Well then, I missed a week out on this fascinating weekly musical review. And this latest edition is late. Oh well – this isn’t about sticking to rules and regularity. It’s all about the joy – and freedom – of music.
Here’s five songs from last week that resonated:
Madness + Chainska Brassika + By The Rivers
Saturday 11th July 2015
Rhyl Events Arena
You know I love Rhyl, right? Great place. Under rated. But that’s ‘cos most people don’t know where to find the cool stuff (Star Wars figures, comic books, skateboards, music, general paraphernalia). On Saturday 11th July, however, you couldn’t miss the cool stuff. It was right on the promenade, in front of the beach, at the Rhyl Events Arena.
And the cool stuff was legendary ska/80’s pop maestros Madness.
There have been a lot of rock and punk bands reviewed at the Virtual Hot Tub lately, so it’s about time for something a little different. Madness were probably the first band I was ever a fan of, back when I was just Bronze Al. They were the soundtrack of every school yard and summer holiday when I was a nipper. I’ve listened to them ever since.
A surprise visit for the band to Rhyl was a great opportunity to catch the band live.
After a few hours in a local Tiki bar, my compadres and me made our way to the Rhyl Events Arena. The venue was outdoor on the prom, with a stage set up right across form the town. 
Support bands By The Rivers and Chainska Brassika offered a warm welcome. Both bands were in a party mood playing variations on the ska/pop/reggae theme. Good musicianship and enthusiasm helped both bands reach out to the ever growing audience.
The rain held off for the evening and there was definitely a party atmosphere in the arena. By the time Madness arrived on stage, the good times were in full swing. The audience had obviously travelled from far and wide for this gig, and were keen to see the Nutty Boys in full force.
The first part of the set was a relaxed affair, with a few new numbers and lesser known tracks alternating the big hits. Step forward “Bed and Breakfast Man”, a lesser known song which should’ve been a single in the first place.
Rhyl lights up like in days gone by for the hit songs. We get “House of Fun”, “Baggy Trousers”, “Embarrassment”, “My Girl” – sparkling gems every one. It’s genuine pop classic after pop classic for the large part of the set. If only the funfair was still open, it would’ve been perfect. A fine way to reminisce of summer holidays past!
Madness give a great performance, punctuated with some banter and fun along the way. My personal highlight is hearing “Our House” – my absolute favourite Madness track. An obvious choice, I know – but I don’t care. 
The concert ends far too soon. A great night, thank you Madness for paying a trip to sunny Wales and gracing us with your eccentric pop genius.
And well done Rhyl. Let’s have more of it, shall we?
The Madness website is here.
The Rhyl Pavillion website is here.
My thanks to the Blazing Minds website, which I used to check some facts!
It’s back! Yesterday I went for a bike ride, the first of the year. The weather was good and I was ready to roll. For old times sake, I decided to hit “shuffle” and let Ipodicus decide what the soundtrack to the morning’s adventure would be.
Just over ten miles. Not bad.
This particular playlist reminded me just how great the Jello Biafra and The Melvins collaborations are. I haven’t listened to them for a while, so cranked ’em today.
The Damned + The Ruts DC
Sunday 1st December 2013
Buckley Tivoli
It’s Sunday night, and far from milk and cookies and watching Songs of Praise, Mrs Platinum and I are off to see The Damned. At the Tivoli in Buckley, no less. A venue I’ve been to many times (remind me to tell you about my 21st birthday sometime) and a place I’d hoped this lot would play for years.
Support tonight is from The Ruts DC, and blimey they’re good. I’d have gone to see them headline their own gig – with The Damned to follow this is unmissable. A great set that swings from ska-reggae boppers to punk rock seven inch masterpieces. Highlights include “It Was Cold”, “West One (Shine On Me)” and of course “Staring at the Rude Boys” and “Babylon’s Burning”. They sound exciting, contemporary and confident. Final song “In a Rut” put the lid on a support set that could have been a headliner.
I might as well own up and admit that the Damned are probably my favourite band of all time. To see them in my “local” venue is a real delight. As I hinted earlier, I’ve had many adventures at the Ballrooms over the years and always wanted to see this band here.
The Damned are the band that I’ve seen more than any other. Tonight though, they play an astounding set that both entertains and surprises. How do they do that? Well, they play many songs I’ve never heard them play live before. First song “Sanctum Santorum” is an interesting choice – atmospheric rather than bludgeoning. The song worked really well live and served to create a sense of theatre from the start.
From that point on, The Damned kept me guessing. “Don’t Cry Wolf”? Yes, please! “Sick of Being Sick”? Don’t mind if I do! Following “Wait for the Blackout” with the songs that followed it on The Black Album is a stroke of almost genius. “Lively Arts” and “Silly Kids Games”? Why sirs, with these gems you are truly spoiling us!
“Ignite” and then “Generals”? They won’t play the third track off Strawberries though. But they do! “Stranger on the Town” is probably my favourite Damned tune, and one I never thought I’d hear live. Brass section, you see. Yet there it is, and Platinum Al can’t help but sing along. Thank you, Damned!
And so it goes. Later in the set we get the classic singles: “Neat Neat Neat”; “New Rose”; “Love Song”; “I Just Can’t Be Happy Today”. “Eloise” sounds great. More first time airings (for me) of “The Eighth Day” and “Ballroom Blitz” put the marzipan on the cake before a glorious “Smash It Up” finale.
Any criticisms? The sound wavers a few times, unusually for the Tiv – some of the early set doesn’t sound as “full” as it should. A minor comment as this didn’t spoil my enjoyment. Beyond that, it would have been nice to hear more of the recent material (no “Thrill KIll”??!) – we don’t hear anything off the So, Who’s Paranoid? album.
Though as I’ve been treated to so many new live gems tonight, a full fourteen minute version of “Dark Asteroid” is probably a bit too much to ask. Maybe next time.
So thank you The Damned, The Ruts DC and Buckley Tivoli. It was a great night. Work in the morning.
Platinum Al's Virtual Hot Tub 