In sharp contrast to 30 years ago, in the new documentary, the band’s working-class Catholic background was portrayed as a source of their level-headed character and warmth. It is striking that despite the daily conflict on their local streets, they still wanted – and obtained – universal teen appeal…
Unthinkable as it is now, here was a place where bar staff would turn the odd blind eye to an underage drinker or two. Youngsters could inhale as many B&H cigarettes into their lungs as they wanted without having to traipse outside.
There were no CCTV cameras, and no party-spoiling bouncers manning the door. S
hockingly, the club nights would often be organised by older adults who hadn’t been vetted or checked by the police to see if they were sexual predators or perverts.
***