Mablethorpe Community Hall

Review by Jaqui Craki

What a fantastic opportunity to witness by favourite all time band Adelangst, first of all in the flesh (a little too much flesh Mr Brodie!), and then a little later live in America at the Philadelphia Annenberg Center.  I don't know if everyone followed this story, but the bands promoter originally intended for the boys to fly over to the USA via Concorde, indeed the fees were paid (extortionate apparently).  No-one told the band that Concorde had stopped flying, and naturally the promoter disappeared out of view straight away.  So another promoter had to be brought in.

Anyway as the band took the stage, for the first time in many many years, there were quite a few tears, although this could be because of the onions frying ready for the Mablethorpe Scrabble club's annual soup evening, which had unfortunately been double booked on this night (another of the promoters mistakes apparently).  The Scrabble club agreed that as this was such a major historical event they would allow the gig to go ahead, as long as we kept the noise down. 

The set list had been a closely guarded secret, so now I can reveal all.  They start off with the classic "He's looking out (for me)" with Jim Brodies traditional brilliant solo in the middle.  I must say that Steele Stem hasn't aged a bit, although I wished he'd stop blowing kisses at bass player Bob Fascofelbofel.  They are a couple apparently, you can certainly tell.  Malcolm Hudson certainly does a good impression of the other classic Adelangst vocalists, bear in mind he never actually appeared on Mallard or Inserted Gently.  indeed tonight was the first time we had ever heard him sing tracks off Mallard, and what a treat it was.

The Mapplethorpe end of the gig was completed with a resounding rendition of Renegade Nuns, a classic, with Moritz von der Weide's traditional shagging of the amps at the end.  We used to think this was just a strange ritual in the old days, a bit like Hendrix, until his true problems with amplification equipment were known.  Anyway the amps got a good rodgering tonight and a rather flushed looking Moritz was whisked off stage, although not before members of the Mablethorpe Scrabble club, who were most interested in Moritz's antics, screamed for more and ripped off some of his clothing as he walked past.

The crowd then eagerly awaited the 2nd half of the gig in America, although we knew we'd have a long wait.  The idea was that the 2nd half of the gig would be transmitted live to the audience in Mablethorpe in front of a screaming American audience, signifying Adelangsts international appeal.  Anyway we waited for 12 hours and there was no sign of anything coming on the screen.  Another 12 hours went by and the Mablethorpe Sewing and Knitting club arrived and we all left, a bit disheartened. 

Philadelphia Annenberg Center

Moritz explains: Unfortunately we never actually managed to get to Philadelphia in time.  We did actually get there, however we were too late to setup the stage gear and play.  Sorry to all of the fans who made the journey from huge distances.  We will promise to do a free gig in Philadelphia when we next get the chance,   You can rest assured that the ticket revenue will go towards Moritz's medical costs on the tour, which were substantial.  Also the costs will go towards the constantly ruined amplification equipment (all of Moritz's, oddly enough).

Review by Inoord Klaspert

It’s a few years since I last stood inside the Manchester Apollo, around 30 to be precise. I was looking forward to getting back there, so it's a shame this gig was held within the confines of the Science Museum with the band trying to perform inside the mock up of Apollo 11.  Who's idea was this?  As there was little room to manoeuvre we found ourselves wedged tightly just in front of the mixing desk with that bloody smelly Taff Haddock in charge of the mixing desk tonight.  This probably explains why we couldn't actually hear much of the show.  What with Taff and the lack of a stage we only managed a few poor glimpses of the band.  Even so it was well worth it, what a gig!

Despite our location behind the mixing desk I found the sound muddy with no drums at all.  This trouble was explained after the first song in that they'd forgotten to mike the drums up, so the band took a break whilst Taff and his crewe had to soundcheck the drums.  Not sure why the small guy had to get inside the bass drum and shout "two two" alot, very strange. 

This was my first chance to see and hear Malcolm Hudson on vocals, having never caught his mike of Adelangst.  I was impressed.   Although lacking the powerful stage presence of Ralph Jenkins (Adelangst's last and greatest singer, IMHO), he seems to have settled in well, looking comfortable and very much part of the team.  I loved the improvised interactions between Jim and Moritz that, for me, so often provided the highlights of Adelangsts  last few years.  Oddly enough these improvised interactions were exactly the same as they were 15 or so years ago, amazing. 

Actually Moritz didn't even make an appearance on stage for the first three numbers.  I learnt later on that his electronic Catheter was playing up a bit and producing feedback noises. I know this is the "in-continent tour" but this is ridiculous.  Moritz's eventual arrival on-stage brought a growing cheer of welcome as more and more of the crowd realised what had happened and Hard Road was for me the strongest and most enjoyable number of the night. To say Moritz looks to be enjoying himself would be an understatement, although I wish he wouldn't brush himself up towards the amplification equipment so much as it produces all sorts of nasty buzzing feedback noises, which are quite off-putting.

Overall though, a bloody brilliant gig.  More please soon guys!

Review by Sanie Qalifi

It's the first time I've ever been to Scotland.  I tried an "och the noo Jimmy" to a couple of the locals outside, but they didn't seem to understand me.  They're on form again, but they kicked off two hours early, therefore most people only ended seeing around half an hour at the end.  I got a stage pass from a German fan (he had loads of em) and met Jim afterwards, who said it was because Moritz had moved the clocks in the dressing room back a little early (end of British summertime) and then bloody Steele Stem did the same, . I hope this isn't going to be the normal start time for the rest of the tour? 
I was sat near to the mixing desk so I got a better feel for the mix, and the Moritz seems to be getting more of his share at last. Money and He's looking out (for me) come off well again, and Snipin Grouser was so bloody fast I nearly fainted. 
Maybe there were less (first night) nerves tonight, but I seemed to note more interplay between Jim and Moritz - although we could have done without the F word every 5 seconds from Jim, and certainly I felt the kicking and scratching was a bit off.   There was much guitar duelling, but of the physical nature.  What's wrong with these guys?  Finally Moritz is actually led off stage by security.
Just a three piece for The Mole, Fake Tan  then both back onstage for Renegade Nuns. As the lights come on we're left wanting more.

Review by Rene Zequali

I was a bit curious as to why we were all told to meet up at the main terminus, but apparently Jim and Moritz's agent had completely screwed them up here in Newcastle.  The band had to play an acoustic gig whilst being ridden around the Metro system.  It was OK at times, although you couldn't appreciate the bass (he was playing an electric bass acoustically) and the drums performed on a set of bongos was hardly the same as a full kit for Steele. Jim Brodie however deserves special mention for announcing the first ever public performance of "Under a Violent moon" which will appear on the "Village Idiot" album, although it's a pity we couldn't hear it properly due to the background noise.

Review by Ralph Baker (Doncaster)

Who's idea was it to have a gig at the local Mosque?  I really think Jim and Moritz's promoter need to get a thorough bashing after these gigs.  The venues have been truly awful.  All 2,200 of us had to take off our shoes and get hustled into various parts of this strange building.  Jim and Moritz looked really embarrassed as apparently then had no idea this was going to happen.  They played an acoustic set without the rest of the band which was lined with a few classics, but essentially was very poor as they couldn't really "get it down" in this venue.  Overall a real disappointment.

Review by Nigel Olde

Did this gig actually take place?  We kept driving around looking for the Llonlingstgghth arena, but no-one had ever heard of it.  At one stage we ended up at the swimming baths, as did a load of other Adelangst fans, and we all swore we would never trust information on a website again.  Come on guys what happened?

We are sorry about this gig.  Our equipment trucks couldn't find the venue either, and neither could the band.  At this stage of the tour we tried to contact our organising and fund collecting agent, but he wasn't available as he was on holiday, apparently.

Review by Sheila Langhorn

I don't know what Adelangst were thinking of when they chose to play at the Sea Front Pavilion. This aint like the Brighton Pavillion, this is just a small bandstand type affair.  You could hardly fit Steels drum riser on the stage, so the band had to place themselves all around the Pavilion.  In some respects it was an intimate gig, but the rain unfortunately spoilt things, especially when Moritz's signature catheter fell down his leg and collapsed on the floor.  All in all, not a classic gig for me.  They did play a good version of He's looking out (for me) though.

Review by Albert Ringworm

Well, I turned up at the Lytton Arms and there was a couple of old blokes, where was the band?

Moritz: by this time we'd realised that the promoter had not done his job properly so we cancelled this one, sorry.  We did put an advert in the local press, although only in the Rochdale Observer apparently, so the message didn't get out to all fans.