A Grand day out?

suss · In the Long Grass

A Grand day out?

noelindublin · Loudmouth

When the Rats were very popular and selling lots of records I don't think there was any major geographical divide in terms of where they sold records. Interestingly theY did tour a lot outside London in the early days, because London was swamped with new punk bands.The Lodestar near Blackburn was one of the Rats early haunts.

I like to think that fans put the music first and don't have the sort of regional or nationalistic prejudice or 'blindness' that football fans display as a badge of honour. Support only local bands?

Re Rats and Dublin and enduring popularity. Not much of that around. In fact I've generally found that the Rats have been too easily dismissed while all sorts of turgid rock acts over the years have been championed by the Irish music press. Most people who liked the band in Ireland will be the people who remember them while they were having hits, back in the day.Doubtless they did mean a lot to many Irish music fans, proving that an Irish band with some wit, flair and charisma could rise to the top of the British charts- but the Rats to a large degree came out of nowhere.For all his faults Bob Geldof was a once off and I cannot see any Irish band ever having the personality and snottiness of The Boomtown Rats, or the sheer force of personality Geldof had.

-- Edited by noelindublin on Wednesday 25th of April 2012 01:44:27 PM

jazziecat · Lookin' After Number 1

Surprised that Lancashire and Yorkshire have a big Rat fan base. Would of thought London or South East would attract more.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

-- Edited by noelindublin on Wednesday 25th of April 2012 02:03:07 PM

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

Yes, we want a gig in the South - Winchester or Southampton to be exact - somewhere within easy travelling distance, or next to a train station, not in the middle of the moors!!! Especially as my car just died in the middle of a very busy road during school rush hour - oh the embarrassment!!

suss · In the Long Grass

jazziecat wrote:
Surprised that Lancashire and Yorkshire have a big Rat fan base. Would of thought London or South East would attract more.

Interesting viewpoint. I'd agree more numbers likely around London area, but purely on basis the population is greater. I can't see any correlation or affinity between Rats and any one area of UK. If anything I'd expect most demand or enduring popularity in Dublin, but doesn't seem to be any evidence of that. Maybe we need to take a straw poll from the forum's 'where are you?' responses.

Guess we've covered this numerous times elsewhere but I still struggle with how some decidedly average bands (based on hits rather than my subjective views) manage to attract the numbers they do with reunion tours. Think we all know it's the Geldof factor in this case, but the Rats fall from favour seems to have been far greater than most. Maybe I'm in a minority in saying I'd go a few miles from home to see any 'name' band even if out of curiosity, especially at < £20 a ticket in most cases.

Anyway, would be great if there was some momentum for a Northern weekender. I might even consider hiring a minibus if there's overwhelming response...or a mini if there's not.

BTR · Tonight

Lisa wrote:
Yes, we want a gig in the South - Winchester or Southampton to be exact - somewhere within easy travelling distance, or next to a train station, not in the middle of the moors!!! Especially as my car just died in the middle of a very busy road during school rush hour - oh the embarrassment!!

Hi Lisa,

Tickets are not yet on sale but a gig is pencilled-in for Friday 21st of December at the O2 Academy Bournemouth.

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

Thanks BTR - will bear that one in mind, but it does just sometimes seem hard work to be able to get to a gig! I guess it depends on other commitments or whether you've got the money/flexibility or means to travel a long way. Also with children, added complication of offloading or bringing them. But I guess I haven't done too badly, have seen them 5 times in past couple of years.

As for the Grand day out, it certainly sounds good (any plans to become a travel agent, Suss?? You do a good sales pitch!), but not sure realistically if I could get there. Maybe I'll just have to put that live CD on my Xmas wish list ... (do I get a prize for being the first person to mention Christmas this year?)

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

Any chance of moving the Grand Day out to S Wales? Shall be going on my summer hols there that week - a luxury camping holiday no less. And I think travelling from there to Clitheroe works out even further than travelling from home!! Damn! Foiled again!

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Lisa wrote:
But I guess I haven't done too badly, have seen them 5 times in past couple of years.

I think 5 times is pretty impressive. Apart from Pulp, I struggle to think of any band I have seen more than 5 times. I have seen them twice since they re-formed and only twice pre-1985. I suppose if you throw in a Geldof gig, I just about match you over the last 35 years.

suss · In the Long Grass

suss wrote:
If it helps sway decision there's also a gig following night in Ripley, not too many miles away across Yorkshire border

Ripley now on sale via http://ripleylive.com/

I might ask for a freebie seeing as my photo (from Brean) is being used on the promo blankstare

Edited to add...and Grand tickets for 10th via http://www.thegrandvenue.co.uk/calendar/2012-08-10?mini=calendar%2F2012-08

Only £10!

-- Edited by suss on Tuesday 8th of May 2012 08:33:04 PM