Engine Punk

Captain Sensible is mature beyond his years (in a reverse direction of course) Photo : Official Damned website The Damned played in Falmouth at the Princess Pavilions last night and were like a tin of Ronseal - they did exactly what is said on the label. The Princess Pavilions is an old theatre that is growing older disgracefully but has recently been done up - a contradiction in terms but it seemed to welcome such outrageousness from these punk pioneers. The Damned have always had a strong image and Dave Vanian the gothfather looked very much at home. He can sing, too. I reckon Dave's got one of the best voices in rock today and he still delivers. During the set, the drummer, Pinch, was watching some overpaid prima donna's kicking a pig's bladder about and kept updating some of the audience who might have been interested in the score but this didn't detract at all from the show and added to the humour and intimacy. Apparently, the desired outcome was achieved ...

I was back in Falmouth on Saturday for the Sham 69 gig at the Princess Pavilions . I was a student at the art school during 81/92 but don't remember this venue at all. The first time I ever visited this place was last year but it has a great atmosphere, is well-organised and the sound quality is good. (Photo from Sham 69 official website ) Support was from Distortion UK and The Surgeons . Distortion UK were just a bit too much thrash-metal band and disjointed for me but they can certainly play. And don't lack energy - I never thought I'd hear a faster version of Motorhead's Ace of spades but I have now. The Surgeons are a long established local punk band.I reckon they improve with hearing and they certainly went down well. Frontman Pete Kliskey said one song had already been performed in a support set for Sham 69 at a Penzance punk fest back in the 70s. Sham 69 did not disappoint. They rocked. And the appreciative crowd responded in kind. The set reminded me w...

Stiff Little Fingers played in Falmouth last Saturday (15th August) and of course we went to see them. As hardcore fan Mr Larcombe says, "It's worth going up to Bristol to see 'em because they're consistently so good." He's right, too, so I met up with the usual suspects of Gary and Dave outside the Princess Pavilion in Falmouth at 2000 hrs. Julie, who has at times expressed a fondness for Cliff Richard, came along, too. Gary has persuaded her that The Stranglers are a great live act and after hearing so much about SLF she had to see what all the fuss was about. As Jake said to us that night, Falmouth is a long way west but I hope the reception they got will see Stiff Little Fingers down this way again soon. Dave was on holiday from Gloucester and looked fit and tanned despite camping in Cornwall for a fortnight. Mr Larcombe and Julie were staying in a guest house across the road and took three minutes to walk to the venue. I had travelled the furthest fro...