WELL, here we are again: So soon, after their gig here in July 2015? Well, yes, and why not? It’s like some old mates popping round and whoever said there’s many a good tune played on an old fiddle was certainly right.

Some four decades since their glorious heyday, The Blockheads are still a great band, an instant party with their expertly-played blend of funk, rock, reggae, music hall and just general good times. Original members Chaz Jankel on keys and guitar, bandana and shades sporting axeman Johnny Turnbull and his royal bass-ness Norman Watt-Roy were on duty at the CornEx and, although surely senior enough to be claiming a state pension, they rocked the house like unruly teenagers.

Derek the Draw is more than capable of filling the late Ian Dury’s orthopaedic shoes, treating his magical lyrics with respect and love and customising the pay-off line in an elaborate Clever Trevor with “Also, it takes a long time to get to Dorchester, if you’re stuck behind a ***ing tractor…”

It certainly was a glorious romp through their New Boots and Panties album from 1977, with such belters as Sex and Drugs, Sweet Gene Vincent, Billericay Dicky, Wake Up and, of course, the biggies Reasons to be Cheerful and Hit Me with your Rhythm Stick, with sax man Davey Lewis amazingly playing both alto and tenor at the same time.

They even treated us to a well-deserved double encore: A rabble-rousing rendition of Blockheads (Oi, Oi!) and the reggae-tinged Francis, with Jankel, Turnbull and Mekon-esque keyboard ace Seamus Beaghan (who has been tinkling the ivories with Iggy Pop for many years, so no wonder all his hair has fallen out) trading riffs from Double Barrel, The Liquidator, Monkey Spanner and other Trojan classics before filing off individually leaving just Watt-Roy and drummer John Roberts to say their farewells.

Special mention to support band The Surfin’ Birds. Local siblings Paul and Liam Sharod certainly got the crowd warmed up with their unhinged psychobilly garage rockers.

All in all, a top night out.