KURTZ Posted August 8, 2019 Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 Just wondering if there are any of you who are old enough to have witnessed the Bristol Punk scene in its heyday? Can any of you remember Seeing The Clash, and the Stanglers play the Exhibition Center? Did you see Siouxie and the Banshees play the Barton Hill Youth club? Do you remember gangs of Punk Rockers congregating outside the Virgin Records shop? Does anyone still go to see Punk bands? Is there still a Punk Scene in Bristol? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixtyseconds Posted August 8, 2019 Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 Yes chief. Was a teen and saw the Clash and the post City Gas dust up … That in 2019 would be front page it was full scale. And the Damned and the post City Gas dust up. Crass new Trinity was the gig. Yes there was a dust up but pre gig v the British movement. That small gig changed Punk in Bristol and its politics. For some anyway. Do you remember gangs of Punk Rockers congregating outside the Virgin Records shop? Yes twas also the eighties. Thrash and anarcho of the eighties could be Bristols punk heyday Chaos UK, Disorder, Lunatic Fringe, Amebix in squats around St Pauls and the Vice Squad but the not the Vice Squad of now. We had kicks todays kids can never know … Can smoke, cant squat, drink is expensive, can't protest like the eighties and can't dive off the stage if I could muster enough energy to climb on one. Is there still a Punk Scene in Bristol? Yes. Check the exchange. Check St Nicks covered market. Easton Pubs. Its not as big, numerous and spiky and has a lot less hair but is still there. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markman Posted August 8, 2019 Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 Saw loads - Stranglers Exhibition - I am sure there was spitting and Hugh leapt off stage and poleaxed some geezer with his guitar :laugh: - never saw the Clash (grrrrr) had (still have) a ticket for the Pistols at the Bamboo Club Can even remember seeing Siouxie at YATE and Blondie - saw the Damned backing T REX and left after the Damned (fool that I was) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KURTZ Posted August 8, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 I witnessed that fighting on the Center between Punks and City fans, I was also present when all hell broke loose at the BQ club in st Pauls ( The Slits were playing ). Incredibly exciting times to be a young lad, Great music, but it seemed as you have pointed out , that it was dogged with violence. Mind you, It wasn't violent at punk gigs alone, I remember there was always a chance of violence just being in "Town" after dark. It does seem safer nowadays, but that may be the mistaken perception of an old man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KURTZ Posted August 8, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 20 minutes ago, Markman said: Saw loads - Stranglers Exhibition - I am sure there was spitting and Hugh leapt off stage and poleaxed some geezer with his guitar - never saw the Clash (grrrrr) had (still have) a ticket for the Pistols at the Bamboo Club Can even remember seeing Siouxie at YATE and Blondie - saw the Damned backing T REX and left after the Damned (fool that I was) You are right about Hugh Axeing some guy with his guitar, because he missed me by about two bodies!!! I still have the Pistols ticket also, I think we had to pay to go watch the awfull band The Stukas to get that ticket. Shame the club burnt down a few days after. I also saw the Siouxsie at Yate, great gig. Interesting days my friend, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Maesknoll Red Posted August 8, 2019 Admin Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 I’m sure sometime in the dim and distant past I saw Becki Bondage at the Granary. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
City Rocker Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 We were a couple of years too young to go to gigs in 1977, I didn't get to my first one until May 79 (The Undertones at the Locarno), but my mates and I became totally obsessed with the 'new wave' in the summer of 77 and nothing was ever the same again. In fact I can still remember the Sunday afternoon when the epiphany happened. Taping the top 40 show off Radio 1 on my cassette player (* HOME TAPING IS KILLING MUSIC!!), I heard for the first time in quick succession Pretty Vacant, All Around The World and Something Better Change. The sounds and the attitude blasting out of my little transistor radio that day absolutely blew me away and the world did indeed change, forever. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
City Rocker Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 10 hours ago, Maesknoll Red said: I’m sure sometime in the dim and distant past I saw Becki Bondage at the Granary. Yeah I saw Vice Squad at the Granary a couple of times, the mosh pit was ******* insane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markman Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 Becki B was from Bristol I think? Clem Burke (Drummer Blondie) is playing at the Thunderbolt next week (Thursday I think) with a band called the Tearaways - I shall pop up for a visit - certainly worth the £12 or so - I will wear colours in case any other City turn up (the emoji is a safety pin)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyderInACan Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 @77 punk is your man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Lions Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 saw the Angelic Upstarts, Clash, Cockney rejects, Damned, Dead Kennedys, Killing Joke, PIL, Ruts, Skids, SLF, Stranglers, UK Subs and a lot of bands on Bristols Riot City records normally four or five on the bill headed by Chaos UK or the Vice Squad both bands had City fans in them. the Vice Squad gig at the granary is on youtube. Best live were SLF and Crass which was more than lively for a band who were pacifists. Chaos Uk and Disorder were always a shambles but fun. Vice Squad were class and should have been bigger but Beki went on to form rock band ligotage. Gigs back then were seriously violent and gigs often worse away from the Cities as you get local v skins v rockers v mods v punks. Bath and the UK Subs saw a side of Bath never seen now!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markman Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 would have liked to have seen the Dead Kennedys - one of my best gigs was the Cramps (bit after punk really) 1980 at Trinity Hall - about a year after they supported the Police at the Locarno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Team In Keynsham Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 2 hours ago, Markman said: would have liked to have seen the Dead Kennedys - one of my best gigs was the Cramps (bit after punk really) 1980 at Trinity Hall - about a year after they supported the Police at the Locarno I was a late band-wagon jumper: saw The Cramps at The Studio in, I think, 1985. One of the scariest looking crowds I ever saw at a gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin phantom Posted August 9, 2019 Admin Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 3 hours ago, Three Lions said: saw the Angelic Upstarts, Clash, Cockney rejects, Damned, Dead Kennedys, Killing Joke, PIL, Ruts, Skids, SLF, Stranglers, UK Subs Sounds like the line up to last weekends Rebellion festival up in Blackpool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Lions Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 Saw the Dead Kennedys at Bath Pavillion in 82 markman. Lot of good gigs then in Bath and Chippenham alongside Bristol. Bristols Disorder supported DK and Jello Biafra was in the crowd slamming away before getting up on stage. Saw the Stranglers in Bath as well. Bit of theme here JJ Burnell got so pissed off with the fighting in the crowd he invited anybody to get up on stage and have a go with him there were no takers!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markman Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 Ah - the Bath Pavilion - saw a few there myself inc The Jam (79 ish) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicki's soulmate Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 54 minutes ago, Markman said: Ah - the Bath Pavilion - saw a few there myself inc The Jam (79 ish) Was there, very snowy, City were home to Southampton same night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZiderEyed Posted August 10, 2019 Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 How many of you old gits still listen to proper punk then? They said that we were trash Well the name is Crass not Clash They can stuff their punk credentials Cause it's them that take the cash They won't change nothing with their fashionable talk Their RAR badges and their protest walk Thousands of white men standing in a park Objecting to racism like a candle in the dark Black man's got his problems and his way to deal with it So don't fool yourself you're helping with your white liberal shit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sniper Posted August 11, 2019 Report Share Posted August 11, 2019 On 08/08/2019 at 10:24, Sixtyseconds said: Yes chief. Was a teen and saw the Clash and the post City Gas dust up … That in 2019 would be front page it was full scale. And the Damned and the post City Gas dust up. Crass new Trinity was the gig. Yes there was a dust up but pre gig v the British movement. That small gig changed Punk in Bristol and its politics. For some anyway. Do you remember gangs of Punk Rockers congregating outside the Virgin Records shop? Yes twas also the eighties. Thrash and anarcho of the eighties could be Bristols punk heyday Chaos UK, Disorder, Lunatic Fringe, Amebix in squats around St Pauls and the Vice Squad but the not the Vice Squad of now. We had kicks todays kids can never know … Can smoke, cant squat, drink is expensive, can't protest like the eighties and can't dive off the stage if I could muster enough energy to climb on one. Is there still a Punk Scene in Bristol? Yes. Check the exchange. Check St Nicks covered market. Easton Pubs. Its not as big, numerous and spiky and has a lot less hair but is still there. Class band 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
City Rocker Posted August 11, 2019 Report Share Posted August 11, 2019 14 hours ago, ZiderEyed said: How many of you old gits still listen to proper punk then? They said that we were trash Well the name is Crass not Clash They can stuff their punk credentials Cause it's them that take the cash They won't change nothing with their fashionable talk Their RAR badges and their protest walk Thousands of white men standing in a park Objecting to racism like a candle in the dark Black man's got his problems and his way to deal with it So don't fool yourself you're helping with your white liberal shit Nah mate, punk was never meant to be about radical politics. If Crass wanted to take it down that road then fair enough, but at least write some decent songs and have a go at learning to play your guitars. Crass weren't the real punks, The Clash were. They meant it (man)! Sandinista was more of a punk record than Stations of the Crass will ever be. Back in the garage with my bullshit detector. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZiderEyed Posted August 11, 2019 Report Share Posted August 11, 2019 5 minutes ago, City Rocker said: Nah mate, punk was never meant to be about radical politics. If Crass wanted to take it down that road then fair enough, but at least write some decent songs and have a go at learning to play your guitars. Crass weren't the real punks, The Clash were. They meant it (man)! Sandinista was more of a punk record than Stations of the Crass will ever be. Back in the garage with my bullshit detector. Was hoping to reel some proper bites, not reasonable replies! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixtyseconds Posted August 11, 2019 Report Share Posted August 11, 2019 Clash were real punks. So bored with the USA they buggered off to America during the Miners strike and only did one benefit gig near its end. Compare that to Crass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Lions Posted August 12, 2019 Report Share Posted August 12, 2019 Personally think Crass Bloody revolutions , Big a Little a and Christ the album blows anything the Clash did lyrically away. They could more than play and I think people just didn't the the diy idea and lo fi production from records costing pay not more than 85p. the Clash were in the same studios as Genesis!!! The Subhumans from Wiltshire from the cradle to the grave is also leagues apart. Getting away from the topic so back to Bristol scene Chaos UK and No security equals any hardcore from the USA. Still stands up hairs 35+ years later, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Med/MadHatter Posted August 12, 2019 Report Share Posted August 12, 2019 On 09/08/2019 at 01:05, Markman said: Becki B was from Bristol I think? Clem Burke (Drummer Blondie) is playing at the Thunderbolt next week (Thursday I think) with a band called the Tearaways - I shall pop up for a visit - certainly worth the £12 or so - I will wear colours in case any other City turn up (the emoji is a safety pin)! Becki was from Frampton Cotterell, went to school with her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markman Posted August 12, 2019 Report Share Posted August 12, 2019 9 minutes ago, Med/MadHatter said: Becki was from Frampton Cotterell, went to school with her Not a bad school mate! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixtyseconds Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 Sorry but Beki Bondage sounds like Courtney Love inhaling helium now. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dolman Pragmatist Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 I knew Mark ‘Sooty’ Byrne at the time (who was Vice Squad’s manager, and occasional guitarist) as I played in a band with his brother. He used to mix for us occasionally and was very talented. I think Simon Edwards (later of K-Passa) had something to do with them too, maybe started a record label with them. Never much liked Sioux and the Banshees but that Old Market gig was unforgettable (not least for the amount of saliva in the air). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KURTZ Posted August 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2019 On 11/08/2019 at 15:51, City Rocker said: Nah mate, punk was never meant to be about radical politics. If Crass wanted to take it down that road then fair enough, but at least write some decent songs and have a go at learning to play your guitars. Crass weren't the real punks, The Clash were. They meant it (man)! Sandinista was more of a punk record than Stations of the Crass will ever be. Back in the garage with my bullshit detector. Back in the garage... Back in the garage.....Back in the garage! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Isewater Posted September 3, 2019 Report Share Posted September 3, 2019 I saw Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Stranglers, The Damned amongst others in Bristol. The strangest gig was Magazine who were supported by Bauhaus in a disused church. I believe it was the Trinity but am not totally sure. It was very Goth and Pete Murphy got a lot of stick for his agressive stance towards the audience. He was painted white and wore a loin cloth ! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Maesknoll Red Posted September 3, 2019 Admin Report Share Posted September 3, 2019 7 hours ago, Major Isewater said: I saw Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Stranglers, The Damned amongst others in Bristol. The strangest gig was Magazine who were supported by Bauhaus in a disused church. I believe it was the Trinity but am not totally sure. It was very Goth and Pete Murphy got a lot of stick for his agressive stance towards the audience. He was painted white and wore a loin cloth ! I went to a few gigs at Trinity, I have very little recollection of them, apart from the fact they involved excess of everything and I must have enjoyed them to keep going back...... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.