After seeing The Damned at Vivaz in 2007 (and again in 2008) I made the punk trilogy with Stiff Little Fingers and Sham 69 in 2008. It was good to see bands from the late 1970s still doing the business years later.

The first review was by my colleague John Ritchie while I did the photos and the second I tackled solo for both words and pics.

As I have said I liked covering gigs at Vivaz and I was sad to hear recently that it did eventually close. For more information about the various council hearings visit this link.

And the stage invader at Sham 69 also repeated his antics at other gigs and I regularly used to bump into him in Scarborough.

Irish punk band delight with a superb gig

Stiff Little Fingers at Vivaz last Friday. Review by John Ritchie

STIFF Little Fingers were absolutely fantastic.

A diverse audience, but with a good smattering of people like me, closer to 18 stone than 18 years of age, packed the nightclub and pogoed their way through 90 minutes of sublime music.

To say I enjoyed this gig would be a massive understatement. It was incredible and Vivaz owner Paul Murray deserves to be congratulated for delivering the very best of entertainment here on our doorstep.

I thought the Pigeon Detectives, last October, were outstanding but to be honest SLF blew them out of the water.

SLF is an Irish punk-rock band that formed in the second half of the 1970s.

The band has seen several changes to the line-up since then, but two original members, lead singer and guitarist Jake Burns and bass player Ali McMordie (who had a 15-year break), are still working their magic.

Burns had a wonderful voice 30 years ago and he’s still got one now. My only disappointment of the evening was that my 16-year-old son Oliver wasn’t there to hear him and what real music is like.

Burns and co took us through much of their repertoire including Nobody’s Hero and Tin Soldier, signing out with Alternative Ulster.

I’m not going to pretend I’m an SLF expert – they were just around when I was around and it was great to go back to those days for a couple of hours.

One thing is for sure though – I’m going to be digging out as much of their stuff as I can over the next couple of months and my lad can wear the T-shirts I bought him and listen to a great band with me.

Well done Paul Murray. Brilliant SLF.

From the Scarborough Evening News on Wednesday, March 5, 2008.

Cockney Cowboys’ in-yer-face antics

Sham 69 at Vivaz. Review and photo by Ian Duncan

THIS gig completes my trilogy of veteran punk bands I have seen in Scarborough this year – following on from Stiff Little Fingers and The Damned.

I have to admit, I was nearly put off from venturing out into the foulest autumn weather, but seeing the punk legends’ return for the first time in more than 30 years made it worth wrapping up for.

Top marks should go to support band, the Duel from London, for coping in the face of adversity when both a microphone lead and one of the guitars apparently broke down early on.

Fronted by peroxide bombshell vocalist Tara Rez, who seemed genuinely pleased to be in Scarborough, they still managed to put in an energetic and loud performance.

Speaking after the band’s set she said: “The people here are lovely, they are really sweet, and I immediately felt comfortable here. We are supporting Sham 69 and it’s been nice meeting them.”

The initial sparse crowd was swelled slightly in advance of the main act, whose arrival was heralded by the rousing track Land of Hope and Glory, and took the stage with a confrontational swagger.

No longer fronted by Jimmy Pursey, his replacement, vocalist Tim V, fits in quite well and cuts an imposing spiky haired figure covered in tattoos.

Right from the start he goads the crowd sneering: “We have a team in London that’s still in the football league.” This prompts the crowd’s response: “Who the **** are Millwall?”

But it’s good natured banter and they rattle through recent tracks, as well as lesser known numbers, such as Western Culture, That’s Life and Loudmouth, all of which are lapped up by the crowd.

The rest of the band – guitarist Dave Parsons, drummer Ian Whitewood and bassist Rob Jefferson – provide a solid backing to their frontman’s in-yer-face antics.

During Hurry Up Harry, a song which V says is only understood in Britain, one of the crowd leaps on stage and joins in with the vocals. After leaving the stage the chanting crowd lures them back for a rousing encore of Hersham Boys and If The Kids Are United which is the perfect end to the evening.

It was disappointing that more people did not witness the return of the Cockney Cowboys but the enthusiasm of the crowd more than made up for it.

From the Scarborough Evening News on Wednesday, November 12, 2008.