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Were you at any
of the legendary gigs with the likes of Oasis, The Manics, Catatonia, Coldplay
or Suede?
What
are your memories of The Joiners, what was the best band you've seen play there?
Atop group from the Britpop era, reggae from the 70s, a noisy punk night or one
of the great jazz and blues performances.
Have
a flick through our Joiners picture gallery
Maybe you have played in a band there - tell us your experiences!
| Badger,
| | Well....the
days in Strange the Butcher were the best of my life,the night with the Manics,Fabulous,Daisy
Chainsaw etc will always be in my mind and its nice to see my old sparring partners(Joe,Craig
and Martin are still pumpin it out somwhere...happy days lads. |
| martin
cavell, | | For
all you young things , the Joiners legacy goes back longer than anyone can remember
, but my first visits included gigs by Strate Jacket and Catch 22 ( later men
they could'nt hang ) ( 1978 ) these interrupted the usual blues nights . I reckon
this started a trend towards the alternative ( Flik Spatula , rancid man etc (
? ) This must be THE most important music venue in Soton ever ! ( so far ) . My
favourite gigs I cant remember ( alcohol ) but possibly the aforementioned . However
Daisy Chainsaw were very different , and blew me away ( no mean feat for an old
dog like me ! ) Also I reckon UX Diver were probably the best band ever ( Did
I play in them ! ) Mint took it to a different level , but don't forget Chris
London ( hes been 50 for 25 years ! ) Met my wife here ! thanx to Hammy ,Emma
( X ) Ged , And those strange butchers . p.s I still luv U Tony Keall ! |
| Alison
Cavell, | | The
best band was u.x diver. Their song DEATH BY KEBAB! There was lots of salad and
pitta breads flying around when they played. One new years eve they all wore just
their pants on stage at the joiners.And Tony Keal was to make an entry on stage
using a cellar lift under the stage. It got stuck! we all waited... NO TONY.love
to pete .tina. phil .tony.ged and chris london. |
| Tim
Cross, | | Living
just a few miles away in Winchester, I spent many happy indie pop nights at The
Joiners. Infact most weeknights during 1987-1989 were spent in Southampton watching
various C-86 bands play The Joiners, The West Indian Centre + The Polygon. Happy
Days! |
| Fluffy
Lou, | | So
many memorioes...the place I hung out from 1990 through (all those Minty years)
last gig I saw there was in 2002 my did i feel old. I remember terrorvision I
think there was about 8 of us there to see the un known band. I also loved the
whole peacenik southampton scene (I have the tape somewhere) who can forget the
crop dusters judacutters I still have flowers from Alice Nutter, I have been kissed
by the guys from the ukrainains and the girlie from magic mushroom band I also
kinda hung out with Ady the barman with blonde dreads if you still know him or
see him say hi hope the travellin was fab..........it was a blast of a time too
many stories to tell! hugs to all xxxxxxx |
| Emma
- One Dead Hunter, | | What
can I say about the Joiners that has not already been said? I am one of the many
who can say the Joiners shaped my entire life! It started working in the Joiners
two days after my 18th birthday in 1990 and I stayed there, apart from a short
absence, until 1997. I was lucky enough to see all the now big bands, mostly while
working in the “back bar”. Amongst most memorable for me was the Levellers gig
which I spent all night dancing around behind the bar only for the amp to land
on my head shortly before the end of the set! Forcing me to spend the end of the
night in casualty! Other highlights include: The Only Ones – my pal Ged Baby sums
it up well; Daisy Chainsaw; Dave Devant and his spirit wife; Sultans of Ping FC;
Green Day. For me though, the true highlight of the Joiners was the local bands.
Big favourites being: UX Diver, Smog, Strange the butcher, Mary Springs (the best
Can cover band ever!), Beautiful Life, Frogs Life, Las Patatas Bravas and many
many more! Oh yeah, and of course the bands I was lucky enough to be in: One Dead
Hunter and Sam Saturn and the Startdust Sensations (I might gloss over Big Rubber
Barbi!). For me the Joiners was a truly amazing part of growing up and it remains
one of the few venues which still allows me to get back on stage! |
| Duncan
(One Dead Hunter), | | Stumbled
on this by accident on a nostalgia trip, nice to see the board full of the usual
suspects. I always enjoyed Dodgy who played several times often with us in support,
ditto judacutters whom i played with on their final few gigs. The soton music
scene of my years 88-94 was amazing with lots of great bands and the joiners was
a perfect place for old young, students and townies, indie kids and ravers to
mix together with very rarely any attitude. I look forward to catching up with
many people soon, When is the next beautifuyl life gig? or how about a few reunions
for chris london's half century...I'l drink to that! |
| Goffik,
Southampton | | I
used to go to the Joiners nearly every night in the late 80's/early 90's - it's
greatness came and went, as did the landlords, and the bands were often fantastic
- hence me being there most of the time! I agree with many of the comments above
(RE the lesser known bands being better than the bigger ones) - Jane Pow were
a particular favourite, as were the Judacutters (what are the ex-members up to
now? How about a reunion?) - loads more - Corporate Grave, Smog UK (hang on -
didn't I used to be in Smog UK?) And then there was Gashattack... Fan-bloomin-tastic!
Well, the singer ("singer"? Stretching the meaning, somewhat, methinks!) was,
anyway - the rest of em didn't know one end of a guitar/drumstick from t'other!
Happy days, though... |
| Martin
Edney, Southampton | I
remember being really overawed the first time I played The Joiners in my band
Strange The Butcher, but after that it became a home from home for a while.
I loved supporting the Manic Street Preachers - the whole night was great (thanks
to Mint for making it happen).
There was a great community around the
Joiners with names such as Older Than Dirt, Pogrm, The Mad Thatchers, Corporate
Grave, Up Baloon Up to name but a few.
But the most unlikely and great
night was when a Polish punk band had to cancel at the last minute (visa problems?)
and were replaced by a very young bunch of lads from Brighton - I've forgotten
their name (if they ever had one), but I was just bowled over by their enthusiasm
and excitement and playing the Joiners. The use of XXL y-fronts in their act defies
explanation. Afterwards a few of us went to the Flying Teapot (ah memories...!
) ! and saw The Green Egg. They were just out of this world (out of their heads?)
and arrived in their big green fire engine before taking us on an interplanetary
cosmic flying lesson. I remember looking across at Paul (Older Than Dirt) and
thinking that we were both having one of the strangest evenings of our lives! |
| steve
ball, London | | Saw
loads of great gigs there back in the late 80's. Evol-323 supported someone or
other (AC Temple?) and just blew me away. What a sound for a 3 piece. Saw The
Charlatans (the week the only one i know came out) who rocked the place big time.
Thought that hammond was gonna crash off the stage. Ride were pretty fine too,
great sounds and loads of energy. Can't remember much else, Giant Sand were cool,
Jane Pow were good and bad on different nights. Glad to hear the place is still
going! |
| Perry
(Alexanders) | | WHITEOUT
- I'D WAITED AGES TO SEE THIS BAND.THEY WERE A TRUE REPRESENTATION OF WHERE ROCK
N ROLL SHOULD HAVE BEEN GOING AT THAT TIME.IM STILL TRYING TO WRITE ANY THING
CLOSE TO THEIR STANDARD.WANTING TO RUM SHOULDERS WITH THAT OTHER LOT(OASIS)? ID
RATHER JOIN BUSTED!A HITORICAL NIGHT INDEED.NO WONDER OASIS WERE BORING HOW WOULD
YOU FOLLOW THAT PERFORMANCE.OUT OF THE HUNDREDS OF GIGS IVE SEEN MY TOP THREE
ARE CLASH AT THE RANK,B.A.D AT MOSS SIDE,WHITE OUT JOINERS.I LOVED PLAYING THERE
AND REMEMBER (OR AM IMFORMED)WE SUPPORTED THE WEDDING PRESENT THERE.NOW THE STAGE
IS TO HIGH TO FALL OFF BUT I GLAD TO SEE ITS STILL PROVIDING YOUNG BANDS WITH
DELITES THAT THEY DESERVE.GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL I HOPE YOU HAVE AS MUCH FUN AS
WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PINCHED FOR.PER...P.S DID MUDDY WATERS PLAY THERE? |
| Donna,
Southampton | | Happy
as Larry - What a cool band. I really enjoyed listening to them. Get them back
there. |
| Paul,
Malaga | | My
old band Older than Dirt must have played over 30 times at the Joiners, is that
a record or what? We even played with Green Day before they became famous rock
stars. I've had so many good nights there it's impossible to pick out a favourite
gig and I always try and go to a gig there when I go back to England. ps who let
strange the butcher on this website? |
| Magin,
Portsmouth | | Local
band, Dead Jack - I have seen them play at the joiners a couple of times now,
also at the Railway. The rate of improvement in this young band is breathtaking.
Everytime I see them they are tighter,more inovative and very very talented -
This is a band whose progress is worth following. |
| Katie,
Southampton | | H.I.M
- It was a gr8 performance a few weeks before they released Love Metal. And Ville
Valo was looking as hott as ever! |
| David
J, Southampton | | I
went to the Joiners for the first time on Tuesday (23rd September 2003) and was
completely blown away. Watch out for Simple Kid I tell you and a band called Soma
High as well. |
| Barry,
Southampton | | Legenday
Gothic band Nosferatu were amazing in 1993, Joiners had loads of great goth acts
there, Dream Disciples and All Living Fear the best as well |
| Ian |
| I
was at that Oasis gig - the one and only occasion I've been to the Joiners. They
were awful, dull and monotonous. And they still are. |
| Adrian
(Beautiful Life), | | Let's
not forget the unique talents of Hugh Reed and the Velvet Underpants. I have hazy
drunken recollections of Mr Cunio lifting the guitarist's kilt while he was playing.
It's true what they say about scotsmen you know... |
| neil
penfold, | | Now
some of you will be thinking who the the hell is this, but i rememeber the times
around 4-5 years ago. The place was kicking and i was down there every weekend.themusic
may of been a different (hard house and techno) but ill tell you this now and
it was the best club in town with a sound atmosphere and every weekend it was
a birthday or something and every body was wasted.What good times they were, ones
which i will never forget |
| Charlie,
Southampton | | I
saw Rival Joustas at The Joiners in June, and they rocked the place with great
songs, superb music and solid energy. For a young band they are too good to miss. |
| Helen |
| To
name but a few... The Verve, Suede (fantastic gig), PJ Harvey supporting The Family
Cat, playing on the make-shift beer crate stage, Finitribe Sheep on Drugs, all
of them fantastic with a capital F.I remember reading an interview with The Family
Cat, after they had played Glastonbury, were they nervous playing in front of
10,000 people the interviewer asked...not as much as playing to a crowd at the
Joiners was their reply! |
| taxman2001,
| | People
just seem to think that The Joiners was on the starting blocks for all the Oasis/Coldplay
bands. Well I much preferred the bands that played for the moment and gave us
a show that would remain with us forever. The best gig I ever attended was the
first time David Devant & His Spirit Wife played there. Ged Babey (boy does he
get around or what), manwhore that he is, had been trying to get me to go to gig
after gig for about 6 months. Being the little mummy’s boy that I was I always
relented. However, somehow he convinced me to go and see DD&HSW – I think he may
have promised to buy me beer (and if he did it was the last time he did), which
knowing how frugal Ged is was a turning point. So I go, get beer and then see
what will remain with me to my dying days the greatest entertainment show ever.
Where else would you get a 6 piece band whose lead singer stood perfectly ! still,
whilst playing guitar, behind a wooden frame (covered in paper) as one of his
lackeys painted his outline – only for him to jump through said painting at the
major guitar riff. Now that my friends is entertainment. |
| Ged
Babey, Southampton | | Lets
not forget that aside from the BIG NAMES there were hundreds of amazing bands
who played the Joiners who never 'made it' but did make life worth living. Not
only 'national' bands but 'local heroes' like EVOL who were stupendous live, SMOG
UK, JANE POW, MILD MANNERED JANITORS, BEAUTIFUL LIFE, THE GREEN EGG, loads of
others ...of the unknowns/cult heroes who've played PETER PERRETT's THE ONE was
the most moving gig I've ever been to and THE HOOK'N'PULL GANG were simply the
best. |
| Eddie,
Southampton | | Manic
Street Preachers & Thin White Rope: Mint deserves a medal for services to
Music. This guy has put on more Artists and given me personally some of the greatest
nights out of my life. Keep up the great work Mint. |
| Stewart
McNeill, Mevagissey, Cornwall |
| PJ
Harvey: The first time they were supporting, I think, the auteurs, she was
supporting the auteurs as a four piece. Very rocky and blues, wonderful. Me and
my girlfriend were alone on the floor dancing drunkenly, we had a pint with polly
and chatted. Absolutely charmed us. two weeks later, following a session on John
Peel she played again. The number of people was amazing, they all claimed to have
been there at the previous gig. polly said hello to me and my girlfriend and proceeded
to play the ground from under our feet as the dancefloor was now packed. Amazing!
Good luck to the little somerset powerhouse! |
| Mark
& Julie Town, Durrington Nr Salisbury |
| Coldplay
(twice!): Only just beating a wonderful night in the company of Mr David Gray
a couple of months previously, this was the second time we'd seen Coldplay at
The Joiners. Their previous show had been a double header with the excellent Terris.
Was this the first time they'd played 'You Only Live Twice' as the encore? Probably
not but it certainly sounded like it! After the show, which was pre Parachutes
just as Shiver was released, my girlfriend and I gatecrashed the dressing room
downstairs to get some CDs signed. Stayed an hour to chat, criticising Jonny's
guitar playing,advising Chris (who complained about his new hair gel melting and
running into his eyes during the show) not to be so 'nice' and assuring him that
everyone was going to love his new songs (he was still totally unconvinced), and
discussing the merits of Opera at Glyndebourne with Will. I'm still amazed we
actually met the! m ! (and have done on a couple of occasions since). There's
no comparison going to see bands at large impersonal venues - Joiners rules! |
| Kate,
| | The
Prime Movers - Hammond organ - Fab! |
| Craig,
| | I
played the Joiners many times in Strange The Butcher and other bands, and saw
more brilliant gigs there than I can remember. Asian Dub Foundation were incredible,
but the award for the most memorable night must go to the wonderful Drugstore.
Just before the second time I saw them at the Joiners, I was writing for a short-lived
magazine called Issue Zero; while being interviewed for the magazine, Drugstore
singer Isobel Monteira told us that the band had been awarded a gold disc by the
record industry of Peru- but that they hadn't received the disc itself. On the
day of the gig, I sprayed a rafia table mat with gold paint, and mounted it in
an old frame I picked up at the Oxfam shop; at the Joiners, Ged Babey then proceeded
to convince Isobel that this was a real Peruvian gold disc, that we had got shipped
over to give to the band. Ged was invited by the band to officially present them
with their placemat during their set, but alcohol and nerves got the better of
him and he bottled out at the last minute. I don't whether Isobel ever forgave
us for our cruel hoax, but I do know that Drugstore never played the Joiners again.
Sorry about that. |
| Mark
| | I
saw the elishe play with the Jeevas (Crispian Mills and the Straw guys) and they
were fantastic. There was a real sence that something was happening in the room
that night. Sadly, like many great bands that treated the Joiners as their home
venue, they broke up. I'll never forget that night. It was on a par with the oasis/whiteout
gig. |
| Nick
| | The
Brilliant Corners from Bristol - I saw them there a couple of times and always
top knotch also 1999' first gig there in about 92 was good although strangely
the second one was really poorly attended |
| joe
cunio | | My
band Strange the Butcher supported the manics that night it was totally
rammed ! also my son is very proud that i used to change his nappy on the stage
during sound checks. The joiners is a total legend, but Mint still needs a bath
(we bought him some soap for xmas once) |
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