A great night out were Culture Shock at their peak in 1986 and 1987. This band’s vocalist and lyrical guru was Dick Lucas, late of the Subhumans, and later on in the decade vocalist of Citizen Fish. Culture Shock lasted only three years or so but in that time played hundreds of gigs all over the place, mainly benefits, lots of festivals, and especially Stonehenge (which by the time of Culture Shock’s lifespan was basically a police state the weeks leading up to and after the summer solstice). Competing only with Blyth Power, at this time, in the “How many van miles can we possibly squeeze in, with this vehicle?” stakes…The band always seemed to get great receptions, at least all the times I saw them, which was a hefty amount. This gig at my old stomping ground, sunday night punk gigs at Stevenage Bowes Lyon House. Went to this venue as a nipper, and grew up with it a little bit through the years. This is a mixing desk quality gig that I got off the engineer on the night, it was my blank tape though!
Catchy punkyreggae tunes (this genre soon to become bigger with U.S. bands like Operation Ivy and Rancid towards the tail end of the 1980’s and early 1990’s). A bassist who performed in a seriously laid back manner, the rest of the band were well tight in comparison. The guitarist Nige died in 1993 well after Culture Shock had split up, which was sad. Culture Shock left us with a couple of tapes, some tracks on compilation singles and three LP’s which is not a bad output for a band that performed almost all year round solidly for three years!
Think all the studio stuff is still available on Bluurg Records.
back2front
March 4, 2008 at 4:49 pmI saw Culture Shock later the same month in Cholderton woods before walking to Stonehenge to be chased and almost battoned by some very angry cops bent on stopping people from enjoying themselves. Gawd bless our Maggie for stopping such unsavoury activities as having fun.
john
March 7, 2008 at 7:43 pmremember that night as well,quite a rabble rousing performance.selling eku lager and hot tongues……suprised I can remember it at all!
believe it was the biggest police presence at an event since the miners strike.