Jo Boxers / The Fall previously unseen photos Rob Bamford ch. 5 1983

All words and photos Rob Bamford:

‘The Jo Boxers gig was a strange one. I had seen something on the tv about them and thought they might be the next big thing. So trying to steal one over my mates I saw they were playing in Croydon and decided to go on my own, which was a pretty brave thing to do. I drove using by A to Z map of London (god knows how I managed it considering Satnav these days) found the pub, parked nearby and went in. Billy No Mates again so I stuck to the bar drinking shandy.

I was fairly shy in those days so I wasn’t great at striking up a conversation with a total stranger and even if you did there was always a risk in those days that it could end up in a fightJ

Then when the band came on having my camera was useful as it gave me an excuse to move around taking photos.

They were ok’ish as a band but I have to admit not one of my favourites but it was a great experience.’

Serious Drinking Guildford Oct 15th 1983

‘The Fall – I liked them but wasn’t what you would call a massive fan. But being on locally and a couple of my mates were bigger fans so it was an obvious choice to go. It was a good gig as Mark Smith was great on stage and I got some nice photos.’