Was there a better way to see out the end of 2023 than with the notorious ska legend Buster Bloodvessel’s band Bad Manners performing their pre-Christmas gig at our musical Mecca, Rock City?
Bad Manners are one of those bands that unless you followed their career - which I can't say I did, despite being a big fan of their contemporaries Madness and Specials - it's easy to forget how many big hits Buster and his crew had back in the early 80s. It was an era where they spent over 110 weeks on the UK single charts - in a time where you actually had to sell some units to even get a sniff of a chart position. Take the twisted dance classic 'Lorraine' for example, a love story performed tonight that contains the line "When I find her / I'm gonna kill her" over the top of an infectious groove, and it almost cracked the UK Top 20 in an era of huge bands like Duran Duran and Adam and the Ants. And that wasn't one of their biggest hits by any stretch.
Before Buster hits the Rock City stage, in Max Splodge - plus members of the Bad Manners band - we have a fun support act with some crowd pleasing punk and ska covers, culminating in his final cult hit 'Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps' which really sets the lively vibe for the headliners.
With an excited crowd fully warmed up, Buster Bloodvessel enters to affectionate cacophonous chants of “you fat b*****d”, responding with a rhythmic nod, tears in his eyes and a special wave of his infamously large tongue. This is a front man who understands what his audience wants - mischief, mayhem and infectious big tunes. Within seconds of the opening bars of ‘This is Ska’, the audience swells forward, dancing like they can’t hold back. And this really sets the tone for the rest of the gig where the fabulous audience was one of the real highlights. Bad Manners may be the band name but this certainly doesn’t describe the crowd, spanning all generations, who really know how to skank, hug, sing and enjoy being together.
While Buster is now the only original member of the band, the lively and talented lead guitarist Tom Massey, keyboardist David Edwards and the slick brass section add new and energetic soul to the group's sound. Likewise, the harmonica player David Turner - who replaced iconic member Winston Bazoomies who sadly passed away in 2022 - brought his own charisma (and superb sunglasses) to the set and stood out on tracks like 'What A Feeling' with it's 2Tone level mystery and uptempo vibes. Musically, the band are superb. At one point Buster tries to coordinate a synchronized leap during ‘Feel like Jumping’ - arguably unsuccessful! - but what the audience lacks in coordination, they more than make up for in enthusiasm - all under the command of a front man whose infectious showmanship and experience shines like a beacon even after forty years in the business.
One huge highlight is the cover of Frankie Valli’s ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ sounding incredible with the brass section really encouraging everyone to throw their arms around their companions, and the loved up vibe continues into their hit ‘My Girl Lollipop’, before the audience delights in the encores of huge hits 'Special Brew' and 'Lip Up Fatty'. The party atmosphere of the gig just builds and leaves us all with a real buzz - just the way that classic ska should.
So, Mr Bloodvessel and your new gang - long may you continue to do what you do best - “you fat b*****d!” This outstanding Rock City show has certainly gained you even more new fans.
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