Off Topic 10 Notorious Hull Nightspots

Ha… I just trolled through the whole thread trying to find Bier Keller…. my favourite haunt. Has to be on anybody's list surely. The staircases were lethal, bloody lethal as my back will testify having slipped on them when they put metal edges on the steps...

 

Perhaps not notorious in the same sense of those raised already in this thread but a shout out for The Brick House. A sadly short lived experimental venue down Baker St round the back of central library. Not rough in the same sense as most in this thread but it did have it's moments. I remember helping man the barricades at the bottom of the stairs to prevent entry by DC Scaif and his gang of bent colleagues while others "tidied up" upstairs.

Not only a venue for bands but a space for "happenings" of all types such as a hippy market, spiritual and political meetings and all things alternative and underground.

My memories are as confused and hazy as ever but at least in this instance, understandable. Among the unforgettable gigs I saw there were The Crazy world of Arthur Brown with Browns head on fire, and Vinegar Joe with Elkie Brooks giving an almost pornographic lingerie display on the edge of the stage.

An unmentioned "alternative" night spot was The Hayworth Arms on Beverly Road. The large room upstairs held disco's a couple of nights a week. One corner with a large banner which read "Halfapunders" might give a clue as to why beer sales may not have been as good as might be expected. It was at times another no go for the boys in blue. A darkened room with a couple of hundred people humming the Z Cars theme while showering them with glasses encouraged them to wait outside and pull people on their way home.

Speaking of darkened room, Trog Bar aside, there can have been few darker than the back rooms of The Burlington opposite the Law Courts. Illuminated only by the light of a juke box and about the size of a broom cupboard it was an ideal location for clandestine meetings. It's only now in writing this that I recall being involved in helping to find accommodation for a couple of young US Army draft dodgers on the run. The Vietnam war being at it's height at the time.

Re the Mott the Hoople gig at Malcolms mentioned somewhere above. Not only did drummer Buffin stick drumsticks it the ceiling but Overend Watts joined in with the neck of his bass guitar. He went on to pull down ceiling tiles and wiring until he blew the electrics. It was fixed but he did it again and this brought an early end to proceedings. This was only a matter of months since Mott were banned from City Hall for provoking a mass breach of the no dancing rules and encouraging the audience to pile all those metal framed chairs held together by spring clips around the sides and turning the center into a dance floor. I don't think they played Hull again.

There was a very strange mix of clientele at Malcolm's with typical boozy clubbers mingling with stoned "hairies" and an often volatile assortment of City skins. It was small and very packed. If a fight did break out, it was almost impossible not to be caught up in it.

There was also a very odd period when for some reason I never understood you couldn't buy a drink at the bar but had to stand behind a barrier and give your order and your money to a crew of hot panted young women on the other side. They would then go to the bar and return, if you were lucky, with your drinks.

Other stand out nights at I remember at Malcolms were Thin Lizzy, The New York Dolls, and a couple of John Peels session nights. There were many more but those memory cells are long gone. It wasn't unknown for me and a mate to leave there in the early hours, walk to Hessle, have a kip on the foreshore and me be at work at Dunstone's and he at the caravan works by 7.30.

I believe Malcolms first night was hosted by Jimmy Savile... that alone must be notorious enough to qualify?

 

What year did the New York Dolls play?

 

Thanks, I didn't have a clue beyond it being early 70's. Yet again I am impressed by the range of your knowledge. Or googling skills perhaps? Do you have any more info on bands who played Macolms?

After pondering all afternoon all I came up with was America, Medicine Head, Be-Bop Deluxe, Babe Ruth and Nazareth, There must have been dozens more as there was sometimes 2 gigs a week over a few years.

Any input on bands playing Brick House gigs would also be most welcome. Run by a young Barry Nettleton.

Edit...

Just found...

OCT241971
John Martyn at The Brickhouse, Kingston upon Hull, England
Artist: John Martyn, Venue: The Brickhouse, Kingston upon Hull, England


AUG281971
Uriah Heep at The Brickhouse, Kingston upon Hull, England
Artist: Uriah Heep, Tour: Look at Yourself , Venue: The Brickhouse, Kingston upon Hull, England


APR221971
Hawkwind at The Brickhouse, Kingston upon Hull, England
Artist: Hawkwind, Venue: The Brickhouse, Kingston upon Hull, England

http://www.setlist.fm/venue/the-brickhouse-kingston-upon-hull-england-bd4a91e.html

Quality! I was at them all but I thought they were at City Hall. Not so sure John Martyn turned up though. He often didn't.

Got some nostalgic listening to do tonight.

 

I saw Hawkwind at Brickhouse - I also went to see a few bands at Malcolms - I think I saw Can, the German band although many have gone from my memory - Tech College in Queens gardens held concerts as well - I remember watching King Crimson and I worked on the bars when Slade were there

 

I'm pretty sure The Alex Harvey Band played Malcolms c'72/73, I have a distant memory of Jethro Tull playing Brickhouse ......... if it can be trusted

 

Thanks.

Definatly remember Can. I would think Tull too big for Malcolms even then but it's possible.

Also found for December 71 :-

Hull Brickhouse- Quiver (10th), Stray, Steve Tilston (17th)

• Hull City Hall- Lindisfarne (17th), Stackridge (31st)
  • Hull, Malcolm's- Badfinger (3rd)
    • Hull University- Mark-Almond (19th)
    
    (nb no, not that Mark Almond.)

Think I skipped Lindisfarne (a bit wet to say the least) for Stray and you could see Stackridge almost anywhere any day of the week. They were nothing if not ubiquitous. Finally retired last December I see.

Wild Turkey and Brinsley Shwartz also returning to my mind for Malcolms.

Found many memories stored here:-

http://www.marmalade-skies.co.uk/RTT2.htm

and for older members, 1966-70 :-

http://www.marmalade-skies.co.uk/yearbyyear.htm

AHB... Top live act!

Charon t F...

How about Screaming Lord Sutch and Heavy Friends at the Tech. Waving a ten foot gas lance over the audiences heads and chopping dolls full of blood in half. Alice who?

 

I saw Stray at city hall - they were on with Strawbs and Gentle Giant - also saw Mott the Hoople, Rory Gallagher, Atomic Rooster - definitely saw Uriah Heep but can't remember whether that was Malcolms or City Hall - Edgar Broughton Band did free concert in East Park

 

Stray did almost seemed like a local band around that time.

Edger Broughton Band were regulars too. I think I remember a gig of theirs being cancelled by the venue and them playing from the back of a flat bed lorry till "the man" intervened. Could have been Hornsea.

Other memorable East Park sets from Wishbone Ash and of course The Rats.

Not sure about Uriah Heap at Malcom's but definitely at city hall. Same for Humble Pie.

(apologies if my enthusiasm has led me to er... Stray too far ot.)

Remember going to City Hall to see the Strwabs but they didn't turn up and were substituted by some prat called Elton John. Left after one awful number.

Gallagher's gig at City Hall was one of the best ever. He turned up extremely late and ran onto the stage already playing one of the best virtuoso rock guitar set's I ever saw. Returned back to my parents to find Ken Houghton and his wife there. (Think Abigail's Party. )

 

Del Bromham of Stray and Edgar are still going - seen them both play in the last couple of years

 

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Stray were once famously managed by the Krays which sort of finished them off at the time

 

I don't suppose anybody here knows how many times Iron Maiden have played Hull, or whether its just the one time at Hull City Hall in 1990? My mother saw the Stones and the Beatles in Hull, think it was where the cinema was near the station, forgotten the name, have a feeling she saw the Kinks too

 

They played The Grand Pavillion in Withernsea.

 

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think it was ABC - it was

 

Quick google and they played 80 and 83. There may be more but i dont like iron Maiden

 

Twas. I saw The Who and ELP there too.

And loads of ABC Minors Saturday Morning Pictures too. Coincidentally, a link to Stray, who didn't play there.

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Never saw Iron Maiden anywhere I don't think. Saw Sabbath and Deep Purple at City Hall though.

Now that really does surprise me!

 

First time the Stones were filmed in colour was at the ABC in Hull.