The Courettes | The Country Irregulars
The Georgian Theatre, Stockton-on-Tees
14th August 2026
The Courettes return to Stockton-on-Tees, this time in the wonderful confines of the Georgian Theatre, a great venue, dating back to 1766, hidden in an alley behind the town’s High Street. The support on the night was from Gateshead’s Country Irregulars.
Having a pre-gig beer outside the Olive Branch pub behind the Georgian Theatre, being disturbed by the cacophony of mobile phones receiving the Government wildfire warnings added tension to the heat of the night. A different kind of tension could be found in the venue though. As the gig goers awaited the evening to kick off, the anticipation was rising with DJ Grant Schofield’s solid selection of 60’s garage and psyche prime cuts pumping out of the PA.
First up were The Country Irregulars, who kicked the night off in fine style, knocking out a charged set of hot late 70’s style pub rock. Think Wilko’s Feelgoods mixed with LAMF era Johnny Thunders and you’ll get close to the raw bar room blitz being delivered with pointed precision.
Frontman Flyin’ Brian, last seen in these parts fronting Los Coyote Men, another of his current combos, gives the tunes an edge that at times nods towards Bill Carter of the Screaming Blue Messiahs. That said, there was undoubtable originality and attitude aplenty on display as the band, made up of Awful Knorful, Son of Sparko and That’s Rich, locked in to their tight rhythms. Highlights were the Feelgoods’ tribute Hey Ho Brilleaux, Loretta, and (You) Activate Me, with Danielle Gee Gee joining the band for the last few numbers on lead and backing vocals. It was a formidable enough showing from the Irregulars on this night and was well worth getting in early for.
And so to Flavia Couri and Martin Couri, collectively The Courettes, bringing their fabulous repertoire back to Stockton once again. They opened with You Woo Me and proceeded to storm through an hour of their inimitable Fuzz ’n’ Spector rock ‘n’ roll. It was the third time I’ve seen them, and they just get better and better.
Flavia’s trademark riffs topped Martin’s flamboyant work behind the kit as they surged through a set which included Boom Boom Boom, Misfits and Freaks, California and Hop The Twig, to name a few. True to say they really know how to put on a show, with Flavia’s crowd surfing while soloing, handling her signature Fab Cadillac guitar like a submachine gun and prowling into the crowd mid-song. Martin Couri’s presence on drums was a solid, no-nonsense backing with more than a dash of panache thrown in for good measure, holding everything together with a big bad beat.
The three song encore was much deserved, including a new song, the name of which escaped me, prior to the spectacular finale of Shake! They promised to be back in Stockton next year with a new album out before then, so more wonder fuzz to look forward to there. As for now though, catch The Courettes while you can, one of the hottest bands on the planet. Boom!
~
You can find The Courettes online
You can find The Country Irregulars at bandcamp
All words by Steve ‘Spike’ Sommer
Thanks to Mike Russell for supplying photos
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