Dead Men Walking

SHAUN LOWTHORPE

> The Waterfront, Norwich

They claim to be responsible for almost as many chart successes as the Beatles and Elvis - even though Dead Men Walking have never had a hit of their own.

But this loose collection of artists - drawn loosely from the world of rock and punk - showed their credentials as they belted through their joint back catalogue of material at the Waterfront last night.

On this Right to Party tour, new member Captain Sensible from The Damned joined existing members Slim Jim Phantom of The Stray Cats, Mike Peters of The Alarm, and Kirk Brandon of Spear Of Destiny - so there was quite a history to go at.

From The Stray Cats, that meant Runaway Boys and Rumble In Brighton, Spear of Destiny's Never Take Me Alive and Westworld and The Damned's Smash It Up and Neat Neat Neat.

Captain Sensible was by far the biggest personality on stage - performing his own solo hits Glad It's All Over and Happy Talk - and even giving in to public pressure for a rendition of his credibility-damaging theme song from snooker game show Big Break.

As an Alarm fan of more than 20 years, the highlight for me was always going to come from Peters. He attacked 68 Guns, Strength and Sold Me Down the River with the passion and energy that have made his live performances so special.

But what makes Dead Men Walking such an outstanding live experience is the working arrangement between the four individuals. Each takes a lead on his own material while the others provide musical support.

And between the tracks there's plenty of banter and stories to tell. It's a relaxed atmosphere from some former angry young men, who seemed to enjoy the occasion as much as we did.

These Dead Men are not angry as they were and definitely not as young. But they're approaching this project with no big egos and lots of smiles. Great entertainment.