Reviews
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The journos thenFear "They don't all travel first-class airfare, you know. The 10.15 pm ferry from Liverpool to Dublin winds its way slowly through Merseyside docks, loaded with cars, lorries and semi-drunk Liverpool Irish on their way to the home country. On board, Stackridge nurse slow fear inside. All day long people have been cracking the inevitable jokes, but the prospect of IRA bombs, soldiers and bullets are now a harsh reality. Stackridge have come to Ireland to tour the country for four dates taking in Dublin, Coleraine, Londonderry and Belfast. There's a need for music in Ireland, especially in the North, where the kids need music as a release from the tensions of everyday life - even if only temporary before they go back to the reality of soldiers walking and driving round the towns in convoys." Steve Clarke Melody Maker, March 4th, 1972 Drama "I am supposed to be appearing in pantomime with Stackridge, but they have ignored me and left me to walk, Captain Oates-like, out into the snow, never to be seen again. But I will not let their callous behaviour prevent me from confessing that I enjoyed this single more than any other this week..." John Peel Disc, October 28th 1972 ( Reviewing the single,'Anyone For Tennis?') Intrigue "Burn your velvet trousers, throw away your platform shoes, and put on wellies and a muddy hat. Pot is out and tea is in. All over the country trendies are dropping their pose of leaden cool and breaking into an ungainly dance called "The Stanley". Instigators of this stylistic revolution are six musical yokels called Stackridge." Pop by Ken Follet. (Content dates it as January 1973, but we don't know which magazine. Is this the REAL Ken Follett in journalistic guise, before all those best-sellers and the millions? I think we should be told! Ed) Togetherness "Taking the dustbin lid off Stackridge's music: Stackridge's aim in life is to have no barriers between their music and the audience, and take great trouble to come as close as possible to the people they're playing to." Rosalind Russell Disc, November 11th, 1972 The Fans "The Rhubarb Thrashers were out in force at St Albans City Hall last week to witness the long-awaited return of the men from the west - Stackridge. The crowd sported hats, badges, rosettes, tambourines, whistles and an inexhaustible supply of energy.Could it be that we were about to see a performance from the Thinking Man's Slade?" Paul Weir NME, June 16th, 1973 The journos now"Stackridge at Cropredy 2000: ***** ... For me the HIGHLIGHT. I wasn't familiar with their music but I certainly shall be now." Simon Harper The Unofficial Official Fairport Convention Website August 2000 "The band lived up to its reputation for combining musical eccentricity with Rosie Upton Bath Chronicle Dec 1999 "Stackridge: From the West Country, man, where all the best music, like the best cider, is made." David Stubbs NME June 1999 "They're back! Playing for the first time in 20 years.. Their music was warm, witty and bewilderingly inventive, especially the George Martin-produced 'The Man In The Bowler Hat'. Expect the unexpected." The Official Programme of the 1999 Glastonbury Festival "Break out the rhubarb and bring out the dustbin lids.Stackridge are back. And that makes this office hippy very happy indeed." Venue, Bristol, May 1999 "The band that rose to fame in the seventies as an original off-beat outfit with a
strong sense of the ridiculous are back in business." "Something For The Weekend sounds astonishingly fresh and inventive, and will surely delight anyone who craves for the kind of timeless melodies and wry lyrics that Britpop's finest can only dream about." Express and Star, June 1999 ".surprisingly potent pop" Ian Cranna, Q Magazine, June 1999 "Something For The Weekend: Hats off to a '90s comeback to teach Dire Wolverhampton Express June 1999 "..gloriously ridiculous ... funny, touching, quirky and memorable." The Big Issue, Scotland, June 1999 " "Something About The Beatles" might just be the Mojo readers' anthem." Jim Irvin, Mojo, June 1999 The Thrashers - 'informal' reviewsThe Worst-Dressed Men on tour.....Set list for Fiddler's, Bristol on Friday 5th May,2000 was as follows:- 1.Lummy Days (Encores) 18 Kilkenny Races/Mason's Apron Intriguingly, the set list also has 'The Young Ones' at the end of the encores, with several question marks after it. A future treat later in this tour, mayhaps? Crunny was almost garrulous: at least three comments, including the defiant statement that "There is no defence for vegetarianism". (Make of that what you will). His other remarks were of a piscine nature. The Great Riccardo was reluctantly forced to say something by Jim, eventually asking, "What's the next song?". Not earth-shattering but we can forgive this genius anything. Timbo was suitably manic and Ian now looks like he's been there for years, although concern was expressed at his wearing an awful shirt - clearly influenced by the sartorial 'heights'(AHEM!) of Mike & Co. Real trainspotterly note: The Legendary Stubbings was drinking lager - at Exeter the previous night, it was apparently Guinness. Mike's tipple still appears to be suspiciously like lager and blackcurrant or something equally foul... A special mention must go to Andy (a Rhubarb Thrasher), who made a supreme effort to look as 'trendy' as the band, in a Hawaiian shirt that Mr. Evans would have been proud of...
Ade Macrow Additional note from A.J. Lamkowski:- (Quick note from the band: Any chance of us keeping the set list to the end of the gig....?!! Jen) Quiz time at The Riverside, Saturday May 13th, 2000As Andy hasn't said anything about it, I think I should own up to being the one that got Crun's Quiz question right on Saturday. He looked a bit crestfallen that someone got it and I apologise unreservedly to Crun for me being such a smart arse. I know Ade will want to record the question which was, "What was the name of the assassin who shot Archduke Ferdinand (and also, incidentally, his wife) in Sarajevo in 1914?" Answers on a twenty pound note to Stackridge Ltd C/O Crun! Cheers, Kelvin Dunn The Dreamy Night at The Borderline, Friday May 19th, 2000I'm a guy who went to The Borderline to see Stackridge's live concert from Japan. I was glad and happy so much to see all of you there! I've finally known how to join this chat-room and here am I (I've made a study of it for long!). Over two week has past since I saw their concerts.(Yes, two times!), but the excitation is still lingering in my heart. It was really exciting and fantastic show. About three years ago when I collected Stackridge's albums, I didn't expect at all that it would be realized I could see them playing in front of me (I just thought Stackridge was a "legendary" band). So I was awfully amazed when I learned the information of the concert, and that night was a exactly like a "dream" to me. If possible I would like to go to England again to see Stackridge's concert within this year (I will have to earn money by then!) Kosuke Sakurai
The Torrington, July 9th, 2000The now well-established Thrasher 'Naughty Corner' was in fine fettle and Ed even wore a T-shirt, admitting to his membership (Oh, brave fellow!) The Kazoo Orchestra was as lively and full-throated as ever, giving the usual truncated Slark bit and joining in enthusiastically on several songs. On kazoos, Alan came with something that looked like a failed school science project but which (he claimed) originated in the depths of his mother's cupboard in Bristol. Likely story...still, it worked as a kazoo, whatever it really was. Special mentions again to Sandra and Frankie, whose dancing made these rest of us look like sad, middle-aged gits. Come to think of it... Great to meet Thrashers old and new, including Chris Fribbins, Steve, Nick (St. Albans) and others. Apologies to those I've forgotten to name, but the Thrashers included: Kelvin, Sandra, Marzo, Mrs. Marzo, Ed, Jim, Frankie, Ade plus a new 'Grasser' and the very strange M's Dad. Best call-and-response? Mike's becoming-hackneyed "you're the best audience we've played to...tonight" to which Kelvin replied "you're the best band we've seen...tonight". Naughty corner chants from The Rhubarbarians (sic) included the traditional Speaking of which, for those that like to keep track of these things (Hello, Andy L!) Riccardo was back on the black stuff, after his brief dalliance with the amber fluid. In fact, he returned with two pints of it.
Ade (& Frankie) Macrow Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, July 14th, 2000Having last seen the band over a year ago in the same venue, I was plenty impressed at how they've become a sleeker, mightier beast in the interim. It brought home how much I was prepared to overlook a few shortcomings last time round, just because of the sheer joy of seeing them back together again. They are now, as I believe the modern vernacular has it, one tight mother of an outfit, and the addition of Ian Towers has brought them a whole new dimension in the vocalising department. It's odd, because there's something very laid-back and American about his phrasing, which you'd think would sit uncomfortably with such a very English band. Yet (whisper it) I think I already prefer his version of "Fish In a Glass" to the original. Great gig lads. Even the new missus loved it, and until now she's never quite understood my enthusiasm for the band. I always put this down to her being French, but now I know there is no cultural barrier that a good Stackridge concert cannot overcome. Let no man surprise your behind. Chris Evans Ashton Court Festival, Bristol, July 16th, 2000Helping the lads along with the lyrics is a favourite pastime of mine which I normally do at a great volume (apologies to anyone standing near me). When not singing I am generally playing Kazoo or in a deep trance when Mike or Richard are in solo mode. Incidentally I thought flute and violin solos/duets were amazing during the four days, Teatime/Fish/Venezuela/Syracuse especially. The Stackettes made their welcome appearance at Bristol. They are Ruth (Mike's daughter), and friend Nina. I totally agree with you about their welcome addition to the band. I have now realised that glamour has always been missing from the band in the past.(But you should have been at the Trowbridge festival last year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).I'll tell you about it when we meet at a future gig. I'll be the one in the light blue or dark blue or white Stackridge T-shirt holding a strange shaped Kazoo. Marzo (aka Alan Hewson) The Y Theatre, Leicester, October 26th, 2000Firstly, thanks to Jennie and the lads. It was great. I shut my eyes and was transported back 25 years. THEY HAVE NOT LOST AN IOTA OF WHAT THEY HAD (sorry about the shouting), even she who must be obeyed was ecstatic by the end of the gig (she had gone with an open mind and expected to be slightly disappointed, she wasn't). Great to meet all you fellow thrashers in person, and not by email. Great to see all the thrashettes were there and totally immersed in what was going on. Theres a chance for the kids of today yet. One criticism: MARZO, THAT IS NOT A KAZOO (again, sorry for the shouting). Hope to see you all again at either Derby or Ashton regards Mick Booy PS: Marzo, I still can't figure out the clues to 39 and 56, you devious swine! Stoneleigh Village Hall, November 8th, 2000They say " you couldn't make it up "....and they're probably right, so here's my version of the evening at Stoneleigh. Others may mock and differ but I'm convinced that this is one of the best gigs that I've seen EVER. Sonia, Katrina and I arrived at the village hall car park at a quarter to eight and pulled up alongside the band's van (you could tell by the Frome address), a couple of cars and a horse transporter. We disembarked, hearing the sound of the new Stackridge song ( I Could be Happy ? ), thinking " S**t ! we're late " and hurried into the hall. We then ran smack into Frankie, Ade, Alan (Marzo) and ..er, .....that was it, just us. Incredibly the gig was due to start at eight and, by that time, the figures were band members 6, audience 6, a score draw by anyone's reckoning. What we heard was the sound check, running late because, as Jennie explained, "The van broke down - not once .... but TWICE! ". Well, we ardent Thrashers don't expect things to go smoothly anyway so we just ordered a round of drinks via the back door of the bar and talked amongst ourselves 'til kick-off. After ten minutes or so, another couple arrived ( Hooray !!, we outnumbered the band). They had seen the lads at Cropredy, liked what they saw and came back for another dose. That's the way to do it !!. It transpired that the female of said couple remembered "The Stanley " from the seventies - but didn't, at the time of Cropredy, realise that it was Stackridge that were responsible for it and, subsequently finding out via (the web site?) that it was, indeed,them. By the time Jennie officially opened the doors the audience had swelled to an accountants dream of ten. The hall was very tidy and neatly laid out and, not surprisingly, seated everybody comfortably. "Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence" by Ryochi Sakamoto (or whatever) was playing in the background when Johnny introduced our heroes on to the stage. By that time the audience numbered fourteen, count 'em FOURTEEN !!. Now, if I were an artiste, musician or whatever in those circumstances I would've said bollocks to it, got drunk and made my way back home pretty darned quick, but hey this is STACKRIDGE. What did they do ??.....Well they dusted down their boots, rolled up their sleeves and played their socks off. In a sentence they were bloody brilliant !! Frankie and Ade will, no doubt furnish you all with the set list in their usual librarianly fashion, but there was one surprise number, which I think should form yet another quiz subject. Clearly those present are barred from entry but the question is......" Whatsong did Stackridge do for the first encore ?? "........a definite pint for the first correct guess, so get typing everyone. I said earlier that this was one of the best gigs ever. Well, I'll now put that into pounds and ounces. As per usual the " Naughty Corner " set up stall and, alongside was our nine year old daughter,Katrina, who brought along various activities to keep herself amused. Throughout the set the various members of the band, particularly Mike, kept looking down at her and winking and smiling and, making her feel somewhat special. She loved every minute of it. During the first half she drew up a colourful ad-hoc poster type thing proclaiming " Stackridge are the best ", with their names around the outside. During the interval, Frankie took it backstage to show the band and they all signed and put comments to it. All this attention made her evening. There she sat with her newly acquired " small " Stackridge T shirt, beaming back at Mike every time he pulled a face at her....well !! she was full of it. After the gig, she was made more than welcome backstage . I stood back in awe as they remembered her name and complimenting her for her colouring efforts. . Jim Timothy (Not a good move, Stoneleigh..... The band were VERY VERY gentlemanly about it....Didn't they play well! However.... If I book anything remotely like it again, they will certainly lynch me! ... Jennie) East Coker Village Hall, Tuesday, Dec 19th, 2000Hi All, Just to finish off a brilliant week - Mutter and Stackridge on Tuesday followed by Bristol City 3 Bristol Rovers 2 tonight. What could possibly beat that! Anyway final thoughts from the gig. Stackridge must take the blame for inflicting my dancing style on the poor audience on Tuesday evening. Mutter had set me up, and it was no good, the first notes of Ruth set off something inside of me and I had to get to my feet. By the end, there was a large group of us Thrashers leaping around (henceforth known as the Rhubarbettes!!). The lads done good!! This gig will stay in my mind for ever! That's all I can say - words are not enough! Thanks to all present (on stage, in the audience and at The Helyar Arms) for making Tuesday 19th December 2000 a date to go down in history! Now all that remains is for me to wish you all a very happy Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous New Year. Thanks to you all for your wonderful friendship (whether it be in person or through the written word). Since I became a Thrasher long, long ago in the hazy, lazy days that were the 1970s, and also since the band reformed, I can quite honestly say that I have received nothing but laughter, warmth and kindness from all of you. Being a Thrasher is obviously being a lover of great music - but it is also a lot, lot more. Whatever the secret ingredient is, let's hope that it goes on and on for ever! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS - I SALUTE YOU MARZO (Aka Alan Hewson) |
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