Clash N Sleazy – Does It, live in Worthing!

Clash N Sleazy: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Clash N Sleazy – The Factory Live – 17 January 2025

Clash N Sleazy: Do It Every Time! Live in Worthing at The Factory Live bringing 2 hours of classics by The Clash and The Stranglers! Boogie!

“Not a tribute but we play the songs with passion from being fans of both and having seen them live”

Made up of musicians who’ve played for the UK Subs, Chords UK, Chelsea, Vodka Tourists, Superminx 70 and Bruce Foxtons Solo band, and having seen both bands live many times, the band members of Clash N Sleazy play with a passion and care that fans of The Clash and The Stranglers are guaranteed to love from start to finish. I had last seen Chris with his other outfit, Punky Reggae Party a couple of years ago; I missed them last time they were at The Factory Live.

Clash N Sleazy: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Clash ‘n’ Sleazy

So Chris was back with his other outfit Clash ‘n’ Sleazy for a two-hour slot at The Factory Live, he arrived with his band and a set list to die for! They were set to play classics by The Stranglers and The Clash. These guys clearly loved the two bands they cover live and they hope this comes across in the passion and attention to detail with which they play them.

Clash N Sleazy: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Clash ‘n’ Sleazy play the songs they love and always hope we enjoy hearing the songs, as much the band loves playing and covering them. A pretty busy Factory live welcomed the band to the stage.

The guys opened up with a lean salvo of Clash Bangers Janie Jones and 1977 and London’s Burning. Some wonderful guitar and bass work for these tunes with Chris leading the way with his vocals. These guys play it hard and tight.

Clash N Sleazy: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The Set – The Band

The set was split in two and the guys put out some 38 numbers in total. Now that’s going some! The man at the back on the drum kit, drumming royalty, was Lee, he kept it tight with some great patterns, fills and styles. He is breath taking to watch and tonight we had his light up kit. Therefore, an opening salvo of Clash numbers warmed us up nicely! The keyboards added a great sound, and this came to the front with those classic Stranglers tunes.

Some very tasty The Stranglers covers to start us off with Bitching, London Lady and an unusual one, Toiler on the Sea.  The vocals from Chris were top notch as usual, his well-played bass really sounded authentic and all topped off with a fine layer of keyboard work from Buzz, who also played guitar and provided some backing vocals. We had some top punk rock electric guitar from Duane.

What else did we get in part one? Well, you name it really but some classic highlights included a wonderful Tommy Gun, Police and Thieves closing with my fave Stranglers track Go Buddy Go.

The Clash and The Stranglers are go!

Set two opened up with a change of attire for Chris for the opener Clash City Rockers An interesting set inclusion was Train In Vain. Then back to some Stranglers classics next with Nice and Sleazy and Something Better Change.

We were rocked with a great cover of Bankrobber and Rock The Casbah, and then we had another set of Stranglers tunes Duchess and Hanging Around included, with some fine keyboards for those two!, then back to the Clash.

To close this monster set we had two classics No More Heroes and White Riot. Not one person was standing still for those. They were delivered perfectly and delivered with full on punk passion. Nicely done guys.

Clash N Sleazy: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The crowd reluctant to see the band leave the stage. A chant of “One More Song” went up. It was past the curfew time, but they got the nod for one more! To end this wonderful punky celebration we had a storming version of Five Minutes, this was the last Stranglers single I ever bought, and I loved it. I think it had everyone dancing along, Clash N Sleazy left the stage leaving us exhausted and happy buzzing crowd. They have to be praised for keeping the Factory Live crowd going and positively encouraging crowd participation!

Clash N Sleazy: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

All in all, I have to admit, this was a great night of live music. Top musicianship on display for the set. It was tight, loud, and great fun to be there to hear those tunes performed live. These guys are not the original bands or indeed a “tribute” but they will give you an ear shot of how these bands and importantly the songs used to be played live. The tickets were £10, and bang for buck, you don’t get much better value than these guys! Worth every penny.

Clash N Sleazy: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

At this live performance, it was clear that punk music still resonates with fans of all ages. The crowd was a mix of young and old, all united by their love of a Punky party of Clash and Stranglers material! And they got one! They ticked all the boxes for me and the crowd, it was great fun to be there, well done guys. Chris said afterwards that the guys with this line up are going to be busy with slots booked in all over the place and a regular slot coming up in Putney in London.

A Video! No More Heroes/White Riot

Clash N Sleazy delivered an authentic, passionate, and high-energy performance; they captured the spirit of the original bands.

Until the next time, and we will be there, keep the music alive!

Clash n Sleazy are on Facebook here – https://www.facebook.com/clashNsleazy

Words, Videos and Photos for Scene Sussex by Ian Bourn.
No AI or filters used, its straight down “the lens”!

And Finally

Thanks to Chris and the Nice N Sleazy guys
Thanks to the team at The Factory Live

CONGRATULATIONS to The Factory Live: Prestige Awards , an organisation launched to celebrate businesses and individuals that consistently offer excellent products and services to local residents, has crowned The Factory in Worthing as South England ‘Live Music Venue of the Year’ for 2025-26, a second consecutive win for the intimate venue on the South Coast, who were also awarded the title in 2024-25. Well deserved guys!

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