The Blockheads at The Sage Gateshead

Apr 21 2009 by Sam Wonfor, The Journal

THEY may have been around for 30 years, but there’s nothing tired or dated about The Blockheads.

”We're back for another 25 minutes of fame. Ian said the Blockheads had their 20 minutes of fame, but we’ve got another 15,” lead singer Derek Hussey told the crowd.

Ian, of course, is the legendary Ian Dury, the Blockheads lead singer who died of cancer in March 2000.

The Blockheads are a close-knit bunch and vowed to continue with the band and as Sunday night showed, they are as fresh as the day they launched. They are known for their famous number one Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick, which this year celebrates 30 years but they still know how to write decent tracks.

The band played songs from new album Staring Down the Barrel of a Gun – a wry look at our abuse of Mother Earth including George the Human Pigeon and No Go Central.

There were a few oldies, of course. What a Waste and Sweet Gene Vincent had the crowd bopping along.

It was hard to tell who was having the most fun, the fans or the band, who were larking about in funny hats and comedy noses. There was banter too. “It takes longer to get to Gateshead if you get your head kicked in at Newton Aycliffe … much longer,” said one of the band, which raised a few chuckles in the crowd. Rhythm Stick ended the set.

They returned for an encore with Prophet of Doom from the new album and then launched into Reasons to be Cheerful. In an earlier interview Derek hoped Ian would approve of the new set-up. “If he’s sat in the crowd, watching down on us, I think he will be proud,” he said.

Judging from this performance, I’m sure he will be.

Vicki Lamb