Reverend And The Makers Newcastle And Sunderland

I saw Reverend And The Makers at The Roundhouse at The Crisis Charity gig at Camden Roundhouse in December 2008. I thought they were their energy and enthusiasm dragged me in - on the back of that gig I bought their debut album which I have enjoyed.

A photo pass for the appearance at HMV had been arranged but I also thought it would be good to document the guerrilla gigs in Sunderland and Newcastle.

They played the first gig outside The Bridges shopping centre in Sunderland - this was announced that morning by Jon McLure on Twitter

Later in the afternoon they moved up to Newcastle and played a half hour set on the main shopping street ( Northumberland Street) before continuing to the gig across the road at the official gig in HMV record store.

It was reminiscent of Joe Strummer and Paul Simonen from The Clash busking in Newcastle back in May 1985.

My photographs of the busking were picked up and used on the front page of The Sunderland Echo and also by the NME - hallelujah

DW

New York Dolls Glasgow 20 July

Since my last blog I had a photo pass for New York Dolls at Glasgow Garage on 20 July.

They are on my Flickr site here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidwala/sets/72157621649794087/

or on my website here

http://www.davidwala.com/gallery_256548.html

The band made a connection with the crowd early on and the bond lasted for the whole 90 minute set.

Back in the day I saw Johnny Thunders numerous times and the performances were always erratic but never boring. They were delivered with panache which cannot be taught - you either have it or you wish you had it.

It has been five years since the comeback gig in London since then they still have their integrity. It might have been easy to rely on their back catalogue and cover versions then collect a pay cheque for each gig. This is not how they operate since June 2004 they have made two acclaimed studio albums and toured constantly .

I was so proud to receive an email from Sylvain complementing me on my photographs from the gig and saying they would like to use some of them.

I am already looking forward to their gig at The Forum in London on 4 December 2009

L.A.M.F

DW