tom robinson band

The Stranglers – Hastings Pier 26th March 1977

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supplied by Neil William Michael McGuigan

Jacquie Ballard… I was there great night. I got a badge.

Alan Esdaile… Was it Tom Robinson supporting Neil? as I think it was originally advertised as Eater?

Neil William Michael McGuigan… trouble is I honestly can’t remember

Peter Fairless… The support was Eater, not TRB

Paul Gray… I didn’t realise they played the Pier twice. I saw them supported by The Dictators.

Neil William Michael McGuigan… Get your old posters out. From Pier 1977, so I put this on ebay- and it sold for £1830 today.

Pete Fairless… …and Neil is kindly going to pledge some of his profit to the FOHP bid to save the pier – what a nice guy!

Sandy Max… Damn I wish I’d kept them!

 Virginia Davis… I was thinking the same

Alan Batty… Rattan Norvegicus was originally going to be called dead on arrival….any link?

Jan Warren… Hhmm, not sure, “Rattus Norvegicus” simply means “Brown Rat” but “Dead on Arrival” would be a suitable title for a Stranglers album, I LOVE The Stranglers!! and how brilliant to get such a price for a poster?!! – no wonder I keep so much “junk” ……. always hoping it might be worth something??!!

Jeff Harris…Hi all, just been lurking here and thought you might be interested in the true story around this poster…In 1977 I was an art student at Eastbourne Art College, when a colleague of mine was asked by a promoter friend to design a poster for a new punk band who were about to release their first album (The Stranglers) and then go on tour. At this point the album title was going to be ‘Dead on Arrival’. Hence the image of someone being kidnapped/strangled. The designer asked me to be the model for the poster. Sadly they changed the album title before any other shows, so this is a bit of a rarity and probably the only evidence of the albums original planned title.

Tom Robinson & Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Hastings Pier gigs

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John Storer asks...

I wonder if anyone else can remember Tom Robinson Band with Eater in support around the time of 2-4-6-8 Motorway

The other was Dexy’s Midnight Runners around the time of “Searching For The Young Soul Rebels (my second favourite album ever) – a set even shorter than The Sex Pistols. There were a few National Front idiots at the front of the stage and Kevin Rowland took the band off-stage during the third number and refused to come back out. There may even have been some band / audience fisticuffs Dexy’s are one of my all-time fave bands but this was the only time I saw them live. What really annoyed me was that a lot of mates decided not to go see them at The Pier but to go to the band’s gig at Brighton Top Rank the following night. They all returned with rave reviews and one of them still swears to this day it was the best gig he ever went to!

Philip Meston…..Didn’t see TRB, but was at the Dexy’s gig. Gig was rather spoilt by beer can throwing and disruption, which was partly due to the band not wanting to play Geno as I recall. Other than that, they really could play!!

John Austin….I saw the Dexy”s gig ! spoilt by gobbing punks !

Pete Fairless…..The Dexys gig was brief, nervous and angry… In short, of course, exactly as it should have been! Not sure anyone saw TRB on the pier!

Martyn Baker…..Yep I was there. Kevin asked the audience if they’d bought tickets just to see them perform their hit record. When lots shouted “Yeah!” He quietly said “Ever been had?”.

Leigh Weiland-Boys…..I was there that night! Anyone & everyone that knows me has heard the story…I seem to recall a lot of spitting going on!

Pete Fairless….Eater supported The Stranglers, it may be that gig that John is thinking of. Eater were dire, probably the worst band I ever saw on the pier.

Alan Esdaile….It does look like Tom Robinson did not appear, unless anyone knows different? Could it have been The Crpyt?

Sarah Harvey….I have seen an advert for TRB but just need to find it. As i remember it wasn’t the biggest advert I have ever seen….could have been supporting someone else. Can’t remember actually seeing them.