Rats in London 17/11

suss · In the Long Grass

Rats in London 17/11

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

could be a big day out, arsenal due to play. spurs that afternoon, but obviously will change once sky make their minds up.

suss · In the Long Grass

Possible gig in Harlow the week before too - 10/11

BTR · Tonight

Tickets are now on sale for both gigs.

http://www.boomtownrats.co.uk/the-rats-on-tour.html

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Is the farm gig on sale yet? There are three or four I can make, have to check my diary.

August

Friday 10th The Grand, Clitheroe

Saturday 11th Ripley Town Hall

Sunday 26th Rhythm Festival, Biggleswade

September

Saturday 8th Edolphs Farm, Charlwood, Surrey (Plus From The Jam, The Blockheads, Animals, Spencer Davis Group, x-Simple Minds)

November

Saturday 10th The Square, Harlow, Essex (plus Eddie & The Hot Rods)

Saturday 17th Blackheath Halls, London (plus Eddie & The Hot Rods)

December

Friday 7th The Village/Whelans, Dublin

Saturday 15th Longfield Suite, Prestwich

Wednesday 19th The Sage Gateshead

Friday 21st O2 Academy, Bournemouth

Saturday 22nd G Live, Guildford, Surrey

Sunday 23rd O2 Academy, Bristol

-- Edited by ArrGee on Wednesday 25th of July 2012 06:50:02 PM

Ian D · House on Fire

Might go to the Harlow gig. They had a few go to their gig at the Playhouse in Harlow in 2009 so lets hope they go to this venue too.

suss · In the Long Grass

ArrGee wrote:
Is the farm gig on sale yet?

Farm gig no longer appearing on RAM for any of their bands. Not sure if that means off, or that it just needs to avoid any publicity until permission secured from local council.
Hope it does go ahead - nice local one for me with a number of great bands in the offing.

suss · In the Long Grass

Ian D wrote:
Might go to the Harlow gig. They had a few go to their gig at the Playhouse in Harlow in 2009 so lets hope they go to this venue too.

Just ordered a ticket so hopefully will meet Ian (and others?) there.

BTR, not a million miles for you this one is it? Chance of a meet up??

BTR · Tonight

I hope so Suss.

do the rat · The Elephant's Graveyard

Just bought 2 tickets for harlow,can anyone recomend a place to stay nearby ?.

suss · In the Long Grass

I've booked Travelodge half a mile away. Think it was £25 or so, on the non-refund saver rate.

suss · In the Long Grass

Prob nearer a mile having looked again, but at that room rate I'm happy to walk for 15 mins. Got parking there too.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
Ian D wrote:
Might go to the Harlow gig. They had a few go to their gig at the Playhouse in Harlow in 2009 so lets hope they go to this venue too.
Just ordered a ticket ...
Farm gig no longer appearing on RAM for any of their bands. Not sure if that means off, or that it just needs to avoid any publicity until permission secured from local council.
Hope it does go ahead - nice local one for me with a number of great bands in the offing.

Can't do Harlow as I have tickets for tennis, but will probably do Blackheath. Shame if the farm gig is off, that looked like the best outdoor gig this summer with From The Jam and Blockheads.

Ian D · House on Fire

I stayed at the Travelodge when they played Harlow a couple of years ago. Its a bit of a dive to be honest, but if its only for one night it might be ok.

do the rat · The Elephant's Graveyard

I havn`t booked yet but im looking at roydon mill lodge which is fairly near but costs 75 quid a night,but it has a hot tub.

suss · In the Long Grass

Having gone for the non-refund it looks like I'm stuck in the dive then cry , unless I want to pay a combined total of £100 just to get a posh bath.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
Having gone for the non-refund it looks like I'm stuck in the dive then , unless I want to pay a combined total of £100 just to get a posh bath.

It'll be ok, alternatively there is this charming place...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g190784-d483460-Reviews-The_Oasis_Hotel-Harlow_Essex_England.html

Worst hotel in Harlow! I've stayed in worse smile

A recent review...

Spent last night at this so called Hotel. Was booked in to an alleged "Luxury Room" but this was far from luxury. On arrival receptionist was sitting on doorstep having a cigarette surrounded by a pile of cigarette butts, wearing a vest top and tattooed arms. On first impressions, we should have just pulled away and tried to get in somewhere else or gone home. Having come from Ipswich for my niece's birthday didn't have much option but to check in. Having checked in she took us to our room up a maze of stairs with well worn carpets that were threadbare along the edge of the tread. Finally, reaching our room, we were met with a double bed shoved up in the corner with cushions and a runner laid on it. The "wardrobe" was a plank of wood nailed up to the wall, with two shelves of 4"wide x 10" long set one on the left at the bottom and one on the right a bit lower down and it had a chunk of wood coming out of the top with a stainless steel kitchen cupboard door handle fitted to it which was the hanging rail on which was three cheap plastic coat hangers and once we had hung up our coats this was full and right behind was a full length mirror which you couldn't use because our coats were blocking it out. So we virtually lived out of our holdall. There was a new hd t.v. on the wall opposite the bed and two small shelves with tea and coffee facilities and a kettle. The only window was a skylight set in the roof so had there been a fire, there was no way for us to get out of the room other than leaving through the door and probably walking straight into the fire so this hotel is a fire hazard. The bathroom was newly tiled although a false wall had been erected between the shower and the toilet leaving very little room whilst using the toilet. There was no table or chairs to sit on and no towel rail in the bathroom. We only had one towel each with which we had to use for drying our hands after using the toilet, showering and washing our hair. We was told by the receptionist that breakfast would be served in the Indian Restaurant, so we gave that a miss and went to the Toby Carvery instead. The bottom sheet on the bed was threadbare through which could be seen dried blood stains although the duvet cover and pillow slips were new. Thank the Lord this was for one night only and we quickly made an exit at 8.30am this morning. Pleaseeee do not book yourself into this hovel of a hotel, it is more like doss house.

do the rat · The Elephant's Graveyard

Have tried to book a decent hotel in harlow,but there isn`t one,its either too far away or is sold out.

So its the dire travelodge for us as well im afraid,

Oh well , we will hardly notice after ten pints !!

suss · In the Long Grass

do the rat wrote:
Have tried to book a decent hotel ......either too far away or sold out.

Sold out??? What on earth happens in Harlow mid November? Would like to think it's for the Rats but.....

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
do the rat wrote:
Have tried to book a decent hotel ......either too far away or sold out.
Sold out??? What on earth happens in Harlow mid November? Would like to think it's for the Rats but.....

Nothing ever happens in Harlow, hence lack of hotels. When I worked there, my company used to put people up in Stansted Abotts which was a few miles away. Haven't been to Harlow or many years, so it may be a bit more happening these days. If I remember rightly The Square is in the Town Centre, next to the YMCA. You could stay there and I'm sure you will find many ways to have a good time.

well except you're probably too old and it burnt down last year (closed since 2008), but I couldn't resist

suss · In the Long Grass

So who's up for Blackheath then? I think there's myself and ArrGee committed, JoanofArc promising, Jules, Noel and Do the Rat considering, and I'm guessing Wes is a strong contender.

Anyone else? Will source a suitable pub to meet beforhand if people are up for it? The more the merrier, in every sense.

RSVP if going and happy to do a forum meet.

Tickets are £20, and box office say it'll either be all standing or possibly a mix (venue is adaptable apparently). I'm assured it won't be a 'SIT DOWN in your (unreserved) seats!' occasion.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
So who's up for Blackheath then? I think there's myself and ArrGee committed, JoanofArc promising, Jules, Noel and Do the Rat considering, and I'm guessing Wes is a strong contender.
Anyone else? Will source a suitable pub to meet beforhand if people are up for it? The more the merrier, in every sense.

The Railway - between the station and the venue - get a free glass of Pimms if you join mailing list

http://www.therailwayblackheath.co.uk

suss · In the Long Grass

Works for me! Thanks

do the rat · The Elephant's Graveyard

Just booked tickets for blackheath,so i will be at the railway pub at any chosen time for a meet up.

suss · In the Long Grass

Ian D wrote:
Might go to the Harlow gig. They had a few go to their gig at the Playhouse in Harlow in 2009 so lets hope they go to this venue too.

Ian,

I'll be up there along with Do the Rat and Wes - would be good to put a face to name if you make it.

Do The Rat may well be in Rats shirt, fair chance I'll be in a Crystal Palace shirt (post Peterborough match), and Wes will most likely be in bar.

Hope to see you there.

Suss

suss · In the Long Grass

do the rat wrote:
Have tried to book a decent hotel in harlow,but there isn`t one,its either too far away or is sold out.
So its the dire travelodge for us as well im afraid,
Oh well , we will hardly notice after ten pints !!

Couple of Harlow pics, featuring Do The Rat on the way in his ten pint quest, Mrs Do The Rat, Wes and yours truly, together with a fairly blurred band shot, which is fine as that's my memory of the gig anyway. Bad influence those two....

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

Any additions to the set?

suss · In the Long Grass

No 'new' songs this time, but apparently they have rehearsed a couple of other numbers, which I suppose might see the light of day sometime.

Only real difference (wasn't in the people you meet before anyone chimes in) was Garry and Darren swapping sides on stage. No idea why or whether that's a permanent thing.

Same concensus at end though - i.e. better than many in crowd might have expected.

Only disappointment for me was Rats going on first, despite tickets and many posters suggesting they'd headline. Was largely to do with respective travel distances, but given that Eddie and Hot Rods do a good enough set to get fans 'in the mood' it was a shame Rats couldn't feed off that. Must have been one or two caught out by arriving after they started too.

Didn't meet Ian D sadly. Not sure if he was there.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
Only disappointment for me was Rats going on first, despite tickets and many posters suggesting they'd headline...

Will this be the same at Blackheath? I better get there earlier than planned.

suss · In the Long Grass

Not sure, but given that Harlow is more or less same distance as Blackheath from whence they came, and London accommodation not being renowned for VFM, must be a good chance they'll repeat the exercise. Still played full set, but might be worth being 'ready' for it by about 8.30 I suppose.

suss · In the Long Grass

Think "from whence" might be tautology

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
... but might be worth being 'ready' for it by about 8.30 I suppose.

Billed as starting at 8pm, so will make it for then. Not really a fan of The Rods, I only know one of their songs, so unless they kick ass I could be home in time for Match of the Day

I hope they start a lot later in Dublin. Doors there are 7.30pm, I'll be lucky to have made it to the city centre at that time.

suss · In the Long Grass

Still going for Railway first? Not sure what time I'll get there (pub). Depends if I go to Palace match or not. Likely to be driving anyway so gig will be a novel experience for me.

Rods were ok - I only knew Do Anything... and Quit this Town beforehand, but they cover a couple too, including Gloria. Worth sticking around for if that is the way it turns out.

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

suss wrote:
Think "from whence" might be tautology

That's a cake isn't it? Could there be a Blackheath torte - or am I thinking of a Black Forest Gateau??

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
Still going for Railway first? Not sure what time I'll get there (pub). Depends if I go to Palace match or not. Likely to be driving anyway so gig will be a novel experience for me.
Rods were ok - I only knew Do Anything... and Quit this Town beforehand, but they cover a couple too, including Gloria. Worth sticking around for if that is the way it turns out.

I planned to get to Railway at about 8pm, but looks like I'd be better off going to the venue. Not going to see Gunners in the fourth place play off. They'll only lose. I'm going to take the bus. Most straightforward way.

You know twice as many as me. I'm sure they save Do Anything You Wanna Do for the encore.

Wes[Wolverhampton] · House on Fire

They actually did 'do anything' quite early on.Another fairly famous Rods song is 'Life on the line'.They are very loud and energetic.
I'll be there mid afternoon i should imagine.Stopping at a family b&b about 5 minutes walk away.On my own for this one as Liz is away elsewhere.Guess i'll at least make the railway.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Jules wrote:
Any additions to the set?

Well, they had three on the set list as an encore at Blackheath...

... but they didn't play any.

Still in keeping with every Geldof/Rats gig I ever attend, there were at least three Rats there, with Pete Briquette turning up to spectate. Sadly he did not participate...

As for the gig, it was pretty good but a little sparse as far as the audience was concerned. A few enthusiasts at the front, a few sat at round tables like a wedding in the middle, a few lurking at the back and a few at the bar.

As usual, good to meet a few proper fans up at the front enjoying it, including Michaela who seems to have forgiven me for highlighting the photo from the Geldof gig

PS The three songs listed were (surprisingly) When The Night Comes, My Blues Away, and Doin' It Right.

-- Edited by ArrGee on Sunday 18th of November 2012 12:35:27 AM

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

Pity we couldn't make it. Bulk the numbers up a little. Was that the first Rats gig Mikki has been to?

They've done Doin' it Right before haven't they? Sure I've heard it at gigs. Or am I imaging it.

Why didn't Pete get up on stage!!!! He could have done one track.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Jules wrote:
They've done Doin' it Right before haven't they? Sure I've heard it at gigs. Or am I imaging it.

They cover She Does It Right. Never done Doin' It Right to my knowledge

set was

Mary of the Fourth Form
Close As You'll Ever Be
Neon Heart
Joey's On The Street Again
Someone's Looking at You
Diamond Smiles
Looking After Number One
I Can Make It If You Can (crossed out - Not played)
Like Clockwork
She Does It Right
Riot in Cell Block #9
------------------ (another crossed out, maybe She's Gonna Do You In, can't tell from my photo)
Rat Trap
She's So Modern
I Don't Like Mondays
When The Night Comes (not played)
My Blues Away (not played)
Doin' It Right (not played)

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

The Rats set was a couple of songs shorter than the last couple of times (100 Club + Whyteleafe), and I think Diamond Smiles is not a patch on She's Gonna Do You In, I Can Make It If You Can and All Through The City which have been dropped. Still always handy to have Diamond Smiles in the middle of the set to get a beer.

Mark L · Loudmouth

As a song, I like Diamond Smiles - clever lyrics, good build, banal party like fade which underscores the superficial nature of the debutante's partying ways in stark contrast to the serious nature of her death. Geldof performs it well I feel with feeling and emotion, but as writer, maybe this is to be expected and others can't do it the same justice.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
suss wrote:
Perversely both got played at Harlow with rest of set....
I want a refund! Short changed!
suss wrote:
appreciate every gig is new to most so they need to play the 'safe' numbers in the main.
I always see the same people every time
The live renditions of Diamond Smiles are puzzling. It was a flop single in comparison to what came before and after. Geldof doesn't rate the song, but plays it a lot. And after it mercifully being missing from the early sets, it seems to be a fixture now. It's alright, but there are far better from that era. Even the b-side, Late Last Night. If they were playing it safe they'd play Eva Braun, Howard Hughes and another two or three off A Tonic for the Troops which is quite possibly the album pretty much every one who ever bought a Rats record has.

I think you are the exception amongst us who is not too keen on this song, ArrGee, which is fair enough, but a minority view. Re 'A flop single in comparison to what came before and after' that is arguable. It got to number 13 in the Uk but due to the famous technicians strike at TOTP the band did not appear live, which I suspect went against it getting a few places higher, if not indeed all the way to number one, with a good, memorable performance. The band was on a wave after Mondays success, and like most fast moving trains the only way seemed forward.

The first three singles were more or less as successful as Diamond Smiles so there was no great improvement or (disimprovement if that's a proper word) in the chart positions.Plain factually lots of the other singles did less well- House On Fire, Elephant's Graveyard, Never In A Million Years, Charmed Lives, Dave, Drag Me Down, Tonight.

I doubt Geldof would play the song if he didn't like it. To be fair to him he tends to do his own thing, and doesn't pander to his audience too much. I suspect he is thinking of Paula when he sings ' she did it with grace , she did it with style, she did it alll before she died... and the song has a lot of personal significance for him. Most likely the lyrics have become more meaningful to him since the death of his ex wife. I'm just speculating.

Liking or not liking a song doesn't make one right or wrong. It's all a matter of musical taste- so there is no real 'solution'- just peoples opinions and gut feelings. There are lots of great Rats tracks I'd like to hear the band play, but I guess the hits and a few of the standout album tracks are as much as well get. Remember there is always the extensive back catalogue of live recordings if one wants to indulge in the 'real thing'.

By the way the best years for singles was 1978/79 according to an item on Radio 5 Live celebrating 60 years of the British singles charts. Certainly anyone having top twenty hits was 'shifting units' back then.

Do they have passionate debates like this on Facebook or Twitter regarding the Rats and Geldof?

-- Edited by noelindublin on Monday 19th of November 2012 05:21:53 PM

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

noelindublin wrote:
I think you are the exception amongst us who is not too keen on this song, ArrGee, which is fair enough, but a minority view. Re 'A flop single in comparison to what came before and after' that is arguable. It got to number 13 in the Uk but due to the famous technicians strike at TOTP the band did not appear live....
It didn't affect the dozen songs above it.

noelindublin wrote:
The first three singles were more or less as successful as Diamond Smiles so there was no great improvement or (disimprovement if that's a proper word) in the chart positions.
This was off the back of two smash hit number ones. Had any of the first 4 singles followed they'd all have made top 3 at least.

noelindublin wrote:
I doubt Geldof would play the song if he didn't like it. To be fair to him he tends to do his own thing, and doesn't pander to his audience too much.
That's why he doesn't have much of an audience. A bit more pandering and he'd sell more tickets.
noelindublin wrote:
Do they have passionate debates like this on Facebook or Twitter regarding the Rats and Geldof?
No, I think it's just all about sexual fantasies. #bobsexonlegs

-- Edited by ArrGee on Monday 19th of November 2012 08:11:17 PM

suss · In the Long Grass

ArrGee wrote:
The Rats set was a couple of songs shorter than the last couple of times (100 Club + Whyteleafe), and I think Diamond Smiles is not a patch on She's Gonna Do You In, I Can Make It If You Can and All Through The City which have been dropped. Still always handy to have Diamond Smiles in the middle of the set to get a beer.

Do You In was the song not clear on ArrGee's pic which dropped in the middle, along with I Can Make it as mentioned. Perversely both got played at Harlow with rest of set even though Rats went on first there. I agree with Mark re: Diamond Smiles; it's good enough to warrant a slot in own right and if I was going along cold I suppose I'd want singles over album tracks no matter how good latter is. That said - Do You In at the right point in set can get people moving a bit more than DS smile .

I'm guessing the 3 at end might be subject of rehearsal (?) but can't see them being encore material. Will be interesting to see if set ever extends, or other songs are dropped. Ideal for me would be variety from a repertoire, but appreciate every gig is new to most so they need to play the 'safe' numbers in the main.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
Perversely both got played at Harlow with rest of set....

I want a refund! Short changed!

suss wrote:
appreciate every gig is new to most so they need to play the 'safe' numbers in the main.

I always see the same people every time

The live renditions of Diamond Smiles are puzzling. It was a flop single in comparison to what came before and after. Geldof doesn't rate the song, but plays it a lot. And after it mercifully being missing from the early sets, it seems to be a fixture now. It's alright, but there are far better from that era. Even the b-side, Late Last Night. If they were playing it safe they'd play Eva Braun, Howard Hughes and another two or three off A Tonic for the Troops which is quite possibly the album pretty much every one who ever bought a Rats record has.

Bo Rat · Lookin' After Number 1

ArrGee wrote:

noelindublin wrote:
Do they have passionate debates like this on Facebook or Twitter regarding the Rats and Geldof?
No, I think it's just all about sexual fantasies. #bobsexonlegs

#sexytime

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Cool - a review, I was stood next to her. And a fan of Slade and Sweet to boot...

http://ladystarduzt.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/the-boomtown-rats-with-eddie-and-the-hotrods-blackheath-halls-nov-2012/

Mark L · Loudmouth

Re Diamond Smiles, the Rats were due for a TOTP outing on the day of the strike and only a very small handful of the 12 songs above it would have been eligible for an appearance that week. It would have gone top 10 I feel, but it is not as good as Someone's looking at you. There was a strike on the 4th week of Mondays being at the top and the same argument applies; they may arguably have had 5 weeks at the top if the video had been shown in its 4th week at number one. It certainly stayed at 2 for 2 weeks on the way down which points that way.

Songs just sometimes catch different people in different ways even where you would think otherwise in a narrow-interest format like this. When we were ranking the singles some time ago, it seemed odd to me that so many could rate A Hold of Me with 10 out of 10, with Lisa and me slipping into the minority that time, with the song way down our popularity list. That said, Charmed Lives does seem to be almost universally unpopular!

noelindublin · Loudmouth

Bo Rat wrote:
ArrGee wrote:

noelindublin wrote:
Do they have passionate debates like this on Facebook or Twitter regarding the Rats and Geldof?
No, I think it's just all about sexual fantasies. #bobsexonlegs

#sexytime

So easy to stray off the path nowadays. The devil is tempting me to type those words ......

Derek The Dane · V Deep

If you guys can give me a 6 month warning I would love to come to a Rats gig in London.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Derek The Dane wrote:
If you guys can give me a 6 month warning I would love to come to a Rats gig in London.

Five months ain't enough! Suss posted this in June. Still I can understand why you didn't want to come considering events earlier that afternoon