Friday, 23 December, 1977 – Stretford Civic Centre, Trafford, England  

Psycho Mafia
Last Orders
Repetition
Dresden Dolls
Hey Fascist
Frightened
Industrial Estate
Stepping Out
Bingo Master’s Breakout
Oh Brother
Cop It
Futures And Pasts
Louie Louie

NOTES

47 minutes

Sound Board Recording

 

Official Release : Live 77

The only available full gig from 1977.

Research advises that there are no other gigs available from the first year – where approx 24 known dates were played. So all in all a bit of a “need to have”. Also notable as Tony Friels’ last gig with the band. Other unique matter being the appearance of Jon The Postman – Manc music scene icon of the time.

The set also includes the rare “Dresden Dolls” plus the first iteration of “Hey! Student” as “Hey! Fascist” and an early take on “Copped It”, listed as “Cop it”, which is not a million miles removed from the “TWAFWOTF” version.

Amazingly also the first hearing of “Oh Brother” the opening riff of which bares a passing resemblance to “Telephone Thing” and the keyboard part played by Una not un-similar to something Jamaican.

The other unique thing is Mark sharing lead vocal duties with Jon Ormrod on a completely manic and sloppy “Louie Louie” which features harmonica backing and a barking mad end session which is a unique listening experience.

Putting aside the irritating “needle hits red” vocal dynamics this is captivating stuff. Given what was going down at the time this is just as refreshing, shocking and frightening now as it must have been then. It makes the tired and tedious contrived show business semi-panto punk nonsense that was coming out of the capital at the time a flimsy disappointing memory of kohl and leather.