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Elly Roberts reviews
at the Central Station, WrexhamThursday 22nd April 2004
CD: Smash It Up (Anthology 1976-1987)
The moment Captain Sensible (right) hit the stage,you knew it was going to be one of those nights.
Entering to the sound of 1920s strip music, the madcap guitarist set the place alight inhis inimitable style. He instantly wound up the devotees who still worship the band afteralmost 30 years. Dressed in typical caveman gear, he brought on his troops to ecstatic cheers.
On came chameleon like vocalist Dave Vanian (middle-right) and three relatively new members, includingstand-in bassist Stuart West. This band are full of contradictions for starters,Captain Sensible (Ray Burns) is as nutty as they come. Secondly, if theyre a Punk band,then Ill be damned.
Tagged as the original Punk rockers of the UK, they gradually evolved into a different beast.Not having enough attitude to be real Punks, and then came the Sex Pistols to steal their thunder.This band was much classier and far more sophisticated than the Pistols, and it showed with theirrecent gig at Central Station in Wrexham.
They romped through their reactionary Pop be Damned 2004 whirlwind set in just over 1hr 50mins.Better known for their stage antics, which have often overshadowed their ability, they impressedeveryone. Few bands in the world could relate to an audience like they do. The formidable pairingof Vanian and the Captain are riveting performers, both visually and technically.
Captain (right with Vanian) goofs around while playing some great guitar riffs and leads. Vanian moves around thestage like a whippet, engaging the crowd with every song. Behind the showmanship, hes got a richvoice, but the volume often hid the lyrics. The rhythm section was really tight, with Rat Scabiesreplacement on drums Pich steering the ship. Its not my kind of music, but their work ethic isfantastic.
Best songs were Anti Pope, the funky Under The Floor and the final songSmash It Up. They may well have lost their Punk ethos years ago, but they still retain itssensibilities. Theyre great fun on stage, the fans loved them. And funnily enough, so did I.
Review & pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004.
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.