Fri 15 Mar – The Stranglers, The Godfathers, Goldblade

The gig: i really liked The Godfathers. Had not seen them since the Schwung festival in Belgium in may 2000 which was coincidentally Baz Warne's first official performance with the strangs btw.
They play a tight rocking set of melodic punkrock that worked for me, especially Cause I Said So, Birth School Work Death, Back into the Future and the old Sid Presley Experience song (their old bandname) where I forgot the title of.

Our band. Well. What can I say. Definitely the best gig in the Mk4 line up I've…

Thu 26 Apr – The Stranglers

A great gig yesterday. Good to see many regulars from the UK in the Netherlands for a change!

Mr Marlin was a bore as per usual but the Stranglers were on good form. The crowd really loosened up after the ballad part (the return of Always the Sun in this makes it too long and I'm a bit bored with it). Also Lost Control - one of the worst tracks on Norfolk Coast imho - I suppose the band enjoys playing it but its not that good honestly…

Overall a bit more balanced setlist…

I love making lists. The annual top 10 in albums of course, but I’d like to expand a little and just do a yearly overview of the year’s highlights. Taking into account that some 2011 albums haven’t been bought yet (the Fall, Still Corners) and that due to very happy circumstances I won’t be able to do many gigs the coming years I still look at 2011 as a fruitful year.
A trend from recent years that has not stopped is my growing love for old stuff and a declining interest in new stuff. I don’t listen to music at…

Sun 6 Mar – The Stranglers, Wilko Johnson

The HMV Playhouse is a real old fashioned venue, like a theatre from the 1920s or something, serving Red Stripe at the bar. All good so far!
When I enter support act Wilko Johnson is just starting his set. Of course his work with Dr. Feelgood is familiar stuff that I always liked for it’s energy and no frills rock ‘n roll attitude. And the man still delivers. Great songs, a bit of rock ‘n roll mixed with ska rhythms and a superb bassist who looks like he’s related to my childhood…

1 Best Coast – Crazy for You (album) & Sun was High( So was I) (single)

Popmusic with a capital P. Pure, melancholic, basic, fuzzy and catchy. The Californian threesome led by Bethany Cosentino really touch me, especially in Summer Mood and Sun was High, with their melodies that make ones mind drift away to a late august afternoon, driving along, really going nowhere…



2 Dum Dum Girls – I Will Be (album)

On Burgundy Red vinyl Dee Dee and her gang continue the fuzzy pop sound I love so dearly. I managed to miss all 3 (or 4?) gigs…

Sat 14 Nov – Agua de Annique, Polarskin

A lovely gig with a stunning Anneke singing in top form, Annelies adding very well to the sound (het backing vocals are heavenly), the boys wearing my favourite shirt-style ! Flying the flannel (c Mike Watt).

Highlights : Wonder and her verson of Editors hit Papillon. Also an intense Witnesses and , oh everything was great.

Too bad some loudmouths had to spoil Annekes fun stories. Amsterdam arrogance i suppose…

Sat 15 Aug – Pinkpop Classic

Yes, the weather was lovely for this. It was great to be there just for the sun in the grass.
Still there was some music too.
We missed opening act Janse Bagge but were not too sorry about that.

Claw Boys Claw - still deliver their raunchy rock n roll with lots of enthusiasm and power, hits like Rosie and Locomotive Breath sounded great, singer Peter namechecks the Stranglers as the band he really wants to see

The Stranglers - of course a greatest hits set with the emphasis on the early years. Still…

Thu 12 Feb – SPECIAL SHOW @ Melkweg - Amsterdam

review and mobile pics on my myspace!

Tue 6 Jan – The Stranglers (UK) + support

check my myspace.com/vonx1 for review and pics