28/8/2019 Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts + Clem Burke & The Tearaways @ The 100 Club

 A good bill, but it's really the support act I'm here to see...

So on first are Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts - formerly Ryan Hamilton & The Traitors.

This is the band Ryan plays with when he tours in the UK, and they are very good.

Regular readers will probably recognise bassist Rob Lane AKA Laney 74 from various other bands over the years.

Ryan Hamilton himself is a US country rock singer/songwriter with unique on stage charisma and a great line in banter. As well as being able to write great songs like 'Smarter' he is very funny between songs. He tells some great stories as well! If you go to one of his shows you will be well entertained for sure.

I was looking forward to seeing tonight's headliner. Clem Burke is best known as the very Keith Moon inspired drummer of Blondie. He has also been involved with other things over the years, having played with Michael Des Barres & The Chequered Past - along with Blondie bandmate Nigel Harrison on bass. I remember seeing that band at Dingwalls and The Marquee back in the day. Clem was even in The Ramones for about five minutes as well!

Tonight he is taking a back seat (literally) with his own band The Tearaways. They play very 1960's inspired powerpop. Clem Burke has been one of my favourite drummers since I first discovered Blondie, but I am a bit underwhelmed tonight and he doesn't seem that together for some reason. His band although competent are unremarkable...

...but he has one ace up his sleeve tonight - a guest appearance by a Sex Pistol!

Glen Matlock is no stranger to the 100 Club - he must have played here more times than almost anybody, back from his days playing bass with the Sex Pistols up until now - last time I saw him I was supporting him at this very venue. But regardless of the main act's punk/pop/new wave credentials it's the support band who provide th best entertainment tonight.