h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

If I hadn't been to see so many bands I'd probably be living, retired, in the Bahamas. As it is I have seen loads and loads of bands. So many bands. Some in massive open air things, stadiums and so on, and some in smaller, sweaty venues.

One of those was the Stahlwerk, Düsseldorf, yesterday evening. The Specials. They were just brilliant. Awesome. What a fantastic sound. And Terry Hall - I've always had a soft spot for him (that weird Fun Boy Three hair do!)

But anyway. if you get the chance to see them live, go. Just go. The place was packed and it was jumping.

I have never seen so many men dance so unselfconsciously. And... it was just like being back at the school disco: Ben Sherman or Fred Perry shirts and sta-prest trousers, parkas (with and without "the Who" and Mod roundels), Harrington jackets, Crombie coats... all the girls with their little skirts, creeper shoes and buttoned up blouses, or dressed similar to the boys (some were young, teenager/studenty types and some were old gits like me, a good mix of all ages)

But most of all - Doctor Marten boots, in all their glory. Ox Blood was in the majority.

Here's a taster (from the IOW festival) and what is really remarkable: this could be a young band right now protesting about politics and society and how awful it is. Has nothing really changed in 30 years?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzNOXbrf4LM

I don't think much changes. I try not to parrot my mother when opening my mouth and speaking to my adult kids. I do remember going through a skinhead/Doc Marten boots, sta-prest trousers, Crombie coat, check shirt (can't remember the label) phase between 16-18 years, but I got married at 19 and spent all non-working time on the house we were doing up and then we were making babies. I never found time to go to one concert. My next-door neighbour (adjoining walls) likes his "music" loud. I'm resentful of this, because I never played loud music, even as a teenager, so maybe I just don't like loud music and probably wouldn't appreciate what you find so wonderful about it but I am pleased you had a good time

GB

A lot has changed about politics in Britain in the past 30 years, but a lot of it is for the worse.

(And no, that isn't viewing the past through rose-tinted glasses, I could list specifics. But I'm sure most people can't be bothered reading it any more than I'd enjoy writing it, so I won't.)

Not just in the UK.

In most English speaking nations I know of. Probably other places as well, I just can't keep up with their news.

I agree. But it was a little bit shocking though all the same. They opened with Ghost Town. That could have been written this year.