MOTT THE HOOPLE

“MOTT THE HOOPLE ARE IN THE HOUSE! THE ROCK’N’ROLL CIRCUS IS IN TOWN!”

And they were and Jesus Christ it was! When Mott hit the stage the love from the ‘kids’ hit them like a hurricane. Last night everybody in the Hammersmith Apollo was a ‘kid’ and the vibes were so powerful that for two hours THE FABRIC OF Time itself was turned back and the golden age of rock’n’roll re-materialised right here on earth . The stone was rolled away, we told Chuck Berry the news - and we were dudes dad! Alright!

These vibes were so potent that fellow rock provocateur Laurence Bell, the Domino Top Dude, who rarely allows strong drink past his lips, was drunk as a lord and dancing in the aisle, and he doesn’t do that for just anybody you know. Oh dear. Oh gawd, oh my oh my!!.

Hit me with the facts jack: MOTT RETURNED TRIUMPHANT.

Hunter was in TOP voice, Ralphs cranked out some ace axework, Phally had the old Hammond licks down man, and Overend is STILL a Rock’n’Roll Star. Hats off to substitute drummer, Martin ‘Powerhouse’ Chambers, a Hereford lad, filling in for Buffin who is in pretty poor health, though he did come out for the encores on a second kit.

According to Hunter’s website it had been Dale’s dream for so many years to be back on stage with the original Mott. I shamelessly admit to a tear in the eye and a lump in the throat during, well, most of the show really. 

David E Barker - 2nd October 2009