Thunder - Civic Hall Wolverhampton 30th November 2003
Setlist: Loser / River Of Pain / An Englishman On Holiday - Close To You / Blown Away / Backstreet Symphony / Shooting At The Sun / Empty City / The Pimp And The Whore / Moth To The Flame / Higher Ground / Low Life In High Places / Just Another Suicide // Somebody Get Me A Spin Doctor / Play That Funky Music / Addicted To Love (with The Others) / Dirty Love
Ten things I like about Thunder:
Ten things I like about Thunder:
- Great songs
- Great singer
- Superb musicianship
- No fancy sets
- Good lights
- Good sound
- Sense of humour
- Audience participation
- Excellent setlist
- Never give less than 100% Oh, and what a great name…
Yeah, that was eleven things. So sue me!
Now, you would think that all of the above should be virtually guaranteed for any rock band that is taking £30, or more, of your heard-earned for scarcely 90 minutes of their time. But no, that is not the case. It has become de rigeur for bands play in these vast, soulless, cavernous, corporate-sponsored, aircraft hangar-sized vacuums, where you need binoculars to even see the stage, and are constantly harassed by an army of self-important fascists, who goose-step around, telling you cannot do virtually everything. And woe betide you, should you try to snap a few digital pics to remember the over-priced night out! At one venue, that shall not be named (OK, twist my arm, why don’t you - it’s the Manchester Evening Nazi Arena) the yellow-shirts hunt in packs, telling people off ‘because photography isn’t allowed’. Not because the bands don’t want you taking their pictures, which I could handle, but because the venue doesn’t allow it. Why does 'the venue' give a shit? It's got nothing to do with them.
But, Thunderboy, you mumble, Thunder didn’t play at the ENA… Ah, this I know and that is entirely my point. Everyday, I give thanks that bands like Thunder still exist. It still gives me hope for the future of live music that, for the eminently reasonable price of £17.50, you can purchase a ticket to see one of the best live bands around play for over two hours at one of the best venues in the country. It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling deep down, on the inside.
Now, you would think that all of the above should be virtually guaranteed for any rock band that is taking £30, or more, of your heard-earned for scarcely 90 minutes of their time. But no, that is not the case. It has become de rigeur for bands play in these vast, soulless, cavernous, corporate-sponsored, aircraft hangar-sized vacuums, where you need binoculars to even see the stage, and are constantly harassed by an army of self-important fascists, who goose-step around, telling you cannot do virtually everything. And woe betide you, should you try to snap a few digital pics to remember the over-priced night out! At one venue, that shall not be named (OK, twist my arm, why don’t you - it’s the Manchester Evening Nazi Arena) the yellow-shirts hunt in packs, telling people off ‘because photography isn’t allowed’. Not because the bands don’t want you taking their pictures, which I could handle, but because the venue doesn’t allow it. Why does 'the venue' give a shit? It's got nothing to do with them.
But, Thunderboy, you mumble, Thunder didn’t play at the ENA… Ah, this I know and that is entirely my point. Everyday, I give thanks that bands like Thunder still exist. It still gives me hope for the future of live music that, for the eminently reasonable price of £17.50, you can purchase a ticket to see one of the best live bands around play for over two hours at one of the best venues in the country. It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling deep down, on the inside.
I have written before (Monsters of Rock) that Thunder are exceptionally good on stage; this has not diminished one iota. In fact, this was the fifth time I have seen them live and they just seem to improve with age. It is a rare combination that they deliver; they can hold their own, musically, with anyone; their songs, both old and new are uncommonly strong, whilst performance wise, they exhibit a degree of craftsmanship that many bands only dream of achieving. Most importantly, and this is one of the reasons why people love this band, is the level of respect that they show for the audience. I have seen this only a few times in over twenty years of gig going. Yes, Danny is a tease and a windup merchant, but he involves everyone, makes each and every member of the audience feel like they are an integral a part of the show. You come away worn out from all of the clapping, jumping up and down and finger wiggling, but you had a hell of a lot of fun along the way. The band/audience relationship is organic, they feed off each other, and the way Thunder do it, it simply turns a good night out into a great night out.
In terms of the songs, well, what can you say? Each one has everything it needs; a great riff, a chorus you can sing along to and a rhythm that gets the foot tapping. Not everyone’s favourite can be in every show, but it would be a very sour individual who went away disappointed with Sunday night’s selections. Opening with Loser was a nice departure from Welcome to the Party, I thought, bringing the most recent release to the fore, from the word go. The other selections from Shooting at the Sun also worked well amidst a fine assortment of classics from the back catalogue, giving a nice balance between the old and the new.
In terms of the songs, well, what can you say? Each one has everything it needs; a great riff, a chorus you can sing along to and a rhythm that gets the foot tapping. Not everyone’s favourite can be in every show, but it would be a very sour individual who went away disappointed with Sunday night’s selections. Opening with Loser was a nice departure from Welcome to the Party, I thought, bringing the most recent release to the fore, from the word go. The other selections from Shooting at the Sun also worked well amidst a fine assortment of classics from the back catalogue, giving a nice balance between the old and the new.
I was particularly pleased to hear An Englishman on Holiday, which was broken up by the band bringing a table on stage and sitting down for a quick game of cards as Harry went into a bit of a drum solo. Apparently, Harry had no idea that they were going to do this and did look suitably confused. As he came out from behind his kit, the table was hurriedly removed, the band departed and the drummer was left alone in the middle of the stage. Much to the delight of the audience, Harry was then handed a microphone, Danny took up the sticks and an impromptu rendition of Close To You followed. It is moments such as these that make the evening special. You know that it doesn’t happen too often and you were glad you were there when it did. Mind you, everyone seemed to know far too many words to that song, than is proper for a rock crowd.
My particular favourite moment of the night was Moth to the Flame, although it was only fractionally more enjoyable than everything else. I enjoyed every single second of the show and didn’t feel that they could have done any better than they did. Yeah, I suppose they could have played Gimme Some Lovin’, or Love Walked in but then they would have had to leave something else out, or play three hours, which I just don’t think my poor body could physically take. Any more finger wiggling and I would have needed oxygen, or at least the kiss of life from someone!
My particular favourite moment of the night was Moth to the Flame, although it was only fractionally more enjoyable than everything else. I enjoyed every single second of the show and didn’t feel that they could have done any better than they did. Yeah, I suppose they could have played Gimme Some Lovin’, or Love Walked in but then they would have had to leave something else out, or play three hours, which I just don’t think my poor body could physically take. Any more finger wiggling and I would have needed oxygen, or at least the kiss of life from someone!
The encores were particularly special, being that it was the last night of the tour. A rousing Spin Doctor, already a classic even though it is a relatively new track, and blistering Dirty Love were the bread, sandwiching the tasty filling of Addicted to Love and Play That Funky Music. I honestly can’t think of another rock band that could put Play That Funky Music into their set and still leave the building alive. Yet, for Thunder, it seems so natural, so right.
That three of the top venues in the country (in my opinionation) are located within a ten-mile radius of Wolverhampton is not just a coincidence. There is The Robin at Bilston, JB’s at Dudley and the location of Sunday’s gig, Wolverhampton Civic Hall. It was no accident that the last date of the tour took place here. This is an outstanding venue for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it is big enough to hold a decent-sized crowd, yet small enough for everyone to get a good view. Secondly, you can’t beat a Black Country audience; they know how to have fun, love to join in and are some of the friendliest people around. Finally, the venue is well situated, easily accessible, well run and security is just right. Add a band of the calibre of Thunder and you are assured of a fine night of wholesome entertainment. And that is exactly how it turned out.
Ironically, quality is no guarantee of success otherwise Thunder would be playing the cowsheds I detest so much. Part of me wants this band to obtain the dizzy heights of success that they undoubtedly deserve. Most of me, however, is so glad that they still play venues like the Civic Hall.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
1st December 2003
That three of the top venues in the country (in my opinionation) are located within a ten-mile radius of Wolverhampton is not just a coincidence. There is The Robin at Bilston, JB’s at Dudley and the location of Sunday’s gig, Wolverhampton Civic Hall. It was no accident that the last date of the tour took place here. This is an outstanding venue for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it is big enough to hold a decent-sized crowd, yet small enough for everyone to get a good view. Secondly, you can’t beat a Black Country audience; they know how to have fun, love to join in and are some of the friendliest people around. Finally, the venue is well situated, easily accessible, well run and security is just right. Add a band of the calibre of Thunder and you are assured of a fine night of wholesome entertainment. And that is exactly how it turned out.
Ironically, quality is no guarantee of success otherwise Thunder would be playing the cowsheds I detest so much. Part of me wants this band to obtain the dizzy heights of success that they undoubtedly deserve. Most of me, however, is so glad that they still play venues like the Civic Hall.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
1st December 2003
About the photos...
Not the greatest batch I've ever taken, I'll admit. But there are mitigating circumstances, m'Lud; I was having a bloody good time and enjoying myself! Oh, and I was stood on this metal thing that vibrated like a thing that vibrates a lot, especially when Danny is forcing everyone to jump up and down and you're all packed in there like sardines... and, and, and I was stood right in front of the PA stack too!
That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. You try taking photos when you're being made to wiggle your digits... what?
Besides, there was folks in front of me, with big heads and hands and stuff... Yeah, major bitch time - and no I'm not talking about the coughing variety - why do tall people always want to stand at the front? They'd see just as well if they let all the short arses in front of them.
So, when I'm in charge (vote: God of Thunder for PM) here are a few gig-going laws that I shall champion:
That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. You try taking photos when you're being made to wiggle your digits... what?
Besides, there was folks in front of me, with big heads and hands and stuff... Yeah, major bitch time - and no I'm not talking about the coughing variety - why do tall people always want to stand at the front? They'd see just as well if they let all the short arses in front of them.
So, when I'm in charge (vote: God of Thunder for PM) here are a few gig-going laws that I shall champion:
- Anyone who's taller than me must stand behind me...
- Anyone who's ugly will have to go right at the back...
- Anyone with a herbal roll-up must stand near me...
- Anyone who can't sing must Shut the Hell Up!
- Anyone who can't clap in time will be slapped...
- Anyone whose head weighs more than 32lb will be mocked and turned away at the door...
- And finally, all bald men with hairy backs will be incarcerated until they get the skin/hair deal figured out.