The Godfathers

I will not lie! I am a Godfathers fan and have been from pretty much their mid-eighties inception. That given I walked down those famous 100 Club steps, a venue The Godfathers had yet to leave their mark on, as wide eyed and expectant as ever I had been across that expanse of time.

As per usual the pre drinking experience denied us the pleasure of the nights support band but left us just enough time to shuffle into the crowd whose age also belied their loyalty status. With the reformed original line-up already split Kris Dollimore and Mike Gibson gave way to original Sid Presley Experience guitarist Del Bartle and fittingly the night’s opener Public Enemy Number One crashed out of the monitors onto a welcoming crowd.

Camera’s filming it was clear from the start that The Godfathers meant business, Del Bartle had the stature and know-how to fill the two-man gap with slick licks and a sharp sustain that cut through the club with a vitriolic frenzy that I’d not witnessed at a Godfathers gig for far too long. Straight into ‘I Want Everything’ and the mosh pit is in full flow the only problem being the thought – how long can I survive this?

Hit by hit they came from an array of albums with highlights ‘Cause I Said So’, ‘Love Is Dead’ and ‘She Gives Me Love'. Peter Coyne’s vocals left nothing to the imagination as bloodthirsty as ever and when used together with that trademark glare he can still chill the bones of many a fan. Brother and partner in crime Chris duly executed each bass riff with clinical precision and a passion which was a pleasure to witness. This landmark gig was to celebrate the Godfathers 25th Anniversary and after a touching speech from Peter the crowd joined together on Happy Birthday, a welcome breather from the mosh pit. The rest of the set came slick and fast with two new tracks making the grade. The high octane instrumental ‘I’m Branded’ which saw Peter jump offstage to enjoy the spectacle for himself and ‘Back Into The Future’ a clear winner which will hopefully get a release later in the year.

With sweat dripping from the ceiling ‘Hup 2 3 4’ was greeted with a cheer and followed by a personal favourite of mine ‘If I Only Had Time’. Then it was a sprint to the end and my legs almost couldn’t take it. ‘This Damn Nation’, ‘Birth School Work Death’ with an encore of ‘Brand New Cadillac’ by The Clash, ‘I'm Unsatisfied’ and finally leaving the stage with John Lennon’s ‘Cold Turkey’ to an eruption of applause.

This 100 Club celebration easily stands alongside some of the best gigs The Godfathers have ever played. They still have it, they still mean it and best of all they’re still here. Long live The Godfathers!


Set List:

Public Enemy Number One
I Want Everything
Cause I Said So
I Can't Sleep Tonight
Love Is Dead
Just Because You're Not Paranoid Doesn't Mean To Say They're Not Going To Get You!
Can't Leave Her Alone
She Gives Me Love
(Happy Birthday)
When Am I Coming Down
This Is War
I Want You
How Does It Feel
I'm Branded
Lonely Man
Back Into The Future
Walking Talking Johnny Cash Blues
How Low is Low/Hup 2 3 4/If I Only Had Time
This Damn Nation
Birth School Work Death

Brand New Cadillac
I'm Unsatisfied
Cold Turkey