My casual approach to the always punctual start time of 7.30pm means we are still crossing the road from Wetherspoons (one of the best ones) when the music starts. I’m here with wife Sally and couple of friends from school who I have rediscovered to be in Dorset in recent years, including Graham who has let me have a few of his pics (I didn’t bring a camera tonight and phones are discouraged enthusiastically.)
My observations on the Tivoli Theatre can be found here in my Tivoli venue blog.
My main reason for booking this one was the harmonica playing of Mark Feltham in Nine Below Zero. I saw part of their set at a Minehead Butlin’s Alternative Music Festival in 2020 and then the originals – lead singer/ guitarist Dennis Greaves and Mark Feltham on harmonica – played as a duo in March 2021 when I saw them support From the Jam, at The Brook in Southampton.
Much as I wish I’d seen them at The Marquee or somewhere similar, I never did see them back in the 70s/80s. The same is true of Dr Feelgood. I saw Doctor Feelgood on tour with The Stranglers in 2019 but have just had to admire their history, especially via the film of their rise to fame: Oil City Slickers. The current Dr Feelgood line-up has no original members but they carry the baton for the great band.
Nine Below Zero were on first, when we got in. I guess they must take it in turns to go on last. A smattering of bluesy covers in their set – while it all sounds quite familiar I can’t name the tracks. Don’t Point the Finger at the Guitar Man was one of my favourites with the best being 11 + 11 at the end of their set.
New song, Now I Wanna Be a Wannabe, had a pop a younger generations. On the Road Again merged into The Stones’ Satisfaction rounded off their set.
Some good chat from original frontman, Dennis Greaves. He must have played so many gigs over the years. He’s got a few on fellow original, Mark Feltham, as he referred to him practising in his bedroom for nineteen years before hitting the road with the band.
Doctor Feelgood are on after the bar scrummage at the break. Frontman Robert Kane has been in the role since 1999 and he is much more lively than when I saw their support slot for The Stranglers – it’s a shame it’s seated given the effort he’s putting in. The mature audience stays seated until the end, but cheer and clap enthusiastically. I’m not complaining – I needed my seat!
Other band members joined Dr Feelgood in 1983 with a few breaks along the way. It’s a funny business playing in a band with no original members. Feelgood are more of a reboot than an evolution, giving the old songs life again.
The guitar playing, Gordon Russell, is excellent – a few behind the head moments – and some of the scratchy feel of Wilko Johnson’s original Feelgood sound. Another genius I was lucky to see when he supported The Stranglers, with his own band.
Roxette is my favourite and that scratchy, abrupt guitar strum is very much in evidence. She Does it Right and Back in the Night are other classics that get an airing. The original Feelgood would have belted these out to thousands at Hammersmith Odeon in their heyday. There are some great clips in the Oil City Slickers docufilm.
Frontman Robert Kane plays harmonica as well as singing on many songs, continuing the harmonica theme of the evening.
Of course, Milk and Alcohol is the big hit that comes out as a mid-set livener. When it was released in 1979 and was played on Top of the Pops I hadn’t realised the magnitude of what Doctor Feelgood were doing. I still prefer the tracks I mentioned earlier mind, while recognising its success.
Going Back Home is a bit of an anthem for Feelgood and Down to the Doctor, another belter that follows – see. you know more than you thought eh.
Great to see both if these classic old bands on stage during the encores, playing together on Route 66 and before that Looking Back. Mark Feltham continues in his role as master of the harmonica – that’s what got me here.
Afterwards, while browsing the merch stand I found myself stood next to Dennis Greaves so I picked up a classic Nine Below Zero LP, recorded live at The Marquee, and he offered to sign it. A lovely souvenir of my first gig of 2025.
Gigs with Ivan 