[kincajou]

Decided to go at the last moment, and it was great fun! First band was fronted by Poly's daughter (a bit of a mini-me, with singing/shouting the title of the next tune!) doing a bit of a punk-lite ska thing, pretty good.

Goldblade pulled out the stops for a fantastic set, lots of OTT tongue in cheek punk rock posturing - 'Do you believe in the power of rock and roll?'

Then, following a short Don Letts DJ set, the lights went down and ... confusion! Technical problems (hmm, when did that last happen at the Roundhouse - let me see...) meant that the intro to 'Oh Bondage' was lost, it didn't kick in (lights and sound) until halfway through the first verse! Still, X-ray Spex were playing live for the first time in however long and it was great to see them again and to have your ears pulverised by Poly's high pitched squealing! I thought age might have mellowed it, but gladly not! She had a permanent grin on her face all night, constantly waving to the crowd and thanking us.

The songs came thick'n'fast, most greeted with with a roar of approval, except a few of the non-album unfamiliar ones, but they still went down well. The band were a bit nervous and occasionally out of time, but that just added to the fun. All the old faves were played (not a huge back catalogue of course!) and the moshpit bounced along throughout. My faves? Art-I-Ficial, a storming Identity, I Am A Poseur, I Can't Do Anything and of course Dayglo to finish.

The encore? Another rendition of 'Oh Bondage', good to hear all of it this time, with Poly sharing shreiked chorus vocals with her daughter and some Dayglo-costumed middle-aged woman whose name I missed. Great shout-along stuff! Lights on, people streaming out - but they came back for more and finished with another rousing 'Dayglo'.

They had clearly enjoyed themselves, as did we in the crowd. Great time & glad to have got the chance to see the band as I'd missed them first time round. 9/10

[50millionwatches]

Nice one matey!!

[gizzard]

Indeed! Thanks for the review.

[Claireinblack]

Thanks for the review, sounds like a great night !!!

[Sidinblack]

Me and the missus ventured north to this gig as well. Good night and I thought X Ray Spex and the Blade were really good. Met the man John Robb at the merch stall and had a chat with him, what a top bloke. The missus went back to buy a t-shirt and had a chat with him about the Stranglers as he had noticed her black rat badge. He said that he prefers the Stranglers now they are a 4 piece again and told her how much he admires them.

[paul b]

it's in depth review time again
stella x 2 at the legendary Hope and Anchor, kronenbourg, kronenbourg, stella, stella, southern comfort, southern comfort, tiger (bottle of), lager of unknown origin (in the roundhouse), vegeterian meal(in the marathon kebab house), drunken discussion with staff in the marathon kebab house ref the price of the meal, stella, stella, long walk from camden town to kings cross, discussion with pimp ref 'do you want any ladies', 5 hours sleep.

[Rodney Blackstaff]

[ThruBeingCool]

Great night in Camden last night. Met up with the ‘E-bay Whore’ and kicked off our session in the ‘Hope & Anchor’. Both sat at the bar trying to imagine what the atmosphere would have been like there some 3 decades ago. Nothing like yesterday I suspect with only a few Irish blokes watching the world cup qualifying footie!

Next stop was ‘The Spread Eagle’ to hook up with a couple of other mates from Nottingham and to see if it was as good as I remembered it was from last years Stranglers gig. And it was! Took in a couple of other boozers before ending up in the bar across the road from The Roundhouse where Big Al held court last year. Whilst there we bumped into John & Blacktania quite by accident and not long after we were joined by one of my forum faves - Mr Roy Batty and his lovely wife. This was turning into a right little get together!

Eventually everyone made their way to the venue which was rammed. I was very impressed with the turn out , just shows how much X-Ray Spex are appreciated. Anyway, I was hoping to catch the Goldblade set but was only in time to see John Robb ‘blessing’ the audience as he repeatedly asked this question during their last number:

“DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF ROCK’N’ROLL?”

Wish I’d seen more but it wasn’t to be. At least we were in time to catch Don Letts’ DJ spot. Bound to get the crowd going by spinning a few punk classics paul b convinced me. Not to be! All he played was some dull as fuck reggae.

Shortly afterwards, the moment we had all been waiting for (in my case about 30 years!) -the arrival of X-Ray Spex!!! Got to admit that although I was really looking forward to this gig I was still a little cynical about the event. On paper it was all good & well but would they really be any good live? First impressions weren’t particularly favourable I have to say. The sound left a lot to be desired to start with and Poly Styrene looked very uncomfortable, maybe even nervous to begin with. I also thought she could have belted out the songs with a bit more passion. Still, this has to be her biggest gig ever and after being away for so long I suppose maybe you have to expect a few hitches.

I’m pleased to say that the gig improved as it went along with Poly breaking into smiles when the audience showed their appreciation in between songs. Highlights were everything from the ‘Germ Free Adolescents’ album and the singles/b.sides. Low points were the songs from the 2nd album which hardly any fucker knows. And they’re basically crap btw.

Poly was joined on stage by her daughter (amongst others) during one of the encores. I have to admit to wiping a tear from my eye at this moment, I thought it was quite moving as they sang ‘Oh Bondage Up Yours!’ But then again I’m a very sensitive guy (one of the 6?) - others thought this moment was naff. Heartless bastards!

On the whole I consider the gig to be a success and I enjoyed most of it. Just fantastic to hear the music of X-RAY SPEX live and in such a legendary venue. It was the likes of X-Ray Spex that initially turned me on to punk more than The Pistols or The Clash did all those years ago. However, this wasn’t a classic gig by any stretch of the imagination. Would I rush back for more? Doubt it..er..maybe…oh fuck it! Of course I would. A fool and his money are easily parted after all.

Most of us finished the night off in the ‘Marathon Bar’ (I love this place!) where bry converted me to the sounds of Teasing Lulu. First class night, great to meet up with everyone and hope to catch up with you on The Stranglers tour!

[ThruBeingCool]

[img][/img]

Ms Styrene & daughter(2nd from right), original bass player Paul Dean plus some other day-glo bint!

Poly Styrene might not make the 'Jodie Foster' thread but she's got some reet tit on 'er I tell thee!

[Claireinblack]

Thanks for the review Bazza

[ThruBeingCool]

[gizzard]

Nice review there Bazza!

Does'nt sound as good as what the Pistols were though.

[ThruBeingCool]

[Roy Batty]

[Andrew]

Got into London around 6pm and headed off to Chalk Hill tube station where I was meeting an old mate of mine I hadn't seen for many years. Having checked the Roundhouse website before I left I noticed it said X-Ray Spex were due to start at 9:50 and finish at 11:00. Hmmm...my last train was 11:30 and it took me over half an hour to make Chalk Hill. Steve suggested I might have to leave the gig early to make the train home...ha ha ha. Did wonder whether sleeping at the station was on the cards though.

Had some beer and headed for the Roundhouse around 7:30. Big queue. Poly's daughter's band "Debutante Disco" were ok - she was a dead ringer for her mum - but after three songs we went back to the bar to chat. Same with Goldblade - I know they're fun and all that but after three songs the fun wore off. Don Lett's DJ-ing was...interesting. I'm sure they tried to get him off early...!

Then lights down, band came on, sound came on after they'd started playing, and "Oh Bondage, Up Yours!". Must admit for a band who hadn't played in 15 years they certainly hadn't spent that time practising. The audience knew the lyrics better than Poly (bless her), and the band was all over the place - but isn't that what punk is all about?! When they pulled together though it really took off. Favourites for me being Warrior in Woolworths, Genetic Engineering, Germfree Adolescents, I Live Off You, and Day Glo (particularly the second time around when they remembered the final verse!). Poly did her best but the actual sound at the gig wasn't great, and her voice faltered on several occasions. Thought there might have been a bit more rapport as well...she did smile a lot, but didn't have a lot to say!

Crowd was very enthusiastic and it was a great welcome back. Would I see them again. Not for £35! But I'm glad that I have seen them because Germfree Adolescents is easily in my top ten albums of all time.

It was over all too soon...a rush back to Liverpool and caught my train with a minute to spare.

Stuff is on YouTube already I see:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JcIkbdM5Rc8

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MuK5QVoByw4

[PaulinLondon]

Thanks for the reviews and pics guys.

Funnily enough and after wandering around Camden Market, I took the kids for a pizza opposite the Spread Eagle yesterday afternoon and wondered when you might all hit the area.

Glad you had a great evening.

[TWO SUNSPOTS]

Having read the revies on here it must just be me then,because:_

I went to the gig full of anticipation of seeing a band that i never got round to seeing in the 70's.

Good start, i thought that Debutant Disco were ok and then came the mighty Goldblade who ripped through their set with blistering pace and energy - always superb live.

Then the highlight of the night,the reason that we were all there and...




























...........what a bloody let down.

They were generally shite.

They started well enough and as soon as the first chords were heard the mosh pit went mental.But too many times they f**ked up.The biggest culprit seemed to be the drummer,but they were all like it.It was as if they had never practiced.

Now i know that this was the first propper gig for 30 years and that if they play more dates then then will become better,but for me to see them again,they will have to come to me and not the other way around.

I must say however that Poly Styrene looked good,better than she looked 30 years ago - her daughter was pretty fit as well.

STILL GLAD I WENT THOUGH...............

[Pawsher]

[ThruBeingCool]

[Roy Batty]

[Pawsher]

[Roy Batty]

[Alias]

[ThruBeingCool]

Fame at last

[Pawsher]

DVD and live album out for Christmas