Wreckless Eric at the Thunderbolt 10^th May

Review & photography by Sarah Quick

Wreckless Eric was one of the original musicians touring with Stiff Records back in the late1970’s along with Ian Dury and Nick Lowe. A seasoned performer he knows how to engage his audience with his punchy guitar and witty repartee.

I arrived at the popular Thunderbolt pub just as Eric took to the stage. Busy as it was, I managed to squeeze my way to the front to hear him commenting on how packed the pub was compared to the “17” that had attended the Fleece last time he had played Bristol.

Accompanied by his new wife Amy Rigby on guitar and occasionally keyboards, Wreckless Eric began the first set by playing some of his ‘growing–up’ songs – one about a creep, another about standing at a bus stop in Saltdene – his poetic lyrics about everyday subjects were poignant and often very amusing. Typically self-depreciating and apologetic at times, he kept up an acerbic commentary between songs “37 people enjoyed a slightly scrappy performance”..

Although I was unfamiliar with a lot of their material, Eric and Amy warmed up midway through the first set and the room was rocking to an impressive output on the intimate stage. Eric’s nasally voice and twangy guitar sound harmonised well with Amy’s and they gave impression of enjoying being there, doing the ‘live’ thing. I imagine his newfound partnership has helped to revitalise Eric’s enthusiasm to get out and play live and they appeared to have combined their songs to form a set with a wider appeal.

‘Astrovan’ in particular was an unusual number on which Eric played organ, Amy the keyboards. Eric seemed a bit Ivor Cutler or John Shuttleworth at this point with the surreal lyrics, but perhaps it was purely the association with the instrument rather than the song itself. They both laughed at the end, Eric apologising “possibly the worst we’ve ever done it”. They later took a break to allow the “more elderly members of the audience to use the lavatory..” presumably he included himself in that bracket..
For the second set I moved to the back of the pub to gauge the reaction to the gig. Whilst it was far more difficult to see, I found a chair to stand on like a lot of others and could feel the enthusiasm surrounding me. People were truly there to listen and although a bit of heckling went on, it was good natured and appreciative.

As always at the Thunderbolt, the music generated an atmosphere that was warm and friendly and the general good feeling from the gig continued well on into the night.

Sarah Quick 2008