THE BLOCKHEADS // Bristol Colston Hall:
Biography
Ian Dury and The Blockheads had several hit singles, including What a Waste, Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick (which was a UK number one at the beginning of 1979, selling just short of a million copies), Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3 (number three in the UK in 1979), and the rock 'n' roll anthem Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, often credited with introducing the phrase to the world.
Dury's lyrics are a unique combination of lyrical poetry, word play, observation of everyday, British working-class life, acute character sketches, and vivid, earthy humour. The Blockheads' identifiable sound drew from their many musical influences, including jazz, rock 'n' roll, funk, and reggae, plus Dury's love of music hall.
Since 2002 the band have rarely been off the road, playing literally hundreds of dates (memorably stealing the show at The Big Chill in 2006). The band embarked on a successful 30th anniversary tour in 2007 featuring Phill Jupitus as a very special guest vocalist. In 2008 The Blockheads returned to Glastonbury and were hailed by Michael Eavis as one of his four musical highlights of the festival.
The Blockheads recently released a brand new studio album via EMI entitled Staring Down The Barrel in April 2009 and will soon embark on a nationwide UK tour.
On this occasion I was able to photograph the band at special gig at the Slapstick Comedy Film Festival Gala in Bristol. Here you can see a number of the images from the night.