BAD MANNERS + THE FISH BROTHERS – CON CLUB, LEWES 15.4.18
Bad Manners in Lewes!
The fantastically entertaining Buster Bloodvessel and his band returned to the Con Club in Lewes for the second time tonight, and once again put on a brilliant show.
The band originally formed in 1976 and although Buster (real name Douglas Trendle) is the only original surviving member, his 8 piece (sometimes 10 piece) band really know how to get the crowd moving! But Buster has had a bit of practise – let’s not forget that in the 80’s Bad Manners had a string of 12 UK chart singles (covering a period of 111 weeks), 4 successful albums, Top of the Pops performances, and worldwide tours.
Having seen the band perform more times than I can remember, the wonderful Con Club in Lewes really is a refreshingly intimate venue. And when a band like this has such a full sound – with it’s 3 piece brass section – it really packs a punch!
But quite apart from having a setlist that would make a comatose sloth dance, it’s the little things about tonight’s performance that made it for me. Like the way Buster (and actually the whole band), interact with the crowd a great deal. The way Buster occasionally leaves the stage (to grab another beer) to let the band show off and how he praises the young band for the way they play… although sometimes wagging his finger at them for not doing it right!
Tonights barrage of tunes were:
‘Echo 4-2’
‘This Is Ska’
‘My Girl Lollipop’
‘Fatty Fatty’
‘Feel Like Jumping’
‘Walking in The Sunshine’
‘Lorraine’
‘Ne-Ne Na-Na Na-Na Nu-Nu’
‘Just A Feeling’
‘Sally Brown’
‘Wooly Bully’
‘Inner London Violence’
‘Special Brew’
‘Lip up Fatty’
‘Can Can’
Find out more from Bad Manners here: https://www.facebook.com/badmanners40yr and here: https://twitter.com/badmanners40yr?lang=en
The Fish Brothers
Support band tonight were the brilliant Fish Brothers, from Brighton.
Playing in their humorous Victorian Music Hall/Punk style, Martin Fish (lead singer) was joined by guitarist Dave Crook (From Brighton Ska band Too Many Crooks), for a set that includes such masterpieces as: ‘Chubby Loving’, ‘Two Lovely Black Eyes’, ‘Punk Rock’ and ‘The Cucumber Song’.
With 4 albums under their belts, this band really know how to work the crowd, plenty of banter (sometimes pretty crude!) and sing-along tunes. But it’s not surprising that they have mastered their craft – they have been together (in one form or another) for twenty years and have toured the UK and Europe with the likes of The Damned, The Blockheads and The Levellers, amongst many…
Incidentally, I messaged the band a couple of hours before the gig, mentioning that I would like a setlist if possible – they responded within minutes telling me that “We don’t do setlists, that’s the whole point!” OK then!
More Fish Brothers facts here: https://www.facebook.com/FISH-BROTHERS-Official-221854100086/
Bad Manners were absolutely amazing as usual last night !!!!
Thanks for the review, Drew.
Top night.
I did actually write a set list but, as ever, I didn’t stick to it so it would have been irresponsible of us to send it. (smiley face)
Shocked (but not surprised) to see my beer gut bigger than Buster’s.
Let it rock.
Martin Fish
(singer?), The Fish Brothers X
Always a pleasure Martin!
Hope to see you soon in either your Salad/Fish guise!
My selfie with you didn’t make it into the review, but hey!
Cheers
Drew