Straighten Out - Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd

4 More Heroes, No More Heroes, The Meninblack etc etc in ere

Moderator: StanInBlack

Post Reply
User avatar
Mad Hatter
Ugly
Ugly
Posts: 1734
Joined: 04 Jun 2005, 20:03
Location: Wales

Straighten Out - Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd

Post by Mad Hatter »

I had heard a lot of good reviews from members of this forum about the Straighten Out tribute band gigs, so when I saw that they were coming to Wales, I immediately booked a couple of tickets for myself and my son to go and see them. My son is 24 and has been a fan of the Stranglers for most of his life, due to the fact that I always have their songs playing in the car, so he has become indoctrinated!

Last night, Straighten Out played their first gig in Wales at the Muni Arts Centre in Pontypridd. It is a small venue and the audience was a bit light in numbers and were also a bit slow in getting into the gig, but by as the 2 hour set progressed, everyone was having a brilliant time.

The bass was very high in the mix, reminding me of the Stranglers sound in the early days. Unfortunately, the guitar was too low in the mix, which meant that we weren’t able to hear all of the quirky Hugh solos being played last night. The band played a faithful version of each of the songs and, as was often the case in the early days, the songs were played at a good speed and with plenty of attitude.

The band opened with I Feel Like a Wog, followed by Nuclear Device which was beautiful segued into Toiler on the Sea. What a way to start! The set list was from the first 4 albums only, with the exception of Thrown Away. Their choice of songs was a joy and included Ugly, Princess of the Streets, Sweden, Peasant in the Big Shitty, Curfew, The Raven, Who Wants the World and to round off the evening, an incredible rendition of Down in the Sewer.

If the Stranglers are looking to create a ‘classic’ set list for next March, they would do well to look at what Straighten Out played last night.

My son has been to a number of Stranglers gigs with me in recent years, but he said that after seeing Straighten Out, he now has a sense of what the excitement at the early gigs must have been like and why the Stranglers became such a cult band. A great evening and well worth people going along to see Straighten Out if ever the plays in a town near you.
User avatar
elvisintheclouds
ManinBlack
ManinBlack
Posts: 3706
Joined: 22 Nov 2011, 19:17
Location: The South of What Sir?!
Contact:

Re: Straighten Out - Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd

Post by elvisintheclouds »

Cheers for the review 8)
Thank you very much
EiTC
User avatar
The Strangler
Ugly
Ugly
Posts: 1610
Joined: 30 Dec 2005, 20:08
Location: Mynwent-y-Crynwyr

Re: Straighten Out - Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd

Post by The Strangler »

Yes, it was a jolly good evening. Its actually a fair size venue - think its a 400 capacity and far two big for SO. A great set list as usual and a rather good pint of scrumpy there too!
Rugby Union is not only the greatest team sport in the world on the field, but without a shadow of a doubt, is the greatest team sport in the world off the field. Nigel Owens.
Bag Lady
BLUE SISTER
BLUE SISTER
Posts: 4205
Joined: 10 Mar 2009, 12:21
Location: SW of Shalford Scout Hut

Re: Straighten Out - Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd

Post by Bag Lady »

Glad you enjoyed it 8)
No one can win against kipple.
bellabelle
SHAKESPEARO
Posts: 6
Joined: 06 Oct 2011, 21:32

Re: Straighten Out - Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd

Post by bellabelle »

Gutted I missed their first visit to Wales...I was up in Skegness at Butlins

Would be great if we could get them to play at Caerphilly Workmen's Hall where The Rezillos played in April this year - great venue for bands.
Post Reply