'Cats' gives the not-so big names a chance
(Review from West Bromwich Chronicle May, 1970)
The first time I went to the Catacombs club, in Temple Street, Wolverhampton, was about a year ago, and I always remember being somewhat surprised that n order to get into there 1 had to climb some stairs. After all. I thought at the time, with a name like that. It is bound to be housed in some factory cellar or similar underground structure.
When I discovered that the club was over rather than underground I must admit' that I was slightly disappointed. But my disappointment was short-lived. Once Inside the magical atmosphere had Its desired effect.
The Catacombs is purely and simply two long passageways with a broad dividing wall, into which is set a bar, and «several alcoves with tablet and chairs. At one end of the passageways is a small stage, and at the other is the cloakroom. Intimate but also has that rare Indefinable quality that is found only in clubs where both audience and artistes ran communicate.
There are few lights in the Catacombs except those on stage and in the alcoves, and the walls are painted white. There are few seats, except for benches along the side of passageway walls. So it's strictly standing room only on good nights, but I have never found anyone who doesn't prefer it this way. It all adds to the atmosphere.
The club run two separate and completely different forms of entertainment. On Mondays It is progressive night, featuring heavy rock and bines groups with occasional folk. There b also a discotheque on these nights, derated entirely to progressive music. some of people who go for this sort of music, and there is no pandering to the more dance-able form of music, as in other clubs. Regulars at the club In the-past have been groups like Free, Yes, If, Keef Hartley. Jucy Lucy and the Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation. The keynote of the Catacombs Is to specialize in groups that arc not so well-known—up and coming names yet to make their name even on the John Peel programme.
This is extremely popular with the fans—in fact, more popular In the long run than if the club were to put on the occasional big name like- The Who or Led Zeppelin. Many a time I have heard fans talking about groups they have heard at the "Cats." as It is affectionately known, month* before the groups In question have emerged from leaders In their own field. At a glance at the names above will show you what I mean.
Saturday nights at the club are devoted to R&B, and rare Tamla sounds, and again there is total Involvement. On these nights, there Is no pandering to progressive tastes. Saturday night is usually a discotheque but occasionally the club put on live artistes when they are available. These artistes arc nearly always American, and In the past such people as Jimmy Ruffln. Edwin Starr and J. J. Jackson have appeared.
Membership of the club works out at 5s. per year, and student union cards provide free membership but members should be over 18 years of age. Entrance charges on Monday nights are usually about 8s. and for the Saturday discotheques about 6s, this varies from weeks according to the artistes who are booked. The club opens at 8 p.m. and usually closes at midnight When live entertainment Is provided the management ensure that It will finish In good time for members of the audience to catch late night buses and trains.
Artistes usually do two spots at the club, the first from 8.30 p.m. until 9.15 p.m. and the second from 10 pm. until 10.45 p.m. The club is licensed until 10.30 p.m. but no food provided. The Catacombs, therefore, caters ideally for the younger club-goer. Entertainment is provided for both progressive and and R&B raver, and prices are kept to the minimum to ensure that the club facilities suit everyone's pocket, which Is good for the modern age.
This club is certainly a favorite with me. (supplied by Mark Barrett)
