Crocs gigs - late 1983

[South-Punk Admin]

I'm doing some research into venues for the site and am trying to remember a couple of things re Crocs gigs in late 1983:

An advert for the venue announced:

08.12.83 - Killing Joke + Crown of Thorns
16.12.83 - Hanoi Rocks + Mannish Boys
23.12.83 - Dr & The Medics, Final Episode, Rhythm Method, Beers in Brothers
26.12.83 - The Damned

Now, I went to the Hanoi gig and The Damned gig, and think I went to the Medics gig (they played so much back then it's hard to remember!). I wondered if anyone can confirm the following:

a) Did Killing Joke actually play or was it cancelled? I remember them in '85 at The Queens, but not at Crocs
b) Was the Medics bill listed the correct one?
c) Who was the support at The Damned gig?

Any help will be appreciated!

[Billyb]

I went to Crocs quite a bit in late 1983...

Killing Joke definitely played- I remember they appeared on TOTP round about the same time- and Jaz Coleman was wearing the same clothes as he did at the gig- combat gear with his face black and white...

The Dr & The Medics gig was billed as- "The Croc's Xmas Party" I was there- but I can't remember whether all three of those other bands billed played or not- I think they did...

I was at The Damned gig on Boxing day as well- can't remember who the support band were- or even if there was one! I just remember Crocs being packed out! (As it was when they played September 10th as well.)

I also went to the New Year's Eve "XX Cabaret Show" on the following Saturday...

[South-Punk Admin]

Cheers for the info Bill - I've added in the dates.

I'm pretty certain on reflection I was at that Medics show - I think I remember the Beers in Brothers doing a version of The Skids 'TV Stars', and I'm sure I remember Gordon Wilkins dressed as a giant green caterpillar (the 'midnight surprise' as advertised?) joining the Medics at one stage!

The Damned gig was absolutely rammed - I don't think it would have been possible to get a rizla paper between anyone. Incredible - when they played 'Ignite' it truly did.

Do you remember who appeared on the 'XX Cabaret Show'?

1983 was certainly a 'Golden Year' for gigs...

[rickxprey]

My mind is fogged by time amongst other things but wasn't it Anorexic dread that supported the Damned.........?
I remember walking there with Cliff Gee and Pat Morriarty among others from Thundersley and a great night it was.

[Billyb]

Well, Pat Moriarty was in Anorexic Dread so you're probably right...

I do remember seeing them play at Crocs as well- but I thought that was when they supported Alien Sex Fiend...

[Planet Mondo]

There were two Damned Gigs in 83 one in September and the Boxing day one - I was at both (my photos from the Sept one are in the galleries)
Can't remember either support band tho' - too many snakebites..

I did a gig there Boxing Day 85 and My Life Story were support

I remember two xx shows at Crocs one had two dancers male and female in Thatcher and Reagan masks

And another was a bloke in a rhinestone thong who got chased off stage by the punkette he'd pulled from the crowd, then blindfolded and rubbed a banana against her face.

[rickxprey]

Billyb, youre absolutly right, they did support ASFn ot the Damned, told you my mind was fogged, i have a few flyers up in the loft maybe they will jog my memory, come to think of it if i was walking to crocs its very unlikly that Pat would have been playing that night.

[Billyb]

spacehopper said:

And another was a bloke in a rhinestone thong who got chased off stage by the punkette he'd pulled from the crowd, then blindfolded and rubbed a banana against her face.

Yes- that was the one I went to- 31st December '83...

There was a female stripper who stripped off on stage and then downed a pint of lager in one...

Then a male stripper came out- dressed as a rhinestone cowboy. He picked a girl, with a mohican, out of the crowd; got her to sit on a chair; tied her wrists together; and blindfolded her...

When he put a banana against her cheek- she went mental! She got the blindfold off and he tried to show her it was only a banana- but she carried on hitting him with her wrists still tied together! Then loads of Punks started jumping up onto the stage (I think it was the Brentwood lot- but I didn't know them then) and he beat a hasty retreat...

[Planet Mondo]

Who was the singing Barman though - remember him he looked daytime TV bloke of the time Paul Coyer, but worked behind the bar.

He would get on stage (very ) occasionally on a Saturday night and do a couple show or cabaret type tunes

[Billyb]

I'm not sure that I remember him...

I've got a weird "half-memory" of someone wearing a silver jacket?

But I'm not too sure...