Tribute Concert Announced For Don Craine of the Downliners Sect

On Sunday, August 21, 2022 there will be an afternoon tribute concert to the late great Don Craine at the Half Moon in Putney. The show begins at 1:00pm and features the Downliners Sect, the Masonics, and the Fallen Leaves.

Contemporaries of the Rolling Stones, Pretty Things and the Yardbirds, the Downliners Sect came into being in the spring of 1963 when deerstalker-hatted rhythm guitarist Don Craine of the Downliners found Keith Grant.  They played their own brash and exciting brand of R&B and still do.

Critic Richie Unterberger wrote: “The Sect didn’t as much interpret the sound of Chess Records as attack it, with a finesse that made the Pretty Things seem positively suave in comparison.”

Their first single on EMI “Baby What’s Wrong” entered the charts and their second, “Little Egypt,” made them stars in Sweden.

“We were quite influenced by the Downliners Sect,” said David Bowie.

“Downliners Sect were IT!” agreed Van Morrison.

Both Steve Marriott and Rod Stewart auditioned for a place in the band but were turned down because they both wanted to be frontmen, while Don Craine and Keith Grant did not wish to relinquish that role.

The Downliners Sect remained true to their beliefs and never sold out.

They recorded the Lou Reed and John Cale composition “Why Don’t You Smile Now” in 1966 before the emergence of the Velvet Underground.

In the mid-seventies they were embraced by punks who  recognised their uncompromising spirit.

In the 90s Don and Keith  teamed up with Billy Childish and Bruce Brand to form Thee Headcoat Sect. They toured extensively and recording two acclaimed LPs.

Don and Keith played together for 60 years. They agreed that, whatever happened to either of them, the group would carry on. With the loss of Don in February, Keith, as promised, carries the name Downliners Sect on. This concert is a tribute to Don.  Tickets are £10. All proceeds will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.

The Masonics and Fallen Leaves as long term fans are honoured to play this tribute as guests of the Sect. Inspired and influenced by the Downliners Sect, both groups recognise the Sect as pioneers, they just follow.

The Masonics, featuring  Bruce Brand of Thee Headcoat Sect, Mickey Hampshire, John Gibbs and Miss Ludella Black are influenced by Chuck Berry, Link Wray, the Sonics, Bo Diddley, Johnny Moped and the Beatles.

The Fallen Leaves, formed from members of Subway Sect and the Chords, are Champions of the Glorious Underachievers.  Believing a good idea played badly supersedes a bad idea played well, they play simple songs for complex people. They are Punk Rock For Gentlemen.

“This valve amp, treble-to-the-max rave-up would have had the mid-’60s Who or Pretty Things bricking it backstage at the Embassy Club”  – Mark Paytress (Mojo)

Tickets at: tickets.halfmoon.co.uk