... just reminded of this by
@Rigid_Digits on another Discussion. I'm guessing he may have the answers here ...
Anyway, I have my tickets for The Beat+The Selecter+The Buzzcocks+Stiff Little Fingers at the NEC. next May. The first two bands I know their stuff well, indeed should they have sickly guitarists on the day I'm sure I could dep. The Buzzcocks I have some familiarity with.
But Stiff Little Fingers apart from knowing the name I don't really know at all. So what are the must listen tracks so I can recognise something on the day? Ta
Tipton is a small fishing village in the borough of Sandwell.
Comments
And then Inflammable Material.
Finish off the Inflammable Material
@JohnnyUrq is a big fan, IIRC.
I also like in particular:
nobodys heroes
gotta getaway
bits of kids
wont be told
kicking up a racket
Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
I got massively into The Ruts earlier this year having known the name for decades but not the music so I’m looking forward to this
Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
All of the above on the recs.
Jake is mutton these days (a very good friend works FOH at our local ironworks) but still a great watch. Still got a lot of energy and play their back catalogue really well, tight too.
As most have said Inflammable material is sheer class and the only place to really start.
Cannot disagree with @redrighthand ; and his recommendations and All the Best is a great call from @viz.
Met them after a few gigs over the years since about 78 and always good craic, gracious to fans and decent blokes to boot.
(Does Bruce Foxton still play with them?)
I had a mutual acquaintance of Jake's back in the 70's and he does seem to be a contender for the Nicest Man In Rock award.
Flags and emblems (with Foxton) is a great album too.
Jake's a brilliant front man and just goes to prove you can rock with a belly. He's quite frank about his depression on stage and I found his talks touching in between the pogo fest last time I saw them.
Anyway, got there early enough to wander around Resorts World ( just across the road) first so us, the middle class moms and the early arrived ageing punks could have a look in the Denby shop and GAP outlet.
First up The Buzzcocks. If you weren’t looking at the old men on stage you’d imagine the sound was created by some fresh faced teenagers experimenting with their first chords. Which is either a neat trick to pull off after forty years or a bit crap. Telecaster and Gordon Smith GS1 ( I think) on show. About half way through we went to buy chips.
The Selecter, I’m not sure this was quite top of their game but nonetheless much more my thing. They had one of these (?):
https://i.imgur.com/JFDsxBZ.jpg
Stiff Little Fingers. Despite starting this Discussion months ago I’m still not very familiar with their output. However, seemed a good demonstration that a tight band, good audience rapport and an unexpected but appropriate cover ( The Specials Doesn’t Make it Alright) can make up for a lack of familiarity. Thought I might need to go for more chips but really enjoyed them.
The Beat. Again very tight, eight people on stage demonstrating how to work together. Their unexpected cover was Rock the Casbah.
Long tiring day; seated indoor venue next time I think!