{"id":2613,"date":"2017-03-20T15:48:54","date_gmt":"2017-03-20T15:48:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/?p=2613"},"modified":"2017-03-20T16:29:04","modified_gmt":"2017-03-20T16:29:04","slug":"guest-review-gizz-brum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/guest-review-gizz-brum\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest Review &#8211; Stranglers\/Ruts DC &#8211; Birmingham o2 180317"},"content":{"rendered":"<pre><em>Sugar Tongs aside, EiTC is yet to make it to the classic collection tour!!!\r\nBirmingham is always a blast but YT will have to wait...\r\nFortunately Gizzard was there and brings us this account of the evening...\r\n<\/em><\/pre>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/guest-review-stranglersruts-dc-birmingham-o2-180317\/o2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-2618\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-2618\" src=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/o2-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/o2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/o2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/o2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/o2.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>15 STEPS TO BIRMINGHAM<\/h2>\n<p>Here we are all again, March is upon us and it\u2019s the annual Stranglers tour of the UK, still no news of a new album(it\u2019s in the pipeline we hear\u2026?) The tour is called \u2018The Classic Collection\u2019, does this mean a new range of clothing or the \u2018greatest hits\u2019? We are promised \u2018new old\u2019 tracks in pre tour interviews so it looks promising and also a set change every night\u2026<\/p>\n<p>My interest in seeing the band live has waned over the last 3 or so years, they will always be my favourite band without question and in 158 gigs I have only come away really disappointed once(AITUK Birmingham 2005), from a personal point of view I think seeing them so many times has took the edge off, plus the same \u2018hits\u2019 and the lack of new material hasn\u2019t helped, so now each tour 2 or 3 gigs max instead of previously 7 or 8.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/guest-review-stranglersruts-dc-birmingham-o2-180317\/nas6\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-2617\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-2617\" src=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas6-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas6-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas6-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas6.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>I have never been one for not wanting to see the set list before I go to a gig, so after the first gig I want to know, I had seen what was being played and to be honest it didn\u2019t really \u2018excite\u2019 me, the only real standouts were \u2018Bear Cage\u2019 and \u201815 Steps\u2019 and that was because I had never seen them performed live. There were other songs I was pleased to see back but there were also a few that I have heard\/seen played to death but hey you can\u2019t please everyone\u2026..<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ledwOGRWiIo\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><br \/>\nSo I leave home around late afternoon in my new 17 plate Black automobile, plenty of CD\u2019s for the journey, starting with a live recording of Toronto 1980, hells fire it must have been good to see them then!<\/p>\n<p>And so to Birmingham, always liked seeing the band there as it\u2019s always a very healthy and appreciative crowd and this time was no exception, before the actual gig there was a fine meet up of black clad people old and new in the nearby Railway pub, always good to meet up with old faces and new.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/guest-review-stranglersruts-dc-birmingham-o2-180317\/nas3\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-2620\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-2620\" src=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas3-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas3-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas3.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>And onto the gig, wanted to get in early to check out the Ruts DC, have never seen them before but have their albums and have heard good reports so was keen to check them out, by the time they came on at around 7.45 there was a very healthy crowd and they didn\u2019t disappoint, the set was a mixture of old tracks and new ones from their very fine album \u2018Music Must Destroy\u2019, highlights for me being the title track and of course the oldies \u2018Jah War\u2019, Staring At The Rude Boys\u2019 and \u2018Babylons Burning\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>And so to the main event, the place was now rammed and it was very hot, the lights go down and the familiar WIB comes out of the PA and we are off, have to say the new stage set up of the bricks doesn\u2019t do anything for me, a plain black background with the white or red logo would suffice.<br \/>\nJJ looks in fine form(hope I look that good at 65), he actually seems to look younger each tour, the sound is spot on and the hits are rattled through, highlights were for me are \u2018Never To Look Back\u2019, \u2018Sometimes\u2019, \u2018WWTW\u2019 and of course \u2018Sewer\u2019, \u2018Bear cage\u2019 was very good but I thought it might be better vocal wise.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/guest-review-stranglersruts-dc-birmingham-o2-180317\/nas5\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-2622\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-2622\" src=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas5-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas5-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas5-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas5.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>Both Baz and Dave are on fine form but the keyboards in certain songs don\u2019t sound right, they sound very \u2018plonky(is that even a word..?) and he even partly misses singing one of the lines of \u2018Genetix\u2019.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7-eyMVv5Z-8\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><br \/>\nJim does a fine job on the drums but to me it doesn\u2019t look right without the mighty presence of JB and his drum kit, I know that is not going to change but that\u2019s my opinion and in no way takes away the fact that Jim does a very good job and is a fine drummer.<a href=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/guest-review-stranglersruts-dc-birmingham-o2-180317\/nas4\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-2621\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-2621\" src=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas4-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas4-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas4.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>On a personal note whilst I was looking forward to seeing the band again I was not as excited as I have been in previous years, as noted above live interest has slightly diminished, that said I really enjoyed the gig, the band are playing as tight as ever and the future however long that may be looks just good for them, although I want to hear new material, I may be in the minority here as the average Stranglers gig goers will only want to hear the old material but not me, it\u2019s been a long time since \u2018Giants\u2019 and a new album is well overdue, I would also like to hear some different \u2018older\u2019 tracks and more stuff post Hugh, this though has been and will continue to be debated for as long as the band continue and probably further.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/guest-review-stranglersruts-dc-birmingham-o2-180317\/nas6-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-2623\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-2623\" src=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas6-1-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas6-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas6-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nas6-1.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>To sum up another fine live performance in the company of good people, now FFS get that new material out!!<\/p>\n<p>Oh and roll on Bristol.<\/p>\n<p>Over&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Words: Gizzard.<\/p>\n<p>Images: Simon Kent.<\/p>\n<p>Videos: adperry0<\/p>\n<p>Bonus:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2615\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2615\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/guest-review-stranglersruts-dc-birmingham-o2-180317\/nas\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-2615\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2615\" src=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NaS-300x169.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NaS-300x169.gif 300w, https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NaS-768x432.gif 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2615\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Click for animation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ofI_04e2_Xw\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sugar Tongs aside, EiTC is yet to make it to the classic collection tour!!! Birmingham is always a blast but YT will have to wait&#8230; Fortunately Gizzard was there and brings us this account of the evening&#8230; 15 STEPS TO BIRMINGHAM Here we are all again, March is upon us and it\u2019s the annual Stranglers &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/guest-review-gizz-brum\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Guest Review &#8211; Stranglers\/Ruts DC &#8211; Birmingham o2 180317<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2616,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28,15,4,16,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2613","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2017-archive","category-guest-reviews","category-eitcs-views-and-reviews-on-music-and-maybe-life-in-general-from-time-to-time","category-its-the-ruts-dc-category","category-fansinblack"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2613","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2613"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2613\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2633,"href":"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2613\/revisions\/2633"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2613"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2613"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eitc.elvisintheclouds.co.uk\/eitc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2613"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}