Rockers, Glasgow - Smugglers, Sunderland - 3 Tons, G ateshead
Straighten Out are a Sheffield based four piece paying tribute to the best
era of the Stranglers 1977 - 1979.
I caught the band the previous night at the Smugglers pub in Roker,
Sunderland and was totally blown away by them so I just had to see them at
my favourite venue the Three Tuns. The place was packed tonight and it was
absolutely roasting inside which just added to the atmosphere, sweat
dripping off the walls just like it might have been at The Hope & Anchor
way back in the summer of 77. The band are all technically proficient
especially the keyboard player whose playing took this act to another
level. Every track from the Stranglers debut Rattus Norvegicus was covered
except Ugly, most of the follow up No More Heroes as well as selected
tracks from Black and White and all of the singles in between including a
full version of the classic Walk on By with superb soloing between the
guitarist and keyboard player. The Tuns crowd were loving every minute and
everyone was singing along and having a great nostalgic trip. Stand out
tracks for me were awesome versions of Peaches, No More Heroes, Sometimes,
Princess of the Streets and the unbelievable Down in the Sewer played to
absolute perfection especially the Rats Rally finale of the song where the
bass just about blew my chest away it was growling that much. I don't
think I have enjoyed watching a covers band as much as this for ages and I
wait in anticipation for Straighten Out's next visit to the North East.
Totally recommended.
Jacka
Well, the first mini tour of Scotland and the Northeast by Straighten Out was undertaken last week, taking in Glasgow Rockers on the 25th, Smugglers Bar Sunderland on the 26th and culminating with The Three Tuns Gateshead on the 27th. What a fantastic time was had by all concerned.
Not only did the band travel up for this adventure, but a significant posse of ne'er-do-wells accompanied us at their own expense and did us all proud with the cheerleading; in no particular order I must mention Martin and John (Druids MC); John Shuker (of Shuker basses) and Babeinblack; Manda, Lisa and Seb (WAGsinblack); Andy, Fatbusjim, Phil "one shirt" Tuneless and Baz; and last but not least Natalie - great sport and impromptu exotic dancer on "Nice 'n' Sleazy" for the Glasgow and Sunderland dates!
The first two gigs were great fun, but the last one at The Three Tuns was something else! The place was heaving, sweat was dripping off the ceiling, the audience was pogoing fit to break through the floor and all the band looked like they'd had hosepipes on them.
A superb trip and one to live forever in the memory!
Now if I turned up at a gig and Ozzy came to watch I'd be cacking myself....so how did the lads feel when Baz warne (Stranglers front man) was in the crowd....
It's okay, they're good mates hahahaha
The Tuns was packed...on a Sunday as well.
So are they any good?
Flippin'awesome (I would say f*cking awesome but there's kids get on here)
Firstly, they have the all essential keyboards....and it's the same set up as Dave Greenfield used in the epic Stranglers years.
The bass is authentic JJ.
It growls and it's played with the same 'attack' that Burnell uses.
The drums..I must point out at this point that I am making considereable efforts to equal the rights of drummers and keyboard players to get their photo's taken) had the feel of Jet Black, tight as a gnat's chuff and cutting through the mix well.
Which brings me to front man Bob...the one that had to sing and play the bits Baz has on stage...knowing he was there.
Didn't seem to bother him at all to be honest.
he has the Cornwell voice down to a tee and the traditional black telecasters through the Marshall TSL and 4x12 give the sound a bite.
The set was superb.
They did all of Rattus Norvegicus (bar one) including get a Grip, Sometimes, Peaches, Goodbye Toulouse, London Lady (with the immortal line 'Making love to, the mersey tunnel, with a sausage...have you ever been to Liverpool), Princes of the Streets, Hanging around and even Down in The Sewers for an encore
Straighten Out itself was superb as was 5 Minutes and No More Heroes.
Normally the band play all the way through, but due to a bass amp problem they needed a 10 minute break...thank god.
It was so hot and no one wanted to leave to go outside....I think it was a life saver..
An absolutely cracking gig.
The North East self proclaim that we have the lion's share of great bands and tributes...we probably have, but there's one from Sheffield that woudl fit right at home up here.
Straighten out are back at The Tuns in December....punksters everywhere should check 'em out.
Dave.
Head still hurts a bit today.
Anyhoo, here's some pix from last night's gig before Sir Lord Castle comes along a bit later with a full round-up in proper write-up form.
As per usual samples were transmitted back to a PaulinLondon-manned Ground Control for the sake of posterity and validation, where snatches of Toiler and The Raven were, I hope, successfully received. Hope the singing along wasn't to frightening mayte.
But it must be said the band's travelling support were excellent, and to actually bring your very own stripper for Nice N Sleazy work-out is the work of genius. Of course, Glasgow got to repay the favour, by supplying a genuine old mad-fella in a kilt, who, it must be said, shook his booty happily throughout the gig.
It struck me last night, being out at a punk/rock gig for the third time in as many weeks, that (sad as it may sound) these places are about the only chance old farts like myself get to go out for a cold pint and get to hear some decent music these days. So not surprisingly I noticed the Glasgow punk glitteratti were out in force last night at Rockers. This reporter spotted Raimey and Alan from The Red Eyes, Mick from Combat Rock and even a rare sighting of John from Crusted Spunk Seat.
Just a typical Stranglers audience, really- Includes FBJim in the DEVO tshirt.
And a madman in a kilt, naturally.
Luckily, tonight JJ's top stayed on.
And, at last, the one you've all been waiting for...
...
A previously unseen shot from that gig in San Fransisco in the '80's where the burd takes her top off, like.
Bubba Cornwell in full flight.
A couple of drunken old duffers spotted enjoying a nice Pear Cider.
Alias
Well where to begin with this one, a top weekend all round. Three great gigs by a band that is getting better and more accomplished with each gig.
Rockers and The Smugglers were good, but for me The Three Tuns was excellent (even though they ran out of Strongbow before 4 o'clock. It was a real sweat box in there, even Mick (I'm fucking starvin) broke into a full sweat.
Sunday morning found us with some time to kill so off to South Shields fun fair we went, frightening the lives out of all and sundry along the way (motley crew). Nearly a few breakfasts (including mine ) left behind on the Waltzers though.
All in all a fantastic ROAD TRIP with a barrel of laughs along the way. Roll on the next one.
Fatbusjim
The Pheasant, Sheffield and Rose Farm, Lincolnshire
Great night of music, the sound for Goldblade was a bit distorded, and one funny moment came when some physcobilly collapsed on the floor when he came round in Micks house he was more concerned about his quiff. Its a shame more didn't stay for SO but Shaggy and the boys did themselves proud with a sound that if you shut your eyes..... well you know the rest. To get a feel of the evening if you went to the Orange Alert gig in the barn that now has a hole in the floor you won't be far away, and on another mild night the beer was going down too easy, lucky it was only a quick stagger back to the tent. A few of us mentioned that it would be a great location for a Rats Rally, mmm now theres a thought.
Setlist:
Intro WIB
Wog
Tolier
Grip
London Lady
Sleazy (and yes someone got them out for the lads)
Bitching
5 Minutes
Straighten Out
Burning Up Time
Goodbye Toulouse
Something Better Change
Raven
Heroes
and finally Sewer (a real crowd pleaser)
catch SO at a venue near you especially if you live up north and poss dan saff next year.
Bazza
Well, the 5th and 6th gigs of the Straighten Out 2008 diary were completed this weekend. Friday at the Pheasant in Sheffield was a hot, stuffy but well-attended affair to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Stevo, close friend of some of the band and the man who was originally going to play drums. See this thread: http://www.thestranglerssite.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8281
There was a lot of emotion and a good deal of boisterous dancing during the gig, which I think is exactly what was needed.
Saturday night in Leicestershire supporting Goldblade was an entirely different affair, sited in a large barn with a decent stage and two other support acts. Straighten Out were due to play the third slot after Firstwave and Eastfield, but due to a developing time overrun Goldblade opted to play the third slot leaving Straighten Out to wind up the whole event from midnight onwards. Goldblade played an absolutely storming set and fully deserved the ecstatic reaction from their fans. At the end, the frontman John Robb exhorted everyone to stick around for us, mentioning that he'd seen the soundcheck and that he thought we were "the best Stranglers tribute you're ever likely to see" . Unfortunately many of them seemed to have danced themselves to a standstill and a good few retired to their tents, leaving a much-reduced but enthusiastic audience for us to entertain! At this point I'd like to give an honourable mention to Steve (from Grimsby, I believe) who has a 100% gig attendance record, Frank and Diane who travelled from France for the gig , all the other great people who have attended (some several times), and to the young lady who treated everyone to a very Battersea-esque topless dance during Nice 'n' Sleazy. Goldblade's wimmin never got THEIRS out.
Bubba
The Q Inn, Stalybridge
First time we checked you guys out, although do remember Shaggy n Mick from prior gigs...
Remembering Hugh's line from a Reading festival some years back, "Well, It hasn't rained has it ?! Bloody Great !!"
Started things off nicely as 'Wog'was first up, shaking up Staly-Vegas before the niteclubbers has got their gladrags on !
We counted about 21 tunes which raced thru most of Rattus & No More Heroes, together with a very menacing 'Threatened', then Toiler, Tank n Sleazy (together with added attractions !) from Black & White. A creditable Walk on By, Raven, then to wrap things up, as the rained poured down, Sewer to finish !
Well pleased when all the band & crew stuck around for a few bevvys before heading back over the hills....
See you again soon..........
MitchInBlack
The Q Inn in Stalybridge isn't the biggest pub in the world so the decision was made to play the gig outdoors, in the hope the weather would clear. Well it did - for probably half the set, then the heavens opened again and it pissed down for the rest of the night.
Still a really enjoyable night though, these lads are going to get better with each gig.
Fatbusjim
The Hallcross
Just thought i would let you know about straighten out at their second outing, at the hallcross pub in doncaster. the pub its self was just across the road and two doors down from the regency where jj and baz played a few weeks ago
i arrived there about 8.15 to a very empty pub met up with steve from grimsby, the band were not due on untill 10.00. so we started a bit of a session on the beer, the pub is quite a big pub with an area for seating and a area in front of the stage for moshing,dancing,watching etc must say its amuch better place than the sleazy LEOPARD where i have seen baz and 4mh play on several occasions ,the place is now filling up with a few followers of the stranglers,bikers from sheffield and donny chapters, guys dressed in suits and doncaster belles flashing there bits old and young a very diverse crowd indeed
intro-waltz in black
set list
wog
grip
threatened
toiler
london lady
peaches
sometimes
sleazy
bitching
dead ringer
5 minutes
walk on by
burning up time
tolouse
princess
tank
something better change
hanging around
raven
no more heroes
straighten out
sewer
the set started well but a bit on the quiet side the sound man soon sorted that out, the locals that had gathered near the front moved abit further back but were quite mobile and the belles were happy to shake their hips, a bit of a hiccup on toiler a problem with shaggys monitor that sorted. we noticed some tattoed bloke with his girl moving near the front(big tits donnys answer to jordan) i must say these tits were the biggest i have seen hidden behind the strappiset of tops at the onset of sleazy the offer to come on stage was declined much to the dismay of myself and steve,
walk on by, i know we all like the guitar work on this but i must say hats off to sean who beat his drum skins with vigour and rythem, superb mate well done.
anyway the rest of the set went well i had expected the locals to start to dissappear but fair play to them they were still there at the end
spoke to a few locals who would now go and see the stranglers at the end of year tour
well a great night was had by all, a great set put on by
mick, shaggy, bob and sean-------------straighten out
keith
Dove & Rainbow
sat night at the dove and rainbow in sheffield for the first outing of the latest stranglers tribute band,was really something
arrived at the pub at aroud 8-30pm with some band already playing the place is packed, lots of strangler fans there, some from this forum and others i have seen at many a stranglers gig, also a lot of bikers in colours (druids north) dotted around the pub,god how much longer do we have to listen to the band playing,they finish at about 9-15,the ales are flowing, lot of real ales and wierd types of scrumpy being quaffed,i stick to my usual smooth bitter
talking to some of the band members there appears to be a few nerves jangling indeed one was so worried about playing he might of given up weeks before it started
9-45pm the lights go down and waltzinblack starts to boom out of the sound system, Straighten out come on stage and start with
IFLAW- what a superb start the crowd really get going,a mosh develops and keeps going right thru the set, set list as fatbusjims previous post, there might have been a few cock ups?(more like 1st night nerves)
by the time of the encores one person in particular is getting quite rowdy in the mosh toward the wibs, he is pushed out of the way by babeinblack he is allowed back in but under the wachfull eyes of the bikers who are now standing on 3 sides of the mosh (these guys have arranged this whole night for their 30th anniversary,although looking mean and menacing they do not really want any trouble) now its almost 11pm, the band ask the druids is there time for one more number, comes back the answer-yes!! bang into---DOWN IN THE SEWER a full 7 mins the mosh and the rest of the packed pub loving it, then its over the guys have played close to 1.5 hours of pure mark 1 strangler classics with power,passion albeit with afew nerves (but certainly with none of the brass/kazoo crap mentioned in previous posts) leaving you with the feeling that you need more of this in the future.
a superb night was had by all, if you have any doubts about seeing a tribute band bite your lip,go and see " straighten out " you wont be dissapointed
Leskie