The Medusa Fora

While Smoz is recovering here are the first reviews of the epochal reunion..

"last night I went to London to see The Cute Lepers at the 100 club. It was amazing, about a week after I bought the tickets The Nipple Erectors; Shane Macgowans original band before the Pogues, were confirmed as one of the openers. Seeing as Shane has a tendency to not show up at gigs that aren't the Pogues, Spider Stacy, also from the Pogues, was there as back up in case he didn't turn up. Well, he did turn up and got to speak with Spider for about 5 minutes, apparently I look just like somebody he knows that he couldn't remember. The Nips were great and Shane sounded great also. "
The whole review by Fisherman

SHANE MACGOWAN & THE NIPPLE ERECTORS AT THE 100 CLUB
Vice
by JAMES SHERRY
"All the old punks were out in force last night at the rumoured reunion between Shane MacGowan and his first punk band The Nips (aka The Nipple Erectors). Although the gig was being headlined by Seattle punks the Cute Lepers (ex-Briefs) and cult punk icon and Damned protege Johnny Moped, the possibility of seeing the first generation Roxy punks reunited got everyone down the front early. And people could scarcely believe it when Shane suddenly appeared from the side of the stage, decked out in a top hat and clutching a bottle of Bulmers. He staggered up to the microphone, told the crowd to "Fuck off!" as the band fired-up and starting blasting through prime ’77 punk cuts like "Nervous Wreck" and "Gabrielle." The band had rehearsed, but not with Shane and although he forgot many of the words and looked bewildered in parts, he naturally fell into the role of his punk past, slurring and shouting the majority of the words he could remember. Although it was a one-off, never-to-be-repeated event, The Nips looked like they enjoyed themselves so much that I wouldn't be surprised if they start popping up at pensioner punk gigs near you soon, with or without Shane."
MORE (with pics!) >>>

I nearly didn't make the gig last night (still recovering from th* Legendary Shack Shakers gig at the Borderline the previous night), but decided to drag myself out in case rumours of a guest appearance from the Nips were true, glad I did.

Good show from the Nipple Erectors last night, they only played a brief set maybe 25 minutes. I missed the first couple of numbers (or rather heard them while I was queuing to get in), they opened with Vengeance. Shane was in good voice and seemed to be enjoying himself, if it is true that he hadn't rehearsed with the rest of the band I am impressed at the amount of lyrics he managed to remember (first show since 1980 I believe), however there were plenty of lyrics not remembered too. They were joined on stage towards the and for Gabrielle by a young woman who I assume was Shanne Bradley's daughter (both beauties).

I think I spotted a certain whistle player of this parish in the crowd wearing a natty waistcoat, I don't remember seeing any other Pogue related people there though.

Enjoyed Johnny Moped, first time I have seen then in about fifteen years, still put on a good show, they played for a bit longer maybe fifty minutes.

I had never heard of the headliners, the Cute Lepers, does anyone know anything about them? Lead singer looked like a cross between circa 1965 Rod Stewart and Roger Daltery from the same era, lead guitarist was sporting some ill advised facial hair. Their music was power pop/punk. I didn't stay for the whole of the Cute Lepers set but the first quarter of an hour seemed pretty good.

Blimey, it actually happened! I am breakfasting on my hat as I type.

Thanks for the report, Smoz. Great stuff.

Well it did happen, so you can stop speculating now!
We all had a lot of fun.
28 years since we last played together.
I loved every minute!

firehazard wrote:Blimey, it actually happened! I am breakfasting on my hat as I type.

Thanks for the report, Smoz. Great stuff.

Don't tell Philip, I think he is still looking for the hat he lost in the US.

Anyone know if this was a one off Nipple Erectors gig, or are there likely to be any more? Similarly low key gigs would be good, it made a change to see Shane in a 30 capacity venue.

CM (from shanemacgowan.com) kindly uploaded his video of "Gabrielle":
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mJcq3AP73tQ

Gab - Gab - Gab - Gab - REEEE ELLLLLLL

from left to right

Eucalypta (guesting) - Shanne - YouKnowWho - Eric Le Baton - Fritz

"Spider Stacy, also from the Pogues, was there as back up in case he didn't turn up," says Fisherman.

For god's sake, I was not there as "back up", I was there to see the Nips for the first time in the best part of 30 years. And they were fucking brilliant.

great stuff, Shaneo's oin toip foirm !

Smoz wrote:I think I spotted a certain whistle player of this parish in the crowd wearing a natty waistcoat, I don't remember seeing any other Pogue related people there though.

Mad Dog was there. Looking forward to his snaps.

yeah, oif oi recall well, Paul was very throilled aboiut attendoin' the goig, he annoiunced hes presence at hesspace

Some more pictures and a review:

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea ... 2019933440

Spider Stacy wrote:"Spider Stacy, also from the Pogues, was there as back up in case he didn't turn up," says Fisherman.

For god's sake, I was not there as "back up", I was there to see the Nips for the first time in the best part of 30 years. And they were fucking brilliant.

I was hoping you were going to point that out (it seemed churlish to speak on your behalf) - it made no sense whatsoever that they'd have you there as some sort of "first reserve", completely illogical.

Hope you enjoyed it and wish I'd fookin been there...

nboldock wrote:

Spider Stacy wrote:"Spider Stacy, also from the Pogues, was there as back up in case he didn't turn up," says Fisherman.

For god's sake, I was not there as "back up", I was there to see the Nips for the first time in the best part of 30 years. And they were fucking brilliant.

I was hoping you were going to point that out (it seemed churlish to speak on your behalf) - it made no sense whatsoever that they'd have you there as some sort of "first reserve", completely illogical.

Hope you enjoyed it and wish I'd fookin been there...

It was so good to see you there Spider. I really value your friendship and support. Thanks for being there

MadDog has uploaded a bunch of pics from the gig to his Myspace:
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.c ... Id=1744792
(As things are with Myspace, it is neccesary to have an account to be able to view the pics.)

And here are his reports:

"1977 Heaven , The Nipple Erectors , The 100 Club
The Hottest ticket in town last tueday was for the return of The Nips at one of the oldest punk venues , the 100 Club in Oxford St . I arrived early and the queue was already snaking down the street . As I got inside , the band were mid soundcheck , and although Shane was reading lyrics from scraps of paper , the band was sounding tight . After a short soundcheck I hooked up with Shane in the tiny dressing room and it was fantastic to see him looking so well . The Club filled up in no time and although the main bands were Johnny Moped and , The Cute Lepers , everybody knew they were there to see The Nips . Its been at least 25 years since they played together , but the band and thier music have aged well .. Surprisingly , they were first on , and kicked off about 8.30 .The band were looking a little nervous at first , but Shanes arrival on stage sent up a huge cheer , and the band relaxed and started belting out all the old classics ... they were tight as as a nuns arse , which I can tell you , is pretty tight .. Im So Pissed Off and Gabriel were particularly outstanding .. Shane forgot some of the lyrics at times , but Shanne gave him lots of prompts .. half way through the set they were joined by Shanne's daughter , Eucalypta on vocals .. The set lasted just over half an hour but it was pure magic .. Afterwards ... Shane , Spider , Victoria , myself and assorted friends headed off to Soho for a meal and a drink while the band made thier way to the 12 Bar Club in Denmark St .. We ended up in The Groucho Club till the wee small hours , where Madness frontman Chas Smash gave me some piano lessons ... ahaaa , 1977 Heaven .. catch all the pics of the evening in the pics section , thanks to Lydia for the photographs , and Fi for the editing and effects .... Love ..... MadDog"
(originally posted at MadDog's Myspace blog)