Band's festive gig set to be a Block-buster (From Gazette)

Band's festive gig set to be a Block-buster

8:00pm Monday 21st December 2009 in

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THE Blockheads are back this Christmas. One of Britain’s most impressive backing groups, they are returning to the Colchester Arts Centre for what is now an annual festive treat.

The original Blockheads were formed in 1977 to promote Ian Dury’s album, New Boots and Panties, on the first Stiff Records tour of the UK.

They included Chaz Jankel, Norman Watt-Roy, Charlie Charles, John Turnbull and Mick Gallagher, who became known as the Blockheads as a reference to a song on Ian’s album.

As Ian Dury and the Blockheads, they went back out on tour, this time without Chaz Jankel, and, in 1978, released What a Waste, a single which reached number five in the UK charts.

They were then joined by saxophonist Davey Payne and toured America, supporting Lou Reed, and ending with their own dates in California.

In late 1978, Chaz returned to the fold and composed Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick with Ian, which the following year gained them their debut Number 1 hit.

Other hits followed, such as Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3 but, by the early Eighties, the band had split up.

They reformed, temporarily, for three shows in Japan, in 1987, and again, in 1990, to do two benefit gigs, after the death of Charlie. They got together again four years later, this time for a series of gigs after a successful set at that year’s Madstock Festival, in Finsbury Park, London.

Since Ian’s death, in 2000, the band have kept his musical spirit alive with a number of shows all over the world, fronted by, among others, Suggs from Madness and comedian Phill Jupitus.

At the Colchester gig, as per tradition, the star name filling in for the irreplaceable Ian will be a surprise until the night itself.

* The Blockheads play Colchester Arts Centre tomorrow and Wednesday.

Doors open at 8pm both nights, with tickets priced £16, available from the box office on 01206 500900, or visit colchesterartscentre.com