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Arrived at the Hope and Anchor at around 5:30pm-ish, greeted by an abundance of buds and babes in black out in front and pretty clogged inside. Just the sight of the legendary building from a distance gave one a thrill just to see it! I know everybody else felt that way too. It seemed as though I had an awful lot of catching up to do drink wise, a few tipsies tripping about and slurring their speech even that early (that which I won't get into). But what a beautiful day! Did you see that full moon?? Wow, it was perfect for lunatics!
Fabulous turn-out for Straighten Out, there was great banter happening everywhere, all geared up for the juice to come, I missed the warm up band unfortunately, also from Sheffield, and I'm ashamed to say I forget their name too.
Straighten Out came on about 10:15pm I think, to thunderous cheers as they began Something Better Change, but no sooner had they begun, the crowd swelled/surged so fast and furious to the front that the top keyboard nearly took a nose dive and the keyboard rack nearly fell off the stage, (which was barely a few inches off the floor.) Shaggy's monitor also took a tumble so he stopped playing and asked everybody to get back a bit, as they barely had room to play their instruments what for all the arms and gyrating bodies and thrashing heads coming at them. I think he had to stop twice and appeal again as the mike stand too kept getting knocked.
The tiny 'stage' was right at the end of the room as soon as you came in from the staircase...so if you were the last person to enter the room, you had the best spot in the house! INSTANT FRONT ROW!
Interesting were the tag team of extremely friendly happy bouncers, (the likes of which I've never seen of that particular breed in my life) a big friendly DINO Rogers look-alike (...the iconic Dino from JJ's 'Dino Rap'..I know most of you should know who he is, I'm only explaining this for newbies) also on hand were a couple of cool Druids bikers from Sheffield, Fatbus Jim and someone fill in the blank..sorry, name escapes me, and then our trusty Rodders stepped in for a turn at crowd control too, as well as giving us an eyeful with his impromptu strip tease! Photo's should be circulating in the 'underground' by now!
Sound was good, songs were GREAT, atmosphere was fabulous, crowd was totally into it and I'm pretty sure that NOBODY went away disappointed for any reason other than not pulling. (Is it mating season? Cruising was rampant--but then maybe it always is) It was a verrrry cosy place. It's true tho, if you had a spot near the exit or stage, you didn't have anyone pushing from behind. You even had air, tho not very fresh.
Set list:
SOMETHING BETTER CHANGE
GRIP
NUCLEAR DEVICE
RAVEN
SOMETIMES
THROWN AWAY
PRINCESS OF THE STREETS
HANGING AROUND
BURNING UP TIME
PEACHES
GOODBYE TOULOUSE
WALK ON BY
PEASANT
UGLY
TOILER ON THE SEA
DUCHESS
5 MINUTES
TANK
CURFEW
STRAIGHTEN OUT
LONDON LADY
NO MORE HEROES.
Encore:
NUBILES
SEWER
Just before the encore, Shaggy gave a few words of thanks to Paul in London, without whose help the gig wouldn't have happened. Paul stepped up to say a few words and every bit the spokesman, surely said what we all heartly FELT.
Next wave in Swindon!
- jbinblack -
The Hope And Anchor..........hallowed turf, sacred ground, a place so famous to Stranglers fans that despite the fact that I had never set foot in the place before saturday afternoon, I felt I knew the place inside out.
Those arched windows are surely as recognisable as the Viking longship or Trotsky's tomb...........clearly not to everyone, as ahem, certain forum members amply demonstrated on a previous visit to the big shitty, but I digress.
Child care issues had prevented us from making the decision to actually go until the night before..........in the end we locked our 11 year old in the cupboard under the stairs with a bowl of gruel........(she seemed happy enough when we let her out on sunday evening) and booked in to the jolly old Hilton for the evening. Yeah, if your going to do the punk rock thing you want to do it in comfort don't you?
Imbibing a bottle of brandy in the hotel before stepping out on the town prevented us from making the 3pm meet up, but we were there by about 4 ish and the next few hours rushed by in a blur of Guinness, lager, curry, piss taking, flash photography, familiar faces, banter, laughter, shouting, vodka, and finally somebody saying something about a band playing in the cellar or something............so down we went.
I have to admit by this time (it seemed like about 3 in the morning but I am reliably informed it was nearer 10 in the evening) I was flagging slightly (it must have been the heat down there, it really was very warm)
and was happy to lend a handy wall some support and enjoy the show, and what a show it was, a great set from the chaps who once again did us proud with a splendid evenings entertainment.
Not having been there back in circa '77 I am unable to say how authentic an experience it was, but to hear those songs played in such a legendary place was as near as we will get to time travel and was a remarkable evening that I think none of us will forget for a very long time.............well apart from Mr and Mrs Leskei of course
Moving back outside and feeling refreshed, I enjoyed the final hour or so of drunken buffooneryinblack with smashed beer glasses, much shouting of old bollocks, and as the evening finally drew to a close we could only stand and marvel as Paul In London made a late entry to the "how many pissed up Strangler fans can you fit in a 7 seat people carrier" world record attempt..............I counted 23, now that figure should not perhaps, considering my own condition, be relied upon, but if you halved it it would still be a remarkable effort.
Following a bracing sleep and a hearty breakfast that included eggs, black pudding, beans, sausages, yoghurt, toast and chocolate muffins though not all on the same plate, we undertook a pleasant walk into town on a lovely spring morning that led us around St. Pauls, along the embankment and up to Trafalger Square and to Covent Garden before making our way home on the train.
So can we do it all again next saturday please?
Well if thats asking too much, what about making this an annual event in the forum calender?
- ravenlunatic -
Now to the band of course, who I have to say were fcukin brilliant! First time I'd seen them but now counting down the days until Swindon.
Cracking set, loved the closeness of the venue (not sure Shaggy was so keen though ). It was packed, hot, sweaty, noisy and so much fun. Just like a real gig should be.
Their final encore of Sewer was simply stunning - go see them for this alone.
I also had the pleasure of meeting the guys from SO afterwards. Talking to Bob, I found he was so modest about the whole thing - he seemed so chuffed that many die-hard Stranglers fans had made the effort to travel across the country to see them. It would be very easy for him (and the rest) to get big-headed but they ain't. They KNOW that they are the tribute band and are not pretending otherwise. Genuinely nice guys, the lot of 'em. Respect.
I mentioned in the history of the H&A thread about what it would have been like to have been there at the beginning - on Saturday night we had a taste of that with a set from the late seventies (stuff that I may never hear The Stranglers themselves do), in an historic, iconic venue that means so much in Stranglers folklore. I don't think many who were there on Saturday would disagree - OK maybe Keith and Lesley then...
Nice one guys
- blackbeered -
T'was great to see everybody again, (was Preston really THAT long ago?) nice to meet a few new people, Villain and another lady, (so sorry I've forgotten your name-you were with Joni and Simon) and hadn't seen Nick for awhile, always up for a nice little chit chat.
The all male strip show was a sea of a dozen fleshy torso's, Rodders went all out tho, nobody's had the nerve to post his meat and veg that he was swingin around, I would, but my camera connection to the pc is on the blink at the mo!
The band were fabulous as usual, in high gear, Sweden got a great reception, that was a nice surprise, and to be real, part of the gig was a bit of a Shmirnoff Icy blur at times and the last bit was spent trying to dodge a quite tipsy lady forumster wearing brown Docs (yes BROWN!) who repeatedly stepped on my feet. . No real harm done tho, I can still walk......with a limp.
Nobody mentioned a Spinal Tap moment for the BUTsters. As we realized the gig would start in about 10 minutes, we went to make our way into the 'hall', which was kind of in a separate building behind the booze garden but still connected to the main building, so as we started back inside the pub to go out the side door, we were all following someone, then realized the place was kind of like a maze, and we all filed out after hitting a dead end, everyone saying 'its that way' turned around and hit another dead end, then were told it was right behind us, behind all the trashed fridges and the tiki gate....well, you had to be there to see the irony of it.--someone else can explain it....but it was very funny.
The local paper had in the club listings that 'Jeff Leopard' were playing, so some local punters had arrived expecting a different band! I hope some of them stayed for the show though, and got a proper gig!!
Kebabs and very slow lonnnnnnnnnng goodbyes afterwards rounded off a lovely night. Thanks to my trusty neighbour for the safe trip over to B'ham.
Heard later that Shaggy and Casey were stranded on the motorway with a flat tire 50 miles from Sheffield! After all the love they'd given us, what thanks is that from Karma? They didn't get home til 5:30 but apparently just in time for early bird breakie.
Til the next time!
- jbinblack -
Belated review but there ya go!
I can’t believe how time seems to fly these days but there I was a week ago, sober as a judge in the car park of the Maypole Travelodge (somewhere in Saarf Brum) munching on me sandwich awaiting the arrival of me auld mucker Paul B..whilst enjoying the warm autumn sunshine. The calm before the storm methinks because my every intention was to get shit faced on Stella (or some other 5% proof lager beers) during the upcoming hours. Mission would be accomplished!
Anyhow, the meet ups all go to schedule and it’s not long before we’re marching up to the main entrance of The New Dogpool Hotel! Actually, the area and/or venue is not as bad as described by certain folks on this forum! But then again I am from from the HARDEST city in Englandshire so I’ve been around and seen a lot to shake me anyhow!
First people I bump into on entering the venue are Leskei & FatbusJim!!!!!!!!You’ll never know how much I luv these guys! Met ‘em both at various shindigs in recent years and to be quite honest if these blokes are showing up for an event then I know it’s gotta be a good occasion!
The beers begin to flow and some of us make our way to the beer garden where a Jimmy Krankie lookalike informs us that he/she/it won a copy of ‘Golden Brown’ on ‘TISWAS’ many moons ago, obviously. Leskei spilt a bit of his pint over her not long after, quite by accident in the bar….
“Sorry mate!” says Keith, obviously thinking it’s a bloke...
“ It’s not a bloke..” Says I in a whispered voice.
“Aye! I gathered that eventually” Says Keith in his Geordie accent……………U had to be there...
So! On to the Bier Garten! Fuck it! It’s a SMOKING GARDEN, innit? Anyway ,this was the place to be for a coupla hours. Mrs Bubba joined us , so did Phil Tuneless and Kaffinboots early on AND THEN THE COGNASCENTI began to arrive!
First of all Claire & Rodders ( fucking Rodders! Wot a fucking guy!)
Then!
Lord & Lady Lunatic De Rural Areas
(Wot would a Stranglers related event be without Joan Lunatic these days?)
The beer and the conversation were all in swing outside with all talk of New Model Army , Devo, Stranglers gigs and the spending on Ravenlunatics credit card by our beloved Joan. We were also joined by the uber-forum-member that is Nick-in-black! I know he doesn’t use a hyphen
Wot can I say about Nick? Always a pleasure to meet him! A wry sense of humour indeed but always has a point and personally I can’t get enough of fans like him. Likewise Simon lunatic again….
BUT who’s that in the shadows?
A pair of mischievous eyes meet mine through the bamboo type border of the pub ‘Bier Garten’ and the ,no doubt war in the Ghetto outside! Must be Senor Blackbeered! Of course it is! AND!!!! AANNND!!! LORD GIZZARD is also in tow! I shoulda known!
Oh! Fuck it! Gizzard & Blackbeered turn up & Jjbinblack! I was overwhelmed! I luv these people and the night just can’t go wrong! We have a gathering!
Quick shout to ‘Villaininblack’ before I go on the gig. Another exceptional human being imho, really enjoyed sharing a pint and chatting with this bloke…another forum star imho…..
CUE ‘WALTZINBLACK’
After some serious drinking and maybe NOT so serious conversation it was time for some fucking serious kick ass muzak! That was my take anyhow!
I’d drunk my fill outside and now I was gagging for some music! Stranglers stylee!
‘STRAIGHTEN OUT’
That’s what we want! And that’s what we got!
‘Waltzinblack’ signalled the arrival and then the band went straight into ‘5 Minutes’ which all sounds great but it took a coupla more songs for me to get cranked up really high. Didn’t take long though! If ya luv the Sttranglers 70’s stuff then you can’t go wong with tihis band I just fucking luv ‘em
Great version of ‘Thrown Away’ btw especially my dancing with ‘Blackbeered’….maybe not…
The “Tits OoT” was fun too…maybe…
“Something Better Change “ must surely have been the highlight though to all concerned (thanks to me & Rodders!)
The oldies amongst us seem to agree that the real glory days of The Stranglers are really centred around the first few albums..
WHO GIVES A FUCK?
Watch Shaggy & Bubba in action! PLUS!! Mick n keyboards & the erm.. Drummer!
Why pay more?
I just cannot fault ‘Straighten Out’ They are a superb live outfit and if you are a genuine Stranglers fan then these lot are to be cherished & supported...!
- ThruBeingCool -
Straighten Out are a Sheffield based four piece band 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' frontman) 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 Burnel 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 '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 Sewer' 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 would fit right at home up here...
Straighten out are back at The Three Tuns in December....punksters everywhere should check'em out.
Dave.
Head still hurts a bit today. 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 too frightening mate...But it must be said the band's travelling support were excellent, and to actually bring your very own stripper for a '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 FBJ's top stayed on. And, at last, what 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.
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 Mick's house he was more concerned about his quiff. Its a shame more didn't stay for Straighten Out 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 Straighten Out 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 THEIR'S out.
Bubba
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' and '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
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 8.15pm to a very empty pub, met up with Steve from Grimsby, the band were not due on untill 10.00pm so we started a bit of a session on the beer, the pub is quite a big pub with an area for seating and an area in front of the stage for moshing, dancing, watching etc., must say its a much better place than the sleazy Leopard where I have seen Baz Warne and '4 More Heroes' play on several occasions, the place is now filling up with a few followers of The Stranglers, bikers from Sheffield and Doncaster 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'
'goodbye toulouse'
'princess of the streets'
'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 a bit 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 Shaggy's monitor, that sorted we noticed some tattooed bloke with his girl moving near the front (big tits Donny's 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 rhythm, superb mate well done. Anyway the rest of the set went well, I had expected the locals to start to disappear 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
Saturday 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 Stranglers' 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 this band playing...they finish at about 9-15pm. 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 'I Feel Like A Wog' - 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 first night nerves). By the time of the encores one person in particular is getting quite rowdy in the mosh toward the WIB'S (wagsinblack), he is pushed out of the way by Babeinblack, he is allowed back in but under the watchful 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 minutes, 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' Stranglers classics with power, passion albeit with a few 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 won't be disappointed
Leskie