The Wildhearts (supported by Strapping Young Lad), 17th June 2001 – JB’s Dudley

On completing my second year at Plymouth University, the Wildhearts played at Dudley JB’s. They were supported by the excellent, if not bizarre choice of Strapping Young Lad, who played a style of metal somewhere between that of Metallica and Deicide (complete with blast beats), fronted by an apparent lunatic who looked like Bill Bailey. The second support band was useless, characterised only by a singer who wanted to be unpredictable and exciting, but simply came across as a retarded monkey whose only contribution was to swing across the rafters scratching his armpits. I recall pondering if he should be put down. 

The Wildhearts were good, though sadly their original line up lasted only half a dozen songs before bassist Danny exposed himself, then was led off stage, too high on heroin/some other erroneous narcotic to continue playing. Nevertheless, the bassist of the crap support band stood in heroically, and Ginger carried on, playing “Shitville,” “Wonderland,” “I Wanna Go Where the People Go,” and “TV Tan,” among others. A decent effort in tough circumstances.

7 out of 10 (for the quirky entertainment alone)

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