Slade: "Slade Bak 'Ome" Feature (1973)

Slade’s "Slade Bak 'Ome", a three-page feature in Music Scene, January 1, 1973.

The noise that greeted Slade when they walked on stage was comparable to that made by the Shed when Peter Osgood heads in yet another goal. It continuec throughout the concert, and by the time the kids had jumped to their feet and started giving a cross between the Black Power and Nazi salutes it was all a bit frightening

Slade were bak 'ome in Wolverhampton, during their recent tour, playing to their staunch followers at the Civic Hall. One got the impression that if Noddy had told them to go out and set fire to the gasworks they might have done just that.

The group's hold over the fans was absolute. Halfway through the first number, a small bunch of kids led a charge to the front and they were soon joined by dozens more. Every move that Noddy, Dave. Jim or Don made was greeted with a loud cheer.

The all-conquering heroes had returned.

Earlier, friends and relations were chatting among themselves as Dave and Noddy made awful noises with their guitars in a corner of the dressing room.

Give us a D," said Dave to Noddy and a little boy stood transfixed by this interplay between the pair. Jim and Don were taking no notice of this whatsoever, ignoring it, rabbiting with their girl friends.

"Isn't this a bit like a football team playing at home?" I asked Noddy. referring to the concert. "It's like a home game every night." he replied:

Dave launched into a Chuck Berry riff on his guitar and Noddy walked away. Don joked: "That's gonna be a hit that." He kept trying to catch Dave's attention by shouting "H! H!", but "H" Dave's nickname in the group couldn't, or

wouldn't, hear him.

I am handed an "I've Been Slayed sticker and Noddy, seeing this, yells: E ain't ad a drink yet. This is swiftly remedied and then in strolls Slade's tame P.R. man, Les Perrin doing his Captain Queeg bit, continually clicking two huge china walnuts in his hand. Something to do with his shoulder he claimed, but it was all a bit beyond us.

Dave and Noddy resume their guitar duo and suddenly there's a huddle round the door as Jim calls out: mate, anyone got a camera?"

Jim, Dave. Don and Noddy drift off into different parts of the room. seemingly impervious to the fact that this is one of the big nights for the band

Mass hysteria as the entire audience gives the Slade salute and the group raise their arms in thanks.

Noddy and Jim Lea have an impromptu jam before the show while Don chats to a visitor and the fans alike. Perhaps they couldn't realise that their reception later on in the hall is to be as noisy as hell.

"I suppose we'd better get changed into our glam rock gear," Jim joked and everyone had to leave the room. Dave, the utter showman and extrovert on stage, wasn't taking part in the joking and laughing. He was being the quiet man.

Around the backstage area encountered a bloke of about forty or so who came out with the amazing quote: reckon Slade are more popular than Enoch now." This is Powell territory.

We used to play here for three and six and pack it out, and it's still the same crowd. says Noddy...