Last night we headed off to Rock City in Nottingham to see The Stranglers. They were brilliant – it’s the third time I have seen them. They have been together for 36 years! I remember No More Heroes in 1977. Jet Black (the drummer) is 71!
picture courtesy David Baird
Evidently they had been in town overnight and had visited the big wheel in the market square – even changing the lyrics to Peaches – suggesting they’d ‘rather be 60 feet up on the big wheel’, as opposed to the ‘end of a skewer’. You had to be there.
I am a great fan of live music and have notched up hundreds of bands. I was wondering about the audience for the bad boys of punk / new wave. I am pleased to say it more the creaks of the arthritic joints than applause! There were some granddad punks – I am not sure you can satisfactorily bleach your grey hair? At times the view was like a Captain Birds Eye convention.
There are those who squeeze past everyone apologetically suggesting they have to get to the front. Presumably they have left their wallet there? At least I am their ‘mate’ or ‘buddy’.
But the ones who really make me smile (providing I am next to them) are the guys who have fought their way from the bar back to their position – which their mate has saved for them for 10 minutes. They then proceed to pogo with their beer. The origin of beer shampoo? It’s quite expensive at £3 a pint wash.
And why does the 6’8″ bloke have to stand in front of me? Doesn’t he have a good enough view?
I couldn’t help but notice (as they were somewhat irritating after about 3 minutes) a group of blokes in front of us. They were a bit vertically challenged but I think one must have been worried about losing his dad. His dad had no neck. The kid spent all night looking round for dad, then squeezing past to make physical contact (holding hands I think) and chat about all manner of things. Not sure he got the gig thing. He was probably 45.
It was fascinating that his library books were overdue. I was going to suggest a live CD for him?
Having arrived home I realised how well organised we have become – We left home at 7.50pm, drove into town, parked, walked in to Rock City at 8.14. JJB and the boys entered stage left at 8.15. They finished at 9.55, we were back at the car at 9.58 – paid for less than two hours parking and was home at 10.10pm. Clinical execution and fits my busy diary perfectly! I must be getting old?
Now where’s the Ovaltine?
