Gerry Brooke looks back on performances by The Housemartins, Sigue,Sigue,Sputnik, The Icicle Works and Iron Maiden.

This autumn week in 1986 there was plenty of top bands to see, including that much acclaimed Hull outfit, The Housemartins, who were on stage at The Studio in Frogmore Street.

“ If you missed last night’s sell out gig then you have my deepest sympathies” wrote Post critic Nick Pryer the next day.

“For The Housemartins delivered a white hot set that was funny, angry, soulful and subversive.

“In fact it was the best night out I’ve had in ages.

“The band cut through the rubbish that passes for British pop music like a hot knife through butter – smashing all the myths about image, hairdos and hype, hype, hype.

“Letting their infectious brand of gospel tinged jangly guitar music do the talking.... they had last night’s seething audience eating out of their hands.

“Their two encores were greeted with some of the loudest acclaim I’ve ever heard in Bristol.

By 1986 Norman Cook had joined the band which two years later broke up to reform as The Beautiful South.

Well, if you missed The Housemartins, then there was always Sigue, Sigue Sputnik at the Bierkeller.

“After a cancellation at the Hippodrome Sigue, Sigue Sputnik (or the Sci-fi Sex Stars as they now like to be called) finally arrived in Bristol” wrote the Post’s Robert Palmer.

“Was it worth the wait?

“ Unfortunately I cannot say yes or no because the Sputniks can’t seem to make up their minds just what sort of group they are.

“Most of the audience seemed to think they are a regression to the punk era.

“It wasn’t long before lead singer Martin Degville began having glasses hurled at him.

“He then shouted a barrage of abuse and walked off stage closely followed by the rest of the band.

“But they soon returned with a superb version of Bowie’s Rebel, Rebel followed by 21st Century Boy and Love Missile.

If they play like this – and avoid hostilities – the band could yet become flavour of the month.

Back at The Studio the Post’s Dave Massey went along to see The Icicle Works.

“ You’re going to enjoy a great Rock ‘n Roll show” shouted Ian McNabb,” the band’s leader.

“And, kicking off with the awesome Hollow Horse, it seemed that McNabb’s words would ring true.

“I could only wonder why the group are not more successful than they are.

“ But Understanding Jane – one of their two chart numbers – was given a sacrilegious Country and Western treatment and Love is a Wonderful Colour fell over itself.

“I’m not sure if the new songs have the classic qualities fans will cherish but a wider audience beckons.

Finally Bristol’s heavy metal fans were getting very excited at the prospect of seeing thrashers Iron Maiden at the Colston Hall.

“Their musicianship is excellent, their showmanship tremendous and their sound devastating” wrote the Post’s Nigel Summerley.

“Unlike inferior metal dealers this lot can rock and almost swing and their twin lead guitars are as precise and thoughtful as they are ear splittingly loud.

“Maiden don’t set out to take themselves, or their music, too seriously.

“Their special effects rained down smoke and fire enough to shame anything you may have planned for November 5th.

“A great concert.