Saxon Get Your Act Together with Harvey Goldsmith part 1

Saxon work with Harvey Goldsmith on Channel Four Documentary.

[@rorz999]

I was a student in Sheffield when this was filmed. The producers of the show were literally giving away tickets to the comeback gig (at Sheffield City Hall) in our students' union to make it look well attended (not to be confused with the free gig in Lincoln shown early on in this documentary). We went to it for a laugh but left after 3-4 songs because it wasn't really our thing. I felt bad for two middle aged couples we met who had paid full price. On our way out, the producers asked if we could go back in, get to the front and rock out while they filmed us. I told them I'd feel awkward pretending to have a good time. This really opened my eyes to how these kinds of documentaries are heavily manipulated, I think they write the narrative first and then film and edit to fit this, rather than allow reality to dictate the narrative.

[@euchrid2006]

Re-watching this in 2024. Saxon currently blowing fans away on their Metal Masters tour 😆😆😆

[@lewisb85]

its weird in some ways harvey was right, it just needed the shift as to when metal became "retro" again. Saw them recently they were amazing!

[@Hellwyck]

If Goldsmith had advertised a Saxon gig, he'd have got Saxon fans alright - loads of them!

[@PerfectMask1]

Yep, I like Saxon and love The Cure, so I would have been a bit shocked to see Biff walking on instead of Robert Smith!

[@benhampton1984]

I was at this, and the way we knew about this gig happening was someone from Channel 4 (I assume) on Lincoln High Street saying there was a secret gig and asking us if we liked "bands like Saxon" so I have no clue who was saying they thought it was going to be The Cure.

[@carsickmick5594]

My musical taste has changed over the last 35 years, but 'The Eagle has Landed' remains a classic.

[@littlefishy6316]

Love that song also

[@blastfromthepast8344]

Gems studio, Boston, Lincs. Recorded there with the the band I was in at the time exactly 30 years ago in 1992. Seems like yesterday. Some of Saxon's equipment was piled up under the snooker table, as I recall. The record sounded brilliant, by the way, and is now valued at £300! Fantastic studio. Hope it's still going.

[@furryelvis]

I recently watched a few live shows on You Tube. They seem to have loads of energy and are pretty good. They do deserve a higher profile. I like the grumpy old guys with attitude thing, being 64 myself

[@user-gf2um3rb8p]

This program got me back into Saxon and they are now as big as they have ever been. It worked.

[@vinaymulukutla358]

I love how Biff doesn't take any shit from anyone.

[@littlefishy6316]

Thanks for uploading, very interesting documentary. I have a lot of respect for Saxon and wish them well

[@duncanwilliams1392]

Just wanted to add my thanks to you for sharing this. I remember seeing it on the TV [however long ago it was!] when I was trying to make it in a band. Loved the show - always wanted to see it again. Thank you.

[@SwingRiots]

Am I the only one who was intrigued by the show they were trailing in the voice over at the beginning?????

[@1985indeed]

That wasn't a Cure audiance, that was a typical 2003-2006 young metal audiance. It was always going to be at least OK.

[@PFFBM]

@6:27 when Doug reaches right past Goldsmith, as he's bitching about Saxon's success, to snag some food...hilarious! Loved it!

[@lewisb85]

I like how Biff is making a fuss about the producer change, dude that's dave ruffy he was in the ruts. the guy is a punk legend who knows about musical integrity..

[@forestdad]

Fucking love Biff Fucking love Saxon

[@w-james9277]

Love this band but it was good to see Harvey put them back in their place and they've become so much bigger since his involvement and the album they recorded in this was one of their best!

[@paulgleeson9067]

the album saxon released off the back of this documentary " the inner sanctum " is bloody good .

[@steely666]

80s saxon is the best.

[@metalmystro7513]

There's a guy I work with that l listens to country music mainly and has heard of Iron Maiden,Def leopard, Judas Priest but not Saxon that's crazy to me and I'm 45 and he's 40

[@PanzerblitzRnR]

You can bitch and moan about how harsh Harvey is here, but he was completely right. He's doing what a good producer should do, tell the band what they need to hear not what they want to hear. Though I can understand the band's resistance due to them having a history of really bad management that's fucked them over time and time again. But look at the band's success that came after this show and tell me they didn't benefit.

[@ReanimatorsMutilations]

There was an 80s metal renewal/revival of sorts too and that helped more probably.

[@forestdad]

Shows you what Harvey knows. Saxon still rock hard now.

[@rorz999]

He seems like a twat, but he was right about them. They're a legacy band surviving on past glories. If you're content with that though, and can make a living from it, then it's not so bad

[@thesentinelguitar6306]

Funniest part about this is how wrong Harvey was I was only 1 when this documentary was filmed and i just saw Saxon 2 nights ago and they were as fantastic as ever! I have been a fan for years and for him to be giving them shit over not having a young audience is just plain hilarious!!(Considering its 15 years later!) Just shows how right Biff and the boys were 🤣🤘

[@forcemajeure3359]

Saxon took a left turn when released Rock n Roll Gypsy and lost all credibility in their core fan base pretty much overnight. I saw them last night in Glasgow, it was sold out and still the best material came from the first four albums.

[@mattyboywalker9094]

Andy Tunnah I was there cracking gig

[@PerfectMask1]

Have you heard Battering Ram? Great songs and Andy Sneap's superb modern production makes it one of their best albums.

[@rich8217]

I love This is Spinal Tap

[@user-eg8pv2om7j]

I'm not going to sell out, which is exactly what you aren't doing Biff. 1 man's negativity versus the hopes of the rest.

[@zachbos5108]

Saxon will always rule Germany no matter what some impressario says.

[@bricktop.]

Saxons manager seems like he doesn't have a clue about life in general to be honest.

[@mattyboywalker9094]

stop UFO fakes an absolute superb band but yes I agree with you about Thomas

[@PerfectMask1]

Is that guy still their manager?

[@mattyboywalker9094]

PerfectMask1 yeah as far as I'm.aware he is

[@PerfectMask1]

He is portrayed as quiet and clueless in this documentary, but that might be the way it's edited, I don't know.

[@saurabhzutshi]

you guys do realize saxon's manager Thomas is the founder of Wacken...

[@davidmichaelsen9805]

SAXON FOR LIFE.HEAVY METAL IS THE LAW.D🤘O

[@Sam-vs2es]

And now in 2022 they've sold out Hammersmith Odeon....

[@juancarloscabrera8971]

Last time I was enjoy Saxon concert :D

[@Flamindaemon89]

Imagine having the opinion that Saxon are or ever were "washed up" - absolutely pathetic. They are one of the greatest bands of all time

[@lewisb85]

it's funny a few years later the retro metal market blew up, all saxon had to do is keep going and got rediscovered.

[@Undying3001]

I don't even think I know any The Cure songs.

[@davidmichaelsen9805]

SAXON FOR LIFE.HEAVY IS THE LAW.D🤘O

[@hermanhelmich]

That manager!!!! No clue

[@joehohenester]

There is a big difference between Saxon and Iron Maiden or Metallica: Saxon is still producing outstanding new tracks and albums, they never stopped while Iron Maiden and Metallica or AC/DC or Judas Priest or a lot of other old metal bands live from their past but stopped producing good new tracks, they are burned out. In fact, Saxon are even more outstanding because of their continuous high quality song production that, as it seems, will never end...

[@elimarsilvanikock7818]

well harvey was right!!!!!!!!

[@zachbos5108]

Of course they don't show the massive crowds at european concerts..."they've hit rock bottom" haha

[@hermanhelmich]

Biff is kinda grumpy isn’t he?

[@w-james9277]

I think that's partly because the last time he listened to what the promoters wanted it nearly killed the band. They sold out in the mid 80's and lost the majority of their fanbase. And in 1991 Biff put his foot down and they started making the music they (and not the record company) wanted.

[@hermanhelmich]

Your audience base OMG

[@metalmystro7513]

Poison yes I would 😂 but never Saxon

[@masterjake731]

28:58 WHY DOES HE HAVE A CRADLE OF FILTH T SHIRT ON

[@rickybrowne937]

Poor Harvey, hasn't a clue what he's talking about... Modernise there sound and change the image, iron maiden and acdc never had to do that and are as big or Evan bigger now...

[@ivorharden]

Letting Graham Oliver go was the worst for that band.

[@nathanielburt7594]

Oliver was selling music behind Biffs back. he needed to be fired. His replacment is better anyway

[@kayegillanders8819]

Cock rock personified..... Used to be good in their day but I kind of grew out of them. My ex loved them but he was a train spotter. Enuff said :-) :-) Sorry Biff. x

[@nathanielburt7594]

sorry but they are better now than they have ever been.