![\"handa\"](\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/handa.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhat better place for a tribute to The Stranglers to play?<\/p>\n
The Hope and Anchor played an important part in the early career of The Stranglers. In November 1977 the live recording of \u2018Tits\u2019 From the White EP was recorded here at the session that would later be released as\u2019 Live at The Hope and Anchor\u2019. And then-landlord \u2018Fred Grainger\u2019 (who gave the band a much needed \u2018break\u2019) was name checked as \u2018Grainger man\u2019 in the song \u2018Bitching\u2019.<\/p>\n
For those neither old enough nor fortunate enough to have seen The Stranglers here during this period, this gig presented a perfect opportunity to hear the MK1 songs played live in this setting.<\/p>\n
A fair number of fansinblack filled out this little basement venue to be greeted by the band kicking off with a lively \u2018Burning Up Time\u2019. Treating us to a set packed with classics like: \u2018Toiler on The Sea\u2019, \u2018Goodbye Toulouse\u2019, \u2018Sometimes\u2019 and \u2018Princess of The Streets\u2019 to name a few. The band seemed tight and on form and there was a good banter with the crowd. And the sound\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2026The sound was fantastic and very \u2018very\u2019 authentic, from the Snarling vocal and biting guitar, to the swirling keyboard* via the growling bass and relentless pounding drums. If you had closed your eyes it could\u2019ve been 1977.<\/p>\n
The set was like a \u2018best of\u2019 compilation compiled by real fans. We were treated to \u2018The Raven\u2019, \u2018Who Wants The World\u2019, \u2018Go Buddy Go\u2019, \u2018London Lady\u2019 and many more. Some of the material in this set rarely gets played by the actual band these days, songs like \u2018Tramp\u2019 and the wonderful \u2018Peasant in The Big Shitty\u2019.<\/p>\n
The crowd responded in kind with energetic revelry and word perfect accompaniment, just as if they were actually seeing The Stranglers. At one point the band took a quick poll of the audience to see if they wanted \u2018Down in The Sewer\u2019 or \u2018Genetix\u2019 to be played\u2026 I requested both but \u2018Sewer\u2019 won the day and it did not disappoint!<\/p>\n
Before we knew it the band had left the stage. Then one enthusiastic crowd member got on the mic to stir up the crowds appreciation for what they had just witnessed. The crowd didn\u2019t need much encouragement here as they were cheering and howling for an encore.<\/p>\n
An encore was duly given; a rousing \u2018No More Heroes\u2019 followed by a brilliant \u2018Tank\u2019. Then it was all over and the fans slowly began to file out of the venue with big fat grins on their faces.<\/p>\n
Highly recommended!<\/p>\n
*The inclusion of a Hammond organ and other period keyboards gave a real authenticity to the sound \u2013 Stunning!<\/p>\n
Additionally the event was being filmed –\u00a0some of the videos\u00a0 from YouTube below:
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