Nick Cave, Bjork and The Naked Psychic TV Dancer Star in The Post-Punk Years – 1987–1990

To Manchester and Birmingham in the late 1980s with Richard Davis and some thrilling music

“These were the great years of gig going and virtually total freedom in been able to wander around where I wanted to at gigs,” says Richard Davis, whose took these fabulous photographs of bands and fans in the post-punk years around the same time he was recording life on Manchester’s roaring Crescents.

“We didn’t seem to have any restrictions in those days. Probably because at most of these gigs I was the only one with a camera. This was long before digital cameras and mobile phones changed everything.”

 

Psychic TV - Manchester Poly 1988

Psychic TV – Manchester Poly 1988

2. BJORK , The Sugarcubes - Birmingham Burberries 1987

Bjork – The Sugarcubes – Birmingham Burberries 1987

“Sometimes I kind of felt invisible, bands didn’t seem to mind me hanging around, i chose my moments and didn’t get in the way. Nowadays it is different and access is not easy. Bands have managers who want total control regarding photography. It’s not so much fun either when there’s a whole host of photographers lined up all trying to get the same shot.”

– Richard Davis

 

THE MEMBRANES - Manchester Boardwalk 1989

The Membranes – Manchester Boardwalk, 1989

Stretch Heads - Bradford 1 in 12 Club 1990

Stretch Heads – Bradford 1 in 12 Club 1990

Pussy Galore Mermaid Pub, Birmingham 1988

Pussy Galore, Mermaid Pub, Birmingham, 1988

Mudhoney - Backstage International 1 Manchester 1989

Mudhoney – Backstage International 1, Manchester 1989

Godflesh - Birmingham 1988

Godflesh – Birmingham 1988

“They gigged at very small venues and there were no barriers at all. There were no people telling you ‘You can’t stand there’ or ‘You can’t do that. If you keep things low key, you get more of an atmosphere. There’s no gap between the crowd and the band but once things get too big, you lose so much. Things are so clean and proper these days. I miss when everything was loose and a little chaotic. It felt real. Once the corporate money people get involved, they ruin things. They don’t want things to be dangerous. Everything is too controlled.”

– Richard Davis

 

Fugazi - Manchester Boardwalk 1989

Fugazi – Manchester Boardwalk 1989

26. J MASCIS - Dinosaur Jr. Manchester 1989

J. Mascis – Dinosaur Jr. Manchester 1989

19. BLIXA BARGELD - Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Manchester 1988

Blixa Bargeld – Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Manchester 1988

5. NIRVANA - Manchester Polytechnic 1989

Nirvana at Manchester Polytechnic, 1989

4. KURT COBAIN & FAN - Nirvana Manchester Polytechnic 1989

Kurt Cobain and a fan – Nirvana, Manchester Polytechnic 1989

3. THURSTON MOORE - Sonic Youth, Manchester University 1989

Thurston Moore – Sonic Youth, Manchester University 1989

NICK CAVE Ritz Manchester 1988

Nick Cave at Ritz Manchester 1988

Richard’s work is available as a book at Cafe Royal Books.

Would you like to support Flashbak?

Please consider making a donation to our site. We don't want to rely on ads to bring you the best of visual culture. You can also support us by signing up to our Mailing List. And you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For great art and culture delivered to your door, visit our shop.