The Sabrejets + The Vipers
3rd Annual Cramps Tribute
@ Black Box, Belfast, 10/02/12
(review / photos copyright Joe Donnelly)
No siberian weather systems to battle with this time and this was the annual tributes biggest crowd yet, the place was packed . Looks to me like there must be a hell of a lot of closet 'Cramps' fans in Belfast.
As we entered the venue a very tipsy Terri Hooley was there to greet us , we had a chat , posed for a pic and he revealed his plans for his next literary project which will be very interesting and revealing if it actually happens. Punk author & webmaster Guy Trelford & myself both signed our souls away to the devil and promised to contribute to the mystery project, ulp!.
I was really looking forward to this Vipers show as 'Stage B' songs were going to be performed here tonight which haven't seen the dark of night for the best part of the past 30 years. I loved it, and to hear Continental Girls after all this time was pretty special . The band weren't that happy with their performance tonight and I don't know why, because everyone I spoke to enjoyed their set. Granted the actual 'Cramps' covers were a bit loose , but so what! It was all good craic.
The Vipers have their tongues planted firmly in their (or in someone-elses) cheeks, and just like their alter egos Stop Stop Start Again they seem to be getting better with each gig. Paul Rowan's leopard print skyscraper heels were a shoe fetishists dream.
The last time I saw a guy in stripper shoes like this he was parading around a Florida hotel swimming pool , but thats a story for another day .
This was rumoured to be the last 'Vipers' show, I for one sincerely hope that its not.
[ ed. - fantastic to hear all those old Stage B songs again, especially The Viper, and to see / hear Charlie Reilly on stage again. The Vipers blend the glam-punk of Stop Stop Start Again with the goth-punk of Stage B to add a little twist to the reworked Stage B songs, and Reilly's deep vocal and dark humour make him the ideal frontman for this band. We know that the Vipers is a short term project but I sincerely hope that Reilly continues to perform in some capacity, as its great to see the old codger back!]
No siberian weather systems to battle with this time and this was the annual tributes biggest crowd yet, the place was packed . Looks to me like there must be a hell of a lot of closet 'Cramps' fans in Belfast.
As we entered the venue a very tipsy Terri Hooley was there to greet us , we had a chat , posed for a pic and he revealed his plans for his next literary project which will be very interesting and revealing if it actually happens. Punk author & webmaster Guy Trelford & myself both signed our souls away to the devil and promised to contribute to the mystery project, ulp!.
I was really looking forward to this Vipers show as 'Stage B' songs were going to be performed here tonight which haven't seen the dark of night for the best part of the past 30 years. I loved it, and to hear Continental Girls after all this time was pretty special . The band weren't that happy with their performance tonight and I don't know why, because everyone I spoke to enjoyed their set. Granted the actual 'Cramps' covers were a bit loose , but so what! It was all good craic.
The Vipers have their tongues planted firmly in their (or in someone-elses) cheeks, and just like their alter egos Stop Stop Start Again they seem to be getting better with each gig. Paul Rowan's leopard print skyscraper heels were a shoe fetishists dream.
The last time I saw a guy in stripper shoes like this he was parading around a Florida hotel swimming pool , but thats a story for another day .
This was rumoured to be the last 'Vipers' show, I for one sincerely hope that its not.
[ ed. - fantastic to hear all those old Stage B songs again, especially The Viper, and to see / hear Charlie Reilly on stage again. The Vipers blend the glam-punk of Stop Stop Start Again with the goth-punk of Stage B to add a little twist to the reworked Stage B songs, and Reilly's deep vocal and dark humour make him the ideal frontman for this band. We know that the Vipers is a short term project but I sincerely hope that Reilly continues to perform in some capacity, as its great to see the old codger back!]
No original Sabrejets rockers being played tonight , it was strictly wall to wall sleaze & trash 'Cramps' style. The 'jets' were mean & cool as f***, Lux , Ivy , Nick & Brian would've been proud of them.
[ed. - This stuff just comes so easy to the Sabrejets! The band were in full party mode with Brian Young whoopin' and howlin' like a good un. They didn't try to imitate the Cramps but performed that bands songs in their own slick, inimitable style. There was a full on freakout on the dance floor as at least half the audience piled in stagefront, and there were some rare shapes being thrown I can tell ya! This was a crackin' wee gig with 2 great bands, a great atmosphere and a most appreciative audience. Well done to Time To Be Proud for organising it all. Yep, the Cramps would have been proud!]
[ed. - This stuff just comes so easy to the Sabrejets! The band were in full party mode with Brian Young whoopin' and howlin' like a good un. They didn't try to imitate the Cramps but performed that bands songs in their own slick, inimitable style. There was a full on freakout on the dance floor as at least half the audience piled in stagefront, and there were some rare shapes being thrown I can tell ya! This was a crackin' wee gig with 2 great bands, a great atmosphere and a most appreciative audience. Well done to Time To Be Proud for organising it all. Yep, the Cramps would have been proud!]
Remember to 'Stay Sick' y'all.
Joe Donnelly. Belfast. 13.2.12.
Joe Donnelly. Belfast. 13.2.12.