Above: Paul Myers, Paul Cook, Vic Godard, Mark Braby

Vic Godard is without doubt one of the true originals, and greatest songwriters, to emerge from the punk period. During the afternoon the band had recorded a session for the Marc Riley Radio Show at Media City in Salford, and in the evening Subway Sect stopped off in Hyde, Stockport, to perform one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long, long time.

Of course, the main draw initially for me was to see both Paul Cook and fellow Professional Paul Myers in action as part of the current Subway Sect line-up. The Verge is a small venue located above a pub, and is a terrific place to see a band while enjoying a pint. Check it out if you are in the area, they’ve some great acts lined-up.

I’d never seen Subway Sect live before, but am a huge fan of their latest album We Come As Aliens which combines melody and attitude with outstanding lyrics. Back in the Community is one of the greatest songs of recent years and was performed with panache tonight, as were Best Album and Music of a Werewolf, further highlights from the Aliens LP. If you have not purchased We Come As Aliens, you really ought to.

Cookie

You Bring Out The Demon In Me, The Devil's In League With You and new song Caught in Mid-stream (soon to be released on Edwyn Collins’ label 4AD) were mixed in with old favourites Ambition and Stop That Girl to give a nice nostalgic balance to the set.

Paul Cook clearly loves playing Vic’s music and acknowledges just how strong his song writing is. As for the inimitable Paul Myers, it is great to see the charismatic bass playing hero back in action. “Why?” I enquired. “To experience poverty again!” was the response, “and you never know, I might be needed for The Professionals!” (Don’t get excited by the way, there are no current plans for this).

Paul Myers

Paul & Paul

What else can one say about Mr Myers? He utilised his wit and charm to full effect with three requests for water to be passed up to the band who were sweltering on stage: “Only one glass between five of us?!” As an aside, if there are any lady dentists out there who are tempted by the superlatives used above to describe Paul “hunk” Myers, please get in touch and I will pass your details on – looks don’t matter too much – dentists wear masks.
(I think I got them all in Paul!)

Seeing the group in such a small venue serves as a reminder of what it must have been like for Paul Cook starting out with the Sex Pistols. He certainly enjoyed it tonight. Relaxed interaction with the audience (and the bar staff for the extra water), it was the perfect setting to see such a quality band.  The rest of the Subway Sect tonight were Kevin Younger on keyboards and Mark Braby on guitar. Vic, who himself added guitar to many tracks, far exceeded my expectations as a live performer; clever, quirky with a style all his own.  A great evening topped off by time spent in the company of the two Professionals, Paul and Paul.   

Paul & Paul

Check out the Marc Riley session while it’s still available to hear online and pick up a copy of We Come As Aliens if you haven’t already. Meanwhile, I’ll be dipping into Vic’s back catalogue for those gems I’ve been missing out on.

Cookie, Vic, Mark Braby, and Kevin Younger

Paul, Paul, & Vic

Review and pictures by Phil Singleton
Listen to the BBC Radio 6 Marc Riley session.

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Text & pictures ©Phil Singleton /www.cookandjones.co.uk