Fangbase - Reviews

Klub Proxima, Warsaw, Poland

Sunday 6th April 2003

A few select and mostly crazy people made the trip to Warsaw for the Damned's first ever trip to Poland.

Luckily for me, I met Pip and Tef at the airport so had no major lapses of common sense during the check-in. Hadn't slept for two nights before making the trip, and was planning to sleep on the plane, had I not been sat next to an amorous tory donator, who was busy telling me how had had the following evening free after meetings the next day. I informed him that unfortunately(!) I had plans to see the Damned. "To review it?" he said. "Yes, actually, ........for Fangbase.." I laughed. "Oh yes" he said and nodded.

We met Claypole at Warsaw but were clueless for about an hour as to how we would get to our hotels. The poor polish security guards saw us come in and out of the Airport three times before we got our bearings!

Claypole decided to stay at the same Hotel as mine after hearing on the grapevine that the Hotel he had cheaply booked over the internet was run by factions of the Mafia. Although the hotel was very basic, 70's decor, thin sheets on the bed, and a pretty bare looking Jazz bar with a solitary Piano and jazz pictures on the walls downstairs. But it was fully stocked with Vodka and cheap beer, so met up with Claypole, Pip and Tef and got smashed and chatted most of the night. Claypole got the barman to play my Rolling Stones 40 licks CD (It was either that or, Britney or Avril lol)

Woke early the next morning, as hadn't really slept much again. Met Claypole at the bar at 10 in the morning, we both decided against the buffet of questionable meats and decided double vodka and orange with 80% Vodka was a much better option! By the time Woody arrived with his Polish friend around lunchtime it was time to pass out for a while. Claypole stormed into my room to wake me up, as I had left the door wide open. I had fallen asleep on the floor and crushed my shades. "Quick, its almost time for the gig..." Scrambled to get ready, forgot it was snowing outside and didn't wear tights - ouch! (Jed you were right about catching a death in my skirt!)

After a whistle stop visit to KFC (I have those pictures Claypole!), we all piled into two taxi's and made our way to the venue.

The venue was quite good in my opinion, a student place which was dark but had character. Pawel had reserved our tickets for us. Claypole and Woody were starting to wilt with sheer amount of booze, but I think in Claypole's case it may have been nerves. Woody told him if Captain didn't make it (Captain was traveling by train) he would have to play guitar!

While they were staggering round at the back of the venue, Pip Tef and I were down the front chatting in broken German to the Polish fans. They were really very excited as this was the first time they had ever been able to see the band. The support band were very good. Pip and Tef enjoyed their version of 'Should I stay or should I go...' by The Clash. The Polish fans were very in awe of Mr Vanian. All I could say back was, "Er Ja, Dave is sehr schon".

Before the band came on a chant went up of "Dave, Dave..." Which changed to "Damn- Ned, Dam- Ned!" When they finally arrived on stage. Pinch (or should I say Steve O?) had a great new hairstyle. Think he's copying Pink though?!

Patricia was dressed all in black. As was Dave. Like the Black magic man. Although I don't think any girl in the audience would have minded had he climbed up a drainpipe, and through their bedroom window with a box of chocolates that night! Monty had a cool T-shirt on and was obviously pretty pleased as his name sake had won the national earlier in the day. We were all relieved to see Captain had made it. He told Claypole and I later that he hadn't slept at all on his train as it was too noisy.

So he walked on-stage, bloodshot eyes, dark glasses, days worth of stubble, newly bleached hair and an initial murderous look on his face until the intro for Street of Dreams started up. Definitely the most Rock and Roll sight I'd ever seen. Claypole and I had spent 1000 zlotyes on Vodka and hadn't perfected that Rock Star look.

The set was similar to the last tour, (DV said this may change for the other gigs. I recommended Rabid to him :o) )

Pip made a dive for the setlist after the gig. She can fill you in on the exact running order but it included , Street of Dreams, Love Song, New Rose, Democracy, She, Neat Neat Neat, Eloise, Song.com, Wait for The Blackout, my memory is not good at this point. Moshing was a good level, not the psycho Polish skin heads that we were expecting but good humored fun. Everyone seemed to play well. Dave's singing was on top form. He seemed very lively on-stage, it was great to see.

It became a bit like a football match down to my right, as the Polish fans, who had waited for to see the band for years enjoyed every minute. Ripples of applause followed Captain's solo's and there was also a few friendly stage invasions in the direction of Dave too. Great gig all in all, glad we went.

Captain signed autograph's afterwards. The Polish people seemed very pleased.

Met up with Claypole and Woody for a bit, they were looking more drunk than ever, but I think they enjoyed the gig too. Got the chance to speak to the Vanians who were seemingly enjoying Poland very much.

Didn't throw up until I got back to my hotel at some very late hour on Monday morning, but last night's excess didn't deter Claypole who was sitting at the bar when I got down there at 10, so we began drinking vodka and orange again! Dashed to the Airport, both feeling knackered, back home, still knackered. Great trip, didn't see any sights apart from the inside of a few bars, just as it should be!

Nitegirrl 69

Another...

We arrived at the gig in a bit of a snow storm.

The klub was behind these grey student flats, all very eastern block. The club was a sorta 'T' shape inside with the stage at one end [quite small as well] we was talking to various people in ze broken English. Pip can remember that more than me!

We got some e-mail addresses of people who want to hear The Damned and other music so hopefully will start sending stuff.

Atmosphere was good and beer still cheap!

The weather was crap plus there had been an all day punk festival on the Saturday and an all day metal festival on the Friday so money was short. There were 2 support bands with the same guitarist in each one. First one were straight forward punk but the second were Rockabilly and did a storming version of "Should I Stay, Should I Go" I think The Damned came on about 9.15 but things were a little bit hazey by then [I wasn't totalled like some people!!]

The sound was a bit flat in places but the performance was great. The set list was...

Street of Dreams
New Rose
Wait For The Blackout
Disco Man
I Just Can't Be Happy Today
Democracy
Amen
13th Floor Vendetta
Ignite
Song.com
Plan 9 Channel 7
Love Song
She
Neat Neat Neat

and an encore of...

Would You Be So Hot (If You Weren't Dead?)
Eloise
Smash It Up

No new songs but they'd never played Poland before so I don't think the home crowd gave a toss.

Stayed on in club for about an hour I think then got "removed" from the premises into the blizzard that was blowing a treat.

TEF [AND PIPPI]