14 October 2010 (gig)
18 October 2010
On Thursday night, Walter Lure played his first UK gig in 26 years! How befitting then that he and his ersatz-Waldos let rip in the legendary institution that is the 100 Club.
For our younger readers who might not be all that acquainted with Lure, a little rewind:
In 1975 Jerry Nolan and Johnny Thunders quit the New York Dolls and contacted ex-Television bassist Richard Hell to start a new band. Guitarist Walter Lure joined them and The Heartbreakers were born (for which Walter co-wrote a significant number of songs). By the following year and without Hell, The Heartbreakers relocated to London where they joined the Sex Pistols on their aborted 1976 tour.
The group moved back to NYC, only to break up by the end of 1977. In the late 70's and 80's Walter had a few bands before he started The Waldos, with a full length album entitled "Rent Party" released in 1995.
Forward to the present and Thursday night. After support acts Electra Jet and Johnny Throttle, Lure blasted into action with ‘One Track Mind’. The crowd, already in kick-ass mood, welcomed him and his assorted musicians with deafening cheers. What a crowd it was! Colourful, eccentric and with a heavy punk n’ roll attitude, it felt like time warp and a journey back into a decade when bands and audiences still dared to be raw and uncompromising.
Playing a set comprised of Heartbreakers and Waldos classics, the sweatbox that is the 100 Club quickly turned a hell of a lot sweatier with tracks like ‘Sorry’, ‘Never Get Away’ and ‘Cry Baby’ – performed by a dynamite band. Lure’s outfit - fedora, red waistcoat, dark jacket with white symbols and cups etc – is perhaps best described as an intriguing fusion of Vaudeville punk chic. His peculiar steps and moves that seem equally at home in the world of cabaret as in the world of rock n’ roll matched his visual appearance.
Lure shot through ‘Get Off The Phone’, ‘Golden Days’, ‘Pirate Love’ (a firm favourite of yours truly) and the instantly recognisable ‘Born Too Lose’ with his cocky guitar play, with members of the audience stage rushing. Just like in the good old days. Backed by his (way younger) musicians who delivered equally bristling energy, one couldn’t help but ask as to why Walter Lure had waited a whole 26 years before setting foot on British soil again.
After ‘Too Much Junkie Business’ the crowd was in for a surprise treat, namely when ex-Pistol Glen Matlock turned up for an impromptu appearance of the evergreen ‘Chinese Rocks’ – a song originally penned by DeeDee Ramone and Richard Hell. Suffice to say, the crowd went berserk. A true rock n’ roll moment, and one that will be remembered for a long time.
Despite this undisputed highlight, Lure and band still had more to unleash. For the encore, ‘I Wanna Be Loved’, ‘All By Myself’ and ‘Do You Love Me’ (backing guitarist Jez Miller sang on that one) were performed in typical explosive manner and sound.
Earlier that day, I stood between attending Walter Lure and Guns n’ Roses at the O2. I’m glad I opted for the former and hope Mr. Lure will bring a little anarchy back to the UK soon.
