Review & Photography by Manny Manson for MPM
The greatest Punk band to ever come out of Northern Ireland, and arguably one of the top five GOAT Punk Bands period, opened their “Hate Has No Home Here” tour in the East Midlands, at Nottingham’s finest venue, the world-renowned Rock City.
With them they brought the super busy Glen Matlock, an absolute Punk legend in his own right and up there with the best. Having just finished the Lust for Life tour on the 9th in London, he now embarks on a 9-date tour with Jake and the boys, finishing in London on the March 23rd. As any Punk worth his onions will know that Glen was the original bass player with the Sex Pistols and is credited with writing 10 of the 12 tracks on their only album ‘Never Mind The Bollocks’. Glen ‘left’ the Pistols and went on to play with ‘The Rich Kids’, with Midge Ure-guitar, keys, vox, Steve New-guitar, vox, Rusty Egan on drums, ironically, he played bass in Sid Vicious’s short lived band ‘Vicious White Kids’ this being mainly a one-off concert in August 1978, the following February Vicious would be dead.
Matlock went on to form ‘The Spectres’ with Danny Kustow of the Tom Robinson Band. In 1982 he formed ‘Hot Club’ with guitarist James Stevenson and singer Steve Allen. He also played bass guitar on Iggy Pop’s album ‘Soldier’ and on The DAMNED’s album ‘Not of This Earth’. Re-joining with ‘New’ who he’d kept in touch with the formed Dead Horses in 1996 with Drummer Rat Scabies (the DAMNED), Bob ‘Derwood’ Adams (Generation X), however this was disbanded as Matlock reunited with the SEX PISTOLS reunion tour, he’s since played on them all (1996, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008).
He sang for a time with the Philistines, and The Flying Padovanis and toured with Mike Peters (The Alarm), Kirk Brandon (theatre of Hate, Spear of Destiny) Pete Wylie (Wah!). he went on to play in Slinky Vagabond with Earl Slick and Clem Burke, reformed the Rich Kids for a benefit gig for Steve New who passed in 2010, played with the Faces, and Primal Scream. Formed The International Swingers in 2011 toured and wrote material with them, releasing a self-titled album in 2015, toured with New York Dolls, Sylvain Sylvain on the Sex Dolls Tour in 2013, 2014 and more recently has toured with Blondie on their 2022 UK and US tours. He’s kept himself very busy indeed.
In 2023 he released his latest solo album, ‘Consequences Coming’. He says the album is his take on the sorry messy aftermath of Brexit and in the states, the TRUMP fiasco. So, in all the grass hasn’t grown under his feet, like I said he’s just finished a tour 2 days previously and he’s back out on the road again. He has dates throughout the summer and a London gig with Alice Cooper in October.
Rock City has a sizeable crowd for the more adult friendly doors of 7pm. Glen is on at 7:45 and by then, there is a good-sized crowd waiting for his appearance. OK it’s a crowd of a certain age, but they have turned out in style, there’s plenty of spiked hair, studs and old tour tees spread amongst the Sanatogen ridden crowd.
As the lights drop there’s a huge cheer as The band take to the stage. Glen walks on and it magically gets louder. He’s a charismatic chap, he stands there and produces a comb and gives his hair a quick make over, the crowd love it. He quickly introduces his band then shouts “You ready for some Rock n Roll” he repeats this three times dropping extra expletives in as he does so.
The crowd want it and so they drop into ‘Won’t Put The Brakes On Me’ from the ‘Good To Go’ album , of 2018. It’s a rousing rockers tune with some gritty riffs on the guitar, which brings the crowd to life, the partisan amongst the gathering are singing along. This is followed by the title track from the new album, ‘Consequences Coming’ (2023), Musto, on the kit quickly counts this one in. As the upbeat bouncing vibe continues, Matlock sings about his distrust for the UK government and its political upheavals.
Now a delve into the back catalogue we get a Rich Kids track in the form of ‘Burning Sounds’ from the 1978 album ‘Ghosts of Princes in Towers’ before we get another from the 2023 album. ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ a glam rock infused nod to the earlier Glam scene pioneered by the likes of Marc Bolan, this tune, with its obvious Metal Guru influences, is a dash of nostalgia that has the heads nodding along on the front row.
‘Whose Side Are You On’ from his time with the Philistines, and their 2004 album ‘On Something,’ keeps the feet tapping, before Matlock introduces his reimagined version of the KD Lang song ‘Constant Craving’. With a slight rework, Matlock has put his spin on it this popular number. Big drums and guitar give this one a punk infused twist, as Matlock encourages the crowd to come on. The 1977 ‘Blank Generation’ by New York band, Richard Hell & the Voidoids, covered by Matlock on his 2017 EP ‘Sexy Beast’, is up next. It’s a Psychobilly inspired ditty, very Brian Setzer, very Stray Cats. A song about the hopelessness of the generation which became a Punk anthem in 1977.
With ‘Can’t Be Myself With You’ another from the new album keeping the crowd happy, Matlock’s song writing prowess is evident, with this ones’ compelling lyric, he has managed to put together an eclectic set list which covers his back catalogue and his very capable ability to entertain.
No Matlock set could be complete without a Pistols tune, and he doesn’t disappoint; with probably the loudest cheer of the night the band jump into ‘Pretty Vacant’. The atmosphere has just gone through the roof as the whole of Rock City join in with this Punk Anthem, written by the great man himself. Glen Matlock, leads the crowd in a round of call and answer with singing “were so pretty, pretty” and the crowd joining with “Vacant”. A great sight.
The set finishes after 40minutes with ‘Head On A Stick’ the first single released from his 2023 album. This is yet another, clever, rousing call to arms about how world has become full of right-wing ideologies. Despite his years, Matlock is still as ‘anti’ as he ever was, pulling no punches with his lyrical content, he’s ever trying to awaken the world to what’s happening around it. This has been a great 40 minute set each Doo Wop, Rock n Roll and Glam inspired song has been given an edgy Punk twist, all brought up to date with Matlock’s superlatively, creative song writing. There’s no denying the man is an Icon, his set, as vital as ever. Brilliant stuff!
After the cheers have died down the stage is quickly cleared away for headliners, Stiff Little Fingers.
45 years after the successful launch of their breakthrough debut album, and the first album from an independent label to enter the UK charts in the top 20, ‘Inflammable Materia’l helped pave the wave for this phenomenal Belfast band to become both iconic and influential in the British Punk scene. Their debut single Suspect Device was played repeatedly by the great John Peel, he who took time to champion the non-mainstream and thereby, was influential in a lot of bands getting heard by the recording labels of the day.
It’s been said that Jake Burns got his confidence to write about his own life and the troubles in Northern Ireland, from listening to the Clash, but whatever it was, the change from being a Rock covers band to becoming one of the biggest names in the British Punk scene, with hard hitting, angry anthems have definitely stood the test of time as once again they have filled Rock City and on a Monday school night.
After the usual taped music of ‘Go For It’ and the crowd ‘ooh oohing,’ and the ‘Fingers’ ‘Fingers’ chant, the band are staged and ready, the cheers are bordering apocalyptic as the band kick off with our old friend ‘Suspect Device’ from 1979’s ‘Inflammable Material.’ You can almost hear the barrier groaning as the crowd are up on their toes, surging closer as they bounce along, singing manically, to this anthem of Punk anthems.
‘State of Emergency’ continues, another from the debut album, and the crowd are loving it, fists are being punched, a hat n scarf have been thrown on stage? Which Jake kicks to one side. The crowd are singing along as Jake rips into this one, the bouncing is relentless as the crowd move as one sea of heads. The guitars are dirty, the bass is hard hitting as this one finish’s we’re straight into ‘Fly the Flag’ from ‘Nobody’s Heroes,’ and the crowd are singing along instantly as this one from 1980 hits the back of the venue hard and fast. Its percussive, almost explosive in its delivery and the crowd are loving it. It finishes with a massive flourish of cheers and claps.
Jake takes a moment and thanks all for coming out and introduces ‘At The Edge’ from the same 1980 album. This slower tune still has the crowd captivated, they sing along with Jake and Ali. A thundering drum intro heralds the new single, and the name of the tour ‘HATE Has No Home Here.’ The idea of the song and the tour title came from a campaign against hate speech and bigotry. It’s a bouncy number that has the crowd on their toes once again. After a quick chat with the crowd the band break into ‘Silver Lining’ from 1981’s album ‘Go For It.’ It’s got a more melodic narrative delivered with a calmer vocal. The fans are all over it, the venue, tonight, is full of real, lifelong fans.
Jake then takes a moment to tell the crowd that whilst putting the set together, they decided to play songs that rarely if ever make the set, the first up being John Hurleys cover ‘Love of The Common People’ recorded back in 1982 and released on ‘Now Then…’. Instantly recognisable even with the SLF twist to it and yes, you’ve guessed it, the crowd are in fine voice as they help out on this one. As the cheers die down, we get the pacier ‘Just Fade Away’ another from 1981’s ‘Go For It.’ The crowd are a sea of fists and bouncing heads, whether willingly or being carried along by those around them. Its what live music is about, having fun and enjoying the moment.
‘Last Train From Wasteland’ from 2016 with its reggae/ska rhythm keeps the crowd guessing as to what is next up, this is another track that doesn’t usually feature in the set, having only previously, been played, a hand full of times. The crowd don’t seem to mind and embrace it enthusiastically. Keeping with the theme, albeit loosely, the Bunny Wailer ‘Roots, Radics, Rockers, Reggae’ follows on, this was recorded and released on the 1981 ‘Go For It’ album, the vocals are delivered in quick, rap fashion which adds to the edgier feel, as it thunders along.
A Fuzzed-up guitar riff, a thundering snare groove and pulsing bass line gives us the rocking ‘Empty Sky’ from 2003’s Guitar and Drum. This is another rare song and why I don’t know why, as its powerful and dynamic, smacking the heads in the crowd as they dance and bounce along. ‘Wasted Life’ gets the crowd singing. This anthem is from what is possibly one of the most important Punk albums of all time, yes the 1979 debut album ‘Inflammable Material’. 1994’s ‘Get A Life’ is up next with its haunting intro, the jangly guitar cuts through as Ian McCallum brings this marching number to life. There’s a familiarity to this fourth rarity, it’s got an Indie rock vibe akin to the Cult about it. ‘Strummerville’ from ‘Guitar and Drum’ continues the set with punchy vocals and guitar.
Blast beats come from Steve Greatly sat at the back, whilst Jake Burns dances around the microphone, his guitar hanging low as he riffs out. McCallum picks up the lick as he stands, stoney faced, over on stage right.
‘Nobodies Hero’ has the crowd bouncing once more, to be fair they have been light in their loafers all evening, only the height has differed. They’ve been waiting for ‘Tin Soldiers’ another from ‘Nobodies Heroes.’ The crowd are chanting along as the guitar intro riff builds, Greatley is slamming hard on the drums as Jake starts to sing, and as if a switch has been flipped the crowd are singing and jumping around too, the song seems to have set light to a fire beneath their feet as they try to nut the overhead lighting gantry. McCallum shares the vocal as the crowd count out loud this leads into the simple solo. It’s a great sight, middle aged men bouncing for all their worth, re-living their youth as this one ends with a riot of cheers and applause.
The set finishes with the third in succession from ‘Nobody’s Heroes,’ ‘Gotta Get Away’ with its almost stranglers sounding bass riff gets this one going. The guitars cutting through as this brings the set to a close albeit briefly as the last two songs of the night are greeted with as much enthusiasm as when the band first walked on the stage.
Doesn’t Make It Alright’ by the Specials is first up and another from ‘Nobody’s Heroes.’ The Ska rhythm propels this one along into the final song of the night and the one everyone has been waiting for. The bookend to ‘Suspect Device,’ the concussive ‘Alternative Ulster’ brings the house down. The potent guitar riff has the crowd hooked as they throw themselves around to this massive tune. The crowd are singing, they’d be drowning Jakes vocal if he wasn’t so loud, the whole place is throbbing as this mighty tune brings the night to a climactic end.
What a show, Stiff Little Fingers have once again underlined their importance in the British Punk scene. They have delivered a set of bangers that have kept the crowd on their toes all night, the inclusion of the four lesser played tracks was a genius move and proved that the crowd were real fans as they kept up with the singing. Whether Punk is your thing or not, you cannot deny that this band are still as massive as ever and living proof that Punk is not dead! With another 8 shows to go, this is a great night out, two Punk Icons playing out of their skins, go on, get out there and support live music! And have yourself a great time.
