Playing five men up front, despite the traditional placement of the rhythm section in defence puts Dead Men Walking in an entirely new 5-0-0 formation, but it’s an all star incarnation. The pedigree and experience of this team is not in doubt.
Spear of Destiny frontman and striker Kirk Brandon is on the left wing, Mike Peters of The Alarm doubles up on rhythm guitar, Bruce Watson (Big Country)covers lead duties, and they've a real wild card in the form of standing drummer Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats. Then of course there’s bassist and ex-Sex Pistol Glen Matlock. (Tim Peacock caught up with Glen in the dressing room earlier and there’s a full transcription of that interview available to our internet viewers on the ‘chat’ page). The real issue tonight though, has to be whether the group can hold it together over the course of 2 forty-five minute sets and - if it goes to extra time - will the encore be "Pretty Vacant" or "God Save The Queen"?
It’s a listless start, followed by some more promising psychobilly in the form of Stray Cats number "Rumble In Brighton." Matlock's "Burning Sounds" ups the ante again before the band break down, in a move familiar to veteran Dead Men supporters, into more individual busked sets on acoustic guitars. This makes up the majority of the first half. Of these songs, selected from a vast conglomerated back catalogue boasting more top 40 hits than you can shake a stick at, not to mention more recent releases (Glen Matlock and The Alarm both have records out) Dead Man of the Match looks to be Kirk Brandon. In this climate the Spear Of Destiny material stands head and shoulders above the rest.
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At half time I get talking with a season ticket holder and Dead Men supporter who points out despite the ‘sounds of a generation’ promotion material the current line up are a mixed bag; differing stand points, optimists, pessimists, mainstream and cult figures. The disjointed feel of the evening is hardly surprising. A founder member from Stiff Little Fingers is missing and favourites Pauline Black (The Selecter) and Billy Duffy (The Cult) are also absent.
The second half gels better as the hits rack up. "Rock This Town" (Stray Cats), "God Save The Queen" (Pistols), "Rain In the Summertime", cheeky journo-baiter "45 RPM" and "Rescue Me" (Alarm) improve things, but do little to challenge Brandon’s monopoly on the crowds hearts and minds. A moody and expressive rendition of classic "Westworld" decimates all before it.
Matlock fronts for a brief encore in the form of "Pretty Vacant" and whilst it’s true he was always technically the best bassist the Pistols had, his vocal charisma is not enough to carry the performance into legend. It seems Dead Men Walking have not yet found a way to become the sum of their parts.
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