filf
Full Member
Posts: 206
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Focus
Jul 6, 2006 11:38:26 GMT
Post by filf on Jul 6, 2006 11:38:26 GMT
Think we all remember that Focus was a place we could go and have a few drinks and get a gig without any probs. But it was down to Pam really. (That was her name wasn't it?) She was one of the few around town who was willing to give us a go. Her only stipulation was 'No Swearing'! What happened to her anyone know? And how long did focus keep going? My last recollection was playing there as the 'Beers in Brothers', Pam chucked us off stage for singing our only song: Suck my n** for a coupla bob (doodahh, doodahh)' We deserved to go for that one!!
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Focus
Jul 6, 2006 12:52:58 GMT
Post by South-Punk Admin on Jul 6, 2006 12:52:58 GMT
You're right, Focus was a truly legendary place. I even played my first ever gig there with The Bleeding Pyles. The Monday Night gigs, the Pine Bar and the 'Special' nights in The Focus Theatre where Sinyx, Kronstadt etc played were great!
Pam's surname I think was Caton and she definitely deserves everyone's thanks from the Southend Punk scene for giving us a place to play and hang out. For me, it's key period was '80 - '83, and provided a great place to hang out. Also, apart from all the great punk gigs, I think it was one of the first places in the area that got a Space Invaders machine and I seem to remember queues of many Southend Punks lining up to have a go on the thing!
Yep, it's time a petition was started to get a Blue Plaque for services to punk for Focus - great place!
PS 'Beers in Brothers' - wasn't there a cover of 'TV Stars' by the Skids in the set if I remember righty? (Albert Tatlock!)
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graham
Full Member
There is no authority but yourself
Posts: 208
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Focus
Jul 6, 2006 17:54:22 GMT
Post by graham on Jul 6, 2006 17:54:22 GMT
Ah, how fondly I remember the delights on 'The Pine Bar'!
last time I went to Focus was when Citizen Fish played in 2000, no more Pine Bar unfortunately so I smuggled in a bottle of scotch and several strong lagers and got so drunk I had to abandon my bicycle in the street... I went back for it the next day and found the CD's I bought at the gig strewn all over the pavement! No sign of Pam though...
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Focus
Jul 6, 2006 18:28:06 GMT
Post by andiprey on Jul 6, 2006 18:28:06 GMT
Can you imagine the trouble Pam had with Paul Eves and The Decibels? with songs like Big Abortion, G.B.H and Daydream with the lyrics, wont you w*** me with your right hand? as you hurt me with your left, wont you give me a blow job? and give your hands a rest, you been sucking an hour, an hour or more, you been sucking an hour and now im red raw, I can see Pams face in her office even to this day.
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filf
Full Member
Posts: 206
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Focus
Jul 8, 2006 10:55:55 GMT
Post by filf on Jul 8, 2006 10:55:55 GMT
She was like a Mum to us all ! We should try to find her a invite her to the reunion. I found a live recording on cassette of The Sinyx and Erratics at Focus. Im trying to find someone that can transfer it to disc. When i do i will send it to Steve, he might be able to put it on this site in some form.
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Focus
Oct 31, 2006 21:23:15 GMT
Post by Planet Mondo on Oct 31, 2006 21:23:15 GMT
Focus was a great place youth club meets "get up and have go" gigs - When we (The Ladykillers) played there, we brought a dry ice machine with us. But it put out so much smoke that the ping pong and snooker players complained, and we had a stage invasion from one of the middle aged ladies to put a dishcloth over it. The gig went down a treat though as there was a load of exchange students that night in who had a right tear up to our glam punk/dry ice combo
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