THE CRAMPS TRIBUTE NIGHT - 6th FEBRUARY 2016 - THE BLACK BOX, BELFAST
Belfast was treated to a five band extravaganza of Cramp-itude, as the Time To Be Proud label presented their seventh annual Cramps Tribute night. A fiver on the door, with the first 200 punters getting a free five-track CD - featuring all five bands onstage recording covers of Cramp tuneage.
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I missed the openers - Los Bloody Rackets - which was unfortunate as I quite dig what these cats produce. Initially I think the band name was a tongue-in-cheek recognition of their original line-up's limitations and lack of stage experience - however, every time I have seen them since (and if memory serves) each time with different personnel, they have shown an improvement. Unfortunately, if the gossip-mongers are right, a further line-up change is on it's way....watch this space!! Anyway, reports from those who were present (and checking out a couple of video clips of their set) proves the upward momentum for LBR continues. Ryan on guitar (telling me he has now able to play three chords) minus beard and Mexican wrestling mask, thrashed out the riffs, with Chappy - donning an apt Byran Gregory hairstyle - pounded out the tom-tom beat. Co-vocalist Nuala added, not only a different dimension to the vocals, but looked uber cool in her hot-pants, leopard print top and fish-nets, also entertained as she hammer-locked the other singer during 'The Crusher'. The track recorded for the CD however proved the highlight of the performance - 'Some New Kind Of Kick' merging into Queens Of The Stone Age's 'Feel Good Hit Of The Summer'. Check it out (if you can be bothered).
Next up we had Mr Riot's group - Going Full Retard - another band undergoing line-up changes, with the introduction of a second guitarist. The audience were once again entertained with a mixed set of Cramps, punk covers and original songs - all given the retarded-rockabilly treatment - and the totally original stage antics of vocalist Billy Riot. Always on the move around the stage. never standing still (and not always on his feet) as he was apt to be writhing on his back, whilst still singing!! With a black double-bass and twin guitars, these (definitely/maybe) lunatic asylum escapees recieved a psychotic reaction and scorched through their set of retard-related rock'n'roll songs - the, always was and always will be, favourite being Devo's 'Mongoloid'.
Third up on the bill were Thee Dirt Byrds - a three piece combo, promoting their recently released debut LP - performing an eclectic mix of punk, surf and glam - providing something for everyone.. Starting off with Cramp style guitars and drums (no bass) they soon reverted to 'traditional' instrumentation for the remainder of their set. During this part of the evening I was called out for a smoke and got into a conversation outside with Barry and Liam, concentrating heavily on the influence The Lurkers 'Fulham Fallout' had on the punk scene, the deluxe reissue of said album on CD and how perhaps, a Horward Wall Tribute night might be appropriate!! Upon re-entering the venue, we seemed to have missed all but the opening numbers from the Byrds.
However, it was now onto the penultimate act - The Groundlings. These hipsters - Steve (guitar), Chappy (bass - low-slung) and Louie (drums) usually provide a mix of original and cover songs (tinged with an MC5 vibe), but tonight it was a total set of Cramps songs (or songs The Cramps had covered). 'Human Fly' - driving us insane with the buzz,buzz, buzz - 'Goo-Goo Muck', Teenage Werewolf', - there was no stopping them blowing our top - 'Strychnine', etc... Steve putting his inimitable guitar style on a superb version of 'Route 66' (my highlight of the evening) and Chappy venturing off stage and into the crowd, presumably to hear what they sounded like front and centre. After a mid-set Lucozade mis-hap - the songs continued to effervese (pun intended) and the songs the Lord taught us (and beyond) were regaled upon appreciative ears (and feet). Cracking set from a cracking band.
Last but not least - and to close the night, as the bewitching hour struck - The Sabrejets took to the stage. Belfast's original nice'n'greasy Rockabilly outfit have performed at all seven of these Cramps nights - not surprisingly, as Liam followed The Cramps round the UK on one of their tours back in the day and the band have previously appeared on an official Cramps tribute CD performing 'Ultra Twist'. Kicking off with the theme song off the night - 'Im Cramped' - there followed another Cramp inspired set-list - getting the remainder of the audience up on the dancefloor. An hour plus performance featuring 'Goo Goo Muck' 'Drug Train' - although Brian pointed out that the band do not condone the use of narcotic substances.... unless they get offered some first - 'Can Your Pussy Do The Dog' - here kitty. kitty - 'The Way I Walk' - Link Way influenced everything (allegedly!!) - and even a rendition of 'Shortnin' Bread'. With Liam and Brian inter-playing guitar leads and (double-jobbing) Louie on drums providing the backbeat - fair play to him producing two sets of percussive duties - we were even given an (albeit) brief doghouse slap solo from Bill's double bass playing stand-in.
Then it was all over - another night of Dames, Booze, Chains and Boots - Bad Music for Bad People. All that's left to say is, Stay Sick kids. Until next year.
Mully.
Belfast was treated to a five band extravaganza of Cramp-itude, as the Time To Be Proud label presented their seventh annual Cramps Tribute night. A fiver on the door, with the first 200 punters getting a free five-track CD - featuring all five bands onstage recording covers of Cramp tuneage.
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I missed the openers - Los Bloody Rackets - which was unfortunate as I quite dig what these cats produce. Initially I think the band name was a tongue-in-cheek recognition of their original line-up's limitations and lack of stage experience - however, every time I have seen them since (and if memory serves) each time with different personnel, they have shown an improvement. Unfortunately, if the gossip-mongers are right, a further line-up change is on it's way....watch this space!! Anyway, reports from those who were present (and checking out a couple of video clips of their set) proves the upward momentum for LBR continues. Ryan on guitar (telling me he has now able to play three chords) minus beard and Mexican wrestling mask, thrashed out the riffs, with Chappy - donning an apt Byran Gregory hairstyle - pounded out the tom-tom beat. Co-vocalist Nuala added, not only a different dimension to the vocals, but looked uber cool in her hot-pants, leopard print top and fish-nets, also entertained as she hammer-locked the other singer during 'The Crusher'. The track recorded for the CD however proved the highlight of the performance - 'Some New Kind Of Kick' merging into Queens Of The Stone Age's 'Feel Good Hit Of The Summer'. Check it out (if you can be bothered).
Next up we had Mr Riot's group - Going Full Retard - another band undergoing line-up changes, with the introduction of a second guitarist. The audience were once again entertained with a mixed set of Cramps, punk covers and original songs - all given the retarded-rockabilly treatment - and the totally original stage antics of vocalist Billy Riot. Always on the move around the stage. never standing still (and not always on his feet) as he was apt to be writhing on his back, whilst still singing!! With a black double-bass and twin guitars, these (definitely/maybe) lunatic asylum escapees recieved a psychotic reaction and scorched through their set of retard-related rock'n'roll songs - the, always was and always will be, favourite being Devo's 'Mongoloid'.
Third up on the bill were Thee Dirt Byrds - a three piece combo, promoting their recently released debut LP - performing an eclectic mix of punk, surf and glam - providing something for everyone.. Starting off with Cramp style guitars and drums (no bass) they soon reverted to 'traditional' instrumentation for the remainder of their set. During this part of the evening I was called out for a smoke and got into a conversation outside with Barry and Liam, concentrating heavily on the influence The Lurkers 'Fulham Fallout' had on the punk scene, the deluxe reissue of said album on CD and how perhaps, a Horward Wall Tribute night might be appropriate!! Upon re-entering the venue, we seemed to have missed all but the opening numbers from the Byrds.
However, it was now onto the penultimate act - The Groundlings. These hipsters - Steve (guitar), Chappy (bass - low-slung) and Louie (drums) usually provide a mix of original and cover songs (tinged with an MC5 vibe), but tonight it was a total set of Cramps songs (or songs The Cramps had covered). 'Human Fly' - driving us insane with the buzz,buzz, buzz - 'Goo-Goo Muck', Teenage Werewolf', - there was no stopping them blowing our top - 'Strychnine', etc... Steve putting his inimitable guitar style on a superb version of 'Route 66' (my highlight of the evening) and Chappy venturing off stage and into the crowd, presumably to hear what they sounded like front and centre. After a mid-set Lucozade mis-hap - the songs continued to effervese (pun intended) and the songs the Lord taught us (and beyond) were regaled upon appreciative ears (and feet). Cracking set from a cracking band.
Last but not least - and to close the night, as the bewitching hour struck - The Sabrejets took to the stage. Belfast's original nice'n'greasy Rockabilly outfit have performed at all seven of these Cramps nights - not surprisingly, as Liam followed The Cramps round the UK on one of their tours back in the day and the band have previously appeared on an official Cramps tribute CD performing 'Ultra Twist'. Kicking off with the theme song off the night - 'Im Cramped' - there followed another Cramp inspired set-list - getting the remainder of the audience up on the dancefloor. An hour plus performance featuring 'Goo Goo Muck' 'Drug Train' - although Brian pointed out that the band do not condone the use of narcotic substances.... unless they get offered some first - 'Can Your Pussy Do The Dog' - here kitty. kitty - 'The Way I Walk' - Link Way influenced everything (allegedly!!) - and even a rendition of 'Shortnin' Bread'. With Liam and Brian inter-playing guitar leads and (double-jobbing) Louie on drums providing the backbeat - fair play to him producing two sets of percussive duties - we were even given an (albeit) brief doghouse slap solo from Bill's double bass playing stand-in.
Then it was all over - another night of Dames, Booze, Chains and Boots - Bad Music for Bad People. All that's left to say is, Stay Sick kids. Until next year.
Mully.