The Blockheads

Reasons to be cheerful

The Blockheads are coming to town! Yes the same Blockheads that used to back Ian Dury and who, since the great man’s death in 2000, have been touring regularly with most of the original line-up, performing both an awesome back catalogue and their own new material.

Dury’s front man vocal role is taken by his minder in the band’s heyday, Derek the Draw (Derek Hussey), whose new songs keep the combination of poetry, word play, earthy humour and deadly accurate observations of everyday British working-class life that Ian had perfected.

Joining Derek on stage are Chaz Jankel, Norman Watt-Roy, John Turnbull and Mick Gallagher from the original band, and this line-up is augmented by John Roberts on drums and saxophonist Gilad Atzmon.

The Blockheads in action

Alongside Hussey’s new material, you can expect all the familiar hits: Reasons to Be Cheerful, Billericay Dickie, What a Waste, Clever Trevor, Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick, Sweet Gene Vincent, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll and so many more.

This is the kind of gig where the audience is encouraged to play its part and to join in with those well-known songs. Some of the arrangements might be different from the original vinyl issues, but if you are able to adjust, you’ll undoubtedly have a night that Mr Dury would look down on – and smile!

The Blockheads, St Mary In The Castle, Sunday 19 June at 7.30pm.

All tickets £21.50. Auditorium – standing (with some unreserved seats). Balcony – unreserved seats. Tickets available by telephone from the Hailsham Pavilion on 01323 841414. Also on sale at Music’s Not Dead, Bexhill on 01424 552435 and Hastings TIC (on the seafront) on 01424 451111. Tickets cannot be purchased in advance at St Mary in the Castle.

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