The area I live in is rich in musical heritage. As far as punk is concerned luminaries of the scene were often spotted wandering around visiting people such as Adam and his Ants,  Dave Vanian of The Damned,  Billy Idol and Ian Dury. We are also blessed with the likes of Elton John, Rod Stewart, Peter Andre, and Simon Le Bon (the word blessed is used loosely in some cases). Even now this rich stream of musical greatness continues courtesy of various fucktards appearing on The X Factor BUT we have sod all in the way of decent gigs around here. The only way we used to have anything worth going to was getting together and putting them on ourselves but now there is not even anything resembling a decent venue here (RIP The Roxborough and The Railway).

This is one reason that this was such an important milestone of an event even if I did only find out about it a couple of days before it took place. This social club is put on yearly to celebrate the life of former Ruts singer and guitarist Paul Fox who grew up down the road in Hayes. It’s a charity event raising funds for the Michael Sobell Hospice. It was therefore heartening on turning up to find that this fairly large sports club was already incredibly busy and everyone seemed to be in great spirits as one of Paul’s other former bands The Dirty Strangers took to the stage. It was obvious looking around that many were here for the cause and for showing support to it and there were no doubt friends and family here too. It was not just about the music but it was a celebration of it which we could see as both young children and pensioners started busting a groove. “Is that so and so?” was constantly on my lips, there were some familiar faces as well as many no doubt from the local community. Where all the pork pie hats came from was one of many unanswered questions. The Strangers themselves were a bit old cor blimey, boozy and bluesy pub rock which fitted the mood perfectly as well as the venue. We felt we had walked into a private party a bit but that did not stop us joining in the festivities and having a good old knees up too as the Dirty ones sang about their long lost ‘Baby’ and ‘Baby Blue’ (a Gene Vincent cover) still we were hardly crying into our pints. It was obvious that this was a bunch who grew up on the sound of good old rock and roll and discovered they liked playing it and have no doubt been doing so ever since. Apparently in their time they have recorded with Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood and they were obviously great at what they did and a perfect opener to get the place in party mood.

Next up were a completely different entity The Dubcats. Paul Fox liked dub and reggae which is evident in the work of The Ruts and Misty In Roots who he was heavily involved with in organising the Rock Against Racism tours of the 70s and 80s. He pretty much discovered this lot in former incarnation the Dub Honey’s and it seems they are regulars at this yearly event. I was first struck by the age of the very young guitarist and settled down to enjoy what was to come. What came was nothing to settle down to this was a sound that was impossible to keep still to. Call it Reggae, rocksteady or whatever, it was powerful and made your feet move. The two singers were both excellent, the massively dreadlocked Locksman (name well suited) and chanteuse siren Lady Flame worked in perfect harmony together. The heady keyboard sound clash perked it all up and the dub heavy rhythms were impossible to ignore. Luckily I managed to get away with taking photos rather than dancing badly. This took me into a very heavy festival vibe and times spent watching the likes of The Rhythmites and Community Charge. Although drink called and it was a case of getting caught up talking to people so I did not see the entire set, what I caught was most enjoyable.

One of said people chatted to was a lady with red hair and a Texan drawl, Texas Terri was her name and she was doing vocals for the band that I had come to see. The Damned are without doubt (and feel free to argue) the greatest punk band ever! 35 years ago they recorded seminal album Damned Damned Damned. Today the people behind that album may have split in half with singer Vanian and guitarist Captain Sensible fronting the band now known as The Damned, a band I have caught in many shapes and sizes throughout the years. Just as important to things were guitarist Brian James and drummer Rat Scabies, it was they that were here tonight along with Texas Terri and bassist Austpig who were taking us on a trip back down melody lane tonight!

They had a fair bit to prove, it is a difficult job to fill Vanian’s brogues and for me The Damned have always been a very naughty boys club. I seethed at the wooden plank that is Patricia Morrison being added to bass duties but for a lady to sing these classics! Luckily Texas Terri was more than up for the job and as she joined in as the group burst into ‘Neat Neat Neat’ I found I did not even need any further convincing, she had nailed it from the start. The audience seemed to think so too. A few punks both of the still wearing their threads and dying their hair and those who no longer were managing to do so were having a great time at the front and although with kids on shoulders it was the most good natured mini pit I have seen for the likes of this it was most enjoyable. I think it was due to Texas Terri’s forceful delivery and the power behind it that she succeeded in carrying the songs across. There were the quick yells that were necessary within the songs and no need for any theatrical croons which came in to later material. These songs were all about the attitude and the punk rock. Of course we knew the set list and they blazed through it. James a rock on stage right strummed along hitting all the right notes and looking like a disreputable geezer, Scabies looks a little more sagely now with his glasses on and thudded away like a friendly old teacher, perhaps that search for the Holy Grail was responsible, there was certainly no spitting at anyone going on!

The tracks were kind of ‘So Messed Up’ excuse the pun but we did not get them in order of the album but that really was not a huge issue, who after 35 years is gonna remember anyway except a complete bloody nerd. Others such as ‘You Take My Money’ were also thrown into the mix and everything was delivered in a fast and furious fashion with a real sort of garage rock feel about it. Numbers such as ‘Fish’ and ‘Stab Your Back’ had more than just me singing along and yelling out the chorus lines. Texas Terri had difficulty not having her microphone taken off her by enthusiastic punters thinking they could have a shot.

After the likes of ‘Fan Club’ and the excellent ‘Feel Alright’ there was a momentary pause but one that was not milked out as the band were quick to take the stage for an encore including a climatic ‘New Rose’ a song that surely should be part of our heritage!

The only thing that was missing from the set was Scabies setting his kit on fire but all things considered that was probably a good thing!

There was a long gap before a final band were coming on at Midnight. Apparently The Moonstompers were an 8 piece ska and reggae band but with all intentions and a pint to wait we realised that by now we were virtually stretcher cases and decided to duck out and stagger back to fall asleep on buses and wake up in the countryside (my companion did that is).

So a great night out for a good cause and one that allowed me to do a local report for once too.

Other dates on the tour are

Dec

Fri        14th    York Stereo, York

Sat       15th     The Well, Leeds

Sun      16th     The Cluny,Newcastle Upon Tyne

Mon     17th     Pivo Pivo, Glasgow

Sat       22nd   Boston Arms -London

http://www.foxyswebsite.com 

Review and photos Pete Woods