I saw them before they were famous

[TheDoctor]

I saw Jo Brand in the mid-80s when she was doing stand-up in pubs and calling herself the Sea Monster. If that counts...

 

[Perfect Virgo]

I've been told they blew them off the stage on that tour. Were they good?

Indeed they nearly did and yes they were fantastic; and it's not easy to upstage Mr Ian Hunter! Of course they sported the obilgatory 70s huge hair and looked like they had just left university - which they pretty much had. They had just released their first eponymous album yet plenty of people knew their music. Their act was wild and passionate and they exuded confidence. After the US leg of the same tour they were never again second on the bill.

 

[Dave5N]

Our college band was the Manic Street Preachers.

Saw them loads of times. I used to promote gigs, they used to beg to support for £20.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I saw Nick Cave when he first came to the UK with his band The Birthday Party, would have been about '82-'83 I guess. It was in a tiny club called 'Scamps' IIRC which was upstairs in The Westgate shopping centre in Oxford!

Saw The Southern Death Cult supporting Bauhaus at the Fryers in Aylesbury, would have been at a similar time. This was before they changed their name to 'The Cult' and hit the big time, that Ian Asprin was a cocky tosspot even then. Bauhaus were just superb BTW....

Also saw Steve Earle (don't know if this counts as he probably isn't well known now) mid 80s at the Town and Country when he first came over here.

 

[Chromatic]

haha I came here to post exactly the same thing though I can't remember where. It was at the time of release of the first album, think Electricity had just come out. They were awesome, but Gazza had the edge - think they were still touring as Tubeway Army, it was the Replicas tour in '78.

[Nope just checked the OMD album didn't come out till 1980, maybe they were supporting the PP tour.]

Just downloaded the Gary Numan Pleasure Principle tour video where he came on stage riding in the little car and the radio controlled pyramids were dancing about on stage, happy memories from '79.

Someone else mentioned Dr and the Medics, I remember seeing them supporting The Damned in their early days.

You're right about the Tubeway Army name. It was just after Are 'friends' Electric had become a hit and was the Replicas tour.

 

[MarkF]

The Cult, before they were called the Cult at Heven

I saw them, at the time, "Southern Death Cult", in a bedroom in Bradford.

Saw Adam and the Antz in a pub, late '70's, my all time favourite gig, electric!

 

[Brains]

I saw Jo Brand in the mid-80s when she was doing stand-up in pubs and calling herself the Sea Monster. If that counts...

Well if we are doing commedians as well, then I'll add a few.
Phil Cool at the Tunnel early 1980's - brilliant, best stand up ever. he was never as funny when he got on TV a few years later

In the late 1980's we used to run a Karakoke night at Up the Creek, we had a couple of mates who did not really know each other come along and be judges now and again, Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer.

 

[JamesAC]

Bob Wilson (Arsenal/BBC etc) was house captain at my school, and Geoff Miller (England cricket selector) used to live round the corner when I was a kid. He was good at cricket then!

 

[ChrisKH]

Likewise re; Marquee saw Marillion being supported by Howard Jones. Actually Jonesy was pretty good.

Red Lorry Yellow Lorry on the other hand (Hull Uni) were crap as were the Red Guitars. Why everything had to be a colour then (1983/1984) I don't know.

 

[skmc1955]

I saw Oasis at Madison Square Gardens, since then they,ve gone on to play BRID SPA!!!

 

[Wolf04]

Saw Last Exit featuring Sting before he joined the Police.
Meh

 

[Dave5N]

Promoted Dr and the medics the week they went to number one!

 

[Cranky]

I used to have a little recording studio and did a demo recording for Ocean Colour Scene in about 1990, I think. I still have a copy of it. They definitely stood out from the rest.

Saw Frank Skinner at the Lichfield Arts Centre - very good.

 

[Noodley]

Saw Frank Skinner at the Lichfield Arts Centre - very good.

So what happened to him?

 

[Noodley]

Promoted Dr and the medics the week they went to number one!

That's hardly difficult is it - you're number one, I'll promote you!

D'ya think it'll work with me and Kylie?