Black Bull' - Ecclesfield, Sheffield on Friday 18th December...see gig guide...
A big 'Thank You' to David Young at 12 Bars, Swindon..who made everybody most welcome - a great host! And thanks to all who came along - not least those who travelled some distance...especially 'Grimsby Steve' (did you make the 'Hope & Anchor'?)...! A round of applause goes to 'Rodney Bickerstaffe' (Rodders) too for his Paul Roberts impersonation and rendition of 'Tank'...A top night by all accounts, despite the trials and tribulations of Shaggy...who managed to blow up one of his Amps before the gig had even started!! Apologies from Shaggy for the temporary subsequent screaming sounds!! But the fun began even earlier - as his SatNav packed in on approaching Swindon and plunged them back into the dark ages, haha!! Then the van's alternator decided it had had enough, just as they reached the venue...thanks to the R.A.C the band were not without wheels for their journey home...but Shaggy was nearly without a toe!! One of his huge cabinets fell on his foot as he was loading up the gear after the gig and managed to break his big toe...(No laughing...!?!?). The good news is he's on the mend and his Amps are fixed...he sorted that out the other day, then came out of the shop and he'd got a £35 parking ticket...!! A tremendous weekend...the MenInBlack strike again...Haha!!
The 'Gallery' is gradually expanding now with plenty more pictures to come...and thanks for your 'Guestbook' contributions, the band appreciate your support...Straighten Out

Announcement - 23rd May 2009

Hi to everyone..!
As you can see, the website as been re-designed and although a couple of pages are still to be completed it's going live now (so you can keep up to date with gigs info!) and the 'Gallery' and 'Equipment' pages will be up and running over the next few days...Why not take advantage of the Guestbook and leave your comments and words of encouragement for the band...! At this point we would like to express our gratitude to Jon Shuker for his invaluable work on the website over the last year or so...and welcome onboard new webmaster Geoff...!

Hope & Anchor - Thank You...!
The band would like to say a huge thank you for making the recent gig at the 'Hope & Anchor' such a great night. Special thanks to Paul in London, Stewart from Gateshead, Keith & Lesley, Ava Rave, Nigel & the Crystal Palace crew, Martin and John from Druids MC and the Sheffield crew, Phil & Dave, Billy in Black and the Middlesborough mob, and all from the forums, your continued support and willingness to travel from far and wide is very much appreciated. We hope to play the 'Hope & Anchor' again soon and we're sure we'll see some of you there!!!
Thanks, Straighten Out

Announcement from Casey (aka Pitch Black)
Having just done my first rehearsal with Straighten Out last week, everything is going fine, I'm really enjoying it, I find Jets drumming more of a challenge than other lesser bands of the time. We went through 25 songs in the first practice and I've got 98% nailed.
Other bands I've played with over the years included the Dylan's, who were signed to Beggers Banquet records in London. They were a four piece indie band and with them I played the Astoria with Blur, the Reading festival, the first few singles and album and did a few tv appearances too. Having been with loads of local bands who can't be bothered, just play to pass time or have no passion in their music, I've finally got with a bunch of guys who love what they're doing and who I get on with. All I can see are good times ahead. See you on the road in 2009.
Pitch Black....

Announcement - December 2008
After Shaggy's discussions with Shaun about the bands potential earnings for the coming year, Shaun made the decision that it wasn't financially viable for him to carry on playing with Straighten Out. This news was broken to the band the week before christmas and the band wish him well with his future venures. Shaun enjoyed playing with the band and the band have really enjoyed playing with him. A couple of drumers have been auditioned and the choice was made when Gaz Jones, aka Casey, showed an interest in playing with the band. He was to be the original drummer with Straighten Out but wasn't in a position to commit at that time, but now he is. The band start rehearsals on 17th January and their first gig will be on 7th march. Further details will be announced later along with 2009 gig dates.