Bang-A-Gong 1970-1977 Special 14th December 2024

Well, I'll spare you the horrors I had to go through when arriving at the venue at 7pm, where we only just managed to get the night ready in time. Needless to say, most of you noted, we had to change rooms at the last minute, but I know some of you prefer the Basement 1 anyway!

Regardless of the chaos and the cold, and like the previous Ghostbusters event, support was still very low, but to be honest, the room was filled with friends, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the night, catching up with old friends, plenty of dancing, and guests thanking me for such a wide selection of the genre. Plus it was also my birthday celebration so who could want for more. I did note back on my 50th never to celebrate again in public, but this was more coincidence than planned, so thought it best to run with it.

So again, thank you all so much that attended my last night of the year - your support means so much to me. I wish you all a very happy Christmas and blessed new year 🎅.

I'm due back on the 32nd day of the Gregorian calendar, or 1st February to you, hosting another 'Kick Up The 80s' style night entitled "The Dark 80s" as it currently reads more like an old 80s goth night!! 

 

Kraftwerk - Autobahn 

Genesis - I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)

Thin Lizzy - Dancing In The Moonlight (It's Caught Me In Its Spotlight)

Aerosmith - Walk This Way

Wings - Silly Love Songs

Average White Band - Pick Up The Pieces

The Jam - In The City

Fox - S-S-S-Single Bed

Typically Tropical - Barbados 

Andrew Gold - Lonely Boy

A Taste Of Honey - Boogie Oogie Oogie

Dawn - Knock Three Times

Space - Magic Fly

Van McCoy - The Shuffle

Gary Glitter - Rock And Roll (Part 1)

Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up

Sylvester - You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

Queen - You're My Best Friend

Eruption - One Way Ticket

The Stranglers - Peaches

George McCrae - Rock Your Baby

Tavares - More Than A Woman

Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting

Eddie & The Hotrods - Do Anything You Wanna Do

ABBA - Money, Money, Money

Bacarra - Yes Sir, I Can Boogie

Bill Withers - Lovely Day

Wizzard - See My Baby Jive

Pattie LaBelle - Lady Marmalade

Dave Edmunds - I Hear You Knocking

Dave & Ansel Collins - Double Barrel

Heatwave - Boogie Nights

Free - All Right Now (Edit)

The Who - Who Are You (Single Edit)

T. Rex - Hot Love

David Bowie - Starman

Ram Jam - Black Betty

Deep Purple - Black Night

Status Quo - Caroline

The Sweet - Fox On The Run

David Essex - Gonna Make You A Star

David Dundas - Jeans On

Bee Gees - Jive Talkin'

The Osmands - Crazy Horses ®

Roxy Music - Virginia Plain

The O'Jays - Love Train

The Damned - New Rose

Alice Cooper - Schools Out

Bay City Rollers - Shang-A-Lang

KC & The Sunshine Band - That's The Way (I Like It)

Althea & Donna - Uptown Top Ranking

Canned Heat - Let's Work Together

Elvis Presley - Way Down

Suzi Quatro - Can The Can

Showaddywaddy - Dancin' Party

The Faces - Stay With Me

Mud - Tiger Feet

The Tramps - Disco Inferno

Alvin Stardust - My Coo Ca Choo

Darts - Come Back My Love

Chicory Tip - Son of My Father

Cockney Rebel - Make Me Smile (Come Up & See Me)

Billy Ocean - Love Really Hurts Without You

The Rolling Stones - Brown Sugar

Arrows - I Love Rock N Roll

Barry White - You're The First, The Last, My Everything

Stealers Wheel - Stuck In The Middle With You

The Jacksons - Show Me The Way To Go

Jonathon Richman - Roadrunner Once

Elton John - Saturday Nights Alright for Fighting

War - Low Rider

Stevie Wonder - Superstition

Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Grows)

T. Rex - Get It On

David Bowie - The Jean Genie

Slade - Mama, Weer All Crazee Now

Sparks - This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us

Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way

The Rubettes - Sugar Baby Love

Sailor - A Glass Of Champagne

Rod Stewart - Maggie May

Mike Oldfield - In Dulci Jubilo

Ghostbusters 1984 Special 30.11.2024

OK, first off, a very big thank you to all that made the effort to help support the night. As we all know, Luton town centre is very much a dead loss these days, so running these nights is very much a gamble, but the show must go on. Regardless, I counted people from Southampton, St. Neots, Waltham Cross, Dunstable, Silsoe and of course, Luton, even if the night was unusually quiet in itself. Still, 7.30pm kicked of my extra added mini-goth set to a very pretty room. Btw, lessons learn on the night - no more balloons. I had intended to buy more for the pending 70s night, but afraid we might instil a few heart seizures, and with the defibrillator upstairs and outside, best not to chance it, especailly as I'm looking for an older audience!!

As per usual, didnt get a chance to play everything I wanted, although I still draw the line at repeating songs because people have missed them due to deciding to pop to another venue. Snooze, you lose as they say! 

After all the time spent fliering, and visiting other venues and gigs, worf of mouth is still the best method of advertising, so please make sure you tell your friends about the pending nights, as after all, we put these nights on for you. I had some very lovely comments from people on the night and the day after, and I appreciate the effort people make, and I although Decembers night is only my third at the venue, I certainly hope to go out with a bang for my 'Bang-A-Gong 1970-77 Special' so please help and spread the good word.

Intro:-

Xmal Deutschland - Reigen

Cabaret Voltaire - Sensoria (edit)

The Fall - C.R.E.E.P.

Alien Sex Fiend - Dead And Buried

Danse Society - Heaven Is Waiting

Skeletal Family - So Sure

New Model Army - The Price

The Sisters Of Mercy - Body And Soul

Main Set:-

Ghostbusters Theme

Miami Sound Machine - Dr. Beat

Corey Hart - I Wear My Sunglasses At Night

Level 42 - Hot Love

Rod Stewart - Infatuation

The Police - King Of Pain

Visage - Love Glove

John Waite - Missing You

Madness - One Better Day

Cocteau Twins - Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops (7")

Siouxsie & The Banshees - Swimming Horses

The Redskins - Keep On Keepin' On

Bruce Springsteen - Cover Me

Talk Talk - Such A Shame (edit)

Rufus & Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody

Propaganda - Dr. Mabuse

Public Image Limited - Bad Life

New Order - Thieves Like Us

Killing Joke - Eighties

The Cult - Spiritwalker

Lloyd Cole & The Commotions - Perfect Skin

Echo & The Bunnymen - The Killing Moon

The Stranglers - Skin Deep

Julian Lennon - Too Late For Goodbyes

Human League - Life On Your Own

Sade - Smooth Operator

Prince - When Doves Cry

Sandie Shaw - Hand In Glove

Evelyn Thomas - High Energy

Gary Numan - My Dying Machine

Soft Cell - Down In The Subway

The Alarm - Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke

The Flowerpot Men - Jo's So Mean ®

Pat Benetar - We Belong

Billy Ocean - Caribbean Queen

Bananrama - Robert De Niro's Waiting

Big Country - Wonderland

Philip Oakey & Georgio Moroder - Together In Electric Dreams

Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy

Laura Branigan - Self Control

UB40 - If It Happens Again

Hazel Dean - Searchin' (I Gotta Find A Man)

The Bluebells - Young At Heart

The Eurythmics - Sex Crime (1984)

Howard Jones - Like to Get To Know You Well

Blancmange - Don't Tell Me

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Tesla Girls

Chuka Kahn - I Feel For You

Deniece Williams - Let's Hear It For The Boy

Scritti Politti - Absolute

The Cure - Caterpillar

Queen - I Want To Break Free

The Pointer Sisters - Jump (For My love)

Alphaville - Big In Japan

Adam Ant - Apollo 9

Twisted Sister - We're Not Gonna Take It

The Special AKA - Free Nelson Mandella

David Bowie - Blue Jean

Kirsty MacColl - A New England

Madonna - Like A Virgin

Spandau Ballet - Highly Strung

The Cult - Resurrection Joe

Wham! - Wake Me Up Before You Go Go

Alison Moyet - Love Resurrection

Ultravox - Dancing With Tears In My Eyes

Depeche Mode - Blasphemous Rumours

Thompson Twins - Doctor Doctor

Duran Duran - The Wild Boys

Ray Parker Jnr - Ghostbusters

Bon Jovi - Runaway

Nik Kershaw - The Riddle

Tears For Fears - Shout

Dead Or Alive - You Spin Me Round

Kenny Loggins - Footloose

Billy Idol - Rebel Yell

The Style Council - Shout To The Top

The Smiths - What Difference Does It Make

Frankie Goes To Holywood - Two Tribes

Captain Sensible - Glad It's All Over

The Mr. And Mrs Chalkley At Pendley Manor 27th September 2024

It would only be for friends that I would indulge in such revelry, but to be invited to anyone’s wedding, let alone perform music for their special day is always a total honour in my opinion.

After a brief meeting which now seems like months ago, the groom and I discussed background and expectations, especially with my regard to ensure the knowledge that this was my first wedding gig.

More months of waiting for the guests to select favourite songs as well as the ‘must plays’ on the night by the bride and groom, certainly was an anxious time for me. When I first met Jeff and Julia in March, I was DJing goth/industrial , 80s and Ska, so when the set of 70s soul and funk arrived as well as more commercial modern tunes arrived, I was a bit shocked! Talk about being out of my comfort zone! Still, keeping the party happy was my prime concern and a great night was had by all.

Plus I got to work with the band “Fishing For Robots” once more, and having spent most of the day with them at the wedding, was great to get to know them all better and I’m hoping more dates will come of it too.

So after a delayed start, I did actually lose about an hours worth of playing time in order to get the band on at the allotted time, but no one was bothered, and the night went without a hitch, although my laptop froze before I could do my soundcheck which was a scary few minutes, especially after I’d originally turned it on earlier to warm up. Bloody technology!

Background:-    
Surface - Falling In Love
Fern Kinney - Together We Are Beautiful
Brooklyn Bronx and Queens Band - On The Beat
Heatwave - The Groove Line
George Benson - Lady Love Me (One More Time)
Gene Chandler - Get Down
Burak Yeter - Tuesday
Change - A Lovers Holiday
Phyliss Hyman - Under Your Spell
Narada Michael Walden - I Shoulda Loved Ya

Start               
Andy Gibb - I Just Want To Be Your Everything (First Dance)
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
The Whispers - And The Beat Goes On
Billy Paul - Bring The Family Back
The Brothers Johnson - Strawberry Letter 23
               
Fishing For Robots
               
Second Set

Patrick Hermandez - Born To Be Alive
Sophie Bellis-Baxter - Murder On The Dance Floor
The Killers - Joy Ride
Average White Band - Let's Go Round Again
Chic - Good Times
Earth, Wind & Fire - Let's Groove
Kool & The Gang - Celebration
A Taste of Honey - Boogie Oogie Oogie
The Whispers - It's A Love Thing
War - Low Rider
InDeep - Last Night A DJ Saved My Life
The Gap Band - Oops Upside Your Head (Edit)
Wham! - Club Tropicana
Van McCoy - The Shuffle
Shalamar - I Can Make You Feel Good
Cheryl Lynn - Encore
Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing
Men Without Hats - Safety Dance ®
Madonna  - Crazy For You ®
Imagination - Body Talk
Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive
The Brothers Johnson - Stomp!
George Benson - Give Me The Night
Sister Sledge - He's The Greatest Dancer
Luther Vandros - Never Too Much
Billy Ocean - Get Out Of My Dreams (And Into My Car)

A Kick Up The 80s - 13.7.2024

 So, after a thirteen year break, I find myself back in the room I originally started in back in 2006! As some of you know, I was hoping to get the main room, but due to disappointing advance ticket sales, the event was moved downstairs, although that worked to our advantage, and to a degree, it was kinda nice being back ’home’!

So set up was very easy, thanks to the efficient techs at the venue, and I was pretty much left to my own devices. No surprise that the first hour was pretty slow, although I got to play more of the alternative selection I originally based the night on plus we did have people dancing immediately, but hitting our peek and having a full dance floor was just an excellent experience. I guess with hosting the night around this time of year is always going to be problematic, and for someone who has no interested in sports, having the football on doesn’t help either! But hell, we all had a great night, and that’s all that matters. 

So thanks to all that made the effort, especially those that travelled from Guildford, Corby and London. You’re dedication to my nights is fully appreciated.

Clan Of Xymox - Stranger
B-Movie - Nowhere Girl
Ministry - I Wanted To Tell Her
New Model Army - Small Town England
Talking Heads - Burning Down The House 
Thompson Twins - In The Name Of Love
Play Dead - Propaganda
Time Zone - World Destruction
Jesus & Mary Chain - Just Like Honey
The Clash - This Is Radio Clash
The Flowerpot Men - Jo's So Mean ®
Love & Rockets - Yin & Yang (The Flowerpot Men) 
New Order - Ceremony
James Ray & The Performance - Texas
Blancmange - Living On The Ceiling
The Passions - I'm In Love With A German Filmstar
Strawberry Switchblade - Since Yesterday ®
Lords of The New Church - Dance With Me
Kraftwerk - The Model
Yazoo - Don't Go
Psychic TV - Godstar
King - Love And Pride ®
Animotion - Obsession
Spandau Ballet - The Freeze
Gene Loves Jezebel - Cow
Jona Lewis - Always Find Me In The Kitchen At Parties
Re-Flex - Politics of Dancing
M - Pop Musik
Front 242 - Headhunter V1
Sly Fox - Let's Go All The Way ®
Propaganda - P:machinery
DAF - Der Mussolini
Teardrop Explodes - Reward ®
The Cure - 10.15 Saturday Night
The Smiths - What Difference Does it Make?
Siouxsie & The Banshees - Christine
Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now ®
R.E.M. - Stand ®
Soft Cell - Memorabilia
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Enola Gay
Adam & The Ants - Dog Eat Dog
Gary Numan - I Die : You Die
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
The Mission - Tower Of Strength ®
Transvision Vamp - Baby I Don't Care ®
Talk Talk - Talk Talk
Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down ®
Blondie - Call Me ®
Toyah - I Want To Be Free
The Selecter - Three Minute Hero
The Jam - Gong Underground ®
Echo & The Bunnymen - The Cutter ®
Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes
Human League - Sound Of The Crowd ®
A Flock Of Seagulls - Telecommunication
The Cult - Rain
The Primitives - Crash
Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime ®
Bow Wow Wow - I Want Candy
The Sisters Of Mercy - Walk Away
Tears For Fears - Pale Shelter ®
Japan - Quiet Life
Bauhaus - Kick In The Eye
U2 - I Will Follow ®
Billy Idol - Dancing With Myself
The Clash - Should I Stay Or Should I Go ®
Simple Minds - Alive Or Kicking ®
Split Enz - I Got You
Duran Duran - Careless Memory
Dexy's Midnight Runners - Geno ®
The Specials - Rat Race
The Beat - Mirror In The Bathroom ®
Bad Manners - Special Brew
Madness - Night Boat To Cairo
The Undertones - My Perfect Cousin
Department S - Is Vic There?
The Vapors - Turning Japanese
Ultravox - All Stood Still
Visage - Fade To Grey (12")
The Ramones - I Wanna Be Sedated

Micks 60th 23.3.2024

So once more, the laptop comes out of retirement, and another set is released into the wild. This time, for my good friend Mick, with an added incentive of having the brilliant "Fishing For Robots" playing too. It was great to finally work with these guys having seen them play so many times over the past twelve months, and I fully appreciated running my decks through their PA.

So musically, the set had gone through some drastic changes since its birth, including bands such as Skinny Puppy, D.A.F. and The Normal etc, but as time gets closer, finding out the bands set, running times, plus the fact there are kids and families, the final set including Micks Ska and 60s requests ended up pretty well imo. Good crowd throughout the night, plenty of dancing, plus making new friends alway equates to a good night out. Oh, and plenty of cider too ;)

 

Gary Numan - Asylum
The Shadows - Foot Tapper
Keith West - Excerpt From A Teenage Opera ®
Kraftwerk - Radioactivity (The Mix Version)
Killing Joke - Follow The Leader
Bad Manners  - This Is Ska ®
The Specials - Hey Little Rich Girl
Simple Minds - Thirty Frames A Second
Fad Gadget - Love Parasite ®
B-Movie - Nowhere Girl
The Meladions - Sweet Sensation ®
T. Rex - Cosmic Dancer ®
Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 (Thats My Number) ®
The Selecter - James Bond
Thompson Twins - Lies
She Wants Revenge - Written In Blood
Talk Talk - Talk Talk
Japan - European Son [Steve Nye 7" Remix, 1982]
Depeche Mode - Photographic [Some Bizzare Version]
Joy Division - Heart & Soul
Ultravox - The Thin Wall
Blancmange - Waves

Combichrist - Get Your Body Beat
Gary Numan - Metal
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Bauhaus Staircase
Yazoo - Don't Go
Dandy Livingstone & Rico - A Message You Rudy
The Associates - Club Country

Men Without Hats - Safety Dance
Martha & The Muffins - Echo Beach
Human League - Sound of The Crowd
Soft Cell - What?
Hazel O'Connor - Eighth Day
Gary Numan - Down In The Park
David Bowie - The Laughing Gnome ®