 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
| Tin Pot Operation
Spring and Airbrake, Belfast 18th October 2006 Saw the Stranglers put on a fine show last night after a 28 year gap since my last live encounter with them, back in the heady days of 1978. For some reason the Stranglers were one of the first of the original punk bands I lost interest in and even though they have played in NI a number of times since '78. I never felt the need to check them out until tonight. I think it's something to do with my mid life crisis. This was the first time I'd seen a gig in the S+A and like it's sister venue the 'Limelight' next door it has pillars right in front of the stage which can make for a pretty shitty viewing experience depending on where your standing. The night kicked off with Belfast band Tin Pot Operation who were a much better band live than they are on CD. Their sound is a lot tougher more gritty and better for it away from the confines of studio situation, plus they have the foxiest bass player in the city. They opened their set with 'These Fires Burn' a song which has a very heavy bass and choppy guitar sound and could easily have came straight off the Stranglers own 'Black and White' LP. TPO certainly know how to write a good song with the 'Joyriders (Death drivers)' song and 'Petrol Bomb' which has a great Clash style riff and deserves a special mention. But the highlight for me was 'What Have You Done' which has a really catchy chorus that had everyone singing along. They finished in true punky style with their anthem 'Bored With Belfast' under pressure and scrutiny from the Stranglers roadcrew who wanted the band to get off the stage. But TPO resisted their advances till they finished the song. Tin Pot Operation's brand of world watching politically charged indie pop/punk went down well with the audience. And was spurred on by the audience reaction they put on a top performance. Their first single 'Black Eye' will be released and available to buy/download in a few weeks. The headline band the Stranglers were up next and they came onstage to the circus sounding strains of their own 'Waltzinblack' and kicked into their set with '5 Minutes' followed by 'Grip' then 'Spectre Of Love', it was a great start. Things in the Stranglers camp were looking just like it did al those years ago they were aloof and nasty just like you hoped. JJ Burnel agressively prowling the tiny postage stamp sized stage looking younger than his years though chunkier (aren't we all), plus I think he's been dabbling with the grecian 2000. As for Jet Black and Dave Greenfield they were always old codgers in the background anyway, so nothings changed there. Though still essential to the whole Stranglers sound and vision experience. Baz Warne is certainly no Hugh Cornwell clone. He doesn't have his menace, sneering delivery or stage persona, but he gives it 100% and is a good replacement. The new songs blended into the set perfectly and the only downside for me apart from the crap onstage light show was the 80's hits 'Always The Sun' and 'Golden Brown', both of which I always disliked. Though bizzarely they drew the biggest cheers from the non punk minded members off the audience. As the set progressed the Stranglers actually smiled now and again. So maybe they were'nt just going through the motions after all, as it sometimes appeared? JJ and Baz shared the vocals and made a damn good job of it. Even tried their hand at a bit of rawhide style cowpunk with venom on the new song 'I Hate You' which was different. JJ commented blues brothers style that they play both kinds of music "country and western". The Stranglers have an evil groove about them which I liked if you take time to listen to the lyrics of the songs. They are sometimes pretty nasty and near the knuckle as any fan will undoubtably know, but is it tongue 'n' cheek and image??? It's strangely entertaining and reassuring watching a middle aged man still cutting it spitting out angry words like it was 30 years ago song after song. It's like a car crash you can't take your eyes of it. The set was varied and well balanced. It was good to hear the likes of 'Death And Night And Blood' and 'Lost Control' again as well as the standards like 'Peaches' and 'London lady'. The new stuff sounded really good and proves the old adage is right that things do improve with age. The Stranglers are on form right now 'Suite XV1' is definitely worth buying going by tonights exposure. Two encores later and with JJ bare chested showing off his hairless physique finished on a high with 'No More Heroes' which the audience was waiting on. Then they left the stage with barely a thank you as the crowd called out for more, but to no avail. Of course there was many missing gems in the set, how could there not be theres not enough time for everyones fave's but it was a good night. There's life in the old rats yet! Joe Donnelly (Belfast) 19.10.06. |
 |
 |
 |
 |