The Day The World Turned Dayglo

Dark, dingy & sweaty it was almost everything that a music venue should be, the only thing that was missing was a bar. A completely dry venue (though nothing stopping you having a few Theakstons in the back bar of The Prospect beforehand) and yet it was still full of people having a great time. The stage wasn’t up to much either come to think of it, it was just a platform in the corner raised up about 4 inches above the “dancefloor”.

Punk’s d-i-y ethic reached Harrogate in the form of PG’s club which was opened in 1977 by Paul Gerrett, former keyboard player of Wally. It came at just the right time for me, I was 17 going on 18 and spending any spare time I had spinning choons on my dansette in my bedroom. Unable to get a licence from the local, very conservative, council Paul went ahead and opened a glorified youth club in the centre of town above some shops, over 2 floors. By day it operated as just a coffee bar but of course the music was better and they put on gigs in the evening whenever they could.

I possess no tickets for the place as I don’t think they issued them, just turn up and pay on the door. Consequently I have only a few memories of some of the gigs I went to there. I specifically remember seeing X-ray Spex and Wire and know that I went to see The Boys too but beyond that…

X-Ray Spex at PGs in Harrogate on Saturday 22nd April 1978

It was manic, by far and away the biggest attendance the club had ever had. They were just about to release “The Day The World Turned Gayglo” and were brimming with confidence, energy and defiance. The crowd was absolutely manic and started to encroach onto the very low stage and a line of regulars had to form a human chain at the front to protect the performers from the joyous, exuberant, hot, sweaty audience dancing their hearts out. (also here)

Wire at PGs in Harrogate on Saturday 29th April 1978

In contrast, the following week was rather quiet. It was the day before the Rock Against Racism Rally in Victoria Park and a lot of the local youth were heading down there. I wanted to be there too as The Clash were playing but I had a university interview in Manchester on the Monday so couldn’t make it. But despite the small crowd, Wire were fantastic and I seem to remember they encored with 12XU which sent us all into a frenzy of pogoing.

I still prefer my gigs this way. OK, I've been to see bands at the NEC and I love Glastonbury but give me a small venue any day.

Brought to you by this, this and this.

Something Better Change

The Stranglers – October 15^th 1977 – Leeds Queens Hall

By late 1977, I’d been to a few gigs but they’d all been in Harrogate and quite small but with my brother living at home after finishing university, I could travel further afield with him, without my parents worrying.

On Saturday October 15^th 1977 Leeds University was hosting the Live Stiffs tour with Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Ian Dury & The Blockheads, Wreckless Eric and Larry Wallis. Being a fan of the Stiff record label, I wanted to go but it wasn’t the only gig in Leeds that night. My favourite band at the time was The Stranglers and they were playing Queens Hall on the same night. It was one I couldn’t miss.

Support was provided by Manchester band, The Drones, and one of the few punk bands from Australia to make it over here, The Saints. Again, this gig was so long ago that I don’t remember very much. It was a dark, dingy venue and with all the punks around, a little scary. Everything was running late and so we had to leave before the end in order to catch the last train home but we left it as late as possible, running to the nearby train station clutching my souvenir t-shirt and just made it with seconds to spare. It was a shame missing the end of the gig but the alternative was catching a lift back with some schoolmates and I think 13 occupants is probably enough for a Mk II Cortina.

Considering that The Stranglers were my favourite band for so long and that up until 1981 I’d bought all of their singles, it’s surprising that I didn’t see them live again until they appeared at Guilfest in 2006. I’m not normally one for nostalgia and I wouldn’t normally have gone to see someone from my past but they really rocked, despite Hugh having left to concentrate on his solo work, which he was also performing at Guilfest that weekend.

I saw them again recently, the first band I saw in my new home town of Sunderland. And they pretty much still came up with the goods. It was a bit embarrassing that they’re still performing tracks like ‘Bring on the Nubiles’, I would have thought they’d have grown out of it, but all in all they still gave us a good night out. Just a shame that we got locked in the park on the way home.