A Small Story for Brian 'Second Name Slightly Unpronounceable'

2 years have elapsed since a small gang of us gathered to witness 'The Morrisey' belt out numerous hits in the slending town of 'Hartlepool' in the North East of England. Trust me when I say that the man himself could not have picked a more glamorous location... at one stage, I wasn't sure if I was looking at humans, or some bizarre hybrid of animal and neolithic man.

Set amongst about 2,000 men, women, swamp creatures and Mozzer look-alikes (decked in over-sized suit tops and black jeans circa 1987's Strangeways attire) - the lights dim, and on walks Mozzer whipping his microphone lead like a lion tamer. Good Golly Misses Molly Ringwald if I didn't nearly die right there and then with the excitement of it all. I've never seen an opening like it, the music kicks off and the Mozzer is kneeled on one leg whipping for about 5 minutes!!! (which, to us, seemed an extra-ordinary length of time for any man to whip - especially at thin air).

Hit after Mozzer hit, with the inclusion of 'Meat is Murder' from the Smiths back catalogue kept us jumping around like rats on a banana for about 2 hours. What a quality show. At one point, the funniest of the evening, some of the Hartlepool massive climbed upon the speaker stacks at each side of the stage - to jump on poor Mozzer in full flow. Incredibly, Mozzer was being very kind and welcoming their efforts with a few embraces... only to cross his heart to the crowd (i.e. his life was saved) when the security dragged them off him and threw them back into the sea.

'Speedway' was stupenduous... my fave Morrisey track. Anyways up, what a monumental gig. Absolutely terrific news for us all.

The Smiths and New Order - 2 of the best bands in the history of the world... ever! - part II. Let's here it for quality.

Brian G - thought you might like to here such a story - there's the order, and there's the smiths - undeniably a great combination. Who could imagine a 2002 tour without weeping in anticipation... I know I can't.

(no crisps at the bar - but we still had a good time)

We take what we can from the world Al me pal. The Smiths are obviously preferable to The Morrisey but in a world populated by Britney's Spears and the likes of Step Ladders and Boyz-fat we must grasp what we can.

Worse still, me and my best of all buddies were due to see The Smiths back in the 80's when we were still at school. That in itself was cool, however, my mate said (on the day) - no fuck it I don't even like The Smiths. Sure enough, said gig was the last gig The Smiths ever did. How I could have re-told the story several times of how I saw The Smiths last ever concert. To make matters worse this mate of mine went on to purchase all of The Smiths records and back catalogue, then went on to worship Morrisey - had this have happened pre-final gig, I would be a far cooler cucumber.

What a fucker.

Ritchie, if your on this site reading this - you owe me.

Huntsman, I see you've moved from a location by the sea to a darkened cupboard. How do you see to type your messages? A rare facility for reading and typing in the dark? We all knew you had many talents, but we never suspected this was one of them.

Originally posted by Patrick How do you see to type your messages?

Isn`t it obvious... he just uses his pringles light!

With much regret, I have retreated somewhat in the wake of the recent 'shannanigans' on a personal level. I no longer feel completely safe within this audatorium, thus, a removal of certain personal defects has been put upon me. It was a crisis period which nobody expected... accordingly, drastic action was taken. My picture has been removed, in its place, a humorous image of a popular crisp manufacturer.

Alas, I now crouch domiciled in the cupboard with its darkened walls like a frightened (and startled) badger. Despite its excellent environment for the preservation of potatoes, my new posting home whiffs a bit stale.

Never fear - the chance of fThe Huntsman's full removal from this particular home of legends is far from imminent (however, a change of name was considered).

Viva My Friends!, Viva The Order!, Viva the Crispy Diva! - Sayonara to the recent bad times.

Viva Huntsman, the light in the cupboard!

[Content deleted by Andy Swan on 9/7/01 8:04:20 AM EDT]

I saw The Smiths twice. Tower Ballroom 83/84-ish and Hippodrome circa Meat Is Murder (supported by James I think). Morrisey chucked his shirt into the crowd at the Tower only for someone to lob it back at him - daffodils and all.

You are possibly the gig King Andy. What would you say was the 'BEST' gig you'd ever witnessed.... in terms of quality of sound, audience reaction and so on???

For me, the 'Technique' G-Mex 1988 gig was easily the best sounding I've ever been to, and I've been to quite a few . Went to see Madonna at Wembley once and was stood about 8 foot away from her. Couldn't quite grab her breasts, but we did try. My mate got so excited he started 'Moo-ing' like a cow - the people stood around us thought he was a bit of a maniac, just a natural reaction that's all. Went to see David 'The Babylon Catfish' Gray last year (in fact, this week last year) at a University gig - he was quite good. He wobbled so much his head nearly rolled off his shoulders.

Jarvo - likewise, me and my mate took a camera to the '88 Technique gig. and left it in a phone booth by accident on the way home. What s shite occurence.

M'bro Town Hall for the records - disbanded the day after the gig. Must have been late 1987... although I'm not a historian so somebody will no doubt blow my story out of the water like an impressive U-boat.

Originally posted by Huntsman You are possibly the gig King Andy. What would you say was the 'BEST' gig you'd ever witnessed.... in terms of quality of sound, audience reaction and so on???

It's hard to say as I've got many favourites for completely different reasons. GMEX '88 was awesome as you know but NO in Brum '86 was out of this world too. Gang Of Four in 80/81 was incredible - fantastic live. Sisters Of Mercy before they went gothshit in a small pub in Moseley (about a quid in and I ended up lying on the stage!), Southern Death Cult at a bikers pub in Brum in '83, Cocteaus '84 when they had to rewind their tape to do another encore and Liz apologising for not being perfect and hoping that everybody got home safely as it was getting late, Cabs '84, SPK at the Tin Can Club when they accidentally set fire to some guys hair, Banshees '81, Stranglers '81 ish when my mate twanged JJ's bass, Public Enemy (unbeleivable tension throughout the whole gig), NO '84 and having an argument with a mate as he was adamant that there were sticky labels on Gillian's keyboards to show her what notes to play, PTV and ACR at Hammersmith '84, finally getting to see the Buzzcocks, Bunnymen in all their camouflage gear, front row for PiL (within touching distance of Lydon), having a real laugh with a bunch of nutters at a Cramps gig, Sunday nights at Burberries in Brum early 90's seeing the likes of Blur, Ride, Northside, Paris Angels, Lush for about 2 quid...the list goes on! A LOT of mispent youth!

... when you decide to write that book Andy let me know. I might let you include the story of when I went to see the popular Queen tribute band 'Magic' a couple of miles from where I live... only to find that the lead singer had got a cough and the gig was cancelled.

I took my bird at the time and we ended up driving back to my house and making love by the fireside.

Incidentally, the same band's lead singer looks more like a potato than Freddy.

(if I could reverse time Andy, I wouldn't mind joining you on each of those gigs).

I hope the content of the last post wasn't too extreme for some viewers. The old phrase 'making love' is now known as 'fucking a bitch'... stop me if I'm getting all romantic and starry eyed on you all.

Why on earth did you go to see a Queen tribute band? I can't think of anything more horrible

Originally posted by Huntsman ... when you decide to write that book Andy let me know. I might let you include the story of when I went to see the popular Queen tribute band 'Magic' a couple of miles from where I live... only to find that the lead singer had got a cough and the gig was cancelled.I took my bird at the time and we ended up driving back to my house and making love by the fireside. Incidentally, the same band's lead singer looks more like a potato than Freddy.(if I could reverse time Andy, I wouldn't mind joining you on each of those gigs).

Making luurve, Pringles, and a Queen tribute band with Mr. Potato head on vocals. The world is a wonderful place.

Sometimes Seb... its better not to question the actions of people.

ok, I've learnt my lesson

Actually Seb - tell you what's worse than a Queen tribute band... watching lesser Queen leftovers and Fatty Williams knock out 'We Are the Chamion Shit Kickers' on the hit film 'A Knight's Arse'. Second to that, just Robbie on his own makes me want to be sick in my slippers.

Swany, saw Paul Weller about 4 years ago with support from Ocean Colour Scene - Weller was magic... erm, that's not the tribute band by the way.

Originally posted by Huntsman Actually Seb - tell you what's worse than a Queen tribute band... watching lesser Queen leftovers and Fatty Williams knock out 'We Are the Chamion Shit Kickers' on the hit film 'A Knight's Arse'. Second to that, just Robbie on his own makes me want to be sick in my slippers.

b]

The women love him though, don't they? Bastard.

... they do Seb - but as long as us lads keep saying he's a wanker, toss-pot, no hope leftover muso shit kicker... we'll all still feel alright about it.

I fear this thread has somewhat skewed away from the original intention.

Brian the man G.. where are thee?

Originally posted by Huntsman Swany, saw Paul Weller about 4 years ago with support from Ocean Colour Scene - Weller was magic... erm, that's not the tribute band by the way.

The plot thickens. The venues I saw Sisters & Bauhaus (another mad one - Peter Murphy covered himself with this stuff that made himm glow in the dark!) at are in an area of Brum called Moseley. Ocean Colour Scene come from Moseley. Oh how coincidence twists and turns like a twisty turny thing.

Here i am. I don't have enough time to tell you about the 3 times i've seen morrissey live. the last was in london in 94 or 95 at the Drury Lane theatre. the turning point in my morrissey days occurred when i made it on stage and was approaching the Man. it was then that i realized i didn't particularly care for Mozz or his music anymore. So i stood there on stage looking back at the crowd wondering what the fuck i was doing. i admit with my tail between my legs that was not the first time i tackled the Mozzer. New Orleans 92/camped out/searched for hotel/found doc martins near bed on 12th floor and decided it must be his room/front row/had tape recorder and camara/lept on stage/morrissey made comments about the abuse i got from the security/left camara (much like your GMEX experience/moved to seattle 6 years later and some junkie broke into my piece of shit car and stole every mix tape i had collected for 15 years. 2 shoe boxes including the bootleg of the NewOrleansMozz show. i was severely hurt by the loss.
Morrissey has not changed, unfortunately, and that's a big reason why i can't bear to listen to his new stuff. Part of the beauty of Neworder this time around is you can hear the change in their music and in their interviews. they are happy now and it shows throught their craft. i'll tell you more gig experiences (holding up a johnny marr t-shirt right in front of replacement on The The Dusk tour) and more about those remarkable chips later....................

Brian - I won't let the chip story go without a fight. Be back soon, I'm drooling.

Andy, I wonder if we've been to more than 1 gig together in the past? - is it possible we are the same person? I'd be interested in some of that 'glow in the dark' fashion accessory equipment if its still available.

Very possibly - what about Mondays & 808 at GMEX?

The 'glow in the dark' fashion line ended when a survey revealed that nobody other than Pete Murphy was prat enough to wear it.

Been there- Best gig ever = Festival of the 10th summer where NO and the Smiths played - beat that if you can.

The Smiths at the Free Trade Hall on the Queen is Dead Tour was unbelievable, as was the famous Mondays/ACR/NO gig in 88. I am spoilt for choice living in Manchester but my two favourites aside from these gems have to be:

The very first Electronic gig on the wednesday the Hacienda reopened after the gangster violence etc.

The Stone Roses at Spike Island were good - although the sound was shite

And my other real favourite is the Order at Reading in 93 - what a gig. Loads of us travelled up from Manchester and dissed most other bands (apart from Fishbone) before the greatest gig ever where they even played Dream Attack

What a night.

Ps: The Morrissey gigs have never been as good as any Smiths concert.

Ah, the Tower Ballroom in 1986 - that brings back memories, my first ever Order gig at the age of 17.

I remember someone told them to fuck off when they actually did an encore only to be met with the refrain "We might be a pop group but you're a fucking wanker"..quality stuff.

Oh Andy, did you go and see the Housemartins at the Powerhouse when they were quoted as saying 'it was like walking out at Wembley' ?

Brian, wore a Johnny Marr t shirt at the NO/ACR.Mondays gig in 88, just as he was to embark on his The The Mindbomb trail. The T shirt was a real talking point. Ps - Matt Johnson is awesome live - seen The The 3 times

Originally posted by Mr Disco Oh Andy, did you go and see the Housemartins at the Powerhouse when they were quoted as saying 'it was like walking out at Wembley' ?

No I missed that one. It was also at the Tower when Hooky asked, 'Any requests?......Who said fuck off?'

Mr Disco are you Brum-based?

I saw the Roses at Ally Pally and got slightly lashed beforehand and yes, definitely, The Smiths live were better than Morrissey. Didn't Ian Bunnymen sing Ceremony at GMEX '86?

Yep - good call Andy

Not Brum based but was brought up in nearby Warwickshire so always went to Brum for gigs. I left in 1993 and am now living in London. The Hummingbird was an excellent venue, saw Housemartins again a few years after the Powerhouse gig, Cocteaus, Ramones, Mondays, Kraftwerk, Charlatans, Inspirals amongst others. Only saw one other gig at the Powerhouse, The Primitives, should I be admitting to that?!

I remember going to a NO/Smiths night at Burberry's one Sunday night as well.

I'm also a bit partial to the boys in royal blue as well...

Originally posted by Mr Disco Not Brum based but was brought up in nearby Warwickshire so always went to Brum for gigs. I left in 1993 and am now living in London. The Hummingbird was an excellent venue, saw Housemartins again a few years after the Powerhouse gig, Cocteaus, Ramones, Mondays, Kraftwerk, Charlatans, Inspirals amongst others. Only saw one other gig at the Powerhouse, The Primitives, should I be admitting to that?!I remember going to a NO/Smiths night at Burberry's one Sunday night as well.I'm also a bit partial to the boys in royal blue as well...

The Hummingbird was great but it was a bit of a dump! I didn't go to The Ramones (saw them supporting U2 once but I'm trying to lose that part of my memory)and I must've missed the Cocteaus at The Hummingbird - damn! - but I saw them at the Powerhouse. I must've rubbed shoulders with you at all the others! The Fall were good there as well. Did you see Inspirals at the Irish Centre? The Charlatans played there as well as The Sundays.

I liked the Powerhouse. It was my first introduction to House music in 86-ish. Saw the Order there, Spear of Destiny, X-Mal Deutschland, Cabs, I've got a ticket stub for Husker Du as well but I'm damned if I can remember going to that one, (even saw Fine Young Cannibals there but my excuse was that I was there to see Win - the lead singer of The Fire Engines new band - Anybody remember Candy Skin?)

Nothing wrong with the Primitives. I think every single one of my mates had a crush (or should that be crash?) on the lead singer - what was her name now? Tracey Tracey or something?

As for the Blues - I'd better not mention Altringham. Or Watford :)

Spear of Destiny, dear oh dear, I remember seeing them at Cov Poly. For some reason me and my mates briefly got into them, though they did have some nice sax solos. I'm sure I read in the papers recently that Kirk Brandon was once Boy George's lover, I bet Spear's following was unaware of that at the time.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone at the Irish Centre but I do possess a Win album (though I only listened to it once or twice).

As for the Blues, you get used to the disappointments after so many years.

Originally posted by Mr Disco Spear of Destiny, dear oh dear, I remember seeing them at Cov Poly. For some reason me and my mates briefly got into them, though they did have some nice sax solos. I'm sure I read in the papers recently that Kirk Brandon was once Boy George's lover, I bet Spear's following was unaware of that at the time.I don't think I've ever seen anyone at the Irish Centre but I do possess a Win album (though I only listened to it once or twice). As for the Blues, you get used to the disappointments after so many years.

I was more a Theatre Of Hate fan and just fell into going to see SOD - thinking about it, I didn't really like Brandon's voice - Love Is A Ghost was pretty excellent though. Yes, I'm sure I read about Brandon and Boy George somewhere - wasn't it in George's biography or something?

I liked Win because I loved The Fire Engines - I really must try and dig Candy Skin out. It's got one of the catchiest hooks ever...