Sounds Review - The Roundhouse

The Kursaal Flyers/Crazy Cavan/Clash: Roundhouse, London
Chas de Whalley, Sounds, September 1976

JOE STRUMMER'S Clash--the best new band of the year? Well, some would claim as much. At least you can guarantee that any band formed by the 101ers guitarist will bristle with fire and energy. Unfortunately at the Roundhouse the Clash had little more on offer.

The Ramones out of an East End squat? Indeed, many of the leather-clad Strummer's new songs were little more than rewrites of this years punk classics. But 'I've Got A Crush On You', 'Janie Jones', and the apocalyptic 'London's Burning' proved there was still power in Strummer's right arm.

Unfortunately however, the warmth and love of the old pub rocking 101ers has been traded for a new aggression and belligerence. At 6 o'clock on a Sunday evening, long before the bar opened, the Roundhouse audience wasn't in the most receptive of moods. The more they sat down, the more Strummer screamed at them to stand up. It was a brave, if bitter attempt to instil some kind of occasion into the weekly Roundhouse rock and roll binge, but it was not appreciated.

There was no disaffection when the Crazy Cavan and the Rhythm Rockers hit the stage. The Welsh band's normal entourage of drape-jacketed, crepe-soled teds were conspicuous by their absence but Crazy Cavan's characteristic brand of authentic rockabilly brought out dancers all the same. From 'Teddy Boy Rock and Roll' and 'Little Sadie', to a selection of Little Richard and Chuck Berry classics you can rely on Crazy Cavan every time. Only the hair oil is changed.

The Kursaal Flyers, on the other hand, come straight from the studio where they've been recording for CBS under the watchful eye of Wombler Mike Batt. The new album, tentatively titled The Golden Mile, is scheduled for October release but already the Kursaal Flyers are promoting it.

© Chas de Whalley, 1976 Sounds