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By Joseph Donnelly
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| Its the 2nd of Feb 1978, I'm 15, and I'm entering Queens Uni Belfast for my
first punk gig. The Adverts are headlining supported by two local bands , Stiff
Little Fingers and Rudi. I'd been here a week earlier for a Buzzcocks gig which
was called off because their van had broken down on the way to the ferry (true
apparently) so I went home and missed a free gig by this band Rudi. I'd also
been to the Ulster Hall in Oct 77 for a Clash gig that was cancelled at the last
minute due to the insurance being withdrawn which ended up with a riot in the
street, so at last a gig was going to happen and I was there. |
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SLF came on first, playing a set consisting of mostly punk cover versions
with a few originals and were very good. Rudi were on next and from the first
chord I was blown away. They were wearing bondage suits covered in graffiti and
heavily made up.. I couldn't believe it. I never thought there was a band like
this in Belfast. My friends and me loved all the glam rock bands of the
early seventies Bowie, Sweet, T Rex Mott etc . I had even discovered the New
York Dolls a year and a half or so earlier...both LP's for two quid in a
second hand shop. I will admit that I was attracted to them by the photos on the
covers rather than he music but after a few listens I got to like them and I
still like them and listen to them today . |
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Rudi were just pure energy with great songs. At the end of their set sirens
started to wail, the crowd began to chant SS RUC, the band launched into 'We
Hate The Cops', the place went mental. In my over excitement I slipped on the
wet floor an broke my wrist in two places. What a night !! What a band !! There
s no way The Adverts could follow this and they couldn't. From that day on I
tried to get hold of some Rudi material but there was nothing available. I went
to se them live again and eventually Big Time was released. A fantastic record
and still a punk classic. This was a band who could go all the way.
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| In Mid 78 Inspired by Rudi and punk my friends and I decided to form a band
The Producers...I didn't last long. At Christmas 78 Rudi returned from a
successful spell in London to play a fantastic couple of gigs with Raped. Rudi
were my favorite NI band. I went to se them live in Belfast numerous times over
the years as they packed out venues such as the famous Harp Bar and the Pound
etc. and I bought all their records. Through time they got fed up with their
continuing bad luck and decided to call it a day. I was sad to hear it but I was
happy that I was there to see and hear this great band so many times ( you don't
know what you missed) |
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I rate Rudi as highly as any band ..The Dolls, Pistols, Clash and that's
saying a lot for a local band. They were a Belfast band, our band and that
made them special to their fans and I think of that first gig as a defining
moment in my time as a punk. I can remember it as if it was yesterday. I was
definitely in the right place that night. To me they represent what could never
happen again. Anyone who may be interested or is curious should check out the CD
'Big Time-The Best Of Rudi and listen to some classic pop/punk and regret what
you missed.
Joe Donnelly. Belfast
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