Face Of Cheam

Did not get a ticket in advance for this one as I did not know the travel arrangements between Southampton and London knowing it was likely to be an early start. Made it to Islington for just before 8 and paid sixteen pounds on the door, strangely cheaper than had I booked on line on the day! The support, Willie Nile, was finishing his acoustic support set with a cover of the Ramones I Wanna Be Sedated.
Mike Peters ahd two albums out to support his set. One a brand new one called Direct Action, the other a compilation of the classic Alarm line-up BBCs sessions. The set was drawn mainly from the latter and other new Alarm material rathe rthan the new album, a wise move considering the album was only on sale at the gigs and therefore hardly anyone had heard it yet. A few rare facts were mentioned before a couple of songs such as The Alarms appearance on TOTP in 1984 also had Madonna and U2 on it! Both parts of 68 Guns were played and Rocking In The Free World was sandwiched in the middle of 45RPM. Willie Nile came out for the encore for the song One Guitar which he wrote and Mike Peters covered on the new album. Instantly catchable it is too. After show ender Love Hope & Strenght the band returned to join the fans in a brief coda of the Alarm anthem, Blaze Of Glory. Excellent stuff.

Direct Action, Absolute Reality, Alarm Calling, Marching On, Loaded, Rain In The Summertime, Change 111, Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke, Drunk & Disorderly, Blaze of Glory, Release The Pressure, Strength, Spirit of 76 – Anarchy In The UK – Spirit of 76, Rescue Me, 45 RPM – Rocking In The Free World – 45 RPM, 68 Guns ///// One Guitar, Love Hope & Strength, Blaze Of Glory (reprise)