A Hard Act to Follow

It was always going to be a tall order, to match the passion of Paul Fox's Ruts benefit gig in july 2007, only 3 months before his sad and untimely death, .However, on Friday 25th January a star studded line up gave it their best shot. The evening was billed as The Ruts: 30^th Anniversary Celebration and was in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care.

The Shepherds Bush Empire was crammed to the brim with Punk rockers of all ages and persuasions, although it was essentially an ‘over forty’ fest. The show opened with Jimmy Pursey's DAY21. The boys looked fabulous, especially Rev and Snell (formerly of the Towers of London), but the band didn't deliver. Maybe they didn't have time to really get down and dirty, but it was a relief when Alabama 3 played. Their lyrical lilt had the leather clad audience dancing and wanting more, more More! You’d be well within your rights to ask 'are Alabama 3 truly punk?' but according to Larry Love, their charismatic lead singer, they're 'totally fucking punk'. He recalls how the group met Segs, of the Ruts, selling the Big Issue in Brixton and how Segs played bass with them. The punk ethos of 'do it yourself' was an inspiration for the Alabamas and is at the root of their music.

Dirty Strangers were next on the stage. Paul Fox's absence was evident. The band never quite found their groove or their thang, but the sets were short so roll on Vice Squad with Beki Bondage. Tight as a gnats chuff and a visual delight, the band gave their all and the night was beginning to get into its stride. Vice squad may be old school, but of all the bands they truly captured the spirit of punk, with machine gun delivery they set the punters rocking. Beki told me how she couldn’t turn down performing at a gig for two such noble causes, Paul Fox and Macmillan Cancer care.

PAIN lived up to their name and The Members gave us an ordinary set including a slow version of their hit 'The Sound of the Suburbs.' Why? An onlooker noted that it was more like ‘sound of the Zimmer frames’. Time has not been kind to the Members, but I can forgive them for looking their age I can’t overlook the fact that they sounded ‘god awful’.

The show ended on a high. TV Smith, of the Adverts, did an excellent rendition of ‘Babylons Burning’. The energy of his performance igniting the fans. This was capped by Captain Sensible, in customary red beret and white sunglasses, providing a brilliant crescendo to the evening, with Henry Rollins joining him for ‘Staring at The Rude Boys.’

The Film of the July 2007 gig, with its poor sound quality, did not do that magical night justice. However, it’s difficult not to be moved by Paul Fox’s performance or by the number and Calibre of the performers that came to celebrate his artistic contribution to the music. These included; The Damned, John Otway, Misty in Roots to name but a few.

It was a night of highs and lows. The Running order seemed upside down and the show somehow disjointed, but this didn't seem to stop anyone having a grand night out.

Queenie Munro – 11/2/08 Pictures taken by Mark H Oliff

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