Wednesday, 29 July 2026

Eric's - October 1976

1976

The earliest poster for Eric's is from October 1976, the first gig listed is The Stranglers, but Deaf School played a pre-opening show.

According to the Deaf School website it took place on August 3rd, which was a Thursday.
According to Bill Sykes' Sit Down & Listen to This Eric's opened on September 24th, a Friday.
According to Paul du Noyer's Deaf School: the Non Stop Pop Art Punk Rock Party "Before the downstairs venue was ready, Deaf School played a pre-opening night in Gatsby’s. On the next night, 1 October, the Stranglers played the same stage for Eric’s official unveiling."

At the beginning of August Deaf School played Drury Lane Theatre in London on the 4th, before coming back to Liverpool for a show at the Empire on the 6th.

In the early days Eric's Club was a one night a week takeover of the Revolution Club. The main band played upstairs at Gatsby's, the support bands played downstairs at the Eric's we all know and love. As all the Eric's gigs for the rest of 1976 were on Fridays I would suggest that 24th September would be the most likely date. Deaf School (according to their website) only played one gig in September, at Mr Digby's in Birkenhead on the 16th, so they would be free.

Friday September 24th Deaf School

Eric's Club opened, taking over the Revolution Club at 9 Mathew St, Liverpool 2. The Revolution Club wasn't ready yet so the opening night was upstairs at Gatsby's. Liverpool's best band of the time, Deaf School, played.

Friday 1st October The Stranglers

+ The Brownies

The Stranglers at the Nashville, London, 10th October 1976

Friday 8th October Runaways

+ 29th & Dearborn

The Runaways Glasgow gig a few days earlier had ended in a riot and a slew of headlines.

What better publicity can you get for a gig? The queue snaked round the block.

It looks all a bit Yewtree now I'm afraid.

29th & Dearborn

Friday 15th October Sex Pistols

+ Albert Dock

Sex Pistols - So It Goes, Granada TV - 3th September 1976

MORE ABOUT SEX PISTOLS AT ERIC'S AT LIVERPOOL MISCELLANY

Albert Dock became The Yachts and later signed to Stiff

Friday 22nd October The Count Bishops

A pint of your finest Pub-rock, please

Friday 29th October Racing Cars

Racing Cars - Peel Session - September 1976

Roger Eagle

Eric's - November 1976

Friday 5th November Roogalator

(nb, Roogalator came on late because the'd gone to Sefton Park to watch the fireworks)

Roogaltor - All Aboard

Friday 12th November Flamin' Groovies

Friday 19th November Albert Dock

Albert Dock and the Cod Warriors featuring the Fishfingerettes became the Yachts

Yachts - Suffice to Say - 81 Renshaw, Liverpool, 25th March, 2018

Friday 26th November Damned

Damned Peel session recorded four days later, 30th November 1976

early flyer, courtesy of Doreen Allen and Marc Jones

Eric's - December 1976

Liverpool Eric's flyer, December 1976

Friday 3rd December Split Enz (didn't play)

Split Enz Crosswords - UK 1977

Friday 10th December Slaughter & the Dogs
+ Berlin

Slaughter & the Dogs - UFO - recorded 1st May 1976

Berlin changed their name to Fun, and in 1979 had this track on Street to Street, A Liverpool Album

Fun - I Heared You Call My Name

Friday 17th December Flamin' Groovies

Flamin' Groovies - Shake Some Action

Friday 24th December Deaf School
+ Albert Dock
+ O'Boogie Brothers

Deaf School poster courtesy of Alexander Reynolds

Deaf School

Albert Dock became Yachts

Yachts - Suffice to Say

The O'Boogie Brothers featured Ambrose Reynolds, David Knopov (both of whom went on to be in the Ded Byrds), Ian Broudie (Big in Japan, Care, Lighting Seeds), Nathan McGough (son of Roger, later manager of Happy Mondays)

Friday 31st December The Brownies

On Saturday 11th December Roger Eagle was promoting the Sex Pistols Anarchy tour at Liverpool Stadium. It didn't happen. Find out why at Liverpool Miscellany

The Liverpool Echo reported the gig was cancelled but the band planned to play a city centre club, the Cavern. That didn't happen either.

copyright www.sex-pistols.net

Tuesday, 28 July 2026

Eric's - January 1977

from Philip Rees Roberts

Friday 7th January

Friday 14th January The O'Boogie Brothers

Saturday 15th January The Anti Disco Disco

Friday 21st January

Saturday 22nd January Roogalator

Roogaltor - Cincinatti Fatback - 1977

Friday 28th January ~~Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers~~ - cancelled

The Damned

+ Generation X

Damned - Live in Brighton 1977

Generation X - Demos -1977

Pop & Rock music on the Telly in January 1977

Just to put things in context, here's the Top of the Pops, Supersonic and Old Grey Whistle Test line ups for January 1977. Don't forget this was all the pop and rock music you could see on tv back then. Look out for Deaf School on Supersonic.

Thursday 6th January 1977
Top of the Pops (BBC1)
Host: David Jensen
Sheer Elegance Dance the night away
10cc The things we do for love (promo)
Tina Charles Dr Love
Smokie Living next door to Alice
Gladys Night & the Pips Nobody but you
Jethro Tull Ring out those Solstice bells
David Soul Don't give up on us (Legs & Co)
Drifters You're more than a number in my little red book (promo)
Clodagh Rogers Save me
Boney M Daddy Cool
Donna Summer - chat with host -
Johnny Mathis When a child is born
Abba Money, money, money (play out record)

Saturday 8th January 1977

Supersonic (LWT)

The Hollies Daddy don't mind

The Hollies Dragging my heels

Mud Somebody

Phoenix Easy

Andy Fairweather Low Bebop and holler

Flintlock

Brotherhood of Man

an aside:

Sunday 9th January

Liverpool Empire Genesis

In April 1975 I'd been to my first gig, just turned 14 - Genesis with Peter Gabriel at the Empire. It was excellent. So when tickets for the first post-Gabriel Genesis tour went on sale roundabout October 1976 me & My Mate Dave got tickets for the Liverpool show the following January.

Punk happened pretty quickly. NME and Sounds might have had articles about Punk but there were no records, there were hardly any Peel sessions. Hard to be a punk in a provincial town when you'd never heard a punk band. But then in October the Pistols signed with EMI and at the end of the month Neat, Neat, Neat by the Damned was released. Stuff started happening. The Sex Pistols went on Bill Grundy's show on 1st December and the rest is history.

Consequently by January 9th me & My Mate Dave were not all that interested in seeing Genesis - but we went anyway. Phil Collins had started doing the singing so they had the great Chester Thompson in on drums. He was the drummer on Frank Zappa's Roxy & Elsewhere which was pretty cool. We were loitering in Lime St on that Sunday afternoon and saw this bunch of guys walking towards us. Obviously we recognised them, and being 15 year old scouse kids, totally ignored Messrs Collins, Rutherford, Banks and Hackett. Instead we bounded over (well, maybe not bounded) and said to Chester Thompson "hey mister, didn't you useta be in Frank Zappa's band?"

Tuesday 11th January 1977

Old Grey Whistle Test (BBC2)

Ace Rock & Roll Singer

Ace You're all that I needed

Daryl Hall & John Oates Back Together Again

Daryl Hall & John Oates Rich Girl

Roy Carr interview

Free The Stealer (promo)

Graham Parker & the Rumour That's what they all say (promo)

Boston Rock & Roll Band (promo)

Thin Lizzy Rocky (The Odeon, Hammersmith)

Thursday 13th January 1977

Top of the Pops (BBC1)

Host: David Hamilton

Gallagher & Lyle Every little teardrop

Barry Biggs Sideshow

Rose Royce Car Wash (Legs & Co)

David Parton Isn't she lovely

Julie Covington Don't cry for me Argentina (stills of Eva Peron)

Status Quo Wild side of life (promo)

Liverpool Express Every man must have a dream

Pussycat Smile

David Soul Don't give up on us (promo)

Stevie Wonder I wish (play out)

Saturday 15th January 1977

Supersonic (LWT)

Gary Glitter

Deaf School Taxi

Deaf School What a way to end it all

Jessie Green Flip

Jessie Green Nice & Slow

John Miles Manhattan Skyline

John Miles Music Man

Tuesday 18th January 1977

Old Grey Whistle Test (BBC2)

Larry Coryell's The Eleventh House in concert

Thursday 20th January 1977

Top of the Pops (BBC2)

Host: Noel Edmonds

Slade Gypsy Road Hog

Donna Summer Winter Melody (promo)

10c The things we do for love

Jesse Green Flip

Elvis Presley Suspicion (Legs & Co)

Drifters You're more than a number (promo)

Leo Sayer When I need you

Thin Lizzy Don't believe a word

Gary Glitter It takes all night long

Silver Convention Everybody's talking about love

David Soul Don't give up on us (promo)

Boney M Daddy Cool (play out)

Saturday 22nd January 1977

Supersonic (LWT)

Ace How Long

Ace You're all that I need

Dodgers Don't it always get you down

Eddie & the Hot Rods All I need is money

Eddie & the Hot Rods Teenage Depression

Liverpool Express Every man must have a dream

Slik Don't take your love away

Tuesday 25th January 1977

Old Grey Whistle Test (BBC2)

Leon Redbone Mr Jellyroll Baker

Leon Redbone I Ain't got nobody

SAHB without Alex Pick it up & kick it

SAHB without Alex Smouldering

Dory Previn Brando (promo)

Emmylou Harris Pancho & Lefty (Townes van Zandt cover)

Rick Wakeman White Rock (film clip)

Thursday 27th January 1977

Top of the Pops (BBC1)

Host: Tony Blackburn

The Brothers Sing Me

David Parton Isn't she lovely

Eagles New kid in town (Leggs & Co)

Barry Briggs Sideshow

Status Quo Wild Side of Life

Mr Big Romeo

Julie Covington Don't cry for me Argentina

Andy Fairweather Low BeBop & Holler

Moments Jack in a Box (promo)

New Seekers I want to go back

David Soul Don't give up on us (promo)

Rose Royce Car Wash (play out)

the unwitting cause of punk rock

Saturday 29th January 1977

Supersonic (LWT)

Mr Big Romeo

Andy Fairweather Low Be Bop & Holler

Real Thing You'll never know what you're missing

Real Thing Hallelujah Man

Leo Sayer When I need you

Leo Sayer You make me feel like dancing

Scrounger Our love

info from http://www.tvpopdiaries.co.uk/1977.html
go visit!

Eric's - February 1977

Saturday 5th February Plummet Airlines

Plummet Airlines - It's Hard - 1977

Friday 11th February Little Bob Story

NME , 11 days later, 22 February 1977

Little Bob Story

Friday 18th February Alberto Y Los Trios Paranoias

The Albertos - In Concert 1977

Saturday 19th February Cherry Vanilla & her Staten Island Band

Cherry Vanilla - The Punk - 1977

Friday 25th February John Martyn

Saturday 26th February Stranglers

New Old Gig Review – Eric’s Liverpool 1977

Folk’s answer to Ted Nugent?

John Martyn: If he’s too loud then you’re too old!

FOR THOSE of you who do not know, let me merely say this: John Martyn is Britain’s number one singer/songwriter. Absolutely.Without doubt. His fine, unique vocals excellently complement his subtle blend of guitar pyrotechnics. You heard correctly – pyrotechnics! (And if any of you Ted Nugent/Buck Dharma/Ace Frehley fans wanna argue, come right up!).

After a plea for ‘a bit more juice in the monitors’ (which is only significant in the fact that it commenced a running verbal battle which the guy at the mixing desk which lasted for all of Martyn’s one-and-a-half hour long set) and a final drink out of his ubiquitous bottle of beer, Martyn went straight into an incredible version of ‘One Day Without You.’ Just check out those vocals. Perfection. Next came the highlight (for me, any way) of Martyn’s set, ‘Outside In.’ During this, he brought to the fore his whole battalion of effects – wahwahs, boosters, fuzztones, copycat, in fact, you name it, and Martyn’s got his foot on it. The way this song progresses is just amazing. It seems to possess a magical inherent non-verbal imagery, providing excellent fodder for all us would be amateur escapists.

After this song, Martyn went about developing his rapport with the highly appreciative Eric’s audience before treating us to an ‘acoustic guitar solo’, and following that with a ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide Ballad (Traditional).’ How can I, a mere mortal, ever hope to convey the many facets of loveliness songs like ‘Over The Hill’ or ‘Make No Mistake’ or for that matter ‘Bless The Weather’ possess?

If your answer to the question, ‘Have you heard John Martyn?’ is in the negative, God help your souls. But it’s not too late. Quick! There’s still time if you hurry.

Eric's, Liverpool, 25 February 1977
Ralph Whaley, Sounds, 19 March 1977

Eric's - March 1977

back of a Deaf School programme from March 11 1977

Friday March 4th Plummet Airlines

Saturday March 5th Anti Disco Disco

Monday March 7th Warm

Thursday March 10th Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers
+ Cherry Vanilla
+ The Police

Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers - Live 1977

Cherry Vanilla - Liverpool - inspired by this gig at Eric's

I made the mistake of saying that The Police acted as Cherry Vanilla's backing band. I was put in my place by Zecca Esquibol, Cherry Vanilla's keyboard player. Zecca says:

No, No and NO! How many times must I correct this? Sting and Stewart joined me and guitarist Louie Lepore to be Cherry's backing band, NOT the entire Police. Please read Sting's book for details. Below is a pic of me and Sting on stage in Newcastle with Louie's guitar neck and hand between us. Also, note the references to me and Louie in verse 1 of "Liverpool".

Well, there's no chance I'm going to read Sting's book but I'm sure Gordon backs up Zecca's story. There's a bit more detail in this very entertaining piece from www.punk77.co.uk read it here

Note the references in the song to Louie: Louie left his shoes at the Lion Hotel (Lion Hotel in Warrington, where Cherry Vanilla played the previous evening); Zecca Zecca getting cruised every night; Stewart Copeland: Stewart said this is where the Beatles had played

and Sting Sting was eating lunch from a box

Friday 11th March Darts

Saturday 12th March Rockpile

Friday 18th March Buzzcocks according to Bill Sykes book

Bert Jansch according to the handbill

Saturday 19th March Frankie Miller

Frankie Miller - Be Good to Youself - Peel Session May 1977

Friday 25th March Silly Wizard

Silly Wizard - The Ferryland

Fun Fact: The bass player from The REZILLOS, William Mysterious, was in Silly Wizard!

Saturday 26th March Wayne County (later Jayne County)

Eric's - April 1977

Friday 1st April Generation X

Saturday 2nd April Plummet Airlines

Monday 4th April The Western Kirby Cowboy

Tuesday 5th April The Western Kirby Cowboy

Wednesday 6th April The Western Kirby Cowboy

During the Everyman Theatre's 13th season the rebuilding project forced the company out and into a year of touring, playing school gymnasiums, pubs and working men's clubs throughout Merseyside. One of the most popular shows was The Western Kirby Cowboy starring Bob Mason (a Merseyside version of Shane Connaughton's Weston Coyney Cowboy). The play opened in Eric's before touring around Merseyside. Shane Connaughton was an Irish actor and writer who played Gipsy John Smith in Coronation St (1970) and co-wrote the Oscar nominated screenplay for My Left Foot (1989).

Friday 8th April Roogalator

Saturday 9th April Tyla Gang

Wednesday 13th April Jazz Night with

Chris McGregor's Blue Notes

+ Kenny Shaw

+ Will Gaines

Friday 15th April Wayne County
The Destroyers

Ian Barry from the Destroyers writes:

Hi Phil. in a nutshell, on an afternoon in late March early April 77 Roger held a battle of the bands. there was us, the spitfire boys and half a dozen others. Roger told the spitfire boys they were history and we opened that night for Wayne County. From then on we played pretty much every thursday, friday, twice on saturdays and many sundays until around October 78, by which time we had outgrown the place. We played Erics well over a hundred times.
I will get you the first date as the wayne county bill is on your blogspot. for some reason BMG are blocking the youtube links to our records on the detour label, in the UK. It's not like they'll retire on the publishing rights haha. We did appear on some posters as headliners at Erics but we were mostly billed as "plus support".
When we got concurrent residencies at the swingin apple and (much to our shame) Thursdays at the Wispa in Litherland Roger was a bit pissed at us. But as he'd never paid us more than 4 bottles of beer each he'd had his money's worth out of us. Unfortunately we were young and nieve. we didn't pose for photos or give interviews. That wasn't punk. The Echo did a full 2 page centre spread about us in early 1978 and none of us kept a copy. I will give you more concrete dates. Ian

The Destroyers

Submitted by Ian Barry for Eric's - all the best clubs are downstairs

March 77, Gibbo and I had been refused entry to a club off Dale street as I didn’t look old enough (I wasn’t), but Gibbo who was 6’4” had heard of a rock club” The Revolution” where they weren’t so choosy” “You wont like it in here lads its punk night” the bouncer said, but we blagged entry anyway. The stage was in complete darkness except for John Foxx 12 string in hand singing “I want to be a machine” It is still difficult to express the emotions that ran through me that night, stunned senseless yet alive and tingling in a way I imagined only a tab of acid could make you and all this on brown bitter! Next week we were there in ripped shirts 2nd hand shoes and of course safety pins, our memberships for Erics said “does not guarantee entrance to “The Revolution” we were of the first and we knew it.

Doreens lasagne Coming from Kirkby and before that Everton, having never been abroad and my mum working in the Birds Eye, our diet at home was somewhat restricted to fish fingers, pies and “boil in the bag beef”, so Doreens Lasagne was the first real foreign food I had tasted. It was fantastic, about 4 inches thick and gave your stomach a really good lining god bless you Doreen wherever you are!

Lads would dance on their own, Julian Cope in Nylon boiler suit and altogether too much blonde hair looking slightly deranged, Holly Johnson too in overcoat and red shoes although he wouldn’t be alone for long as Wylie wouldn’t be far behind he was at the uni but desperate that no one knew he was from Norris Green! Pete Burns was a really scary looking bloke him and lynn (which was which?) all in black, but he was a really nice and genuine bloke if you plucked up the courage to speak to him (books, covers)

By August we had formed “The Destroyers”, Roger liked us we played a Saturday afternoon and then stayed over to support Wayne County & the Electric Chairs, now that was odd! Roger saw something in us we didn’t, to us it was just a laugh (and we had no talent) he put us supporting some of the best, Clash, Black Slate, Ultravox The Slits, and tried to give us advice which we never took. He would introduce us to people randomly, one night at the bar he brings up this tall skinny Irish bloke, who looked and smelled like a pikey,”you two should talk he said” would you loike a derink the pikey says “fuckoff nobhead Gibbo says” (people usually did what he said) years later the pikey earned a few quid for charity with a shit xmas song and some open-air gigs!

We never got paid, he would give us a mixed crate, lager (our kid got these he was older) brown (gibbo got these he was bigger) Pale Ale (fred got these he was faster) and I got the cider I’ve never been able to drink it since! Roger lent us “Trout Mask Replica” and told us this was our future we gave it back the next week we liked “falling ditch” but the rest was shit to our young ears, god bless the Captain. We would walk to the front of the long queues in Mathew street and never paid to get in we were “The Destroyers” from Kirkby we thought we were fucking ace! I could go on but you’re probably asleep.

it was me (Ian Barry), our mark, tony Gibbo gibson on mouth noises and Fred Palethorpe on drums. yeah resident band in the Swinging Apple at the same time as the resident band in Erics. made for some late nights in the apple as we played there after erics. after we opened for the clash they walked over to the apple with us to watch us again.

Saturday 16th April Gorillas (aka Hammersmith Gorillas)

?did they even turn up?