The Wonder Stuff + Mark Morriss @ O2 Academy, 18th December 2014
The Wonder Stuff have been treating us since the mid-eighties, and have had numerous line-up changes, but ever present is chief songwriter and vocalist Miles Hunt, the self-proclaimed ‘Gobshite’ who has had a very busy year.
Not only does he keep the embers burning for the Wonder Stuff, there’s solo work, endless touring and he’s even released his debut book, The Wonder Stuff Diaries ’86-’89, which for fans of the band, and indeed for a behind the scenes look at the music industry it’s an essential and riveting read.
So to tonight, the last show of a short Christmas acoustic tour. Nothing new about that you may say, but this is one of the first times we’ve had a complete acoustic set of only Wonder Stuff songs (unless you delve back to Miles first ventures into solo work which if we’re being arsey was solo and not the Wonder Stuff). So a first tonight, but this didn’t stop one punter in front of me moaning at a lack of a drum kit on stage (maybe he should have gone downstairs into the main auditorium where Machine Head are playing tonight)
Mark Morriss provides an excellent support, you may recall him from a decent career fronting The Bluetones. I have to admit I’m not familiar with his recent solo work but this doesn’t matter as he is one of the most personable people I’ve had the pleasure to see, engaging, open and honest and very funny. He suggests people come see him afterwards at the “merch stand” and tell him about their university days listening to The Bluetones as he never tires of hearing it (all very much tongue in cheek). However, he saves the best ‘til last with a cover of East 17’s “Stay Another Day”, complete with new lyrics. It’s a brilliant end to his set, and luckily he’s back in the area next year. I’d urge you to go and see him, dates on his website.
So The Wonder Stuff Acoustic, Miles Hunt, Erica Nockalls and Dan Donnelly (a dead ringer for Dougal out of Father Ted) “another rejuvenated line-up”, a relaxed affair with Milo sat down throughout a superb show. The set opens with “On The Ropes” which a stunning song normally takes a whole new level acoustically, and this to be fair is true for every song tonight, with some of The Stuffies most powerful songs brought down to a tender acoustic affair, showing a glorious new side to songs that have been our soundtrack for some years.
There’s other changes too, no longer is Milo swigging from a bottle of wine, but tonight it’s cans of Guinness (maybe a nod to Mr Donnelly or maybe health and safety have now banned bottles on stage, who knows?
“Cartoon Boyfriend” we are told is also a first, as previously Erica just didn’t like the song, but for these dates she’s learnt the song, and it’s brilliant.
Miles is a great storyteller but for one of the most recent songs, “Be Thy Name”, he says he’ll cut the story short and simply say it’s “For Joe” (Joe Strummer one of his big influences). “Cheap Seats” gets a full recall of the Letterman show performance and the farce of what they should and shouldn’t do on the television set. It’s dedicated to Kirsty MacColl, who performed on the original song, and tragically left us “fourteen years today”.
“Room 512 (all the news that’s fit to print)” is extra special tonight as it sees the introduction of Miles new guitar, bought earlier today, a stunning Gretsch White Falcon, and it sounds as good as it looks.
The set continues to tease and surprise, and it’s a real sing-a-long night, very good natured and no talking during the set (which was a particular problem the previous night in London, why do folks spend money to watch a performer then talk all the way through?)
All too soon the set draws to a close, time has flown, the clock has been turned back and we’ve got hoarse voices. What a night. Christmas has come early and the first gift of the festive season will take some beating. Same time next year?
Set list:
On The Ropes
Red Berry Joy Town
Cartoon Boyfriend
Full of Life (Happy Now)
Golden Green
Circlesquare
Mission Drive
Be Thy Name
Friendly Company
Welcome to the Cheap Seats
Size of a Cow
Room 512 (All the news that’s fit to print)
Maybe
Here Come’s Everyone
Piece of Sky
Give Give Give Me More More More
Who Wants To Be The Disco King
Ruby Horse
Ten Trenches Deep
Review: Glenn Raybone
Photograph courtesy of The Wonder Stuff