Luxury Stranger are mainly influenced by the sounds of post-punk / cold wave from 1978 - 1984. Imagine: David Bowie and Iggy Pop's Berlin years mixed with a dash of Bolan glam, the disparate sound of Joy Division and early Cure with the melodies of Martin L Gore and power of The Chameleons - this is Luxury Stranger.
Combining influences from the punk, post-punk, goth and industrial scenes, Action Directe are "one of the [bands] who matter most", according to Mick Mercer. They've played the likes of Whitby Goth Weekend, Amalgamation, and Infest, whilst still finding time to be pretty much Carpe Noctum's house band over the last ten years. With a new double album out very soon, you can still download their "Best Of" for free from their website.
Carpe Noctum, running from 1999 at the 1 in 12 Club and later at the New Beehive, is one of the North's most respected and notorious goth/industrial clubs. As well as the cream of the Northern scene's DJs, it's also played host to bands such as Killing Miranda, Inkubus Sukkubus, Katscan, 616 Abortions, Cauda Pavonis, Libitina, Scary Bitches, Screaming Banshee Aircrew, Zeitgeist Zero, Action Directe, Zombina and the Skeletones and many more. It's back for more on the last Saturday of the month in a new, larger, shinier venue.
The Zuu Bar is a spacious (350 capacity) venue, perfect for both clubbing and live music. On the first floor (ground floor from the rear) of the old Transport Club on Sunbridge Road, it's been substantially refitted with all-new stage, PA, and lights, and the reasonably-priced bar features local real ales and real ciders amongst more typical fare.
Doors 8:30, bands on stage from 9pm, Carpe Noctum club night till 3am.