Fangbase - Reviews

Temple Bar Music Centre, Dublin

Friday 6th December 2002

Jester, Bob and I are typing this from a hotel reception, completely hungover and wondering what the hell happened last night! It was a ball.

The journey and travelling were worth it for this brilliant gig. Although Jester said that he and Bob almost didnt make it because the sophistication of Cardiff airport announcements was a doddery old bloke peering round a door shouting, "Anyone for Dublin?"

We all met up in the Foggy Dew before the gig. Very nice lively pub which played some great music. A large amount of alcohol was consumed amongst GDB, Jester, Georgie, Woody, his mate Ginger, Bob and myself. So much infact that Jester fell asleep at the bar in the music centre and only woke up to the sounds of Street Of Dreams. (Lightweight!!) - I can talk.....

The support group were interesting, all identically dressed in tight leather trousers, no tops and long black hair. They were decent enough, or as Bob said, they made a pretty good noise.

The Damned came onto Street of Dreams and the hall seemed to swell instantly. Street of Dreams was so good, I think they played it twice. (Correct me if im wrong!) Dave wore a leopard print top, and black trousers, Pat wore a matching top, and Cap wore matching underwear, (Obviously synchronised dressing these days?) Kilt, and a return for the Iraq T-shirt once more. Monty had a skull black and white top and Pinch was looking trendy as usual!

The set was excellent. Pretty much the same as Cambridge. Under The Floor Again was great, Dave did actions to the words by looking under the stage. Neat Neat Neat was excellent, especially the backing vocals (Bob and I are waiting for our commission.) Smash It Up was excellent too, thought it was not going to be played but it was thrown on for the last song. Georgie has a more extensive review of the songs as she managed to snatch a set list.

Highlights

- Bob and my contribution to Neat, Neat, Neat.
- DV kissing my hand (swoon)
- Cap saying, "Alright Darling, fancy seeing you here!"
- Cap stubbing out Jester's fag...

Also Woody and I sneaked backstage and managed to get my LP's signed. The band were very kind and friendly. (Sorry for knicking the Vodka!) Dave and Cap, the lipstick on your cheek will come off eventually, that stuff is war paint isnt it!!!

Onto the Death Disco minus a few stragglers (Jester and Bob), Cap showed me a set list for the DJ session and I can vouch for him and say there was no Timmy Mallett, Phil Collins or Paul Weller on it! I think something was going on on the stage before cap played but I was so pissed I dont know what? Humble pie begins here. Sorry for puking up loads at this venue, I managed to get it down my corset and boots. Got chucked out twice and dont know how I managed to get back in the third time! Thanks to Woody, GDB, and Goegie for looking after me. Cap's set was excellent, good to hear the prunes. Recovered enough to knick some of Leo's beer and talk rubbish to him, so sorry to Leo too!

Great night, would do it all again tonight if i could, completely unforgettable night. As Woody would say, this is what Damned gigs should be like.

Nitegirrl

Another...

Thought I'd treat myself to a quick flight across the Irish Sea for this one. Well worth the trip.

Got there just as the support band Fisted Sister started their set - bit too heavy metal for my taste. They did a rather alarmingly hamfisted version of Ace of Spades that made the original seem like a delicate ballad. And their singer thought that the first punk single was Black Rose. Oo er!

On came The Damned to a dimly lit stage and straight into Street Of Dreams - DV doing the old trick of coming on stage a few seconds behind the others. Always frightens me into thinking he's not coming!

At the end of the song the good Captain announced "Hello Dublin, we're The Damned and we've come to rescue you from Boyzone and all that shit". He then had a quick moan about the dim lighting - "Can't see what I'm doing up here. Bet Eric Clapton needs lights". "Nasty" followed dedicated by Sensible "that bloke with his trousers pulled up here - no not Rat Scabies". Turned out he meant Nigel Thingy from Pop Idol.

The customary rip roaring set followed, with the packed crowd shouting their approval. From memory I think the set was exactly the same as at Cambridge - with the stand outs being She, Disco Man and Smash It Up. All the songs sounded terrific and just keep improving. The honing of the songs by the intensive touring of late gives them real depth and polish (and I thought a harder edge too - especially She and Disco Man). Thirteenth Floor Vendetta sounded really good too - for some reason it's never been one of my favourites but I'm starting to think it's great. I think Neat Neat Neat must have got to the point where it just can't be done any faster.

The only thing I'm not too sure about is the New Rose drum intro to Would You Be So Hot. It don't half confuse people - especially when introduced as "Here's one you might remember". Mind you Dave's one legged rotating pogo during the intro looks good.

Things were brought to an end by the customary Smash It Up - for my money the best song in the history of "pop" music and always a blinder live. No exception here - absolutely great.

Other bits that stuck in my mind:

-Dave picking up a thrown ciggie from the stage and sticking it in Captain's mouth. "It's a reefer, I don't mind these" says the anti smoking Sensible.
-A brief visit to the stage by the promoter (John Foley of Toxic Promotions?). "What do you want?" asked Dave. Quick comment from the promoter about no New Rose or Love Song. "We'll do 'em if you sing 'em" reply from Dave. Exit promoter. "Bottle job" agreed Dave and Sensible.
-Dave after failing to get the promoter back (in Inspector Clousseau accent) : "Monsieur Captain Sensible will therefore play Smash It Up for you".
-Dave introducing Ignite while Sensible was busy swigging his beer. "I'm trying to have a drink here, Dave" is the response.
-Dave and Patricia's matching leopardskin prints (shirt and bodice respectively).
-Pinch: "Wouldn't you just love to be that bloke who punched Liam Gallagher's teeth out. Pat on the back there!"

Brilliant night - Dublin's a great place too.

Froggy

And another...

Wot a fantastic weekend !!! Don't know where to start except to say I had an awesome time.

Travelled down from Belfast with two brilliant guys..GDB and Woody. We found our b&b,got sorted then headed out to the Foggy Dew. Inside met Nitegirl, Jester & his mate, sorry if I forgot anyone, terrible memory! Great bunch of people though :o)

When we arrived at the venue Fisted Sister were already on. I thought they were good, especally enjoyed Ace of Spades. Met Shinto and the lovely Eileen who were great.

Then the Damned came on....WOW!!!

Dave has so much energy, Patricia was a vision of gothic beauty, Monty maddly jumped around pulling scary faces, Pinch bashed the hell outa the drums and Cappy...ahhh dear Cappy, what an amazing guitarist, and a great ass (got a great view at the end of the gig when he pulled his kilt up, can't wait to get the photos developed.lol ;))

Ok.as Nitegirl said,I did manage to get a setlist..so here you go:

Street of Dreams
Nasty
Disco Man
Just can't be happy Today
Democracy
Amen
13th Floor
Ignite
Song.Com
Under the Floor Again
Thrill Kill
She
Neat Neat Neat
encore
So Hot
Eloise
Smash it up

Highlights of the night for me were hearing AMEN, fantastic... been living for this!! Monty on his knees infront of me, pulling scary faces (again!!) whilst holding my hand :o)

Patricia's Bass, she was brilliant!!! Cappy's banter, ciggy crushing and fantastic guitar.

Meeting a great Bunch of People..hi to Brian I met in the bar :o) I'm sure there is loads more but with so much happening, (I've had a jam packed weekend!!) it's hard to remember it all.

All I've got to say is The Damned were/are fantastic,such a wonderful time I had

oh..almost forgot another hightlight,, DV stopping dead infront of me and pointing into the crowd...he'd spotted Woody...then Cappy came over for a look ....lol

I had an amazing time spent in the company of two wonderful guys.Thanks GDB and Woody.Huge Thanks to The Damned also for being so fantastic!!!!!

Eternally Damned
Georgie

Thanks to Alicia for all photos on this page!