Sigue Sigue Sputnik – Martin Degville; photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The fifth generation of rock ‘n’ roll landed in Brighton. Sigue Sigue Sputnik and Martin Degville flaunt it in Brighton. Provoking an emotional response at one of the music events of the year!
SIGUE SIGUE SPUTNIK – Live in Brighton 26/10/2019 – Elvis 1990 was in the building…
Sigue Sigue Sputnik were a British new wave band formed in 1982 by former Generation X bassist Tony James. The band had three UK top 40 hit singles, including the songs “Love Missile F1-11” and “21st Century Boy”. 1986 saw the band riding high, they were the biggest band/brand on the planet for a short while. I never got to see the original line up as they ended as abruptly as they started.
Hi-tech sex, designer violence, and the fifth generation of rock ‘n’ roll.
A chance to photo Sigue SIgue Sputnik was not going to be missed. I made a mad dash dear reader from The Brighton Centre to get to the venue after photo’ing Heaven 17 and Squeeze, well ok I was spotted getting out of a taxi outside The Prince Albert in Brighton. I was excited to see this latest incarnation of SSS. What was Martin going to be wearing? After seeing some fairly recent you tube clips you never know what is gonna come at you.
If you got it – FLAUNT IT
Sigue Sigue Sputnik – Martin Degville; photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Martin did not let us down, a full on head gear made up of feathers and hair and the ripped fishnets, this was the Sputnik spectacle I recognised and so wanted to see. Martin – you looked absolutely splendid. The long gold finger nails twirling and glittering in the lights. Nothing was out of place, Martin was resplendent in his regalia. And the band looked good also! The only thing missing were the thigh high pink latex, 6″ heeled boots. Martin has still got it and so good to see him flaunt it!
I walked into the venue, and a dress for excess code for Halloween was in place. I was greeted by the most buxom of vampires, I had to lean over to let her plant her canines into my neck. Great fun and set the tone for what was to follow.
Sigue Sigue Sputnik: The Band
Martin Degville: Hips, Lips, General Splendidness and Vocals
Sigue Sigue Sputnik – Martin Degville; photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Frank Honnor: Bass Guitar
Jasper Vincent: Guitar
Johann Weidemann: Keys and synth
Darren: Keys
Photo by Cris Watkins – Punk in Focus
The Set: Sex Bomb Boogie
As I entered the room I was met by a delicious wall of sound. The instantly recognisable Rockit Miss USA from the Flaunt It album. I may be slightly biased but it sounded marvellous! A more recent outing, namely Alien Christ was up next.
Sigue Sigue Sputnik – Martin Degville; photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The chant laden Teenage Thunder filled the room. It was just brilliant to be there and hear and see Martin pour it out and do these songs live. A thrill. I have to say it all sounded “mmm mmm I love technology”. No drum kits and Jasper had those guitar riffs nailed to perfection. Frank had his work cut out keeping the bass section pumping and two sets of keys from Darren and Johann.
Martin Degville: Artwork: Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Boom Boom Satellite from the Stock Aitkin Waterman era was up next and it sounded better than ever! A Masterpiece! Viva!
Martin was the 21st century ring master tonight as he led his band, engaged with the crowd who genuinely seemed to hang on his every word. Johann had to nip off to the boys room at one point. Martin rallied what was left of the band for a stripped back, off the cuff Ziggy Stardust.
Go Ahead – Make My Day
Techno Punk-Rock! Success was up next, again a Stock Aitkin and Waterman track. Stunning rendition. Dancerama and Ultra Violence poured over us – The Sputnik team were firing on all cylinders now. Hey Jayne Mansfield SUPERSTAR was next on the set list, and the lady who tried to bite my throat earlier was on stage giving it plenty! Then the guitar started up and the heckles on the back of my neck stood up, Audio firepower at its very best as a reworked 21 Century Boy hit the crowd smack in the face!
A special thing to hear it live. The reaction to this song was brilliant. It was back to the album Flaunt It for the next one Atari Baby. So good to hear these songs again. These guys were so ahead of their time. And these songs in some respect still are. This was proved with an absolute belter of a track Planet Boy – this really rocked at us and the band worked it real hard for this. This, tonight, was an awesome audio driven time machine as Martin and the band whisked the sold out audience back in time in a futuristic way. I hope that makes sense!
Launch The Love Missile
The hypnotic opening from the Giorgio Moroder produced classic Love Missile F1-11 heralded the beginning of the end (did you know Bowie covered this one?). “Let me tell you about my mother”. Mind blowing that its just over 30 years old! The crowd went for it big time for this one! I played the 12″ of this to death back in my DJ days. That was pretty much it, but Martin and the guys were not quite finished as they gave us two Bowie classics. First up was Heroes.
Sigue Sigue Sputnik – Martin Degville; photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The last song up was a rock n roller Sigue Sigue Sputnik take on Bowies The Jean Genie. That was a great way to end a great show! These guys rocked us and rolled us for nearly an hour and a half. It was fun, glitz laden and a thrill to be part of the event.
Thank you Martin for a wonderful evening of humour, warmth, and some damn good music. There’s nothing about Martin Degville that isn’t a class act and that is if he is on his own or with an incarnation of Sigue Sigue Sputnik. It’s all good!
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