Nine Below Zero

Thirty-odd years later and on tour again to promote their new album – 13 Shades Of Blue a tribute to the blues – the group are still as authentic.

First up was the current incarnation of Eddie & The Hotrods and from the first explosivedrum break I was transported back to ’76 and the Marquee and it was all I could do to keep from pogoing around the Garage (not that it stopped a fair few!).

The 100 Club is virtually their spiritual home and they tore into ‘Tore Down’ hard and fast with Mark Feltham’s harp howling like a banshee and Dennis Greaves cockernee vocals rasping out.

True to form most punters were pinting at the bar with not one person anywhere near the front of the venue.

Now some bands grow stale with the constant touring and the same expectations and the same venues but others thrive and seem to deliver more with each time they hit the stage.

The Stranglers Ruby Tour has rightly been earning rave reviews as it has criss-crossed the country delivering performances of the highest standard.

The Spice Of Life Soho was packed to the rafters as the boys took to the stage and faithfully delivered renditions of their rather splendid new album "It's Never Too Late" Once the free fish and chips had been digested (nice one chaps) it was down to business despatching their new material with much vim and vigour!