The Stranglers -
live @ the Roundhouse, London, 09/03/12
(review & pics by Graeme Mullan. Live pics courtesy of Simon Kent)
THE SET-LIST:
Burning Up Time, Sometimes, The Raven, Lowlands, Hey! (Rise Of The Robots), Hanging Around, Unbroken, Time Was Once On My Side, Golden Brown, Strange Little Girl, Walk On By, Giants, Peaches, Mercury Rising, Lost Control, Shut Up, No More Heroes, Relentless, Something Better Change. Time To Die, Duchess. Five Minutes, All Day And All Of the Night, Tank.
Another year, another trip across The Irish Sea to get my fix of The Stranglers in concert - however, it has been six years since the band were last on the road promoting a new album - so this time I was genuinely excitied to get to hear some new material performed live. The album in question is 'GIANTS' (straight into the official charts with a sugar bullet at no.48) and is proving to be something of a critical success, with many of the media reviews coming out strongly on the favourable side. Personally, after hearing the Convention preview of some of the new songs, I was somewhat anxious about the new album - but on receipt of a promo copy prior to the release date and before the start of the tour, all my doubts were allayed - this was still The Stranglers in control.
Tonight, The Stranglers return to a favoured haunt - the iconic Roundhouse in Camden Town - a venue they last played in late 2007 when they re-visited a set-list from 1977, the same set as they played on the last night of a record-breaking run of consecutive nights - previously held by The Who and The Rolling Stones. Before heading to the gig there was the equally important 'Social-in-black' - the meet-up of like minded Strangler fanatics - which had been arranged in another iconic punk venue, The World's End (a five minute walk away). Catching up with old friends and making new acquaintances over a pre-gig pint or two has become an essential part in the Strangler tour experience and this evening was no exception. By the time I arrive there is already a plethora of black tour t-shirts in attendance and it is not too long before I am enjoying a pint and hearing tales of the previous dates on the tour, the set-list conundrum, thoughts on the new album and all things Strangler (although a fair few fans had also done the Killing Joke gig in The Roundhouse the night before) which was also a recurring topic of conversation.
Soon enough the rallying call to move was heard - the general consensus from those who were on their second or third (or more!!) gig off the tour was to give the support acts (Mike Marlin Band and The Popes) a miss - something I didn't care about either way. We trekked up through Camden - a long black snake of fans - passing by the various glittering, brightly lit shop-fronts selling clothes, shoes and past the numerous cafes and food outlets - the aroma of curries, noodles and kebabs mingling with various other narcotic fragrances, filling the night air with a heady mix. Walking along the curved brickwork wall, the venue doors soon came into view - around the touts trying to get rid off their ill-gotten gains and down the steps to the glass entrance. I split off from the throng filing through the entrance, to pick up my ticket behind the box office, but was soon back in the queue climbing the stairs to the Level 1, Main Space section of the arena. As much as I consider the acoustics in The Roundhouse to be great - given it is basically a large circular and domed ampitheartre - it's the pillars keeping the dome in place that can be a blight for the viewing audience. I made my way through the crowd to ensure I was forward of these pillars and positioned myself mid-stage, just in front off the mixing desk - hoping this would give me both an excellent audio and video experience. It is quite a mixed crowd tonight - over the past few years the usual middle -aged fans have been infiltrated by a younger, more hirsute fan base but tonight there seems to be even more present and an increased number of females also in attendance.
THE SET-LIST:
Burning Up Time, Sometimes, The Raven, Lowlands, Hey! (Rise Of The Robots), Hanging Around, Unbroken, Time Was Once On My Side, Golden Brown, Strange Little Girl, Walk On By, Giants, Peaches, Mercury Rising, Lost Control, Shut Up, No More Heroes, Relentless, Something Better Change. Time To Die, Duchess. Five Minutes, All Day And All Of the Night, Tank.
Another year, another trip across The Irish Sea to get my fix of The Stranglers in concert - however, it has been six years since the band were last on the road promoting a new album - so this time I was genuinely excitied to get to hear some new material performed live. The album in question is 'GIANTS' (straight into the official charts with a sugar bullet at no.48) and is proving to be something of a critical success, with many of the media reviews coming out strongly on the favourable side. Personally, after hearing the Convention preview of some of the new songs, I was somewhat anxious about the new album - but on receipt of a promo copy prior to the release date and before the start of the tour, all my doubts were allayed - this was still The Stranglers in control.
Tonight, The Stranglers return to a favoured haunt - the iconic Roundhouse in Camden Town - a venue they last played in late 2007 when they re-visited a set-list from 1977, the same set as they played on the last night of a record-breaking run of consecutive nights - previously held by The Who and The Rolling Stones. Before heading to the gig there was the equally important 'Social-in-black' - the meet-up of like minded Strangler fanatics - which had been arranged in another iconic punk venue, The World's End (a five minute walk away). Catching up with old friends and making new acquaintances over a pre-gig pint or two has become an essential part in the Strangler tour experience and this evening was no exception. By the time I arrive there is already a plethora of black tour t-shirts in attendance and it is not too long before I am enjoying a pint and hearing tales of the previous dates on the tour, the set-list conundrum, thoughts on the new album and all things Strangler (although a fair few fans had also done the Killing Joke gig in The Roundhouse the night before) which was also a recurring topic of conversation.
Soon enough the rallying call to move was heard - the general consensus from those who were on their second or third (or more!!) gig off the tour was to give the support acts (Mike Marlin Band and The Popes) a miss - something I didn't care about either way. We trekked up through Camden - a long black snake of fans - passing by the various glittering, brightly lit shop-fronts selling clothes, shoes and past the numerous cafes and food outlets - the aroma of curries, noodles and kebabs mingling with various other narcotic fragrances, filling the night air with a heady mix. Walking along the curved brickwork wall, the venue doors soon came into view - around the touts trying to get rid off their ill-gotten gains and down the steps to the glass entrance. I split off from the throng filing through the entrance, to pick up my ticket behind the box office, but was soon back in the queue climbing the stairs to the Level 1, Main Space section of the arena. As much as I consider the acoustics in The Roundhouse to be great - given it is basically a large circular and domed ampitheartre - it's the pillars keeping the dome in place that can be a blight for the viewing audience. I made my way through the crowd to ensure I was forward of these pillars and positioned myself mid-stage, just in front off the mixing desk - hoping this would give me both an excellent audio and video experience. It is quite a mixed crowd tonight - over the past few years the usual middle -aged fans have been infiltrated by a younger, more hirsute fan base but tonight there seems to be even more present and an increased number of females also in attendance.
Five minutes (and we are almost there) and the familiar strains of 'Waltzinblack' echo out from the PA as the cheers from a packed hall threaten to drown it out. Onstage the four band members make their entrance - Jet Black and Dave Greenfield step up behing their raised instruments as JJ Burnel and Baz Warne approach centre-stage from opposite sides, strapping on their guitars to play some rock'n'roll. One quick look from JJ to Jet confirms we are ready and it is straight into 'Burning Up Time' - an odd choice for an opener, but an energetic one, as a myriad of balding heads and spiky, multi-coloured barnets begin bopping up and down at the front. Straight into 'Sometimes' the first track on debut album 'Rattus' and a personal favourite, keeps the energy level high and the mosh pit moving - but as 'The Raven' kicks in with JJ's distinctive bassline - the overall mood seemed to mellow and this was furthered when tonight's first 'new' track was played. 'Lowlands' is not one of my choice picks from the new stuff and I felt the non-regular, greatest hit loving fans were somewhat alienated by these last couple of tracks. Things never really got back to normal until towards the end of the set, except for the hardcore fans, it was only tracks like 'Hanging Around' and 'Peaches' which seemed to get the non-regular Strangler fan's blood rushing through their veins. Of course the mid-set, give Jet a rest, section of 'Golden Brown', 'Strange Little Girl' and the epic 'Walk On By' was well received by the cheering masses, even though this part has been the ciggie break/trip to the bar parts for a lot of my acquaintances!! In my opinion the best new song, and the title track, 'Giants' followed - this will in time become a Strangler classic with a great intro and the lyrical social comment linking back to the '77 single 'No More Heroes'. Speaking of which - this track has been replaced mid-set rather than the usual encore gig-ender and long overdue in my opinion. During the keyboard solo riff it has been common practice for Dave Greenfield to arpeggio single-handedly whilst downing in one a glass of his favorite tipple held in his other. Tonight for whatever reason (and much to the amusement of a giggling Baz) he couldn't manage to finish the drink, leading to the last verse of Heroes being changed to.."Whatever happened to Dave Greenfield, He couldn't finish his pint of beer". With the introduction to the set of proto-punk, shout-a-bout b-side 'Shut Up' , played just before Heroes, the epic 'Relentless' and set closer 'Something Better Change' - the crowd had been whisked up into a frenzy by the end - and they were baying for more. Two encore sets followed - both with something for everyone - the crowd-pleasing 'Duchess' and 'All Day and All Of The Night' tempered with fan faves 'Time To Die' and (for the first time this tour) 'Five Minutes'. The gig closer is 'Tank' - JJ smashing his bass with explosive power - a track which blew the crowd's balls off at the count of three!! And that was that. The house lights came on and we slowly made our way out onto Camden High Street once again.
Overall it was a great gig. There was something there for everyone with a good mix of tracks - although if I wanted to be hyper-critical some of the '80s catalogue was missing. The likes of 'Skin Deep' or 'Who Wants The World' should have seen the light of day again - replacing what though? That is the dilemma facing The Stranglers these days - with such an eclectic and varied back catalogue it is hard to please all the people all the time. The inclusion of four new songs made this choice extra difficult and even at that, they were not necessarily the one's I would have chosen either, especially as 'Freedom Is Insane' had been played recently and is rapidly becoming a fan fave rave. The band were on top form tonight, putting in another top notch performance - powerful, menacing and affable in equal measure. The experience doesn't end there though, as it was back to The World's End for the post-gig analysis and further refreshment - which extended on rather later than anticipated, resulting in me staggering out of the pub to find the Tube had stopped operating and meaning it was the Night Bus back.
Overall it was a great gig. There was something there for everyone with a good mix of tracks - although if I wanted to be hyper-critical some of the '80s catalogue was missing. The likes of 'Skin Deep' or 'Who Wants The World' should have seen the light of day again - replacing what though? That is the dilemma facing The Stranglers these days - with such an eclectic and varied back catalogue it is hard to please all the people all the time. The inclusion of four new songs made this choice extra difficult and even at that, they were not necessarily the one's I would have chosen either, especially as 'Freedom Is Insane' had been played recently and is rapidly becoming a fan fave rave. The band were on top form tonight, putting in another top notch performance - powerful, menacing and affable in equal measure. The experience doesn't end there though, as it was back to The World's End for the post-gig analysis and further refreshment - which extended on rather later than anticipated, resulting in me staggering out of the pub to find the Tube had stopped operating and meaning it was the Night Bus back.
The next day, waiting at the airport for the flight back to Belfast only gave me time to check out flights, tickets and accommodation for either the Newcastle or Manchester gig later in the month. It also allowed me the opportunity to initiate a quick e-mail..."Dear Bank Manager, I am writing to request an extension to my overdraft".
Mully 12/03/12 |