On this day 26 October 1977 "Stiffs Greatest Stiffs Live Tour"

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On this day, 26 October 1977, "Stiffs Greatest Stiffs Live Tour," a package showcasing the best of Stiff Records played Cardiff’s Top Rank.

Describe in the NME Pre-tour, “a Stiff Records package tour, plays two dozen major dates around the country starting early next month. It's going out under the banner of "Stiffs Greatest Stiffs Live Tour," and the full line-up at all gigs is:

Elvis Costello, who will be appearing with the Attractions.

Ian Dury, on stage for the first time since leaving the Kilburns and performing with his new band which comprises Davey Payne (sax), Norman Watt-Roy (bass), Charley Charles (drums) and Chaz Jankel (guitar).

Nick Lowe, on the road for the first time as a soloist after finishing work as producer of the Feelgoods' new album Be Seeing You. He expects to be using a seven-piece backing band, including two drummers.

Wreckless Eric, who will be supported by Denise Roudette (bass), Ian Dury, (drums) and Davey Payne (sax).

Larry Wallis, ex-Pink Fairies and Motorhead, who is currently working on a solo album with the Hot Rods' rhythm section — though they won't be accompanying him on the tour.

The five acts will each play a 20-minute set in rotating order. The opening night at High Wycombe is been recorded and, thanks to a rush operation, the resulting live album will be available at all gigs from Bath onwards (October 7), priced £1.99.

On this day 25/10/1974 Steeleye Span

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On this day, 25 October 1974, British folk/rock band Steeleye Span played Cardiff’s Capitol Theatre. Support was provided Cajun Moon.

The band had just released their 8th album, All Around My Hat. it was the Album (and single) that made the band a Household name.

The first album produced by Mike Batt who took the band in a 'Folk Pop' direction and into the top ten of the album and singles charts.

It was well promoted and entered charts on 1st Nov and reaching No.7 and stayed in the top 20 for 11 weeks. It sold over 250,000 copies while in the charts.

It was a triumphant mix of folk and pop sensibilities that has never before or since successfully been achieved by any other band.

Band member Nigel Pegrum indicated in an interview that going in a more 'pop' direction was a reaction to the Commoners Crown not doing as well as Now We Are 6.

SETLIST

Sum Waves/Royal Forester, Black Jack Davy, Bachelor's Hall, Two Magicians, Long Lankin, Spotted Cow (Reggae), I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles, All Around My Hat, Wife Of Ushers Well, Dance With Me, Hard Times Of Old England, Reels: Black Joke/Sligo Maid, Encore: You Won't See Me, Mason's Apron, When Will I Be Loved

On this day 24/10/1978 Squeeze/Dr Feelgood

On this day. 24 October 1978, rock band Squeeze played Cardiff’s Top Rank supporting rock band

Dr Feelgood.

Hailing from Canvey Island, Essex, Dr Feelgood are best known for early singles such as "She Does It Right", "Roxette", "Back in the Night" and "Milk and Alcohol", whilst Squeeze had just released their first EP and their self-titled debut album (March 1978) the album was the source of two singles ("Take Me I'm Yours" and "Bang Bang") produced by the band themselves.

Guitarist Wilko Johnson left the group because of conflicts with Lee Brilleaux the previous year. He was replaced by John 'Gypie' Mayo.

With Mayo, the band was never as popular as with Johnson but still enjoyed their only Top Ten hit single in 1979, with "Milk and Alcohol".

On this day 23/10/1977 The Stranglers

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On this day 23- October 1977, New wave/Punk band The Stranglers played Cardiff’s Top Rank with support from American punk band The Dictators on the band’s No More Heroes tour.

The band had just released their second album No More Heroes. five months after their debut album, Rattus Norvegicus. The album peaked at no 2 in the UK album charts.

Formed as the Guildford Stranglers in Guildford, Surrey, in early 1974, they originally built a following within the mid-1970s pub rock scene.

While their aggressive, no-compromise attitude had them identified by the media with the emerging UK punk rock scene that followed, their idiosyncratic approach rarely followed any single musical genre, and the group went on to explore a variety of musical styles, from new wave, art rock and gothic rock through the sophisti-pop of some of their 1980s output.

Setlist

No More Heroes

Ugly

Bring On the Nubiles

Sometimes

Dagenham Dave

Dead Ringer

Hanging Around

5 Minutes

Something Better Change

I Feel Like a Wog

Straighten Out

Burning Up Time

London Lady

Peaches

(Get a) Grip (on Yourself)

On this day 22/10/1971 Uriah Heep

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On this day, 22 October 1971, rock band Uriah Heep played Cardiff University on their Look At Yourself tour.

The band had just released their third album Look At Yourself, the last Uriah Heep album to feature founding member and bassist Paul Newton.

Characterized as heavy metal and progressive rock, the album came to be viewed as a high point in the band's career and is regarded by many fans and critics as one of Uriah Heep's finest albums, along with Demons and Wizards, released the following year.

The title track and "July Morning" were released as singles in the UK and North America in 1971 and 1973, respectively.

The original cover art on the LP featured a single sleeve with a die-cut opening on the front through which a reflective foil "mirror" was seen, conveying a distorted image of the person viewing it. The idea, by guitarist Mick Box, was for the cover to directly reflect the album title, and this theme is carried through the band photos on the rear of the LP sleeve, which have also been distorted. The LP itself was housed in a heavy-duty inner card, complete with lyrics.

On this day 21/10/1979 The Undertones

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On this day, 21 October 1979, Punk rock/New Wave band The Undertones played Cardiff’s Top Rank with support provided by Tenpole Tudor.

Formed in Derry, Northern Ireland in 1974. From 1975 to 1983, the Undertones consisted of Feargal Sharkey (vocals), John O'Neill (rhythm guitar, vocals), Damian O'Neill (lead guitar, vocals), Michael Bradley (bass, vocals) and Billy Doherty (drums).

Despite the backdrop of the Troubles in Derry and across Northern Ireland, the vast majority (though not all) of the material the Undertones released focused not upon the political climate, but upon issues such as adolescence, teenage angst and heartbreak.

In January 1979, the Undertones recorded their eponymous debut album at Eden Studios in Acton, West London, using producer Roger Bechirian, whom the band had worked with for the first time the previous December, when Bechirian had produced the band's second single, "Get Over You".

Three further punk singles "Jimmy Jimmy", "Here Comes the Summer" and "You've Got My Number (Why Don't You Use It?)" were released between April and October 1979, each to critical acclaim.

On this day 20/10/1976 Deaf School

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On this day, 20 October 1976, art rock band Deaf School played Cardiff University.

Deaf School's debut album, 2nd Honeymoon, was released in the UK in August 1976. Its reception at the time was muted by the sudden popularity of punk rock, a style whose anger and urgency seemed at odds with Deaf School's more whimsical and eclectic approach.

Formed by students and staff at Liverpool Art College,[1] Deaf School was named after its rehearsal venue, a former school for the deaf that had become a college annexe. Their initial aim was to play the college's 1973 Christmas dance.

The group's lead male vocalist, Enrico Cadillac Jnr recalls that "Anyone who wanted to be in it could be. There were about 13 on stage at that time. No one could play – it was based on people we thought were interesting . . we entered (and) . . won the Melody Maker rock and folk contest and were suddenly a big deal.

We signed to Warners because their A&R guy, Derek Taylor, had been The Beatles publicist and when he saw us rehearsing in Mathew Street, he cried his eyes out".

Deaf School have been recognized as an important influence on many British musicians. According to Frankie Goes to Hollywood singer Holly Johnson: "They revived Liverpool music for a generation."[2] The journalist, author and founder of Mojo, Paul Du Noyer, went further: "In the whole history of Liverpool music two bands matter most, one is The Beatles and the other is Deaf School."

Nearly all the group's members went on to enjoy successful careers, notably guitarist Clive Langer, who produced Madness and Dexys Midnight Runners, two non-Liverpool acts which cite Deaf School as an influence. Langer also co-wrote (with Elvis Costello) the song "Shipbuilding".

On this day 18/10/1977 Siouxsie and the Banshees

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On this day, 18 October 1977, punk rockers Siouxsie and the Banshees played Cardiff’s Top Rank

Formed in London in 1976 by vocalist Siouxsie Sioux and bass guitarist Steven Severin. They have been widely influential, both over their contemporaries and with later acts.

Q magazine included John McKay's guitar playing on "Hong Kong Garden" in their list of "100 Greatest Guitar Tracks Ever", while Mojo rated guitarist John McGeoch in their list of "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" for his work on "Spellbound".

The Times cited the group as "one of the most audacious and uncompromising musical adventurers of the post-punk era".

Initially associated with the punk scene, the band rapidly evolved to create "a form of post-punk discord full of daring rhythmic and sonic experimentation".

Their debut album The Scream was released in 1978 to widespread critical acclaim.

SETLIST

Make Up to Break Up

Scrapheap

20th Century Boy

(T. Rex cover)

Carcass

Psychic

Bad Shape

Love in a Void

The Lord's Prayer

Encore:

Captain Scarlet