The Counter Attack Starts

Another concert, same city different band. This time the Pieman and the Dragonslayer headed to Manchester Academy2 to see the ever rocking Alarm featuring Mr Mike Peters.

This was the final gig of the year before the band release a new album early next year. Some of the latest material was featured including Superchannel, Plastic Carrier Bags, Drunk & Disorderly, 45 rpm, Love Hope & Strength, Cease & Desist and My Town.

Plenty of favourites were thrown in including Knife edge, 68 Guns, Spirit of 76, Rain In the Summertime, Sold Me Down The River, The Stand (Pie Favourite), Where Were You Hiding, Absolute Reality, Rescue Me, Marching On (Pie Favourite), Blaze Of Glory. All this with a fantastic medley at the end of Anarchy In The UK, If the Kids are United, I'm So Bored With The USA and Blitzkrieg Bop and a rendition of Slade's Merry Christmas Everybody as well. Excellent!!!!

As usual Mr Peters/Alarm didn't disappoint with a very loud and committed set. The venue, which we've been to quite a few times before, was sweaty and cramped. The Academy has a number of different rooms and No2 was just right this time.

The ground floor entrance, bar areas and toilets have had a lot of work done on them since our last visit. Although on street parking is more difficult than ever. However we did discover the parking at the Manchester Eye Hospital just around the corner. Well lit, patrolled and £2.00 for three hours...not bad.

Apart from some medicated idiots the concert was great and the Pieman looks forward to the Gathering in January. Does anyone know of a drummmer who hits his kit as hard as Steve Grantley???