The Professionals – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The Professionals – I really enjoyed that! They gave us some wonderful, energetic rock`n`roll. They delivered it all with attitude and a well deserved and well earned swagger. You guys nailed it.
The Professionals
Formed by Paul Cook and Steve Jones, The Professionals arrived on the scene in 1979 following the demise of the Sex Pistols, but split just 3 years later. In celebration of the release of a three-disc set by the Universal Music Group, The Professionals reformed in October 2015 (minus Steve Jones and with the addition of Tom Spencer) for a critically acclaimed, sold out 100 Club show.
The Professionals: Paul Cook photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Fast-forward to 2017 and the new band spearheaded by Paul Cook, Paul Myers and Tom Spencer released the first material under the Professionals name in 35 years with the full blessing of founding member Steve Jones.The year is now 2019 and the band was in town with an updated line up. I had waited ages for these guys to play somewhere close and tonight they hit the stage at Concorde 2!
The Professionals: Tom Spencer photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
I have to say that this was going to be a night not to be missed on the Brighton rock yearly calendar. The Professionals were guests of The RUTS DC. Concorde 2 was jammed early doors such was the draw to this band playing along with the main act a bit later on.
The Professionals: Paul Cook photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The re-formed and reinvigorated Professionals were ready. The packed in crowd were ready. Great to See Toshi again. I last bumped into him with Mr Cook at a wonderful SHARKS gig. And good to have a quick catch up outside.
The Professionals: TOSHI photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Chris McCormack has guitar duties tonight.
The Professionals: Chris McCormack photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The set was quite short, about 30 mins but they packed in a great mix of old and new. They didn’t waste a second and kicked their way through the set without delay. And yes, they were loud. Just as it should be.
The Set
As I say, no time to waste and it was time to Join The Professionals – ripped into Good Man Down. What an absolute belting good start. It was great to see the band so close to the edge of the stage and this allowed everyone to see all the members and it is unusual to get such a great view of the drummer! Usually they are lost in the darkness or over enthusiastic smoke machine. 1-2-3 and Going Going Gone fired up, a solid sound from these guys and absolutely well worth the wait to see them play live. We were promised the possibility of a return show – that was met with a huge roar from the Sold Out Concorde 2 crowd.
The guys seemed to be enjoying the set as much as we were, the crowd lapped up the banter and the antics as The Professionals continued to deliver… even if Toshi was trying to put Tom off!
Play time…
SILLY THING
This storming set continued. Silly Thing was up. Yes, that Pistols track from The Great Rock and Roll Swindle, that The Professionals have now made their own. I was lucky to be sharing some space with Jordan and we both bopped along to this one! I always loved this track and now the guys have powered it up and it sounds sensational live! Hats Off, Rewind, and Dream. Bad Baby, gotta shout out for those great guitar riffs in that one! These songs were leveled at us in quick succession. These guys were on a roll and nothing was going to stop them giving us as many songs as they could within their allotted time.
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- Tom Spencer on vox and guitars
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- Chris McCormack has guitar duties
Monkeys and the awesome Kick Down The Doors was given blazing treatment but they heralded the beginning of the end of the set. Where did THAT time go?
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- Paul Cook – drums and vox
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- Toshi – on his mutha bass and vocals
Sadly it was announced last song…. Let Go. A strong finish that left us all wanting more. Songs on the set list also included Lonely Boy and the mighty Payola, unfortunately there wasn’t time for those….. this time.
If you missed them then you can grab a damn fine release “What In The World”, or keep your fingers crossed for a return visit to Brighton. These guys played a blinder backed with some superb punk/rock tunes – all songs from these guys are fast and to the point. Just the way it should be.
Thank you The Professionals – I really enjoyed that! They gave us some wonderful, energetic rock`n`roll. They delivered it all with attitude and a well deserved and earned swagger. You guys nailed it.
Silly Thing – Thanks to Andy Miller for use of his video.
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All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2019.
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