Surprisingly it’s the 1^st time the Mackenzies have played the little 100 Club and given there were seven of them there was precious little room to move about.  Martin was especially restricted but he still maintained his usual charismatic leader role.  Alas the venue was probably only two thirds full so loads of punters missed out on an outstanding evening of GMM early 90’s classics from small but ace back catalogue that have, for me, stood the test of time.

The support band ‘She Made Me Do It’ were a trio from London. A new find for me but they have been around since 2015. An Indie guitar driven sound with thumping base made for an entertaining set which kept people engaged throughout. 

As usual when GMM take the stage guitarist Big John Duncan, an MS sufferer, gets an extra special welcome.  He stays seated throughout the set, only to be expected.  He’s an ominous figure given his size and near totally tattooed torso. Love the ‘Punk’ fanzine lettering tattoo on his neck!  It’s even stevens tonight who has the most charisma, Big John or Martin’s enigmatic ominous presence driving his band forward.  Martin, dressed all in black, is the ideal front man, controlling the stage and audience alike.

GMM are:  Lead singer – Martin Metcalfe; lead guitar – Big John Duncan; drums – Derek Kelly; Fin Wilson – Bass; Rona Scobie – Keyboards; Jim Brady – Guitar; Tippi Hedron – backing vocals/guitar.

Ably supported by the rest of the band who were as tight as possible given the limitations of the equipment and sound at the 100 Club. Derek and Fin kept the rhythm section excellently whilst Big John and Jim Brady regularly switched lead and rhythm guitar licks. Rona, stuck at the back in a small space, layered the keyboards over the top given the band the quintessential GMM sound.

Nearly half the set came from 1994’s ‘Five’ album with the powerful slow burners of ‘Jim’s Killer’ and the simple but haunting chords of ‘Naigara’ being the highlights.  The last three songs are absolute belters ‘Goodwill City’, the singalong ‘The Rattler’ and it had to end with ‘Goodbye Mr Mackenzie’.  Bloody great stuff and my personal highlight ‘Blacker Than Black’ what a song. Plenty of loyal followers were there singing along and applauding loudly after each song. They have a small’ish but loyal following and I’m proud to be one of them!

Big John got his moment in the spotlight singing ‘The Way I Walk’.

Set List (Click on links to view the YouTube videos)

1. Hands Of The Receiver – (Five, 1994)
2. Open Your Arms – (Good Deeds and Dirty Rags, 1989)
3. Hard – (Five, 1994)
4. Love Child – (Hammer and Tongs, 1991)
5. Yelloueze – (Five, 1994)
6. The Grip – (Five, 1994)
7. Jim’s Killer – (Five, 1994)
8. Blacker Than Black – (Hammer and Tongs, 1991)
9. His Master’s Voice – (Good Deeds and Dirty Rags, 1989)
10. Niagara – (Five, 1994)
11. The Way I Walk – (The Way I Walk EP, 1994)
12. Normal Boy – (Five, 1994)
13. Now We Are Married – (Hammer and Tongs, 1991)
14. Goodwill City – (Good Deeds and Dirty Rags, 1989)
    Encore:
15. The Rattler – (Good Deeds and Dirty Rags, 1989)
16. Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie – (Good Deeds and Dirty Rags, 1989)

Simply, a great gig from Goodbye Mr MacKenzie, go watch them if you can, you won’t be disappointed.

So many great songs were omitted tonight e.g. ‘Candlestick Park’, ‘Carlton Hill’, ‘Bold John Barleycorn’, ‘Knockin’ on Joe’, ‘Face To Face’ they could have gone on for a few more songs in my opinion.  Also the merchandise stand was very bland I’m sure they can design better t-shits etc. given the stuff Martin does with Maria Rud.

BIG QUESTION – will there ever be another GMM album Martin?

Marko [7 April 2025]