Mott The Hoople have played their first reunion shows. But without drummer Dale ‘Buffin’ Griffin.

These happened at the Blake Theatre in Monmouth on September 25 and 26, which were warm-ups for their five night stint at the Hammersmith Apollo, on October 1-3, 5 and 6. The band played the same set list on both nights.

According to eye witnesses, Mott came on to the sound of Jupiter, from Holtz’s The Planets Suite. They launched straight into Hymn For The Dudes and Rock And Roll Queen, with Martin Chambers standing in for Griffin, who is apparently in hospital. There are hopes he’ll make at least one of the upcoming Hammersmith shows.

According to the messageboard on the Ian Hunter website, Buffin had a severe nosebleed and had to be taken to hospital. He had surgery on Saturday (September 26) to have it cauterised and ’should be up and running’ for the Hammersmith gigs.

The rest of the performance included Ballad Of Mott The Hoople, Walking With A Mountain, The Original Mixed Up, The Journey, I Wish I Was Your Mother, The Moon Upstairs, Like A Rolling Stone, Ready For Love and All The Young Dudes. There was even a version of the Velvet Underground’s Sweet Jane.

Reports suggest that the band were considerably better on the second night, when the 450-strong capacity crowd reacted with huge enthusiasm.

For a full report and photos, go here.