Face Of Cheam

So The Alarm part two. There was good reason to arrive early as original alarm guitarist Dave Sharp was supporting. His solo acoustic set included ‘Looking This World Over’, ‘Hard Travelling’, The Alarm’s ‘One Step Closer To Home’ which prompted a mass singalong and ended with a cover of ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’. The venue was more packed than last week, with many choosing this date because of Sharpy. It was disappointing though that he did not stick around to join Mike Peter’s on stage later on. Presumably as Sharp was there the first set concentrated on mainly the new Alarm songs with only two proper pre 91 songs aired. However, that is not to say they are worse songs, Right Back Where I Started From has a huge audience participation ‘ello’ chorus, and Drunk And Disorderly has a drum roll with guitar feedback in mega Who style akin to Kids Are Alright! Mike then did what he did last week by appearing at the merchandise stand and doing an acoustic set in the round whilst walking back to the stage. Some of these songs were requests with a couple only played for a verse and a chorus. Still, a full version of The Ravens Left The Tower and Walk Forever By My Side made the admittance worthwhile. The second set included some rarities such as Regneration from an old Mike Peters solo album and the return of Knife Edge which was very heavy. However, Sold Me Down The River, just sounded a noise being played far too fast. As they were running short of time just the 7” version of 68 Guns was played at the end, but all in all a good gig. However, it was a late night as the show ended at 11.15pm and the northern line train was held up just outside morden meaning I missed my bus by a couple of minutes.

Set One – Three Sevens Clash / Rescue Me / Kill To Get What You Want / Deeside / Right Back Where I Started From / Rat Trap / Without A Fight/ Drunk And Disorderly

Acoustic – The Day The Ravens Left The Tower / No Frontiers / Permanance In Change / Rain In The Summertime / Love Hope And Strength / Walk Forever By My Side

Set Two – Blaze Of Glory / Absolute Reality / Superchannel / Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke / Alarm Calling / Knife Edge / Regeneration / Something’s Got To Give / Sold Me Down The River / Declaration / Marching On / Spirit Of 76 / 45 RPM / Spirit Of 76 (reprise) //// 68 Guns