My second gig there was to see Neds Atomic Dustbin on 20/11/91. They were part of the Brummie Grebo scene incorporating also the Wonderstuff and Pop Will Eat Itself. Their name was derived from an episode of the Goon Show and they unusually had two bassists. The gig cost £8.50 which was a lot of lucre in those days.
I had a very busy day prior to the gig involving driving back from Manchester where Gill was residing before a day at work then onto night school where I was undertaking a Statistics course. In the gap between work and college I scampered to Asda at Sherwood to cash a dodgy cheque as my finances were somewhat parlous at that point in my life.
I met a couple of other lads in the gig and it was about two thirds full. I was in the moshpit and it was exceedingly hot. They sounded grungier and more ponderous live than on vinyl which wasn’t to my liking so I would quantify it overall as a disappointing gig.
Northern Soul is a phase that passed me by when I was younger, but I have grown to really like the passion and energy of the music in that sphere and love to witness the religious fervour that the true disciples bestow on this genre.
We attended a Northern Soul night on 14/09/02 and there were many older punters paying homage on the dancefloor though methinks their muscles likely protested the following morn. Incorporated within the event was a set by Edwin Starr.
I recall Uncle George telling me a tale when he was on a works do one night in a Blackburn nightclub and very unexpectedly Edwin Starr appeared on stage and he said he was in outstanding form that night.
Unfortunately, I caught Edwin in the twilight of his career in what turned out be one of his last gigs as he passed away the following year.
My final gig there was the Proclaimers on 30/10/07. Me and Gill attended with Rick and Debbie Clegg and pre drinks were partaken in the Stanley and a post gig aperitif in the Olde Black Bull.
The Proclaimers can generate undue scorn and are sometimes viewed as a joke band, but in my opinion that is grossly unjustified as I think they pour their heart and soul into their art and have a sharp political wit in the mould of Billy Bragg.
It was my third gig in 6 days including two in Manchester and I was a bit jaded, but they were in fabulous form and swept away the tiredness with a fine set with a suite of songs off their latest album ‘Life with You’. The standout track that night was ‘No one left to Blame’ with the immortal put down line of ‘You blamed it on the whiskey as if it poured itself’.
They used to have gigs in the Guild Hall Foyer in the 80’s and 90’s but I never attended one in that period. Only when they rebooted the venue did I make my debut. So, on 27/07/18 a large posse of us went to see British Sea Power who were excellent and their encore track of ‘Great Skua’ was sublime. It was a real treat to see them in Preston environs.
The last two gigs referenced would be worthy of inclusion in my Top 10 gigs in Preston list.
I believe the whole complex is sadly currently closed due to an ongoing dispute between the council and the current owners.
