Shepherds Bush part 1, 19th November 2011
As you might have guessed, it's taken me some days to get over one of the biggest nights of my life; an emotional fuelled experience that I'll never forget, one that drained me mentally and physically. Sitting here in Sea Palling listening to the North Sea giving the coast another bashing Shepherds Bush seems almost unreal - was it really only a few days ago that we were there together giving it some for one last time? Still can't get me head round it. The Last Supper tour done. The final show done. Bloody hell.
The morning of the 18th November Jona and me went down to London. As the train pulled out of Norwich I thought: the next time I see this station it'll be over. I'd been feeling weird since the last rehearsal as had the rest of the band - this was it, this was real, the culmination of a long hard eighteen months and the last time some of us would ever perform together. And thinking all this, it was suddenly really hard to keep that one bit of toast I'd managed to force into me down. The journey is just a blur, I remember getting to Liverpool Street but that's about it. We stayed at a place in Shepherds Bush and as we came out of the tube I deliberately didn't look across the green - that would come tomorrow. We had sort of planned to meet up with Allison and Damon for a drink but all of us agreed we didn't really feel like going out. So the night before the final show I was lying on a bed watching telly, about eight we went downstairs and I had a few beers, ten o'clock we was back in our room, by eleven in bed. What a glamorous end to it all.
The morning after there was no chance of anything solid entering my stomach apart from a paracetamol and immodium. My tobacco took a pounding and I was pissing like a carthorse due to all the water I was drinking. Couldn't keep still and when it was time to leave for the venue I was relieved although my guts were going nuts. We'd hoped to get in the venue at twelve-fifteen but no one was there, so I said sod it and we went in O neils next door. Walked in and two blokes were in there, they were coming to the show and we all sat down together and had a quiet drink. Allison and Damon arrived so we had another little drink. A group of blokes further down the bar called me over, we had a chat, and that was it, I was a bit more relaxed and loosened up a bit. And the lovely thing was, that for about an hour, I didn't stop meeting people and saying hello. I'd nip outside for a gasper and someone would walk past - alright Steve? See you in there.
Got into the venue and there was Gizz, Pete and Carol standing on the stage looking into the auditorium. Hugs all round, Shend from the Cravats gave me a bear hug, hello to Andy T and his lads, and then the long wait for the sound check. Eve and Penny arrived, more hugging and then Harvey our sound man started getting us together for the soundcheck. I've always hated soundchecks - that endless "snare and high-hat together" stuff does my head in so I sloped off upstairs till I was needed. Spike and Gizz's families were in the dressing room along with Alice and her parents, Nicky and Gordon. Said hello to everyone and slipped next door for a quiet few minutes. No chance, the Lifeboat crew arrived with all the gear and it was back downstairs to find somewhere for them to change later. As luck would have it, the band were running through West One so I was able to show the crew when I wanted them to come on stage. Their faces when they saw the size of the place was priceless! I think they'd rather face twelve-foot waves than that! Anyway, sorted that, ran through a couple, ran through Owe Us with Pen, ran the young 'uns through Big A little a and Eve and Tony ran through Darling with Pen and that was it, soundcheck done. Now the wait for stage time.
Just into my second can of europiss and Lauren comes in- Steve, are you okay to do those interviews? Did a lovely one with the boys from Vice and another with the people from Altsounds, and then I was free to kick my heels. So I went to the pub next door. Packed out, everyone talking and smiling, saying hello, I was actually looking for my sister and my nephew but instead found the boys from Stalag 17. Petesy instantly wrapped me in his massive arms and bought me a drink and we sat there nattering. I couldn't really concentrate on what people were saying for obvious reasons, plus I was having photos done with people and signing bits and bobs including a girls' stomach. As usual I lost track of time and Jona came to get me as it was getting close to the showdown. Just as we were leaving in comes my sister. Just had time for a quick hello and then it was into the venue.
People have said that I seemed very calm before I went on but believe me, it's never easy for me. I found myself a hidey - hole behind some curtains and listened to you all singing along to Ziggy Stardust and shouting out the word Crass when it came. I could hardly breathe as I watched Allison making ready with the visuals and saw Pete strapping his Bass on. Fucking hell I thought - this is it, this really is it; and the enormity of it all, the thirty-five years of it, hit me and I turned and wept into the curtain. But there was no time to self indulge - the stage went dark and we were on. A sea of faces in front of me, smiling, tearful, I was fine myself until the intro tape started and then I nearly lost it. I don't know if any of you realised but the intro tape, the flute, was the music from the film Kes, hence the picture of the Kestrel, and the picture of the bloke was Barry Hines who wrote the book, followed by the picture of David Bradley as Billy Casper sticking his fingers up. I was honoured to be able to use the picture of Barry thanks to his wife, Eleanor, who was there with their son Tom. Anyway I turned round and looked at the screen and there was Barry, had to hold back the tears and then: Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! We were off into Do they owe us a living for the last time.
You all probably have a better impression than me of the performance; for me it was one last scream for us all, and get it right Igs for fucks' sake - but there was no need for me to worry because you, you beautiful bastards, screamed along with me and I thought my heart was going to burst. I tried to look into every single face but could'nt, but honest, I really tried. And I kept it together until I saw the glistening sadness in Carols' eyes as she finished Systematic Death for the last time. Deep breath, keep going, oh no here comes another tear jerker - the young 'uns are on for Big A little a. So What, that song that's got so many people nicked and then Roxy. See I knew what was coming next, so I let you lot have the first part of Roxy as a final celebration. And then Penny came on and you gave him such a greeting, that got my bottom lip going and then the bugger comes and hugs me before we start. I held him so tight and he smelled of Dial House, Petulie and herbs and the memories flooded in and we did it, Do they owe us a living as we'd first done it all those years ago. As it started, so it finished.
Then Eve came on to a massive roar and her, Tony and Pen did Darling in their own way (how Crass was that!) and then Eve comes and grabs me and sets me off again. What a night. Bloody hell fire.
I'd thought about what I was going to say to you but the words went and all I could say was thankyou. And then for me came a very imortant thing I had to do. I had always said that if I'd got it wrong about Colin Jerwood I would be the first to make a public apology and remove the chapter from my book. I won't talk about it now but me and Colin are back. Not that I ever stopped loving the slippery sod, I can"t.
I'd also been bricking it over doing a cover song seeing as this was the last time I'd be performing Crass songs live, so really I should only do Crass songs, but West One has always meant something special to me and the words seem to fit with the Lifeboat, so that's why I did it, and when the crew came on, you all gave them such a roar, it made Pete cry. Stuck a dirty great lump in my throat too. Punk is Dead, and then that awesome rendition of Shaved Women. I didn't know Eve was coming back on but when she did and to see her and Carol performing it together sent shivers down me. As she left the stage she was grinning from ear to ear so I took my chance and gave her bum a squeeze, just a last bit of cheeky Ignorant having a laugh with his mate Eve.
And so to Bloody Revolutions. I knew it would happen. It was seeing all your shiny eyes that set mine watering, so when Carol grabbed my hand.... and that was it.
I can't remember much about the upstairs bar bit, I remember saying hello to loads of people, Paranoid Visions - what a great bunch - Gaye Advert, Zillah and Sid from Rubella, so many faces,but that's about it, the next thing I know it's morning and I'm saying goodbye to Spike and Gizz, and then taking the train to Kings Cross with Pete and Carol and Eleanor. A very emotional farewell that one, especially Eleanor, we just held on to each other for dear life. Goodbye, goodbye, a last look over the shoulder and back to Norfolk. All done. All gone. I was in the pub by seven wondering what the fuck had just gone on. Something special, something truly beautiful, thanks to you, my dear dear brothers and sisters. THANKYOU WITH ALL MY HEART.
November 25th, 2011 - 22:59
Punk truly is dead without you guys…this is what its all about. Hope our paths can cross again.
November 27th, 2011 - 17:57
It’s still there, just it won’t be me doing the Crass stuff live on stage but I know what you mean.
November 25th, 2011 - 23:27
For me, listening to Crass as a teenager was like taking the red pill in The Matrix. I was never the same, and the seeds of some deeper values were sown for life. Now, as we are rapidly becoming mass-disenfranchised in a system that is clearly fucked, (ok it was fucked before, now it just can’t hide anymore) the relevance of the message resounds heavily. Thank you for your work and your words, for not giving up and giving in, and showing all of us a better meaning of LOVE than we might have otherwise known.
November 27th, 2011 - 17:59
Thankyou Eric, that means so much.
November 25th, 2011 - 23:27
Nothing. Not Orwell, not Huxley, not Leary, not Chomsky. Nothing made my heart beat like your encouragement. Cheers Steve. I owe you a beer and a hug.
November 27th, 2011 - 18:00
D’you know what I’ll take you up on that one day. Thanks for more tears in my eyes.
November 25th, 2011 - 23:31
Great night Steve, one of the most emotional ever…
November 27th, 2011 - 18:01
Slumpy I know…..cheers mate.
November 25th, 2011 - 23:40
That was such an awesome gig! It was an experience of a lifetime, and they don’t come much better then this. I felt so priviledged to be there! The energy was so pure and so raw! Your message above is so humble! you have no idea of fucking awesome last Saturday was! Thank you so much!
November 27th, 2011 - 18:02
Thankyou Britta.
November 25th, 2011 - 23:47
i watched you in Manchester and London what a treat.punk is dead, long live punk.you truly are an inspiration Steve.good luck in whatever you put your talents to
November 27th, 2011 - 18:02
Ste, xxx
November 25th, 2011 - 23:52
Great blog Steve, that made me a little bit teary..lol. Wish i had gone to the final show now. I was lucky enough to catch the tour in Edinburgh and i’m old enough to have seen Crass at the Edinburgh Nite Club and Lasswade High School in the early 80′s and they were great gigs. Take it easy and thanks .
Cheers
Dean
November 27th, 2011 - 18:03
Cheers Dean.
November 26th, 2011 - 00:15
Wish I hadn’t read this, brought a tear to my eye. Never realised how special this was going to be for you. All I can say is cheers for letting me be part of it.
November 27th, 2011 - 18:05
Bob, dear Bob, I mentioned you on stage, you got a great cheer, thanks mate for all the ups and downs and the night in the car with the beers. I fucking love you mate.Be in touch soon.
November 26th, 2011 - 01:17
Steve, it was a fantastic night. It was already proving to be unforgettable (you were sounding good) but when you were joined on stage by Penny it was phenominal, then Eve… I felt part of something so special.
November 27th, 2011 - 18:06
I bloody well know.
November 26th, 2011 - 03:21
You should turn your hand to writing Steve. I couldn’t make UK, but Perth was unbelievable for me. After reading this I felt like i was there. Very descriptive and emotional. Good luck to you Steve whatever you do next. I’ll see you for a beer or two in your local …..one day!!
November 27th, 2011 - 18:07
Thanks Mike – you’re on!
November 26th, 2011 - 03:36
On to the next phase Steve. It was completion and I’m glad I got to be there at the end of your Crass journey. There’ll always be a home for you hear mate. Love and Life. XXX
November 27th, 2011 - 18:07
Oh Petesy.x
November 27th, 2011 - 23:03
November 26th, 2011 - 04:58
Like a lot of folk Crass were very important to my life too. A funny story is that the local band Cravats were playing a gig that night in 1979 but I chose to go and see Crass instead in Birmingham supported by the Au Pairs. I attended the 2007 Sheperds Bush show with Deviated Instinct, Zounds & Flux Of Pink Indians and then subsequent shows in Durham and Birmingham which were all great. Andy T, Cravats, Paranoid Visions are all great bands and really nice people so the final show was just like heaven for me! The audience included members of Eastfield, UK Decay, The Mob, Rubella Ballet etc. The appearance of Penny & Eve was amazing. A very special, magical night indeed and it just shows how much it means to folk when most of us cried or are still crying! Respect to all.
November 27th, 2011 - 18:08
Thanks PJ.
November 26th, 2011 - 06:17
You’ve got me crying into my Porridge Steve
It might be the last concert, but I’ll be listening to Crass for the rest of my life, so Thank You!
November 27th, 2011 - 18:09
xx.
November 26th, 2011 - 07:23
Damn and blast! I decided not to go, but now I wish I had. I’m so glad it went so well and you had the support of Penny, Eve and G. All the best. I hope to see you again some time. It’s been a long time since The Vortex. Angie(aka Leona) xx
November 27th, 2011 - 18:09
xx
November 26th, 2011 - 07:24
RIEN N’EST JAMAIS FINI, j’ais pensé beaucoup a vous et qu’elle surprise pour vous que penny et eve soit venus,allez, CE N’EST QU’UN AUREVOIR.
November 27th, 2011 - 18:11
Merci beaucoup,you’re right this aint goodbye.
November 26th, 2011 - 08:52
one of the best moment of my life! thank you for that Steve! and as Francki says ce n’est qu’un au revoir…
November 27th, 2011 - 18:11
Thankyou.
November 26th, 2011 - 09:15
Well steve what a truly mad night , an absolutely amazing experience – so glad i was there , caught the last train home back to rochester battered and bruised from the mosh pit at the front,sorry Sue had to leave you at the back again . thanks for a great night
November 27th, 2011 - 18:12
Thanks for being there.
November 26th, 2011 - 09:43
You big daftie! You’ve set me off again. Took me two days to stop my lip quivering after the gig… It was worth it, though, for more reasons than I can put down here. I will say, though, that Saturday night was one of the best gigs I’ve been to in my life.
November 27th, 2011 - 18:14
Fen, I can’t hardly see this keyboard, today it hit me, thanks mate.
November 26th, 2011 - 09:55
Thank you Steve and the rest of the band for a great night! (carol was amazing!)
Never got a chance to see crass play so this really did it for me!
Crass affected my life like so many others and for this I do thank you all!
Love & peace. Paul
November 27th, 2011 - 18:15
Thankyou Paul.
November 26th, 2011 - 13:09
Obviously a night for the history-books. Thanx a lot for making this happen everyone involved! You werent the only one crying Steve
I guested a radioshow when I got back to Norway and gave a short report on the show before playing 2 Crass songs. You can check it out (in Norwegian) here: http://srib.no/musikk/gorilla/
It will be replaced by a new show next Friday
November 27th, 2011 - 18:16
Thankyou Balle.
November 26th, 2011 - 13:24
i’ve often thought how i would have turned out if i hadn’t listened to the advice and morals of Crass in my formative years.
I might have been successful. Perhaps even rich
I mght have had the trappings of an easy life. A large mortgage in a leafy suburb. With a nice car, and a perfect lawn
A large social circle that meets occassionaly over barbeques, golf, or cheese and wine evenings.
I would almost definately have turned out a complete wanker.
So thanks for helping me choose the right path
November 27th, 2011 - 18:16
Ah mate.x
November 26th, 2011 - 13:53
Great blog Steve, I’m proud to have been part of that final show – wouldn’t have missed it for the world!!
November 27th, 2011 - 18:17
Me and you both.
November 26th, 2011 - 15:42
Nice words mate, there has been and will be many more imitations(Myself included).But quite simply you are irreplaceable, no one does it better. Now onwards and upwards.See you soon.Colin.x
November 27th, 2011 - 17:54
Fucking hell Colin I’m so sorry. Thanks for your calm words all through this dreadful episode, if I could stretch my arms from Norfolk to you…xxxxxx
November 27th, 2011 - 19:55
Things happen mate, personally I think its now made me stronger. A very strange year but its all sent to test us, the important thing is we passed. Once you have licked the wounds it will be great to see you.Take a rest mate.Col
November 26th, 2011 - 19:14
Was worth travelling all the way from Scotland! I was lucky enough to meet you in O’neills in the afternoon. Would not have missed it for the world. Amazing night! Cheers!!
November 27th, 2011 - 18:17
Cheers.
November 26th, 2011 - 20:29
Tricky, your words were absolutley spot on!! I first heard Crass in the spring of 1979 through friends in Epping. I bought ‘The feeding of the 5,000′ I went from being a 14 year old being spoon fed crap to a free thinking individual. I questioned everything and only did what I believed in.
I am now 47, live in a council house in Harlow. Have 4 children at home, each one an individual, and the values Crass introduced to me live on through them.
Thank you Steve, you changed not only my life, but the lives of my family as well.
November 27th, 2011 - 18:18
Thankyou Kevin.
November 26th, 2011 - 21:32
Walking and drinking around Shepard’s Bush afterwards was incredible. Everyone wanted to chat, shake hands and hug. We acted like we’d been through something significant together.
The B and B the next morning was the same. Strangers chatting and wishing each other safe travels, knowing it was a swan song for some of us and possibly never to cross paths again.
Brothers? Yes indeed Steve. And thanks.
November 27th, 2011 - 18:18
Thanks Brother.
November 27th, 2011 - 11:59
An amazing night and your words captured the emotion… .. so glad I could be there
what was the name of the band who came on before Craavats ???? It has been driving us mad and we cant find them emntioned anywheer … cheers again for the magik @x
November 27th, 2011 - 18:19
Paranoid Visions and thankyou for the kind words.
November 27th, 2011 - 17:04
Just watching the gig on youtube, absolutey gutted i argued with the wife and she stormed out and of course i couldn’t leave her walking the streets ofLondon so i walked out after ten minutes and missed it so sorry i missed the show. good luck in whatever you do in the future
November 27th, 2011 - 18:20
Cheers mate.
November 27th, 2011 - 18:19
Wished I could have been there but reading your post I could hear the whole thing in my head and feel all that emotion you describe so well…I felt the same way when I first heard CRASS… I remember where I was, what I was wearing, what the air in the room felt like…truly a point of charge in life. Thank you for all you’ve given so many people. So much admiration for you, and all the luck and love in the world for what’s next. We will all still be with you for that, whatever, wherever it is.
November 27th, 2011 - 18:27
Hey Steve and all!
I was at at the last two SB gigs and there was no way I was missing this.
Amazing gig!!!I now have some nice rib and elbow bruising from the barriers.
Setlist was perfect!
It was obviously very emotional for all of you.I don’t think any of you left the stage without shedding a tear…
Steve – so nice to meet you just to say thankyou in the pub just a few hours before the gig.
A special thankyou to:
The children for the intro to Big A Little A – that was amazing! =)
Penny and Eve for all you did on the night.
The lifeboat crew (that must have been daunting standing in full gear in front of us all…
Your work is appreciated.
And Thankyou to Allison for giving me the setlist sheets at the end of the gig.I must have just been lucky and had longer arms than most. =)
Have fun in whatever you do everyone…
You’ll be missed.
Wiggz
November 27th, 2011 - 19:13
I had a absolutley superb time.Never got to see you play Crass songs before and i was not disappointed.Gutted it’s the last time.End of an era mate.Took my brother in law to his 1st punk do and he’s converted!Read your book in a day on the Sunday after and couldn’t put it down.Fantastic story mate!Good luck with all you and yer missus do in the future.Thanks again!
November 27th, 2011 - 19:42
Oh how I love you, you soppy bloody idiot. You gave so much of yourself on this tour, I watched you do it, out in the venue as soon as the doors opened, giving yourself to people. Off the stage and straight out into the venue again, giving more. I have such gigantic respect for you Steve, there’s just no words. I am so grateful for the time we spent together on this tour! Love you. xx
November 27th, 2011 - 21:04
great gig very emotional, came down from norwich too for it and met a load from ipswich there as well awesome
November 27th, 2011 - 21:27
Great night at the empire first saw crass as a 12 year old at cleator moor cumbria my first gig and to see steve perform those fantastic songs for the last time felt like a journey coming to the end as a 43 year old.
All the best steve and thanks for crass.
November 27th, 2011 - 22:49
Are you sitting in first class in that photo?
November 27th, 2011 - 23:10
Wish i could have been there Crass meant so much to me when i was younger and ill never forget the gigs Derby and Tunstall mainly, used to be in a band and Oddy was our roady yes the same Oddy. Lust thought i would say thanks for the inspiration. Dave T
November 28th, 2011 - 01:37
HOLD ON !
I love cheese, and wine especially.
And I play golf, and wank !
Oh shit !
Seriously Steve, superb night. My 1st time hearing Crass songs live. The band was brilliant, Pen & Eve was a beautiful bonus. don;t suppose it was recorded for posterity was it – Guess not, thinking about it. Shame. Now if only Southern would release Best Before in the Crassical Collection…..
Anyway, onwards and upwards to all. May the road rise with you and yours Steve.
November 28th, 2011 - 02:04
Steve et all, I saw your show in Seattle in April 2011. I have read both your books (Steve’s and Penny’s). You guys are awesome and your musics have been a beacon in my whole life. I so wish I saw your show in London recently, the whole contingent was there it looks like! Thanks again. -Daniel
November 28th, 2011 - 08:50
i’m kicking myself for not having been there. Luckily i saw Crass a couple of times back in the ’80′s, they were such important events for me.
Thanks for everything Steve!
November 28th, 2011 - 18:16
A big thank you for fantastic show Steve.
A lifetime ago, you could feel like you were part of a movement, just by being at a Crass show. But unlike every other movement, this one was driven by hope, idealism and righteous anger, in a time when such sentiments were in short supply. A Crass gig wasn’t just a concert, it was something much bigger than that.
The other night in Shepherds Bush, you reminded us that some things need never change: The joy of the crowd, our love of the band, the music and the sentiments brought the Empire to life. As we sang along to Punk is Dead, Owe Us A Living, Banned From The Roxy, Screaming Babies, we could have been back at the 100 Club or the Brighton Concord. We’re all just a bit thicker round the middle and thinner on top.
You, Carol, the whole band were all superb. And to see Penny and Eve up there as well was the icing on the cake. Unforgettable.
November 28th, 2011 - 21:31
As one of the younger people at the Shepherd’s Bush gig, I just have to say that although you’re probably still thinking of it all as a full stop at the end of a major part of your life (or maybe an exclamation mark would be more fitting?), rest assured that you and Crass have influenced countless people along the way. I’m glad to say that I was one of them. Things which inspire like the music you helped to create are constantly marking new beginnings for people from all walks of life, and will keep doing so long after we’re all gone. Punk will NEVER come to an end. I’m just grateful I was there to see the last glorious swan song of Crass live. I’ll never forget it, and I dare say neither will anyone else who attended. Thank you Steve, thank you Crass, and good luck with whatever you decide to do in the future. Keep fighting the good fight…
-Karl
November 29th, 2011 - 01:48
I never thought much of mainstream punk when I was a kid but when I heard Subhumans, Culture Shock, Conflict and, especially, Crass for the first time when I was 18 I knew I has found the soundtrack for the rest of my life. I was brought up catholic but everything I had though about catholicism from when I was 10 years old was summed up by ‘Reality Asylum’ and ‘So What’. I’m glad to say that, although I missed Crass first time around, I saw both of the ‘Feeding’ gigs and ‘Last Supper’ gig and they more than made up for it. I’m now hoping that these gigs have given you the appetite to create more new music in the future. I loved Schwartzenegger and Stratford Mercenaries and would love to see you start a new band or get back with Colin and Conflict to make some new music now that the misunderstanding is in the past. Actually, why not start a new band with Carol, Gizz, Spike, et all??
November 29th, 2011 - 07:18
I’ll always remember your concert @ the Bodega, WELLINGTON, New Zealand, it was one of the best nights I have ever had, thank you for coming downunder.
November 29th, 2011 - 12:09
Steve, myself and 2 mates travelled from Dublin to see you in 2007 in Shepherds Bush. It was one of the best gigs ever. We saw you in Dublin with Paranoid Visions and T.V. Smith and had a great night. Crass were one of the most important things in my life. Made me question everything from an early age and after hearing ‘Feeding of the 5,000′ nearly everything thereafter was just dull in comparison. Loved the book too. You have broght happiness and hope to so many people. A true inspiration and a bloody great vocalist and bloke.
All the best Steve.
Maurice
November 29th, 2011 - 17:24
Beautiful summary of the events leading up to, during and after the gig Steve. The band and you were on fire that night, true passion. Who said ‘big boys don’t cry’? I know I did a little. Thank you so much man! x
November 29th, 2011 - 19:03
Absolutely the most emotionally charged gig I’ve ever been to. Such a special night and I’m so glad I could be there down the front. It was especially exciting and very moving to see Penny and Eve on stage with you as I was too young to catch Crass the first time round.
Really happy that you and Colin have resolved the Cherry Red ordeal too. How about replacing the ‘Betrayed’ chapter of your book with an account of the Shepherds Bush gig – it would be a fitting coda to an already brilliant read.
November 30th, 2011 - 13:05
Steve it was a great night and well worth the journey, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. (Although thanks to being a complete dunce on London Transport after 30 years away I nearly DID miss it!!)
Thanks for letting me be a part of it all and for bringing the tour to us all the way Down Under. It meant so much to so many people here. Through working with you I have been very lucky to get to know not just yourself and Jona but all the band and so many other great people, made so many new friends and been reunited with long lost friends as well as finally getting to meet some people who made me who I am when I was just another teenage face in the crowd.
The theme of reuniting like minded people and getting us all thinking again that ran through the tour here is something very special.
I know you’ll probably be very humble about it but what you have achieved in the last 34 years is huge.
I’ll never be able to listen to “Trail of the Lonesome Pine” again without thinking of a certain bar in Auckland….I can imagine Gizz putting his “talk too much” timer on me so I’ll shut up now and hope to see you next year! Lots of love xoxoxoxoxox
“Big Spender”
November 30th, 2011 - 18:14
Steve.
It was a truely great ol’ night. Me & my son, Joe, who’s 17 & is probably into Crass as much as me, travelled home for the Last Supper from Ireland. I know we could of gone to the gigs earlier in the year at Dublin & Belfast, but some things are worth coming home for.
Joe was gutted we never saw you in the bar, we both wanted to shake yer hand & say Fanx for some classic music.
Still can’t believe we’ll never see you doing Crass stuff again – fuck knows how you must feel.
Well, thanks once again. Take care.
Andy & Joe Packman
PS. Are Southern gonna be re-printing any of the XL Crass logo t-shirts?
December 2nd, 2011 - 10:28
Steve, it’s been two weeks since the Shepherds Bush gig and I just wanted to thank you for a great great gig. I was lucky enouch to have seen Crass about 10 times back in the early eighties all over the country, and was lucky enough to have been involved in putting on a gig in my home town of Port Talbot nearly 30 years ago. Crass clearly mean so much to everyone who was there at the gig and also to hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. I have felt extremely emotional rearding the final show and had tears of joy and sorrow and it made me feel like I was eightenn again leaping aroung down the front. I paid for it the next day as I’d pulled a calf muscle and coudn’t walk properly until 4 or 5 days later, but the gig was absolutely fantastic. The the raw emotion of everyone there was clear to all. I just want to add that doing Bloody Revolutions at the end was a fitting way to finish for me as I never saw Crass doing that song. So glad I was there thanks again for a truly magic night. Love and peace, Garry A
December 2nd, 2011 - 12:10
Hi Steve, 1st off, what a brilliant read that was. Can really tell it was a very emotional occasion for you mate. Just want to say what an incredible night Shepherds bush was, me and my mate came down fae Edinburgh, there was no way I was missing the last gig. Everything about it was f*cking amazing, and the atmos was crackling, I’ve still got the bruises and scrapes from being down near the front. Like a lot of folk have already said, Crass pretty much changed my life and the way I think. I was at the gig you did in ’81 at the Lasswade Centre – a 14 year old kid, cheers for making me feel that way again a coupla weeks ago! Also saw you when you played with Goldblade up here in 2009, again, it took me right back to those teenage years. Crass weren’t so much a band, as a way of thinking, of belonging, and questioning what we’re told – there’s never been that many, if any, bands, that can say they’ve had such a profound effect on folk – you, and the rest of the guys, Penny, Eve etc, should be proud of that. Gutted I never got to shake your hand or say THANK YOU for everything you’ve given me and others before the gig, so I’ll say it now, cheers!
Also, it’s bloody magic that you’ve made up wi Colin, (you pair of soppy old sods, you put in a lump in my throat reading your posts earlier!) that is just brilliant, hope you hook up and share a beer or 10 soon!
Finally, just massive THANKS for everything you’ve given me and others. Couldn’t ask for any more from a genuinely great bloke, the work you’re doing with the lifeboat crew etc just proves that, what a f*cking top man you are. So, the final chapter in Crass maybe written, but as one door slams shut, another one opens, I’m sure you’ll go on and do as many equally worthwhile things in your life as you have done up till now. Wish you all the best.
Cheero. Neil fae Edinburgh.
December 2nd, 2011 - 12:27
Oh aye, meant 2010 for Edinburgh gig. Time flies!
December 3rd, 2011 - 20:57
Fuck…….Cant Believe i Missed This By a Couple Of Days………………..
Please…..
Let me Now If You’re Playin’ Again………
Cos They Fuckin’ Do…………………………………..
December 10th, 2011 - 17:09
To my mind you had a great time there! I wish I will be there too
December 11th, 2011 - 19:59
Hi Steve. It took me some time to write this letter. I want to tell you what I wanted to say in the last 14 years( the time I am listening to Crass). My name is Olga and originally I come from Russia-the country where everything is really fucked up. I was 13 when I first heard Crass and since that my life had changed. Punk rock became the way of my life, thanks to your songs. I became an open-minded personality who could stand and fight for my rights. But at the time I was 13 (I was born in 1984) punk was persecuted in Russia and it was impossible to find any Crass songs there. But I was lucky to know one journalist who could get some cassettes of your music from somewhere. They were so precious for me! As I knew that you stopped performing in 1984, I thought I would never have a chance to see you live again. Six years ago I moved to London and during my life here I could manage to find things with and about Crass which I couldn’t get in Russia. Two months ago I knew that you’re going to perform in London one more time. I couldn’t believe I would see you and hear all my favourite songs! I am nearly 27 now and to see you performing live after 14 years I had heard you for the first time meant so much to me! On my way to Shepherds Bush I was shivering! When you came on stage, I couldn’t even breathe. Your gig was the best show I’d seen, Steve. I was crying during and after concert on my way home. 14 years I have been waiting to see you! Thanks so much for giving the chance to see you live for those people like me (who were born in the 80s). Your music is so special to me. There are no words to express what I was feeling when you were performing that evening. Thanks for everything you had done, for putting all yourself in this gig and for making so many people happy ( especially me). Hopefully one day you come to London and I’ll meet you to say thank you. I wrote one poem for you and here it is:
I know you’ll not sing again
But your music for me is eternal.
Thank you for 34 years
I left Shepherds Bush in tears.
I saw you- I couldn’t believe
Steve Ignorant- simply Steve.
You gave me a chance at this age
To see you performing on stage.
To feel inspiration of Crass
The band which is truly the best.
14 years I waited-so long.
14 years I learned every song.
14 years-and this moment came
I saw your evening of fame.
Your songs overtook my soul
Your voice made me out of control.
Your every move was with passion
I can’t express my impression.
Thank you for the best ever show.
Thank you for bringing that joy.
Thank you for what you had done.
Thank you for having great fun.
Thanks for the best gig ever
My memories will stay forever.
I know you’ll not sing live
But Crass is the way of my life.
December 18th, 2011 - 00:57
well steve, shepherds bush was a fantastic night. I went along on my tod and met some great people and we had quite a night after. The idea that you are the only authority permeated everything that night. I got a lil too excited near the end and somehow ended up over the top right in front of you. I looked up and you looked so focussed that I thought we best leave it there. Although at nearly 47 I think that will be the last venture of that type. My back the next day!
What sticks with me is the sense of community among everyone who attended. Really was like old friends getting together and the UK needs a lot moe of that at the moment. I say bring back crass…never more relevant…. I watched that this is england 88 and the intro to that was a stark rmeinder of how atrocious the 80s really were. Keep the faith. Looking forward to hearing what you are up to next.
January 6th, 2012 - 22:04
Hi Steve.Just want to say that yourself and the others in Crass,are beautiful human beings,its good to know people like us exist.Thought you might like to know how Crass changed my life.I come from a miliatary family,my Dad (rip) was in W.W.2,my only brother was serving in Northern Ireland.I wanted to be in the army too,i was brought up that way with war stories and encouragement from Dad.I joined the Territorial Army,and was very good at soldiering.After two years in the T.A,i was going to be fasttracked into the regular army.A dream!.About the same time i was getting into some anarchist punk my friends had introduced me to,namely Crass.I soon realised that i couldnt go ahead with the army stuff,because more intelligent and enlightened people ,like yourselves,were enabling me to see that soldiers and armys are not and never will be the way forward.So i didnt go ahead with it.That was in 1984.For many years i mildly regretted my decision,but today i know what i did was right,especially for my conscience,and thats what matters.I was at the Hammersmith Odeon Last gig,first time i ever saw crass,and it was emotional for me too,and i could feel the love from you,i was so ,so happy,it was a memorable night,and…thanks mate.I love you man .!
February 13th, 2012 - 14:27
Proud to say I got to see you in the Empire, Belfast. One of the best gigs, ever.