gigography 1977
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Mark E. Smith's proposed setlist for The Outsiders, written ca. December 1976 and attached to a letter to Tony Friel dated 20 December 1976. In June 2006, Friel posted some early Fall material on his website (atomicsoup.co.uk: now defunct), including the above setlist, which predates the first Fall gig by five months. MES was trying to figure out how The Outsiders' set might pan out, hence the timings.
The set transcribed:
It's Not Right / Psycho Mafia / Louie, Louie (The Kingsmen) / Frightened / Stepping Out / Copped It / Want Some Drugs (or Something) / Your Heart Out / Bo Diddley's a Gunslinger (Bo Diddley) / The Outsiders / Brand New Cadillac (Vince Taylor & His Playboys) / You're Driving Me Insane (The Roughnecks - Lou Reed pre-VU) / Repetition / Don't Think About It / Chile's Dead > Race Hatred > Coupla Punks // encore: Not Going Home
Another letter from Mark to Tony, dated 25 January 1977, adds to The Outsiders canon:
For a good read about the early punk scene in Manchester, I recommend Frank Owen's Booze, Blood and Noise: The Violent Roots of Manchester Punk.
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Early October 2022: New information from Una Baines and Louise Alderman (who was part of the Manchester Musicians' Collective) in the wake of Cherry Red's claim that The Fall's first gig would be part of their 1970s 12CD box set, to be released on 25 November 2022.
It now appears that The Fall played an earlier gig at North West Arts, in early May 1977. This, their first gig, took place before Una bought her keyboard and is not on the box set, since their so-called "first gig" has a keyboard on it.
Una's first gig was indeed in the North West Arts basement, but apparently on 16th May, not the 23rd as previously documented. She thinks it's the 16th because Louise Alderman made a note of it in her diary. This, The Fall's second gig, is what's on the new box set. It was recorded by Frank Ewart and it was the only time the group was recorded in this building, according to Louise (however, Martin says the first gig was recorded).
I thank Dannyno for his dedicated research into all things Fall Historical. He found this back in 2019—an announcement for a preliminary meeting of the Musicians' Collective to take place on 25 April 1977— in Trevor Wishart's archives at the University of York. Louise Alderman remembers that Mark E. Smith attended this meeting so it makes sense that The Fall played at their first workshop, which was either on the 2nd or 9th of May (the meetings were on Mondays).
 
Mid-October 2022: The plot continues to thicken. On 12 October Omega Auctions announced more items to be sold on behalf of the Mark E. Smith estate, including the setlist for a previously undocumented gig at North West Arts on 13 June 1977 (see below). The setlist mentions that the gig was recorded, and since we've been told that only one of the NWA gigs was taped, it makes sense that it's this gig that's on the new box set, not 16 May after all! But who knows?
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April 1977 : lineup # 1 : Mark E. Smith (vocals), Martin Bramah (guitar), Tony Friel (bass), Steve Ormrod (drums). Note that before they played any gigs, the lineup was to be Martin on vocals, Mark on guitar, Tony on bass, and Una on drums (a drum kit was too expensive, so Una was saving up for her Snoopy keyboard at the time of this gig).
(?) 2 or 9 May 1977 (?) North West Arts basement, King Street, Manchester
The Fall's first
gig was in the North West Arts office/shop/cafe complex and was part of the Manchester Musicians' Collective, organized by
Dick Witts and Trevor Wishart. Dick Witts recalls the venue as being
"like a fashionable restaurant in the late 70s, with everything white.
It was done out like a small white cave. We just took the tables and
chairs out. Mark and Martin, who were taller than the others, had
to bend down because of the low ceiling. It wasn't really public,
the audience was just a group of other musicians sitting around listening."
Una Baines had not yet received a bank loan for a keyboard
so watched from the audience; the drummer was Steve Ormrod, an
insurance salesman and "rabid conservative" who lasted just
the one gig left after the North East London Polytechnic gig on 24 June 1977. Steve's tragic death in August 1994 has been documented by Dannyno on the forum.
No tape exists? Although Martin Bramah
recalls, "The first gig was recorded, so somebody might have
a tape somewhere. It was a small room and about half the audience
was The Buzzcocks. Mark just let fly with such venom from day one.
I remember he just sort of reached into the audience and virtually
poked his finger up Howard Devoto's nose." According to Louise Alderman the first gig was members only; and that Buzzcocks weren't members nor in attendance.
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Monday, 16 May 1977 North West Arts basement, King Street, Manchester
Futures and Pasts / Frightened / Repetition / Copped It / Industrial Estate / Sten Gun Rock / Race Hatred / You Don't Turn Me On
Setlist is according to Cherry Red's "The 1970s" box set. However, that setlst might well apply to 16 June 1977, not 16 May.
Details about
this and some of the other 1977 gigs are taken from Simon Ford's excellent
article in the May 2002 issue of Wire.
I previously had this gig on 23 May but Louise Alderman of the Manchester Musicians' Collective noted in her diary that The Fall gig was on the 16th.
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Probably The Fall's first mention in print, in Steve Shy's "Shy Talk" #3, May 1977:
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Friday, 3 June
1977 The Squat, Devas Street, Manchester
The band's third
gig was part of a "Stuff the Jubilee" festival (I guess a late addition); also on
the bill were the Drones, Warsaw, the Worst, and the Negatives (w/Kevin
Cummins on drums). The set included Una Baines playing the national
anthem on keyboards. No tape exists?
(3rd June was a Friday, not the 6th, so I think I have the date correct for this gig.)
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Monday, 13 June
1977 North West Arts basement, King Street, Manchester
Setlist from Mark E. Smith's collection, to be auctioned by Omega Auctions in November 2022. It appears likely that this is the so-called "first gig" on Cherry Red's 1970s box set, although their release is missing the first two songs.
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Saturday, 18 June
1977 The Squat, Manchester
Setlist from Mark E. Smith's collection, consigned to Omega Auctions by his family in August 2022.
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Saturday, 25 June
1977 North East London Polytechnic, Longbridge Road,
Barking
 
Rock Against Racism
benefit supporting Buzzcocks and the Verbals. Fourth band on the bill
were the Sockets, who became the Purple Hearts. After the gig they
were courted by Gary Bushell. No tape exists? Many thanks to Spencer for the flyer and Martin Ling for the ticket.
Setlist from Mark E. Smith's collection, consigned to Omega Auctions by his family in August 2022. Steve Ormond's last gig..
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ca. late June - December 1977 : lineup # 2 : Mark E. Smith (vocals), Martin Bramah (guitar), Tony Friel (bass), Una Baines (keyboards), Karl Burns (drums).
Monday, 4 July
1977 The Vortex at Crackers, Soho,
London
 
Opening night
of the Vortex. Supporting were John Cooper Clarke
and Buzzcocks. From George Gimarc's Punk Diary 1970-1979: "Opening
act The Fall are greeted with great indifference. Their music is aggressive
but not as banal as some openers can be. It's only The Fall's sixth-ever
gig. They got together in Manchester late last year and have a harsh,
unschooled approach to music."
An advert in Melody
Maker (2 July 1977) gives The Fall second billing between Buzzcocks
and John Cooper Clarke and DJ Nic Lee. The bar stayed open till 2
am and entrance cost £1. It was the grand opening night of the
club. Although not advertised playing two numbers that night were
Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers.
Setlist from Mark E. Smith's collection, consigned to Omega Auctions by his family in August 2022. Thanks to Mark Wiffen for the flyer. No tape exists?
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Friday, 22 July
1977 Hulme Labour Club, Manchester
Rock Against Racism gig with Buzzcocks / The Fall / John Cooper Clark. Thanks to Dannyno for the listing from Socialist Worker.
No tape exists?
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Thursday, 4 August 1977
Rafters, Manchester
Listing printed in the 4 August Manchester Evening News, thanks again to Dannyno. No tape exists?
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Thursday, 18 August 1977
St. Georges' Community Centre, Livesey Street, Manchester
 
Thanks to Kevin for the ticket and Jesse for the flyer.
Stephen Burke: "I went to the Fall's first gig, it was on King St., North West Arts. The second gig seems to be missing. 30 years is a long time and I don't remember the name of the club but it was in Collyhurst/Ancoats about two weeks later. A youth club on Oldham Road, just past the Royal Mail. No bar, just soft drinks and about 50 kids running round. I'd say there was about 50-80 to see the gig. Pretty sure that Una played. I think the youth club is still there on Oldham Road, same side as the Royal Mail at the corner of the next traffic lights."
[The ex-members Simon Ford interviewed for his book recalled that the Stuff the Jubilee gig on 3 June was the band's second gig. Kevin Cummins wrote in to say that the gig Stephen Burke remembered was actually on 18 August]:
Kevin: "The Youth Club gig Steve Burke is referring to was this one. Scan of my ticket attached. It was a pretty pointless gig really - the kids were too young. The band played three or so songs before the guy running the place told us that 'they weren't the kind of band he was expecting'. They gig was abandoned and after a quick phone call, the gear was loaded into the van and they went to The Ranch club on Dale Street to 'finish' the gig. These are the pics that have been published widely. Hope that sorts a few things out for you."
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Thursday, 18 August 1977
The Ranch, Dale Street, Manchester
Three photographs by Kevin Cummins are in Brian Edge's Paintwork book. No
tape exists?
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Consigned to Omega Auctions by Mark's sisters. In 2022 they began selling off his belongings to the highest bidders.
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Sunday, 21 August
1977 Electric Circus, Manchester
These listings were posted on the Manchester Music Archive site with a comment:
The "Surprise Top recording Star" was Alvin Lee who reportedly brought a lot of big equipment with him. The Boomtown Rats didn't play, in fact they never played the Electric Circus. Eater headlined that night with The Fall supporting.
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Monday, 29 August
1977 Top of the World, Stafford
Dannyno found this listing in the Staffordshire Newsletter (26 August 1977) and is seeking confirmation that it took place.
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Friday, 2 September
1977 Kirkby Suite, Cherryfield Drive, Kirkby, Knowsley, Merseyside
Tim Sneller: "As far as I remember the Buzzcocks did not turn up – according to Smith they were ‘too tired’. The Fall therefore played their set twice. I believe the night was organised as part of a Right To Work march from Liverpool to Blackpool, which was certainly why I ended up going. I’d never heard of The Fall before but they were brilliant.
Bernie Wilcox: "I also organised this gig. The Buzzcocks were never on the bill. The Fall shared it with Ed Banger and the Nosebleeds who stole one of The Fall's amps according to Mark. It was a Right to Work March from Liverpool to the TUC Conference in Blackpool. The gig was for the unemployed marchers."
Bobby Seal reminisces in the Psychogeographic Review.
No tape exists?
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Tuesday, 6 September
1977 Barbarella's, Birmingham
No tape exists?
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Wednesday, 21 September 1977 Civic Centre, Stretford
Bernie Wilcox: "This gig didn't exist and I think it's been mixed up with the Dec 77 gig that went onto the Live 77 album."
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Sunday, 2 October 1977 Electric Circus, Manchester
Stepping Out /
Last Orders
Very incomplete
from the Short Circuit: Live at the Electric Circus 10". Not
2 November as stated in the record's liner notes. The bill on the Electric
Circus's last weekend were Warsaw, the Prefects, The Worst, The Fall, Magazine (their
first gig), and Buzzcocks. As you can see from the listing the last weekend at the Electric Circus was a benefit for the Pat Seeds Scanner Appeal Fund. Thanks to Paul Whittington for the clipping (NME 22 October 1977)
From the University of Salford Gazette,11 October 1977:
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Tuesday, 4 October 1977 The Marquee, London
Supporting the Worst and Buzzcocks. No tape exists?
Martin Millar: "I was at the Fall gig on Tuesday, 4 October 1977 at the Marquee in London, when they played with the Worst and Buzzcocks. There is one small detail I've always remembered which I think is worth recording somewhere. When the Fall came on, Mark E. Smith announced to the audience 'We are the Fall...as in Beaverbrook newspapers.' I doubt if anyone else in the world remembers that.
I remember them playing Repetition, though that's all."
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Wednesday, 7 October 1977 Squat Club, Devas Street, Manchester
Many thanks to Bernie for these photos and the Manchester District Music Archive for the clipping (from the Mancunion, Manchester University Students Union newspaper, 19 October 1977).
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Thursday, 20 October
1977 Katie's, Beeston, Broxtowe (near Nottingham)
 
Supported by the
Worst and the Slugs. No tape exists?
I think The Fall might've played Katie's again later in 1977. The above review (thanks to Paul Whittington) is from the NME of 10 December (the NME was usually more timely) and mentions a different support group (the GT's, not the Slugs.).
Dannyno has researched Katie's1977 gig listings and is pretty sure they only played there the one time.
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Friday, 28 October
1977 Rafters, 65 Oxford Road, Manchester
Supporting Magazine.
No tape exists? Thanks to the Manchester Digital Music Archive for the flyer.
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Thursday, 9 November 1977 Indigo Studios, Manchester
Bingo Master's Breakout / Psycho Mafia / Repetition / Frightened
Studio session financed by Buzzcocks' manager Richard Boon. The first three tracks would eventually be released in August 1978 on the "Bingo Master's Breakout" single (Step Forward); Frightened from this session has never been released and I don't think a copy of the recording has ever surfaced. Mark asked for it not to be included on the EP because it was a "dull version."
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Sunday, 13 November
1977 Band on the Wall, Swan Street, Manchester
 
instrumental intro / Hey Fascist! / Psycho Mafia / Stepping Out / Frightened / Bingo-Master's Break-Out / Industrial Estate / Your Heart Out / Copped It / Repetition / Dresden Dolls / Oh! Brother / Last Orders / You Don't Turn Me On
Set according to Cherry Red's "The 1970s" box set. Thanks to Tony for the flyers and Anthony Holt for the review.
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Friday, 18 November
1977 Eric's, 9 Mathew Street, Liverpool
Second on the
bill, between the Toilets and Buzzcocks. No tape exists?
Thanks to Michael for his Eric's membership card (I think this is actually from 1979).
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Advert appeared in 19 November 1977 issue of the NME.
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Friday, 16 December
1977 St. John's College, Manchester
No tape exists? Kevin Eden of The Elite reminisces:
"Just some anecdotal information re this gig.
The Elite were invited by Mark and/or Martin and it was agreed The Elite would use The Fall's gear as at that time we had no transport to get our own gear to the gig.
When we arrived it appeared that the student union had booked other bands other than the three advertised.
That meant any monies promised to the original three bands would be seriously reduced (in fact I don’t remember us getting a penny).
Once this news filtered down to the bands Karl Burns decided to physically dismantle the changing/dressing room… mirrors were smashed… bricks removed from walls and an announcement made that the PA system was up for grabs (anarchy in the UK indeed).
The Elite and friends hightailed it out of there and walked to Manchester Piccadilly to catch the all night bus back to Stockport.
As we waited various characters appeared carrying monitors and bits of PA and mic stands etc all heading their own way home.
Some recognised us and informed us that there was a full-scale riot going on back at the college.
We caught up with The Fall some weeks later at the Band on The Wall, and all we got from Mark and Karl was a knowing smile and something along the lines of ‘that was a fun night’. So hope that adds colour to the listing. If there was any recording of The Fall or even The Elite we would have made it… we were too concerned with dealing with The Fall's gear to worry."
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Saturday, 17 December
1977 Eric's, Liverpool
Supporting Penetration.
No tape exists?
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Thursday, 22 December
1977 Marquee, London
No tape exists?
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Friday, 23 December
1977 Stretford Civic Theatre, Manchester
    
Psycho Mafia /
Last Orders / Repetition / Dresden Dolls / Hey Fascist / Frightened
/ Industrial Estate / Stepping Out / Bingo Master's Breakout / Oh!
Brother / Copped It // Futures and Pasts / Louie Louie (with John the
Postman)
- "Right, 'Psycho Mafia'! Good evening, we are The Fall as in the ace of ones. John Tindall on his arse. You spit in the sky, it falls in your eye." (during the introduction to "Psycho Mafia")
- Bramah: "Will you stop fucking spitting, you stupid bastards?" MES: "'Last Orders'. You spit in the sky, it falls in your eye." (before
"Last Orders")
- "Dresden. We Dresden, the (car holes drink)." (before "Dresden Dolls")
- MES: "This is for John Tindall. He thinks we are jungle negro music. It's 'Hey! Fascist'." Someone, possibly Friel: "Right! We going?"
(before "Hey! Fascist")
- MES: "Thank you." Bramah: "(...) my guitar." MES: "Right... is it all right? Happy Christmas! We are frightened 'cos at Christmas, Santa never comes for junkies." (before "Frightened")
- "This song was written round here. It's for the people round here and it is 'Industrial Estate'." (before "Industrial Estate")
- MES: "You must have plenty of money, you lot, the amount of fucking beer you're throwing over 'ere. If you don't want your drink, just give it me; I don't have to have it thrown over me. Oh, I used to never go in pubs but now I'm stepping out." Bramah: "That's a cue!" (before "Stepping Out")
- "'Bingo'! We have mouth trouble at the front of the stage. Our saliva cannot be kept in its mouth." (before "Bingo Master's Breakout")
- Bramah: "'Oh! Brother'!" MES: "Pop music for today's people. The same old fried egg. 'Oh! Brother'." (before "Oh! Brother")
- MES: "Right, 'Copped It'." Bramah: "Confusion! Confusion! Confusion! Confusion!" MES: "'Copped It'. I don't know about you, but my... I have to wash my shirts myself. I have not got a mother to do it for me. I usually cop it. Can we have 'Cop It'? Can we have 'Copped It'?" Bramah: "You immature bastards! Right! I am and all. It's all right!" (before "Copped It")
- MES: "Good night! Thanks for the water." Friel: "Goodbye." MES: "Come on! 'Futures And Pasts'. Go on, get on with it." (before "Futures And Pasts")
- "'Louie Louie'! 'Louie Louie'. 'Louie' (...). This is the bass player's last gig. Give him a round of applause." Bramah: "It's like
losing your left leg!" (before "Louie Louie")
Tony Friel's last
gig; he left to form The Passage with Dick Witts and Lorraine Hilton. Supporting were John Cooper Clarke, the Worst, and Militant Frank. Poor quality
mixing desk recording released as "Live 1977" on Voiceprint/Cog
Sinister in January 2000. Thanks to Spen for the ticket and Mark Cook for the poster.
Bernie Wilcox, who took the great backstage photo: "The Fall, John Cooper-Clarke and The Worst played a Rock Against Racism gig at the Stretford Civic Theatre on 23 Dec 77. John the Postman could have been there as well. It was Fall bass player Tony Friel's last gig before he joined The Passage with Dick Witts. Knowing Stretford well, I asked the bar manager to put on plastic glasses. He didn't think they'd be any trouble so he didn't bother. The Worst and JCC did their sets OK but when The Fall came on someone slung a pint pot over at Mark. Then everyone else slung tjheir pots over and we had to close the safety curtain, but The Fall carried on playing behind it, good lads that they were. The PA guy was Chris Hewitt from Tractor Music who also organised the Deeply Vale festivals. After the gig he gave me a tape of the night and me and my mates played it for a few months (The Fall didn't have a record deal then) until we gave it to Mark. Years later, he found it at the bottom of his wardrobe and released it as the "Live in 77" album. With all the glasses getting chucked I didn't get chance to take any photos of The Fall onstage but this one is before the gig. Mark and Martin are getting accosted by a couple of Stretford girls. Nowt wrong with that."
Bernie added later: "I organised this gig and also took the pics. My mate, Chris Hewitt from Tractor Records was doing the PA and made the C90 Tape. I had it for a few months and when we'd played it out, I mentioned to Mark about it and asked if he'd like it. This became the Live 77 album. It was John Cooper Clarke, The Worst and The Fall on the bill. The regular RAR DJ, Militant Frank was supported by a popular local radio DJ, Roger Day on the night. I thought I'd posted some stage pics on the Manchester Music Archive but if I didn't I may have some at home. I certainly have some of JCC and the Worst. It was Tony Friel's last night in the band before he went off to join Dick Witts in The Passage."
Frandaman: "I was at this gig and if my memory serves me right it was infiltrated by a load of National Front and it really kicked off. I have a recollection of a raised area (or possibly a balcony?) at the rear of the gig and they were throwing chairs and anything else they could get their hands on at the punk crowd, who then retaliated and a massive ruck ensued which brought the bands to a halt while order was restored!"
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on to 1978 |
