Fangbase - Reviews

Winter Gardens, Blackpool

Monday 26th August 2002

What a top night last night!!!!

My last Damned gig had been at the Manchester Apollo in '82 on the Strawberries tour and to be honest it was so good that I didn't know what to expect some 20 years later.

I shouldn't have worried - me and my mates were totally blown away. The band were tighter than a gnats chuff and the set list had all my favourites in it.

Highlights of the night for me were hearing 'Smash It Up' and 'Ignite' and the excellent reworking of 'Neat Neat Neat' (and 'Happy Talk' obviously!).

Bass and drums were better than ever - and who is that complete nutter on keyboards?!?! Quality entertainment!!!

It's safe to say I won't be leaving it another 20 years before I go and see them again. An excellent night!!!

Michael Duckles

Another....

Ok Im another one who hadn't been 4 a while, this was a suprise present 4 me (my 10th wedding anniversary and 40th birthday) and jesus was it brilliant (apart from Happy Talk which at the time of release was the end of punk for me)

To hear New Rose live made my grey whiskers stand on end. Highlights were Neat Neat Neat, I Just Cant Be Happy Today. The nutter on keyboards stole it, and Eloise but Smash It Up (2nd encore was outstanding) the set was note perfect.

I prefer the old stuff, my wife has persuaded me to go to the Brum gig (where we live) she has been converted.

The set was so powerfull at times it was like a time warp, I would recomend to any old 40 something x punks if your at a loose end go along they are excellent (you'll have to wait till they come back from the States) If they would have played Love Song I might well have been arrested.

By the way, brilliant venue cheap beer (for Blackpool) and punk, damned freindly.

Just to recap - Dave Vanian excellant, timeless, Captain - you'd think there were two guitarists, Bass - Patricia Morrison - 10 out of ten outstanding, Pinch, brilliant, Drums. Keyboards, nutter crazy. Im gona have to vote Smash It Up for all time best hit.

It was great to see kids of punk parents.

By the way Diamond Dogs were not my cup of tea. Ok if you like early Faces, etc, each to their own.

Can't wait for Brum.

K.D. Edwards