Conference marvin::uk_music

    
    I had the pleasure of seeing Simply Red at Wembly on
    Friday - absolutely brilliant.  Played alot from the
    first album which pleased me no end.  As the second
    and final encore they did the Cole Porter number with
    just keyboards, trumpet and Mick - ACE!
    
    The support band was Danny Wilson, 8 strong and not bad
    at all came from Dundee - anyone ever heard them.
    
    

    
    
    YES!!!  -  haven't seen them live ('cept on tv) but I have the album
    which is called "Meet Danny Wilson".
    
    It's an excellent debut album, and if you're into early Steely Dan,
    you'll love it!
    
    
    
    Michael
    

re .1
    
    I went to see the Simply Red here in Munich, I was not a real fan,
    just thought I'd pop along to see what they were about. The Olympic
    Stadium in Munich is not renowned for its acoustics... anywho, the
    whole concert was totally Brill, after their concert I rushed out on
    my little peddle bike and bought both of their albums. 

    				Gru�
    					Mark

    
    Lloyd Cole and the Commotions - S.E.C.  Sat 9th April .
    
    This was a superb concert with the band performing and playing
    at a cracking pace, only occasionally stopping for a breath. The
    band played for approx an hour and a half and had the SEC bouncing
    and tearing apart at the seams. Every song was a humb dinger but
    ones that stood out were -
    
    Rattlesnakes
    Are you ready to be Heartbroken
    My Bag
    Brand New Friend
    Jennifer she said
    Speedboat / Get it On !
    Mr Malcontent
    Perfect Skin
    Hey Rusty !
    Sean Penn Blues
    and to finish with a superb Forest Fire .
    
    This is the second time I have seen Lloyd Cole and I can't think
    for the life of me why people slag him off. This man is one of
    the best live acts going about, so in my opinion -
    
    Catch this man or suffer the consequences !!!!
    
    Walker 'Angry young man of Pop'        Marks - 8.5 out of 10

    
    	I'll second that recommendation, I saw them a couple of months
    	ago at the 'Alabamahalle' Munich, great stuff, their live sound 
    	is much harder than on record, great guitar work. Loved it.!
    
    	Doug.    

    
    Walker ,
    
    	My wife was there ,Sat night .She loved it .
    
    	A funny thing she mentioned was the number of little Lloyd clones
    	that were there ,running around with those national health specs!
    
    _Stuart_.

    
    
    	I also saw them in Munich...Damn fine performance.
    
    		Grub..
    
    
       Doug can you remember getting home after the pub that night.
    

    
    Stuart,
    
    	Glad the wife enjoyed it, my secret squirrel (girl) thoroughly
    enjoyed Lloyd as well. He is some front man and quite a scream to
    watch on stage. 
    
    We were about 10-12 feet of the stage on the left hand side, and
    during the guitary bit of Mr Malcontent , he puts on these famous
    metal rimmed NHS specs, and walks right to the edge of the stage
    to look over his audience while strumming out some great rhythm
    guitar at the same time .
    
    The man is superb !!   
    
    (^^^)
    -0-0-    Walker 'Angry young man on Pop'
      -
      U 

    
    All this Lloyd Cole stuff sounds great.  I know a few of his songs,
    and would loved to have seen in in the UK - I think he's touring
    at the mo.
    
    David.
    

	The Disclaimer:	I am not a wimp...

			...hones guv' !


	The Excuse:	My young lady bought the tickets.



	The Event:	George Michael concert, Rotterdam, 12-April-1988.
						(not UK, but who cares?!)



	The Sting:	It was really excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed it !

			The atmosphere was brilliant (well, I was squashed
			among hundreds of sweaty teenage girls %-),
			George Michael really is a good singer and performer,
			the sound was excellent, and the lighting and effects
			were spectacular.

	A great concert. There, I said it !


	Cheers,								Steve

    Saw Leonard Cohen here in Munich on 7th April. Wasn't a big fan
    up to then but the guy was superb. He's touring Europe with an 8
    piece band of really smart musicians and 2 backup vocalists. He
    was on stage for just under 3 hours and did 4 encores. If you can
    see him, do. I think he's in Britian towards the end of june.
    
    	- Robbie
    
    p.s. Nobody even attempted suicide.............

    Frank Zappa at the Brighton Centre  16/4/88
    -------------------------------------------
    
    This was the 3rd Zappa gig that i've seen (the other 2 being in
    1977 and 1979), and by a long way the best. I must admit to being
    a little concerned beforehand , as his recent vinyl releases haven't
    exactly set the heather alight.
    
     However, the man was in fine form , so if any of you were hesitating
    on whether to go and see the Wembley gigs.....GET MOVING !!!!
     
     I'll start with the band line-up (as much as i can remember anayway)
     [ Sorry that i cant be exact, but the programme along with the
    rest of the merchandise was a rip-off - program 4 quid, t-shirts
    9 quid, sweat shirts 16 quid !!]
    
    FZ- Guitar/vocals
    Ike Willis -Guitar/vocals
    Tom & Bruce Fowler (i think) + 2 others - Horn section
    Chad Wakkerman- Drums
    Ed Mann- Percussion
    Scott Tunes- he was either the Keyboard man or Bass Player !!
    A.N.Other--Guitar                 
    
    
    
    The first half of the concert started with Stink Foot (from the
    Apostrophe (') album) and from there went into Packard Goose (Joes
    Garage ACTS 2& 3). Other faves that were performed:- a selection
    from We're Only In It for the Money/Lumpy Gravy (no vocals
    unfortunately,but the songs were done justice by the brass
    section),Uncle Meat (i think !!!), Oh No (from Weasels....),Disco
    Boy (Zoot Allures) and to finish it off...no i am not kidding..an
    excellent cover of "I am the Walrus" !! There may have been more
    tracks but i honestly cant think of them at present !) As for the
    band, Zappa certainly did shut up and play that guitar, and as for
    the rest ......magic!! At times it was almost manic , with Ed Mann
    ,Ike Willis et al, running across the stage, crashing cymbals, banging
    gongs it was a sight to see. I have never seen a Zappa gig like
    this before, and what was i was wondering ..........(for all you
    old timers out there !!!!)...was this like the Mothers of old ?
    Its the impression that i get...please let me know what YOU think,as
    i unfortunately never saw the Mothers play.
    
    After a 25 minute break, the show reopened with Zoot Allures,
    City of Tiny Lights (Sheik Yerbouti),Sharleena (Chunga's Revenge).
    During this half, we were introduced to about 15-20 minutes of new
    material which i would liked to have passed fair judgement on (but
    the sound quality left a hell of a lot to be desired and there was
    quite a bit of distortion too.) The old magic was still with Zappa,
    his guitar playing has certainly not suffered over the years and
    his wit was as sharp as ever- apart from his rapport with the audience,
    he  went to town on the first encore when he covered 3 Beatles numbers
    but somehow managed to slag off Jimmy Swaggart at the same time....Lucy
    in the Sky, Norwegian Wood and Strawberry Fields (i think) will
    never sound the same again. For the last encore, Zappa said that
    this ong was in the process of being recorded as a single...what
    did we get..the Bolero..!!! As a final encore i thought that was
    a bit much- surely one or two of his own songs would have been more
    appropriate. 
     Nevertheless, 2 and a half hours later, the masses were satisfied.
    
    It really was a "show" rather than a concert, and it really was
    enjoyable. The band was magnificent , especially Ed Mann- he certainly
    was busy- and the brass section i thought was a good added bonus.
    
    Ooops i almost forgot.....Stairway to Heaven was also given a whirl!!
    
    
    Harvey
    

    
    Robert Plant	17-apr-1988	hammersmith odeon
    
    This could have been the flop of the year,the odeon was sold out
    every one was very expectant,but for the first part of the set they
    appeared very reserved and undistinguished.The band went through
    some songs off the new album,which is quite good,but on stage they
    did not seem to come across.These new songs were mixed in with very
    clinical versions of "in the evening","black country woman" and
    "big log".after about 55 minutes the band went off.They returned
    to play "tall cool one" and then went off again.
    The band then came back on with the unnanounced special guest Jimmy
    Page.It was at this point that band took off.
    They started with "trampled underfoot" ,this immeadiatly made me
    wonder why robert plant didnt start with jimmy page.His presence
    on stage seemed to put some life into the rest of the band and the
    songs certainly had more feel to them.The other songs they played(if
    can I can remember)were "smugglers blues" this featured a very lenghthy
    solo from page and the other guitarist(sorry I cannot remember his
    name).After a short break they came back for a brilliant version
    of rock 'n roll.
    This last part of the concert certainly made it a brilliant evening,if
    only jimmy page would team back up with robert plant,this would
    certainly bring back the quality to rock music.
    
    A few other points ,robert plants voice was superb through out,his
    references to kingdom come were in particular very funny.
    Jimmy page has put on quite a bit of weight but it has not stopped
    him from strutting around the stage,and playing some superb riffs.
    The rest of the band were very competent,the drummer in particular
    was superb,but as I said before they are very polished and
    clinical(probably been listening to too many cd's).
    Finally the cost of merchandise 25 pounds for a sweat shirt,8 pounds
    for a t-shirt,a little expensive I thought.
    If anyone else went I would be interested to hear their views,as
    you can probably see I am a big fan of mr page ,so my review is
    rather biassed.
    
    steve.

    
    Lloyd Cole was great at Wembley on Sunday 17th. I was a bit
    apprehensive really as I thought that his sort of music wasn't suited
    to that size arena, but I was glad to be proved wrong.
    
    I agree with all that was said in the first note about LC gigs.
    My faves were My Bag and Forest Fire but throughtout the whole gig
    there wasn't a duff song.
    
    Would go again tomorrow if I could.
    
    Tommy.

    
    RE: .12
    
    Also went to the Brighton gig, and don't have much to add to what
    Harvey said.  We were pretty close, so we got all the stage moves.
    I thought the sound was OK myself - it was great.
    
    The first Wembley gig was just brilliant.  He left out *all* the
    new material and the Beatles covers (which, incidentally, had changed
    lyrics !!).  He did play "I am The Walrus" though.
    
    Highlight was "Inca Roads" from "One Size Fits All" - utterly
    brilliant.  "Stairway To Heaven" was *very* faithfull to the Zep
    version, with the brass section booming out many of the guitar solos.
    
    Another two and a half hour set - a great gig!!!  Programme has
    his discography - 50 official titles!!!!!
    
    Very pleased I saw him in LOndon too.
    
    David.
    
    

    went to see Martin Stephenson and the daintees on monday at Birmingham.
    
    They were EXELLENT !
    
    He played most of the first album, and pretty much all of the new
    one (which is also brill').
    
    That guy Stephenson is a great performer - he held the audience
    in the palm of his hand for an hour and a half.
    
    So impressed I'm going again tonite - can't wait !
    

    
    re: .16
    
    What style of musice do Stephenson and friends specialise in?
    I saw an ad for the new album, and that has sparked my interest
    (I hadn't heard of The Daintees beforehand..what a savage eh?)
    
    Ian!

I can only endorse what has been said in previous notes re Zappa in
Brighton. I was a little apprehensive as to what the show would be like as I
saw Zappa at Knebworth in ?1978? and while I was impressed thought that he
took a very off-hand attitude to the whole affair e.g. wanders off stage
while band gets on with with song, wanders back on delivers blistering
guitar solo then wanders off again. 

I needn't have worried as Zappa was on stage all the time and took a full 
part in the whole proceedings. The thing that really struck me was how much 
the band members seemed to be enjoying the gig, smiling and dancing about. 
Another thing that I noticed was how professional the whole attitude and 
playing was, the segues between songs actually meant that they didn't get 
half the applause that they should have. The sound was a bit messy though 
and the lighting gantries and PA speaker stacks on each side of the stage 
obstructed the view of a good number of seats.

I'd never been to the Brighton Centre before but would certainly go there 
again to see the sort of act that normally plays the NEC or Wembley Arena 
as although large is far more intimate than those places.

Funnily enough I was sat next to a guy who was taping the show who told me 
that he was going to all the concerts (Wembley & Birmingham). He gave me a 
card with details of where to get 'Live & Rare Recordings'. I haven't 
pursued this further yet but if anyone wants to contact me offline I can 
provide details.

Nigel Barker

    
    I went to see RUSH at Wembley Arena the other night.
    
    They were absolutely amazing! The sound was great, the lighting
    and lazer effects were great, the drum solo in YYZ was worth the
    �10 itself, they played great songs, including 'La Villa Strangiata',
    they played for 2 hours.......
    
    The show started with 'Big Money' and ended with 'In the Mood'...most
    of the tracks were from the last 3 albums...but they threw in the
    obvious old favourites as well.....Geddy was playing Bass, keyboards
    and singing all at once...how the hell does he do that?????
    
    I should have gone back the next night!!!

Good crowd at the gig who, I'm sure' were anticipating quite a bit of old 
material.

His band (The Lost Toy People) were pretty tight, and they started off with
three numbers from the new album ("Aliens Ate My Buick").  The first oldie was
"Europa", after which, the crowd really roared their appreciation.  He played
nearly all of the new album (including "Hot Sauce" twice") - fave so far for me
is "Budapest By Blimp".

Other oldies included "I Scare Myself", "Windpower", "One Of Our Submarines" 
and a great encore of "She Blinded Me With Science".  All these got the most 
applause and were played pretty faithfully to the recorded versions.

A pretty good show.  I didn't catch the support, Sam Brown, but I hear from a 
friend that she was very good.


David.

    I first saw Danielle Dax four years ago on a Halloween edition of 
    Riverside. In between this and the gig she starred in the film a 'Company
    of Wolves' and is currently doing well in the indie charts with the
    single 'Cat House'.

    The gig was in aid of 'The Cat Protection League' at the University of 
    London Student Union which meant cheap beer. This was a great night out 
    typical of all the best concerts I've attended. The band appeared dressed
    in black decorated with silver spray paint. They followed the standard 
    indie formula of a short and lively set.The numbers were fairly
    predictable, tracks off the last album, 'Inky Bloaters',  'Pariahs' (the 
    song on Riverside) leaving 'Cat House' for a climaxic encore. Great.
   
    Marc.

    By no means a brilliant concert but quite good. Anyone who hadn't
    shaved their head and wasn't into "slam-dancing" (is that right
    Doug ??) might have been forgiven for feeling a bit out of it. We
    had a few pints with the band before the concert (well, they were
    at the next table !!!). As for the actual performance about the only
    word that was anyway understandable from Shane McGowan began with F, 
    the guy was quite drunk(!!!). The others played some good music
    (especially the accordian player.....). They were also joined for
    a few numbers by Kirsty McColl. All in all I enjoyed it.
    
    	- Robin

    
    hey Balders! where are you? 
    
    what did you think of the RUSH concert mate??
    
    
    hoorah!!
    
    
    DW

    Hi ya Deckie,
    
    Only just returned to reality after what was definitely the best
    concert ever !!!!
    
    On the Saturday night they did 2hr 20mins.
    
    Started with Big Money, then played a fantastic set which included
    (not in this order):
    
    Marathon, Manhattan Project, Red Sector A, Distant Early Warning,
    Afterimage, Subdivisions, Time Stand Still, Force Ten, Turn the
    Page, Lock and Key, Mission, YYZ (God what a drum solo, not only
    did the Earth move, but so did the drum kit :-) ), Tom Sawyer,
    Limelight, Spirit of Radio, Closer to the Heart, Overture and Temples
    of Syrinx from 2112, La Villa Strangiato (sp?), In the Mood, ...
                        
    High points were YYZ, Time Stand Still, Marathon, Manhattan Project,
    etc... :-)
    
    Brilliant concert, I only wish I could have seen them on the Thursday
    and Friday :-) :-)
    
    
    Regards Balders

                         J A H    W O B B L E
              
                   Utrecht, Holland  -  18 May 88

Jah Wobble played a small club here last night with his five-piece band.
He seems to have moved away from his cynical PiL days and now looks quite
serious about the music he plays while giving the air of a man thoroughly
enjoying himself. Gone are the days when he would play the "Satisfaction"
riff and then snarl "That's what you want. Isn't it ?...BASTARDS!!"
Since then rumour has it he spent a couple of years as a LT ticket-collector
at Covent garden tube. (Can anyone confirm this ?)

The band included Wobble on bass, two percussionists (tom-toms, congas
drums), a synth player, guitarist and drum machine. Throughout the evening
there was a heavy emphasis on the rhythm section, the drum machine and 
both percussionists taking over many times. This was beefed up by the man's
bass riffs. The set had a very N. African feel to it at times, the first
track coming across like some kind of Algerian rhythm 'n blues. The keyboard
sound in particular seemed to wail right in and out of the mix. On top of
this there was a lot of interplay between Wobble and his guitarist. 
I don't much like guitar music but this came across more like 10/15 minute
dancefloor music.


I had not heard any of the tracks before so unfortunately can't give a 
listing. He was also unusually quiet not bothering to introduce any of
the songs. Following two hours of music and three encores, Wobble and
crew said goodnight.

It was almost the best bop I've had since seeing Dr. Feelgood years back.
  
Catch it if you can.

-  Tim
    

			FLEETWOOD MAC
			-------------

			Wembley Arena 25/5/88


The Adventures were the support band, they started 15 minutes early to a 
half empty arena, a fairly daunting prospect, but the lead singer didn't 
seem intimidated by this. A song was dedicated to his parents who were in 
the audience (the people who clapped after each song!).
The single (can't remember the name) was probably the best song of their 
set, bu they are a band to look out for, plenty of enthuisiasm and neat 
guitar licks.

FM started their set *exactly* as on the live album, the intro by Christine 
McVie, and then launched into the same first song as the live album (brain 
gone...can't remember the title).

"The Chain" followed, a superb version with the 2 new guitarists showing 
their form, the wonderful bass lines on that song were exactly as on the 
record.

Most of the songs were from 'Rumours' and 'Tango in the Night', but at 
least 5 were from earlier FM albums, 'Well Now' was a particular success, 
and some wonderful bluesy numbers from the early days, dedicated to Peter 
Green. The song '7 wonders' got everyone up and dancing.

The suprises were the extra drummer on bongos (complete with Viking Helmet 
and horns), who assisted Mick Fleetwood in a 15 minute drum solo.
Mick looking crazy as ever with rolling eyes, and hair tied into a 
ponytail.
Nice to hear some of Stevie's songs, I expected not to hear anything off 
her solo albums, but we had 'Stand Back' and 'Sara'. Stevie looked and 
sounded superb (I brought binoculars especially). No 'Rhiannon' though.

The set ended with 'You make loving fun', and 2 encores later the concert 
ended, FM having played for and hour and a half.

    
    
    		Ry Cooder, Circus Krone, Munich, 26/5/88
    
	Slow to get going, ('Little Sister' was too good a song to waste
    	as a sound check), this soon turned into a corker of a concert,
    	I haven't heard the new album yet but on the strength of the
    	songs last night (particularly the title track 'Get Rhythm'), 
    	I soon will. 
    
    	Exemplary musicianship from all the band, songs ranging from
    	Cajun, Soul, Blues to Rock n Roll (oldies included 'Smack Dab
    	in the Middle', 'How can a Poor Man stand such Times and live',
    	'Goodnight Eileen', and a brilliant 'Every Woman I know, Crazy 
    	'bout an Automobile'). Altogether 2hrs 25 mins on stage (no
    	support).
    
    	This was my first 'No Smoking' concert, and it's definitely
    	a bloody good idea (although a few ignorant people insisted
    	on smoking).
    
    	Doug.

    	P.S.
        
    	This man is such a good guitarist, I feel sure that with maybe
    	a couple more years practice, he'll be good enough to join a
    	'Heavy Metal' band. Arf Arf.
    
    	

                Alexander O'Neal, Wembley Arena, May 27th
    
    Supporting band (can't remember their name) played until 
    approx 8.05 pm - Had to wait until 9.05 !! for the man himself
    to make an appearance!  But it was worth the wait.
    
    "Hey Karen - don't you go out with Alex"  the opening line from
    "Hearsay" and then there he was Large as life.  The crowd got going
    from this moment until he decided to slow it down with "Sunshine"
    followed by a few more slowies.  Then excitement reached fever
    pitch as he decided to go *walkies* in the arena crowd  -  yes he
    went all the way round the arena surrounded by his Henchmen who
    all looked like something from The Untouchables.  All the way through
    this little wander he threw T shirts and Towels which had wiped
    the sweat off his body into the crowd.  
    
    Again we seen the "If you were here tonight" set i.e. Big brass
    bed with "unsuspecting" lady from the crowd being serenaded to on
    the bed by the Man himself.  Then he worked his way through most
    numbers from Alexander O'Neal and Hearsay albums e.g.  Never knew
    love like this, A broken heart can mend, Criticize, and the finale
    as was expected was FAKE.  
    
    The atmosphere was electric most of the night except for when he
    played 2-3 slowies all in one go.  Fake really had everyone up and
    jumping but although he's a great entertainer we had seen it all
    before from the Hammersmith Concert last year there was no variation
    at all - it started and finished exactly the same.
    
    I hope when he plays next it will be to promote his new Album which
    is well and truly overdue.
    
    All in all a great night from a great entertainer.
    
    Mazzer
    

    			
    		" Hey Manchester.....R U Ready !"
    
    			Alexander O'Neal
    
    		 Manchester Apollo - Tuesday 24th May 
    
    Alex came, played some songs from the Old album, some songs from
    the New album (well 12 months New)........slightly different set
    
    Started with Critizise this time (Hearsay last time!), mixed them
    up "What Can I Say to Make You Love Me", "A Broken Heart Can Mend",
    "Sunshine","Never Knew Love Like This"........"If You Were Here
    Tonight".....same bed, different sheets (I hope!)..a more accomodating
    young Lady than last time....about 10 minutes longer.....
    
    	"All Night fending for myself, all alone tonight.........."
    
    A few more slowies from Hearsay then a twenty minute version of
    Fake which he run up, round, under, over the crowd and finished
    by storming out of the Apollo.........great show to take the woman
    to, pity about no encore (Saturday Love and Innocent I suspect)..value
    for money nonetheless.........                      
    
    
    Rex
    
    

       
    
       Dire Straits   Dire Straits   Dire Straits   Dire Straits
       ----------------------------------------------------------
    
      8th June - Hammersmith.
    
      Firstly DS were short one Guitarist so they brough on
    
      Eric Clapton,   Yea!!!
    
      Running order as follows:-
    
      Walk of life
      Sultans of swing
      Romeo & Juliet
      Money for nothing
      Brothers in Arms
      Tunnel of love
      
      Wonderfull Tonight (Clapton)
    
      Solid Rock
      Going Home
    
      Fantastic show, But where were all the Decies ?
    
    
    	Gary
      
                
    
    		
    

.30�      Fantastic show, But where were all the Decies ?

    Was there Thursday. I knew Clapton was good: I didn;t realise *how*
    good. Only complaint: they only played for 1 hr 10 mins.
    
    Keith

    > they only played for 1 hr 10 mins.    

      Well worth 10 quid though eh ?
            
      Must watch TV this weekend, the Mandela concert is being televised
      which includes DS. With Clapton ?
                        
    
      Gary
    

    re.31
    ; I knew Clapton was good: I didn;t realise *how* good.
                                                      
    Does the saying "Clapton is God" ring a bell with you?

.33�    Does the saying "Clapton is God" ring a bell with you?

    Er...no. Is God good with a Stratocatser too, then? (One thing to
    look forward to..)
    
    K.

    
   .34�	   God good with a Stratocaster too, then?
           
    Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha.
    
    Thats good, Keith :-)

    re.34
    (My PF4 key suddenly stopped being my command key so I can't quote
    you.  What could've happened to it?)
         
    It was a saying that was around in the late 60s/early 70s or so
    I've been told.  (I'm much too young to remember hearing it myself.)
                                               
    And what makes you think you'll someday be jammin' with the Big
    Man? 
    
    ueS

        The curtain explodes and the lights come on in a flash of smoke 
     and we are into the "home gig" of Wet Wet Wet at the SECC in Glasgow.

        There was a fair spread of people in an estimated crowd of 4000
     from the teenies to the elderly but this was a really professional 
     performance from WWW with Marti Pillow having the crowd more or less eating
     out of his hand. They sung all there old numbers like "East of the river"
     "Sweet little mystery" etc as well as some new songs -"Scotland Avenue and
     I Wish" as well as a raunchy instrumental.

        They oncored with "Little help from my friends " followed of course 
     by "Temptation".

        Overall I thought that WWW were very good and the sound and 
     lighting were excellent.

     Spoiler:
        The two backing bands seemed to be on stage for ages and when WWW 
     came on stage about 8:50 (the concert started at 7:30) they were already 
     hauling people out of the audience who had fainted in the crush and heat.
    

    
    
       GEORGE MICHAEL AT EARLS COURT - 15th June 
    
    After having read what some ignorant person wrote about George Michael,
    I thought that I ought to educate some of you out there about the
    meaning of the word 'talent'.
    
    I went to watch old Georgie Boy last night & it was absolutely 1st
    class entertainment & value for money.
    
    The lighting & sound was 1st class & George was on the stage for
    2 hours giving a thoroughly spell-binding & highly professional
    performance.  The whole audience was absolutely out of control (&
    before any of you sexist people start flooding replies in about
    girls being easily pleased there was a large proportion of male
    representation in the audience who were equally as impressed!!)
    
    His voice was clear & unwavering throughout the performance despite
    the fact that he was racing up & down the stage & demonstrating
    his superb dancing.
    
    So come on all you George Michael haters, his childish Wham! days
    are well behind him & he has emerged as a top-class performer
    & whether you like his type of music or not you can't overlook the
    fact that he has more than a little talent as a song-writer as well
    as a performer.
    
    
 Lindsay (I'm leaving the company tomorrow, that's why I have written
    such a contraversial piece) Evans

    
    RE: .39
    
    Lindsay,
    
    It's not controversial - it's just a good review.  Let's leave it
    there ...... next review please!!!!
    
    David.
    

    
    
    The Bhundu Boys - Majestic, Reading
    ------------------------------------ 
          
          
    This was the third time that I'd seen The Bhundus, and they were
    really great.  The crowd really got down and stomped about, which
    was great to see at The Majestic.  So often, I've been there and
    people have been sitting on the dance floor through a band's set.
    They played there usual blend of African pop jive - it's just so
    infectious, you've got to swing with it.  I didn't stay for the
    whole set (lack of energy from some previous social happening, but
    can't recall what!!!), but they were still very enjoyable - catch
    'em!!
    
    David.
    

    
    Stevie Ray Vaughan - Hammersmith Odeon
    --------------------------------------
    
    Never seen this guy before, but have heard a few of his sounds.
    Thought it would be worthwhile checking him out .... and it was.
    
    Brendan Croker was in support and his folky pickings, accompanied
    by his band, were pleasant enough for the warm-up.
    
    Stevie Ray Vaughan, with Double Trouble, were just great.  Stevie
    is a great bluesy rock guitarist, and he can sure get some amazing
    sounds from his electric guitar - some of the sustained notes were
    brilliant.  I was into it and having a good time!!!!
    
    His encore was the old Hendrix classic "Voodoo Chile".  The way he
    played it just reminded me so much of Jimi - it was a great version.
    Stevie is a great guitarist, but after that I came to the concluision
    that Hendrix was the greatest player of the electric guitar ever - the
    song was played pretty much, I'm sure, as Jimi would have played it,
    and it still sounds excellent!!!!
    
    A really good night out.
    
    David.
    

    
    George Michael - Birmingham NEC
    -------------------------------
    
    A very polished and professional performance from George on his
    birthday. The Support was his Bass player with his own group playing
    up-tempo soul/funk, very very dancable and worth more than his 20
    minutes.
    
    George appeared from his cage at about 9.00 and stayed on stage
    for 2 hours. He started with 'I Want Your Sex' and then played through
    his album, with strategic breaks for a Stevie Wonder cover version,
    'Everything She Wants' and 'I'm Your Man' for which Andrew Ridgely
    joined in (minus mike and guitar). 'Careless Whisper' was excellent
    although probably his best tracks were covers of 'Play That Funky Music'
    and as his first encore unsure what it's called but
    the chorus was 'voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soire'....George
    getting rather raunchy with his backing singer. He finished off
    as he started with 'I Want Your Sex' before returning to his cage!.
    
    I enjoyed the concert and would describe him as good but lacking
    in spontanaety, also I think his band could play live rather mime
    next time.
    
    
    Rex

            <<< HEART::DISK$TOOLS:[NOTES$LIBRARY]UK_MUSIC.NOTE;1 >>>
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Note 20.44                       Concert reveiws                        44 of 44
CHEFS::WALLSD "Can YOU name the Banana Splits?"      60 lines  27-JUN-1988 13:48
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    Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - Wembley Stadium
    --------------------------------------------------------
    
    well folks, I waited another 3 years to see this man and....
    
    it was brilliant!!
    
    He came on stage at 6:15pm and finished at 10:30pm, taking a half-hour
    break in between. The choreography was excellent, the sound, especially
    at the front was superb and the crowd was wild with excitement.
    
    The two video screens at either side of the stage made sure nobody
    missed what was going on up at the front.
    
    The first 1� hours were mostly taken up with slow songs from 'Tunnel
    of Love'...the band came on stage individually and bought tickets
    for the tunnel of love from this old man behind a makeshift ticket
    counter....they then started into 'Tunnel of Love'.....other songs
    covered in the first half were :
    
      Cover Me                     The River
      Born In The USA              Seeds
      War                          all that heaven will allow
      Spare Parts                  Brilliant Disguise
      Two Faces                    
    
     and I can't remember the rest!
    
    The second � brought out the real Springsteen!!!This was superb!
    He just built the excitement up and up, ducked his head in a bucket
    of water every now and again and ran up and down the catwalk with
    his band, playing and fooling about! Among those tracks he covered
    were :
    
      Tougher than the rest                Dancin' in the Dark
      Backstreets                          She's the One
      
     my favourites of the night were all in the last 1� hours....'Hungry
    Heart' was fabulous, the audience sang most of it, 'Glory Days',
    'Have Love, will travel'(?),'You can look but you better not touch',
    'Bobby Jean' and 'Because the Night'......
    
     Bruce did an excellent slow version of 'Born to Run' and a quite
    beautiful rendition of 'Love me tender'...and finished with
    'Twist and Shout'......
    
    The crowd was nuts by the end of the night....I enjoyed him better
    than I did on the 'Born in the USA' tour . This is the sort of show
    he's famous for and I'll keep going back time and time again to
    see him cos he's brilliant and I can't imagine any other performer
    doing as much for an audience as he does.....
    
    let's hope I can get my ticket back for the show next week in
    Ireland!!!
    
    
    Wallsie  (for all those who thought The Boss was dead)
    
    
    

    
    RE: .44
    
    Agree with most of that!!!  A great show - a great entertainer,
    whatever you say about the man's music.
    
    Edwin Starr did the lead vocal on 'War' - very gutsy.  Best for
    me were "She's The One", "Glory Days" and "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out".
    
    The crowd really got into it - all 70,000 were swinging in unison
    most of the time.
    
    Show started of slowish, but the crowd perked up more when he played
    "The River".  His new stuff does not suite stadium rock gigs that
    weel, as it's mush less antham like, compared with his older material.
    This for me made me feel that his "Born In The USA" show just had
    the edge .... but only just!!!
    
    The usual stage histrionics and cat walk runs went down well with
    the crowd ... Bruce worked hard, as usual.
    
    Nils Lofgren's guitar came through well - love that guy.
    
    Glad I went .... lets have some more views.
    
    David.

    
    yeah, I forgot to mention 'Tenth Avenue Freeze out'...one of my
    favourites...glad he played it and it was the same version as on
    the 'live' album........
    
    

    
    I'm not really a great Springsteen fan so I had to be dragged to
    the concert by Mr .44.  I agree with the comments on the early part
    of the show. Well performed, but unless you were a real Brucie fan
    then not that exciting (with the exception perhaps of 'Born in the USA'
    and 'Cover me'). 
    
    BUT THEN...
    
    After the break it was a different story and Bruce even had little
    ol' me bopping up and down, and clapping me little hands off.
    
    - 'Glory days','Hungry heart','Dancing in the dark','Because the night',
      'Born to run','Have love - will travel', ... and the best rendition
      of 'Twist and shout' I've heard since the Beatles.          
    
    All the songs pounded out with real energy and feeling. 
    
    I still probably won't buy the guys albums but I've got to admit
    that the mans knows how to put on a show.
    
    All in all, not a bad little night out.
       
    

		That Man At The Little Stadium.
		------------------------------

What more can I add - I got dragged to see the Boss 3 years ago for
the Born in the USA tour and although sceptical about the hype went
with open mind to see what the little guy could do - impressed I was !!

Managed to get tickets for this bash at the last minute and again I
was not disappointed. Took the old man with me - the second half even
had him bopping along and singing (I use the term loosely) his heart out.

I agree with the earlier comments that the slow stuff from Tunnel of Love
didn't go down too well, but the second half made up for it all the way.

Best for me had to be "I'm on fire", "War" and  "Twist and Shout". Edwin
Starr's vocal on War was excellent - there's one *big* man with a *big*
voice !!

Seems a shame to have to wait another three years to see such a good act
again !

Jane

    
    RE: THE BOSS
    
    I went to the "Born in the USA" Wembley concert and had never enjoyed
    myself so much. So this time I took my boyfriend along......
    and to be truthful we were a bit disappointed.
    
    It seems most people have agreed that the first half was a bit slow.
    Trouble was, by the time it *eventually* picked up it had been a
    long day and people round where I was sitting had switched their
    ears off.
    
    I know it must be boring for an evolving artist to keep on playing
    songs written years ago but do you not think that to an extent the
    artist owes it to his audience to re-run some old favourites? In
    their *original* format? "Born to Run" on acoustic was moving and
    beautifully performed, but to be truthful I would have loved to
    hear the full-band-on-powerhouse version........
    ......and I waited and waited for "Cadillac Ranch" that never came,
    yet went down so well on the last tour.
    
    Bruce is still a great performer, but there seemed to be an
    "expectation" problem with many people waiting for loved favourites
    that never happenned........
    
    Abigail
    

    
    RE: .49
    
    On both the "USA" and "River" tours he played a lot of "new" stuff,
    ie. songs from those albums.  It's always the case that some of
    this stuff will get dropped -nearly *all* artists do this, 'cause
    if they didn't their shows would be about 5 hours long!!!!  I
    sympathise with you, but perhaps people shouldn't have such high
    expectations.
    
    David.

    re:.49
    
    �...but do you not think that to an extent an artist owes it to
    his audience to re-run some old favourites?�
    
    No.
    
    An artist owes nothing to his audience, except maybe to deliver
    the best show her feels he can deliver. He should not be answerable
    to the expectations of his audience.
    
    --- jerry

    
    I can understand .48's reply, the show was slow in the first half..the
    thing you have to remember is that an artist like Bruce tries to
    please himself before his audience. I read an article recently which
    said that Springsteen is trying to be accepted nowadays as a
    songwriter, he wants people to focus on his lyrics, rather than
    on his talent in getting his audience to their feet every night
     

    
    I can sympathise with Bruce pleasing himself before his audience.
    
    I just hope he's not going to be disappointed if his attendance
    figures drop.....I heard quite a few people around me say that they
    wouldn't come to the next tour.
    
    Abigail                        

    
    Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn - Dominion
    ------------------------------------
    
    Ben and Trace who are Everything But The Girl in an acoustic gig
    at a venue which really suites them.  Mostly guitar from Ben, although
    a couple of numbers on electric piano.  They played a lot of stuff
    covering their whole career - the sound was clear and crisp, and
    the whole thing was really enjoyable.  Their songs stand up very
    well without the rest of the band, which I guess says a long about
    the strength of their material.
    
    Good to see them back in the singles charts too.
    
    David.
    

    
    BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STEET BAND, Dublin RDS July 7th
    ---------------------------------------------------------
    
    well OK folks, yet another Springsteen review.....
    
    I went to see the man again, and though it was basically the same
    as the Wembley show there were differences......
    
    The show was slightly shorter but the band did the usual...for the
    whole 4 hours I was there it didn't rain once, which was unusual
    for that day, the traffic was terrible getting to the RDS.
    
    The band left out some of the tracks played at Wembley - 'Backstreets',
    'Have Love , will travel'(?), 'Two Faces' but included 2 brilliant
    versions of 'Downbound Train' and 'Cadillac Ranch' as well as the
    new track which I don't know the name of, but is dedicated to Amnesty
    International. Bruce did less talking this time, but still filled the
    place with his presence. The last hour of the show was brilliant, 
    the place was in a frenzy, he kept pulling the numbers out - 
    'Glory Days', 'Tenth avenue Freeze out', 'Hungry Heart', and that
    unforgettable 'Twist and Shout'
    
    In all, a great concert, certain moments stick in my mind - Bruce
    introducing Clarence as 'Clarence O'Clemons', 'the most Handsome
    Irishman you've ever seen', cooling himself down as he did at Wembley
    by dripping a wet sponge down the front of his trousers...and lastly,
    driving home listening to Marty Whelan (RTE2 D.J.) going absolutely
    nuts about the concert and laughing at all those who didn't make
    it!
    
    next stop Amnesty International at Wembley !
    

CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN		Glasgow , a few weeks back.
--------------------

	I had limited knowledge of Camper Van but had high hopes
	of a really interesting gig . I wasn't disappointed !

	These guys have no respect ,anything goes .A brilliant
	mix of sounds and styles .

	Best for me was the well titled 'Take the Skinheads Bowling'
	,their new single (name evades me) and for their 3rd encore
	an absolutely brilliant Countryish version of The Clash's 
	'White Riot' followed by a Rockin rendition of The Buzzcocks
	'Harmony in my head' .See what I mean - no respect .

	Stuart.
		

    
    NINA SIMONE - Juans-Les-Pins Jazz Festival
    ^^^^^^^^^^^
    
    After a disappointing warm-up act ("Super Sax", who must have been
    booked at the (VERY) last minute since Joe Cocker decided not to
    show), I was beginning to think the evening was going to be a washout.
    
    I'd really bought the tickets on the strength that I'd heard the
    name Nina Simone somewhere and, you never know, JC just MIGHT turn
    up. When she came on stage and sang a slow, Jazzy number it was
    obvious her voice was past its best. When she stood up, it was obvious
    that her body was too - maybe she was drunk or high or both, but
    every slow step across the stage looked difficult.
    
    Then she sang "Blackbird"(?) to a hypnotic African-beat bongo backing,
    and I realised I was in the presence of a Legend. Sometime later
    she sang a bluesy lovesong at the piano, and though her voice
    was cracking badly I was spellbound - and close to tears !

    I feel sure this was her swansong, but it was the swansong of a
    Genius - a little like watching Einstein at 105 explaining the theory
    of relativity, and getting some of the elementary arithmetic muddled.
    And if anyone gets the chance to see her, I'd certainly reccommend
    it - I think she belongs to a whole generation of performers who
    can never be copied or replaced (like BB King, who was at the Nice
    Festival last week).
    
    I guess this isn't really a proper review - my main reason for writing 
    it is to find out more about the Lady herself. Could anyone point
    me to a potted biography/discography ?? I'd like to find out what
    she was like, say, 5-10 years ago.

 Thanks,
    
 - Steve B.
    

    A very under-rated lady. She has a reputation for being difficult
    to deal with professionally, which may go some way towards explaining
    why there's not a lot of her material still on catalogue - lots
    of contact hassles, etc. She originally trained as a classical pianist,
    but I think she played a lot of jazz before singing.
    
    As for what's available, the answer is "not a lot", if my Virgin
    Megamail book is anything to go by; she had an album out called
    "I'll Put A Spell On You" some time back, according to my Guiness
    Book of Chart Albums, but she may have others that didn't make the
    Top 100 and that one isn't listed by Virgin. I'll enter the titles
    Virgin *do* list tomorrow.
    
    In the meantime, her album "My Baby Just Cares For Me" - from which
    the single was taken - is a gem and is readily available on Charly
    Records, on LP, cassette, and for those that like that sort of thing,
    CD. I think it was originally recorded about 1960 but don't let
    that put you off, Charly as usual have done a superb job of modernising
    it technically without destroying the "nightclub" feel of the music.
    The album reveals her classical roots, with some of her piano breaks
    sounding distinctly Bach, a la Jacques Loussier <sp?> - I thought
    it *was* Loussier until I read the sleeve notes - and the only other
    instruments are drums and acoustic bass. Her version of "I Loves
    You Porgy" will tear your heart out.
    
    Enjoy!
    
    
    
    Dave

                MICHAEL JACKSON - WEMBLY ARENA 23.7.88
              __________________________________________
    
    After queueing outside for 4 hours in the drizzle we were starting
    to wonder if anyone was worth all this!  At 3.30 the gates opened
    an hour earlier than on the tickets and the pandemonium started
    with everyone rushing to get in to the ground first.  Why I don't
    know as there was plenty of room for everyone.
    
    As you look at the stage we were seated on the left hand side where
    we had a great view of the stage and also the large video screen
    - best of both worlds!!
    
    The atmosphere in the stadium was brilliant, having never been there
    before I didn't know quite what to expect - first we had the
    Continental Wave which was great fun once everyone participated
    and then someone released a giant beach ball which also found its
    way being bounced around the stadium.
    
    The pre-concert music was good mostly Tamla so needless to say we
    had a lot of clapping and singing to the likes of Baby Love, Where
    did our Love Go etc etc.
    
    Bruno Brooks announced that as the weather was looking unsettled
    they were bringing the concert forward by approximately 1/2 hour.
    
    Kim Wilde came on stage at 6.30 looking good then one of the straps
    on her tiny top snapped and out popped more of her than she expected!
    or the men in the audience for that matter!  She went through her
    *hits* and Junior joined her on stage for the duet they had in the
    charts last year.  All in all Kim filled a gap but not being a fan
    I would have preferred someone else.
    
    After 3/4 hour Kim left the stage and then the excitement reached
    fever pitch as everyone realised HE would be on stage in approx
    30 minutes.
    
    "We want Michael, We want Michael"  echoed round the stadium until
    a big cloud of smoke cleared from the stage and there he was.
    
    "You wanna be starting somethin - you gotta be starting somethin
    - yeah yeah"  Well from then on he went through most of the BAD
    album, Off the Wall album and did a great medley of the Oldies -
    I must confess I had tears in my eyes when he started singing "I'll
    be There" and the whole Wembley crowd joined in and swayed their
    arms from side to side.
    
    Thriller as expected was brilliant he came on stage with the Werewolf
    mask on and then left the stage and returned with the Red Leather
    Jacket he wore in the video but it had bulbs attached to it that
    lit up when he danced with the 6-8 zombies on stage with him.
    
    There were quite a few special effects one *magic* bit where one
    minute he is standing on the left of the stage and gets covered
    with a sheet and literally 15 seconds later when the sheet is lifted
    he appears on the other side of the stage on a crane in a changed
    outfit moving out over the crowd!  Good Stuff.
    
    Of course his dancing was superb and all the songs he did kept the
    crowd going and wanting more.  
    
    A brilliant concert but nonetheless I still felt something was missing!
     He doesn't particularly communicate with the crowd, most of the
    time I felt he was doing his JOB - get up on stage and sing and
    dance to them!  Maybe because of the brilliant reviews he got I
    was expecting too much - but either way it was good all round
    entertainment and I'm glad I took the opportunity to go and see
    a great song and dance man.  However I must admit I was looking
    forward to Monday much more to see my MAIN MAN.
    
    Mazzer
    

                 PRINCE - WEMBLEY ARENA 25.7.88
                ********************************
    
    "Ladies and Gentlemen can I have your attention please"
    
    "There is no support act and PRINCE will be on stage at 7.30"
    
    Thats when the excitement started as deafening foot stomping and
    whistling echoes round the arena.
    
    "Ladies and Gentlemen can I have your attention please"
    
    "There is no support act and PRINCE will be on stage at 7.45"
    
    Oh no its not going to be one of *those* concerts is it??  Well
    7.46 came and then ......................
    
    A sleek white convertible circles the outside of the stage on top
    of what looks like a fork lift - stops right opposite where we were
    seated and out gets my  MAIN MAN ..Prince has arrived and the crowd
    go wild.  
    
    He starts off with 'NO' from the Lovesexy Album and is joined on
    stage by Cat and Sheila E who run and jump about all over the place.
    
    The lighting was brilliant  - flashing phsychedelic lights and
    different colour lasers.  Can't remember the order of the songs
    but the first half of the concert is mainly Sign O The Times and
    his very early stuff - Head, Controversy, Wanna be your lover, U
    Got the Look, Supercalifragisexi, Little Red Corvette.  
    
    He did a couple from his black album Supercalifragisexi being one
    and cavorted on a luminous bed with Cat as he sung this and Little
    Red Corvette.
    
    While singing Head he got more than familiar with the microphone
    which Cat then sung to in between his legs!!!  Thats when the earth
    moved for me!!
    
    After an hour he went off and we had a 20 minute interval - well
    deserved as my feet and hands and throat were killing me.  Just
    enough time to get a quick drink!
    
    After 20 minutes he came back on stage and lept straight into LOVESEXY
    which again got the already ecstatic wembley crowd even more ecstatic.
    Then for me came the highlight of the show when he started off with
    The Cross then followed with Lets Go Crazy, Purple Rain and 1999.
    By this time I was "cream crackered" - he has got so much energy
    he made me feel tired just watching him.  
    
    Sheila E did a drum solo and boy can she play those drums!  Prince
    came back on stage and did 'Heaven' from the Lovesexy album and
    'SLow Love' from the Sign O The Times album and then 'Good Night
    London' - Surely he wasn't finished yet?  After 10 minutes of 'We
    want Prince, We want Prince' he appeared on stage and sang Alphabet
    Street which went on for about 10-12 minutes and then finally it
    was all over.  But it couldn't be there were so many more songs
    he could sing!!
    
    After looking at our watches we realised he had been on for 2 1/2
    hours and played through at least 30 songs!  That was some show!
    
    I wonder if he'll change his show on Tuesday night - yes I'm seeing
    him tonight as well.
    
    Mazzer
    

    
    RE: .59 / .60
    
�   A brilliant concert but nonetheless I still felt something was missing!
�   He doesn't particularly communicate with the crowd, most of the time I
�   felt he was doing his JOB - get up on stage and sing and dance to them!
    
    Very interesting comment - the bigger they get, the less they
    communicate with their audience ?!?!?!
    
    Prince gigs sounds like a good 'un - hope to get tix on the night!!
    
    David.
    
    

    According to Q, the MJ tour was supposed to comprise mainly of
    live workings of the videos (hence the lack of atmposhere).
    Comments ?

    Re: .62
    
    As far as I can remember he only did Thriller and Beat It in
    video form and these were done exceptionally well especially as
    they were done live.
    
    Mazzer
    

    
    David Bellamy's Festival for the Future ,Live Earth Day ,Fife Aid
    ,Wash Out ,Disaster etc etc .
    
    A great shame , this looked sooo good on paper and indeed had lots
    going for it . But thanks to some dodgy organisation (I know it's
    not easy something this size) contractual problems ,big name pull-outs
    and THE WEATHER the whole thing turned into a bit of a farce .
    
    I only stayed for the Sat and didn't bother much with the main stage.
    There were two other venues ,Stage 2 which was a lovely site and
    strangely named Stage2B otherwise know as the Beer Tent - which
    proved to be the best venue due to the constant downpours .
    Best of the day for me were 'Jesse Garron and the Desporados' 
    the 'Boonierats'  ,'Blam Blam YC' and on the main stage 'Sugarcubes'
    
    Congratulations though must go to the people who tried and the bands
    who did turn up ,not to forget the punters who made the effort to
    come .  
    
    For a more detailed review read this weeks Sounds .
    
    _Stuart. 

    
    Date:  28th July 1988

    Venue: Hammersmith Odeon
    
    Band:  Hothouse Flowers

    
    F*%!ing brilliant..... What else can one say eh!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    
    This was just a straight forward band on stage, no frills, no lovely
    sets etc etc etc, just a band, full of good musicians, enjoying what
    they were doing and playing some great numbers. 
    
    Brilliant...

    Catch them at the Reading festival...and buy that album.........

    

    
    This was the last we will see of the Woodentops for a while, as
    the Lead singer, Rolo McGinty, is legging it to Kyoto for a while,
    probably a tax dodge.
    
    Sadly, this was not a brilliant farewell.  Some good numbers were
    rattled through at a fair old pace (`Maybe it wont last', `They
    can say what they want', `You make me feel'), but they did a horrid
    15 minute piece in the middle where they played there most boring,
    plodding songs ever (`Steady, Steady', `Cold inside') and poor old
    Rolo got a boot thrown in his face.  Another problem was the venue
    itself.  The Mean Fiddler is a tiny little place with no room to
    dance or even breathe.  Not good for a band like this.  But all
    in all, not bad, still one of my all time favourites.
    
    	Lee.
    

    
    Tuesday 2nd August  
    
    Prince
    
    Wembley Arena
    
    
    I wont waffle as we've had a few Prince reviews (haven't we??) but
    I will just add my 'little' piece.
    
    I felt the 'show' was tremendous. The lighting and all the various
    props etc were just amazing....but what about the music!!!! There
    were far too many times where they were just banging along a nice
    little beat and naffing/posing around the stage. There weren't enough
    'let's just play music' moments for me to think of this as a great
    gig. But when they did get it right and they did play music
    it was just brilliant.
    
    Another little note you might be interested in. We were seated at
    the end (in the corner) where the stage normally is. At the end
    of the gig there was a mass FRANTIC milling of mafia type hard men
    and we thought "maybe he comes through this way", so we stayed a
    couple of secs just to see what happened. No-one else had noticed.
    Then, one of they keyboard players came through (the one with the
    UR t-shirt on), then a couple of the chicks, then A BOX, then the
    rest of the band members...but no Prince. We could only guess that
    he likes to move about in a box. Is this his answer to Jacksons
    oxygen bed thingy?????
    
    Tommy.

    
    July 29, 30, 31
    
    24th Cambridge Folk Festival
    
    Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge
    
    Well, this was my 8th Cambridge Folk fest in 10 years - not bad
    going.
    
    Once again, it was just brilliant.  It's certainly one of the best
    organised festivals in the country, and it's one where the music
    matters.
    
    Over the weekend we saw The Dinner Ladies, Steve Philips, Martin
    Carthy, Jim Couza,  10,000 Maniacs, Tom Robinson (twice), Edward
    II & The Red Hot Polkas, Dave Cartwright, Kathryn Tickell, John
    Hammond, Sean Maguire, Christy Moore (twice), David Rudder and
    Charlie's Roots,  The Oyster Band, Brendan Croker, Louvin and Whitstein
    and The Blues Band.
    
    The music covered just about every variation of folk folk, calypso,
    blues and pop.
    
    Tom Robinson's solo spot was very good - he certainly puts on a
    good show.
    
    Highlight for me was the brilliant Christy Moore - what a following
    this man has!!
    
    The camping was fun and you can bet that I'll be back next year
    for 25 years of The Cambridge Folk Festival.
    
    David.
     

	JOE STRUMMER and The LATINO ROCKABILLY WAR  - Glasgow Barrowlands
						      Aug 7th.
	Rock Against The Rich tour.
	--------------------------


Support Band - BLAM BLAM Y.C. 

	       Support bands can have a pretty hard time in the fair city
	of Glasgow and considering how impatient most of the crowd were 
	to see their main man Strummer ,then full marks to Blam Blam for
	holding the crowds interest .I've heard this band many times before 
	and this was by no means their best gig .Their brand of high energy
	pop goes down best in small clubs and as a nervous support in a 
	half empty Barrowlands they did not do it justice .Still at the end 
	of a great night no-one was heard to complain about the support act.
	In fact quite a few autographs and singles were given out .
	Here comes the plug - Get their new single "Rollercoaster Barbie
	and The Dumb Angels " available now from all good record stores :-)


	It's mid summer .Everythings slow .Nothings been happening .
	Your all ravin over Prince and Jackson with their fancy shows.
	Somethings wrong somethings missing ............

	Not any more  .Smokin Joe is back in town and he's Kickin Ass !!

	Joe Strummer is making the hottest rockin sounds your going to
	hear for a long long time .With the Latino Rockabilly War he's
	on the road with what must be the best live band around .
	Strummer now must be more relevant and powerful than he's been
	for the last 10yrs .Don't expect much new stuff ,anyway it's
	all just as relevant now as then .They do covers of 'Brand new Cadillac'
	'Ubangi Stomp' a couple of BAD tracks (dedicated to Mick Jones - nice
	touch) some from 'Walker' and 'If I should fall from grace with God'
	an Elvis Costello number .Off course most of the set is
	made up of Clash numbers ,such as 'Junco Partner' ,'This is England'
	,'Trash City' ,'Nothin bout Nothin' ,'I Fought The Law' and the 
	highlight of the night 'Straight To Hell'  ..... amazing !!
	
	
	Nothing will be the same for a long time !!

	Stuart.

    
    PINK FLOYD
    
    Saturday, August 6th
    
    Wembley Stadium
    
    
    I'm a bit surprised not to have seen any reviews of this here.
    
    Great show - first half, started with "Shine On You Crazy Diamond"
    (parts 1-4), then into most of the new album - sounded quite good
    live.
    
    Quadrophonic sound at Wembley, and the loudest I've ever heard an
    outdoor gig!!!!  At last, someone has has the good sense to raise
    the stage at Wembley.
    
    Short break (15 mins) - in fact, the show started 15 mins early.
    
    Seconf half started with "One Of These Days" - brilliant.  Also
    (not in order) ...."Money", "Welcome To The Machine", "Wish You
    Were Here", "Us And Them", "On The Run", "Time", "Great Gig IN The
    Sky", "Another Brick In The Wall", "Comfortably Numb".
    
    "Us And Them" was best for me.
    
    Encored with "Momentary Lapse Of Reason" and "Run Like Hell".
    
    The light show was quite amazing - lasers, fire etc. plus the famous
    pig with flashing eyes.
    
    The only thing that was not so hot, was their extension (especially
    "Money") of some of the songs ... the Floyd aren't good at this
    at all, and they should stick to what they do best.
    
    The crowd certainly warmed to the band very well and I'm glad I
    saw them (at last).
    
    "Remember when you were young ....."
    
    David.
    

	GOODBYE MR MACKENZIE	- Mayfair , Glasgow 14th Aug.
	--------------------

	This is the next Scottish band your all going to be sick 
	fed-up hearing about .They used to be with the same label
	as Wet Wet Wet (Precious) and could easily have made it 
	back in 86 with the release of 'The Ratler' (my favourite of
	that year )but the band left Precious and indeed on their own
	released ,what must surely have been a very strong contender for
	single of 87' , 'Face to Face' (proceeds to Rape Crisis) .
	Since then the band have joined Capital/EMI and in a brilliant
	move gained the services of guitarist Big (and I mean BIG) 
	John Duncan of ex-Exploited/Blood-Uncles fame.  

	To show you the extent of their up-and-coming popularity a full
	house in GLASGOW gave this EDINBURGH band an estatic reception.
	Indeed the crowd became so frenzied that some had to be dragged 
	away for air! But Wet Wet Wet this group aint ,the fact they 
	shared the same label is where the similarity ends (although some
	may argue that WWW are also good :-) ) Unlike the Wets ,this band 
	has girls ,don't sound like an American soul band ,songs like 
	'The Ratler' ,'"Face to Face' , 'Goodbye Mr Makenzie' and 'His
	Masters Voice' have a real sleazy darkness about them (although that 
	side tends to come out more in the words used that the overall 
	sound),and off course they have BIG JOHN (Know affectionally as the 
	Dirtiest Man in Edinburgh) .
		
	Well it was a nice short n' sweet set from them which would have been
	worth seeing for Big John alone ,but that wouldn't be fair on the
	rest of the band .

	Keep your eyes and ears open for them .

	Stuart.

    And I always thought "Goodbye Mr Mackenzie" were an offshoot of
    Billy Mackenzie's "Associates" band, back in '82.
    
    Oh well, I can take being a turkey!
    
    julia

    Did anyone go to the Amnesty International thing at Wembley 
    on Friday?? 

    
    The Amnesty International concert was great, mainly because Bruce
    Springsteen was there!!!
    
    seriously though, the concert started at 4pm when all 5 major acts
    came on stage and did a version of 'Get up, Stand up'...it was
    obviously unrehearsed and unpolished but had that raw effect about
    it...
    
    Yousso N'Dour (?) started off with his African music, got the beat
    going and was warmly accepted by the crowd which got bigger as the
    day went on....unless you're particularly into the African rhythms
    it doesn't do much for you....
    
    Peter Gabriel came on later, his set was pretty good, covered
    'Sledgehammer', 'In your eyes', 'Don't give up', 'Shock the monkey'
    and ended with a great 'Biko'....
    
    Tracy Chapman was next in line, just her and her guitar....she got
    a rousing response from the audience..it's amazing to see how far
    she has gone in 3-4 months....anyway, her voice was great, I only
    knew 2 of her hits 'fast Car' and 'Revolution'.....
    
    Around 7pm Sting arrived on stage..now this was a treat, his band
    had the best sound quality of the day, they played 'King of pain',
    'Bring on the Night', 'When the world is running down', 'They dance
    alone' 'set them free', 'Fortress around your heart' and a pile
    of others.....Sting was in great form, his band was great, the man
    has one of the strongest 'live' voices I've ever heard.....
    
    all artists played an average of about one hour each, except for
    the next man who gave us an extra half hour......the crowd was
    definitely waiting in anticipation, Sting came on stage and introduced
    Bruce Springsteen as the musician he 'most feared and respected'.
    The E street band came on stage and started an explosive set with
    'Born in the USA'......this was definitely worth the wait as it
    always is....Springsteen did a brilliant set which included my 2
    favs...'Thunder Road' and 'The Promised land'..., soothing slow
    numbers 'The River' and 'My Hometown' , then there was 'Cadillac
    ranch', 'Spare Parts' , 'Glory Days' , 'She's the one' and a rousing
    version of 'Born to Run'...the original one.....
    
    at the end the rest joined springsteen on stage to do Dylan's 'Chimes
    of Freedom' and then the show ended as it started with 'Get up,
    Stand up'......a brilliant day, with little emphasis on the politics
    and lots of music.....
    
    can't beat it with a big stick.....
    
    
    
    wallsie  

	Show a glowing review makes me wish I'd been there 

	Ho hum  :-(

	woof bark meow

    re.74
    
    It sounds great!  I'm glad you enjoyed it, Declan.
    
    Bruce played a great set by the sound of it, 'She's the One' and
    the original 'Born to Run' - I'm just a bit envious (lots, really!)
    
    Sue

    
    go on Sue....catch the one in Philadelphia!! I would if I was there!
    
    Wallsie
    

    Saw Clapton last night, more later......

    
    As I was saying...I saw Clapton last Tuesday, and as usual, he
    was superb.  He opened with 'Crossroads', then 'White Room',
    also played 'Lay Down Sally', 'Cocaine', 'After Midnight' (it's
    used for a beer commercial on TV right now over here), 'Layla',
    that Blind Faith song - I can't think of the name of it, "Tearing
    Us Apart', 'I Shot the Sheriff', lots more but I can't remember
    because I didn't do this sooner!  His encore was 'Money for Nothing',
    which I didn't like but the crowd did, and he closed with 'Sunshine
    of Your Love'.
    
    He had Mark Knopfler with him, as I guess he has through this whole
    tour.  The commercialization of Clapton is rampant this year, with
    25th anniversary everything - T-shirts, souvenir books, etc.  In
    the book they're even advertising a leather-bound book with bits
    of memorabilia in it and an accompanying CD or cassette.  And (here's 
    the kicker) each one is personally signed by EC himself.  It goes
    for some exhorbitant price and they'll send you a full color
    prospectus (!) if you're interested in ordering it.
    
    It wasn't the best show I've seen him do (4th time I've seen him),
    but then, nothing could surpass the last time.
    
    Sue

    I just got back from seeing EJ in what was the second of three
    consecutive sold-out nights.   Wet, Wet, Wet opened for him and
    I was curious to see how they did as this is their first widespread
    exposure to the US market.  Well, they tried :-)  They started
    promptly at 7:30 to a half filled audience.  The sound was terrible
    and they tried to compensate for everything by being too 'nice'.  
                                                
    They did 'Wishing I was Lucky', 'East of the River', 'Angel Eyes'
    and several others but they only received a lukewarm reception.
    I hope, because I *do* like them, that the push their album is
    getting in the record stores makes up for the impression they left
    with the audience, otherwise they won't do very well here.
               
    EJ, on the other hand, was terrific!  He opened with '60 years On',
    now looking completely gray(haired) and wearing only a dark blue
    aviator's jumpsuit, he played for 2.5 hours to a *very* enthusiastic
    crowd. Because it is John Lennon's birthday he dedicated the show
    to him and played a variety of EJ stuff, all the old favorites
    plus several from his new album:
    
    Daniel			Love Lies Bleeding
    Your Song			Saturday Night's All Right...
    Don't Let the Sun Go Down... Tiny Dancer
    Requiem for a Friend	Candle in the Wind/Goodbye Norma Jean
    Sad Songs			The Bitch is Back
    Philadelphia Freedom	Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters
    I Don't Want to Go on With You Like That
    I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues
    
    
    For the third & final encore he did 'Empty Garden', then brought
    the Wets out again to do "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds'.
    
    ...and a good time was had by all! :-)
    
    Sue

    
    	THE PROCLAIMERS   -   Ayr Town Hall , Wed 28th Sep. 
    
    
    Unfortunately I couldn't go myself and ,as is the way of things
    , I've since been gleefully told ( huh friends who needs them :-)
    ) that I missed a cracker of a night .
    
    Seems that with the band behind them the twins are sounding even
    better .  
      
    	Oh well thought you should know .
    
    	Stuart .
    	
     

    Well Stuart, the A.Y.M.O.P. was there to see the twins, and thoroughly
    enjoyed his night. Favourites were 'Kilmarnock Blues' 'Cap in Hand'
    'My old Friend the Blues' . 
    
    So if you get the chance to see them, take it as its well worth
    the 5 pounds for an hour and a half of Folk/Blues/Country with a
    touch of choocter thrown in.
    
    A.Y.M.O.P 

Well, it's been and gone.  The most hyped concert of the year.  First it was
on, then it was off, and at the last minute it was on again, with the media
getting in their last piece of `Cancelled' scaremongering in Saturday morning. 

I'll start by saying that I don't like big concerts.  I'd rather be drowning in 
pools of sweat and lager in some dingy cave like the Mean Fiddler than standing 
in the open winds with a hundred thousand other people.  Still, this time I 
made an exception and braved the elements.

Anyway, the concert.  Most of it the numbers were unsurprisingly from the new
album `Revolutions', but all the obligatory ones were there as well. (Yes, even
that Oxygene track which failed to mature properly due to being plagiarized by
a thousand TV theme tunes).  However, the question still stands, how much of
these songs does he actually play?  They sounded incredibly good, almost too
good, too perfect.  A couple of the tracks had slight differences from their
album versions, but not many.

Still, this is an unfair point really.  What everybody came for was the whole
spectacle, the music was merely accompaniment to the light shows and fireworks,
and these were good, well goodish.  The lighting was brilliant and everyone 
loves fireworks don't they?  But the centrepoint of the show, those building 
projections, left a bit to be desired.  A lot of the animated projections were 
done by hand and were very wobbly indeed.  Some slides were even upside down.
The subject matter of the projections seemed to be Britain's history.  Not 
really good subject matter. People were forced to watch pictures of soldiers 
killing zulus, Industrial slavery and more scenes from our ghastly past (worse 
still, the AVENGERS!)

Is this his sense of humor?  Was he just taking the piss?  Who knows.  A bit of 
a washout all in all.  Nice fireworks though...

	Lee.

    
    I spoke to a friend who went to Saturday's show and said a warehouse
    was actually set on fire as part of the performance!!
    
    He raved about it as a 'spectacle', the experience as a whole, except
    for the four hour commute home to North Finchley!! (Yes, 4 hrs.!!)
    
    Sue

    Re .81,
    
    Yes, Stuart, I was there as well, and it was a really good show.
    I went not knowing what to expect, having heard only the singles,
    and came away very impressed. I thought the Town Hall was a good
    choice of venue too - small and intimate.
    
    I also enjoyed the support act, David Robb (any relation to Dougie?)
    who played the bazouki (sp?) unaccompanied. Good songs.
    
    Basically, you missed a cracker...
    
    -Paul

    
    RE: .83
    
    Lee ..... just about the same as some of the music press - More
    is Less, was the bottom line, but you know the UK music press,
    right!!!!!
    
    David.
    

    
    Date:  Tuesday 25th
    Venue: Reading Uni
    Band:  The Proclaimers
    Verdict:  Brilliant................................
    
    The gig started off a bit naffy for me as I was stuck out at the
    side, near the front, right next to one speaker. The sound, as you
    can imagine, was pretty poor for me at this point. I did however
    quickly squeeze my way into the middle, and was I impressed. The
    lads gave a superb gig. Not quite in the same style as Jackson and
    Prince but just as much entertainment value....if not more.......
    
    They played most of both albums, with some particularly outstanding
    highlights for being 'What do you do', 'Letter from America',
    'Kilmarnock Blues' (is that right), 'Cap in Hand' (the passion and
    feeling behind this one had to be seen, boy did they mean it), and
    as an encore, which at first surprised me, 'Jean'. The encore jst
    had to be seen/heard to really believe it but towards the end of
    the song they both start mumbling 'I love her, I love her, I love
    her, I love her.......'. This started off really quiet but it just
    went on and on slowly getting louder and more passionate until I
    thought they were both having a fit on stage. What a finish....
    
    See them if you can, not for flashing lights, great dance sets,
    flashy clothes or pretentious posing, just pure, straight, honest
    music.
    
    Cheers
    Tommy

Buddy Guy/Junior Wells
Cedac Cimiez
Nice

Absolutely unbelievable. 

In a small jazz club in the middle of residential Nice, Buddy Guy and Junior 
Wells did their stuff. Small stage, low ceiling , the smell of smoke (of all
kinds !!), and a great backing band. 

Sorry , but i'm not familiar with their material too give you a complete
rundown, but if they are touring anywhere else, go and see them !!! Guy's 
guitar playing was just absolutely fantastic - a treat not too be missed !!

Cheers

Harv

    Well my old boots!
    
    I was there! Buddy Guy and Junior Wells with some of
    the Best Blues I've heard in ages...
    What a place... sleaze, smoke, and I mean SMOKE, tinnies
    
    This is looking like a regular thing at:
    Cadac Cimiez, 49 Ave de la Marne, Cimiez, 06100 Nice.
    Strange area, most unlikely but there it is...
    
    Heres the programme for OCT/NOV to give you some idea:
    
    Lundi 17 OCT	-	Egberto Gismonti Group
    Samedi 29 Oct	-	Chick Corea Elektric Band
    Dimanche 30 Oct	-		   "
    Dimanche 6 Nov	-	Buddy Guy & Junior Wells
    Vendredi 11 Nov	-	John Scofield Band
    Vendredi 18 Nov	-	Jack de Johanette Special Edition
    Samedi 25/26 Nov	-	Joe Zawinul and the Zawinul Syndicate
    
    Cant wait for DEC/JAN !!! This is an amazing find to the north of
    Nice, takes some finding, but well worth the effort. Usual starts
    at 21.00h.

    So if you're in the area and want some fine sounds, CHECK IT OUT!
    
    Simon

    
    Anyone got a tour schedule for the guitarist that Eric Clapton
    calls GOD ??? I wanna see this man !!!!!!
    
    
    
    
    	Grub.......

                                  AFTER DARK
                                  London St.
                                    Reading
   
   Friday 4-NOV-88
   
   Birdland
   The Valley of the Dolls
   The Color Blind James Experience
   
   Coming in from the bitter November evening the club felt more akin to 
   `After Life' than anything else. I'd already had two beers at a local 
   hostelerie and felt sure that any more would prejudice my perspective; so 
   I switched to Whisky.
   The door-bwana seemed agitated at my arrival or maybe he was a Canadian 
   Ice-Hockey type in the off season, I couldn't tell. Which was probably 
   just as well - HE was doing the telling, "Three Fifty, Mate..over there" 
   and not looking as if he'd appreciate any observations over his 
   d�portage.
   I parted with the readies and went in.
   It wasn't long before the first band came on `Birdland' and good taste 
   went off, off in a time warp. I'd heard this before, the tempo, style and 
   most obviously VOLUME, back in the late '70s. This was '80s style punk 
   except that the lads had forgone the mandatory spikey hairdo and taken 
   upon themselves to appear as black-clad medieval pageboys.
   Fashion critique aside (but only temporarily, I hasten to add, dear 
   reader) the music was tinged with a fair degree of professionalism, a few 
   rather good sagas and a couple of catchy tunes.
   If they stuck with developing the catchy tunes I could get to like it.
   A curious part of their style was playing most their tunes in lots of 
   two, back to back. Sort of semi-batch mode, which must have made life 
   tough for those of the audience that chose to dance. They made life hard 
   for this reviewer too by not announcing their songs, well either that or 
   they have many variants of a melody entitled `1,2,3,4'. I couldn't tell 
   and, for fear of loosing my place at the bar, couldn't approach the 
   ensemble to find out.
   After 6 or 7 `batches' they finished their set and I my G&T.
   After a spell, during which the younger patrons of Readings' (by now 
   closed) bars re-located to `After Life', the second event was intro'd as 
   "a new local band, The Valley of the Dolls..".
   This seemed to be an organized cue for everyone to rush into the music 
   area, although my initial observations of the indecent haste the masses 
   made for the stage implied more of a reaction to a particularly noxious 
   fart at the back of the hall than any inherent disposition to the band or 
   their music.
   However, I was soon proved wrong (and I had a cold anyway), a mass ogle 
   was called for and inexorably happened.
   This is a 5-piece all-woman (at least the parts I could see) band that, 
   after a wobbly start (sic) soon got around to singing some sharp 
   harmonies. The two lead singers have complementary voices but suffered a 
   bit from singing at different volume levels. It wasn't clear if they 
   stopped this or they had a active man `at the controls' but it improved 
   as they worked through their set & I my rapidly disappearing drink.
   Again, like `BIRDLAND', they have a master song and (seemingly) play a 
   number of variants of it. The song in their case is called `      ', 
   which, agreed, lacks somewhat in description but is easy to pronounce and 
   remember. To be fair, a couple of tunes did get an intro but it sounded 
   as if the part relating to the title was secondary to the song itself.
   No covers were played though, on occasion, you'd be forgiven if you 
   couldn't hear a smattering of the B-52s' mixed in. A complete contrast to 
   the preceeding band and much more pleasant to the ear, with the members 
   being able to try their hand at reasonable range of styles from pop to 
   reggae with a couple of slow-ish ones mixed in.
   Worth another look, but not as headliners. Yet.
   After they finished, the crowd dissipated with the same fervour as they 
   arrived, presumably to recover some circulation back to their legs as 
   they'd been standing still for so long and to replenish dangerously low 
   ethanol levels. Me? I did the latter.
   Next up was the headliners `The Color Blind James Experience', a band I'd 
   only heard smatterings of on Peel, so was unsure as to what to expect  
   (having been reckless in the past to buy an album on the strength of one 
   song and hated what I hadn't heard...but what's new?) but game enough to 
   go to this gig to find out.
   Well on the lads came and opened with a number that wouldn't be out of 
   place in an evenings entertainment by a Salvation Army Band.
   I was having second thoughts.
   This was a ploy to show what so-so music they could play if no-one 
   applauded I guess for they soon loosened up and got stuck in.
   Some of the songs seemed Stan Ridgeway influenced, but mainly in the 
   vocal delivery (but hey! they're all Americans) and most had lyrics that 
   required more than casual attention.
   For a six-piece outfit they sure made enough music to pass for a much 
   larger band and seemed more professional than most. Closer to Steely Dan 
   in their arrangements and musical quality then anybody else I can think 
   of. Their quality was even more evident by their concern that the 
   audience should know the titles of their songs for ,yea, they did mention 
   them. 
   For me, the highlight of the evening was `A different Bob' (complete with 
   vibes) although they did a song that had in it's chorus a line about 
   `drinking wine' that was notable not only for it's give_me_more length 
   with all the members getting a two-pass solo, but also featured the best 
   lead break I've heard for many years. Not quite searing, but more than 
   enough to raise the temperature a few degrees that night.
   After playing for about 1�hrs, including a sloow cover of `Sloop John B' 
   which was my least liked tune of the lot, they went off (presumably to 
   stretch *their* legs, for they weren't dancing either) only to return for 
   two more songs and much appreciation.
   This they did three times. After �1hr 45min they called it a day and 
   prepared for the drive to London, the next gig.
   They've a few more gigs left in this country, Newcastle & Glasgow this 
   week, Leeds tonight and maybe a couple more. Go.
   
   Judging by the requests from the crowd, the (only) album they've done 
   must be selling well in town, I think they'll be selling another one 
   tomorrow.

    
    	
	    	C I R C U S    K R O N E  -  M U N I C H 
	
    				17-NOV
    
    
    	What can I say, I went along a little dubious that his style
    	(on record) would work in a fairly large hall, I didn't get a
    	chance to find out. Like Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, they
    	are *much* harder/raunchier on stage, these guys kick ass!!
                                                         
     	As well as a lot of the songs from the albums - 
    
    	Down the road Tonight (the best!), The Way it is, Defenders of the 
    	Flag, Look out any Window, Wild Frontier, The old Playground,
    	Jacob's Ladder, Mandolin Rain etc
    
    	they also did some great covers -
    
    	Not fade away, I'm a man, Mighty Quinn, and 15 minutes worth
    	by the guy who inspired him, Leon Russell (whom I'd never heard
    	of, but I'll put that right tomorrow)
    
    	and a couple of tremendous piano solo's by the man himself,
    	to quote Al Jarreau 'He can play a little bit can't he?'.
    
    	On stage for 5 minutes short of 3 hours, they really enjoyed
    	themselves (the roadies came on and danced a couple of times)  
    	expended a lot of energy (I'm not sure jumping 4-5 feet in the
    	air off a platform, with an Accordion strapped to your chest
    	was too clever), and a good time was had by all.
    
    	My mate, who's never bought a live album, said he'd had a change
    	of heart.
    
    	Great concert.
    
    	Doug (Spurtle)	

    You _may_ have heard of Leon Russell.... how about Joe Cockers
    'Delta Lady' hit?.... didn't Leon write that?.... anyway check him
    out!
    
    Ray.

    Didn't Leon R play keys at the 'Bangladesh' concert? (Who says 
    charity pop bashes are new).
    
    Richard.

    
    Graham Parker - Town and Country Club
    -------------------------------------
    
    I've seen the ol' Parkerilla twice in November, the second time
    being a shorter set, whcih was filmed for the 'Meltdown' TV series.
    
    He's just a brilliant performer.  Apparantly, I heard that he didn't
    rehearse at all for the gigs; well, it certainly didn't show.
    
    He did quite a bit of old stuff from "Squeezing Out Sparks" and
    a lot of selections from the latest plater, "The Mona Lisa's Sister",
    which wen't down very well.  "Blue Highway" was excellent.
    
    An acoustic set in the middle broke things up a fair bit, then onto
    "Cupid" and "Hey Lord Don't Ask Me Questions"
    
    The band were great, with some very neat guitar from Parker's old
    sidekick Brinsley Schwartz - vert tight.
    
    He's back, and it's was great to see him.
    
    David.
    

	Re: -.1

	Wow, sounds like HEAVEN!

    Although this is a second-hand concert review, I hope it's acceptable.
    
    Last week-end, a Canadian guitarist callled Jeff Healey played in
    London. His act was reviewed in the Observer this Sunday. I've also
    heard similar comments from friends in Canada and in the guitar
    notesfile. The basic idea is "Go and see him if there is any possible
    way to get there."
    
    He's been compared to Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, but is also
    as original. One thing of interest - he's been blind since age one,
    yet performs fairly athletically. Also, don't expect to learn much
    in the way of guitar technique. He plays the guitar like a dobro,
    sitting in his lap facing up.
    
    He will be back in the U.K. later this week I understand. If anyone
    knows more details, please let us know.

    JH was interviewed on Radio 1 last Saturday afternoon; I only tuned
    in in the car about half way through - I didn't know he was blind,
    and you certainly couldn't tell from his guitar playing, of which
    nothing like enough was broadcast. The man is a genius, in the same
    league as Clapton or Hendrix.
    
    If anyone knows of an album by him, please mail me.
    
    Dave
    
    

If anybody reading this review has heard of this mob, then I'm stunned.  
They're usually billed as a support act for minor groups, I've seen them 
supporting McCarthy and also the Cardiacs, and those bands are pretty awful on 
their own.  However, you may not find a group any lower than the Dubious 
Brothers, but you also won't many band's that give a better performance.

A very English band, most of their songs mimic cockney tunes gawd blimey 
singsongs round the joanna knees up blah blah blah, but don't let that put you 
off.  The tunes are real singalong stuff, with some very witty and scathing 
lyrics about English pompousness.  But the best aspect of them is their stage 
act; A wing commander on percussion, an undertaker on bass, and a lead vocalist 
who plays a plethora of characters, ranging from a spirit of '66 footballer to 
assorted cockney fascists.  There are also two surgeons in black shades who's 
sole task is to prance around to the songs and whip the audience into frenzied 
dancing.  The whole show is one big pisstake, jokes abound between the songs, 
and the tunes are marvellous.

This particular night, they couldn't have been better.  The Cricketers is a pub 
in deepest SE11, and the stage could barely contain them.  Lot's of new songs 
and dance routines were included from their new album, `The Foresight Saga'.

Stay away from those Acid Houses!  Let's get back to basics and degrade 
ourselves properly with the Dubious Brothers.  The next gig is on the 14th Feb 
at the Marquee.

    re: -1
    
    Is that the Cricketers at the Oval, and if so do the Barflies still
    play there, ie any gigs over xmas
    
    Thanks
    
    	- Paul -

                
    
    	re 20.99
    
    	I have heard of the Dubious Brothers!
    
    	Dave Fanning on RTE Radio 2 (Eire) played one of their tracks
    	last night and it caught my attention both in the lyrics and
    	the musicianship. I would like to hear more. Have they released
    	anything on record?
    
    	Maurice.

    
    In reply to the last two questions, yes it was the Cricketers near the
    Oval.  They gave me a listing of acts for the next month, but I didn't
    see The Barflies on it.  There's an all day bash there next Saturday
    which I might go to as the fabulous John Otway is going to be there.
    
    As for records, they have made two albums; `Absolute Bethlehem' and
    `The Foresight Saga'.  Both real good stuff, but quite hard to get hold
    of.  I managed to get them at the Virgin Megastore but I haven't seen
    them anywhere else.
    
    	Lee.

                 Glasgow Barrowland - 14th December
    
    Boy, is that place sweaty! It was my first visit to the Barrowland;
    the place was packed, the atmosphere was brilliant, and Runrig had
    everybody leaping about. Support was from the McCluskey Brothers,
    who had some good songs and some pretty awful ones.
    
    Runrig came on stage at about ten past nine and stayed for the best
    part of two hours. The highlights for me were an extended version
    of "Dance Called America" (my favourite), "The Times They Are
    A-Changing" (introduced as a tribute to Mikhail Gorbachov), and
    the inevitable "Loch Lomond".
    
    I'm off out to buy the live album, "Once In A Lifetime". If you
    like rock music with a celtic flavour, add it to *your* Christmas list!
    
    -Paul

   Last time I saw T'Pau they were support to Brian Adams, and quite
    impressive.  Since then I've been quite a fan, so there recent
    "performance" at Oxford's Ice Rink was very disappointing.
    
  The music was extremely good, but it was just like listening to an
    album - no extra little kicks were put into the music, it was just
    tracks straight off the albums.  The best part of the concert was
    when Carol Decker left the stage and Ron Rogers sang "Down Town",
    there was actually some life to that performance.
    
    I would like to hear from anybody else that has been to a recent
    T'Pau concert to find out whether it was just the gig I went to
    or do they always perform with the charisma of a dead haddock?
    
    Merry Christmas,
                John.   

    
    
    	The PROCLAIMERS		- 29.1.89	Schlacthof, Munich
                                         
    
    	Ahhhhhhhhh...
    
    
    
    	Brilliant !
    
    
    	Unfortunately they only played for an hour and a quarter...never
    	mind !
    
    
    
    	I leave the full description to you Doug ( if you can remember?)
                                                                      
    
    
    	My only other complaints were:
    
    	O	Not LOUD enough !
    
    	O	Bad mixing/PA on occasion
    
    
    John ( Sorry Doug, had to take advantage !)

    *PLEASE* don't fill notes with form-feeds - this is very annoying
    for people who use the various batch extract command files.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Keith

    Brilliant ??? I think not, the sound was well dodgy and collectively
    the band had the presence of an amoeba.
    
    	- Paul -

    Oh, boy, you guys sure know how to burst someone's balloon.
     
    I was so excited about a scheduled date in Boston and planned on
    rushing out at lunch-time to get my tickets, and now...hmmm  :-(
    
    Sue

    No, I would recommend going so you can decide for youself but in
    my opinion they were a bit lacking.
    
    	- Paul -

    
    
    	In my opinion they were "Damned Good" not loud enough
      but good.
    
    
    
    	Grub...
    
    
     Ps. Wheres Spurtle ???

    
    	Don't listen to Paul Sue, he's feeling his age, anything later
    	than the Beatles is dodgy for him!, go go GO!, if you can make
    	out the words you'll love it. You can't trust a man who'd drunk
    	as much beer as he had.!!
    
    	O.K. the set was a bit short, but there was no 'Hello Muenchen
    	great to be here' between songs.
    
    	O.K. the sound wasn't the best, but if it had been any louder
    	you wouldn't have been able to hear me singing!!
    
    	Support band were 'Attacco de ??' pretty good, weird sound
    	acoustic guitars, zither and some other weird instruments.

    	And why do I always end up standing behind giants, the bloke
    	in front of me was 6'3", and was still (didn't move a muscle)
    	2 or 3 inches shorter that his partner!!
    
    	Loved it even though my voice is a little hoarse today.
    	
    	Doug (Spurtle)

    Ok, I've got my tickets :-)  I'm going, having heard only one
    song (Letter from America), and on the basis of what I'd read
    in the old UK_Music file, which was favorable.        
                             
    Besides, they're playing *on* my birthday so that's reason enough
    to go, isn't it?! :-)
    
    Sue

    LEVEL 42 at the brighton center , brighton !!!!!
    ------------------------------------------------
		Friday 27th January 89
        
    Good bits were...
    
    o	Mega awesome light show .
    o	RED Leds on Mark Kings Fret board
    o	Sax & Guitar solos.
    o	Good support band called HABIT
    
    Bad bits were
    
    o	Awful PA Mixing
    o	Played for only 1:40 ( could have dun more of the oldies )
    o	Only two encores of one song each !
    
    Verdict ... Enjoyed by all
    
    phil......

    E.C. 2nd February Albert Hall,
    
    
    
    
    				AWSOME
    
    
    I agree with .79.
    
    He did much the same set with Mark Knopfler and Phil Collins
    as is mentioned in .79,2 1/2 hours on stage and still seemed 
    to enjoy playing Layla,Wonderful Tonight et al ... !!!
    Didn't go much on 'Solid Rock' as the first encor. 
    It took a foot stompin' woolf wistlin' hand clappin' 10 min's
    to get  Eric Claptout back !
    
    I spent most of the time watching Ray Cooper the percussionist
    (usually plays with Elton John) The guy is crazy, brilliant but crazy.
    
    Graham ...	

    OK, this is an obscure one.....
    
    Big Joe Louis and the Blues Aces, at the Station Tavern, London,
    somewhere in the wilds of West 11, last Saturday.
    
    Nothing complicated here, just a four piece (guitar, harp, standup
    bass and drums) out-and-out blues group, who played for two hours
    for free on a stage sbout as big as your average bathroom. But,
    boy, could they play, and there was nothing to it, they just came
    in with their gear, set up in about 10 minutes flat, and went for
    it! And it sounded great! Also, they were right ther in front of
    you, not miles away at the other end of an enormous aircraft hangar.
    
    Recommended if you need an antidote to overproduced overpowering
    oversynthetic stuff...
                                                                        
    Bob

    Bob,
    
    I saw Big Joe Loius at the same venue a while back. I agree with
    everything you've said.  It looks like a venue that's been hosting
    the blues for many, many years.  They played a really great set
    - very entertaining indeed.  There are just loads of blues bands
    doing the circuit in London every week.  Some of the venues are
    even featured in a freebee mag that you can pick up at places like
    The Cricketers.
    
    David
    
    PS: Hello once again ....
    

    Wow, I thought I'd be the only one to have heard of this, let alone
    seen'em, and at the same place too!!
    
    This is rapidly becoming my kind of venue, and my kind of music!
    
    Bob, preparing for an onslaught of blues lp's (any suggestions past
    Waters, Hooker, Wolf, James etc. gratefully received)

    Absolute Corker, this one, especially if you are a fan of Blues
    Brothers type r'n'b/soul music.
    
    The Venue: The George Robey, Finsbury Park - if you're after a good
    pint, forget it; John Bull bitter, XXXX, or Guiness, served in a
    plastic pint pot, that's yer lot. Surroundings - couldn't see far
    enough to notice if there were any.
    
    The crowd: Very amiable, large age range, many people in full Blues
    Brothers uniform - black suit, hat, shades, thin tie, white shirt.
    
    The bands: First on were Ambitious Beggars, a fine five piece from
    Manchester, who played a tight, well arranged set of lightweight
    rock songs (songs as opposed to riffs). Particularly good were the
    songs on which the second guitarist played acoustic rhythm. The
    singer was very good, too, sounding at times like John Lennon.
    
    Next up were the mighty Boogie Brothers - I'd read about them in
    the NME a week or two back, in an article on the Blues Brothers
    cult in the UK. This band do the whole bit - suits, shades, etc.,
    and have the audience on their feet from the opening bars of Peter
    Gunn, through soul classics like Hold On, I'm Coming, Green Onions,
    Sweet Soul Music, Soul Man, etc, r'n'b classics like There's a Riot
    Goin' On, and of course, Minnie the Moocher. They throw in a lot
    of other bluesy tunes, which although not as well known, are just
    as good, and the audience never let up from leaping around, singing
    along, and causing general mayhem.
    
    Unlike the Showaddywaddy version of rock'n'roll (very clean and
    cabaret), this band really do justice to the material, are not afraid
    to work hard, and obviously have a really good time doing it! They
    haven't got a record contract, they just gig all the time (about
    300+ per year), so they know what they are doing, but at the same
    time retain a sense of spontaneity. Definitely a good one.
       
    I'll be seeing them again at the Town and Country on April 1, where
    they are supporting the legendary Junior Walker and the Allstars.
    The week before, I'd seen Blyth Power, supported by the Astronauts
    at the same venue. BP play a kind of uptempo urban folk-rock (I
    hate these labels!), and started to sound a bit samey after half
    a dozen or so songs, although they played very well, and were very
    together. The Astronauts were completely different, loose, rambling,
    shambling and wonderful - their songs are all of social import in
    a humourously cynical way, and their singer's sense of humour in
    his between song banter with the crowd is bizarre to say the least,
    to say nothing of his hairstyle. Highpoint of their set was a furios
    version of Bachelor Boy (yes, *that* BB), followed by a rowdy acapella
    song called Seagull Mania, which sounded like an extremely drunken
    sea-shanty. Another good one.
    
    Bob
                                                                     

    Last night I broke a gig-gap of over a year and went to see the
    Throwing Muses. I'm not well acquainted with their music, but with some
    time to spare in the evenings, I thought them worth going to see (they
    clashed with Rick Astley though..). 
    
    Trying to find a balance between making sure of seeing the whole set
    and not arriving too early, I opted to stroll in around 9pm - the
    ticket said 8.30 start. However they'd started without me which was a
    bit of a blow, especially considering all those hip bands in the UK
    that can hardly be bothered to appear pre-midnight.
    
    The Muses have a standard four-piece line-up with lead/rhythm/bass
    guitarists and a drummer; guitarists all female, drummer male. They
    were playing 3 or 4 minute songs with a nice line in minor-key
    melodies, and were very much a band; no lead guitarist histrionics or
    anything like that. Without being much knocked out, I was straight away
    enjoying it. The sound mix was as good as I've heard, everything was
    reasonably distinct (I've never heard live sound that was as clear as
    recorded), and the volume wasn't damaging. I couldn't tell you what
    songs they played because they weren't announcing any song titles. I
    became really impressed with the tightness of their playing, which was
    pretty gutsy and hard at times. If you want a category, I'd say
    intelligent guitar music, a bit like REM. 
    
    A lot of their stuff ended too soon for me, which is a compliment
    really. They satisfied the conventions by playing two encores, so I
    heard over an hour of music and couldn't have missed much. All in all
    a very enjoyable and hassle-free night, and I'll investigate what they
    have on record. 
    
    Rod

    Three lps, I think, Rod - new one just out is called Hunkpapa, and
    the single Dizzy is getting some airplay. Apparently their style
    has become slightly less frantic on the new one.
    
    I only discovered them recently, and haven't bought any records
    yet.
    
    Bob, who missed them at the Town and Country a couple of weeks back
    due to illness....
    

    
    I saw Simply Red last night,at Wembly Areana.
    They played for over 2 hours, which was split into two halves.
    In the first half they played all thier slow type numbers and in
    the second half they let rip with all their quick stuff like, 
    "Come to my aid" and "Do the right thing" etc.
    But the highlight of the evening for me was definately when
    Mike Hucknall did "Holding back the years" on his own, with an acoustic
    guitar. This was a brilliant number and just showed what a fantastic
    voice the man has.
      I saw them 3 years ago at Glastonbury and they was good then, but
    they did not have as much material as they do now. They play all
    thier good numbers and blend them all together very well.
    
    Quite Impressed !!
    			Dave.. 
    split into two halves

    I'm seeing them tonight...watch this space!
    
    Keith

    Simply Red, Friday. Agree with previous report, especially Hucknall
    doing "Holding back the years" with just an acoustic guitar. He has an
    amazing voice. I just wish I'd been nearer the stage; the sound in
    Wembley 3/4 of the way back is rubbish.
    
    Keith

    Well, My Ears are still ringing from Last Nights "Diesel Park West"
    concert in some London Club (can't remember the name, but it is
    near Islington Tube).
    
    The band's new album "Shakespeare Alabama" has been widely publicised,
    and is on offer for �3.99 to promote it. The best description of
    this Leicester based band is that they are a guitar band, with four
    in all and a drummer. The music is unfortunately pretty derivative,
    with strains of U2, REM, Genesis and The Beatles. If you can ignore
    that however, there are some pretty good songs there.
    
    I really enjoyed it, it was refreshing to hear some down to earth
    music for once. I went into the thick of the dancing for the last
    two songs and following encores, and it was the usual cross between
    jumping up and down and pushing other people around!
    
    The band seemed confident and very capable. I can't help thinking
    that they have too many guitarists though.
    
    The support band were also very good, consisting of two female backing
    singers, one guitarist/lead singer, one double bass(ist), and a
    keyboard player. I *think* they were called something silly like
    the Mineral Waters.
    
    Anyway, it was all good fun, and I can definitely recommend their
    Album. �3.99 well spent.
    
    Enjoy
    
    Mark

    Is that place the Town and Country 2, perhaps, Mark?
    
    The band sound like they are worth checking out
    
    Bob

    RE. 125
    
    Yes, Thats it.
    
    Forgot, I liked the venue too.
    
    Mark

                                                                
     		Fairport Convention at Somerville Theatre
    
    Saw Fairport Convention last night and thoroughly enjoyed myself,
    much to my surprise!  This incarnation consisted of Dave Pegg, 
    Simon Nichol, Ric Sanders, Dave Mattacks & Martin Allcock and
    featured primarily stuff from their new album Red & Gold as well
    as a couple of songs from Nichol's solo album Before Your Time.
    
    We were in the first row in a decrepid old theatre, and the
    atmosphere was magic!  It was a small enough venue that it felt
    like we were all friends sitting around watching them jam.  Ric
    Sanders is amazing on the fiddle and Martin Allcock, not half
    bad ;-) on *whatever* he picked up!
    
    As an aside....we had dinner in a bar across the street before the
    show and while there noticed a group of men who came in soon after
    we did to sit at a table next to us.  They were sitting having a 
    few beers, and got concerned because at 7:30 (show to start at 8pm) 
    their food still hadn't arrived. We left them voicing their concern 
    to the waitress.  You can imagine our surprise when who should stroll
    on stage promptly at 8, but the same men we had left in the bar
    - the band themselves!!  Wonder if they ever got their dinner?!

Simple Minds, Sunday 28th May 1989 : Frejus Arena
=================================================

I have now seen Simple Minds three times in three different countries
(Scotland, Glasgow Tiffany's, Dec82; England, London Hammersmith, Apr84;
and France, Frejus, May89).   The most pleasurable, of course, was the
gig in Glasgow - one of three "thankyou" shows for the people who had
supported them from their home city.   It was the end of an era, and
last night demonstrated just how much they have changed during the
intervening seven years.   Gone are the melodic synthesizer riffs, the
appalling stage sound and mumbling vocals.   In are booming guitars
and drums, swish production and a lead vocalist who wants to tell the
world how to run it's business from behind a microphone.

Kerr, as always, was the centre of attraction with the brains behind the
group (McNeill and Burchill) remaining almost stoichal at their instruments.
The show started with him on a raised platform behind the drummer.  But
no more of this jumping and running lark - nowadays he strides up and
down the ramps.   So with a crash of thunder and flash of lights they
opened with a track from the current album.   They then spent most of the
first half hour with tracks from the current album including "Mandela Day".
By this time the audience were getting a bit restless so we had a couple
of upbeat dance songs like "Don't you forget about me" and "Waterfront".
Then it was back to the new album which sounds as though it's trying
to be a "New Gold Dream" but doesn't quite succeed.   At the end of this,
there was a stupid McNeill/Burchill "Scottish" duet on guitar and accordion,
which went down like a lead balloon.   Back at the dancing there were some
more tracks from "Once Upon A Time".   The highlights (for me anyway) were
the slower songs - "Big Sleep" and "Book of Brilliant Things" (much better
than the album version - Steve "Big Country" Lillywhite has alot to answer for).
The crowd didn't like them much.

For encore they did some more conscience rock - "Sun City" and "Biko"
and for second encore they did "Sanctify Yourself", a tedious version of 
"East at Easter" and "Alive and Kicking".   They had played for over two
hours and everyone seemed to be very happy.   I went home and played side
one of "Sister Feelings Call" and reminisced.   I was happy too.

For the record, the songs played were :-

    Current Album	 : the whole lot

    Once Upon A Time	 : Alive and Kicking
			   Sanctify Yourself
			   Ghostdancing

    Sparkle In The Rain  : Book of brilliant things
			   Waterfront
			   East at Easter

    New Gold Dream	 : Big Sleep

    Sister Feelings Call : Theme for great cities (a big beat version for intro
					           and outro - quite good)

    I went to see Guy Clarke in CJ's last night here in Galway.
    The 'Guy':-) was great...he played for over 2 hours...just
    him and his guitar. He performed songs from his new album and 
    also lots of oldies...Desperados,She ain't going nowhere etc...
    
    The interludes and anecdotes between songs were just as interesting
    and amusing as the songs themselves. He's got a wry sense of humour 
    and what can only be described as a Texan glint in his eyes...like
    at one time he was describing San Francisco and he said something
    like this..."Anybody ever been to S.F.?...well let me tell ya they
    do some mighty weird things out there...like they dug up all the
    natural plants there and covered the area with concrete...then they
    made holes in the concrete and stuck plants in them!!"...that was
    his introduction to his song "L.A. Freeway"...he also had a song
    called "Caterpillar"(machinery that is) that has the very funny line
    "Heavy Metal is not Rock'n'Roll to me"!...each song has and is a
    true story...and his lyrics really visually capture it.
    
    Don't miss this fella if you get a chance to see him...his is a
    living legend.
                                              
    - Dave K.

    
    The Proclaimers - The Channel 31st May 1989
    
    Being a Scot I couldn't miss this chance to see some local heroes
    play in Boston. They came on stage at approx. 11.15pm and played
    for over 1� hours, with the club being sold out the atmosphere was
    tremendous. Song Sheet: Come on Nature, I'm on my Way, Throw the
    R away, Cap in Hand, My Old Friend the Blues, Hard Times, Over and
    Done With, Sky takes the Soul, Letter from America, Teardrops, Wot
    do you do, Sean, Sunshine on Leith, Burn your Playhouse Down, I'm
    Gonna Be, I Met you, Joyfull Kilmarnock Blues, Beautiful Truth,
    and Jean. 
    
    The encore of Jean was wild with Charlie starting to smash up the
    stage. Afterwards we managed to spend about 15 mins with them backstage
    and they were extremely friendly - no ego trips or anything. 
    
    I first saw these guys as support to the Housemartins in 1986 at
    the Assembly Rooms where they were fantastic as just a duo, but
    last nights performance was one of the memorable shows I've ever
    seen ... catch these guys when they come again!

    I agree wholeheartedly; they do put on a great show.  It's also
    true that they've got a decent-sized loyal following here in 
    Boston, so it's like a party when you see them.
     
    I did notice, though, that last night's performance was almost
    exactly the same as the one they did at the Paradise on March 1,
    right down to the amazing rendition of Jean that brought down the
    house again last night.
                                                                    
    If I didn't like them so much I might have been disappointed by
    the repetition. 
    
    Sue 

    'The Mamas and Papas'
    
    May 31st - Bradford St Georges Hall.         
    
    What ? Who ? 'The Mamas and Papas' I thought one of them died ? OK
    The 'Mamas and Papas' MK II consist of John Philips, Scott McKenzie
    (If you're going to San Fransisco...), Mackenzie Philips (John's
    daughter) and Spanky Macfarlane (Spanky and Our Gang).
    
    Evidently Scott and John  are old school friends and Spanky was
    an old friend of Cass Elliot's. In her words they had a trio in
    Chicago, Cass, Spanky and Jack Daniels.
    
    So for all you other ageing hippies who remember the days of Monterey
    Pop etc here's the low down. 
    
    This is not a big budget show, really it's just capitalizing on
    the wave of 60's nostalgia that's around, but why not. For any original
    M&P fan like me it was great. California Dreaming,Monday Monday,
    Dedicated to the one I love, Straight Shooter, Dream a little Dream,
    Look through my Window, etc all the old hits where there. John is
    looking old, he admitted he's 53, Scott has put on weight, Spanky
    is a similar build to Cass, Mackenzie looks a bit like her mum but
    the overall sound is good. In comparison to the original
    records the main difference is the lack of the sweet top harmonies
    that Cass and Michelle used to do but even so my wife and I really
    enjoyed ourselves. The hall wasn't full, which was a shame , and
    there were a lot of young people there, obviously having been
    introduced to the group by their parents, and they were into the
    music just as much as us older ones. It showed how strong John Philips
    songs are as they all still sounded so good 20 years on. I don't
    know where else in the UK they are appearing, but if you're into
    the 60's and you get the chance to go - do so.
    
    Richard Bell
                         

    Some advice??
    
    Have a chance to see The Cure this coming August at Toronto's CNE
    stadium.  I have seen the band perform a couple of years ago following
    their Head on the Door album - superb concert.
    
    So, is the $27 (cdn) ticket price worth seeing them again?  I can't
    say I've been overly impressed by their recent releases...
    
    
    The second concert I have seats for is Jeff Healey. I recall reading
    a note on his appearance in England last year!  He is a spectacular
    guitarist, and a Canadian to boot!  This is my first Healey venue
    - will I enjoy it?

          
  The Stone Roses - The Venue, Edinburgh - 21st June 1989.

  I went along to this gig without having heard any of the tracks by this
  band, not even the two singles Sally Cinammon and Elephant Stone. I had
  never seen the Venue this busy, with all the exposure the band had been
  getting in the music press maybe it wasn't so surprising. They played
  for and hour then left (no encore), but they left everybody happy. I can't
  name any of the tracks they played from their debut album, but who cares
  about that - I had a great time!

  I thoroughly recommend that you buy this album

    SIMPLY RED - THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL - THURSDAY 29TH JUNE
    
    
    Never been to the RA before, not a bad venue if your in a 
    seat facing the stage but we had seats classed as 'Restricted View'
    which meant they were on the side looking down on the stage.
    Anyway not to be put off when the concert started we found some
    empty seats on the balcony and had a brilliant view.
    
    There was no support act Simply Red came on at 8.20 and played a
    few songs from their new album, which were very reggaish (?sp)
    however as I haven't got their new album yet I couldn't really
    get into them.  Then 'Holding back the Years' and few from albums
    1 and 2.  
    
    A ten minute break and then they went into about 40 minutes non
    stop of their best known hits, Moneys too tight to mention, Red
    Box, etc.
    
    Mick Hucknall has a brilliant voice and you could have been forgiven
    for thinking that the band were miming - you couldn't tell the 
    difference from the records.
    
    The Royal Albert is a strange place to go for a concert as the
    atmosphere is ....well strange.  Not one person got up to dance
    until the second half and that was only on Mick Hucknalls insistance.
                                                              
    I enjoyed Simply Red but didn't feel I was at a concert more like
    a recital where one just doesn't let one's self go!!!!
    
    Marks out of 10 for band - 9
    
    Marks out of 10 for venue - 5
    
    Mazzer
    
    

    Simple Minds, Thursday 29th June 1989; Olympiahalle, Munich
    ===========================================================

    See note 20.128 for a review, for it was identical, except they
    must've sung a wee bit slower because they were on for 3 hours !!
    
    Crowd : About 15,000 

 Thanks BISTRO::WARD, that was easy...........
    
	- Rockin Robin..........

    
    	Robbie,
    
    	You didn't get there for the Silencers??? after all my hype???
    	'I'm disappointed!'.        	
    
    	Dezzz says they was brill !!

    	Doug (Spurtle)
    

    
                            JAMES - MANCHESTER RITZ
                         
    Now this was some gig. Last Wednesday was the night of my life.
    Living in Leeds I had always found it a pain having to travel miles
    to see my favorite groups. James had always played Sheffield on
    each of their tours so I would always force myself to catch the
    National Express because of their excellent live performances. Anyway
    looking in my N.M.E. I noticed that their next tour didn't involve
    Sheffield...the nearest they played to me was Manchester...on a
    Wednesday night. I nearly didn't go. But then I remembered the last
    time I saw them and how I had felt 'healed' (honestly) after such
    an uplifting set, so I took a day and a half off work and headed
    out for James' home town. There was no chance of me finding anyone
    else who would pay out so much to see such a 'small' group as James
    from around where I lived so it looked like I was going on my own.
    Anyway as I boarded the coach a guy in a bright red James T-Shirt
    looked at my 'trendy' James badges and said it looks like we're
    off to the same place! As we crossed the dingy rain swept Manchester
    moors a sense of excitement came over me. At last I would tread
    the streets that inspired my heros...Morrissey, Curis, Tim
    Booth....Manchester so much to answer for.
    The lad went off to meet his girlfriend as I joined the fairly big
    queue. The touts were out in force proving that James are no longer
    the faceless strangers they were on Sire. With the new single at
    No 2 in the indie charts and the live album having held the No1
    spot for 3 weeks James are going on to better things. Anyway I managed
    to find myself a spot on the front row...well that's where the
    atmosphere is...and I'm only small so I wouldn't have been able
    to see anything anywhere else!!!! During the hour wait I got talking
    to the Manchester lads stood next to me (who kindly saved my place
    as I went to purchase my bright red T-Shirt, and again when I got
    thirsty and yet again when the alcohol reached my bladder!) they
    were into all same music as myself (you know...Moz, The Wedding
    Present...all indie guitar pop type stuff) so we got through quite
    a bit before the support act came on. They had some really wierd
    name...something about 'Daffodils'. Amazingly there was not one
    idiot telling them to 'F**k off, where's James?'. In fact they were
    very warmly accepted and it was obvious that The Ritz had found
    itself a really good crowd tonight. So after the mediocre support
    the atmosphere mounted...you could slit it with a knife (urgh).
    The crowd began to shout 'Tim Booth','come on Tim' and 'You're the
    pride of Manchester'. The front row was getting sweaty and my chest
    was being compressed against the front barrier, but amazingly the
    barrier was the most comfatable I have ever come across. The edge
    of the stage had at the top a piece of red cinema seating type
    cushoning and for a change I wasn't being dug into by a piece of
    metal or wood with nail sticking out of it. One other snippit,
    Morrissey was suppossed to be back stage, so of course there were
    quite a few people shouting for him.
    Finally James appeared and nothing else mattered. Everything was
    perfect, the songs, Tims voice, the music, the crowd...James live
    are a real experience. The lyrics grab hold of you and then the
    music whips you up and throws you around like a rag doll and what
    they were saying was oh so true. Tim came an crouched down next
    to me and the crowd grabbed him, he was like some idol that everyone
    wanted to touch, me included. The guy next to me was ripping up
    Tims shirt in a mad frenzy and Tim had to fight his way out of the
    maddening crowd. With each song my euphoria grew and evan though
    some would find it impossible to dance on the front row of a concert
    full of 2,000-3,000 steaming bodies, I couldn't help myself...I
    was overcome (seriously). They went off for the first time and we
    all shouted ourselves horse calling for more. Tim and Jim came on
    first to play a wonderfull track 'Folk Lore' just the two of them
    and the contentment and happiness of it all took me over. The rest
    of the group came on and after prompting from Tim the crowd sung
    'Happy Birthday' to Simeon the Violinist and Guitarist! Then James
    went on and I honestly felt close to tears at the different emmotions
    I was feeling. For a change I was at the right place, at the right
    time and these were the right people. The last song was unbelivable,
    it was what they had worked up to and it climaxed amazingly, looking
    around me I could see so many stunned faces, as if shocked at what
    was going on but this was the night James came of age and everyone
    there knew it. On vinyl they are fine, very good and improving.
    On stage they are stunning, uplifting and improving. This was the
    3rd time I had seen them, if they get any better next time I see
    them live then I will probably become a monk...There would be nothing
    else worth living for!
    On the way back I thought about what I had seen and the only thing
    I could compare it with was something out of the New Testament.
    I sat in silence and for once found myself 'happy'. I had danced
    out so much that was pent up inside me, that I felt so good, on
    top of the world...I have experienced this in small ammounts before,
    but never anything like Wednesday night...I didn't know wether to
    laugh or cry...so I found myself doing both.
    
    Bruce, Leeds
    
    (James play The Marquee tonight (4th) 7.30 p.m.)

    Well Mike I thought I better let everyone else know what a good
    group James are!!!!!!
    
    Did you go???????
    
    Bruce, Leeds
    

This gig was supposed to be a celebration of American Independance day, but
don't let that put you off.  Apart from some bunting and ballons strewn around
the darkened walls of the Mean Fiddler, and a handful of bright-eyed young
Americans you would hardly have realised that it actually was July the 4th.

The support for Mojo was a terrible cock-rock'n'roll outfit called the
Del-Lords.  They played sub-standard ramones type rock and they played it far
too loud for a cramped little cave like the Fiddler, and suceeded in crippling
everybody's eardrums with their guitar assault.  We had screaming axe solos
from the lead imbecile, boring drum solos from some long haired neanderthal 
with an ego problem and a cliche ridden slow number with all four singing one
of those hideous ballad type numbers into one mike.  It was Bon Jovi, no, it
was Iron Maiden, no, it was just plain bollocks.  Apparently these guys are
Mojo's standard support, lord knows why...

However, around half past eleven Mojo and Skid took to the stage.  I thought I
was going to be dissapointed when I saw it was just the two of them who were
going to play, especially as Skid was playing a washboard stuck on the end of a
broomstick and one tiny cymbal.  But from this strange contraption he managed
to produce a brilliant backbeat to all the songs which put some of the best
drum machines to shame.  Mojo had some old beaten-up geetar which he had to
abandon for a better one after the second song as the plug kept falling out.

The evening got wilder as it went on.  It started with fairly straight
renditions of his songs, whilst he was sitting down playing his guitar and
slagging of various other people ("Which evil mother allowed Queen to make
another album"), and telling the audience of his 14-hour sexual exploits with
the now infamous Debbie Gibson.  Things got stranger when he started spraying
the audience with beer in a Moby Dick impression and climbing up the balcony
and leaping off into the crowd.  Though his act got wilder, the songs remained
brilliant throughout, highlights being "I'm a mushroom maniac", and "I saw
Jesus at Macdonalds at Midnight".  Skid Roper played an excellent country
guitar melody of old songs like "Ghost riders in the sky" and proved himself to
be a better guitarist than old Mojo himself, who was hammering hell out of a
large plastic jug as a bingo at the time.

The show went on for an hour and a half, for his encore he bought the Del-Lords
back on, and that's when I left.  I didn't them to spoil what a brilliant
atmosphere Skid and Mojo had created.  Buy the album `Root Hog or Die' to hear
what the man is actually like, but that's only half his talent as live he's
somthing else...

	Lee.

    If that was a description of a good concert, I'd love to read a bad
    one.

    
    I think I would have prefered BJ or IM to that load of trollop.

    
    Just ignore 'em Lee...I'm with you on MN and SR.
    
    A bright-eyed young American.

    Re .138 and .141:
    
    Great reviews. Who says the youf of today can't write good?
    
    
    Rod

    Ah yes - The Silencers.   They supported Simple Minds at the Frejus
    concert I attended a few weeks back.   Radio Monte Carlo (Italian)
    has been playing lots of their album so I went along specially
    early to catch them.   Well they were very good - getting the crowd
    dancing in the way SM used to (but don't really now).   Some of their
    songs are extremely catchy and very nationalistic (I always shout
    out the car window to "Glasgow's a Go Go !!").   I don't know how
    they go down in the old home town but they certainly caught the
    eye (and ear) here in France ...
    
    Must buy the album.

    
    In Germany Silencers gave Support for SM too. It was great !
    It was the first time for me that the croud cried for an encore
    after the support-band left the stage...
    
    .146 > Must buy the album.
    
    I hope you know that there are 2 LPs from the Silencers:
    -	A letter from st. paul (1987)
    -	A blues for buddha (1988)
    Impossible for me, to say which one is the better.... They are both 
    great.
    
    		Guido�
    
    

    The Damned - The Channel  18th July 1989.

Farewell Tour: Started the set with a mixture of tracks of the first two
albums. The lineup was Vanian, Scabies, Sensible and James. Neat Neat Neat,
New Rose, Fish etc all went down well with an energetic(!) crowd.

Changed lineup after �hour with Sensible going onto guitar and ????? playing
bass (James leaving the stage), this was (IMO) the best set of the night with
all the classics from "Machine Gun Etiquette" .... 'Just Can't Be Happy',
'Smash it Up', 'Love Song', 'Melody Lee' etc.

Encore: All 5 members of the band take the stage, Sensible appears in his 
underwear, they cover 'Daytripper' by the Beatles and a MC5 number. At the 
end of this Sensible removes his knickers and throws them into the crowd.

2nd Encore: Still buck naked Sensible appeals to the audience to buy his new
album "Revolution", saying if they don't he would sh!t on the front row ...
which he preceded to attempt (by parting those cheeks). They appropriately play
'This Could be the Last Time'.

The gig had one spoiler ... the idiots slam dancing and stage diving (as usual).

????? --- gone brain dead and can't remember this guys name

Capt. Stuart and Ed Scabies.

  The Cure at Wembley. 23/7/89.

  The show we've all been waiting for.  Is it Robbies swansong, or will 
Numanitis set in?  It doesn't matter, for they have never been bigger or 
brighter or wider.  Make no mistake, this is Robbie at the height of his 
power, the largest spider that ever there was.  If you miss this tour,  not 
even prayer will help you.

  Plainsong opened, and seemed perfect.  Robbie appeared out of the mist, and 
prowled up and down the front of the stage, making sure that we were all 
trapped in his web.  The lights were used to good effect.  Some bands get a 
bit carried away with a brand new set of Varilights, but not the the Cure.

  Some of the stuff from Disintergration suffered a little in the live 
environment.  Its really made for listening to on your own in the dark, not 
thundering out in 15000 seater stadiums.   At time, those tracks seemed dirge 
- like, maybe even treated as a form of therapy.  Sometimes swimming the same 
deep water as Robert is hard.

The band and the audience seemed happier when they realised what we dare not 
admit - The Cure are a killer singles band.  Just Like Heaven was the first 
breaking point.  Just a bunch of crazy pop kids.  Then Catch, Inbetween days, 
Close to me, The Walk, Lets go to bed, Charlotte Sometimes.  A Forest was 
dragged out a little, Robbies guitar soloing at the end seemed to come to an 
end, then there was a little more, and then again ( and again and againand 
againandagain).

Disintergration was venemous, and spat out with anger.  It was the last song 
of the main set, and just as it always ends, we smiled for a second.  We were 
kept waiting for the encores, the crowd went bananas.  Apparently, they were 
trying to decide what to play next.  Robert said that he was fed up with 
having to play the same songs over and over.

Why can't i be you was a medly with lovecats, with a human beatbox intro.

Holy hour was the second encore, followed by another I couldn't place (anyone 
there that can help?).  There was more after that, but we had to leave to 
catch a train.  Our own, noone elses. 

See this band.

Mike

    Great review, Mike!
    
    Lani

re 19.123
>    Diesel Park West at the London Astoria Theatre, 10th August.
>    
>    Mark

Well Mark how was it?

Actually Mark didn't go neither did the two other people who were due to go 
with us so I had to find 3 substitutes. Well Mark etc. you missed a great band.

I was tremendously impressed. 3 guitars,bass and drums, harmony vocals.
Byrds/Spirit/Moby Grape/REM... I guess are the big influences but they have
their own identity. They encored with Neil Young's 'Mr Soul' so that gives you
some idea of the band. 

Very, very powerful music. Their album 'Shakespeare Alabama' has been one of
the best of the last year IMO. Apart from their great overall sound they have
written some very strong songs. I took along 4/5 of the band I play in
(including myself). Only one of them had ever heard of DPW and he hadn't heard
the music at all. They were extremely inpressed and we came out trying to
decide which songs we could cover. 

They played a pretty short set about 1hour, most of the stuff from the album
which transfers very well to the live environment. The support act were called
I think Mainstream and were pretty good in a not dissimilar vein but Diesel
Park West were *so* much better. DPW must be pretty self confident to go on
with such a strong supporting act. I hope they get the success that they
deserve. 

Nigel

The PIXIES with Ultra Vivid Scene - The Living Room, Providence, RI, USA-8/14/89

Wow. Loud. Sweat. Slam. Ear drum buzz. Sweat.


I wasn't  much  of  a  Pixies  fan before I went.  Never owning any of their
stuff  I just heard them on the radio.  But I didn't pass up the opportunity
to  see  them.   Never  having  been  to  the Living Room (about 1 hour from
Boston) I found it pretty reasonable (although they let in under-21-ers - no
flames).  Anyway, the place was HOT HOT HOT and packed packed PACKED.  Sweat
stew.   They played over an hour I think but didn't do "Here Comes Your Man"
which  was  surprising.   I  think the encore was shortened because of stage
diving  as I really expected HCYM but it didn't really detract from the show
at all.

Everyone certainly  enjoyed  it...I hope when they play Boston the venue has
A/C!  Ultra  Vivid  Scene  from NYC opened and were pretty good.  They had a
combination  synth/cello  player  who  made weird background noises with her
mouth.   They have a killer track "Mercy Seat" which makes their show really
worthwhile.

Opening for them was a RI (?) band "Honey Bunch". They were satisfactory.

Ed

Re: -1

The Honey Bunch were OK, sounded a bit like early Aztec Camera. They lost
their keyboards after the second track due to technical probs, but they
persevered and went down well with the crowd.

Ultra Vivid Scene, these guys were great. I bought the CD about a month ago
and have played it regularly since then ... the tracks I can remember were
'Crash', 'She Screamed' and the brilliant 'Mercy Seat'. The keyboard/celloist
was kinda cute with some cool sounds on 'Mercy Seat'.

The Pixies kick ass, started with 'Bone Machine' and got better throughout 
the night ... other tracks 'Gigantic', 'Monkey Gone ...', 'Debasser' were
the oustanding (imo). Wish I had tix for tonight.

Went to see UVS but for me the Pixies are sh*t hot, no other American band
(some UK though) around that even come near to these guys ... no doubt I'll
be shot down in flames for that one.

ANyone heading to the Paradise tonight have a good time, get there early and
check out the Happy Mondays.

    Yeah, I went to see the Pixies at Kilburn, London, a few weeks ago.
    (Adopting Carlsberg voice) probably the loudest concert I've been
    to!
    
    As you say, they certainly know how to kick bottom. The two albums
    I have on tape, are probably my current favourites.
    
    As to how they compare with other bands, REM imho come pretty close!
    
    Mark.

	 Happy Mondays at Axis, Boston, MA, USA August 17th 1989

Hey, whoa!  Happy  Mondays  in  Boston.  Word musta not gottaround tooo good
since there were only about 200 people present but I was there.  They played
a  loud  short  set  of about 45 minutes but it was packed with POWER! These
guys are full of fun and energy. Song list (yes, I swiped another):

	E (?)
	24 Hour Party People
	Tart Tart
	Porno (?)
	Clap Your Hands
	Mad Cyril
	Wrote for Luck
	Lazyitis (encore)

Can't complain for $5!

Ed

    
    
    Danny Wilson in *superb* form at Ayr last night.
    
    Playing a mixture of their 2 albums over 1� hours, plus an excellent 
    cover of that old ABBA classic KNOWING ME KNOWING YOU.
    
    For the first of their 2 encores, they had the crowd on its feet
    with MARY'S PRAYER.   Lead singer/guitarist Gary Clark stole the
    show on both his musical performance and his sense of humour.
    
    Song of the night for me was probably A GIRL I USED TO KNOW (or
    as Gary Clark put it - "a lassie I used tae ken")
    
    Laugh of the night was Gary's shout - "as Jim Ker would say (in
    Jim Kerr voice) 'IT'S GREAT TO BE HOME'"
    
    But again, a first class show and another great night out in the
    old Pavilion.
    

    
    
    Michael
    

    
    Well, casual noter here that I am, I don't know if there are any
    Miami Sound Machine fans amongst you (from the note titles I doubt
    it), but here're my feelings about there concert at Wembley last
    night.
    
    There was no support group and so we got an hour and a half of 
    Gloria and the lads on their own. They started with a couple of
    up-tempo favourites and then did the intro bits (Hi are you
    all having a good time, etc, etc). They followed that with a meddley
    of slow tracks, of which only one was very well known (maybe the
    others are on the new album), and then went into another series
    of dancey tracks. The crowd seemed a bit over-enthusiastic for
    the band (lots of cheering and whistling for no reason), but 
    didn't seem very keen on getting up and dancing.
    
    Gradually the thing warmed up and by the end the atmosphere was
    great.
    
    What were the group like? Excellent is a fair description. They
    really can play their instruments (the sax player being especially
    good) and don't let anyone tell you that Gloria Estefan can't sing,
    she did one or two numbers with just keyboards or acoustic guitar
    backing and it sounded terrific (Don't Want to lose you being 
    particularly memorable).
    
    I didn't really know what to expect of the group, but they put on
    a good show (which I like) and the sound was good too, in that you
    could hear what Gloria was singing, but still hear the musicians
    too.
    
    A review in the Daily Mail on Tuesday really slagged them off as
    formula latin music and a star vehicle, but neither seemed a fair
    comment on last night's showing where all the group had a chance
    to show their talent and even a rather coy audience were finally
    tempted to get out of their seats and dance.
    
    Mark  

[Sorry for the delay]

Pop Will Eat Itself - at Axis in Boston - September 21, 1989

This was  a great show and these guys certainly showed what they're made of.
Musicians  consisted of two guitars and two vocalists (one with intermittent
bull-horn)  and drums/beatbox/samples/etc were on tape. The fact was the two
frontmen showed so much energy that even though half of the show was Memorex
didn't matter [no flames].

The covered  the main songs from their last two CD's excluding perhaps their
main  anthem:  "Hit  the High-Tech Groove". [Although they certainly got the
point  of that song across without playing it! They're claims of: "You don't
have   to   have   integrity/you   have   to  have  ability/You  don't  need
respectability" - Were certainly obvious.]

They opened  with  great  versions  "Preaching  to  the Perverted", "Wise Up
Sucker"  and  "Not Now James, We're Busy"...then they kicked in with an okay
version of "Grebo Guru". The fact is that these guys come across to me as UK 
Beastie   Boys...naughty,  have  beatbox  will  travel  and  heavy  Run  DMC
influences.

The set  continued  with  "Wake  Up",  "There is No Love Between us Anymore"
during which all memebers wielded guitars and "PWEI-sation".

Before the  next  song  "Inject  Me" the boys grabbed three girls out of the
audience  as  backup  dancers. The girls who just didn't have it were kicked
off  before  "Satellite". Then came the hightlights "Def.Con.One" and "Can U
Dig It" during which the slamming was strongest [these people will certainly
slam  to anything! But it certainly was polite, people were picking up those
who  dropped  - fortunately I was on the sidelines.] The main set ended with
"Let's Get Ugly"

The first  encore was their cover of "Love Missle F1-11" and "Beaver Patrol"
and  the  group  was persuaded out for another appearance with "Or Gone" and
"All Gone" [No too sure about those song titles]

Everyone certainly went home happy....

"T-T-T-T-T-Take a beatbox and add a garage racket"

Ed

     Big Audio Dynamite - September 30, 1989 - The Channel in Boston

For fall  the  Channel  sure was HOT - it was steaming. It doesn't help when
you're carrying two jackets and the place is sold out. Unfortunately for me,
BAD wasn't hot enough. They were okay but I've seen much better...

It could  just  be me but most of the set was just so so. I've heard the new
album  about  twice  all the way through and heard some on the radio but the
new  songs  were pretty weak. All the singles rang through so maybe I'm just
not a big enough BAD fan (the only album I own, I won).

Mick Jones  wasn't  looking  his  best  (this  was the last of 3 consecutive
shows).  He's  actually  wimped out since nearly dieing. Whenever one of the
slammers  would  go  "air-borne"  he'd basically stop singing and say "'ere,
let'em  down  easy  then" or "watch yourself, don't get hurt"....Needless to
say I haven't seen him since '82 or '83 whenever the "Combat Rock" tour was.

Songlist:

	Sightsee M.C.
	House Arrest
	Green Lady
	Hollywood
	Contact
	Baby Don't Apol (egize?)
	All Sts (Saints?) Road
	Dragon Town
	Just Play Music
	Medicine Show
	E=MC^2
	-
	James Brown
	C'mon Every Beatbox
	-
	Bottom Line


In all they played 90 minutes ... it was real ironic because the opening act
finished pretty early and had only two turntables on wheels as equipment and
it  STILL took over an hour for BAD to come on...the whole crowd was cursing
and  chanting  "BAD  SUCK!"  (when  in actuallity it was probably the club's
policy  to  put  the  band  on  as late as possible to suck in those alcohol
profits  even  though  no  one  could  move  more  than an inch in any given
direction).  The  reaction  after most of the songs was like the messiah had
come. "How soon they forget"...

    re.159
    >>(when  in actuallity it was probably the club's
    >>policy  to  put  the  band  on  as late as possible to suck 
    >>in those alcohol profits
    
    That's what I *hate* about the Channel!!  I end up getting home
    at 3:30 am when I go there....fine on a weekend, but during the
    week it stinks!!
                  
    Sue

In New  York  its  even  worse Sue, I've been in club where the band doesn't
come  on  until past 2:30 a.m.!!!!!!!! Usually for shows like that you don't
have  to leave home until mid-night...gives you a chance to catch some sleep
before-hand or just go right to work from the club!

Ed

    Ed, I think its just that I'm getting old :-)
    
    You know, after reading your reviews, I'm too shy to enter any
    myself.  Suffice to say that I saw Simply Red last Saturday night
    at the Orpheum.  Mica Paris, the opening act, stunk.  Simply Red
    were good, not great.  I expected more from them.

Ah yes,  last  Saturday,  I  can  almost  recall it. BAD, Simply Red and The
Pogues all played Boston (were the Stones playing that day too? I don't keep
track  of groups as old as my parents :-) I was surprised that BAD even sold
out  after  two  previous  nights!  And  yes  their  opening  act was Simply
Dreadful!!! :-) :-)

Ed

    Hey I go to concerts too Ed...reviews for:
    
    Band Of Holy Joy/James - London Town & Country Club 2
    Futurama (Day 3) - Bradford Palace
    
    follow.
    
    Bruce

    "Excuse me, but don't I know you?"
    
    It was a girl....a girl who had made a real impression on me back
    in August. We met at The Care Concert, I was going wild to the
    extreamly short James set and I turned to see this girl - The girl
    with the unbelivable smile (a quote from a Bob song) hit me immediatly!
    - She was wonderful, dressed really strange and so sweet. She'd
    come up from London to see James play 4 songs (I could
    understand...James have that effect on people!). Anyway here was I alone
    in London town and this girl appeared who I thought would be a just
    a memory for ever more (ahhhhh!). She was surrounded by lads, they
    were all great...I'll never slag off a cockney again. The disappointing
    thing was, I let her get away without trying to stay in touch, but
    this story has a happy ending (for a change!)....
    
    Digital had sent me off on a course at Gatwick airport so I took
    the chance to see my raves of the year - James -  without hesitation.
    I made it to Victoria station with no problems but was then suddenly
    knocked back by Mr Mischevious in the sky. The Victoria line was
    shut...using my initiative, I somehow managed to get to Highbury
    and Islington for 8.15, the black guy on the door mucked me about,
    pretended not to have my tickets while this other was yelling
    'O.K. we're sold out, no more'. This was the first hastle with the
    T&C2 bouncers and unfortunatly was not to be the last...
    
    On entering I found a place near the front...I was worried, the
    stage was a half a metre high...this could cause problems. The lager
    was good and I was soon talking to the cockneys around me. Above
    my head the 'talked about' N.M.E./C.N.D. video - Carry On disarrming,
    was playing and what a great video it seemed to be. Track after
    track of videos that deserve playing over and over 'cos they've
    been put together by groups with little or no money and still happen
    to be better than the Sinnita 'Love on a mountain top' vid, never
    mind Madonnas!
    
    By the time the Band Of Holy Joy appeared I had reaquainted myself
    with 'Magda' and the lads she was surrounded by were making me feel
    at home. B O H J were interesting, slightly dancable and half way
    through there set, they got me all emotional, a very sad song called
    'Shadows Fall' made them stand out from the crowd and made my knees
    go all wobbly! They didn't play an encore, there manager appeared
    after they'd disappeared to apologise but the instruments had all
    fallen apart during the last song and the lead singer had a sore
    throat. The manager seemed like a nice guy and he took to Magda
    too...she has this effect on lots of people!
    
    James appeared and I fell on the stage...everyone fell on the stage,
    they began playing 'Hang On She Said' and the bouncers began there
    regime of terror by stopping them real quick. Tim waved them away
    and pointed out that James fans would never dream of injuring  each
    other - true, each fan seems desparate to look after the others
    (I mean that, see it to believe it). BUT immediatly it bacame aparent
    that there were 2 great big nutters stood next to me who couldn't give
    a f**k about anyone else and began to tread on people around and
    about me. I knew already, things were gonna be spoiled...as I
    despiratly tried to dance my stomach began to ache...the lager had
    begun to churn. I move to the side and moderated my dancing trying
    to take in the songs that were sung. When I finally managed to listen
    and notice, it stuck me that James were even better than before
    and even more 'new and improved' with a trumpet now featuring in
    the 6/7 man line up. By the time James began Undertaker I had started
    to feel better. And Tims excellent voice began to take effect. After
    being uplifted by that James suddenly dropped us to the ground with
    "On Top Of The World" every one went silent...I just wanted a hand
    to hold...but there was no-one there...Tim crooned on in an excellently
    moody piece, I nearly fell apart there and then. Sit Down suffered,
    it was too slow and I always think it sounds better on vinyl (the
    only song of their's that does).
    
    The trumpeter showed promise, though it wasn't perfect, it was
    obviously gonna be good when he got it together.
    
    We called for an encore and this was when the bouncers became the
    party poopers. Just when things were getting bearable in the very
    dodgey venue, just when James began there closing number - the
    amazingly uplifting What For? - the bouncers decided to climb into
    the crowd and push everyone back...we moaned "Gerroff yer spoiling
    it" but just like bouncers they ignored us completly and ruined
    the ending of a good performance by James, but a disappointing night
    for their fans.
    
    Magda had to go and the manager of The Band Of Holy Joy had just
    managed to get her a back stage pass...but the train called them
    away and I never saw them go...
    
    James came on the video - Sit Down and everyone decided to dance,
    immediatly after the 'video of the year' appeared - Interesting Drug
    - people cheered...just to prove to N.M.E. that Mozzer wasn't forgoten.
    The picture went fuzzy at the end but we managed to make out the
    excellently heroic ending! The D.J. put Last Of The Famous
    International Playboys on the jukebox as the video was fast forwarded
    to the next goodie...The Wedding Present "Kennedy"....looking very
    much like a Birdland video.
    
    Waiting in Victoria station for the 1.00 a.m. Gatwick Express I
    heard two indie types commenting on The Stone Roses...I couldn't
    stand it...I went over and told 'em what I thought. One of 'em said
    they sounded just like the Byrds (sp) and the other said they were
    great - the former turned out to be the lead singer of 14 Iced Bears,
    while the later, who's address I have, turned out to be a freelance
    writter for Melody Maker - see what type of people like The Stone
    Roses...another reason to steer clear of 'em!
    
    Bruce, Leeds
             

    
    Artist:	Joe Strummer
    Venue:	Barrowlands, Glasgow
    Date:	Friday 6th Oct.
    
    Didn't really know what to expect here. I'd only had the new album a
    few days and I was still getting familiar with it. I don't know how you
    would describe his solo stuff but it is certainly different from his
    Clash days.
    
    The intro was the first track from the Walker soundtrack album. A very
    laid back acoustic number and while it was still playing Joe strolled
    on looking slightly humble and apologetic for disturbing our evening.
    The band hung about until the intro finished then Joe asks "Who was
    here last year?" Everyone roars and Joe just says "Well thanks for
    that...". For being such a mega living legend he's still just an
    ordinary guy off the street.
    
    Anyway, the first couple of numbers were completely new ones. Then he
    introduced Gangsterville, the single from the album, by saying "We
    should really miss this one and go onto the next but here goes
    anyway...". At this stage the concert is still very ordinary and could
    just as well be anybody up there, but then the next song changes all
    that. They launch into the first of many Clash numbers, this one being
    The City of The Dead. Although the new stuff is good the old Clash
    numbers stood out a mile. Others played included Whats my Name (my
    favourite on the night), London Calling, Armigideon Time, Police &
    Thieves, Pressure Drop, Straight to Hell....
    
    Joe still has all that power and raw energy but he now also has an
    added maturity about his music and performance. It was a good gig but
    you still felt that there was something missing, a bit like a BAD gig
    really. Mick and Joe really should give a go together again sometime
    and fill those gaps.
    
    Tommy
    

    
    "Hello again"
    
    It was my turn to be surprised...It was one of the guys from the
    London gig - Loz...and there was Magda..this was gonna be a great
    day!
    
    Word was that things had been bleak on the Friday and Saturday for
    Futurama and unless Sunday's show was a success, the whole thing
    would be labeled a washout. I wonder if the punters all turned up
    at the Leeds Queens Hall on those two days, or maybe they were
    interested in the good bands, who all happened to be due on the
    Sunday.
    
    The Summerfield.
    
    These opened the procceedings with to a non existant crowd. They
    were boring and rocky. I think the punters knew about 'em and made
    an effort to miss 'em.
    
    Treebound Story
    
    Now that's a big improvement, we have an Indie sound they cry as
    my foot begins to tap. They must have impressed as the dance floor
    began to fill up with people in stange clothes (making me feel out
    of place). I had got talking to a guy at this stage so I went to
    get us a drink and then sat on the floor myself...aha the stage
    was a much more acceptable height...I thought to myself with joy!
    The tasted the lager...which was sort of water, with a hint of lager
    in there somewhere. Just after Treebound Story finnished Loz spotted
    me and we went over to join him and Magda as The Pale Saint took
    the stage.
    
    Pale Saints
    
    One thing I had noticed already which was making Futurama an excellent
    festival was the speed in which the sets were changed for each group.
    They seemed to be only taking 10 miniutes between the bands.
    The Pale Saints happen to be another of N.M.E.'s bands of the moment
    and they were good, but there was nothing original or special about
    them. With a hard indie guitar sound...a mixture of Jesus and Mary
    Chain and Birdland...not bad. Oh one guy got up to dance just for
    the Pale Saints and the group never stopped to sat anything between
    songs...just gave out a bit of feedback...I think I've seen 'em
    before, but I can't remember where....
    
    New Fast Automatic Daffodils
    
    The name sort of says a lot about this Manchester scallie group.
    Strange, stupid and clumsy...but with some slight appeal! They
    supported James when I saw them in Manchester and don't seem to
    have progressed far. They have a really hard Scallie sound, too
    hard....the lead singer should sing not shout. I recognised two
    songs, the single - Lions and the very odd - Music Is Shit. Which
    seemed to have two lines, the title line and "The King is long dead,
    long dead, dead long".
    
    Bridewell Taxis
    
    Hey it's good fun knowing a lead singer of a band...you can sort
    of look cool as they take the stage and go and chat with them. And
    Mick's promised me a back stage pass for the next show! "Are you
    nervous?" I asked him..."Nah!" he said...I was stunned..."there's
    not enough here, it's a farce, if we convert 10 of these I'll be
    happy". He was angry at John Keenan (the organiser) for letting
    them down and mucking them about. They were supposed to receive
    500 pounds for the gig but were going to end up with 150 and they
    were expecting to go on at 5.30 but they were put on at 3.30. The
    trombonist only just arrived in time.
    But they were excellent. Mick took it with a pinch of salt and turned
    the 3rd best performance of the day. They have a really dancable
    indie/scally sound. They mix all the best bit from each of the
    Manchester scallie groups and just manage to get that little bit
    that's missing from them. They played a few new numbers and a 3
    from the 'Just Good Friends' 12 inch, Just Good Friends, Wild Boar
    and finally (when I yelled for it at the end) Hold On!
    
    More Later....
    
    Bruce, Leeds

    "You stayed at at hotel that cost 97 pounds a night to see James?!"
    
    "Welllll..."
    
    "Listen, next time you want to see James in London, you can stay
    at my house!"
    
    Picking myself up off the floor I got her address quick...Magda,
    you don't say things like that and get away with 'em. (I told you
    this story had a happy ending!). I didn't let on that Digital were
    paying for the hotel and I had really gone down to do an Influencing
    and Assertivness course! For the rest of the night I kept checking
    my pocket, making sure I didn't loose her address and phone number.
    You don't let a girl like that slip away.
    
    Back to Futurama....
    
    And All Because The Lady Loves...
    
    Followed Bridewell Taxis and were quite a let down. Producing very
    average indie pop and sounding very similar to 'The Rythmn Sisters'
    (but A.A.B.T.L.L. lack Bruce Foxton!).
    
    The Hollow Men
    
    Another Leeds group and I think that's why they got a good reception.
    They became the first averagly popular band of the day. Me, I thought
    they were average to good, but again, there was nothing to make
    them stand out from the crowd.
    
    Zoot and The Roots
    
    At this point I wanted to leave...who were these people. Yet another
    local group but god they didn't fit in! They seemed very jazzy for
    an indie gig, running round the stage blowing whistles and making
    strange noises into the microphone...good if you like that sort
    of thing, I think.
    
    When they left the stage we were all told to cheer for the bloke
    with the Paper Mache head....crys of 'Bobbins' rang out through
    the venue and there he was...Frank Sidebottom in person! The crowd
    loved him and I must admit he had me laughing. He left telling us,
    "Bradford, welcome Bradford".
    
    Bradford
    
    Another of the bands I had gone to see. Mr slimy sweetness with
    the suedehead - Ian thanked us all muchly for cheering and told
    us we didn't have to if we didn't want, but it did make him feel
    better if we clapped a bit...is this guy serious????!
    Unfortunatly Bradford weren't as good as they can be. They played
    too many new material which sounded very Style Councilish, nothing
    wrong with that, but after the first two singles the new stuff seems
    to be lacking. Ian's lyrics are great though, slightly reminsent
    of Morrissey (not at his best). They tell tales of wet wednesday
    afternoons alone in your room, dreaming of someone special. Maybe
    they were just off form that day?
    
    The second compere - The Late Henry Henderson introduced 'The Farm'
    and the crowd hated him. He informed us that he was dead and someone
    yelled "Go and get buryed then!". He informed us that he was our
    Raving looney green party candidate and someone shouted "Thank god
    for Thatcher" (actually I'd rather have Henry!). He attempted some
    average to boring jokes and then got worried. He shoved a microphone
    in Magda's face and she flinched away, the microphone hovered under
    my nose and I let out and involunatary nervous "HA!". He rejoiced
    in his success and then dissappeared in a puff of smoke (off stage
    left).
    
    The Farm
    
    Well these guys seemed a bit trendy...definatly scouser scallies
    and they seemed to have brought a small following. There songs went
    on too long though and they had too many band members. They were
    also extreamly selfish in that they decided they were going to stay
    on stage till quarter past six. I hate 'em....I'll explain why later...
    
    Frank Sidebottom returned and had us all singing along with a song
    that went something like - "I've been on Match Of The Day, In me
    pink shorts. And I do me mothers shopping, With me fantastic shopping
    trolley!!!" - Oh what fun!
    
    The Fall
    
    Took 'em a while to get set up for these guys and by the time they
    arrived we were all in agony on the front row, loads of Fall fans
    presurising our backs. Mark E. Smith appeared and looked cool and
    collected...then strained to lift the lecturn he had brought and
    completly ruined the effect. As if preaching they began and I had
    to strain myself from unplugging the speaker next to me...The Primal
    Scream fans egged me on, but I resisted. Seriously...isn't about
    time The Fall split up...they keep on promising to do so and although
    I admit to liking some stuff most of what they churn out now is
    repetetive s**t. Half way through the set Smith walked off saying
    "I want it level all the way...if you don't get it f**king level
    we can't play, back in 10 miniutes". The Fall fans cheered, the
    James fans groaned.
    When they returned they managed to put together a couple of good 
    numbers - Hit The North and Guest Informant. The heavy mob behind 
    me loved it. I gasped for air.
    
    Frank Sidebottom returned to introduce the band I'd been waiting
    for (Henry Henderson must have gone home) mistreating Little Frank
    cos he happened to get the bigger cheers...then diversifing into
    lots of varied football chants such as "There's only one referee,
    one referee!" poor little Frank was the football loosing his head
    in the proccess. Frank repented then and left the stage in tears.
    
    JAMES!
    
    It took ages for stage crew to get set up for these guys and just
    before they came on my fears were recognised and three songs were
    crossed off the 15 song playlist...damn the Farm and The Fall -
    selfish gits! Magda sat on the stage and blew bubbles at Tim when
    he appeared, he looked down at the three of us and a spark of
    recognision hit his face. Magda went wild..."did you see that, he
    recognised me!" she cryed, furiously blowing bubbles at him. The
    play list was the same as Thursday's, they began with "Hang On She
    Said" and stopped half way through...."That was the sound check"
    laughed Tim...."This is the real version...".
    James were awesome (though I have seen them do better!) even though
    they had had to cross off the song that effected me most on Thursday
    (On Top Of The World). It was the venue....and Tim's stunning stage
    presence. Since moving back to Indiedom James have become more forceful
    with there lyrics and more open. Thinking mens songs about religion
    - Undertaker, which is all about the American evangilists who preach
    one thing and practice another and God Only Knows being two examples.
    They are no longer afraid of confronting politics either...probably
    because it's too hard to sit back and just let the scum keep raping
    the country anymore - Government Walls a great stab in the back
    of Mrs T - 'Break down the Government Walls' crys Tim.
    Swallowed is the sad number tonight...slow and englufing, I was
    swallowed by the song. Tim's voice is in unbelievable form, though
    Magda thinks he *looks* tired. The playlist went as follows - Hang
    On She Said, Undertaker, Government Walls, Johnney Yen, Whats The
    World (V. early song this....The Smiths actually covered it live
    once.), God Only Knows, Sit Down, Swallowed, Scarecrow, Sandman
    (Hup Springs) (another oldie, they seem to change the final refrain
    everytime I here it.) and Come Home which Tim told us is to be the
    new single, another goodie it begins - "It's that time again, when
    I loose my friends, go on walkabout....".
    They returned for a one song encore which as usual had to be the
    stunningly uplifting "What For?" - Beginning with "Today I won't
    think of any sad things" and ending with  bounce after bounce of
    music that rushes through your body like waves! The stage was invaded
    for a few seconds, the fans carefull and carefree as ever. Wake
    up Music_UK I'm trying to tell you what you're missing...catch James
    on there Autumn tour...they'll swallow you whole and leave you On
    Top Of The World. (Just for the record, the songs that were knocked
    off the list were - On Top Of The World, Whoops and Why So Close.
    
    Just before Man From Delmonte appeared (by this time we had left
    the front row) Magda spotted Tim Booth in the crowd (lead singer
    of James), she skipped over and neither me nor Loz could get a word
    in edgeways. Tim let on about a secret gig in London - a freshers
    ball somewhere and then Magda skipped away...I decided to avoid
    saying too much and just thanked him for a great night...I didn't
    want to put my tounge in it! Magda was in hysterics when I found
    her!
    
    Man From Delmonte
    
    Another Manchester band - introduced as "The third best Manchester
    scallie band." nah, the second best Manchester band (Ha! I enjoy
    these digs at fans of a certain group that has the initials S.R.!)
    They were good (what I managed to catch of 'em - well I was saying
    bye to Magda and Loz.). They seemed very silly lots of hints at
    Homo sexuality that is probably none existant. Songs about jelousy
    - a boy jellous of a girlfriend cos hes in love with her lover!
    Nice music, wierd people, great stuff!
    
    Cud
    
    Another band from Leeds they had quite a good following, but people
    were leaving now and my bus was due. I caught the first song -
    "Summertime Fun" but it didn't appeal much. The mate I was with
    at that point loved it and got up and danced (never usually does
    anything of the sort!). They were sort of guitary with a loud sound
    and somehow still managing to keep a dancey quality.
    
    Primal Scream
    
    Well I can't comment on these guys...I was on the bus.
    
    Futurama 6 had failed on the Friday and Saturday but Sunday was
    declaired a success. It had been packed out at it's peek (although
    proving that the British indie scene has shrunk in that there was
    only 2500 there at the most and the earlier Futuramas had attracted
    5000 people). The venue was strange....The Hitman and Her had appeared
    there earlier in the year...I think us indie types were used to
    broken down old uni halls and warehouse type places. The Palace
    had glitsey lights (thankfully turned off!) and flashy signs and
    mirrors everywhere! Before I left the announcer promised more to
    come...probably one round Christmas...which can't be bad. Stuff
    like this does the indie scene worlds of good. Maybe we're coming
    to the end of the bleak spell...More and more alternative bands
    are making it into the top 40...are things beginning to look up?
    
    Oh yes the whole day cost me 9 pounds....at a time when U2 are trying
    to sell tickets for 25 pounds. Could it be explotation?
    
    God Only Knows!??
    
    Bruce, Leeds
    

    Glasgow Pavillion - 11th October
    
    After years of liking Joe's music I didn't really know what to expect
    of a live concert of his.
    
    Joe was due on stage at 8.00pm (No support)
    Bye 8.26 I was beginning sink in my chair and fall asleep.
    
    8.30 - Lights go down, keyboard player arrives to set off a solitary
    continuous note. joe appears, sits at piano and launches into
    instrumental version of Stepping Out.
    
    Joe has backing band consisting of 10 musicians who appear and
    disappear at various points in the show.
    
    Set 1  - 40 minutes mixed bag from all previous Albums.
    	     Highlight for me was a version of 'Hometown' which was
    	     backed by Piano and violin only.
	     (I thought that this was going to be wasted as some moron
    	     in the audience persisted to shout inane comments during
    	     Joe's 'profound' introduction.
    	     Joe handled it really well as he 'enquired ! as the the
    	     comments and negotiated with the guy that he shut up'.
    
    Set 2  - Played the entire new Album (Blaze of Glory) front to back.
    	     Joe took a break after 'Side 1' (as he said) and the band
    	     did an instrumental.
    	     it worked really well as, for any of you who have the new
             album know, the songs drift into each other.
    
    Set 3  - Encore ?
             Joe reappeared and did another 30-40 minutes including
    	     3 numbers frm his 'Jump n Jive' Album.
    

    Joe left the stage, I looked at my watch, it was 11.05pm.
    Geez ! Where had the time gone.
    
    Over all an excellent concert, each band member played his/her part
    not only in the musical sense but as part of an evening of
    entertainment.
    
    (When's he due back ?)
    
    Iain
    

    
             "Garforth Bob Barmy Army, Garforth Bob Barmy Army!"
            
    The crys of frenzied indie types fill the small Duchess of York
    as Bob triumphantly turn the place into a writhing mess of sweaty
    youths.
    
    Who are Bob? You ask....First James and now Bob...who is this guy
    and what sort of wierd music is he listening to now!? Bob are one
    of those indie bands who keep missing the rise to fame by inches.
    Like the (now defunct) Siddeleys they deserve to be noticed but
    so far have been lost to everyone but their home town crowd of
    Brummies. I discovered them earlier this year receiving a letter
    from some guy in Wolverhampton pointing out my ignorance - "The
    album Swag-Sack I played non stop for over 6 months, something I
    haven't done since 'Hatful of Hollow'." - That quote was what did
    it and no, he isn't being sarcastic...Bob have really got something!
    
    They are currently touring the country to promote their new double
    A side - Esmerelda Brooklyn - 3 songs of innocent love and loss
    (what else!) painted with long (but simple) words and colourful
    metaphors that bring a smile to your face.
    
    'You're in a kind of powerfull position,
     Deft handling's required, along with surgical presicsion,
     You've got my heart in your hands,
     It's like the sound of 10,000 bad brass bands,
     In my ear.'
    
    What really gets you is the fact that these, sometimes sad, always
    very revealing songs are surrounded by the most joyously happy music,
    a contradiction in terms that works just as well for 'Bob' as it
    does with 'James'.
    
    The Penny Candles are the support...they do nothing special, sound
    similar to about 10 other mediocre indie pop bands and do averagly
    well. The Housemartins fans are here in force to cheer on the Candles
    drummer - still the only drummer I know who sings! They keep telling
    us that they're going to do a Country Song...but they all sound
    the same to me (never thought I'd say that.). Average stuff.
    
    I move to the front to prepare myself for Bob and find myself
    surrounded by an exodus from Birmingham. Apparently they've charted
    a coach to see there local heros. "Oh is great is Leeds! I love
    the people" crys a slightly drunk Bob fan as I try to conduct a
    conversation with a guy I met at a Siddeleys gig. We try to convince
    him that it's not always like this much he's trying to sing along
    with R.E.M. - Stand...I teach him the words and earn another Brownie
    point for the city of Leeds.
    
    Every now and then I notice someone wearing a home made Bob badge
    with slogans such as "Garforth Bob Barmy Army" and "Bobettes on
    tour"...these are the Leeds members of the Bob fan club. So totally
    in love with the group that they've had there own set of Badges
    run off. But Garforth is only a little town on the outskirts of
    Leeds. Do Garforth and Birmingham know something I don't about this
    group that the rest of the world is missing?
    
    Bob appear and the bodies around me go wild. They begin with a nice
    bouncey instrumental - X Bob...It is when it end that the Garforth
    mod choose to make their presence known..."Garforth Bob Barmy Army"
    the crys ring out and Bob are stunned but smile on regardless.
    Even though I don't know the songs I am unable to stop myself from
    grinning at the Oh so jolly music...and the crowd throws my body
    around. Throwaway and Scarecrow (Ha what a coincidence - James have
    a song called Scarecrow) are excellent but then Bob tumble into
    the simply thrilling pop that is 'Convieniance'.
    'Far far away,
     On the road to Monterrey,
     Rode a girl with an unbelievable smile'
    
    'Left in my wake,
     Are a thousand mistakes,
     By the boy with the minimum of style,
     Cos I tend to break,
     Every promise I make,
     To the girl with the unbelievale smile...
    
     Then she rides far away,
     Motorway can't keep her at bay,
     I have seen lights turn green,
     Just for her convieniance,
     I don't know what this all means.'
    
    The simplicity of it all matters not...It is about real love and
    the music is simple too...simply adorable!
    They follow Convieniance with the new single. Telling us to go out
    and buy it - 'I already have', a few of us cry!
    Esmerelda Brooklyn is slower than most of the Bob stuff and the
    3 guitars are allowed to work over time on our brains...twisting
    us this way and that way. 'Please be carefull with my heart' they
    implore as they slowly squeeze ours into different shapes.
    
    We don't rest for long...Bob surge into 'Rain' slowing slightly
    for 'Bloodline' and then a great new song 'Uphill down'. 'What a
    performance' comes next followed by 'Who are you' and 'Trousers'?!
    Before leaving Bob make a plea - They need a bed for the night,
    does anyone have a bit of floor to spare?! Ahh the life of a pop
    star! They leave, not expecting to be called back.
    
    We go wild, crying out for more and they return looking pleased
    with themselves - they have a right to be - tonight they have stunned
    me - I've seen some amazing gigs this year, James, The Cure, The
    Siddeleys...Bob rank high amongst these (no small feat as some of
    you will know!). They finish with the joyfull 'So far so good'...
    
    'I'm extoling the virtues of contendedly shareing my life with you,
     I shall state at my lesure, of this constant pleasure, this life
    with you.'
    
    It's 5 past eleven and I'm leaving the Duchess...I can't (for a
    change) stop myself from smiling as I run like hell towards the
    station (my train leaves at 11 minuites past) someboby yells
    'Bob,bob,bob,bob,bob...' at me....
    
    I smile and yell the same back...
    
    It's always best to return a compliment.
    
    Bruce, Leeds
    

Great review,

makes me want to go see them!

   The Wonderstuff - Barrowlands, Glasgow - 14th October 1989
   Support: The Sandkings, and Neds Atomic Dustbin.

   Arrived a tad too late to see Ned and his Atomic Dustbin, but were in
   time to see the Sandkings. Hadn't heard anything by these guys beforehand
   but will certainly look out for any material now! They sounded like a
   cross between the Wonderstuff and AC/DC ... absolutely brilliant.

   9.45pm, the lights went out and smoke poured from the stage ... enter
   the WONDERSTUFF, the crowd go wild and there is a rush for the stage.
   My friends and I shrug our shoulders and head off into the melee. The
   first track is "30 Years in the Bathroom", followed by "It's Yer Money" 
   from ELGM. They continue playing tracks from each album until Miles pipes 
   in "This is a song that Jesus Jones wish they had wrote, but Pop Will Eat 
   Itself did! - Inside You". My kness went wobbly (where have I seen this 
   before *8)), and I was carried by the crowd to the centre of the stage 
   where I danced myself dizzy! After that Miles quipped that the people at 
   the back didn't dance to that one and that they should go out and buy 
   "Box Frenzy", my sentiments exactly!

   Half way through the show the lights go out, a fuse somewhere, Miles 
   trys to have a conversation with the crowd but is shouted down with
   crys of "______" and "____ ___ you _______!", much to his amusement.
  
   Sweat dripped from my body by the time "Let Me Down Gently" was played
   and I was thinking of retiring to the back whe I turned around and there
   she was ... SENGA ... surrounded by a group of boys. I thought she wouldn't
   remember me from the Bucks Fizz Christmas Extravaganza, what a night that
   was, but before I could get her address and phone number she had 
   dissappeared into the throng ... oh woe!

   For those persons interested they played all of "Hup" (obviously), a lot
   featuring a fifth member on VIOLIN!!!!!!!, and from ELGM, "Red Berry Joy
   Town", "Animals", "Give Give, Give, me More, More, ______' More", "Ruby
   Horse", "Wish Away", "Ten Trenches Deep", plus 3 new tracks only one
   of which I can remember - "Play" ... this accounted for 105 minutes of
   pure Rock and Roll.                                      
                                                            
   p.s.  Ed I didn't get near the stage to give the guitarist a BJ this time.
   p.p.s. Sorry Bruce, couldn't help taking the p--- about Senga etc.
   p.p.p.s Due to the moderators intervention I'll let you all fill in the _'s
           yourself.

Just thought I'd add my little piece about the Wonderstuff gig at the 
Barrowlands on Saturday night. 

After watching Dunfermline CRUSH St. Mirren 5-1 in their Premier league 
match on Saturday afternoon I thought that the day couldn't really get 
any better. How wrong can you be!! What an absolute blinder of a gig. Stuart 
has already covered all the numbers and the blown fuses etc so all I wanted 
to add was just another voice saying "Yeah, blooming great gig." (note the lack
of swear words Stuart.)

That was one of just a few gigs where I have actually been involved in the 
mellee around the front of the stage, as most of the gigs I have been to were 
either seated or I've held back a little (getting on a bit now you know) and it
certainly helped raise the enjoyment of the gig. There was such a good 
atmosphere, people were leaping around with complete strangers and casually
throwing classic lines at one another such as "Blinking good gig eh!!!"

The only sad point about the whole night was the t-shirt that I purchased that
very night which fitted perfectly well initially is now about two feet longer
due to the sweat factor. Are baggy clothes in???

Cheers
Tc

    Anyone ever been to one of these warehouse/acid horse dos? Purely
    in the interests of balance, as opposed to media hysteria, I'd like
    to compare what they are really like in the same way that I used
    to compare press reports vs. my own experiences of going to punk
    gigs.
    
    Bob

    Hi Bob.  This may well merit a note of its own, but the media scam
    around this is getting on my wick..  Today the police are setting
    up a new group to stop these do's, as opposed to catching criminals.
     The one I went to was brilliant, loud music, lots of dancing. There
    was no violence, no drink for sale, and the group I was with found
    no evidence of drugs.  Obviously, anywhere you get lots of young
    people gathered together, someone somewhere is going to be using
    something.  But as for the image of the whole thing being a drug
    dealers conference...forget it.
    
    I am getting SERIOUSLY annoyed with continually seeing articles
    promoting the whole scene as a heroin crazed orgy, and I wouldn't
    count myself as a real fan of the scene/music.
    
    BTW Theres a good article on this in the latest Q mag.
                
    errr... flame off.
    
    Mikef

    
    Re .177
    
    I felt that these anti Acid House Party raids were getting a bit
    out of hand, until I heard that a squad was being set up to combat
    them, after a revolver, sawn-off shotgun, knives and drugs were
    seized at one. If people carrying those items don't qualify as
    criminals who do?

    Of course, the majority of these parties are harmless, but obviously
    not all and so if crime appears at these parties then why shouldn't
    the police tackle it there? 99% of these parties may be pure good
    times (and those should be left alone), but armed drug-dealers don't
    count as 'nice guys' in my book.
    
    Mark
    

    Who said that they were drug dealers?  And why clamp on the whole
    thing for one incident, which we have noproof even happened?  Why
    do we always exaggerate the negative and use it to justify putting
    things down?  Lets not get carried away here.  We party in peace.
    
    Mikef

    Where did you read that the partygoers were carrying weapons?
    
    Some gutter press newspaper, I don't doubt.
    
    What were the lines to that Billy Bragg song....Oh god...I forget.
    
    Bruce

    Hey, maybe we should take this to a new note/is there an note already?
    anyone know how?
    Mikef

    RE .180>
    
             The weapons were found at a raid on a party in a field
    just off the M25, last weekend (including large numbers of lemmings
    running ACROSS the carpark, sorry motorway to get to it. I think
    it was 83 people arested in the end. The reports were in/on
    :
           Ceefax
           Oracle
           Daily Mail
           Daily Telegraph
           (some others  - I know not which)
    
    noone as far as I remember said WHO had got these weapons (if at
    all), but a number of sources made the point of repeating the report
    of the attack on the police by a CS gas canister about 2 weeks ago,
    and that last weekend 'a number' of security personnel were arrested.
    
                                                       Carl
    

    O.K. I'm being to see your side...sorry Mike.
    
    Bruce

    
    Re .182
    
    And of course our very own VNS! :^)
    
    Guns, knives and drugs don't seem to add up to anything other than
    trouble to me. Re-read my original note. I have no wish to see killjoy
    squads and anyone can hold a party as far as I'm concerned, but
    do you want drug dealers running free just because they happen to
    plie their trade at parties? I don't.
    
    Mark
    
    PS And I don't read the gutter press...

    
    

    	Does anyone know when the NCCL report on police action regarding
    these events comes out?  I think the original point is that the
    police are seriously infringing civil liberties by stopping thousands
    of people getting to these events in the first place.  
    Of course guns etc spell trouble.  But firstly is there any proof
    that they were either drug pushers or genuine party goers, and should
    this one incident be used as an excuse to stop the whole thing?
    Plenty of people get stopped from going into concerts for carrying
    weapons after all.
       To get back to Bobs original question, which was basically if
    anyone had gont to one of these events, and if they justified the
    media attack, the answer is still no.  We are all still jumping
    to the medias tune ( although we all know that journalists and
    policemen tell the absolute truth 100% of the time, don't we?).
                                         
    Mikef

    
    Infringing civil liberties, eh?
    
    Well what about the civil liberties of all the people who live in
    the area of one of these parties (They're not all held in disused
    warehouses)? Don't they have the right not to be invaded by thousands
    of people intent on holding all day and all night parties? 
    
    Also you can't compare the stopping of people entering a properly
    organised concert with the discovery of serious weaponery at
    these ,by essence, clandestine events. There is no control over
    these parties by anyone and it would not take a quantum leap of
    the imagination to see one turning into a bloody riot.
    
    Of course these are worst case scenarios and, as I've said more
    than once, I don't favour the police (or anyone else) having the
    right to tell me (or anyone else) where I can or can't go, but there
    obviously is a certain element of trouble associated with a FEW
    of these parties and I can't see how anyone can claim that the
    establishment of a police group to investigate this element can
    be anything but beneficial.
    
    As for believing what you read or hear, what makes you think that
    the police intend to stop all parties? Read it somewhere?
    
    Mark

    Yep...The local reading rag is full of stories of this new group
    formed by the police, and the official line is if they can stop
    it, they will, nomatter what the circumstances are.  This from a
    lengthy speech by one of the thames valley top cops.  He was also
    interviewed on local radio, and repeated this statement.
     It seems to me that taking this course of action is exactly the
    right way of going about making the situation worse.
    
    So does everyone believe the media scam, and that we should ban
    all of these events?  I went to one, over a year ago, and my experience
    says no.  Has anyone else ever been to one?
    
    Mikef

    Seems to me as if you'll never really know what goes down unless
    you speak to people who were there. I'm sure the media, police,
    etc, are completely over-reacting in exactly the same way they did
    at the time of punk, and that the majority of these events are (from
    speaking to an acquaintance who has been to quite a few 'raves'
    this summer) happy, friendly events, although he doesn't deny that
    there is 'some' drug use.
    
    Hmm, perhaps I need to go to one, purely in a fact-finding capacity,
    of course.
    
    Bob

    Seems to me it's just a similar reaction to that at Stonehenge every
    year . I've never been to an acid house party , I can't stand the
    music , but I *have* been to a few Henge bashes . Again there is
    some drug use , not much of it "hard" drugs , and there is little
    or no violence...until the police turn up and provoke it .
    
    PETE

    
    I'll wade in here, trying not to crack too many peoples' heads with my 
    baseball bat.
       Whatever stance one takes on these parties, the plain police view
    is that in all probability (>.188) there will be people at these
    parties taking/supplying drugs - which, by law, is illegal. In
    addition, if the party is held near enough to non-partying peoples'
    homes then in all probability the organisers are committing civil
    offences. Going by 'prevention is better than cure', and being unable
    to operate in 10,000 people without causing a mini-riot or being
    attacked by 'security' personnel, it's clear what they're trying
    to do. Whether or not this annoys the partygoers or spoils their
    fun is immaterial - the police are just doing their job. Sure, there'll
    always be a few d***heads, but no more in the police than any other
    company.
    
        Aside: Just how much money do the organisers make? 10000 people
    at 15 quid a time = quite a lot for 2 or 3 days work.
        I want to go to one just to see what it's like - the 'music'
    is abysmal but then you don't go to parties for the music, do you?
    
                                                         Carl
    
    PS I like Bruce Sturrock (?sp?) reviews - NME reviews are usually
    tediously pretentious.....
    
        
    

    Just read .189:
    
                   Two friends of mine with the Birmingham branch of
    Class War went down to Stonehenge with the specific intent of causing
    trouble........
    
                        
    (***I'VE** got nothing to do with CW)
    

    Yeah...but I have friends in the police force who sign up for certain
    activities because it gives them the chance to cause and get involved
    in bother.  Neither side has the monopoly on this type of person
    or attitude. ( although I suspect if you count the number of police
    as opposed to the number of members of class war...).
    
    Mikef

    
    
    S'What I said in .189 - you get 'em on both sides. Pity some poor
    s*ds get stuck in the middle.....
                                       Cheers,
                                                  Carl
    

    It's a very small minority , then . Andanyway , if the police weren't
    going to be there , I'm sure these plonkers wouldn't go , either.
    
    PETE

                           The Waterboys
                    The Orpheum Theatre, Boston
                          23 October, 1989   

I could see her down front, her lithe body silhouetted against the 
spotlit stage.  Mike Scott could see her too, his eyes riveted to her
through the entire set.  His seeming obsession with the young girl
swaying in front of him somehow gave his performance a power that
I couldn't have imagined.

(Now you have to bear with me here because all I really know of them 
is Fisherman's Blues, so if I get some of the titles wrong, don't
laugh.)

The Waterboys came on stage at 8:30, first a lone MS, then the rest of
the bandmembers followed one by one.  They began with In Search of the 
Rose, then Strange Boat, The Exile's Dream (an old Scottish tune he 
said), (I Will Cry) When You've Gone Away, Raggle Taggle Gypsy, then 
an amazing Old England is Dying (with some truly wicked sax).  To lighten 
things up again they did Has Anybody Here Seen Hank, Bang on the Ear (a 
favorite of mine), Good Morning Mr Customs Man, Jimmy Hickey's Waltz (with 
three couples on stage waltzing around - it was nice :-)), then Whole of 
the Moon.

By now everyone was having a blast, sweating and just having a *real* good
time.  The Waterboys are each individually unbelievably talented at what
they do, but when you put them together something happens.  (No, I wasn't
gonzo and I'm not exaggerating!  But I *am* a sucker for a good fiddle!)  
They were building, pulling us with them.

They were peaking....of the next few I couldn't pick a "best one" - they
were all superb.....

"Your eyes are like torches, your presence is bliss, 
	..the touch of your flesh is hard to resist"

Yes, my favorite, We Will Not Be Lovers!!!  Then Sweet Thing :-), When Will
We Be Married ("Molly, when will we be wed?" ...sorry, theses songs get in
your head, you know?! :-}), Higher Bound, :-) Fisherman's Blues :-) ....then
it was over :-(.  They'd gone, but wait :-) ...the encore.

A great This Is The Sea, and finally This Land Is Your Land (done as a joint
effort with TF Much, a sort of a let-down for a finale, I thought, but that's 
my only 'complaint' with the show).  The band left the stage, the lights came 
and as she turned to face the rest of the audience I could see she had enjoyed 
the show.  But was it her?  *The* Magda?  With perspiration glistening on her 
throat, she tossed her head back shaking her mane of golden hair and with her 
T-shirt clinging to her body, I could see...yes, it must be her!! 

In bold red lettering, the T-shirt read "I Want Bruce".

******

The opening act was an Irish band by the name of TF Much.  They were competent,
musicians, playing mostly rock (sometimes with a tinge of country/folk flavour).
They weren't, however, tf much, they were only ok.

******

Note: Even though they didn't sing my all-time favorite, Church Not Made With
Hands, it was still one of the best shows I've ever seen  :-)

    Shurrup
    
    makein fun o me
    
    I'm going to crawl into a hole and fester till I'm dead.
    
    B

    
    Noooo, come on Bruce, I'm not makin' fun.
    
    I'm tellin ya, there's hope!!!  Look!  She's come to Boston lookin
    for ya.  Next time you see her, you've gotta make a move...talk
    to her.
           
    I would never make fun of a man who's hurtin'

    Thanks for the (expected!) review Sue (?).

    I'm looking forward to the next UK dates, whenever they are.
    Does anyone know if they're playing London soon ??

    - Tim

    No you got it wrong. My personal name is for a girl who came and
    went a year ago. I met her at a James concert and we went to a Darling
    Buds concert together. After the Buds concert she never rang me
    up again. But I've seen her around.
    
    B
    
    (Christ I'd better write a letter to Magda though!)

Who Are You?
------------

Well, I can tell you what I'm not - I'm not a rabid Who fan who
just has to get a ticket for this gig, or else he'll die. I've
got a couple of singles kicking around at home, and the obligatory
version of Tommy, but that's it... I can't remember the last time
a Who record graced my turntable. I went out of interest, and really
didn't know what to expect - let's say I was prepared to be disappointed
(and at 16 quid a ticket, I could be VERY disappointed).


I woke up in a Soho doorway, a policman knew my name
----------------------------------------------------

The ticket says 7:30 on it, my mate's says 7:30 for an 8 o'clock
start. In the end, they start early - at about 10 to 8. There's
no support band here, it's just the Who, for nigh-on 3 hours. So
score one for value for money.

Score also on enthusiasm. I'm 15 rows back, on the arena floor
so I have to stand all night, but it's worth it. Townshend obviously
just flat enjoys playing... he's bouncing around like a kid. The
Wendy house has gone now (abandoned 3 days into rehearsals) but
he doesn't hide behind his perspex screen, either. He's all over
the stage, and enjoying every minute.

Like I said, I'm no Who afficianado, but I was amazed at how many
songs I knew (or at least sort-of knew). They have a large repertoire
to choose from, and for this set they chose well - the lowest point
was in Face To Face, but that was the fourth number into the first
set, and after that they didn't look back. There's no Iron Man
here, it's all The Who. However, "the list" includes more songs
than they do in a single night, so your mileage may vary. There
is, of course, an excerpt from Tommy, which ends the first set,
but it's kept short and to the point (described by Townshend as
"the short story version") and leaves on a real high at the end
of the first set.

So it's a 15 minute break, where the queues for the loo are longer
than the queues for the bar that made you want to go in the first
place...


Talkin' bout my...
------------------

Yes, they did it. And nobody laughed when Daltrey sang THE line.
Ah well. On the plus side, they did "I'm a Man" (ascribed by Daltrey
to Bo Diddley, though I thought it was a McKinley Morganfield song),
and at one point Daltrey sings "Now I'm a man, just past 45".

These guys may be old men, but they can still kick ass. I saw them
in rehearsal in June, but this is a band that's been sharpened
by a US tour, yet haven't been worn down by the schedule. As you
can probably tell, I was impressed by The Who live...
    

    To be honest, Pop Said isn't a bad little album really. There some
    really great lines hidden away on it. So when I played it before
    I set off and realised that it was better than I remembered I cursed
    myself...will I ever get to write a review that says...'Well they
    were crap!'
    
    I arrived late and the support must have just gone on. They didn't
    say who they were they just came on, played and went. The sort of
    band you yawn along with - when will someone do something new with
    a guitar?
    
    I went for a drink between bands, whilst searching for my mate in
    the crowd (turned out he was in hospital with a broken ankle). At
    the bar I was molested (Look, don't ask me why...I didn't do anything,
    say anything. They just came over and started giving me hassle.)
    by 3 Andrea Darling Bud lookalikes. They'd made one mistake in that
    while Andrea is plump, these 3 girlies had gone too far and were
    sort of verging on fat. They asked me if I wanted a lift home and
    I made a break for the door.
    
    Standing in the crowd, I thought of the last time I had seen the
    Buds and Arlene popped into my head...there are some girls that
    you can never forget.
    
    Lookily the music on the speaker was enough to take my mind off
    the subject. It was all 60's greats such as 'Kissing and a huggin'
    with Fred!' - great stuff!
    
    On stage everything began to go misty so I made my way into the
    crowd. Ooo look a Bob fan! Hello! Yes they were good weren't they!
    Ahhh here's Andrea, all shinny in a silver dress.
    'Greetings, Pop kids!' she crys as they do an enterprise initiative
    (whoooooooooosh!) into a new number - which is good and jolly.
    During the early moments I decide to make my judgement...Is Andrea
    fat? Errrmm, well yes she is a bit...but she still looks sort'a
    cute and unlike Tracy Tracy she wouldn't give you a kick in the
    balls if you said something she didn't like. Her hair is all over
    the place, with a red ribbon not doing a very good job of holding
    it in place.
    
    They have 3 guitars now. Harley stood at the back on his own. Chris
    stood at the front looking down on everyone and the new guy - well
    the general opinion was that Ringo Starr had joined the Buds...who
    else could it be with a hairdo like that?
    
    The Buds seemed to be enjoying themselves. Andrea with a non-stop
    smile that seemed to say thank God we can still do this without
    anyone telling us what to do.
    
    The music is 50% old 50% new and 50% good. Stuff like Hit the Ground,
    Burst, Uptight, Big Head and Shame On You really are very good pop
    songs. We really boogie with these cos that's what they're there
    for. Down to Earth lyrics and heafty guitars jangle away with Andrea
    sounding like an alternative Debbie Harry, which is not really a
    bad thing. Andrea even managed to ladder her stockings before the
    gig was over to add that extra bit of bite to the 'I don't care'
    look.
    
    However not one new song stood out as better than the stuff on Pop
    Said and no one seemed particularly stunned when the Buds had
    gone...Andrea telling us she'd see us next summer with that Oh so
    sweet smile...Ohhhhh gosh!
    
    T-shirts were selling at 9 pounds a throw...obviously lots of money
    men behind the Buds now.
    
    Well what can I say...the Buds were good, nothing more. They performed
    very well. When a band is so obviously enjoying themselves it rubs
    off onto the music and that made things a bit better. Nice words,
    nice music, nice people...everything was ever so nice...but when
    it was over you just went home and put the football on the telly
    - one line did stick in my head for some reason...
    
    'Can't you here the things they say, but we don't have to listen
    to them anyway...'
    
    Bruce
    
    (Wedding Present reviews on Monday - I don't want to enter the live
    review before I enter the album review and I don't want to enter
    the album review till I've played it a bit more...gettit!?)

    
    I'd forgotten how large, fat and sweaty Wedding Present fans are
    till Thursday night....
    
    The St. Georges hall is a concert hall with balconys and massive
    pipe organ. Tonight the pipe organ is hidden by the Wedding Presents
    set...a massive backcloth with a big orange spoldge across it. In
    front of this is a line of lights that slant from the floor to the
    ceiling.
    
    I purchase my offical 'Kennedy' T-shirt and don it with pride, trotting
    past Grapper who's sat at the back chatting with some dodgey character.
    All the girlies are in the balcony...which is disappointing...so
    I am surrounded by fairly large indie type males who arn't interested
    in some one as small as me unless I let them read my 'Invasion of
    The Wedding Present' fanzine. The fanzine is well put together,
    lots of cartoon strips, drawn by fans with vague references to ferets
    and The Reading Festival.
    
    Before the hall is full, Greenhouse appear. They seemed unsure of
    themselves, as if on a first gig and the look of emmbarresment that
    hit the bass players face when he broke his strings was horrific!
    But they were good...a poor mans Wedding Present, without the one
    track minds.
    
    During Greenhouse the Leeds United yobs in the crowd made their
    presence known...the two nearest me where drunk beyond belief, one
    looked a definate puke factory while the other just sort of gazed
    into space and mumbled to himself....oh dear.
    
    When the Weddoes arrived I was on the front row...this was a
    horrifingly terrable mistake and a horrifingly painful experience.
    I pushed out into the second row as quick as I could. Around about
    this point I remembered about Wedding Present fans...but I never
    remembered them to be like this...whats happened to all the indie
    kids that used to go to their gigs? Who are all these big rugby
    players crushing me between their buttocks?
    
    Gedge was in the slinky shorts....the infamous Reading slinky shorts,
    all the Weddos fans'll be wearing 'em soon.
    
    As on the album they begin with Brassneck and those of us that have
    the album sing along with the most obvious lines...proud of ourselves
    for such devotion to The Weddoes. Gedge makes a fool of himself
    early on - forgetting the start of the second verse of Brassneck.
    He mumbles something apologetic as the rest of the band laugh at
    him. Grappers 'God what a pillock!' grin unconcealed as ever!
    
    At the end of the song the Peter, Keith and David change guitars...they
    have a big stash of them in the corner of the stage and at least
    one of them will change after every song. Something thats listed
    as 'Kiss' is the second number...it goes right over my head, but
    someone at the back is swearing his head off because they're not
    playing George Best from back to front.
    I'm Not Always So Stupid is one that everyone knows so we all bound
    about at the front and elbows fly everywhere....Grapper looses his
    guitar strings but that permanent grin remains on his face. He looks
    as if he's gonna burst out laughing any miniute!
    
    Just before Granadaland Gedge recognises soemone in the crowd. Last
    year the Weddoes played at Bradford Festival...this involved them
    playing on island in the middle of a lake. But the mad passion of
    the Weddoes fans hadn't been allowed for and quite a few people
    began to swim to the island! 'Eahhh! Where've I seen that face before
    Eh!!?? Lister Park last year! It were you! Dripping wet, you came
    up to me and said, 'Shake me hand! Go on, just shake me hand and
    I'll go!' How many of you lot went in't lake?' A big cheer and Gedge
    looks puzzled...'S'funny I could've sworn there were only about
    5 of ya!'
    
    After Granadaland they do Bewitched...which is even better live...as
    they fade out some fool whispers 'Wait for it, wait for it!' but
    they hold on for soooo long, drawing it out till the absolute last
    breath before they errupt into the final crash of guitars.
    
    Gone (another new one) is followed by My Favorite Dress...probably
    their best effort and I think the fans would agree...we have a couple
    of stage invasion even...one guy stage dives the other is set upon
    by a grim looking bouncer. Dress is dissapointingly followed by
    Crushed, which I could have done without....specially when I was
    being crushed at the same time!
    
    Be Honest is good stuff bringing me out of my stupor to see if the
    new nicey nicey guitar sound works on stage...it does!
    Kennedy sets everyone alight again and they have a nice hefty dance
    in the guitar solo. Grapper has been threatening to wriggle a bit
    all night and off he goes now! But Gedge sits with his backside
    facing us, on a speaker.
    
    What have I said now is the last number...a nice ending...now what
    about an encore. We have to yell like mad before they come back
    and they admit to us; 'We weren't planning on doing encores anymore,
    but seeing as it's Yorkshire!' (big cheer).
    Take me had to show it's face and most of the fans here are already
    familiar with it (It got to number 4 in last year Peel festive 50
    - the highest placed Peel session.) In the guitar solo we all go
    off to the bar for a drink, trot off to the local curry house for
    a quick snack and finally sample the Bradford nightlife. They are
    of course still playing when we get back!
    
    When it was all over I clambered onto the stage to get the playlist,
    someone grabbed my foot. Looking round I was confronted by the
    miserable looking bouncer who had accosted the stage invader earlier.
    'Get the f**k down', he moaned. I begged and pleaded with him, but
    what an unreasonable git he was...he was succeding in pulling me
    away from the sheet of paper gaffer taped to the stage. I wriggled
    out of my shoe and went for the list only to be confronted by another
    bouncer who told me I was just being a cheeky bastard and handed
    me the list. Trophy in hand I turned to get my shoe....with a malicious
    grin the miserable git launched my shoe into the crowd...it bounced
    off someones head and onto the floor, seconds later I had retrieved
    it and was triumphantly waving the playlist at the miserable git
    (from a safe distance). It was in fact Gedges playlist and so it
    goes alongside my Bob and Siddeleys lists on my bedroom wall!
    
    On reflection (and on some comments from fans who went to Wimpeys
    too) The Weddoes weren't at their best. Gedge didn't seem as
    happy/lively/talkative as usual and only Grapper seemed to be definatly
    enjoying himself. But the songs had run on their own power and although
    they weren't complimented by the wonderfull guitar playing dance
    sequences that nearly always appear at some point in their gigs,
    they powered out some excellent numbers.
    
    Next stop Newcastle November 12th
    
    Bruce, Leeds
                                   
    

    The indie scene has been ripped apart. There's no getting away from
    that fact. Groups like the Happy Mondays and The Inspiral Carpets
    and (dare I say it) The Stone Roses have separated indie fans into
    2 sections. On one side we have the scallies and on the other we
    have the C86 faithful and the 'we will never forget' Smiths fans. 
    Whether this split is a good thing I'm not sure, but from the number
    of people here tonight it looks like the scallies have somehow become
    THE major force indie music. A year ago these groups were the support
    to C86 groups, now it's the other way around. Partly because of
    the press hype and partly because the indie scene was getting stale,
    there seems to be no stopping the rise of the scallies.
    
    What is a scallie? A scallie is a new form of punk/mod. They are
    "well 'ard" and use the word f**k in every sentence. Some of them
    are as thick as two short planks, while others, deep down inside
    have an emmotional weak spot. Scallies are as scruffy as possible
    - general scallie wear could be a purple rugby top that is 2 sizes
    too big and a pair of jeans that are 18 inches wide at the bottom.
    A scallie goes for the skinhead/suedehead look when considering
    a hairdo. The Stone Roses are scallies, the Happy Mondays are scallies,
    the Bridewell Taxis are scallies and The Inspiral Carpets are scallies.
    The word scallie is derived from 'Scallywag' which means bad person
    and this - I am informed - is excatly what the members of the above
    bands are. So what's it like to be entertained by a set of pure
    scallies?
    
    As soon as I walked into the Poly and heard the Inspirals music
    drifting down the stairs, I knew I was wrong. This music didn't
    lack effort and conviction. This was some sombre song about being
    alone but with a sound I hadn't heard before. I made my way to the
    front and couldn't stop myself from dancing. Scallies everywhere,
    the hall was packed full of them waving their arms and shaking their
    heads and doing this strange dance where you waved your arms in
    clenched fists and actually hit the person next to you.
    Everywhere I looked there was someone on somebodys shoulders and
    they were going hyper too.
    
    I couldn't help myself the organs tune was etching a rythmn into
    my brain as it whizzed out wave after wave of strange *new* physcodelia
    and at the back of the set - to numb your brain even more there
    was the Carpets famous set. A massive cows head with the caption
    'Moo!' underneith. Imposed over this were two sets of slides of
    anything and everything, nothing was safe here, anything could happen.
    
    A couple of songs later and the strobes began to flash. This topped
    it all, if the echo of the music on the brain wasn't bad enough
    now if you were looking at the stage you were blinded by light.
    Looking around you wasn't much easyier...everyone moving jerkily
    about the floor and the people on the shoulders of their mates created
    terrifingly strange shapes.
    
    I hadn't heard much Carpets stuff before tonight but I was surprised
    to find that didn't matter much. They had instant appeal. The ones
    I did recognise were delivered with skill and care. My ideas that
    all scallie groups are lazy gits who just perform were being demolished
    bit by bit.
    
    Between songs the Carpets said nothing...there was a tape with sexual
    whispers and groans between 2 songs and on the others we had some
    wierd Plink, Plonk feedback. Everything had obviously been thought
    out for hours until they had got it all right.
    
    By the last song I was into the swing of the dance and was going
    wild in the middle of the floor. Suddenly I felt a head between
    my legs!!!!! Seconds later I was in the air on somebodys shoulders
    - whose I don't know and I didn't care I just went ape. The strobes
    ruining my eyes and the colours on stage took control until the
    Carpets dissappeared and I was able to stumble out to the merchandise
    store.
    
    Even here the Carpets were extreamly organised. From the 'Cool as
    F**K' t-shirts to the scallie tops. I went for the bargain buy 'Dung
    4' 11 track demo tape, at the knock down price of 3 pounds 50p.
    
    In Leeds the scallies matched the posers in quantity - no small feat
    for a Friday night - so it looks like if the indie scene is making
    it's revival, then it's gonna be the scallies who preach the gospel.
    
    Bruce
    

    
    Bruce, very good, but what about those who do not fit either mould,
    as I see it anyway, like Loop ? 
    
    Why must the indie charts have a ritual hero of the year? Last year
    it was House of Love, year before was Wedding present, this year
    it has been so far Loop, and similar sounds. 
    
    p.s. Stone Roses stink, talentless as my bogpaper!
    

Re: -1

Who gives a toss whether or not you think the Stone Roses stink, when you go to
the toilet do you put your mouth on the pan ... cos a lot of crap seems to be
coming out of it ... :-)

Another couple of great reviews Bruce, I've got the Dung 4 tape, some good tunes
on it ... looks like I'm a Scallie fan!

    Loop are something completly different. What I was trying to say
    was - The C86 bands better watch out cos the scallies are arriving.
    
    There's more and more scallies at the gigs I'm going to now, where
    as last year you only had c86 types. Maybe what I'm noticing is
    that my favorites (Wedding Present/ H.O.L.) are being replaced and
    a new fashion is appearing in their place that the new youth like
    more...I dunno.
    
    Just *my* part of the indie scene. I am interested in the other
    parts of it too. I think Sonic Youth were probably 88's best in
    the Loop sector...but then you'll know more about it than me.
    
    B

RE -2
    
    Actually i lied, I own the album in ?
    
    just testing !
    
    juju
    xxxx
    (wishing music was less seriously taken)
    
        

    
    Well, the attitudes of the some indie fans in this conference are 
    not doing much for the music's image.
    
    -Tony

    Which fans? I thought I was desparatly promoting it to you all.
    
    b

             
    I don't want to get into this private slanging match, coz I'm just 
    sat on the VAXnotes fence, watching, but lets just say that attitudes 
    and personality are sometimes more descriptive than opinions.
                                                     
    -Tony

    Bruce did a great job of defining "scallies" a few notes back.
    
    Can anyone define "C86" for me ? Or "Loop" ?
    
    Bruce, maybe you can produce a glossary for us (fairly-)oldies ??
    
    - Steve B.
    

    C86:
    
    In 1986 NME released an album featuring some of the better Indie bands
    of that year, bands like Primal Scream, The Mighty Lemon Drops, The
    Soup Dragons, Wolfhounds, Wedding Present, Half Man Half Biscuit, and
    The Shop Assistants ... to name a few, most of these bands are still
    around today with alot now on major labels ... the name of the album by
    the was "NME C86".                                                   
    
    Basically C86 refers to these bands that have gone from Indie status to
    something bigger ...
    
    I'm pretty sure this is the answer but could be wrong (has been known).
    
    Loop:
    
    A current Indie band around at the moment, haven't heard much by them
    so I can't really comment.

    
    TOMMY - The Who - Royal Albert Hall
    
    
    Ahhhh...
    
    Superb...it is the first time i've seen them, and the Albert Hall is a
    lot smaller than i remember (especially when you are in the second row!)
    
    The first half was just Tommy, with the Cameo performances from the
    "stars" which i thought were very short ! It is a long time since i
    played the record, but i think this performance had some judical
    editing.
    
    After the interval (and several large warm G&Ts) they played a medley
    of their past hits...BRILLIANT ! The whole audience (even the
    wrinklies) were up on there feet. Pete was "windmilling" the Strat and
    John Entwhistle was amazing...it was a delight to watch him
    play...absolutely mesmerizing fingerwork !
    
    Why didn't they come back for a second encore...oh well...time for bed
    Zebedee said :-)
    
    BTW. Heard yesterday about a "MEGA"star charity bash at Knebworth next
    summer...to include all the currently touring major stars...what price
    a ticket ?
    
    Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

    
    	Re the previous :
    		
    		I was absolutely f'in gob-smacked
    
    	Better I'll never see.

    A bit more on 'C86' - Alot of the bands that are given this name
    are taken as rip offs of The Smiths due to their similarity. But
    this is not always the case. Bands also get labeled C86 if they
    attracted the same fans as the bands on the C86 tape.
    
    A C86 fan would probably wear the current T-Shirt for his favorite
    band - never ever removed until the new T-Shirt goes on sale. A
    pair of black/charcoal jeans and black shoes. Shirts are usually
    paisley - We've got Gedge to thank for this, his wierd taste in
    shirts really took off among the C86'ers in '87! I suppose they're
    just your average student types really.
    
    I'm not sure about Loop fans as it's not really my scene. But I
    think if you wore black to one of their gigs you'd do O.K. They
    sort of fall into the really loud, clumsy (?) guitar section that
    really takes a lot of courage and patience to hear the tune.
    
    B

    How about a note to free the concert review colum, for how people
    see followers of others music. 
    
    juju
    xxxx
    

    
    Imagine a most beautiful sound - a sound that endlessly wraps itself
    around you. Image that the sound actually shines with colour. The
    House Of Love made sounds like that on Thursday night.
    
    As with The Wedding Present, The House Of Love have been away, this tour
    and the new single mark their return to the alternative music scene.
    Tonights show is the 3rd of a 3 night stop in Leeds - something
    that was promised for way back in June, but were cancelled twice,
    due to record company schedules.
    
    The Warehouse is a club where they usually play good to average
    music. There's an indie night, a house night a dance night and a
    bit of everything night (which ends up as an acid night). Tonight
    it's indie night so we get a good selection of tracks before Something
    Pretty Wonderfull take the stage, they're on Creation but we've
    heard it all before - I think maybe Alan McKee may have picked a
    looser this time.
    
    Everybody crowds down front and there's conversation all about the
    indie groups that have visited the locality over the past few days.
    Then the old Stone Roses debate starts up, the student types slag
    them down and the lack of scallies means that any one who stands
    up for the Roses is immediatly knocked back - pretentious seems
    to be the most popular word.
    
    At 20 past eleven (In keeping with The Warehouse's 'as late as
    possible' finish times) the House Of Love appear. Guy is wearing
    hand-me-downs from his brother...looking as scruffy as possible,
    while the others look fairly hip and confident.
    
    Fishermans Tale starts the procceedings - quiet guitars separated
    by sudden bursts of excellent rock - this is just a warm up though,
    nothing can prepare anyone for the sheer brilliance of Christine.
    The words don't matter Tims guitar work is stunning and all around
    an amazing atmoshpere is being created. Things get seriously out
    of hand when Christine is followed by Destroy The Heart. Last years
    Festive 50 number one, finalises the atmosphere creation that Guy
    has been looking for. Now he apologises; 'Listen - Sorry about
    cancelling the gigs.' He sayes with conviction. We accept his apologies
    and go wild to the next number (down on the playlist as 'Sedest'???).
    In 'Flow' Tim surpasses himself, his fingers working away at his guitar
    and the music they make sends the crowd into raptures. It is seriously
    beautiful music, extreamly stylish and crafted to perfection...the
    atmoshpere it creates could invoke orgasm - especially when they
    suddenly burst into sound without warning.
    
    The middle of the set is dominated by new stuff and it IS good.
    In a Room being the most memorable, the climax at the end as Guy
    screams 'I can't slow down.' reminding me of James (Sorry! But it
    did!). Bloody hell that was a good number.
    
    Throughout it all Guy's lyrics paint pictures that are either dismal,
    frustrating or hopeful and his voice conveys the emmotions without
    effort - he is actually moved by the music, this is really how he
    feels, there is no point hideing it, there is no way of hiding it.
    
    The new single - 'I Don't Know Why I Love You' - is slightly more
    commercial. It is fast and loud, but the guitars shine on. Never
    a wrong note. It's a good single. They finish with 'Love In A Car'
    and Guy is at last having fun, playing with the crowd, tempting
    them to sing before he does. Tim's guitar continues to wrap around
    everything that hears it...so good.
    
    Before leaving Guy thanks us and tells us how good it has been playing
    in Leeds. 'We need you!' he smiles and the obvious reply is yelled
    back; 'We need *you*!' After that we yell for more without pause
    for breath.
    
    'Clothes' is very topical (for me anyway). 'This is about the dangers
    of taking drugs' sayes Guy, 'OOOOoooo' yells the crowd, 'err maybe
    I shouldn't have said that!' laughs Guy. The song turns out to be
    an excellent moody number about regreting the night before and trying
    to explain to the girl, just the sort of song I'd been looking for.
    
    They go off again after 'Clothes' but we call them back for 'Shine
    On'. Their first single has been tweeked to just about perfection
    now and Tim was there again, making us twitch as he vibrated the
    notes like fingers down a a blackboard without the screeeeeech.
    
    The last time they return they wait for requests. I shout 'Man To
    Child' and suddenly remembering, the crowd joins in. 'Oh No!' sayes
    Guy, 'We're bored of that one.' He then confuses everyone by elling
    them the next song is called 'Badger to Beaver' but I am not fooled.
    Man to Child is spolit slightly by the crowd joining in. Guy whispering
    'Shhhh' between verses. But the bleak hopelessness of the song makes
    me regret shouting for it. It isn't a very fitting end to a night
    of charming and (there's not another word, most likely it's one
    that you've heard) beautiful music. When they leave for the last
    time we go on shouting for more, till long after they've put the
    music back on.
    
    I grab the playlist from the stage and am suddenly mobbed by hoards
    of student types. I manage to stuff the thing into my pocket before
    they can frenziedly rip it to shreds.
    
    On leaving The House Of Love's genuine concern for their fans is
    pointed out again as I am handed a free live cassette single.
    I wasn't a serious fan before this gig, but I shall certainly get
    the new single and keep a good eye on The House Of Love from now
    on. The scallies ain't won yet!
    
    Bruce, Leeds
    

    Errmm...when I said 'Tim' in the House Of Love review, I meant 'Terry'.
    Sorry 'bout that!
    
    B

    My favourite type of girl is the small, ginger haired and cute type.
    Something about them always draws my attention.
    Tracy Tracy is small, ginger haired and cute, I just wanna take
    her home and keep her safe.
    
    The Man From Delmonte are the support. 'You're not here for The
    Primitives?' asks one of those student rugby players. I'm here for
    both, and the way in which The Man From Delmonte are performing
    the Primitives are going to have to be bloody good to do better.
    
    Mike the Bi-sexual Mancunian has his enormous coffiure completly
    covering his face - looking like some great sea monster from a
    Lovecraft story. On base Sheila is 'with child' - too much excitment
    could induce labour but I keep getting these visions of said child
    danceing along in Sheila's belly - wierd.
    
    Martin gets some of the crowd dancing with a nice little number
    called 'I Don't go out with her anymore, but...'. But the best numbers
    really get everyone moving. 'The Good Things In Life' is probably
    their best effort, we all sing along with lines like;
    
    'I'm not jellous at all, I just like your boyfriend,
     That's all I like about you!
     I'm not angry at all, I'm just upset, why do you get all the good
    things in life?'
    
    Lots of LaaLaLaLaLa's follow just to let you know The Man From
    Delmonte are about good times and they start with themselves.
    When they get round to 'Like a Millionaire' and Martin's Transvestite
    ditty we are really boogieing, it's silly stuff with a strict attempt
    to be serious;
    
    'It hurts to look a mess,
     I'm poorly fed and I'm poorly dressed,
     And, I can't go out like this,
     Look at my face it's a boys disgrace, IT'S A BOYS, IT'S A BOYS
    DISGRACE!'
 
    'Louise' rounds off their 3 of the best as Martin shows his enjoyment
    on stage and attempts to get 37 people dancing. Before the last
    number he quips, 'Right this is your last chance to get a sweaty
    crack...errrmm - Ooops! On your underwear I mean, Ooohh forget it!'
    Rounding off with 'Australia Fair' The Man From Delmonte have made
    some new friends tonight. With a spunk and a funk, a verve and a
    nerve, a ring and a swing they've confirmed their uniqueness and
    their excellent sense of fun.
    
    What about The Primitives? Well this was supposed to be their 'Alice
    In Wonderland' set, but it just looked like another stage to me
    - then the bubble machines started to spin. It was actually raining
    bubbles, they were everywhere. Rubbing the detergent out my eyes
    I noticed Paul & Tig taking the stage along with 2 unnamed individuals
    on keyboards and bass. Tracy appears and the drool begins to drip
    round and about me. She looks gorgeous, in a short black skirt that
    clings to her perfectly rounded hips and backside. Her top is white
    and see-through like a bandage. She wears a purple jacket on top
    of that.
    
    They begin with 'Outside' the song that leads into the album 'Pure'
    it's very throwaway and luckily is followed by 'Sick Of It' in which
    Tracy pouts about on stage which definate venom. Unfortunaltly it
    doesn't mean a thing, she too cute to be threatening. The lights
    are threatening though, splashes of flashing colour errupt about
    the stage creating a world of their own, but The Primitives don't
    seem to be on the world they've created for themselves. When everything
    gets mediocre immediatly after Sick Of It there is only the perverted
    chants of the sex starved males to keep me interested; 'Get yer
    t!ts out for ver lads!' and 'Look at them legs!'. I begin to feel
    ill at this point as the yob behind me shoves me between the barriers
    of the understage heater.
    
    Tracy keeps smileing and beckoning people with her fingers, but
    in the songs we should really be writhing along with, all we seem
    to just sort of sway a bit. Songs like 'Dizzy Heights', 'Keep Me In
    Mind', 'Secrets' and 'Way Behind Me' just whizz by without pause
    for breath. Near the end they do 'Crash' last years excellent single,
    it's better, but it fizzes out towards the end, Pauls terrable live
    vocal spoiling the effect.
    
    When they return for more, the yob behind me tells me, 'You're hard
    to please!'. 'Nahh!', I reply, 'I've just been spolit recently,
    with all the gigs I've been to.'
    
    Really Stupid is one of songs on the encore and I must admit that
    did seem a little better, but then they finished with Paul singing,
    'All the way down', an extreamly poor finish, to a serious let down
    of a gig.
    
    I'm not sure exactly why it didn't work, the sound was good, the
    lights were great, maybe it was the singing, yes, probably the singing
    and the fact that - when you really get down to it - although Tracy
    Tracy is something wonderful to look at, she's got about as much
    stage presence as a fried egg.
    
    Bruce, Leeds

The Wedding Present - Glasgow Barrowlands 11th November 1989

They took to the stage at 9.30pm and left at 10.30 playing one encore, their
last encore EVER in Scotland. In the hour they were on they played 3/4 of
Bizarro, one song of George Best and two new tracks. I kept a mental note
of the track listing but unfortunately events taking place during the 2 hours
we were in the Barrowlands made me forget.

The events I am talking about weren't the great guitar playing of Gedge and
Co., NO! while I was playing host to two American friends by taking them
through to Glasgow to see one of the best bands in the UK, certain Glaswegian
cretins were helping themselves to my car stereo, tapes, all our jackets and
Tommy's chequebook ... well this put a bit of a damper on the whole evening,
especially when we had to drive back to Edinburgh with a missing window.
Sometimes it makes me ashamed to be Scottish!

Back to the gig, The Weddoes were rather reluctant to do any encore with Gedge
saying "If John Peel does a good show you don't ask him to come back and play
another couple of records", but I didn't just hand over 5 squid to see John
Peel and his show lasts 1 and 1/2 hours anyhow!

So tonights show, although good, was the worst performance by them from the 3
times I have seen them ... and with the added intrusion of my car, meant the
whole night was a bummer!

By the way Bruce, they stole that tape you made for me but never took Dougie
Robb's ... no questioning taste eh!  :-)

    Puzzled of Ayr.  ;-)

I meant they never took that tape you sent me to give Ed, although it was in the
car also!

    
    The Wedding Present - Leeds Polytecnic - Monday 13th November
    
    Leeds is sucked into a freezing fog as student and scallie alike head
    towards Leeds Poly for the homecoming of the citys bigest band since
    Black Lace. Tonight is going to be wonderful...the predictors predict.
    
    In the refrectory I am accosted by my next door neighbor. This is
    extreamly surprising as her father has let the whole street know that
    he despises my taste in music by yelling up at my bedroom window; 'Turn
    that f**king noise down!'. Her friends are giddy school girls who burst
    into giggling fits if I so much as grunt. I am in full flight when
    Arlene appears and stands chatting to her friends directly behind me.
    Everything stops, panic explodes and I listen...'God what a common
    tart' I think to myself as she 'Ehh upps' and 'Eee Bahh Gumms' at the
    top of her voice.
    
    When she goes I notice Grappers son barking away on the merchandise
    stall - 'Cum 'n' get yer T-Shirt','Get yer T-Shirts 'ere, only 6.00
    quid!'. The sign on his chest pointing out who he is isn't really
    needed, the family resemblence is incredable.
    
    On entering the hall the girlies follow me to the front...I tell them
    that I don't think this is such a good thing, butthey just giggle and
    look brave.
    
    Tastefull music is blasted over the speakers - The Pixes, Throwing
    Muses and similar. But then Thrilled Skinny take the stage. They're
    cr*p and they know it. The bass guitarist could only handle 2 notes in
    each song. This created a monotiny that was unbearable. The girlies
    look dismayed, 'Are the Wedding Present like that?' they ask, in a
    worryied tone of voice.
    
    Of course the Leeds fans errupt when the time draws near. Football
    chants yelled by fat sweaty gits. The scallies stand at the back
    looking dubious, remembering when it was fashionable to like the
    Weddos. When Gedge appears dressed in a red rugby top and surprisingly,
    long trousers everybody cheers - Tonight is going be good - Tonight the
    Weddos have come home.
    Brassneck set forth at breakneck speed at offers up an excellent start
    to the procceddings. People begin to die on the front row as the yobs
    surge and crunch people into their sweaty mass, spitting them out again
    seconds later, looking much the worse for wear. The second song is
    'Don't Talk Just Kiss' and it's another great number. But then thats
    it, everything just sort of goes droopy. Things deteriorate drasticly
    when the same drunken yob that was causing hastle during the Bradford
    gig decides to give me hastle. It's impossible to get away from him,
    his elbow 'accidently' hitting me in the face all through 'Give My Love
    To Kevin.'
    
    In Bewitched everything slows down and the crowd decides to clap along
    - ruining the effect.
    
    Gone is proffessionally executed. Quitely gedge whispers angst ridden
    lines into his microphone then without warning a collision of noise as
    the guitars errupt. A stobe lights up illuminating the effort Gedge is
    putting in over his guitar. Hunched right over it despiratly hitting
    the strings till they all collapse and relax with 'What Have I Said
    Now?'
    
    They come back to shove 'Take Me I'm Yours' in our faces. By now I've
    escaped from the dead front row and have been grabbed by a wild bunch
    of fans danceing round in a 'ring-a-roses' circle. The guitars seem to
    go on for hours and I can't help but notice Arlene as I stumble away
    from the dance floor.
    
    When they went I couldn't help but feel disappointed. This was not the
    live thrill that the Weddos usually left their fans with...a slacker
    sound and a far from happy Gedge along with an uncompromisingly short
    set destroyed a little of The Wedding Present magic.
    
    My neighbours father gives me a lift home with all the girlies...which
    is surprising - the last time I spoke to him he threatened to murder me
    unless I shut my bedroom window (this was back in summer. 30 degrees.).
    One of the girlies invited me to an opera or something...I couldn't
    handle it, I knew I should have taken the train.
    
    Bruce, Leeds

    It's a cold, cold, Sheffield night and everyones tucked in bed.
    Everyone that is, apart from the student population of Sheffield.
    Partying into the early hours - this is how life should be lived. It's
    indie night at 'Sheff 2' and the dance floor is filled with scallies
    wearing James T-Shirts, James sweat tops and James hooded sweat tops.
    They are ending a special night that they don't want to end, in the best
    possible way...my god you could actually camp a family in some of the
    clothing that these people are wearing.
    
    5 hours earlyier - certain parts of my body are just begining to thaw
    from the Sheffield cold, as I chat with a James regular from
    Halifax. Donning my very own 'limited edition' hooded sweat-top (14.50)
    I must really look the part. 'Am I a scallie now?' I ask myself...'Nah
    you're just a mixed up sort of guy!'. That's a nice thought.
    
    The Band Of Holy Joy are on a world of their own. There's nothing like
    them. 'Johnneeee!' cry their followers as they take the stage. Johnny
    has a nervous twitch, but then the whole of the band are odd. They make
    excellent music though. Johnny believes in his lyrics, gasping them out
    when he gets to a particularly agonising piece of prose. But they rush
    by so fast, carried along by a wave of confusing music that - like
    Johnny - is unrelenting in it's journey to an end. Johnny is in his 
    element, taking a little bow at the end of every song. 
    
    Shadows Fall stunning, all 8 instruments come together to create a 
    stream of music as Johnny croons his bleak metaphors of love and life, 
    then a sudden on-rush of sound as Johnny intensely and agonisingly groans 
    at full pitch - lost again. 'Please let me into your room, Your's is a 
    playground, while mine is a tomb.' he (oh so despiratly) whispers. 
    Evening World Holiday Show - the new E.P. - rounds things off, no one 
    can keep up with this, even Johnny stumbles at one point....the accordian 
    bounds on regardless and The Band Of Holy Joy loose themselves in sound.
    
    So the oldest band in Manchester (Buzzcocks? Nah, before my time mate!)
    appear - all 7 of them. Ed the trumpeter is the most recent addition
    and what a charater he appears to be - pure scallie - bright red
    trousers, so big you could park a car in 'em! Immiediately he makes his
    impression - adding yet another dimension to sound which didn't seem to
    have any room for improvement. There is no clash either, everything is
    played really tightly, nothing out of place.
    
    James kill the crowd with one sharp blow. The trumpet creating a
    deathly atmosphere that mingles with Larry's guitar and boy I felt
    cold, lonely and frightened by that sound. Then Tim agonisingly
    horrifingly sighes; 'I'm afraid of lonelyness swallowing me.' and
    people gulp with terror.
    
    Seconds later things become much more positive as the joyous 'What
    For?' breaks out with added keyboards and trumpet, everything enhanced
    beyond belief. Then we're dragged innocently back down into 'On Top Of
    The World' and Larry works overtime to create a howling wind from his
    guitar,  in comes that trumpet again followed by Jim's bass which finally 
    etches out past images from your brain and gives them a good kicking 
    around before storing them away again for later use.
    
    The majority of the songs are the joyously bouncey James and they all
    come together for the rendition of 'Come Home' - the new E.P. - at the
    end. One guy scrambles onto the stage and the bouncers rush towards
    him, but Tim sends them away and hands the guy a rattle to shake and
    James go wild on stage. Tim's epilepitic dance, imitated by Saul and Ed
    as Larry and Jim endlessly toil away on guitars. 'The way I feel just
    makes me wanna scrEAM!' crys Tim just before Ed goes wild on Trumpet.
    If the trumpet could speak it would be yelling at us 'THIS IS WHERE YOU
    DANCE!' so we dance as wildly as is possible and so does Tim right over
    the edge of the stage...the crowd drags him away, pulling and grasping
    and Saul despiratly trys to drag him back...I grab his foot and then he
    is spewed back onto the stage looking pale and stunned, grabbing the
    microphone he gasps for air and yells at us; 'Come Home! Come Home!
    Come Home!' and thats where the 7 of them leave.
    
    The crowd screams for more and of course I cannot help but start up the
    chant that is oh so obvious to those with any sense at all; 'You're the
    pride of Manchester!' in unison the crowd joins in and Tim and Larry
    return for a rendition of 'Promised Land';
    'I'll settle down and watch the television, watch the news,
     Confronted by an ugly politician and her ugly views.'
    The crowd cheers and applaudes as Tim ever so innocently slags 'her
    highness' right into the dirty ground she stands on;
    'Everything she touches is infected, including me.
     I don't belong here, In your promised land.'
    
    Removing the front barrier from my chest I walk out into the freezing
    November air - feeling all warm and calm inside, Sheff two completes that
    feeling and for a while I can suspend belief and contemplate never
    being cold or alone again. James - the best live band in the world.
    
    Bruce, Leeds

    
    
    Much as I would like to follow the last few notes in a similar style
    (as if I could!), but Hue and Cry only played for approx 7 mins last night
    in Glasgow before singer Pat Kane announced with great difficulty
    that his voice had in fact deserted him.   It was clear for all
    to hear.
    
    He was clearly suffering from a bad cold/flu, and said that the
    concert would be rescheduled to asap.  Initial mass stun was quickly
    replaced by appreciation of the fact that we were not treated to
    a 40 minute botch-up job, and we would soon hear the *real* Pat
    Kane.  Hue and Cry were applauded from the stage.
    
    Watch this space.
    
    
    Michael
    

    My last one this....
    
    Northside/Bridewell Taxis - Leeds Warehouse - November 28th 1989
    
    Before last night I thought a 'Red window frame' was something that you
    looked out of. When someone offered me one for 4 quid my puzzled reply
    was that  the windows on my parents house were fine and the frames were
    a nice shade of white. Then someone explained to me...'Red Window
    Frames' are a certain form of drug that takes you tripping for 12 hours
    or more...s**t someone just offered me drugs! Looking about me I am
    amazed to find 3 or 4 people who are definatly stoned. I get talking to
    a Stone Roses fan and he explains it all to me and then changes the
    subject quick 'cos he suddenly feels thirsty. Seconds later an
    announcement is made; 'Anyone caught with drugs will be kicked out on
    their arses!' Amen to that - sort of.
    
    Northside got a rave review in last weeks N.M.E. They've just finished
    supporting the Happy Mondays on their tour and boy do the similaritys
    show. A coach full of scallies from Manchester begin to sing the name
    of their home town at the prompting of the lead singer - this is not a
    good idea at all - from the back of the club the call goes up, 'We are
    Leeds, We are Leeds, We are Leeds!'...this could get nasty.
    
    Luckily the band start playing before things can get any worse.
    Northside are young. All of 'em under 20...they could go far, but I
    wasn't too impressed - a cheap remake of the Happy Mondays with a nicer
    more acceptable guitar sound and a 'singer' who's flat instead of sharp
    and sharp instead of flat. In Manchester you obviously get the worse
    singer possible if you want a successfull band. Soon it all gets
    monotonous as the songs go on and on and on. The singer repeating the
    same stuff over and over and over. At the end of each song he gives
    himself a big cheer into the microphone as the Manchester scallies go
    wild at the front.
    
    Waiting for the Bridewells a dead-head starts striping to the acid
    dance music that has been drummed into our heads all night. His friends
    attempts to stop his disenrobement finally fail and his backside is
    revealed in it's full glory. Then the flippin' dry ice machine starts
    belching right at me. Everything disappears and I mean everything -
    it's fairly scarey, just mist - is this what it's like to be blind?
    Then way back in the mist a strobe starts pumping and a speaker starts
    babbling. Hey this is a good start....Mick appears and The Bridewells
    begin....
    
    Everything is 'good'. The trombone adding that little extra to the
    unoriginal set up of 'wah wah' guitars and psycodelic synthesiser an
    excellent sound. Mick's vocal is lost though. Not a word of the lyrics
    can be figured out, so we just jig about to the music till they play
    tracks we know. 'Wild Boar' and its emphatic chorus of 'Life! Life's
    there for taking!'. Then they run on automatic till they get to the
    definate highlight of the show; 'Just Good Friends'. Piling onto
    somebodys shoulders I nearly ruin the whole song as Mick cracks up
    laughing, but he stumbles onwards into the taxi's version of scallie
    pop;
    
    'Walking past the old railway station,
     I see you running for your late coming train,
     I shout, 'I need an explanation!'
     You start to laugh, and down comes the rain.'
     
    Still the feeling lingers, there's that little extra missing. When they
    leave the stage for a few seconds people cry out for more and then just
    wait for them to come back - saving their lungs for a better
    performance. They do come back - quickly before anyone leaves and
    announce the new single; 'In God We Trust'. The music is excellent but
    the lyrics are lost, drowned in sea of hip swinging, arm waving scallie
    killer pop...the dry ice and strobe pump away and I get rather panicy
    trying to find my way out of the mist; OH MY GOD I'M REALLY BLIND! The
    guitars screech and with an obvious Inspiral Carpets influence the
    Taxis leave us with a screaming blast of feedback that tears eardrums
    to shreds.
    
    Oh well, it's quarter to one and sitting in the car I settle down and
    dream about sun-streached beaches, running, getting wet, with *YOU*
    holding my hand...
    
    Thanks everyone.
    
    B

     
       I was hungover when writing this, so as Prince says, "Sue me
       if I begin to stray...."

       Over the past few months, since they first came to my 
       attention, I have always been impressed by the 4 of Us, I 
       raved about their album "Songs for the Tempted", playing it 
       continuously, blowing the fuses in the house one night as a 
       result.  Last Thursday night was my first chance to see them 
       live, and I jumped at the opportunity.
     
       Originally scheduled for Seapoint, the demand for tickets was 
       so great it was transferred to Leisureland to accommodate 
       everyone.  The doors opened at 8 pm. much to the relief of the 
       queue that had been waiting in the bitter cold.  The 
       Undertones, Fergal Sharkey's original stomping ground, spoke 
       about 'Teen-age Kicks`.  Certainly tonight most of those 
       waiting outside were young enough to exercise that right.
     
       Entering the hall the strains of Ry Cooders 'Bop till you Drop` 
       could be heard, I wondered how many of audience had that 
       classic album, nobody seemed to know it.  God, am I old or 
       what? then I saw someone else singing to the music, solidarity 
       comrade.
     
       A little after 9 the lights went down to a large scream from 
       the audience.  I use the word scream rather than applause or 
       roar; it appears that Beatle mania is back in fashion.  I 
       forgot to mention that these four guys are major sex symbols in 
       this country.  Five minutes later they rushed on stage and the 
       crowd, still frantically screaming, clamoured to the front to 
       catch a glimpse.  "How ya doin'?", his northern accent drowned 
       by more screaming and a few stretcher cases.  Starting with 
       'Kill You`, the sound is as always in Leisureland, poor, all 
       you can hear are the drums beating out the rhythm.  He belts 
       out the lines "...don't, don't, don't, turn around, don't, 
       don't, turn around.."; the audience all bouncing in one solid 
       mass couldn't if they tried. 
     
       Lightning Paul, their ballad to a haunted man, contained the 
       lines "..string 'em up and let 'em hang..", string up the 
       audience perhaps but hang no way, dancing, like those robots on 
       Herby Hancock's series of videos more like.  Followed by Jolene 
       (nothing to the man stealing Country and Western Jolene), the 
       lead singer wiping his brow, scanned the audience claimed they 
       were all nice guys really, cue screamers, except that they were 
       all 'Fools For Temptation` cue screamers again. "...but it's 
       much better fun to fool around, when indifference is all you've 
       found..", the ground is beginning to move.
     
       Then Declan Murphy, lead singer and one of the three brothers 
       in the outfit, said he wanted to sing a little love song, 
       cue....wait for it ! ...screamers.  'Christine` a song about 
       society's love affair with the television, is in my opinion, 
       marginally the best song on the album.  The last line of the 
       song involves counting from one to four which in true Freddie 
       Mercury style everybody waved their hands in the air, finger 
       counting the numbers like the launch of a space shuttle.
     
       Featuring two guitars, drums and electronic keyboard, the music 
       failed to achieve the quality they produce on vinyl. 
       Nevertheless, the place is rocking as it appears everybody 
       knows each word of every song, and, as somebody said in 
       passing, at least they were nice to look at.
     
       After playing three songs which I wasn't acquainted with, the 
       keyboard player hit a low note, the first bars from 'Mary` by 
       far their greatest commercial success.  The lead singer picked 
       up his acoustic guitar, fingered a few strings, and then 
       looking up in amazement to hear the audience lash into the 
       first verse and chorus without him.  It was obvious it caught 
       the 4 of Us with their defences down, a smile crept across the 
       face of the previously stoic lead guitarist.  They reduced 
       their volume and urged the crowd on, which they responded to by 
       singing the second verse and chorus.  The band then returned 
       the compliment singing the third, and then the second verse 
       again.  Definitely one of the better moments of the evening.
     
       As the lead singer handed over the guitar, he ran off stage, 
       cue wailers, to return with a video camera in tow.  He scanned 
       the audience whilst explaining they were filming every concert 
       they were doing, so everybody was to wave for Mom at home.  You 
       guessed it, cue screamers, He then demanded the audience to 
       chant "Galway...Galway" so that they would know who they had 
       filmed.  The noise level would have done Jackie Charlton proud, 
       I was waiting for a blast of the earwig song, you know "ere we 
       go, ere we go....".
     
       Calming somewhat he again picks up the guitar, and began to 
       speak in his wee Newry accent, "When people heard this song 
       first, one reviewer said it was about gardening, another about 
       food, when really, we just wrote it about sex, it's called I 
       just can't get enough".  My type of party.
     
       Following that with 'Drag my bad Name` down appeared to have a 
       natural justice about it.  Playing for an hour fifteen they 
       finished up with 'Busload of Friends`, a number very much in 
       the mold of the Rolling Stones.  The band remind me a great 
       deal of U2, powerful studio sound which is very hard to 
       recreate live, but compensated by an excellent live 
       performance. 
     
       I enjoyed myself, It wasn't the best concert I ever went to, 
       but then again it is their first series of concerts and their 
       first album, they will improve.  A friend later commented in 
       jest that my musical credibility had plummeted after going to 
       see them, "what the hell" was my reply, "....I'm just a fool 
       for temptation.  Is that so wrong ?"
     
     
     

The Washington Squares are a folk/protest band from the U.S. of A.  This was
their second appearance in this country, after they surprised everybody at the
Cambridge folk festival earlier this year when the audience started slamming and
thrashing around to their frenetic pace.

They're a 2 men, 1 woman, acoustic guitar band who dress as early sixties 
beatnicks with their black and white stripy polo necks and goatees.  The songs 
are very reminiscent of this, what with covers of Peter, Paul and Mary tunes
(ack!), but the pace is sped up, and with drumming accompaniment, the whole 
experience turns into one good bop.  Their style is nothing original, lyrically
or musically, but it was good to hear some simple unpretentious music for a
change.

Along with their own tunes on this evening, they also did brilliant cover 
versions of `Sweet Jane', `Somebody to Love', and `Lying eyes' at the request of
a heckler who said they sounded like the Eagles.  A good evening was had by all.
They have an eponymously titled debut out for anyone whose interested (on
Virgin, I believe).

Lee

Lee, FYI,  I'm  pretty  sure they're a New York band and they get their name
from  Washington  Square Park in famous Greenwich Village. As the Grebo Guru
can attest, this is one hopping park!

Ed

  The Buzzcocks, The Family Cat, The Senseless Things
  Glasgow Barrowlands   12th December 1989

  The crowd at the Barrowlands looked a lot older than the usual mix at
  the gigs I had been to before. All these proffesional people who had, 
  as students, danced the nights away to the sound of the Buzzcocks, turning
  out for the return of one of the greatest bands of the late 70's early 80's.

  The Senseless Things attacked the stage first, with their fast guitars
  and even faster drummer they strutted their stuff to an appreciative crowd.
  I had bought their first long player offering earlier in the week and was
  pleasntly surprised by it, but live it was so much better. During the set 
  it was announced that the Family Cat had been hit by the influenza bug
  so the next band on would be the mighty Buzzcocks ... shame cos I was 
  looking forward to seeing another NME favourite band for the moment.

  9.20pm, the lights suddenly go out, the crowd cheer and there is a massive
  surge to the front ... Shelley, Diggle, Maher, and Garvey take the stage. 
  Being totally unprepared for this early start I had still a half pint to 
  finish off, which took me two songs ... by the opening strains of 
  "Love You More" I had thrown down the last of my drink and was heading
  for the 'pogo-ing' mass at the front of the stage. The classics followed ...
  "Promises", "Chainstore", "Autonomy (Oh Tommy!)", "Pulsebeat", "ESP",
  "Harmony in my Head" .... I think Ed done a song list from the Boston show,
  well it was exactly the same. As they came back for the second encore I 
  turned to my friend (SPUG!) and smugly said "... the next one will be 'Oh 
  Shit!' then 'Boredom' ...". Well, I was correct with the first they spat
  out "Oh Shit!", but then Shelley screamed out the words that most people
  were waiting for all night ... "You tried it just for once found it alright 
  for kicks ...". I went wild, the crowd went wild, the Buzzcocks went wild.
  The final song of the night was "Boredom", which was one thing that I
  never experienced at any time during the evening.

  It was obvious that the Buzzcocks had enjoyed the experience as much as the
  crowd staying on stage for at least a minute clapping us and shaking the
  outstreched hands of the front row. It was at this point that I realised
  that it wasn't just for the money!

    
      I zipped along to see The Fat Lady Sings in the Warwick (Galway) 
      Sunday night (17th December). The doors opened at 10.30 pm, I 
      arrived at about 11.15 and bolstered the crowd to about 75. The 
      band finally attracted about 150 people, the poor turn-out was 
      primarily due to the fact that nobody knew about the concert. 
    
      A small bit of concert advertising would go along way in Galway, 
      I only knew about it from a small advert in the local paper, no 
      posters in town, no billboard at the entrance of the Warwick (I 
      resist from calling it a hotel). I feel that if these concerts 
      were pushed a little further into the public's eye, people would 
      attend. A small investment in posters for the town or a large 
      billboard advertising who is playing or due next would certainly 
      develop a consistent concert going public in Galway (any opinions
      from other concert goers).
 
    
      It was fortunate perhaps, that there was a small crowd because 
      their stage gear took up more than half of the dance floor, and 
      behind them, hung a large black backdrop displaying large 
      graphic designs from their previous single. They arrived on 
      stage at 12.15, "Hi, we're called The Fat Lady Sings", everybody 
      picked up their drinks and walked from the bar into the dance 
      area. 
    
      Sitting at a piano, their lead singer Nick Kelly, (Nickie you've 
      changed !, heard that joke a thousand times before,) opens the 
      gig sounding a bit like Lloyd Cole. Smiles all round from 
      everybody on stage. I know very little of their music (two songs 
      at most) so this was a new experience for me. 
    
      Instruments on stage included, the piano, drums (with a very 
      shallow snare drum), a lead and bass guitar and an acoustic 
      guitar which the lead singer used whenever he wasn't at the 
      piano. Their music has great rhythm to it, at no stage did you 
      ever feel that the same sound was been repeated, each song was 
      as individual as the next. Their sound in general could classed 
      with the types of Lloyd Cole, the acoustic guitar work of the 
      Eurthymics, and The Smiths (Johnny Marr especially). For 
      'Arclight' their latest single, a girl joined them on the piano, 
      they played a very tight number, just the bare 7" inch version 
      of the song, this was due to the fact that the two regular 
      members of the band had the flu and those substituting for them 
      had just joined them that day. 
    
      The sound was excellent especially after The 4 of Us concert  
      which was atrocious. Hopefully their album, when released will 
      compliment them even further. Including the encore they played 
      for an hour, which they apologised for, stating they hadn't the 
      time to rehearse with the replacements. The encore, which 
      consisted of truly great rock and roll version of Van the Man's 
      'Gloria' was one of the highpoints of the evening.
    
      Good gig man, good gig.
    
      Richard O'

    Last note of the day:


	    ***The Little Fish - The Castle, Salthill, Galway***
			    ***29 Dec '90***

I enjoyed this gig a lot. The Little Fish is a local Galway band, a friend
described them before as (simply) "Rock 'n Roll". It was certainly very
danceable music and the 300 or so crowd seemed to enjoy themselves.

Having bought the single in one of the town's bars earlier I was granted
`free' admission on that basis. The single sounded nothing like the music I
heard. The 45 reminds me of Lloyd Cole, which is an unfair comparison. The
vocals, anyhow, sounded like ole Lloyd.

As I said, an excellent evening, can't remember any track titles. If you're
in the Galway area and you get a chance to see them, I reckon it's well
worth it.

Incidentally they also call themselves "Les Petits Poissons" (on the back
of the single). Which reminded me of that old Charles Shaar Murray
one-liner; "One man's fish is another man's *poisson*".

- Tim
 
    

Eric Clapton's Journeyman Tour completed its first stage in the 
Birmingham National Exhibition Centre Arena last night. 

It was WONDERFUL !!!!

The concert started at 7:30 with the support band, Zucchero Fornaciari.
Evidently he is Italy's No 1 rock star and Eric has guested with him in 
Rome. They played a pretty good 40 minute set which got everybody warmed 
up nicely. A 20 minute interval and then........

The lights go down, Greg Phillinganes takes his place at the keyboards 
and plays some honky-tonk bluesy piano stuff which gradually becomes the 
opening notes of 'Pretending'. The lights go up and there is Clapton, the 
grey 'Stratocaster' with red strap over the black Gianni Versace suit.
The total line-up simply consisted of Eric, Greg, Nathan East on Bass and 
Steve Ferrone on drums. It was difficult to believe that there were only 
4 musicians down there on stage, the sound was fantastic. Following the 
opening number we were treated to 'White Room' and a new arrangement of 
'I Shot the Sherrif'. I really enjoyed this as I had got a bit bored with 
his record version and this new one was fresh all over again.

They then returned to the 'Journeyman' Album with 'Running on Faith' and 
'Breaking Point'. On each number Eric played long solos that just had me 
spellbound, this was a master at his best. Nothing I have ever heard 
before on record or live had the power of this performance.

Nathan East was featured on the next number 'Can't Find May Way Home' 
which was followed by the high spot of the evening. 'Bad Love' has just 
been released as a single in the UK and Eric gave this all he's got. I 
wish it had been possible to capture this on tape as I don't think I will 
ever hear anything as good again. I am now envious of all the people who 
have tickets for the rest of this tour.

Having got the heavy one out of the way (Eric's words) things relaxed a 
little with 'Lay Down Sally', then 'Hard Times', 'Before You Accuse Me', 
'No Alibis' and 'Old Love', all from the new album, finishing off with 
'Tearing Us Apart'. 

Eric then started the grand climax, a disguised introduction to 
'Wonderful Tonight' brought thunderous applause from the audience when 
the opening riff was recognised, similarly when this was followed by 
'Cocaine' during which the band members were introduced so we knew the 
end was nigh. Of course what else to finish the night but 'Layla' during 
which everyone was on their feet. It took us what seemed an age to call 
them back for the encore but finally they all came back and it was 
'Crossroads' to complete a memorable evening.

For your interest the rest of the tour consists of 6 nights (Jan 
18-20,22-24) at the Royal Albert Hall,London with the same line up, 7 
nights (Jan 26-31 & Feb 1) with an augmented 13 piece band which adds 
extra Guitars (including Mark Knopflers) , Keyboards, Percussion, Backing 
Vocals and Horns, 3 nights (Feb 3,4,5) with the Blues Band, i.e. EC plus 
Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Johnie Johnson and Jamie Oldaker. The London 
section finishes with 3 nights (Feb 8,9,10) where he is joined by the 
National Philharmonic Orchestra, I would expect this show to feature the 
TV and Film score music that Eric has written e.g 'Edge of Darkness' & 
'Leathal Weapon II'.

From Feb 14th the tour then takes in 14 nights around Europe, from 
Scandinavia, through Germany,Denmark,Holland,Belgium,Italy and France.
Actual dates are Feb 14 Helsinki, 16th Stockholm, 17th Oslo, 19th 
Copenhagen, 20th Hamburg, 22nd Brussels, 23rd Essen, 24th The Hague, 
26-27th Milan, March 1 Munich, 3rd & 4th Paris, 5th Frankfurt.
This Band is the same as the 13 piece London set-up minus the horns.

BTW an additional pleasure for me was that I took my 11 year old son with 
me for his first ever major rock concert. He is already a fan as he keeps 
borrowing my albums, but the look on his face was sheer wonder, but then 
again I guess I had the same expression on mine. Another point is that 
there were no lasers, no dancing girls etc. just sheer brilliant 
musicianship.

Richard Bell (Still reelin from the rockin.)
 
 

    

    Sounds terrific! I'm off to see him this evening..

	<< Written for "The Irish Emigrant" Newsletter 'Jan 1990>>
    
            By 
    		D�ith�  Fallon
    
    
		At last McCartney is fighting back. On a world tour at the
moment he has revived a number of his own Beatles songs and combined them with
some of the highlights of his post Beatles work. Add the mandatory dose of
tracks from his new album, an incredible laser and projection show, a truly
great band and you have an experience worth crossing the Irish sea for (sic).
Paul is taking every opportunity on this tour to remind those who have
forgotten, that the Beatles were much more than John Lennon. There are those of
us who have always known...

     		So there I was. I swore when I heard he was touring that I was
going to see him even if I had to cross the water. Wembley arena, 11th Jan
1990, no Irish dates pencilled in (yet?), kick off of the UK leg of his tour, 
had to dig into the pockets. Good seat, great arena, free hundred page program, 
oldish kind of subdued crowd.

		Now it was starting, a Dick Lester film (he made "A Hard Days
Night" and "Help!") specially made for the tour opened the concert. Wide screen
split in three, McCartney in the middle performing between '62 and now, world
events that happened in that time on the other two sections of the screen. '63
A Hard Days night and Beatlemania, '67 The summer of love and "All you Need is
Love", '69 Vietnam and The long and winding road, '73 Ian Paisley hoisting a 
Union Jack and Live and Let Die , '83 Say Say Say and Live aid, and Then Now!
the three screens filled with the world tour photo and on he came, this guy
whose songs I'd being singing since I was 12, all those college parties sitting
with a guitar and everybody trying to sing the right harmonies, trying to think
of the chords, insisting on singing in the written  keys although they were too
high for everyone, trying to do all the "good bits"  and let someone else do
the main vocal and this guy wrote nearly all of them and now we were going to
hear some of the most played songs in history played and sung by the master...
unbelievable.

		Admittedly the first half hour was fairly low key, they were
getting into their stride. McCartney played Bass. A handful of songs from the 
new album with "Jet"  thrown in. Even if it was going to be this ordinary I
would have been satisfied, there had already been great moments, the man was 48
after all and could be past his prime. "Hamish wrote this one in the Jacuzi
this morning", says Paul, and into "Got to get into my Life" from Revolver 1966
the first Beatles offering. He didn't quite reach the highest notes in the
chorus, but glided marvellously through them in a half falsetto half growling
voice. It was then I realised how damn good this band was and in particular
"Wix" the guy on the DX synthesiser at the back. There's a lot of brass in
"Got to Get You Into My Life" and this guy was playing it all on the 
keyboards. A short recess as they returned to something from this year's 
"Flowers in the Dirt Album". 	

Then this small psychedelic piano appeared at the side of the stage, a half
size one coloured pink and yellow. Into "Maybe I'm Amazed" from his first solo
album "McCartney" 1970. My friend picked this as the highlight of the show
although she wasn't too familiar with the original. Its written very high  and
I felt he struggled a little, although he is a master at damage limitation
(remember Live Aid). Still, things were hotting up. "Day after Day, alone a
hill..." sang Paul and the crowd went wild. "... and the eyes in his head see
the world spinning 'round ..." and Paul and the piano rotated a half turn on
stage. Now the stage show was taking off, projectors beaming Kaleidoscopes on
the backdrop, Paul now up in the air and going "...round and round...", "Wix"
"playing" the recorder, this was more like it. Next the title song from "Sgt.
Peppers" with the opening track and the faster reprise near the end of the
album joined together by a blistering solo. Paul played the lead guitar for
that one and we got the full impact of the stage show, lasers, coloured grid
projections and a superb band belting it out. The audience was now on its feet
and wasn't going to sit down again. 	

The show remained in orbit for the next hour and a half, classic after classic,
with maybe two lows that I can remember, one song from "Flowers in the Dirt" and
"Ebony and Ivory" which was like playing Vivaldi in the middle of Beethoven's 
fifth. "If you feel like staying dancing about, this is a good one to move to"
says Paul and into "Can't Buy me Love". A list of songs will serve to
illustrate the sheer class of this show, not to mention the presentation;
lasers lights projections, cranes, moving stages, explosions etc. Songs,
on top of those already mentioned, included "I Saw her Standing There", 
"Hey Jude", "Good Day Sunshine",  " The things We Said Today", "Yesterday", 
"Back in the USSR" "Let it Be", "Get Back", "Eleanor Rigby", all classics and 
all songs he wrote himself (yes, although Lennon and McCartney credited all 
their songs together, they actually co-wrote very few).

The show proper ended with a rip roaring version of "Live and Let Die" complete 
with machine gun lasers explosions and Linda taking off into orbit. It had been
a long show and the crowd were worried he wasn't coming back so we shouted and
whistled and kicked up an awful racket considering our average age. Back he
came to do a couple of acoustic numbers, "Yesterday" included. The concert
finished with the "Golden Slumbers" medley from the Abbey Road album 1969,
going through "Golden Slumbers", "Carry That Weight", a snatch of "You Never
Give me Your Money", "Are You gonna Be in My Dreams Tonight" and finally "The
End", Which would have been the last song on the last side of the last Beatles
Album if McCartney hadn't stuck in 15 seconds of "Her Majesty" just to be
awkward and then they hadn't given the tapes of the "Let it Be" film (recorded
late '68 early '69) to Phil Spector and released an Album from it in 1970. But
anyway, just so the idea isn't wasted it goes "And in the end, the love you
take is equal to the love you make..."

And then he was gone... 

Whatever about McCartney's genius, I am envious of those who had the good 
fortune to see Lennon and McCartney on the same stage. Now that the attempt to
get McCartney to Slane this summer has failed, it looks like my money was well
spent.
    

	Date:   5-Feb-1990
	Venue:  The Network, Edinburgh

	This was my first time at this relatively new venue so I was quite 
	looking forward to 'checking out' the place and given it my
	critically acclaimed thumbs up or down, as well as seeing the band
	of course....

	Anyway, the support was The Beyond. What a great choice of support
	act. Their music made me think I was watching Napalm Death with 
	their new singer, Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden). The guitarist was
	a very strange chap indeed. At one point he'd be standing stock still
	staring at somebody, anybody, in the crowd, then the next he would
	be manically thrashing around in a complete frenzy. We couldn't get
	hold of what he was on so we settled for a beer instead. Once they
	left the stage they very quickly returned to play a couple of covers
	for an encore. The first was AC/Dc's Highway To Hell, well the first 
	30 seconds of it anyway. The band all swapped instruments with the
	drummer doing the vocals. He got so carried away he knocked half the
	kit over in his mental fit. His voice only lasted for the 30 seconds
	so they quickly resumed the original line-up and played THE BEST cover
	of California UberAlles you will ever hear. What a way to finish.

	Well after that brief but entertaining set it wasn't very long before
	The Chilli Peppers came on stage. There isn't really a lot I can say
	about this band. I only knew the one song before the gig, that is the
	latest single Higher Ground. I don't know any of the bands names so 
	there is no name dropping. I couldn't get pissed as I was driving, 
	didn't stop my mates though. Apart from that they were excellent. The
	set was over an hour and half long with some much variation in the
	music that you never got bored. I know this will leave me open to HUGE
	ridicule etc but I found myself thinking of Frank Zappa (no not in 
	that sense Stuart) whilst they were playing. From funk to rap to 
	rock to.... 

	There was so much energy on display that you couldn't fail to enjoy 
	yourself. Great a night, try and catch em........

	Cheers
	Tc.

	sorry for the abrubpt end but it is time to go home after all...
	

James / The Band of Holy Joy
2nd December 1989
Nottingham Polytechnic

More like a dream than a concert, I can only begin with "Once upon a time ...", 
but I assure you it's all true!

Trapsing through the city of Nottingham there seemed so much to worry about, no
job, no cash, would Magda turn up?! A James gig, of course, would change all
that.

After spending hours trying to find something to do in Nottingham I arrived at
a fairground situated in the city centre. My fastly disappearing cash supply
takes another beating as I insert it into machinesthat seem despirate to inform
me, "The Force is with You!"

Later freezing cold outside the Poly, things look bleak ... then Mathewfrom
Halifax appears with his girl, I chat with them until ... coming up the street
there appear a number of people - speaking in loud Glaswegian accents, and at
the front of the group is a smaller figure. I panic, at first, I ca't believe
this is happening and feel like yelling "What the hell are you doing here?".
Calming myself I cry out "Magda?, Magda!". Speechless I try to think of
something to say, but nothing coherent comes into my head so I let her do the
talking instead. She introduces me to her Scottish friends - CHRIST WHY IS SHE
ALWAYS SURROUNDED BY BLOKES - who promptly hand me a can of McEwans lager.

I could talk to her for hours, she talks, I laugh. She goes on and on and she's
so happy. About the Liverpool gig, the London gig, about the Morrissey gig
("It's more like an experience than a gig!"), about owning some of Morrissey's
jumper, about how she knows so many people from so many places and about life
in Chatham. Her Glaswegian friends rowdily make their presence known to the
whole of Nottingham singing starnge drunken songs that sort of liven up the
atmosphere. In the front row I am, for a change, surrounded by people I know.
The guy and gal from Halifax on one side and Magda and Loz on the other.

Standing next to Magda during the Band of Holy Joy's set is an emotional
experience, we are greeted personally be Johnny, who recognises her and has a
chat before starting the "experience". Everytime I have seen the Band of Holy
Joy I've noticed something about them that I'd previously missed. Soon I shall
be raving about them in similar tones as those in which I rave about James.
Thay are bloody stunning tonight. I can't describe how good "Shadows Fall" is.
Just imagine being stood next to the girl of your dreams while this guy is
carefully whispering into his microphone;

	"I want to spend a day with you,
	 Without doing the things you're meant to do,
	 Why won't you let me into your room?
	 Yours is a playground while mine is a tomb."

Johnny's vocals break up at the end of this, touched by his own lyrics. Seconds
later the song ends with a cool dark statement, this wil never happen because;
"We're engaged in creating dreams". Johnny just about sighsthis and I force
myself not to scream as Magda asks if anything is wrong.

The accordian blasts out "Evening World Holiday Show" and we dance side by
side, but it's too late because "They've sanctified fear, now they'll privatise
LOVE!". The bands lack of tightness doesn't matter - it does in fact improve on
anything they have brought out of the studio, their recent album being slightly
over-produced - there's much more a sense of here and nowand Johnny is
seriously overflowing with emotion. Celebrating an excellent performance we
call out for more, Magda and I lead the cheering, but it's all in vain.

Well what can I say about James that I haven't said before! Ecstatically
stunning as usual but lacking just a little bite as they set out with a
performance of middle period and new songs (well new to most people). Shaking
hands with Tim is an everyday occurence these days! They bubble on, charming,
witty, intelligent, sensitive, moving, joyous and uplifting as ever, but with a
hint of "Phew, only 4 more nights!" thrown in to bring them down to an
acceptable level of hysteria.

Suddenly without effort or warning James go into overdrive, trying to equal
past efforts of "What For?" and "Come Home", two magnificent songs that creat
spontanious efforts to invade the stage, but the bouncers stand ready to grab
the offenders. Ther's no encore down on the playlists, so we cheer on and onfor
more until they come back. Dave the drummer beats out the opening rythmn to the
live version of "Panic" to set my heart beating much too fast, then Mark on
keyboards adds a little extra and my heart beats faster - "Sit Down" is about
to grace the stage! One by one the band re-appear each adding a little extra to
a 3 dimensional jigsaw that sudden;y explodes into life as Tim returns. The
puzzle is complete and so too are James.

Magda is taken by impulse and invades the stag, following the songs command she
sits down and grins out at us all. The crowd cheers, the James faithful surge
onto the stage. When the guy next to me got up enough was enough and I
scrambled over and up myself.

All I can remember is that we sat down and bobbed about and joined hands, in
all there was 6 or 7 of us on the front of the stage. James reach their climax
(fnarr fnarr!) "In love, In fear, In hate, In tears, Sit down next to me!" and
I felt like I was floating. I was totally overcome, seconds later we all stood
up and danced till the end of the song then one by one we hugged Tim,
whispering our thanks in an enlightened ear. Clambering back down the front of
the stage our appetite still unappeased we yell for more.

They return and Tim smiles, "Well were enjoying ourselves so we thought we'd
come back, but please no more stage invasions and definately no more hippy
love-ins!". The final song is "Stutter", not overly stunning on vinyl but
roaring on stage. Everyone is throwing themselves around and I fall between 
the bodies, emotionally drained. James crunch to a whisper of a finish and
we all gasp for air.

"You're the pride of Manchester!" we cry on and on. We stumble up the stairs
for a chat with The Band of Holy Joy. I throw Johnny a few compliments and he
puts me on the guest list for the Leeds show.

Outside Magda invites me to a party, the question is; Do I go for my bus or do
I go with the students ... and Magda? The answer is obvious and I pile into a
taxi full of Glaswegians and head off for Nottingham student halls.

The people I'm with seem hell bent on waking up the whole of their hall, in the
Glaswegians room it all becomes a reminder of one of those school foeign trips
in seedy hotels where - late at night - all the kids end up in the same room,
passing round the booze they'd been sold by seedy French blokes on street
corners. But what they're passing round here isn't booze, it;s a joint and it's
heading my way ...

I wake up in the morning in a different room, on th efloor, with Loz's feet in
my face, my stiff neck and aching chest are, at the moment, the only memories
of the night before. I can't give people like Mike Fiddler any dirty sexy lurve
scenes with Magda - she fell asleep as soon as she got there and anyway, I
wouldn't have wanted anything like that to have happened (what is wrong with
this guy!?) - it could have spoiled a good thing. I contented myself with
knowing that I would be able to see her again and speak to her again.

God, those Band of Holy Joy lyrics stuck in my head as she walked me to the bus
stop in her wallpaper flowered dress;

   "I want to spend a day with you,
    Without doing the things you're meant to do.
    Why won't you let me into your room?
    Yours is a playground, while mine is a tomb."

And as she waves goodbye, "We're engaged in creating dreams."

If anyone goes to see James in London next year, look for a girl in the front
row, surrounded by leering blokes and dressed in flowery frock. Ask her name
and when she replies you'll realise I'm right , that what I said isn't some
perverted teenagers dreams ... Magda should be a dream, but I swear she's real
... she held my hannd (her hands were cold), she touched my hair.

It's 3 in the morning and all this is coming back ... how I had to fight not to
flinch at her touch. Walking through Nottingham talking together, not realising
how strange it is that we know each other at all. Me nearly bursting into tears
(of joy!) when I finally convince myself that it is her that is walking towards
me and then desperately hiding them when she bursts into happy conversation. If
you do see her - tell her my story and when the James gig is over and you're
feeling how you should feel after the "James Experience" tell her you have
forseen the ending and the ending is ...

      and they all lived happily ever after.

Bruce.

I like the bit where "Magda is taken by impulse and invades the stag" !! ;-)

I think we should have a chat with Magda, and put in a good word for Bruce!

Mark.

      Went to see a band in Reading last night called 'Still'.  Rich,
    recently of this parish, plays guitar with them.  If you get the chance
    to see them, try and do so, I can reccomend them.  I think it was only
    their second or third gig, but they sounded wonderful!  Very much an
    Indie/funky fusion sound thats popular at the moment, in the Happy
    Mondays/Stone Roses mode.  With the odd splurge of jangly guitar.  And
    the lead singer likes his shambly anorak!!
      Seriously tho' - this was a good boogie evening.  I hope they carry
    on gigging when Rich comes back from Thailand.
    
    Mikef.

James/The Band of Holy Joy
7th December 1989
Leeds

Bored of trudging around a freezing cold Leeds city centre I arrive at the Poly
an hour early and watch The Band of Holy Joy's soundcheck as members of James
rush past. Johnny appears and at the mention of Magda he lights up an shoves me
in front of a rough looking Scot who puts my name down on the guest list and
then trots away. I tell Johnny to give it hell tonight and he grins his weasel
faced grin.

The bouncers send us outside and I show my spare ticket to a tout to see how
much he is offering, we barter and finally reach and agreed price of 8 quid
before I admit I have no intent to sell it to such a dirty conman! A guy buys a
ticket from him and I ask how much he paid - 24 quid!, now that's what I call a
James fan. I sell mine to a guy who's travelled down from Blackburn for the
meagre sum of 5.50 ... generousity or what!

Minutes after entering, Mathew and Louise (from Halifax) appear. Mathew tell me
of his impending appearance on Snub. It turns out the James performance in
Manchester was filmed for the new new series and Mathew's second stage invasion 
was captured on film.

The Band of Holy Joy appear and boy does Johnny go for it tonight. Reaching
breakpoint on stage he sings lines of blood that ooze from his heart. How he
forgot to get the phone number of the girl he knew the night before last and
the sudden realization that YES HE DID NEED HER! Amazingly, Leeds is in a
jovial mood tonight and not one person hurls the usual insults that have become
a trademark of this Yorkshire city. Grinning wildly Johnny exits and The Band
of Holy Jooy leave the stage to make way for The Band of Holy Extasy - James.

James begin as they mean to go on, "Hang on She Said" is thrown out at
exhausting pace, 'Be a Good Friend Tonight, Understand, See it from my Side'
crys Tim. A the end he sits down and is obviously drained, but there is a sense
of purpose about James tonight. They're going to end the tour with a bang!
"What's the World" and "Scarecrow" are followed bt "Government Wails" with it's
dictators tone and bleak closing line; 'It's a crime to be outspoken'. "On Top
of the World" is as effective as ever, unfortunately at the beginning someone
hurls an insult for not playing the song he WANTS to hear, Tim somberly looks
up and whispers; 'This song requires your concentration' and the Poly goes
quiet. "Violent Rain" sees and immediate change of pace as all 7 instruments
errupt into sound after the chill of the previous number. "Hymn from a
Village", "Medieval", and "Whoops-a-Daisy" make their appearance followed by
a song which will either be called "Swallowed" or "Last Whale". Tims' voice
hits a peak and I squirm with delight, he spots me in the crowd and smiles.

"Promised Land" has it's usual effect, Tim stating before he begins that it's
not a song that says 'Vote Labour', it's a song that attempts to point out the
ugliness of the people who run our country and what they are doing to it. And
with sadness he lists their faults;

         'Never tell the truth,
          Look 'em in the eye,
          Soften up the voice
          Justify a lie
          Promise us a home,
          Sell us what we own'

But what really sets the crowd cheering is the fact that he refers to "her"
with such perfect hatred;
    
         'The people of my country are divided by her greed
          Money is directed to ambition, not to need.'

This is perfect, the crowd love it.

"Johnny Yen" is next up, an old crowd pleaser taht is the prelude to the final
onslaught. "Come Home" proves itself as an excellent dance record, with
sensible dance lyrics. Then "What For?" bursts loose and so do The Band of Holy
Joy. They join James on stage with massive Cheshire cat grins engulfing their
faces - I can safely say that The Band of Holy Joy have enjoyed touring with
James. The crowd love this and as Johnny attempts to sing along with Tim, their
trombonist joins in with the James trumpeter. At teh end of this fiasco Johnny
grabs Tim and drags him to the microphone, 'This man is God!' he yells through
his inane smile ... this is probably an incorrect statement.

Leeds is stunned, this has been the best concert I have seen this Autumn and by
the way the crowd are reacting I think they agree.

James return for an encore and "Sit Down" leaves me feeling exhausted but
joyous, Larry sing in the 'Lester Piggot' refrain that can be found on the
extended version and Tim apologises for the drunken activities on stage,
explaining (as if I didn't know) that it's the last night of a 3 week tour.
"God only Knows" is energy sapping in it's extreme, sudden bursts og high
speed in the chorus set me dancing wildly and I'm almost to exhausted to
breathe when it's over. But Tim hasn't finished yet and with a finalgleeful
smile James kill me with "Stutter". On and on, the climax builds up and up, the
band freaking out on stage. Bodies are dragged by the sound, brain cells
destruct as heads are furiously flung round and round to the music and it's
still getting faster ... too fast to breathe ... too fast to think ... too fast
to feel ...

Stunned the crowd stumbles away, I grab Tim's playlist and finally breathe
again. This will be my last gig of the year, I will not be going to see the
Happy Mondays this Saturday - why? - critisism will ruin the memory of tonight!

I realise now why James have proved themselves to be the greatest live band in
the world. They have saturated their music in a hideously enormous amount of
feeling and expression. When this expression is let loose live Tim's statemenst
in "Stutter" become oh so true ...

Bruce.

    The Black Velvet Band are in the Warwick (Galway) tonight, get there early,
    it's the start of rag week.
    
     Richard O'Shaughnessy 
                

    It always helps if you know the Warwick bouncers.

Inspiral Carpets / Northside
Edinburgh Network
21st February 1990

Turned up at the club and spotted our first mistake, we didn't have flares (or
a long sleeved t-shirt that said "Cool as F**k"). The club was filled with
hundreds of under-age Ian Brown lookalikes who had passed with honours out of
the Bez School of Dance. The music played beforehand was a mixture of Acid and
the Manchester sound and was quite danceable stuff!

Not knowing if their was a support band we were pleasantly surprised when
Northside took to the stage, hailed by the music press as the next big
Manchester band we watched with interest as their set unfolded. After a very
short set they departed to huge applause from the crowd but would not come back
for an encore. I enjoyed their music and I am not going to try and caterogise
them in anyway ... no doubt they'll be big. (I believe they have signed to
Factory).

About 45 mins later out of the shadows emerged the Inspiral Carpets, the usual
rush to the fromt ensued but we hung back. They blasted into the first number
after some cool indroductory music and a backdrop of the MOO! logo. Not knowing
many of the tracks I can't reel off track names, suffice to say they played
"Inside My Head", "Joe", "Move", and "She comes through the Fall". I also 
recognised their new single, either from a Peel session or from the Fest 50.
The highlights of the night were blistering renditions of "Joe" and "Move"
which whipped the crowd up into a frenzy. An hour later they were gone, only to 
appear again to play a 1 song encore.
                                      
The Verdict: Two great bands, with the Inspirals in brilliant form they make
the Roses and Mondays look amateurish. The album, when released, will be one
for the collection.

Stuartp

    Hi there!
    
    Is there anybody out there who is going to see (or saw) 
    Spandau Ballet live at one of their gigs in Britain?
    I'm from Holland and I've seen Spandau quite a lot, actually.
    I'd like to know if there are any other Spandau "fans" out there?
    
    Maybe there are some who have already seen them live once, I'd like
    to hear from them as well!                             
    I know Spandau is not one of the so called "best bands", but I reckon
    they are great live!! One of the few bands that sound better live
    than on CD/LP/MC!!! 
    
    I'm looking forward to reading any reply!!!!
    
    Cheerio,
    Ilse. 
    

     (Menial's Log Tues 27th Feb 1990):

     I saw The Cramps at Brixton Academy last night. If you haven't heard
     them before then they could be described as a cross between rockabilly
     and early Iggy (or just complete psychosis!).

     Two guitars, drums and a vocalist that looks every inch the pop-star
     he almost is. Poison Ivy Rorshack (sp) and her buddy on the other axe
     ground out an ear-splitting noise all night, the singer cavorted and
     yelped around the place while the drummer (a Roy Orbison lookalike)
     looked supremely bored. They did a couple of old favourites, one being
     `The Goo-Goomuck' but failed to do the excellent `Don't eat that stuff
     off the sidewalk'.

     Oh and Lux Interior managed to break about 5 microphone stands during
     the evening.

     A good night and well worth the 1am return to Woodley hamlet.

     - Tim 

    
   
    Gob smacked...not 'arf!!
    
    The Brand New Heavies
    =====================
    
    at the Old Trout, Windsor. 3rd March, 1990.
    
    I started off the evening grumbling as �6.50 is pretty expensive
    to go and see a 'not very well known' live band in a function hall
    of a pub.
    My friends and I stuck our coats down on the nearest chairs round
    a table and headed for the records. Pretty good stall there. A lot
    of singles, all around �2.50 - �5.00 and LPs from �6.00+. A nice
    selection of seventies, modern soul and jazz funk plus a little
    bit of jazz.
    
    The band were due on around Eleven and it was now about 9:30 so
    I had plenty of time to get into the atmosphere. This was only the
    second Jazz funk club I had been to so it took a while to get into
    the swing of things.
    Drinks were a reasonable price and the ale was fairly cold.
    I have to admit that the music and quality of DJing impressed me
    a hell of a lot. I danced for about an hour before the band came
    on and enjoyed it too. The floor was good quality (a bit sticky
    though); all the facilities worked and the sound system was good.
    
    Then the Brand new heavies came on.
    
    They were truly brilliant. 
    The Brand new heavies are made up of a keyboard player (who was
    excellent), two sax players (also very good), a trumpeter (*really*
    good), drums, bass, lead and percussion who were all just as
    exceptional as the other band members.
    The whole crowd was bumping to the rhythm and the set whizzed past
    in a blurr of ectasy ( ;^) ).
    I honestly can say they were the best band I have ever seen and
    I would recommend them to anyone. 
    The rest of the evening (until one) moved past with the greatest
    of ease and I sped over the dance floor, turning the men green with
    envy at my immaculate appearance (even though I was dripping with
    sweat) and wooing the female members of the audience with my 
    immaculately performed dance moves ('if only' methinks!;^)  ).

    As I said before, The brand new heavies are *really* special so
    see them any time you get the chance.
    
    BTW:- By the end of the night, �6.50 plus drinks seemed pretty good
    value for money.
    
    James

    The Sundays, New Morning, Paris, 5th March.
    
    Words (especially English ones) fail me to describe how brilliant the
    Sundays were yesterday. The set was short (55 mn. including 2 encores)
    but they really moved all the audience and God knows that's difficult,
    most people there being 'Parisian hype' and acting so easily blas�.
    The music was limpid and faultless and the voice so human and touching. 
    I think they just delivered the bare essential : emotion (or whatever 
    you call it that makes music worth listening/watching it.) 
    
    Christophe.
    
    PS : Please don't believe I'm an always-positive type, I'm thinking
         of adding a sort of 'Hate & Demolition' topic, for subjective 
         criticism and useless wickedness seem to lack around here. ;^)
                                                                           

    Happy Mondays, Bataclan, Paris, 13th March.
    
    I've never been a big Happy Mondays fan, finding their recent stuff 
    rather average, so I was somewhat reluctant to attend this concert.
    But some people around didn't think so, and well, sometimes you have
    to follow.
    
    In fact, I have to admit that it wasn't bad at all. Le Bataclan was
    crowded, partly because the Mondays had taken with them an estimated
    100 of their British followers who invested the front rows and began
    jumping and shouting long before the band appeared. Concert was due
    to start at 8 PM, in fact we had to wait 1.5 hour while a House-only
    DJ was operating at his turntables ( De La Soul, 808 State, etc...)
    
    At 9:30 the HM appeared on stage. Front row went mad. What surprised me
    is that there seems to be two groups that rarely communicate with each
    other : on one side, nearly unnoticeable musicians; on the other, the
    singer (wearing a flashy Lacoste sweater - pour la couleur locale, sans
    doute; first singer I ever see *reading* the lyrics ) and the
    dislocated dancer ( with maraccas ).
    
    Their songs appear to me dull on records (limited songwriting ability,
    I think) but live the whole thing (music, kaleidoscope slides,
    audience) gives some really entertaining moments, eg their rendition of
    Hallelujah ( apart from that one, I have not been able to identify the
    songs, and didn't try to get the playlist - if there had been any ).
    One hour play, plus one encore and that was over.
    
    Christophe.
    
    

    
    SIMPLY RED    AHOY' STADIUM   ROTTERDAM     21 MARCH 1990
    ----------    -------------   ---------     -------------
                                                        
    Yesterday I went to see the above mentioned group.
    I can't say anything else than that I loved every 
    minute of it!! I must admit that I never saw a band playing 
    live so good!! Everything was perfect!
    
    Mick Hucknall's voice is very special and he certainly knows
    how to use it! They've played all the oldies and the songs from 
    the 'new flame' CD, apart from "she'll have to go", but I think 
    because it's a song against Thatcher, it's banned in England, and 
    therefor also for the rest of tour! They started of with "picture 
    book" and that one was followed up by a few slower songs; after 
    that the dancing began!!, and it didn't stop! 
    
    They've played for 2 hours, and they came back twice. The first
    time, only Mick with his acoustic guitar were on the stage, 
    playing "holding back the years" BRILLIANT! The crowd went mad!
    After that "the right thing", so everybody left AHOY' in a dancing
    mood!
    
    The musicians of the band (I don't know all their names), are also
    brill. Not a note went wrong! The guitarist and saxaphonist had
    plenty of little solo bits, and that was highly appreciated by the
    crowd! (8000 people, give or take a few...)
    
    The light show was sober but beautiful and special, a red light
    was pointed on Mick a lot of the time. They used a lot of cubes,
    6 big cubes were hanging above the stage, and suddenly the letters
    S I M P L Y  appeared in them, a funny effect. 
    
    Well reader, as you can see, I enjoyed myself very much, and there
    is nothing bad to say about this concert!!
    
    And now I'm gonna do "the right thing".......
    
    Ilse. 
                                                     

    I didn't realise 'She'll have to go' was about Margaret Thatcher. I
    know that when I saw them in concert in January, Mick did make a few
    political jokes etc but I always naively thought that song was just
    a straightforward one.
    
    Julia

    Well, actually, I never heard or read it IS about Maggie,
    but I think it is. Otherwise they would sing "THEY'll have to go",
    meaning the whole gouvernment! don't you think?                                                 
    
    Did they play that song in England? Did you enjoy the concert
    as much as I did?                             
                                         
    Ilse.
    
      
    

    `Money's Too Tight To Mention' sounds liek it's about Reagon to me.
    
    
    matty

    Yeah Matty, I think you're right!
    
    "Did he earned it for you Nancy..."
    (he probably didn't   ;-) )
    
    Ilse. 

    I always thought it was "Did the earth move for you, Nancy?"
    
    

    "We're talking Ronnie Ronnie"

>>>    I always thought it was "Did the earth move for you, Nancy?"

	Me too!

Re: She's go to go.

	If I remember correctly then Maggie is referenced in the song.

Re: Concert.

	I went to see them last summer(/spring?) in the RDS in Dublin, being a
minor fan.  The concert was one of the most disappointing that I was ever at.
The sound was terrible, the band looked silly on the stage & the audience was 
left cold.  No rapport established at all!  Perhaps in another (smaller) venue
the athmosphere would have different.


-Brian.

    I seem to remember that Money Too Tight To Mention was written by
    a guy/group out of Detroit and does reference Ron and Nancy.
    
    Cheers,
    	George

    I always thought it was "did the earth move..." too. I've seen Simply
    Red twice: the first time was at the Hammy Odeon, were they were very
    good. The second was at Wembly, where they were dissapointing, so
    perhaps the size of the venue does make a difference.
    
    BTW, the song "She'll have to go" is not banned in England.

    Ok ok, I believe you all when you are saying that the lyrics are
    "did the earth move..." You know, I didn't get a lyric sheet with
    my LP  when I bought it! so I just sang what I thought he was singing!!
    Thanks anyway! 
    
    About the song "she'll have to go". I really thought it was banned.
    I remember reading that once!
    
    Yeah, I agree that the size of the venue makes a difference!
    The Ahoy' stadium in Rotterdam can have about 8,000 people,
    and it's always good!! 
    
    Oops, I think that the last few notes are not really all about
    "concert reviews" anymore.....
    
    I.
    

Tuesday March 27, 1990 Ian McCullough and UVS at The CITI Club in Boston, MA

Well it  was  a  cold  night  but  since  we expected mucho-boogie and early
admittance  to  CITI  (at  the  last  show  there the opening act went on 15
minutes  before  doors  were  scheduled  to  open!) we dressed lightly so we
wouldn't  have  to drap around our heavy coats. Needless to say, CIIT didn't
cooperate and we stayed out in the 20� cold for 45 minutes...

UVS (Ultra Vivid Scene) got underway and played two good tunes followed by a
number  of  slower  boring ones...They ended with "Mercy Seat" their tour de
force  and  it  was extremely good but questionable whether it was worth the
wait!

The CITI  DJ  was  pumping out many sort of "classic new wave" tracks: DEVO,
early  B52s,  etc.  I kinda like to have my horizons expanded when I go to a
club,  not  to hear a bad set on an alternative radio station. After UVS the
DJ played the same 3 SQUEEZE songs 3 or 4 times until the audience screamed,
"NO MORE SQUEEZE"...the DJ finally got the picture...

Ian Mac  appeared  about  11:15  through the misty haze of a couple of smoke
machines. The band consisted of two guitars (one alternated with synth for a
few songs) and bass and drums. Ian Mac was in his chainsmoking form flicking
butts  off to the side...They opened with two songs from his solo effort the
second  being "White Hotel". The third tune was "Rescue" which really go the
crowd  going. The first set consisted of songs from the solo album with "The
Back  of  Love"  or "The Cutter" being the only other Echo song. Other songs
included  "Horses  Head"  and  "Candleland"  (great  live,  horrible  on the
album!), "In Bloom" (brilliant!) and a few NEW numbers.

At one  point  he  announced  an  "old"  song  "really easy to dance to" and
proceded  to  boogie  away, before this point he had been pretty stationary.
This too livened the crowd. It was the REAL Ian Mac out there for sure!! The
band  was  real  tight  -  I  don't think many people missed the rest of the
Bunnymen...The band was introduced by first names only...

The encores  where  truly  amazing.  They did a total of 3 mixing new stuff,
"Proud to Fall", "The Killing Moon", and two cover versions: a blistering 10
minute  version"Ceremony" by New Order (the highlight of the night for sure)
and "Sweet Jane" by the Velvet Underground....

There were  about  18  or  19 songs total and the band was there for about 2
hours.  One  last  note,  the  crowd  was  rather tame, no slamming or other
anti-social behavior...

Ed

    At the Half Moon, Putney: 29th March
    
    Go and see them if they're in your area! The music is sort-of country,
    sort-of folk, sort-of blues, but the performance isn't sort-of
    anything, it's out of this world!
    
    This band is a made up of a bunch of musicians who've been around
    forever, specifically Jerry Donahue, Julian Dawson, Doug Morter, Rick
    Kemp and Gerry Conway. Donahue and Conway were both in Fairport
    Convention, and Kemp was in Steeleye Span.
    
    The band is touring to promote a new album by Morter and Donahue, and
    the set comprises songs from that, plus songs off Donahue's
    "Telecasting" and some of Dawson's songs. In fact, the set last night
    (which was the first of the tour) turned out to be the Dawson/Donahue
    show! For those of you unfamiliar with either artist: Dawson is an
    accomplished songwriter (he's apparently huge in Germany, but Polydor
    in the UK have consistently failed to promote his career) and Donahue
    is a "Guitarist's guitarist". Not surprising, then, that the high spots
    (at least for me) were Julian's songs, and Donahue's rendition of "The
    Claw", which not only leaves the guitarists in the audience
    open-mouthed, but is a fun track where all the band actually *enjoy*   
    themselves!
    
    The Backroom Boys will never be huge, but they have a good time, and it
    comes across to the audience. Miss it at your peril.
    
    Nick
    
    ps For the guitar buffs among you - Fender are going to release a Jerry
    Donahue signature Telecaster (their first signature guitar since the
    Eric Clapton). Recognition indeed.

    The Pale Saints / Lush, New Morning, Paris, 29th March.


    "The sight of you, the sight of you, makes me feel blue
     Makes me feel blue
     The things you said, the things you said, make me feel bad
     My heart is sad."

    
    4AD bands tonight. I remember these days back in 83-84 when I would go
    out and buy everything I could find released on 4AD. First there were
    those sleeves, with the enigmatic 23 Envelope artwork. Then the pearls
    hidden inside, always distant, discreet and beautiful (err... God that's
    dull!) And there were all these classics : I Want To Live (This Mortal
    Coil), Musette And Drums (Cocteau Twins), Lollita (A.R.Kane), A Day (Clan
    Of Xymox) and of course Song To The Siren (a shock the first time I saw
    the video on TV).
    
    In 1987, the global concept was more or less given up, and the label 
    signed new groups from the US, some brilliant ones (Pixies, Throwing Muses)
    and some others (Ultra Vivid Scene). But I'd rather stop that boring intro
    now, and come to today's subjects : Lush and the Pale Saints.


    Lush

    They started their set with Thoughtforms, which is the best song I've 
    heard since the beginning of the year. A great melody, and Emma and Miki
    (the two female vocals/guitars) voices superposed, reminding me of these
    two My Bloody Valentine songs, Strawberry Wine and You Made Me Realize,
    that I used to adore. A part of the audience that had stayed at the bar 
    (typical local attitude : show contempt for the "guest" groups), realizing
    how good they were, tried to clear their way to the front rows, causing 
    some hustle. Meanwhile, the set was going on with other songs from the Scar 
    LP and the Mad Love EP (both of them 100% holy) and ended with Etheriel (one
    of the best tracks on Scar) and De-Luxe (from Mad Love). They played an
    (unidentified) encore, drummer and bass player being replaced by their Pale 
    Saints equivalents. Well, I can only recommend you to get their records, and
    to attend their concerts.


    The Pale Saints

    Nothing much to say about that. Their gig was just like their The Comfort of
    Madness LP, parts of it are really good, the rest is just average. Lots of 
    rhythm changes in the middle of one same song, singer always looking his 
    bass, guitarist sometimes acting like he's playing with Van Halen, they 
    don't show the best of themselves on stage. There were though some brilliant
    moments, and when after She Rides The Waves they left, the audience screamed
    for an encore; which of course occurred, for they had not played The Sight 
    Of You yet ( good way for a group to insure itself an encore : not playing 
    their most famous song ). The Sight Of You, off the much acclaimed Barging 
    Into The Presence Of God EP, is the best song I've heard since the beginning
    of the decade (or have I already said that before ?)
    They played an 'extended' version of it that made me forget everything else.
    On the way back home, I kept singing these few lines from the song (see 
    begin of note), much to my mates' irritation. 

    Definitely a great concert.

    Christophe.

    The Mission / The Wonder Stuff, Le Truck, Lyon, 7th April.
    
    CANCELLED. The Mission's Simon Hinkler allegedly has scarlet fever.
    It seems that this was decided just before the concert was due to start,
    because everything was ready.
    This is part of a worldwide tour, so if you plan to see them, first check
    whether dates are still valid.
    
    Christophe. (achieving the shortest gig [or the longest non-gig] review 
    ever ?)  

Networks are  sooo great. Just called the club I'm holding Mish/Stuffies tix
for. They were clueless. "Call back tomorrow"...

Thanks Christophe

    RE : -1
    
    I wouldn't have minded if only the Wonder Stuff had played...
    
    Christophe.
    

    Kid Pharaon & the Mercenaries / Mega City Four / The Wolfhounds
    Bataclan, Paris, 10th April.
    
    
    The Wolfhounds
    
    Three groups yesterday night at the Bataclan for a would-be "Out of 
    Control" soir�e. I didn't know much about the Wolfhounds, an ex-C86
    band that were here to replace Australian band the Johnnys, only two
    singles from last year, 'Happy Shopper' and 'Rent Act', which is really
    good. They started at 19:30, the venue was then 25% full, and in my 
    opinion they were OK. "No poll tax!" said the singer between songs 
    (well, I wonder what we can do about that over here.)
    
    Unfortunately, their set was really short, for some idiots in the 
    audience had decided that they were bad, and kept hissing and hooting
    them. As the Wolfhounds had just finished a song, a small shit standing
    in front of me shouted "Ze last one", in an attempt to make his buddies
    laugh (KILL'EM LOT!) The singer replied something like "Yeah, it's 
    running late, the last one". Their next song was superb, but it was the
    last one indeed; needless to say they never came back.
    
    Afterwards, when the Mega City Four were performing, their bass player 
    was standing next to me. I wanted to tell him that I had enjoyed them
    and to apologize for the sub-moronic attitude of these guys, but fact
    is, it's impossible to have a discussion while the MC4 are playing.
    Maybe I'll write then.
    
    
    Mega City Four
    
    
    Big surprise : I met these two friends of mine from Lyon. Along with 
    three girlfriends, they had travelled the 450 km to Paris just to
    attend the concert. I don't think I'd have enough faith to do that,
    even though I really like Mega City Four. Their records are rather easy
    to find over here, for they are licensed by Bondage Records, the famous
    Parisian label who used to have some of France's finest like Washington
    Dead Cats, Ludwig Von 88 and the great - but now disbanded - B�rurier
    Noir. So as far as I know, MC4 have released one LP and five or six
    singles including the tremendous 'Awkward Kid' and 'Less Than
    Senseless' (the song the Buzzcocks have forgotten to write.)
    
    Live they are devastating. They may not have a stratospheric IQ (lyrics
    are somewhat weak, but who cares about lyrics ?) but they are real real
    fun. They played most of their excellent 'Tranzophobia' LP and also
    their latest single I don't own as yet (something like 'Wouldn't change
    a thing') which is superior stuff too.
    They don't talk much ("Ca va?" "Merci" and "Turn the f**kin' lights on"
    were the only things they said) and prefer to gesture (the singer often
    put outs his tongue - wants to challenge the guy from Kiss ?).
    I'm not entitled to give any advice, but I think you shouldn't miss
    them.
    
    
    Kid Pharaon and the Mercenaries
    
    
    I know what is wrong with the guys who ruined the Wolfhounds set : they
    are Kid Pharaon fans. The average KP fan is a purist; under his cap, he
    is certain to be within his rights. To him, a group must sound like the
    Stooges or the Flaming Groovies or other selected stuff (for example, 
    the Sonics, a semi-obscure US sixties band, are great; the 13th Floor
    Elevators, another semi-obscure US sixties band, are not. Don't argue,
    these are the rules.) When he sees a "good" group live, he stamps his
    feet and slightly moves his head in rhythm, and stupidly smiles to show
    his satisfaction.
    
    Kid Pharaon & the Mercenaries are from Bordeaux (France). They are not
    really bad, but they deserve this kind of followers. Don't think I put
    them down because they are French. Some of their UK equivalents are
    much worse, for example the largely overrated Birdland with their
    sub-Johnny Thunders (if that could be possible) imitations. In the US,
    you can also find truckloads of these un-inspired and un-innovative
    bands. Some of KP&M compositions are good, but boy they are too
    serious, this is absolutely no fun at all. Their lyrics are in English,
    and that's not a bad idea, 'cause lyrics like 'Traveller, traveller,
    traveller, you travel, Traveller, traveller...' and so on, it's better
    not to understand them.
    
    Singer delivered us clich�s like "C'est super d'�tre l� ce soir" (Great
    to be here tonight) between every song, bass player looks like a
    Rolling Stone sideman. They covered a song of Ireland's Paul Kelly and
    the Messengers (not my cup of tea). After an endless 1 and a half hour
    set, they finally left the stage (the Wolfhounds set lasted 25
    minutes), but of course, our local clowns had not had enough and
    thought they deserved an encore, which fatally occurred. The group
    played two of these hollow, soothing ballads that even truck drivers
    could not listen to (well, I think so). They came for a second encore
    (due to popular demand) and made a cover of Bob Dylan's 'Knocking on
    Heaven's Door' which is exactly the kind of song that makes me turn the
    radio off.
    
    It was a sort of relief when I went out. My friends' opinion about the
    whole thing (a less subjective point of view than mine certainly) is
    that the Wolfhounds were average, and the two others were very good.
    Anyway, as they had nowhere to sleep in Paris, we all ended up in my
    hotel room (6 people in a 10 m2 room - if that ain't promiscuity, then
    what is ?) So I feel a bit tired today and I think I'll use that as an
    excuse for the maybe incoherent style of this review.
    
    Christophe.
    
    

Another great review Christophe, I had "Tranzophobia" but although it was good 
parts the overall effect wasn't pleasing ... too loud and fast for an old guy 
like me. 

You seem to be get a good cross section of bands in France, do you have to 
travel a fair bit to get to the gigs or is this all local clubs that they play?

    
    	Slight nit -
    
    	Paul Kelly and the Messengers are Australian, can you remember
    	the song?.
    
    	Doug.

    
    RE : -1
           
    I don't know which song was played and I don't know which country Paul
    Kelly & his boys come from (singer said it was Ireland, but you seem to 
    know more about it - I wish I was such a music whiz)
    
    RE : -2
    
    Most of the groups coming to France play in Paris and sometimes add a
    couple of other dates in other large cities. Happy Mondays played Paris 
    and Lyon. Pale Saints & Lush also played Nancy. Mega City Four was a
    Paris-only concert (although I have read somewhere that they'll come 
    back for the Printemps de Bourges festival at the end of the month).
    So as I work now near Paris (thanks DEC), I have a lot more "concert
    opportunities" than when I am in Lyon.
    
    Thanks for the "great review", but I'll have to improve my English 
    vocabulary cause when I read it back, I realize I'm using the same small
    set of words again and again.
    
    Christophe.
                                   
    
    
    

Band :  Faith No More
Venue:  Glasgow Barrowlands
Date :  22-Apr-1990


I did mean to get round to hearing more of their stuff before the gig so that 
it would be more meaningful to me, and I'd be able to tell you all what they
played, but I never, so I didn't, and I can't.

Entering the downstairs bar we were confronted with a rather large queue. Being
a polite sort of chap I got in line with the others. Fortunately one of our lot
wasn't quite so polite and very boldly strolled to the front of the queue,
purchased enough beers for us all and casually waltzed away again. Thanks very
much.... As we sat and slowly sipped on our hard fought for beers we sort of
lost track of time and the next thing we knew the bar was practically empty and
there was an awful thumping noise coming from above our heads. "I think they're
on!" quips a rather observant member of the group. So off we tramped upstairs
feeling rather peeved that our beers had been interrupted. We arrive upstairs
to hear the strains of the latest FNM single (see, I don't even know what thats
called). The atmosphere was brilliant, the music was good, the heat was hot(?).
We stood about listening to the another couples of tunes then we decided to go
across to the bar for a wee beer, it had been a while after all since our last 
one. As time went by each song just seemed to just be an extension of the next.
There wasn't much variety to be had here. The sound system was really cranked up
to get maximum noise and at times it all sounded a bit thrashy. I thought FNM
were a bit more sophisticated than this. They even did a version of War Pigs,
which I am told they always do. After a while at the bar I decided to try and
get more out of it than this so into the masses I dived, not a care in the world,
but not even that could get me interested much. A few numbers later I decided
to retire back to the bar where I could listen objectively, and quench my ever
present thirst.

The end result of the evenings entertainment was that I was a little bit tipsy
and I hadn't particularly enjoyed the band, although I was overwhelmingly shot
down by everyone else on the bus who thought that the band were superb. Sorry,
but I just thought that each song sounded like the previous. I'm still gonna
persevere with them though as I think the sound system was mainly to blame for
this as it was so loud.

Let me know what you other guys think....and keep away from the bar it's bad for
you, ask the guys that are sitting near to me today......

Cheers
Tc

Don Henley & Friends, A Benefit for Walden Woods, Worcester Centrum,
 April 24

This was first of two nights to raise money for the preservation of Walden
Woods, a tract of land in Concord, MA where Henry David Thoreau lived while
writing on environmental protection and civil disobedience.  Henley heard 
of the plans to build condominiums on the land and decided to take on the
Boston Globe and the developers over it.  So, he gathered some friends
together in a matter of weeks and the result last night was spectacular!

The show opened with Carrie Fisher & Don Johnson introducing Jimmy Buffet,
who did a quick couple of songs - Van Morrison's Brown-eyed Girl and his
own (Wasted Away Again in) Margueritaville.  Ed Begley Jr and Katey Sagal 
then came on to introduce Bonnie Raitt.  She cooks, to put it plainly!
She did Are You Ready for a Thing Called Love? and something like The Rose
or My Middle Name is Rose ... dunno, couldn't hear the intro.

After a short break Henley came on.  He sang just about everyhting off this
album - the End on the Innocence, Last Worthless Evening, New York Minute
(as is obvious, I'm not sure of some of the titles), Forgiveness (?).  He
did Dirty Laundry and dedicated it to the Boston Globe, Boys of Summer, 
Sunset Grill, and All She Wants to do is Dance, which had everyone up and
dancing.

Then, what everyone had been waiting for!!!  (Some background - if you were
a teenager, as I was, through the early/mid 70s, the Eagles were *it* in
American music.  Their songs are what I now associate with all my important
memories and milestones in my life during that time - you know how it is.)
After a drink and some small talk, Henley introduced his "old friend" Glenn
Frey to a standing ovation.  Now, ok, so GF hasn't done anything earthshaking,
but it was for the nostalgia, you understand.  He did his own Smuggler's Blues,
then introduced Timothy Schmit, another ex-Eagle, Henley took his place at 
the drums and the Eagles reunion was under way!  

They began with Lyin' Eyes, then Take It Easy, Hotel California was perhaps
the best (although I'd be really hard-pressed to make a choice!), Life in the 
Fast Lane, I Can't Tell You Why, oh, god, I really can't remember them all.  
They did 4 or 5 encores, either all of them, or just Henley alone.  Two of 
the encores were to do Best of My Love and Henley doing a solo Desperado.

They were clearly enjoying themselves and looked relaxed.   The guitars - Frey 
& Schmit along with two from Henley's band, were hot and the sound, pure 
Eagles.  Henley said on the radio this morning that he and Frey are writing 
together and will go into the studio in July/August after Henley's tour 
finishes and there will be new songs for him, Frey & Schmit as they will get 
together to repackage an Eagles greatest hits CD, one that they still owe the 
record company from the old Eagles days.

As they stood on the stage after the umpteenth encore, their arms round each
other, Frey's declaration to the crowd "Well, 3 outta 5 ain't bad" was met
with a thunderously appreciative ovation.  Although, it wasn't the best gig
I've ever been to, it is still one that I'll never forget.

(Tonight, Jimmy Buffet will be replaced by Bob Seger and John Mellancamp,
an unbelievable performer in his own right, will also lend a hand.)

Papa Brittle and The Levellers at The Marquee


Papa Brittle - a bunch of groovy fellows!  A hard funky sound, with lots of 
crunchy guitars - a great and groovy noise.  The influences are probably 
there if you look for them (Poppies?), but they are not too obvious, which is 
a good sign for a band just making their mark.  Standout track had to be 'Al 
Jolson' - dance track of the month, also 'U Funk Power' and 'Funk Terrorists' 
(I'd think hard about that title, chaps). 

They went down very well with the crowd (who seemed to be very young?).  
These guys are well worth catching if you get the chance and fancy an evening 
of all out boogie.

Just one question - who was that divine celebrity playing keyboards????

The Levellers - I agree with Rich, they are a mix of New Model Army and The 
Waterboys, including Mandolin, Violin, and lots of passionate lyrics.  
They started out a bit leaden, but got more exciting as the evening 
progressed.  I had to leave before the end, but I heard that they ended with 
a bang!  Probably worth chasing if they get a decent producer for vinyl 
efforts.  Lets wait for Rich to get the album, then he can tape it for us.


BIG EXCITEMENT!!!  I met Stuart Potter.  What a man!!  Apart from Rich 
telling me that Stuart had blond hair, so I spent 5 minutes chatting to some 
guy in the corridor with blond hair before Rich pointed out Stuart at the 
bar. 

Post gig Fish-Event:  A bunch of foreign tourist bemused by a display of 
underpants in an Art College Window Show.

		The Levellers/Papa Brittle
		The Marquee, London
		6th June 1990

Walked all of 5 mins from my hotel where I was staying to the Marquee on
Charing X Rd, I was feeling slight nauseaious (I mean sick!) as I was going to
meeting up with the "Fingers" of DEC, none other than Richie "What are these
black keys for?" Rich. Unbeknown to me, I was also going to meet that bastion
(I said bastion!) of UK_MUSIC, Mike "Mean" Fiddler.

I arrived in good time and coolly said to the cashier that I was on the guest
list, with those words the bouncers parted and in I strolled. I staked a place
at the bar watching for the flame-haired wizard of the ivories to appear and
make my acquaintance. Within 2 gulps of my pint (of sweet sherry), up strolled
the coolest guy you could ever imagine and behind him was Rich. I introduced
myself and offered the man a drink, not knowing that he had a drinking problem.
Within 2 minutes of getting his pint (of Baileys) he had dropped it all over
the floor ... a sure candidate for Argentinian goalie!

Anyway, we chatted about life and the superior being, Bruce Sturrock, when in
the distance Rich recognised a familiar face, who could it be, it was the black
sweater that gave it all away (according to Rich) ... Mike Fiddler, the Gareth
Hunt of DEC (a coffee joke there!). It was becoming a gathering of great
UK_MUSIC minds, word was that the GREEN Bee was showing and we searched the
club for a tasteless shirt but alas none could be seen. At this point Rich
disappeared claiming he was "on" in a few minutes ... just a minute it was his
round.

To be honest shortly afterwards a band appeared on stage, and indeed behind the
keyboards was our very own Richie Rich. THe band kicked into "U-Funk Power",
and the Papa Brittle Barmy Army went into a frenzy, in fact he nearly spilled
his cider. They blasted through their set at a blistering pace, each one a
classic, my faves though had to be "U Funk Power", "Al Jolson" (the single),
"Edward Earl Johnson", and "Funk Terrorists". After what seemed like seconds
they were gone and the DJ had started up the music again. We stood, not knowing
what to say, we had just witnessed one of the best support bands we had ever
seen.

We didn't have to wait long for the main act, they shot onto the empty stage
and immediately the place went wild, there were punk Morris dancers and acid
clog wearers going out of their minds every where you looked, and no wonder,
the Levellers kicked some folky ass ... there was the tallest violin player in
the world, a wicked looking red dread, and a bearded mohican gently plucking
his mandolin ... all culminating into a glorious sound. Anyway enough of them
it's Rich we here to slag!

About 2 tracks into the Lev's (that's what we fans call them) that Rich showed
his face again, but on his arm this time was some chick, a babe, bird, crumpet,
burger with fries, piece of alright ... am I making myself clear ... his
GIRLFRIEND ... whooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! Was this Rich's
Magda!

As politely as a drunken Scotsman could, I introduced myself, and pleasantries
were passed ... well I actually dribbled down my shirt. So what else happened,
MikeF went after the Lev's finished, I hung about, got backstage, nicked a
sandwich from the Lev's dressing room, pretended I was the backstage security
and asked everyone for their pass, went on the STAGE, found a plectrum, ripped
off the song lists, begged for a t-shirt (which I never got), chatted to the
rest of the Brittle, and generally made a nuisance of myself ... but hey! I had
a great time.

All I can now say is thanks Rich for getting me on the guest list and I hope we
meet again sometime ... as it's your round. Oh!, remember that demo tape.

Ace reporter 
The Guru

The Wedding  Present  6/15/90  Axis  in  Boston and 6/17/90 The Living Room,
Providence, RI.

Well, we  set out to see the Weddoes on Friday night, there were 7 of us and
we  were  well  oiled after a few pitchers of suds...Diego was spinning cool
tunes  (although  he  trashed my request for Jesus Jones...) A quick peak at
the  wall  and yup, early again, Weddoes not scheduled to come on until past
midnight.

Opening was Savage Garden and they needed something but I don't know what.

And finally  it  did roll around...The boys burst on stage with a blistering
version of "Don't Talk Just Kiss" (rapidly becoming one of their best songs)
and  right  into "Kennedy". Its just unbelievable the way David Gedge strums
that thing. He gets a new guitar almost every song...

While the  rhythm-guitarist  and  bassist are calmly strumming away (and the
drummer  is doing his Robert GOTObed imitation) Gedge is flailing away eying
the crowd with that smirk...

They slowed   it   down  a  little  for  a  new  one,  "Corduroy"  and  into
"Granadaland"...it was becoming apparent at this point that this wasn't like
other  shows  -  it  was  much louder...part of our crew departed with their
hearing  and another part splintered off and watch from alongside the stage.

"Bewitched" was  up  next  and  then  the first of the old songs..."Everyone
Thinks   He  Looks  Daft"  simply  brilliant.  Next  Gedge  went  beserk  in
"Brassneck" and they slowed down again for a new number "Crawl" (Not sure if
the  new  numbers  were  actually  that much slower or just unfamiliar). The
highlight  of  the  evening  M.F.D. ("My Favorite Dress") for the unitiated.
Perhaps  their greatest song...Next was perhaps the best song on BIZARRO and
the  longest  of the set. Ending the evenings entertainment was "What Have I
Said Now?"

The Wedding  Present  play  hour  sets with no encore. I don't know how long
they'll get away with this because the don't play enough of their old songs.
But they sure play fast and furious and that's their excuse (plus the people
getting crushed in the front).

Sunday night in Providence we got their early, too early (oh, it was ONLY $5
compared  to  $9  in Boston...the living room is turning into one of my fave
clubs!)

Before the  first  act  (name  unknown) bumped into David G. and chatted for
about  15  minutes,  never got to have the World Cup of Pinball with him but
set him straight on a number of things...Also talked with Simon the drummer.

This set  was similar although in a different order (no MFD but YES! to "I'm
Not  Always  So  Stupid"  and  "Anyone  Can Make a Mistake" - a fair trade).
Brought  ear  plugs  but they came out around the 4th song after too much of
the bootleg-quality sound got to me...

No Magdas, no crying, just sweating, grooving and great tunes!

(New single   coming  out  by  end  of  year...both  songs  not  slated  for
it...they're  saving  them!  Also  a  viddy should be out by the end of this
month.)

Ed

    They Might Be Giants + The Ordinaires at the T&C, Sunday 17th &
    Monday 18th June.
    
    Absolutely brilliant, both nights - probably the best gigs I have
    been to in nearly 20 years of gig-going. Two totally wonderful
    evenings.
    
    The Ordinaires play instrumentals, and are a bit odd with a lineup
    of two violins, cello, two saxes, bass, drums and guitar/bugle.
    They bare very tight, especially the drummer, and their set ranges
    from a cover of the theme from an obscure cult movie, through their
    own material which is slightly 'arty', I suppose to a furious climax
    of Kashmir (the old Led Zep chestnut, and a lot better than the
    original!).
    
    TMBG themselves are just unbelievable live, they have so much energy,
    humour, control, and enthusiasm, plus a really boisterous audience. We 
    spent the entire set on our feet, jumping about, singing along etc. It
    was just a completely joyous, friendly occasion.
    
    Classic moments include John the guitarists dual-trumpet solo in
    Lie Still, Little Bottle, his amazing bass drum on Whistling in
    the Dark, and John the accordionists polka-playing, which had us
    in a total frenzy! Scenes of rapturous abandon during Birdhouse
    have never been parallelled anywhere.
    
    I was originally only going for the Sunday show, but I loved it
    so much I had to go back the following day.
    
    Anyone on for Cambridge on Saturday?
    
    Yours, still on the ceiling,
    
    Bob

    PRINCE - WEMBLEY ARENA TUESDAY 19TH JUNE 1990
    
    Mavis Staples opened the support slot at 8.10 pm with
    Respect Yourself, I'll take you there and a few I'd never
    heard before.  She played for about 30 minutes.
    
    Finally at 9.15 the stage lit up and there he was - PRINCE
    - dwarfed by the 9ft high stage sign of his name which rose
    up behind him!  He started with 'The Future' from the Batman
    album and then went straight into 1990, Purple Rain, Controversy,
    Take me with You, a blues jamming session then a rendition on the
    old Joanna (piano). 
    
    I'd read that this tour was called the Nude Tour because it was
    taking Rock and Roll back to basics - well that just about 
    sums the concert up.  There was no time for theatrics as seen
    on the previous Lovesexy tour - well how would you follow that
    anyway!?!  The majority of the concert was just him playing his
    songs and dancing in between with an all male trio of brilliant
    dancers.  It reminded me of the early Prince when he just wanted
    to play instead of act.  
    
    We had a little taster of the 'make love to the microphone' routine
    when he performed Head.  He also did his version of the Nothing
    Compares to U single.
    
    All in all it was a brilliant concert, plenty of old Prince
    music and old Prince dance routines.  If your looking for
    a cabaret show you'll be disappointed - if your looking to
    enjoy his music you'll thoroughly enjoy it.
    
    The concert went on for nearly 2 hours but it wasn't nearly
    long enough.
    
    Roll on Monday night - yes I'm off to see him again.
    
    Mazzer.
    

    
    Has nobody else seen the Stones?
    
    Last Friday saw me and her-indoors-to-be trek to Wembley Stadium to 
    see the 'Greatest Band in the history of Rock and Roll'. I'd read
    reviews of their recent concerts which said that they ought to pack
    it in and retire to the old folk's homes, and that they were well
    past their best. Would it be a waste of time and money?
    
    I'd never been to the Stadium before, but it didn't seem as big as 
    I'd imagined. Nevertheless after the Sengalese drummers had finished
    and a group called Gun suffered their lead guitarist's attempts to drown
    out the singer (pretty effectively) the stadium was packed, pitch and
    seating. If Mick and the boys were over-the-hill there were going to be
    an awful lot of disappointed people.
    
    Suddenly, Charlie Watts was at his drums and before the cheers reached
    the throats of the crowd there was a wall of fire in front of the stage
    and then it was gone and the Stones were blasting out 'Start me up'.
    
    The crowd sensed that perhaps the damning reviews hadn't been quite
    right, but this was only the first song. It was a long way to go.
    
    Mick cracked a joke about being happy about not having any TV
    competition tonight and then they carried on. They mixed old and new
    running through "2000 light years from home", "Ruby Tuesday", "It's only
    rock and roll", "Rock and a Hard Place", "Brown Sugar", "Almost hear you
    sigh". All the time the atmosphere was building and all the tracks were
    greeted with the same enthusiasm (unsurprisingly as the crowd must have
    varied from 8 to 80). People danced on the terraces and on the pitch,
    this was something special.
    
    Sympathy for the Devil saw Mick atop the high tower at one end of the 
    stage and gasps from the crowd. There was no laser show and no troop
    of dancers, but Mick Jagger is a dynamo on stage and he just doesn't 
    need hype and gimmicks to keep the attention. There were large
    inflatable dolls (women of the night (shall we say) for Honky Tonk
    Women and wild dogs for another track (I can't remember which one now))
    which Mick toyed with, but basically this was just a brilliant
    performance. Ronny Wood and Keith Richards showed Gun how a guitar is 
    supposed to be played while Bill Wyman just stood impassive throughout,
    but (with the exception of two songs by Keith while Mick had a coffee)
    it was really all about Mick Jagger.
    
    After 2 hours the Stones left the stage, but there was no way there 
    weren't coming back. The crowd knew it and sure enough after a suitable
    amount of cheering, they returned to finish off with two tracks. I
    can't recall the first now, but the night ended (as Mandy had predicted
    it would) with Satisfaction. I didn't hear Mick Jagger sing a word of
    it as the rest of Wembley knew it as well as him.
    
    What a night! If this is the Stones last tour then I feel privileged to
    have seen it, but on the strength of what I saw they'll be back in 5
    years time and still have enough energy, charisma and talent to make
    this decade's model look very second rate indeed.
    
    Mark

    
    Well,saw the STONES last night and I wasn`t actually "blown-away"
    by the performance.Felt to me as if there was something missing,I`d
    gone to see "the greatest rock`n`roll band in the world" but didn`t 
    look like that to me.I was really looking forward to seeing something
    special but I was actually disapointed in what I saw.
                                                           Dougie.
    (From what I saw GUN showed Richards how to play ........)

    RE: The Stones
    
    Who are the support bands ?     
    What time did it all start ?
    Any trouble parking at Wembley ?

Monday Monday...Happy Mondays at Axis in Boston, Saturday July 14th, 1990.

The Mondays  drew  a  huge crowd (half of the planet) to a small club...talk
about  overselling!  Where  was  the  fire-marshall when we needed him? Talk
about false advertising...808 State, who were advertised as the opening band
were  a  no-show.  And (flame-retardant gear handy) these 18-plus shows have
got  to go; there was severe rowdiness that you rarely see as 21-over shows.
Now  I  can  remember  as a youngster dieing to get into a club and having a
great time when I finally did get in but this is ridiculous!

The Mondays  went on after midnight and played for an hour with an encore of
"Wrote  For  Luck". They did about 10 songs total, each fairly extended from
the  original.  "Step  On", "Hallelujah", "Clap Your Hands", "Lazyitis", and
"Do it Better" were some of the key tracks. I don't recall anything from the
first  album. During the first song the crush at the front was severe it got
so  bad  the  roadies  rushed  in  to kick people back but then they started
carrying  the  walking  wounded  out.  My better-half was dragged away and I
climbed  on  stage  to follow...this was during the 1st song! We watched and
grooved  to  the rest from sidestage left. My knees required mucho ice later
that  night  to  relieve  the swelling (one problem with knee-level stages I
suppose).

Bez was  in top form as were the rest of the band, Sean tended to sing a few
of  the  songs  seated  atop one of the amps. The band were oblivious to the
commotion  up  front  and never missed a beat...One more thing, the show was
captured on film! Some lucky &^%$ got Bez' maracas after the show...

Ed

Re .-1

I'm confused by the mention of 18-plus and 21-over shows.  Do you have minimum 
ages to get into gigs?  Here in the UK, you might have to be 18 to see a band
playing in a Club as part of their alcohol licensing requirements but any normal
concert has no age restrictions even though they sell drinks.

Is this common in the States?

Jon

re. age limits

Kylie Minogue had age restrictions on some/all of her shows

only under 18's allowed (I thought it meant IQ but apparently it was years)

...art 		:-)

Depending on where the show is (I'm mostly talking clubs because most of the
theatres don't do alcohol) there are 18 or 21 age limitations. You've got to
understand  that  the  drinking age in this country is 21! Occasionally some
hardcore band will do an all-ages-show.,..

Ed

    I have to quote this morning's NME, on about the change from the climax
    of `Like A Virgin' to the backlash of `Like A Prayer', by Everett True;
    
    "Candles appear and a giant cross made of crosses, a gospel chorus
    echoes solemnly, and a nun's habit is thrown over her gold harlot's
    costume. `Like a Prayer' begins.  F*** Manchester, F*** Prince, F***
    Sub Pop, F*** F******, this is life!"
    
    It really was different to what I was expecting.  I was pi$$ed off at
    the hour it took to actually get into Wembley, and then the 3 hours
    inside, standing on the pitch before Technotronic came on.  But the the
    crowd in the seat kept us interested by doing the Mexican wave and
    everyone shouting `En-ger-land'.  The boredom was also relieved by all
    the Madonna wannabee's, and those females who just didn't wear much at
    all.  I did my best to look elsewhere, but it's not easy when you're in
    the middle of 75,000 people.
    
    Then came Technotronic, then went Technotronic.  They were OK.  The 2
    vocalists (MC Eric and Ya Kid K) were OK, but the DJ messed up and all
    the music was sequenced and not disimilar to their records.  A waste of
    time really.  Nobody really danced, but lots tried to look interested.
    
    Then another half an hour and my nose was really bad with sunburn and
    my legs were killing and I was starving and dehydrated, but then the 2
    big screen fickered on and a factory scene rose from the stage. 
    Madonna was about to come on and we were getting excited.
    
    Then came Madonna, singing `Express Yourself' and it was just like the
    video itself.  Then it hit me, this Woman with the bright gold hair, who
    was about 50 yards from me was the Woman of the 80's and undoubtedly to
    be the woman of the 90's too.  This was the woman who started me buying
    records, this was the woman I first put a picture of on my bedroom
    wall, this was the woman whom I modelled myself on, who I wanted to be
    as good and as successful as.
    
    I was biased to start with, but she really was good at singing.  She
    was better than she comes across on records by far.  She danced
    brilliantly too.  I've always wondered how she could dance and sing as
    good as that at the same time.  It was all so perfect, it could have
    been the final cut from a compilation of het videos.  Maybe it was too
    perfect.  It seemed to come all one way, from her.  She didn't seem to
    feed of the crowd, and I got the impression she would have done as well
    had the stadium been empty.  This annoyed me quite a lot.  The concerts
    on the next two night were very similar, with her saying the same
    things between songs.  I felt cheated because I was only one of the
    masses.  I would have felt better if only she'd have come and performed
    in my front room, doing the songs I wanted and then chatting
    afterwards.  This caused me a few hours sleep over the next few nights,
    but I now know that I was asking too much.
    
    There were many highpoints in the show.  I say highpoints, I mean points
    where more pleasure built up inside me than I though was possible
    through showbizz.
    
    `Like  A Virgin' was the best.  This music came on with a Sitar
    featuring prominantly, and I wondered what the hell was going on.  Then
    she came out with "I made it through the wilderness" and I realised
    that `Like A Virgin' was an instrospective song just like the whole of
    the `Like A Prayer' LP.  I never thought that her earlier songs
    actually meant something up till that moment, but the way she sang it
    you knew she meant it!  
    
    This version was so good I think they ought to re-release it.  As I
    said it had the Sitar, but also strings, and was dead slow.  It
    climaxed with Madonna rubbing where lots of other poeople would give up
    their life to rub, and then the cresendo (sp) with the music
    accelerating in tempo and Madonna simulating what couples do on their
    honeymoon.
    
    By the time the first encore, `Holiday', had started I had given up
    pretneding to be trendy in my New Order `Run2' t-shirt and was dancing
    my arse off and waving my arms like a lunatic.
    
    It was all over too soon, and then I remembered my hunger.
    
    
    matty

    RE-1
    
    Hi Matty,
    
    You layed out your experience with Madonna just fine,I had a few
    grins reading it. :^))  "And then I remembered my hunger", HA!
    good one,biassed,but good.
    
    Well,she was in Holland yesterday eve.And what she experienced here
    was the first time she encountered it.This started her thinking(so
    the news told us)
    The house(stadium) was not sold out.The max capacity it can have
    is only 45.000,which is rather small for her anyway,but only 40K
    tickets were sold.The black market in front of the door all got
    stuck with left over tickets.Just before the show went on(when
    Technotronic already did their bit) some of those tickets went
    of hand for a fraction of it's original price.
    
    The overall feel of Madonna's show over here(some comments given
    by the public)is "is that it?"
    
    Well,thats it from this side.
    
    BTW glad your back my mate ;^)
    
    YO�
    Jan.

    Matty, how does she dance and sing at the same time...ask the guy who
    operates her tape machine!  Big fuss about it in the states,
    apparently.
    
    Mikef (sorry!)

    Hi there!
    
    Good review Matty!! I especially liked the bit when you
    described the way she "did" Like a virgin! ...honeymoons....?? aha!
    I also enjoyed the concert here in Holland very much! 
    Everything was perfect!! As Jan wrote, it wasn't sold out, I found that
    quite strange actually, she's such a big artist!? But it's holiday-
    time, and I heard that about 6 million Dutchies are having their holls,
    so maybe that's a reason?
    
    She used a lot of four-letter-words! I can understand why the English 
    don't like that so much! Did she really behave that bad, when she
    stayed in London?  
    
    When Madonna was introducing her friend Di"ck" Tracey .... (geddit?), 
    it was a bit difficult for the man who was sitting behind me. He was 
    translating everything she said for his little daughter, who was very
    curious for what Madonna was saying!! That must have been a difficult
    moment for the man... unfortunately, I couldn't hear what he made of
    it!! 
    
    After Matty's review there is nothing else for me to say about the 
    concert! It was a great show and I enjoyed every minute of it!
    
    BTW Jan, it wasn't Technotronic doing the support-act! It was King B!
    
    Cheers!
    
    Ilse* 
    
    

    Mike,
    
    She did mime one song, `Now I'm Following You', which is one of the
    songs from the new LP where she duets with Dick Tracy.  Before she did
    the song she said she was going to do something naughty; "I'm going to
    do something naughty" she said, "I'm going to lip-sync".  The show
    wasn't just a pop concert, it was a show, like it was Broadway, which
    included acting along to this particular song.  She wasn't trying to
    hide anything, she was just dancing along with Dick Tracy's character.
    
    The rest was live, and they came up with plenty of different versions
    of the older songs, which more than made up for the one song that she
    did mime.
    
    I swear you would have liked it, any of you, even if you hate her or
    her songs.  Lots of people on the coach weren't Madonna fans, some of
    them had said they hated her in the past, but they went along anyway,
    and evry single person I asked said they thought it was all really
    good.  All the people I heard talking said it was fantastic, and it
    was.  It really was a good show.  The only person I've heard slagging
    it off is Mary Whitehouse!
    
    RE-1,  So what if it wasn't sold out!  more room to dance!!!
    
    I now have a copy of Radio 1's broadcast, which I listened to last
    night.  I think the night I went she performed better, but I'm glad she
    explained what all the swearing was about.  I just can't stop listening
    to `Like A Virgin'.
    
    
    matty

> re. Note 20.288 by IGETIT::BROWNM "One love, one heart, one soul"

>	........Then it hit me, this Woman with the bright gold hair, who
>    was about 50 yards from me was the Woman of the 80's and undoubtedly to
>    be the woman of the 90's too.....

	To paraphrase Kimbo (the woman of the 90s)

		PPPPffffffffffffffffffffffhahahahahahahahahahhahahahah

The Wonder Stuff / Neds Atomic Dustbin
Glasgow Barrowlands
8th August 1990

Neds Atomic Dustbin were great, except for "Kill Your TV" which hasn't grown 
on me (yet!).

The Wonder Stuff ... pretty grim, they didn't look like they enjoyed it even.

One of the hottest (in terms of heat) concerts ever ... slim review but 
that's how much I was impressed by it ... all new songs were slow and 
unrememberable ... have they lost it, I think so!

No doubt Tc will be in telling you something totally different ...

    Pixies/Pale Saints - Dublin's National Stadium, 1-Oct-1990
    
    First thing is that the concert sold out very quickly, which led to a
    lot of people hanging around outside the venue hoping for cheap tout
    tickets. Not a lot of joy though...
    A friend thought he was on the guest list ( he wrote a piece on the band
    in a local events mag ), and went along sans tickets. He never got in,
    and wasn't too pleased about it.
    
    I heard that the band dragged in a few hopefuls with them as they
    arrived....nice one Pixies.
    
    The concert...
    In a word, Fantastic. The band played a 90 minute set with everything in
    it. Black Francis was in excellent form, screaming as only he can.
    Joey Santiago played brilliantly, tight when he had to be and manic on
    songs like 'Vamousse'(sp). Kim Deal and David Lovering kept a hypnotic 
    pulse going ( i don't know where Lovering gets that energy from ).
    
    The band varied the set throughout, interposing songs from all their
    albums, most notably from 'Doolittle'.
    I'm not an expert on the bands material, but their stuff is incredibly 
    melodic, and VERY VERY ENERGETIC.
    
    This is their first gig of their tour in these parts (except for the
    Reading festival). 
    Don't miss them. They're a breath of fresh air.
    
    martin o'g

    
    The Pixies were brilliant at Reading as well, what were the Pale Saints
    like?
    
    Tim
    ---

    Oh Yes, the Pale Saints. 
    I forgot all about them.
    I enjoyed them. They were fighting a losing battle being a support band
    though. The problem with the National Stadium in Dublin is the
    seating/standing set up. The organisers don't have any clue. They set
    up the place as for a James Taylor concert, all seats in front of the
    stage.
    So, for most of the Pale Saints' set people were jockeying for position
    in front of the stage. I may be wrong but i got the feeling that the
    Pale Saints played a shorter than usual set because of this.
    
    The music...
    They have an interesting sound. They like to build up the songs from
    slow beginnings, unlike the Pixies. I get the impression, though, that their
    type of music is best listened to on record rather than live.
    
    Overall though, i'd say they were way above average for supports.
    
    Martin O'G

Anybody else go to this?  A pretty good evening.  Reading Uni always has the 
sound turned up too high which doesn't particularly help with a noisy bunch like
TPE, but apart from that, not bad.  Good lighting, good dancing from Steve Mack,
good music.

Lee

P.S.  Yes, Morrissey was creeping around the campus, even had the audacity to 
ask *ME* for my autograph.

>P.S.  Yes, Morrissey was creeping around the campus, even had the audacity to 
>ask *ME* for my autograph.

Ha! I bet!

       
       Pop Will Eat Itself / Korova Milk Bar
       Calton Studios
       Wednesday 17th October
       
       Sited by the Wonderstuff as a major influence in their carreers, 
       Pop Will Eat Itself changed overnight from the scruffy guitar 
       orientated Grebo rockers into one of the best crossover rap/heavy 
       metal/dance acts around today. 
       
       Hitting  the lower reaches of the chart with their infamous 
       "Beaver Patrol" which John Peel refused to play, "Can U Dig It", 
       'Def Con One", and more recently with the unofficial World Cup 
       Song "Cicciolina", and now "Dance of the Mad" they have gone from 
       strength to strength.
       
       As a long time fan of their earlier stuff as well as their 
       brilliant new material I anticipated a great concert at the 
       revamped Calton Studios. 
       
       The support band Korova Milk Bar only made some impact with their 
       second last song, a cover of the Ruts "In a Rut". Standard 
       independent band probably with a bright future.
       
       At a little after 11.00pm, the lights went off the smoke machines 
       spewed their guts and the Poppies took the stage. From here on in 
       everything else was a blur. Track after track blitzed it's way 
       through my head and down to my feet, stopping only for the 
       occasional pelvic thrust. All the songs mentioned above (except 
       "Beaver Patrol") were produced and given the live Poppie 
       treatment. Nobody stood still, with the thumping rythmns shaking 
       the very ground we stood upon.
       
       With a great remix of "Preaching to the Perverted" as an encore 
       they shouted 'time for bed ...' and were gone. Still 2 days after 
       I'm singing "Big Mac Fries to Go" as I type this review.
       
       
       New album "PWEI Cure for Sanity" out on Monday
       
       The Grebo Reporter.
       
       
       
       

    Cocteau Twins / Frazier Chorus
    
    Glasgow Barrowlands
    Thursday 25th October
    
    First the support. 
    I think that this band tried to entertain the crowd, but failed.
    I hadn't heard them before, and wouldn't be too excited about hearing
    them again. They were very NICE on stage, playing music that could best
    be described as harmless.
    I think they're low point came with a truly pathetic version of...wait
    for it...'Anarchy in the UK', which was so twee as to defy recognition
    until the singer sang...'I wanna beee. Anarcheeee'.
    
    So on to the Cocteau's.
    After a long wait the immortal Cocteau's  arrived on stage,
    supplemented by two extra guitarists. For me it was like a visitation from 
    heaven (!), such was my expectation. Robin and Simon looked as they always 
    do; rough and ready. Liz looked nervous, and very much like she wanted to 
    get it over with.
    
    So straight away Robin went over to his keyboard console and dialled up
    the first song , which was 'Blue Bell Knoll'. I have to admit that the
    constant routine of ..sing the song, pause, dial up the next one, got
    to me a little, as it did some others who weren't so kind. These nerds
    kept shouting at Liz to say a few words, and other statements that i
    couldn't quite make out.
    The Cocteau's aren't really a live act , i think. The music is designed
    for and most effective when heard on your own. In a concert situation,
    with sound not the best, the subtleties of the music are lost a little.
    
    Anyway, they played material from most of the catalogue, with the
    notable exception of 'Treasure'. it seems that Robin's recent
    statements about 'Treasure' being an "abortion" were sincerely felt.
    My personal favourite performances from the band on the night were,
    'Orange Appled' , 'Cico Buff' ( from Blue Bell Knoll ), and 'Road,
    River, and Rail' from the new album.
    They played two encores, as the crowd were very loud in wanting them
    back. The encores were good, a song from Victorialand, and two songs on
    the second encore one the B-side to the single, and the second a track
    from Head over Heels that i don't know the name of.
    My one regret was that they never did 'I wear your ring' my own
    favourite from the new album.
    
    I was thinking during the concert about whether Robin and Simon might
    have wanted to liven things up as they were both spotted at the Ride
    concert a few days earlier in Glasgow. Ah well, it wouldn't have been
    right i suppose....
    
    martin

The Grateful Dead - 31-Oct-1990 - Wembley Arena, London

This was the second scheduled concert of the Dead's three night stint at 
Wembley.  Yep, nine years on from their last visit to the Rainbow, the Dead 
were back - bigger and better than ever - 25 years after it all started.

Natch, this was the greatest audience cross section you'll ever find at a rock 
concert - lots of fancy dress, skulls on sticks, tie-dye T-shirts, and skull 
masks.  In fact, a typical Dead audience.

As usual, the Dead were allowing people to legally tape the show, and had set 
up an area just behind the mixing desk.  Tall rods, with mikes fixed at the 
ends were the order of the day.  I didn't get close enough to check out the 
equipment however.

We were sat in the seventh row, at the side - best ever for Wembley.  The band 
came on just five minutes late, at 7:35pm.  A few minutes of warm up and 
doodling, and then they were into the show - no fancy stage stuff, no fancy 
back drop, no fancy lights - just plugging in and doin' the Dead set!

Songs I could make out were Truckin'(their great song about life on the road in 
the early 70's), Scarlet Begonias, Loose Lucy, Little Red Rooster, Stella Blue, 
Franklin's Tower, and Werewolves Of London (Warren Zevon's great numer), for 
the encore.  Plus, stuff that sounded familiar (possibly Terrapin-ish) and a 
great drum solo from Mickey and Bill, which took off into Rythumn Devil 
Territory and some 'Apocalypse Now' type sounds - quite brilliant.

First half was 1� hours and then a � hour break.  They came back and finish off 
with 2 hours.  So, their usual 3� hour set - any Dead crowd would expect 
nothing less.

Garcia was leading the way much of the time - generous cheers from the crowd 
helping those smiles come through.  His voice may not be quite what it was, but 
he's still the 'main man' for most of us.  Weir was singin' here and there too, 
with Lesh as staedy as ever on the bass.  Piano and keyboards made up the rest 
of the sound - Bruce Hornsby I believe.

Much of the crowd were on their feet throughout the gig.  I just took it easy, 
and let the band take me on their usual journey ...

So, just what is so special about the Dead.  After all, critically, not that 
many of their studio albums are rated highly, and much of their material is 
quite light, and not always that strong.  It's simple - it's what happens 
between the versus that's what this band is all about - extending the whole 
thing, very tightly mind you, and quite together, and then bringing it all back 
into focus at the end, just when it all starts to sound very complex and 
complicated to play!  Maybe this is why they have officially released over 30 
sides of live music!

I'm sure pleased that I made it.  I think they are best summed up by an album 
title of theirs:

What A Long Strange Trip It's Been ...

... but an amazing one at that.

    Dread Zeppelin - Notts Poly 20/11/90
    
    Well what can I say really. An extremely entertaining evening.
    
    If any of you have not heard any Dread before, they play
    Led Zep backing tracks, in a reggae style, with a middle
    aged Elvis impersonator singing.
    
    Dread played numerous Led Zep tracks including Black Dog (Elvis was
    singing the words to Hound Dog) all the way to the inevitable Stairway
    to Heaven.
    Musically they were superb, vocals were excellent and the stage antics
    were very funny.
    They are quite a difficult group to describe, however if you like Led
    Zep and a good laugh, GO AND SEE THEM. (they are currently on a
    university/poly tour.)
    
    
    Matt.
    
    
    

	  LUSH - Nightstage, Cambridge, MA - November 26th 1990


Nightstage is just such a great venue. The show was sold out and by the time
we  got  in most of the seating was taken and the floor was full. We stalked
out  some  seats  beside the stage but then opted for the balcony. Gabe (the
Grabo)  joined  us  shortly went down for a drink, bumped into Mikki and got
her autograph on his CD insert for the album...Gabe and Mikki share the same
last name...

No openning  act,  they  go  on  about  9:10  and  play  everything in sight
"Bitter",  "Thoughtforms",  "Scarlet",  "De-Luxe",  etc...The  band  is very
young, good thing it was 18+, they wouldn't have gotten in otherwise! :-)

Everything Mikki  said  sent  the  audience  into  stitches,  everything the
audience  did  or  said sent the band into stitches. Some technical problems
after the first song, Mikki: "We're missing a cymbal"...many false starts on
songs  but  they  hashed  it out. The lead guitarist (Emma?) was great - the
bassist and drummer were basically all business.

They added  a  MANCHESTER beat to one of the songs (they should use the same
slogan  that  the  Wedding  Present  currently  use: ALL THE SONGS SOUND THE
SAME). Something about the band also reminded me of Echo and the Bunnymen of
old. Lead guitarist deftly strumming away with the lead singer flailing away
with the rhythm guitar - but of course both were women.

They played  their  ABBA cover a new one or two and did a 2 song encore. The
crowd  responded  extremely  well  but  they  didn't  come  out again - they
probably played everything they know.

Some of  the  breaks  and  problems seemed a bit unprofessional at times but
once  the  music  started  it was great fun...I highly recommend seeing this
band.

Ed

A quick note to say you all missed Cathal Coughlan, frontman for The Fatima
Mansions, croon and rant his way through a set of the Mansions' more soleful
numbers.  A lot of people only know this band for their rowdier singles (`Only
Losers take the bus', `Blues for Ceauseceau'), but Cathal has has been doing
ballad type numbers since his Scott-Walker influenced days of Microdisney.

A good evening.  Lots of numbers from the last two albums, with a few new
ones showing that the bile is still boiling away within him (`Scarecrow',
`Berties brochures') and promising more goodies for the future.

The two supports were a Scots rock'n'roll protest single, and a man who was
obviously a contender for the Leonard Cohen throne of misery and bad guitar
plucking.  Pop's rich tapestry eh?

Lee

    
    Stiff Little Fingers
    Saturday, 16th March
    International 2, Manchester
    
    Well, my first gig up North.  We arrived at about 10:30ish.  UK_SUBS
    were supposed to be supporting but we either missed them or they didn't
    play at all.  Judging on the fact that the place was still intact I
    reckon they didn't play at all.  Queued for about 15 minutes for the
    bogs (7 urinals for 1000+ people??), then found our place about 10 feet
    from the bar and about the same from a fire exit, which came in most
    handy later on.
    
    SLF came on at about 11.  I can't remember the order of the songs but
    they played most of the regular ones (Wasted Life, Gotta Gettaway,
    Nobody's Hero, Johnny Was, Suspect Device, Alternative Ulster, Fly the
    Flag) plus some new songs which for the life of me I can't remember the
    names of.  The place was wilteringly hot.  I mean, not just hot but
    ass-wiping hot.  Really hot you know.  Hot.  My God it was hot.  You
    get the idea.  So when people got dancing and it got hotter somebody
    had the excellent idea of throwing themselves through the fire exit. 
    I've never noticed how cold outside air hitting HOT, smelly gig air
    causes instant fog.  Not that anyone minded or noticed.
    
    The new stuff that the band played was, IMO, a bit MOR.  Seems they've
    softened in their years and even the old songs didn't have the same
    punch as they did 10 years ago.  They only came back on for one encore
    which is unusual (probably due to the heat, did I mention that it was 
    hot?) and to finish a rendition of Wild Rover.  
    
    All in all, a good gig and a good introduction to the International 2. 
    Best bit of the evening was I think seeing hundreds of ageing, balding
    punks mumbling along the words to 'Remember you're a Womble' on the way
    out.
    
    Paul

    yeah, yeah, Paul, SLF blah blah etc., but was it hot in there?
    
    Bob

>    yeah, yeah, Paul, SLF blah blah etc., but was it hot in there?
 

Snarf!

    >reckon they didn't play at all.  Queued for about 15 minutes for
    >the bogs (7 urinals for 1000+ people??), 
    
    I'm sure there were some people at the show who didn't care how
    many urinals there were.
    
    -Vicki
    
    PS Try getting into any Ladies Rm. anywhere 

>>>	PS Try getting into any Ladies Rm. anywhere 

	Okay!  ;-)

-Brian.

re .309

I just *knew* that someone was going to pick me up on that.  Well, I would have 
given a review of how bad the ladies' was, but it was dnagerous enough going in 
the mens'. :-)

Paul

    March 3rd - Royal Albert Hall - Eric Clapton (with orchestra)
    
    Tracks:-
    Layla
    Crossroads
    Bell Bottom Blues
    Holy Mother
    Shot the Sheriff
    Can't Find My Way Home (Nathan East)
    White Room
    Wonderful Tonight
    Edge of Darkness
    Theme from Communion
    Sunshine of Your Love (encore)
    
    So good I don't really have words to describe it, but worth every penny
    (not cheap) for the tickets.  Programmes were a rip-off (7 quid) and
    the aisles packed in the interval with smokers who nipped out for a fag 
    and non-smokers who seemed to be just milling about in a futile attempt
    to find the bar.
    
    Highly recommended if he ever does another concert tour, having seen
    the 4 piece at the start of the RAH concerts, I'd recommend going on
    the orchestral nights if you're only going once.
    

Lush/Ride - Paradise Theatre, Boston - 23rd March 1991

Quick overview:
Lush were mediocre, Ride were astoundingly loud and blew the (swinging) pants
off anyone within 100 feet of the stage. 

Full description:
Earlier that afternoon (after prising Angus out of a car park elevator) we
travelled to the Garage in Haaaaaarvaaaaaaard Square to try and get a glimpse 
Lush and Ride signing copies of their albums/cd or your left nipple in 
Newbury Street Comics (actually sells records!). The happy-go-lucky Lush 
blissfully signed away adding witty comments to the CD I had just bought, 
whereas the moody Ride scrawled their names without a hello or even a smile!

Anyways, to cut a long story short ... went to the Paradise that night, 
throughout the crowd were several Manchester wannabees (is that spelt with one
'n' or two). Lush were first to grace the stage, not being a mega-fan (of 
either band ... I only went along to rub Tommy's face in it!) I only
recognised some of the songs (but not the names). They strutted their funky
stuff and all that but it wasn't for me ... so I retreated for a few Heinikens.

Well all was too change ... Ride hit the stage like a patriot hitting a scud 
(a bit topical!) ... blasting into 'Seagull', then two other beautifully 
crafted songs from their excellent debut LP 'Nowhere' (available at all good
record stores). By this time I was dancing my socks off and drinking beer from 
them (and it still tasted better than Rolling Rock). These guys oozed pure sex,
something I had not seen since The Bass Thing thrusted his instrument in my
general direction two years previous.

Well before you know it, it was OVER. With ears ringing, sweat dripping and 
soaken socks to boot we made our way into the cold and wet Boston night. Was
it worth it ... you bet it was Tommy!

The Guru

    Swervedriver, Reading Trade Union Club, 9th April 1991
    
    I went to see Swervedriver last night, my ears are still ringing.  They
    were supported by a band called Asylum who were just plain funny.  The
    lead singer obviously really wanted to be Andrew Eldritch, his voice was 
    not unsimilar but he looked such a prat.  They were taking their stuff so 
    seriously and nobody but a couple of groupies at the front was paying 
    them any attention at all.
    
    Anyway Swevedriver came on at about 11.00, I just about noticed this
    through the palls of cigarette smoke.  They started off by checking
    their instruments for what seemed like ages and then suddenly a wall of
    sound hit the audience (cliche I know but it was true), wailing
    guitars, loads of wah wah and feedback with a melody in there somewhere
    as well.  I wasn't over impressed by the first couple of songs but
    things definitely improved.  At times, when their brand of noise met
    with their simple melodies and barely audible vocals they were
    excellent but my overall rating is that they were good but not great. 
    I'd go and see them again but wouldn't travel far to do so.  Their
    sound I would describe as an English version of some of the noisier
    American indie bands such as Dinosaur Jr (who they covered), the
    Lemonheads etc.
    
    
    Tim
    ---

    Yep, silly names night.
    
    Led astray by a contributor to this conference, I quaffed a couple of
    evil-looking Belgian beers at a bar beforehand and as a result was
    thoroughly in the mood for total abandon by the time we arrived at
    L'Usine. Remarkably, L'Usine looked like a converted factory. It was
    full of black leather and hairstyles knocking back the beers. Pretty
    damn good, in fact.
    
    The venue was a small room round the side of the building. We soon
    spotted Fruitbat of Carter at the T-shirt stand, but of course we were
    far too cool to let on we recognised him. How did M like her signed
    T-shirt, P?
    
    By the time New Fast Automatic Daffodils took the stage, Digital had a
    strong presence at the front of the crowd, well-placed for the dancing
    (let's be charitable) which followed. I had heard their set on the
    radio two nights earlier, but they played so extremely loud that little
    of it was recognisable. What the hell, it was fun.
    
    Carter were introduced by, and I am being entirely accurate and
    unbiassed here, a fat bastard. Obscenities were scrawled on the
    billowing waves of his stomach, and his privates were concealed by a
    fruit carton (1 litre). "Let's welcome the greatest kick-ass
    rock'n'roll band in the world from South London!" he screamed, and to
    the taped intro of 30-Something ("one day your muscles wave a white
    flag and then you're a fat bastard"), a manic-looking Jim Bob and a
    grinning Fruitbat appeared as did, simultaneously, a wall of sound.
    My memory gets a bit hazy here, so someone else can fill in the
    details, but basically it was an hour of intense thrash and dancing.
    
    Afterwards, fighting luscious women off left and right, we departed
    into the night, ears screaming rather as Jim Bob's guitar, abandoned on
    stage to howl with feedback, had done.
    
    Too loud. Loved it.
    
    
    Rod

>    My memory gets a bit hazy here, so someone else can fill in the
>    details, but basically it was an hour of intense thrash and dancing.
    
     I know they started with Surfin USM, the instrumental. But shortly
     afterwards a intruder on the stage chased by bouncers hurrily
     dived into the crowd and landed on my head, which made me feel a bit 
     groggy for a while. So I left the front rows (which were much too 
     dangerous anyway for a quiet guy such as me - who would have guessed that 
     even bespectacled 'right_back_from_pakistan,man' thirtysomethings could be 
     such a nuisance, eh P ?).

     Well, what I wanted to say is that I didn't really pay attention to the 
     next 10 songs... They ended up with 'Rent' and an awesome slow number
     I'd rather forget.

     Christophe.

    Setting the record straight here (ok, setting the CD straight, if you
    must) in a vain attempt at "right to reply".
    
    1) I did buy M a Carter shirt, and for reasons best known to himself
    Fruitbat did scrawl "Martine, you missed me, Fruitbat!" on the back of
    it. This T-shirt later went down a storm at one of Geneva's smarter
    brasseries on Sunday, not least because the left sleeve reads
    "Unstoppable" and the right sleeve reads "Sex Machine".
    
    2) The Belgian beer was more of a catalyst than a cause. Rod was ready
    for trouble from the moment I told him about the gig; you could see it
    in his eyes.
    
    3) Christophe was being a typical French anarchist, trying to stand still
    while the rest of us were, umm, err, oh go on then perhaps we were, slam
    dancing. Any rumours that I gave him a playful shove are obviously
    entirely without foundation.
    
    4) Carter were excellent. As Rod said they really were far too loud,
    and that's fine by me.
    
    5) I've been back from Pakistan for ages. I am barely over 30. 
    
    Piers

>    3) Christophe was being a typical French anarchist, trying to stand still

     Piers, may I tell you that this notion has disappeared ever since the
     decline of the punk movement (that was around 1980). At the time, NME
     writers (and some slight hints lead me to think you were one of them) 
     used that word a lot, but now they don't anymore, I'm afraid.
     
  Anyway, about the concert, I agree with what Piers said : "Youth had a good 
  time, and that's what matters"

  Christophe.

That's enough of the Geneva scene.  We don't want you lot turning into a load 
of sneery liggers like Manchester.


Daisy Chainsaw - @ Purple Turtle

The lead singer looked like she was about 16 years old.  She was dressed in
torn dirty rags and her hair was grubby and knotted.  Very sexy, kinda like
Wendy James first thing in the morning.  The guitarist was an androdgenous
little punk with more attitude than a barrel full of Manic Street Preachers,
the bassist was a filthy biker and the drummer, well the drummer was a drummer.

The tunes started up.  They were very punk and very crap.  The girl flailed 
around, punched herself, fell over, pulled her hair and sang a bit.  The 
hermaphrodite wrestled with his beat up Fender and played it a bit.  The 
bassist stank and looked evil and the drummer, well the drummer drummed.  I was 
in stitches.  I hadn't seen this much arrogance since The Great Rock'n'Roll 
Swindle.

The songs churned on for about half an hour, after which they dropped their
instruments and walked off stage.  Some guy with a mohican was screaming
"Moooore!  Moooore!" into the little girls face as she crashed into a nearby
table.  "We don't know any more songs" she groaned as her hair landed in
the ashtray.

Wonderfully appaling.  They even turned my lager green.  Funny old business
innit?

Lee

    I saw Daisy Chainsaw last week supporting Levitation, they were
    brilliantly crap, I can't remember seeing a band like them, they had so
    much attitude, I was enthralled.  I doubt that they will go much
    further than the Reading circuit (I assume they are local) but they are 
    definitely worth catching, not for the music but for the whole
    experience.  They sort of gave me an idea of what punk was all about
    being too young to experience it the first time round.
    
    Tim
    ---

They're deafening, they're relentless, they're probably the best indie band
in the whole world, yet The Keatons were at the bottom of the running order
for this evenings entertainment.  However, this does have the advantage in
that you can get out of the Robey pretty quick.   Hippie pubs just aren't my
scene maaan...

The singer looks like Mark E Smiths younger brother, and sings pretty like he
is too.  The guitarists thrash around on stage more wildly than the thrash
pit in front of the stage, yet still manage to play their instruments.  But
they ain't an act.  Their tunes are more credible as indie-dance than any of
those goons that hang around the charts with their re-hashed Byrds songs. 

A couple of vinyl releases have yet to capture the raw energy of seeing them 
live, which is a shame, but for those interested, there's `Seven' (a seven track
E.P.) and `Factor Alpha', their new single.

Lee

Deep in the bowels of student-ridden Oxford sits the Jericho Tavern, a pub so 
searingly hip they use old Melody Makers for wallpaper.  Tonights performance 
is billed as `Outback - The digeridoo dance experience'.  Hmmmm...

But it was true.  The digeridoo growling away made an excellent sound to go 
with the drums, bongoes and acoustic guitar.  Very melodic, very danceable and 
not so ethnic that you think you're making a fool of yourself.

Check it out, and buy the album too.

Lee

    >> Very melodic, very danceable and  not so ethnic that you think
    >> you're making a fool of yourself.

    Since when do you make a fool of yourself by liking ethnic music Lee ?
    (And I know that even you like some).

    I dunno...the youf these days...feedback feedback feedback...that's ALL
    they think about.                (squid-thing  ---> -;)

    - Tim
    

Morrissey
Dundee Caird Hall
15th May 1991

Set off to Dundee knowing that the Man Utd game was about to start, this didn't
put us in a good mood. Once inside the Caird Hall we then discovered that 
there was no bar and that the man himself wouldn't be on until 9.15pm (when
did the match end!).

The "Special Guest" was some radical women who sang about Aids, South Africa,
Fascists, the rights of artists, the homeless, peace, ... She actually went
down well with the mostly student crowd.

At 9.10 she appeared again and announced that Morrissey had a 'sore throat',
but was going to perform anyway, and then the lights dimmed, the crowd as 
usual went wild and the man appeared.

His youthful Rockabilly band blast into 'Interesting Drug', a bland and
anonymous song by his standards but given electric shock treatment here
tonight. The God to many a young student is pelted with the produce of Dundee's
finest florists and before the first chorus is over, the stage is invaded by 
countless people to hug and kiss their idol. He actually went out his way to 
at least shake everyone hands before they were ejected by the security staff.

Next up was 'Last of the International Playboys', some tracks from 'Kill Uncle'
('Asian Rut', 'Sing Your Life' ...) and 'November Spawned a Monster' reared 
its ugly head. At the intro to 'That's Entertainment' he suddenly lost his 
voice and left the stage, the band jammed for the next 5 minutes before they 
too left. We were assured that he would return and sure enough he graced the 
stage again some minutes later.

Two more songs, enough was enough, and the lights came up. 45 minutes
of pure joy was all we got ... and my favourite song 'Everyday is like Sunday'
wasn't even sung.

The Guru

The Glasgow gig has been cancelled.

    re: -1
    
    The "radical woman" you mentioned is PHRANC.  (A self-proclaimed
    Jewish Lesbian Folksinger from Los Angeles.)  She opened for the
    Smiths on their last American tour.  She has 3 (?) albums out on
    Virgin (?) 
    
    I'm sure glad I wasn't there; I would've been pissed.  That reminds
    me of the countless concerts that I've been to where someone's gotten
    sick, but usually the show is cancelled before they come on stage
    & people get their money back.  He better be ok by June 2 when he
    plays the mega-Forum here or I really will be pissed.  (He's got 
    several sold out shows in CA, so it would be detrimental if he 
    cancelled them.)
    
    -Vicki
    

    You'll be pissed, he's not even playing in England =8*(

    re: -1
    
    Perhaps he's resting up for his US shows...I mean, he can always
    play England. 8*} 
    
    Oh well, I didn't get tickets to the show yet `cause they all sold out
    in 5 seconds. Still trying thru unorthodox means though.  (But after
    sitting in the front row for the Smiths, anything else would be a
    let down....maybe I should just stick with the memories.)   
    
    Also, since no one else mentioned it; today (May 22) is M's 32nd
    birthday.  (Don't worry I won't sing "Happy B-Day.")
                
    -Vicar in a Tutu                                      

    
    re -1
    
    > I mean, he can always play England. 8*} 
    
    Once in the last 3 to 4 years, great, and I couldn't get to that.
    
    Tim - still fed up at not getting to see the Smiths at Reading Hexagon
    ---   in '84
    

    RE-1 Tim - The Smiths at Reading Hexagon (MIM Tour), were brilliant. 
    As were the support band (James).  This being the now infamous night
    when I totally failed to impress Tim Booths girlfriend, but thats
    another story...
    
    No Morrissey at Reading Fest.  sob.  Lots if intersting Mozz facts in
    the NME, but they missed that the line 'Jumped up pantry boy who never
    knew his place' was lifted from the film/play Sleuth (movie starring
    Olivier  and Michael Caine).   Not a lot of people know that.
    
    Mikef
    
    

    I know they were brilliant , everyone told me, in great detail, you 
    wouldn't believe the trauma I went through trying to get a ticket, 
    I'm still suffering from not seeing them and I bet Mozzer decides not 
    to do an English date to compound this.
    
    Tim
    ---

    I sympathise Tim, I bought a ticket from a tout on the night, for the
    balcony, then sneaked in downstairs.  I got within a couple of feet on
    Mozz at one point (just to make Leonie jealous).
    
    Mikef

    
    I went to see Curve at ULU last night and yes all the hype is true,
    well most of it.  After sitting in the bar for ages, watching Basti for
    a few minutes but deciding that it wasn't time for an Aled Jones
    greatest hits spot, bumping into Micki from Lush literally (the other
    girl was there as well but I can't remember her name) we finally got
    into the sold out and packed out hall.  
    
    The lights went dim dry ice was blown across the stage for what seemed
    like an age whilst haunting sounds were played as a backing track then
    on walked Curve.  Toni Halliday was wearing a black rave cat suity type 
    thing with white stripes down the arms and legs and hmmm could this be love
    naaah probably just lust.  Anyway on with the serious stuff, this is
    what I would class as indie dance but true indie dance in that it used
    guitars in the way that Chapterhouse, Slowdive, Ride etc do but with
    more danceable rythms, not like the Happy Mondays whose music really
    bears no resemblance to what is generally called "indie" but getting
    into definitions is not what this is about.
    
    I can't say I recognised any of the material on their EPs since I
    hadn't heard them before but you can be sure that they covered them and
    every now and again a mumbled "this is from our new EP" appeared.  In a
    couple of the songs she raps, and she can rap as well as sing very
    compitently.  A 45 minute to an hour set I guess and it was over, 
    they don't do encores so out we all poured and bang oh its Micki from Lush
    again but I'm not complaining by any means.
    
    I'm off to get the EPs at lunchtime, a good gig only marred by the
    Tubes breaking down and having to get a taxi to Paddington and missing
    the last fast train meaning I had to get the chugger home.
    
    Tim
    ---

    re: Mozzi
    
    They released more tix for the Forum show so my friend got us so-so
    seats.  (The shows on Sunday)  I suppose we'll be one of the elders
    at this show and probably 3 of the few people who had seen the
    Smiths...the rest are smart enough to avoid arena shows.
    
    -Vicki

	Wolverhampton Civic hall, May 24.

	The civic hall is a great place to see a band, its getting there thats
a pain, especially on a hot friday afternoon before a bank holiiday.  An hour
and twenty b****y minutes on the M6.  At least I managed to get some knitting
 done.

	Support were Buffalo Tom, (an American band?).  They sounded like a 
cross between the Weddoes and Dinosaur Jr, but went on a bit too long (like
they were onstage for almost as long as the Wedds).  They were Ok, but not 
too hot.

	The boredom of the support band caused a serious outbreak of T shirt 
frenzy, and I am now the proud owner of a dinky blue Seamonsters shirt thingy, 
very sweet.  The first on my block!

	The Weddoes came on to the strains of the Starsky and Hutch theme tune, 
then straight into Dalliance.  We were off to the front for some dedicated 
frugging, but I think maybe I may be getting a bit too old for that sort of
thing.  Leonie gave up after the first song, and hung at the back with the 
wimps.  Second up was Don't talk Just Kiss. Then - 

Crawl,Bewitched, Suck, Dare, Kennedy, Take Me, Rotterdam, Lovenest, Corduroy,
Carolyn, Everyone thinks, Brassneck, Heather.

Take Me was a shortened version.  I didn't miss Grappas guitar playing, but 
his grin was absent.  There was less of a frivolous air to the evening, 
many of the new songs haveing a 'dark underbelly'. ('Who is this **** Gedge').
They were also more difficult to bop to.  Gedge wasn't wearing shorts.

I staggered out at the end soaked in sweat, and deafened.  My sister had to 
keep an eye on my driving home.  

    It was a great gig, but I think they are band going through a period of
    change, Gedge said that he wanted the eventual new guitarist to have a 
    creative input, which I don't think will be a bad thing.  We'll have to
     wait and see, but for now, just enjoy this...

Mikef

    
    
    The Wedding Present Leicester DeMonfort (sp) Hall May 30th
    
    Not a great deal to add to Mike's review.  They came on to the strains
    of the A team and not Starsky and Hutch as when you saw them Mike, I
    can't remember what the first song was, it's really bugging me but the
    rest of the set seems pretty much the same as the Wolverhampton gig
    except that I think Bewitched came later.  Kennedy was great as was
    Heather and Brassneck and Don't Talk... and etc etc.  It was a good gig
    but not great, I've seen them play better, it may have been that I
    wasn't totally familiar with the new songs I suppose.  
    
    It seemed that the humour was missing, Gedge seems to have abandoned
    his shorts and his smiles with them.  He did crack one joke I remember
    but was pretty quiet between songs.  I think the later gigs on this
    tour will be better as people get to know the newer stuff.
    
    I didn't buy a T shirt but they did look very fetching I wanted the one
    with the red circle and blue rose but my wallet didn't have the
    necessary in it so I settled for some badges, mail order maybe but its
    not the same not buying it at the gig.
    
    Buffalo Tom were good but played perhaps a little too long for a
    support band.
    
    Tim
    --- 

	Can anyone tell me who the band were who were in concert with
	Steve Hillage at the Brixton Fridge, broadcast last Saturday
	night on radio 1 at 10pm?

	Jonathan.

    The Orb - album out (double) called Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld. 
    Was the concert any good?  I got the singles, and wish I'd seen them at
    the Uni the other week.
    
    Mikef

	Well the concert was "different"... they are a very wierd and
	interesting band, I shall probably buy the album. I wonder if
	they've got anything coming out with Steve Hillage, or is he
	on the album you mentioned?

	Jonathan.

    According to an Interview with Alex Patterson and Thrash (ie. the Orb)
    Steve Hillage has been working with the Orb, as well as someone from
    Pink Floyd.  It's a good interview and you'll find it in Music
    Technology magazine.
    
    I think I'll buy the LP too.
    
    
    matty

The Seers produce mediocre baggy pop, all very contrived and the songs are
about twice as long as the content dictates.  The singer prances around onstage
like Julian Cope which doesn't help either.  Still, lots of people were dancing
and buying the T-shirts, so what do I know?

Next up were Gallon Drunk.  A truly amazing experience.  The band consist of a
bassist and a guitarist/singer/keyboard player (sometimes all three at once),
both of whom dress like Nick Cave clones. There's also a drummer and a maraca
shaking geezer.

When they start playing, it sounds like southern blues with feedback, kind of
Bo Diddley-ish, but a lot more menacing.  However each song soon deteriorates
into a cacophany as the lead guy can't cope with doing three things at a time,
often having to play the keyboard with his snakeskin boot so he can still play
guitar.

During one song, he throws down his guitar so he can start his rabid screaming
into the microphone, but all the wires get tangled around him and the
equipment, and the stage is in chaos.  He's forced to wrestle, to fight with
all the instruments around him, his face in a frenzy, but this show only adds
to the voodoo sound coming from the rest of the band. Suddenly the audience is
struck dumb as a hurricane of feedback hits them as the singer plugs the wrong
lead back into his guitar.  Baggy fools can't follow the trance-like beat any
more, their faces are pictures of total confusion. Yet the band still manage to
make the tune stop at the right time.  Awesome.

After that, The Family Cat seemed very poor and meaningless.  A thrash pit
formed as they started up their indie-pop guitar stuff, but it seemed very
obvious and uninspired after Gallon Drunk's stunning performance.  I left about
halfway through their set, so I don't know if it got any better, but somehow I
doubt it.

Lee

    re: -1
    
    Excuse meeeeee! But did I see a Julian Cope insult in there?!?

                      
5 bands played the first ever live concert at Bescott Stadium in Walsall.
                                                             
The weather started out quite sunny, but every so often the clouds built up,
and sent us running towards the terraces, but nothing too bad. More of this
later!

Kingmaker, Swervedriver and some other American group (Spirit of the West?)
came and went to the appreciation of their fans, but no-one else. 

New FADs then appeared and lifted the occasion with their bouncy (almost
funky!) pop music. This got people moving around a bit (mostly trying to keep
warm!)

The Wonder Stuff were due to appear at about 8:15pm, and as we all stood there
in the middle of the football pitch, at 7:45pm, it started raining. Then it
rained a bit more, and then it really rained!

When the Stuffies hadn't appeared by 8:45, things didn't look good at all! The
entire pitch was still covered in people (about 20,000 of them), but most of
the smiles had disappeared as we watched people shuffling around the stage, but
no sign of the group 8-]

At 8:55, they appeared, and instantly, everyone cheered up! They then proceeded
to rip through almost all of the new album (Size of a Cow was amazing!) and all
of the old favourites (Give Give Give, Don't Let Me Down etc. etc.) Eventually
the rain stopped, but by then we really didn't care! The biggest cheer of the
night came when Miles announced that they might ignore the 10:30 curfew and
keep on playing, but that was never on the cards. (First live music at the
venue and all that)

Worth ever penny of the �16 pound for the ticket.

Steve.
    

    Slowdive were at the University last night.  I didn't know any of thier
    stuff, but I enjoyed it a great deal.  I guess you could use some of
    the same words to describe them that get used for the Cocteaus -
    Shimmering, Ethereal, chiming, those kind of words.  Some of the songs
    started to sound the same toward the end, but still quite good.  I
    shall have to send Leonie out to get thier EPs now.  
    
    Mikef
    
    PS _ Tim - thanks for the pint, well, the empty pint glass anyway.  

    Sorry Mike, I really didn't see you, you should have stopped me, I'll
    put a review of the gig in later.
    
    Tim
    ---

    Thats ok Tim, I was in a really bad mood anyway, and i would probably
    have just grumped.  Slowdive were great though.  I didn't catch
    Revolver.
    
    Mikef

    Well as Mike has already said Slowdive played at the Uni last night.
    After several beverages, ignoring Mike (I did it on purpose really Mike 
    =8*)  ) and a lecture from the barman on how a good pint of Tetley 
    should look the support band came on, so now the big decision had to be 
    made, do we keep drinking or go and see them.  We chose the latter and it 
    was a probably a good decision.
    
    Revolver consisted of a guitarist, bass, drums and several effects
    pedals.  It has to be said that their music bears just a little
    resemblance to Ride's (sarcasm in full effect here) but my friend 
    reckoned it was cleaner, only because of the fact that there was 
    one less guitarist in my view.  Later in the set they established 
    more of their own sound and when their single comes out in July I'll 
    be interested to hear it.  
    
    It seems this "influenced by My Bloody Valentine" sound that Ride have 
    made successful has spawned its own "influenced by bands influenced by 
    My Bloody Valentine" sound, its quite good but I was left thinking this 
    isn't very original and where do they go from here, I would guess
    nowhere unless they find some ideas of their own. 
    
    Revolver finished and we amused ourselves by taking the piss out of
    two very sad girls who were dancing to The Wonderstuffs new album.
    
    Slowdive came on and we moved forwards a bit to what probably turned
    out to be the worst place to stand in the entire hall.  As soon as the
    vocalist opened her mouth the sound distorted, apparently two yards
    back it was perfect.  They started with Slowdive, perhaps their best
    offering to date, swirling guitars mixed with half wailed half sung
    vocals made for a good opening despite the sound problems we were
    experiencing.  
    
    They then moved on to new material which will be on the LP when it
    comes out in the autumn.  This was in much the same style as their
    recent offerings, they will have to be careful not to get stuck in a
    rut and continue to turn out various remixes of the same song all the
    time.  Then it was back to better known songs such as Morningrise and
    Catch the Breeze.  The mood was all very serious most of the time but
    it was interesting to see Rachel, the singer, trying to supress 
    a laugh several times, maybe a little lightening up is what they need,
    they seem to young for everything to be so serious all the time.  Then
    again towards the end of the short set they put in some thrashier
    versions of their songs , you know head down, stare at your shoes and
    flail the plectrum over the strings time and seemed to be enjoying
    themselves more.  
    
    They went off and after a muted calling for more (this type of music
    will never have people baying for an encore) they came back and
    performed Avalyn and were then gone.
    
    Slowdive are from Reading and this was billed as the homecoming gig,
    its just a bit of a shame that there wasn't more of that sort of
    atmosphere, it was all very serious which I suppose is the mood that
    their music lends itself to most.  The NME have nick named them shoe
    gazers all I can say to that is that there must be some interesting and
    beautiful reflections in their shoes if this is what there songs are
    based on.
    
    Overall it was a good night out, I'll be watching Revolver with
    interest to see if they come up with their own ideas and am looking 
    forward to the Slowdive LP for those quieter moments.
    
    Tim
    ---
    

    Went along to Flowered Up at The Fridge on Wednesday night, and must
    say that I was pleasantly surprised. Having got hold of the 3 singles
    so far, "Its On", "Phobia" and "Take It" I was confident that this lot
    were good on vinyl, but what about live?
    
    Anyway, some crap bad called Resque were on first and it was painful.
    Really bad. It was all feedback, overpowering bass and bum notes. 
    Next up were 5:30, and this lot were really excellent. Good sort
    of rock music with a good set of songs. Both guitarists could sing, and I 
    reckon these boys will do alright for themselves in the future.
    
    Then came Flowered Up and it was good to hear that this lot can play
    live as well as having a few decent tunes. When "Its On" started, the
    stage was completely mobbed by the audience. I could not believe they let 
    that many people get on to the stage. At the end the lead singer looked well
    cheesed off, and quite rightly so when he discovered that somebody had
    nicked the mike. Out of order and he told them so in no uncertain terms
    which I cant repeat. For me the highspot was "Take It" with
    its rock guitar sliding in there in between the dance backdrop. I have
    to say however that Barry Mooncult who is in the same sort of vein
    as Bez of Happy Mondays, except he wears a large flower round his neck
    is a complete arse. And he probably gets a good wage for it aswell.
    
    I might also add that at this stage I was even having a bit of a skank, 
    so it must have been a good night or I must have been a bit drunk or
    possibly both. All in all a highly enjoyable night.
    
    Eck.
              

    
    29th June After Dark Club, The Lucky Bags, Revelations and 
                            THE PRIMITIVES
    
    Tipped as being the biggest gig in Reading for a long time we arrived
    early only to find a massive queue of people going half way down the
    street.  We dutifully joined the end and cursed everytime someone
    turned up and joined a friend ahead of us.  The doors were eventually
    opened and we filed down the claustrophobic alley and into Readings
    "Hottest Night Club", the true reality of this statement was yet to become
    apparent.
    
    After about half an hour of standing around and trying to get to the
    bar the Lucky Bags appeared.  I'd seen this band in a previous life as
    Sometimes Satre, well at least two of the band members were the same. 
    I find it very difficult to categorise the Lucky Bags, someone shouted
    stop stealing Smiths riffs but I think this was a little unkind.  They
    definitely had an element of the good old jangly guitar to them but not
    to excess, dance music has definitely been an influence but it was good
    to see that this didn't express itself through the tired old wah wah
    guitar style (Revelations should take note).  The vocalist performed
    well although his harmonica playing was alittle stunted,as did the whole 
    band really although they did experience some technical problems.  
    I'd like to see the Lucky Bags again, they were refreshingly
    different to many support bands I've seen recently who are obviously
    copying another bands style.
    
    The Lucky Bags finished and it was time to spend another futile God
    knows how long trying to get a drink at the bar.  It was getting very
    hot in there now, the walls were sweating and I was glad I'd left the
    jacket in the car.  
    
    Revelations took the stage, a drummer, two guitarists and a girl with a
    tambourine who proceeded to move to centre stage, I therefore assumed she
    was the singer.  The first song started and the guitarist was singing,
    fine I thought, the girl who was now dancing with her tambourine will
    be probably taking over the vocal duties in the next song, but no I was
    wrong she didn't utter a sound in this one either, my suspicions
    started to rise but in the third song she finally moved to the mike to
    sing all of two or three words.  It seemed to me pointless having this
    girl here, she was a Bez of the worst degree in that she tried to sing
    a couple of words to justify her being there, if she hadn't done this
    then at least she'd have been a true Bez, my suspicions are that 
    they had a case of the girlfriend of one of the members of the band
    syndrome.  This was a shame as it coloured my view of them, otherwise
    they were a competent band with some reasonably good songs.
    
    Well Revelations went off and the "Top DJs" were playing the 50th
    Carter record of the night, I was starting to feel ill because of the
    heat and far too much coke (the brown fizzy kind before anyone suggests
    something else =8*)  ).  Quarter to twelve took an age to come round
    (the published start time) and when it did the DJs cut the 75th Carter
    record of the night and we stood around in raised anticipation of
    something happening for 15 minutes.  Then at last someone climbed on
    stage and disappeared behind the drum kit, he was quickly followed by
    the rest of the band including a diminutive TraceyTracey with her now
    much longer blonde hair tied up.  
    
    The Primitives were always the best band of the "Blonde" set a couple
    of years ago, look what happened to the Darling Buds who obviously only
    had one idea.  This fact hasn't changed, I was in someways not sure
    that  they'd be up to much after their long sojourn (sp), would they
    have progressed enough from the buzz saw guitar and girly vocal stage
    and what with the heat and rumours that they only played 30 minutes at
    a recent London gig started to make me regret going.  A couple of songs
    into the set and all such feelings were gone.  Yes they still use their
    old standard guitar sound but they have a lot of other tricks up their
    sleeves now.  
    
    TraceyTracey was superb, she had such stage presence, this is one thing 
    that distanced The Primitives so much from the younger hopefuls that 
    preceeded them.  I have never been totally familiar with their
    material, knowing just the LP with Crash on it and the obvious singles
    but they seemed to do quite a bit of new stuff going by style.  This
    was instantly recogniseable Primitives stuff but had an added dimension
    in that it seemed better structured and deeper than some of their
    previous material.
    
    They played for about an hour and went off, the walls were really
    dripping now, did I say it was hot?  Anyway after much clamouring they
    came back on to play Crash and a couple of other songs, they seemed to
    be really enjoying it and said so when they finished.  It all seemed
    like 1989 all over again except this time Andrea and her Welsh pals
    won't be around to cash in on The Primitives sound.  I predict another
    chart single for this lot in the not too distant future he said
    sticking his head on the block.
    
    Tim
    ---
    

	    Julian Cope @ the Paradise in Boston June 29, 1991

I cannot deny myself this luxury...Julian, Saint Julian at that coming to
Boston, $10 and at a SMALLLER place than the time he played 4 years ago. No
problem!

No opening act for Cope & Co. At around 10:30 the band appears. JC is
wearing only a pair of shorts pulled up too high. They thrash through a few
of the newer gems - pounding through their only Teardrops song of the night,
"Sleeping Gas". JC is pretty hard to describe. The last time they played he
had a climb-on microphone stand and liked hanging from the ceiling. This
time around he was a chameleon. Part Mick Jagger, part Iggy Pop, part Julian
Cope, part ???, and almost a dash of the guy from the Damned but we'll get
to that.

The set was a mixture of old and new many obscurities from "Fried" and at
least a song each from "Skellington" and "Droolian"...Cope's fans are true
blue. Many of them knew these obscure albums like the back of their hands.

Julian seemed to be enjoying the show as much as the fans. He'd eagerly
converse (1-on-1) with members of the audience who requested certain songs.
He pranced around in between songs like a ballerina most of the time a
guitar slung around his neck kept him tied down during songs. The band
behind him was very tight - they went through about six guitars each
including a doubled-necked thingy. Two guitars, bass drums rounded out most
songs with the occasional keyboards thrown in for good measure, oh plus that
"sitar" on Pristeen.

They played for one and a quarter hours before heading in for a break then
doing two encores...the last one featuring a bizarre ending with "Run
Reynard Run"...Julian took to repeatedly throwing himself across the floor
for about 5 minutes...leaping up again only to toss himself down...then
came the ``let's repeat the same thing over and over thing''...this is when
he repeated a phrase "TAKE IT ON DOWN" (he only said it about 45,000 times
but I'm not sure if this is it verbatim!)...until he started removing his
shorts but he was only teasing the audience then "TAKE IT ON DOWN" started
changing into "BRING IT ON DOWN" "BRING IT ON HERE" "TAKE IT ON HERE" etc.
(again not sure about these phrases but you get the picture).

An interesting way to end the show...

Songlist: (formfeed for Vicki's sake)


	 1. Pristeen
	 2. Double Vegetation
	 3. If You Loved Me
	 4. East Easy Rider
	 5. Safe Surfer
	 6. Bill Drummond Said
	 7. Promised Land
	 8. Head
	 9. Sunspots
	10. Unisex Cathedral (this is a religious type of song in an ANTI-way)
	11. Beautiful Love
	12. Dope and Speed
	13. Hanging Out
	14. You
	15. World Shut Your Mouth
	16. Space Hopper
	17. Reynard

The song listed omitted "Sleeping Gas" however. Too bad they didn't do
"Kolly Kibber's Birthday"!

Ed

   The La's and Straightjacket Fits at the Paradise in Boston, July 7th

I never bought tickets thinking that the show would never sell out which was
a good thing because the Grabo called Friday to say that he won a pair from
WMBR so I'd only need one more. Saturday I biked down to the Paradise and
scored the needed ticket. Sunday in front of the Paradise two of the roadies
were practicing lacrosse on the sidewalk in front of the club, the ball
scooted free May grabbed it tossed it to him and he offered us
admission...too bad we had bought the ticket! Support your local club.

The DJ announced it was the birthday of Shane the leadsinger of
Straightjacket Fits so we were all to sing happy b-day. We obliged and he
responsed "But you don't even know me!" The Fits play straight ahead RnR
sometimes sounding like Ride, sounding alot like alot of what's going down
but without the Manchester sound. I quite liked them but the mix was not in
their favor. They played for an hour which was a bit long though...anyone
know what they have released? They're from Aus. or N.Z. I think. Good high
energy fun. Shane was a funny guy he randomly distributed (threw) gummy
bears, blow pops, etc. Oh and he played left-handed which is okay in my
book!

There was someone handing out WBOS paraphenalia at the door. WBOS?!!? This
was bizarre. "All the rock without the hard edge" - what's rock without the
hard edge? We spent the time in between bands looking for WBOS listeners.
I'm sure this woman who looked like Roberta Smith thought I was one however!

Quite the wait before the La's came on. Not what I needed as my legs were
tired from the bike ride of the day before and this being the last day of a
5 day weekend. Finally the La's hit the stage...the mix was definitely in
their favor...they ripped into the first song and what geez so fast that the
drummer only had one drumstick for half the song it was too funny watching
him drum one handed they finally gave him the second one and I realized he
wasn't the Jim Abbott of the rock-world. The set was the entire album plus
about 8 songs. One of which stood out as probably the next single but I
forget the name. I was psyched for a band which breaks guitar strings but
after a while the roadies couldn't keep up with the broken strings - during
"Looking Glass" they had to start over which was good because its my
favorite song! They did an encore ending with an instrumental and left.
Everyone there was happy except for the girl behind me with a backstage pass
- I don't know what was eating her...the sound was great...Anyone else
think the bassist looks like the kid in the movie "My Bodyguard"? It ended
about 12:15 and I was asleep by 12:40 ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzz.........

Ed

    Chapterhouse, Slowdive, Thousand Yard Stare, Spitfire  London Town And
    Country Club 6th July 1991
    
    
    Well we arrived at the T & C and Spitfire were already on, they are
    from Brighton and and so I have some knowledge of them and some mutual
    friends unfortunately, (their guitarist is not my favourite person but 
    thats another story).  They were annoyingly good, using loads of wah
    wah guitar and were driven by some good drumming and rythm guitar.     
    There music is obviously based in the sixties but what isn't on the    
    Brighton indie scene.  They were shrowded (sp) in darkness most of the 
    time with just a few spinning spotlights and back projected psychadelic 
    images to show that there was actually some people on stage.  As I said 
    they were annoyingly good and have an EP out at the moment, I'll form a
    better opinion of them when I see them play a full set (Thursday).
    
    Spitfire finished and we went to the bar, I thought the After Dark was
    hot but this was ridiculous.  Not being great Thousand Yard... fans we
    decided to watch from the balcony.  They have been likened to James and
    from the moment they walked on I could see why, the singer was in
    perfect Tim Booth mode, sleeves pulled over his hands, arms outretched
    at his sides, wandering around the stage.  They started to play and yes
    they were very like James, upbeat, guitar driven, quite poppy you know
    very Jamesish.  It wasn't long before the first stage diver made his
    bid for his 15 minutes of fame, in the end there were hundreds of them. 
    Stage diving can add to the atmosphere (I won't try it though) and it
    did for a while but in the end I just got fed up with it, I didn't come
    to see some prat that can't dance run around the stage all night.  I
    did feel sorry for one guy though, he was one of the earlier divers, he
    launched himself but went through the crowd below rather than onto it,
    the audience opened up before him like the Red Sea before a later day
    Moses.  He must have made quite a splat but seemed to get up OK. 
    Things calmed down a bit towards the end of their set, when the heat
    started to get to people probably.  My opinion changed towards the end,
    they seemed quite a fun band but I won't go out of my way to see them
    again (except Thursday) or buy anything by them.
    
    More liquid was required which necessitated another visit to the bar,
    we then made our way down and towards the front to watch Slowdive. 
    I've reviewed here Slowdive before so there isn't much more to add
    except to say that this was the same set they performed at Reading Uni
    but performed better in my opinion.  I think that at Reading they were
    playing to an audience that they knew many of and hence were a little
    uncomfortable.  They were definitely more confident tonight, moving
    around much more and even smiling, what next will Anthrax make a record
    with Public Enemy.  They were enjoying it more and even cracked a joke,
    introducing Avalyn as "Shoegazers at my heart".
    
    Well Slowdive finished and after more liquid intake and a bit of star
    spotting (Miki from Lush and half of Curve, not Toni Halliday
    unfortunately) we moved into position for Chapterhouse.  It wasn't long
    before they appeared, a guitarist each side of the stage alternating
    vocal duties, they had a bongos player adding to the drummers
    percussion section. Their set consisted of most of their album and EPs
    all of which were played faultlessly.  Rachel from Slowdive joined them
    for the dancier Pearl.  Chapterhouse have undoubtedly been influenced
    by dance music but more in the structure of their songs than any other
    way, you won't find a funky drummer beat here.  I read an NME review a
    while ago that likened them to Spacemen 3, I can't see how, it was
    either very inaccurate or a long time ago.  There was no playing a set
    sat upon stools tonight.
    
    Its difficult to find things to say about Chapterhouse, as I said they
    played almost faultlessly, this is perhaps the only place that they
    fell down, there maybe wasn't that live edge some of the time but this
    is a very small complaint to make.  This definitely wasn't true of
    their final encore, they came back on and said "this is probably the
    last time that we'll play this song as we don't get any royalties for
    it" and proceeded to play Rain by the Beatles.
    
    Chapterhouse and Slowdive have more than a home town of Reading in
    common, they use similar guitar sounds, obviously have the same
    influences but are still very different.  This was the best gig I've
    been to this year so I'm going again on Thursday (although Slowdive
    won't be playing) at Aldershot 
    
    
    Tim
    ---  
    

	Chapterhouse,Thousand Yard Stare,Spitfire 11/7 Princes Hall Aldershot.

	Just a quicky, as Tim has already said a lot. I enjoyed Spitfire a lot.
	They've got good tunes and are very rocky in parts.

	Thousand Yard Stare were excellent. I went along to the gig sceptical
	about them. A girlfriend of mine is always raving about them 'cos her
	mate is going out with the guitarist, but they blew my socks off. It
	was apparent from the audience reaction that they were here to see
	TYS and not Chapterhouse.

	After all the good stuff came Chapterhouse who quite frankly were boring.
	We gave them a fair crack of the whip and left after maybe 5 songs.
	If I had seen these bands in isolation of eachother I would definitely
	not have billed them in this order.

	Overall, I good night out. After all, 2 out of 3 aint bad. 
	I've heard that before somewhere.

	Eck.	

	
    Eck.	
     
    I was there last night as well
    
    Were you part of the stage invasion?? We were up there with just about
    everybody else in the place.
    
    Did you see the singer stage dive?  When he climbed back on stage the
    over zealous (sp) security chucked him off again =8*)
    
    I don't agree about the order of the bands though I thought
    Chapterhouse far superior and found TYS a bit boring really until the
    stage invasion.  They are too much like James for me.
    
    Tim
    ---
    

	Tim, we didnt get on the stage, we just watched you lot, and then we 
	watched security get cheesed off with it and cuff a couple of lads
	round the ear. They seemed to accept it though. 

	And yes I did see the singer go into the crowd, pushed by some bloke in
	a black and red stripey shirt, who I think was one of his mates 
	helping out on stage. He got told off and looked a bit sheepish 
	afterwards didnt he.

	Echo.

    Yes, I thought the security were a bit heavy handed, I saw them
    chucking out some stage divers earlier.  I think the guy in the stripey
    top felt very stupid, he had that very embarrased look on his face.
    =8*)
    
    Tim
    ---

    
    The Rembrands/Jeff Healy/Sting   14th July 1991   Weser Ems Halle
                                     Oldenburg, Germany
    
    
    The first thing, I've to say is, that the place of the venue has
    changed from the Bremer Weserstadion (Open Air) to the Hall in
    Oldenburg. The reason was, that they hasn't sold enough tickets
    to fill up the stadium.
    
    The Rembrands: Not very expecting. Played for 1/2 hour. Enough.
    
    Jeff Healy: Too blusy stuff. Played for 1 hour. Too Long.
    
    Sting: He came out with a four pice line up. Bass/Drums/Guitar/Keys.
           Did only four songs from "The Soul Cages" (Mad About You, All
           This Time, The Soul Cages...)
           Did Fragile from "Nothing Like The Sun" (as encore)
           Did also Consider Me Gone from "The Dream Of The Blue Turtles"
           "Purple Haze" by Hendrix.
           And he did a few of older Police stuff (Walking On The Moon...
    
    Great gig, for Police fans only.
    
    |PETER|
    

    Went to see Bonnie Raitt at Glasgow Pavillion on Tuseday.
    
    Just under two hours of sheer magic!
    She had her six-piece band with her and from the moment she appeared on
    stage had the audience with her.
    
    None of this 'I'm a star' rubbish that quite a few 'artists' think they
    are, but seven people on stage who could sing and play and enjoyed
    doing it.
    This came across and the audience appreciated it.
    
    Her support was John Hammond. 
    Caught the last half of his set but wasn't impressed as it was very
    self indulgent and hard to get into. Well at least he enjoyed himself.
    
    Bonnie played almost all the songs off her new album and boy can she
    sing and play geetar.
    Her voice is so strong yet so relaxed.
    
    Her rapport with the audience was excellent and she came across as
    sincere rather than this '<insert name of town> is my favourite place
    to play' cr*p that some people do.
    
    She is not really a star her in the UK and although she has never had a
    'hit record' here, there were quite a few celebs at the concert.
    
    John Martin was a few rows in front of and Ricky Ross and another
    couple of Deacon Blue were just along the row.
    In fact I heard someone remark 'Who's that sitting next to Iain
    McPherson, Oh ! Ricky Ross!'
    
    She reminds me of the old Blues and Jazz players who just love to play
    and would play anywhere even if there was no money involved rather jump
    on the commercial band wagon.
    
    I know she's 'over 21' but gosh I'm in love .... I wonder if she would
    like to mother me ?
    
    Iain
    
    Deaco
    

    
    
    Why is it that one of Londons major concert venues is so b****y
    difficult to get to?  And even worse - difficult to get from.  Tubes
    that don't run, tubes which are slow, its almost a conspiracy.
    
    Anyhow - because of the above we missed the support act, getting there
    about 5 minutes before the main event.  There was a tangible
    atmosphere, obviously a lot of people were excited at seeing one of the
    few genuine heroes of the last decade.  I felt a bit old though, and I
    really wanted a t-shirt which said 'most of you lot were in nappies
    when I first saw The Smiths'.
    
    Lights went down, a bit of buggering about, and on came the man. 
    Interesting Drug was first up.  The crowd just went crazy, and I could
    hear more of the crowd singing than I could of Mozzer, but then I guess
    he could have come on and read the phone directory and got the same
    reception.
    
    The band are young and energetic, lots of running about stage and
    fluffed notes.  They make the new stuff sound lively and interesting,
    which I thought was impossible.  If only he can get them to produce
    some decent new tunes for him, the man will be onto a winner.  Does
    anyone know who co-wrote the new single?
    
    Mozz himself was loving it, when he threw his shirt into the audience,
    I thought there was gonna be a bloodbath.  Only a few people managed to
    get up on stage, and only the first actually getting to Mozz.  When the
    bouncers got rid of him, he had to walk back out through the audience
    at the side of the stage, and the poor bloke was mobbed by people,
    presumably trying to catch a whiff of Morrisseys sweat.  I suggested
    this to Bruce when he called on Sunday as a good way of meeting women.
    
    Set list-
    Interesting Drug
    International Playboys
    Picadilly Palare
    Trash (not sure about this)
    King Leer
    Sing your life
    Asian Rut
    Pregnant for the last time
    Everyday is like sunday
    Thats Entertainment
    Our Frank
    November
    Theres a place in hell
    Mute witness
    Suedehead (great!)
    Angel, Angel
    Yes I am blind
    Dissapointed.
    
    A fun show.  Now if only he get some decent tunes again...
    
    Mikef

    
    Well you haven't got rid of me yet I've got access to the system for
    the week,  Mike pretty much covers the Morrissey gig, I was right at
    the front, crushed one person from the front row, I caught part of one
    of the four shirts that he threw into the audience so I have my rather
    sweaty souveneir.  Anyway I thought it superb, I've never been to
    anything like it, the atmosphere was incredible.  I'll review it
    properly later.
    
    Tim - hoping to go to the Brighton gig tonight.
    ---
    

    The Galway music festival reached its peak on Saturday evening as
    some of Africa's finest, the Bhundu Boys, took the Leisureland stage, 
    and performed the final gig of their summer tour.

    The West of Ireland is culturally about as far as you can get from
    Zimbabwe, but this was like a breath of fresh air after a long spell
    of dour local talent. 

    The guitar work they put into those "jit" rhythms is amazing, each
    measure an intricate yet seemingly effortless melody played at breakneck
    speed, never a chord in sight. 

    Burrrru Burrrru

    Dave

    PS. Also worth a mention are "Big Geraniums", a lively folk group from
        England who did the warm-up. 

     
    Cheb Khaled - W O M A D   Reading Saturday July 20th

    Intro:
    We arrived at the riverside site at 6pm and immediately joined a "voice
    workshop" run by singer Frankie Armstrong who sang us  a few cow-time
    songs-cum-yodels. Interesting, but there were far too many people to
    make it any kind of "workshop" (as in even getting passing individual
    attention etc). So we left for a stroll around the site to window-shop
    the stalls - all kinds of alternative and umm PC stalls flogging all
    kinds of ideologically sound food, bangles and clothes. Claire told us
    about the small Tequilla-slammer stand (a barrel in fact) so we headed
    straight there and drank. On the way Keith bought a set of bongos and
    signed an AI petition. Right-on!

    Substance:
    Time flew and soon it was time for Cheb Khaled, all the way from
    Algeria and doing the Rai thing in the main tent. We arrived ten
    minutes into the set. Cheb K, along with Chaba Fadela (who was here
    last year), is a huge star in his home country and probably like many
    others from that area, is none too concerned about capturing the
    Western market (not all humans have these expansionist tendencies
    y'know).

    Conclusion:
    The only way to describe the concert is to say it is by far the best
    I've ever been to. The line-up was Cheb Khaled on vocals, a Moroccan
    tom-tom batterer, keyboards, drums (a Parisian), brass (mainly trumpet)
    and guitar. In his hour on stage I heard some of the best dance music
    I've ever come across. `Music for the head and feet' as they used to
    say about early Talking Heads. But it was much, much better than that.
    If you haven't heard modern Rai music before then do do do. It's
    intoxicating. Cheb Khaled's music retains a familiar North African wail
    throughout the bubbling rhythms and electronics. All of the songs,
    although modern, were traditional in structure and usually returned in
    a(ny kind of) circular fashion, to a chugging, kick-start refrain. A
    friend said that, because of the brass section, it reminded him of
    vintage soul. And the air is rarified there. If this is what Algerians
    go  for  it's  no  wonder  the  French  are  scared shitless of them.
    Awesome.

    - Tim

    
    We got to Wembley Arena early and after a while sitting in the car
    decided to take a walk to the arena.  Just walking down to the building
    I felt a real atmosphere of expectation.  We went through the doors and
    surrendered our tickets for yellow wristbands.  After a passing gaze at
    the merchandise we went into the arena itself.  At 7.35 Phranc came on
    and played a set of folkyish toons, just her and a guitar.  The
    audience clapped politely and cheered every time she mentioned the
    great ones name but were never really interested.  At one time
    everybody in the seats rushed forwards, nicking better seats than they
    had themsleves only to be told to move back later.  
    
    Phranc finished and the anticipation rose.  I had never experienced
    anything like this before, the atmosphere was incredible, expectation
    mixed with adulation and excitement.  A tape of tacky 60s songs played
    for a while and when that stopped we knew it wouldn't be long. 
    
    Curtains at the back of the stage drew back to reveal a large picture
    of God only knows who, the drummer took his position, a guitarist and
    another and then the man himself wandered on wearing a Dr Martins
    boots, black jeans and a black sort of see through shirt.  The
    audience went wild, we were near the front anyway and when he came on
    we were practically pushed onto the stage.  It took me a while to
    recognise Interesting Drug as the audience noise drowned everything
    else out.  
    
    Morrissey was obviously enjoying this and smiled sheepishly at all this
    adulation, flowers rained onto the stage as he jerkily twisted and
    turned his way around the stage.  The set moved on to The Last Of The
    International Playboys and still things at the front were wild,
    lucckily we couldn't really move much so weren't in much danger of
    going over but several people were passed into the cage in front of us
    populated by a photographer and numerous huge bouncers.
    
    Morrissey continued to writhe his way all over the stage, some of the
    time on his back, his front and his knees.  He wripped his shirt and it
    soon was being pulled across his chest in typical Morrissey style.  The
    set continued and we reached a new song, "This song was written by.."
    someone shouts Johnny Marr - what will Mozz do now, storm off in a
    huff, get upset, no he jokes "who?"
    
    The black shirt was tossed into the audience to be replaced by a
    silver one which was soon ripped and went the same way.  A brown
    spangly one followed it and I actually caught this along with numerous
    others, it was wripped from me but I still had a piece left in my hand,
    as I said a rather sweaty souveneir =8*).
    
    The adulation could almost be physically felt and when someone
    eventaully found a way through the security net he was cheered by
    everyone.
    
    They left the stage and returned for a few encores including Thats
    Entertainment written by the Jam and then it was all over.  I couldn't
    have taken much more but I also wanted it to go on for hours longer. 
    I've got tickets for Brighton tonight but to tell the truth nothing
    could top Saturday night.  The feeling his first gig in this country for 
    6 years generated could not be reproduced I don't think, I'll let you
    know tommorrow.
    
    Tim
    ---   
       

    H  A S S A N    E R R A J I

    The Purcell Room - South Bank, London             Sunday 21 July

    Hassan Erraji is a Moroccan musician and singer who has done quite a
    lot in recent years  to merge (via his music) traditional North African
    music and rhythms with Western ones. The emphasis is on traditional
    however and the music is top quality. He may incorporate a fretless bass
    and other more "modern" additions but the music remains traditional in
    feel.

    He played the Ud (an instrument which looks quite like a mandolin
    except that the neck is bent back at a 90 degree angle) and bongos.
    The music came from the Magreb, the Middle East and Turkey. If you like
    this type of music his albums (CDs and tapes) are well worth listening
    to. They are issued on "Riverboat Records".

    - Tim

    Tim-
    
    It's S-T-E-V-E-N!  And don't forget it.  (Remember if your going
    make fun of someone, at least spell his name right.)
    
    Anyway, that Cheb Khaled show sounds very similar to the one he
    did at UCLA a few weeks ago.  Booths & all.  
    
    Mike&Tim-
    
    The show sounds very similar to the one he did at the Forum except
    half the audience made it on stage and of course Bowie was there.
    Mozz must have millions of shirts.  Has there ever been a show when
    he didn't rip off his shirt & throw it in the audience?
                                        
    
    -Vicki
    
    PS And always thought England got everything first.  

    I just wish (French) Phranc would bust that geetar over his vain and
    oh-but-aren't-I-an-intellectual  head.

    Enough said.

    - Tim

    PS Are you putting up us jazz fans come September ? -;)

    I thought Phranc was a woman?
    
    Mikef

    Phranc is a woman.  The "his" in that sentence refers to Mozz. 
    Of course no one can really understand what Tim says most of the
    time.  @%*}

   Hi Vicki, actually what I wanted to say is that Steven Patrick is guilty
   of the same morass posturing as his heavy metal elder brothers. If this
   guy's an "intellectual" then I'm Stan Laurel. (Oh I am Stan Laurel ??
   Sorry!)

   - Tim
   

    Oh Tim, you're just upset `cause he wouldn't sleep with you.

    
    Well I saw Morrissey again last night and it was better than Saturday in
    some ways although not in others.  It was decided to go on Monday
    morning and the only available tickets were restricted view so we
    bought these knowing full well that we wouldn't be in our seats anyway. 
    
    The lights dimmed and everybody rushed to the front of the stage and I
    found myself, due to some very good luck in the front row.
    
    Only one shirt went into the audience tonight.  There were quite a few
    people getting up on stage and the whole show took place on a carpet of
    flowers.
    
    The set was different tonight, including Cosmic Dancer as an encore and
    finishing with Disappointed don't ask me what tracks he dropped though.
    
    It was a strange venue for Morrissey to play, all seated, and not
    particularly big, nothing like the size of Wembley.  It is
    predominantly a theatre and some of the nice plush seats in the front
    rows looked very forlorn afterwards.  Many had collapsed from all the
    people standing on them, a bit dangerous really.
       
    Tim
    ---

    Tim - he finished with disappointed on saturday also.  I thought, from
    the guitar bit of the intro, that he was gonna do How soon is Now.
    
    Bruce is seeing him at the end of the week (3 times).  I'll let you
    know what he thought.
    
    Mikef

    Now you say it Mike I remember him finishing with Disappointed, but
    what was the other encore, its all a bit of a blur as far as the songs
    order.
    
    One thing I forgot to say about last night was that a guitar went into
    the audience instead of shirts.  The guitarist had it pulled away from
    him, the security retrieved it and he threw it back again to a massive
    cheer.  On the way out I walked past the front of the stage and a
    security guy said here have a souveneir and thrust the bit where the
    strings are attached to the guitar into my hand.  That guitar obviously
    didn't last long after it mde it into the audience.
    
    
    Tim
    --- 

    Tim - my song list in a previous reply was the order, the last two
    being the encore.  Gosh, wish I could touch that bit of Mozzers shirt..
    
    
    
    Mr Memory

    >> Oh Tim, you're just upset `cause he wouldn't sleep with you.

    The last I heard of the Thinking Woman's croissant he was sleeping by
    himself. This kind of thing could give popstars a good name!

    - Tim
    

    Bl**dy Liar
    
    I've just read the Melody Maker review of the Mozz gig at Wembley which was
    generally complimentary but I'm sure the guy wasn't there, he said he
    played Cosmic Dancer the T Rex song - he didn't I *was* there. =8*)
    
    
    Tim
    ---

    Hmmm, good point.  The reviewer was probably in the bar.
    
    I read a review of the Miles Davis show in the Guardian, the reviewer
    there said that there were two bass players, one effectively playing
    'lead bass'.  This is a heap of garbage - one guitar, one bass.  He
    also got wrong the first tune he played.  so much for informed critics
    and accurate note taking.
    
    Mikef
    
    ps - i recieved in the post this morning a copy of the Happy Mondays
    bootleg lp - the 'official' one of the Leeds show.  What is interesting
    about this is the fact that I didn't send off for one.
    

    Hmmm Mike I wish someone would send me things like that without me
    asking for them, was this a surprise present or a pure Factory
    mistake???
    
    Tim
    ---

    I suspect a surprise present from Leonie.
    
    Mikef

    You're right Tim - the Happy Mondays "are a pure Factory mistake" -;)
                 ---

    Like it =8*)

What's the verdict? Leonie, Mike, why did it show up? Should I expect one?
:-) Oh, how is it?

Ed

    Slough Festival '91 27th July 1991
    
    Ade (another DEC IT) and I ventured to Slough on Saturday to see millions 
    of bands play in a field on a hot summers day.  The ingriedients for a 
    perfect day really.  After looking at the weather and selecting shorts 
    for the day (calm down everyone) I was sure it was going to rain, luckily 
    I was proved wrong.
    
    After several cock ups we reached the venue late but the festival
    hadn't started.  We found a place to sit and it wasn't long before we
    were surrounded by other Reading people, it seemed the whole town moved
    a couple of junctions down the M4 for the day.
    
    After sitting in the sun for a while the first band appeared.  I can't
    remember their name which is worrying as I might see them again as a
    support act somewhere which would be very unfortunate.  They walked on
    and looked like they had stepped out of the Isle Of White festival in
    1969.  Two women, one dressed in what can only be described as a toga
    had a crown of flowers in her hair, she looked like a druid who had
    missed the signpost to Stonehenge.  Anyway they weren't very good to
    say the least, very hippy dippy lyrics - "Feel the vibe its free free
    free..." they introduced one song as being about last years festival,
    the song went something like "the sun shone, it was a really nice day
    and everybody joined in, everbody joined in".  We were soon all hippied
    out and were glad when they finished.
    
    Cacti Tribe (something like this) followed, again I assume they were
    local as a couple of references o Slough were made.  They were much
    better, its a shame we had to view them from the queue for beer, I'd
    go and see them if they played locally.  Anyway talking of queues for
    the beer, we waited 30 minutes only to arrive at the front to find both
    pumps had gone off.  Fifteen minutes later we finally got our drinks.
    
    Revolver were next and played well to an audience that enjoyed them. 
    Why did they enjoy them? because they sounded almost exactly like the
    headline band Ride.  The singer even had the look right, the way that
    Ride move about and sing.  Very much a rip off but it was what people
    wanted to hear.
    
    Rat Cat followed, a band from Australia, they had plenty of attitude
    and the sound to go with it.  Ade is going to go out and buy all their
    singles, albums, T shirts used handkerchiefs, you know the sort of
    thing.
    
    I think it was Soul Family Sensation that followed but more of that
    later in part two of this review - stay tuned and find out why Ade came
    within inches of getting lynched by the whole crowd, why Ade threatened
    to kill a T shirt seller and why did they all seem to use the same
    guitars.
    
    To Be Continued....
    
    Tim
    ---  

    
                     

    Son Of Slough Festival - The Sequel
    
    Well Soul Family Sensation came on and the beer and sun were starting
    to take effect, we decided just to lie back and absorb the rays and the
    summer grooves "man".  They were actually quite good, just the sort of
    thing to sit around in the sun to, they made a few references to being
    a dance music band and not being sure why they were playing a festival
    which came across a bit lame to me.  The one song that stood out was "I
    don't even know if I should call you baby", this was there last single
    and should have really been a hit.
    
    Anyway they finished and not long after Thousand Yard Stare came on, we
    were stood behind what can only have been their ensembled parents. 
    This was their home town gig and the audience seemed to enjoy them. 
    I've seen them twice before and their mix of James and the Wonderstuff
    does nothing for me.
    
    They finished and after a delicious, although expensive pancake, we
    made our way forwards for Slowdive.  They played their normal set as
    reviewed here before.  Rachel the vocalist seemed to be taking the p*ss
    half the time which defused the serious mood their music induces which
    was good.  They ran through all the old favourites and some new stuff
    from their LP due out in September.  
    
    We were expecting Curve next so sat down where we were, not much later
    a guy came round selling T shirts with all the band names on them and
    some dodgy pictures.  They were a fiver and Ade decided to buy one.  He
    handed over his cash and we started to look at it, after initially
    taking the proverbial because there was a picture of The Mock Turtles
    on it we noticed that there were black circular labels in some parts of
    the black print.  Ade peeled one off to see that it was white
    underneath, diving through the crowd he caught the T shirt seller who,
    probably because of the look on Ade's face, gave him his money back
    straight away.
    
    Ade returned happy to wait for Curve but it was the Mock Turtles that
    were next on.  They didn't get the greatest of receptions, a few
    plastic bottles and cans were hurled.  After the first song the singer
    commented "God you're lively, is the acid bad or something" - no your
    just cr*p was the general feeling, and more and more people walked off
    to do something else.  They sounded OK I suppose but they aren't really
    my taste or many other people's there really.
    
    Curve were next, I'd seen them at ULU before and they were excellent
    but tonight they were even better.  There was no problem with people
    not being lively when they came on.  Most people seemed to be dancing
    to their version of indie dance (nothing like the Happy Mondays or
    Northside).  Toni Halliday looked wonderful and smiled a lot.  She sang
    well and the band played just as well, a rapper JC 101 joined them
    for 10 Little Girls the last song and added something new to their
    sound tonight.  I think it was Curve I enjoyed most having seen Ride
    numerous times before.  Curve's last EP made 34 in the charts, watch
    out for the next one in the top 20 at least.
    
    Darkness fell and Ride took the stage, bottles and cans flew everywhere
    as people jetisoned excess baggage to enable them to move around more
    freely.  Ade flung his half finished 4X at the stage narrowly
    missing Mark Gardener and soaking him none the less.  I can only
    imagine the scene if it had hit him and he'd stormed off.  Ade wouldn't
    have been popular to say the least.
    
    Ride played a good set with five or six new songs so expect some new
    vinyl soon.  They went through the old favourites including what must
    have been a 10 minute thrash session in the middle of Drive Blind. 
    They finished with surprise surprise Chelsea Girl.  
    
    Ride were the stars of the day but for me it was Curve that stole the
    show.
    
    Tim
    ---
                            
    

    Glasgow Q.M.U. - Curve , The Starlings  1st Dec.
    
    Support band were quite good,a kind of raspy throated singer with a
    good "rockin" band behind,there was always a good beat to their songs 
    but were lacking in good tunes department and their songs sounded much
    the same.
    
    By the time Curve were due on the place was packed and we were coming
    down the stairs when we got stopped by the bouncers,when I asked why we
    were being stopped we were told the band were passing by,I was
    surprised how small Toni Haliday was - she must have been under five
    feet.
    They started off with Frozen and the mike started to squeel at yhe same
    time so that #### up that song.They played some songs off of the new 
    album which sounded pretty good,better than the Clipped EP.On the whole
    they were very good,very good but not like perfect e.g. Chapterhouse
    was a better a concert but I like Curves material better.
    All their best stuff was played,Ten Little Girls,I Speak Your Every
    Word,Frozen,Zoo - which was excellent ect. ect. ect.
    
    The lighting was dissapointingly sparse and they didn't use much smoke
    - just us?I must say Toni was looking good and the coloured guitarist
    was excellent and we just danced,if you can call it that,it was more
    like see who can stay on their feet the longest and make everyone else
    fall then tramp on them,but it was an excellent night - nice 'n loud 'n
    angry.
     
     

    Manchester Apollo - The Pogues, 4th December
    
    The bill posters read "THE POGUES, with Joe Stummer".  For half the
    audience it may as well have read THE POGUES, without Shane McGowan. 
    The other half were there hoping that Joe would sqeeze in some Clash
    numbers.  They were not to be disappointed.
    
    Now I like Joe Strummer, don't get me wrong.  He's an arrogant sod, but
    he's got some stage presence.  However, he's not Shane McGowan and him
    singing McGowan's songs doesn't quite fit.  For the most part he sang
    songs from 'Hell's Ditch' (which he produced).  For other songs Andrew
    Rankin, Phil Chevron and Terry Woods took over.  Strummer's rendition
    of 'Dirty Old Town' was truly painful.  The other songs that he sang
    sounded OK, even if he did try and pronounce every word in 'Fiesta'.  
    
    The venue itself was a bit dodgy.  It's an all-seater venue and I heard
    tales of people being dragged out by what-was left of their teeth if
    they tried to leave their seats to get to the front.  Not being able to
    dance was a drag.
    
    As for the Clash songs they did, London Calling, I Fought the Law and
    Straight to Hell, actually sounded better with the Pogues backing.  I
    wish the American prat behind me had stopped talking about how he "got
    lost in the supermarket, man".
    
    All-in-all, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but I miss old
    goofy-teeth.
    
    Paul

    Cowboy Junkies @ Glasgow SECC (Hall #1), Tuesday March 3rd.
    -----------------------------------------------------------
    
    Well, as befits their kind of music (laidback country folk/blues for
    the most part), this was undoubtedly the quietest concert I've ever
    attended (re-scheduled from the flooded Glasgow Pavilion at very short
    notice!), yet at the same time, it's one of the most enjoyable I've
    been at in recent years.
    
    Naturally, they played most of the new album, BLACK EYED MAN, kicking
    off with the first two tracks from it (the last single "Southern Rain,
    and the superb, bluesy "Oregon Hill").  In between songs, the gorgeous
    Margo Timmins entertained us with her own inimitable brand of idle
    chit-chat, the highlight of which was a story about her being the only
    female in the 16-strong entourage heading down to Cambridge by
    custom-built coach (complete with bunk beds!) after the show.  So,
    guess what they played next?  "Cause Cheap Is How I Feel" from THE
    CAUTION HORSES!!  Ah well, it was mildly amusing at the time.
    
    The six-piece band were excellent throughout, but only really got
    letting loose on two or three occasions - a cover of Dylan's "If You
    Gotta Go, Go Now" and "Murder, Tonight, In The Trailer Park" spring to
    mind.  Other covers were the long-time encore favourite, "Sweet Jane",
    and John Prine's "Lost My Driving Wheel" (BTW, this is a really good
    song - can anyone recommend any of this guy's albums?).
    
    So, overall, a 'different' live experience from what I've been used to,
    but nevertheless, a highly enjoyable hour-and-a-half (even if they
    didn't play "Blue Moon (Re-visited)"!).
    
    - Dougie
    
    P.S.  Quite enjoyed some of the support act's (Steve Forbert) stuff too!
          I think the rest of the crowd did too, as he's one of the very few 
          opening acts I've ever seen being asked for an encore!!

    Ride - Glasgow Barrowlands - Thurs 12th March.
    
    I missed Verve seeing as I smashed my car on the way there  - anyone
    heard them?
    
    The intro for Ride was a Whiter Shade Of Pale - a good choice.
    They syarted off with Leave Them All Behind which was excellent and I 
    knew this was going to be a good night afterall - they are a lot better
    live now.The whole place was bouncing,if you stood still,which was very
    hard,you could feel the floor bouncing - one day the barrowlands will
    collapse me thinks.I also forgot how hot this place is with no
    ventilation at all.
    I couldn't name the new tracks off of the new album they played but
    they were very good,they're not going downhill anyway.
    Taste,Like A Daydream,Vapour Trail ect. were all played with Drive
    Blind being one of the best.The only one they didn't play was Chelsea
    Girl.
    A very "intense" gig - for want of a better word with little let up
    made an excellent night all be it very costly for me.
    
    
    
    				stuart.

    It would have been fitting if the band were ride and Swerve ->

    
    	Nice reading, you prompted me to stick in a live Ride/Lush tape 
    	an'ole friend gave me a while back from a show on the west coast,
    	I forget exactly where it was.
    
    	I've always thought that their studio sound and live shows came
    	across great, nice to know they're getting even better!
    
    	Oh never mind, that's not the one he gave me that I think.  Dah...
    
    	Jim
    	---

    I forgot to do a review of Lush who I saw 3 or 4 weeks ago.
    The support was Spitfire who had an Excellent drummer - I stood right 
    next to him and watched him for most of the set - he really made the
    band who were quite good but would have been mediocre without him.
    He had really good rythmns that were maybe not unusual but definatley
    different and very danceable.
    Lush were VERY good.They started off with a number off of Sear,I think
    it was Etherial but am not too sure,it was slow and "etherial" and made
    a good intro.The numbers from the new album were much better live
    giving the songs more of an edge as I find Spooky can be boring in some
    places.Deluxe,Monochrome,For Your Love ect. were highlights but
    Sweetness and Light was brilliant - it came into the class of the
    Cocteau Twins live.They made a few mistakes and were a little amateur
    and you would have thought they hadn't been together that long but this 
    didn't bring the show down and it was well worth seeing - I'll
    definatley go and see them again - Miki was lookin' good also and mixed
    with the crowd.An excellent disco finished off the night with Buffalo
    Tom,Nirvana,Ride ect. ect. ect. 

    Come on Stuart, give us a review of the John "Cougar" Mellancamp
    Wembley gig?
    
    :^)

    EH?
    

Hi folks,
I had the pleasure of watching Rush play at the N.E.C Birmingham,on the 13th 
April.
After a long awaited return to the Uk it was good to see the boys back after 
4 Yrs.(I think).
As per all the press coverage the show was upto the usually mega standards to be 
expected when Rush Play Live,and although they have only recentley released a 
new album,they played a excellent set which included numbers off most of their 
albums,inc 2112,Farewell to Kings,Power Windows,Moving Pictures,Signals,Grace 
under Pressure,Presto and their new album,Roll the Bones,all that along with a 
mother of a laser and lighting shows.Alex,Geddy and Neil were all at their best 
and as usual showing that they can play just as well live as in the studio,If 
you are not allready a Rush fan you don't no what you are missing so go and buy 
an album,treat yourself.
It's worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!..



Chris.E.

 

    Wot no Hemispheres? I gave that a listen the other day and damn good it
    was too. Oh for the days when Mr Peart used to pen the odd embarassing 
    concept album or three. 
    
    barry.

    The Cure - Glasgow Barrowlands 25th Apr.
    
    The support comprised of a mediocre band and a girl singer who had a
    tendancy to copy siousxie.They weren't too good.
    
    The Cure did a lot of they're new material,to be expected,and some of
    it was good,Pictures Of You and Lullaby,but most of it was pretty
    boring.
    When they played the old material,Three Imaginary Boys,Primary ect.
    even these great songs seemed lacking - maybe it was a bad night but
    they didn't seem to get "into" it so it didn't help methinks.They
    were'nt bad but they certainly were'nt great.
    
    Maybe I'm getting too old but it was hotter than usual in there - they
    really need ventilation.
    
    I think they've been going too long and are running out of ideas but
    the crowd couldn't see them do anything wrong and if plenty of people
    are still going to the gigs and buying the records ???????????????                      

Having no car and being worried about missing the last bus home, I cycled
in to Geneva to see this lot. First problem: the April Skies (well,
nearly!) were tipping it down. Second problem, the front tyre flatted when
I got into town. Third problem, I didn't have enough Swiss currency.
However, there's a Change place in the railway station that stays open late
where I got caught behind some Brit complaining that the caf�s here
wouldn't accept his travellers cheques like they do in the US and didn't
the man think that they should?

This man was pretty grumpy, not to say damp, by the time I'd located the
Palladium and queued and got in but I cheered up when I had a beer in my
hand and time to look round. The Palladium is a big dark barn of a place
and I'd guess that 500-1000 scruffily dressed (at least I fitted in)
Genevois had turned up. Just after 10pm the show started.

First off was a backing tape of industrial-quality grunge accompanying a
film projected across the back of the stage, frantically intercut footage
of riots, supermarkets, adverts, guns, stuff like that. Where would we be
without America to supply these images. Then, to billowing smoke and and
purple and green light the boys themselves ambled on stage and got stuck
in.

I've got to say I love that distinctive drum and guitar sound of the Mary
Chain, and I got plenty of that, but I didn't recognise many songs for a
while. They would have been playing the new album which I haven't heard.
When the "I wanna die like JFK" single came on, the crowd in the moshpit
(where's that word come from?) reacted madly. It sounded pretty good to
tell the truth, though I'd been dubious about it previously since it seemed
a less subtle retread of previous efforts. Towards the end the
guitar-playing one (is it Jim or William? can't remember which) just
started wrenching the most awful wail of feedback out of his guitar to
great splintered flashing lightbeam effects, so I just stood
there and let it wash over me.

After an hour they wandered off, the crowd whistled and shouted, and they
came back on to the strains of "Just Like Honey". This had lot more range
and dynamic than much of the preceding hour, like there were instants where
the sound wasn't deafening, and as such it was a welcome relief. But brief
only: they played one more track and it was ferocious; unrelieved pounding
noise. Finally the vocalising Reid dropped his mic, which made a
stomach-turning thump, and walked off, leaving three shaggy-haired evil
bastards slouched over their guitars, assaulting us with the volume of it
all while the other Reid wrenched horrible noises out of his guitar until
he was the last one left on stage, then even he walked off and left his
guitar lying there in a blizzard of feedback.

Well. Somewhat stunned by it all. But I think maybe thay did what many
bands do and try to sound heavier live than they do on record.


Rod

    But how did you get home with that flat tyre?
    
    Phil Gill.

Ah yes, I should have mentioned, they finished in time for me to get the
last bus home with no problem. I came back in the next day to recover the
bike, and it was still peeing with rain and I got wet again going home. I 
hope these pop stars appreciate the trouble we take to see them!


Rod

Did not happen.  Apparently the lead singer had pleuresy, or some feeble excuse
like that.  Whassamatter with bands these days?  Fudge Tunnel are the kind of
guys who want to shove their rancid hate-ridden `music' up your grubby
backside, and they can't even be bothered to show up when one of them's feeling
a bit off.  Christ, I thought it was *compulsory* for bands like this to have a
dose of some anti-social disease, not an excuse to stay at home.

Whinge rant etc...

Lee

Played for 75 minutes after indifferent Merseybeat combo Cast during some
annoying slamming from about five pissed blokes near the front who were 
responsible for the anti-social behaviour at the gig (inappropriate diving,
swearing at the band during the talky bits, crushing small women etc.)

Smart band though: 75 minutes meant about 30 TMBG songs, frequently with cued 
tapes but often just with John on accordion and the other John on either drums or
guitar. The drumming/guitaring John had the biggest traditional rock act style
stage presence surprisingly, and I was suprised how appropriate this was, as a
great dealing of moshing was going on at the front. There were plenty of sedate 
spots in the hall for the lyric conniseurs, and the club thankfully didn't
feel the urge to turn the speakers up to 11 just because half the attendees turned
up to pogo. (Which was ideal for me, who was obliged to mosh up the front with
my friend but who needs their hearing for k.d. lang tomorrow night too.) 

Every track was a classic, even their request spot where they perform a song
with which they are not familiar (Light My Fire on the accordion and drums).

If you want to catch the last night of the tour, its Milan tomorrow I believe.

+Mark+

True to my suspicions, I contributed to a negligible het contingent amongst
about eight thousand lesbians. I had heard that if you are not a lesbian when
you go in to a k d lang concert, you will be when you leave and I suppose that
since the friend I went with was gay, and I fancy lasses, that makes up one good
lesbian between us.

k d was promoting a new album, which I have not heard yet, but there did not 
seem to be much from it as I recognised most of the songs, though even the very
familiar songs had been given a new slant: one of her country songs had been 
given Indian twiddly bits and "Big Boned Gal" had been pared down to little more
than a two note 'Jaws Theme' on a double bass. The twelve or so piece band were 
slightly loose, especially at the start when the sound balance had not been 
worked out properly (?) and the steel guitar player always seemed to be about
half a beat behind everyone else, but that could just be the nature of  steel 
guitars for all I know.

Highlights: the mirror ball/bubble machine number, k d almost coming out on stage
("There's been a lot of speculation about me in the press lately..I admit
it, I am a Lopez fan") and calling producer/co-writer/attendant fiddle player
Ben Mink a 'stupid straight'.

After much confusion after They Might Be Giants two days earlier, I turned to 
my friend after the show and arranged a place to meet if we should get separated 
in the rush to leave. He said "I don't think anyone else is in a rush to get 
away". This was true: it was a great performance but the overwhelming atmosphere
was one of a girl's night out, which was a bit embarrassing. She is gorgeous 
though.

+Mark+ 

    The venue is popular, God knows why, there isn't a bar in the building
    and there is only one narrow entrance to the hall. Went in and saw the
    most amazingly loud pink, purple, orange and yellow tie-dye T-shirts on
    sale and immediately purchased one. This had dire consequences later
    on.
    
    Three doses of support for this one. Two lots of some insane comedian (
    a friend asked for a kilo of what he was on, until he saw the nutters
    second act), interspersed with an utterly atrocious band with a name
    something like 'Back to the Plant'. Didn't really pay much attention to
    the support band, the singer couldn't sing, the keyboard player
    couldn't and didn't and the bassist was strange. Ho hum. The comedians
    second act was a leap from the balcony to the floor of the hall in the
    lotus position. Landing on bare floor!
    
    There then followed a 50 minute wait before the Levellers came on. As
    soon as the first note was played, the entire audience went pogo crazy.
    Sonically it was loud, but very well mixed. In fact it was probably one
    of the best mixed gigs I've been to in a long while. They only played
    for about 75 - 80 minutes, but at such a pace that any longer and the
    St John's Ambulance people would have been dealing with cases of
    exhaustion. If you wanted to escape the insane dancing then the balcony
    was the spot, but from down in the seething mass there didn't seem to
    be many people up there.
    
    About half way through the stewards started throwing water over the
    audience to keep us cool. This, combined with the sweat condensing on
    the ceiling which drip down with the beat, meant that by the end of the
    concert 50% of the people there were totally sodden.
    
    All in all a bl**dy good, hot, sweaty gig. It was summed up by the
    quote from one of the band,
    
    "Go on, drop dead with exhaustion! You wont? You're a hard bunch of
    b@sta@rds Leeds, f*(king hard. Final score Leeds 1 Leveller 0"
    
    Balders
    
    Oh yes. With all the sweat and water some of the colour from the
    T-shirt ran. Two days later and I still have some dubious coloured
    patches on my jeans, my jacket and on me.

Two weeks ago it was the JAMC, heavy rain and a flat tire. This time it was
Lush and a heatwave so I reckoned the bike could be chanced again. Took it
easy going into town since I was meeting some of Geneva's au pair set and
didn't want to arrive all sweaty.

Lush, according to the posters, were going to come on late: "Indie Pop
Noise From London. 22.30". Around that time we came down from the upstairs
bar to find the foyer jam-packed with people waiting to buy tickets. Badly
organised, this, you had to aim towards one corner to get to the ticket
desk, then extricate yourself, stepping on as few toes as possible, to get
to the other corner where the door to the hall was. Couldn't have taken
more than half-an-hour.

After a much-needed drink, I heard a Lush-like guitar intro so herded my
little troupe into the hall to see the band. This venue is small and sweaty
and crowded and all painted in gloomy black. Lush were stood there on a low
stage, with heavy backlighting, starting in with material from "Spooky".
For once I found myself up-to-date with virtually all the material the band
were playing. Particularly in a venue with bad sound, it helps to know the
songs so that you can make sense of the noise. But Lush accurately
reproduce their recorded sound live and I was soon into it.

Not long after the start au pair #2 leans across to me and bawled into my
ear, "I think they're shit!". Frankly I was not interested in hearing this
opinion and in any case had wondered why that mumsy little nanny was going
to see Lush instead of, say, Phil Collins. I sloped off nearer the front to
save myself from more such confidences. But more discordancy followed. A
kid and his girlfriend were dancing behind me in a very wild manner,
slamming into the people around them. I gave him a good shove when he first
did it to me, but they continued, so I ended up having a shouting match
with them. I mean, there was a perfectly suitable moshpit at the front and
I wondered why they couldn't piss off up there and leave me in peace.

Meanwhile Lush were banging out their tunes in fine style and I soon forgot
these unpleasantnesses. A little like the Cocteaus, their strength is that
they make a nice noise even when the tunes aren't so hot, but in fact
they've got plenty of good tunes.  The red-haired girl, Miki, is the
front-person on stage, taking all the lead vocals. She comes across as very
pleasant. I could easily form an attachment for her. Male groupiehood, here I 
come. The other girl, Emma, is the lead guitarist.

After a thrashy number Miki introduced a slower song, saying, "Calm down,
calm down, time for a nice romantic song." This is where I realised that
yer average Eurofan doesn't have the indie pop kid attitude in full effect.
Some of them started swaying in time to the music. Some of them, I am not
making this up, held aloft lit lighters.

Lush played for just over an hour with two encores including an excellent
version of "Sweetness and Light". At the end I found my companions had
already refound the bar, to my surprise - not. Well, we were there at my
instigation and I'd had a good night out so that was fine by me.


Rod

Greyhound, Reading, 19 May 

Crazy Jane star our very own SUBURB::BARKERN on bass guitar, so, to show some 
Digital support a few of us turned up to double the crowd size on Tuesday 
night! It was really entertaining. They play only covers, but a great 
selection: Stones, Beatles, REM, Roachford, Hendrix, Duran Duran etc. 

The band is obviously led by Nigel - he did most of the vocals, and had a great 
rocker's voice. The guitar and keyboards were rather lost in the mix too often, 
and they often seemed rather shy in coming forward. And they probably shouldn't 
have sung!

Only thing that did get on my nerves was the nervous intra-band clowning 
between the numbers - if they'd cut that out and just got on with the music 
they'd have looked the part much more.

grahame

    Crazy Jane can be caught at the following venues in and around the
    Reading area.
    
    Tuesday 23rd May   The Greyhound  Reading
    
    Friday  29th May   The Kings Arms Stokenchurch
    
    Thursday 4th May   The Eagle Reading
    
    Saturday 6th June  Fat Jacks  Grazeley Green   (adj The Old Bell)
    
    
    Plus more that I can't remember 
     

Honorable mention must go to the support band, Pussies Galore.  Three girls
who prance around, fondle each other, and do rude things with their mikes
whilst covering various James Bond themes.  Hysterically amateur, wild clothes
and very little talent surely must make these girls the Bananarama for the '90s.
And that's a compliment.  Watch out for them.

Fabulous, however, were extremely disappointing.  The lead singer is billed as
one of these new glam boys, but just looks like a guy on the wrong drugs at the
wrong time.  He pogoes around as the music squalls out in tired old punk tones.
Halfway through the act, he puts on a fur coat.  Tres chic, but it's not going
to save the act.  

The only good thing I can really say about Fabulous is they do have a good band
T-shirt, just the thing to wear if you feel like getting arrested.

Lee

    Well I AM biased, but this must go down as one of the best gigs EVER!
    
    U2 put on such a show, it was great fun, even for the non-U2 fanatic. 
    There was a lot going on - video screens showing old videos/news
    footage, messages, flashing words etc., brilliant lighting effects, 7
    trabant cars hoisted above the stage, one covered in mirrored-tiles a
    la ballroom light, which spun round and shone amazing galaxy-like
    reflections all over the ceiling & crowd.  
    
    The best thing about it I would have to say was the band (of course!) -
    they were clearly having such a good time, really enjoying themselves. 
    Bono was camping it up beautifully in a collection of well-dodgy "rock
    star" outfits, and came on at the end in an amazing gold lame suit &
    stetson, and proceeded to kiss a full-length mirror.  A hand-held
    camera was passed around, relaying the pictures on to the video
    screens, and one lucky girl was invited onto the stage to film Bono &
    Edge.
    
    A platform built out into the audience allowed even more audience
    contact - Bono being nearly pulled into the crowd on several occasions. 
    A trabant car from which BP Fallon (cult Dublin DJ) played records
    before the show was hoisted above the set once it started and left a
    mini-stage which was used for a little accoustic set - even Larry
    leaving his drumkit for a couple of cymbals to join the other three for
    versions of Angel of Harlem, Unchained Melody, and Dancing Queen (Abba!).   Also bringing
    a huge cheer from the audience was Bono's Neil Tennant impersonation
    during "Where The Streets Have No Name".
    
    All in all a wonderful evening, a great atmosphere.  I must also add
    that Bono apologised for a) the cock-up over the ticket sales; b)
    playing smaller venues ("sometimes you just have to do what you really
    want") and thanked the crowd for "sticking around for 5 years".  Next
    year they will be touring larger venues again for a longer tour.  Theyu
    finished off (2nd encore) with a brilliant cover version of "Stand By
    Me".
    
    Debs.
    

    
    
    I was interested until I read the 17th word in your reply!

:-)
								- JIM CAD*

    If you meant EVER, that was the 16th word, wasn't it?!  :^)
    
    Debs.
    

Did anybody out there make it to either one of the Finsbury Park gigs this
weekend?  I went to the Saturday one.  Although I didn't stay for the headlining
Cult, there were a lot of good bands playing, including Therapy? (who needs
Nirvana anyway?), L7 (They're shorter than I expected), Mercury Rev (made a
good racket and a funny stage act), A House (Hmmmm), Gallon Drunk (the best
band in the world, incidentally), PJ Harvey (why all the fuss about this
woman?), Spiritualized (Hmmm), Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy (Rap bands always
seem worse live for some reason), etc., etc.

Best thing about the gig was it seemed incredibly well organised.  Enough beer,
enough beer sellers, enough toilets, `enough' police.  Makes a change from
Reading, where you're forced to queue for half an hour for a pint, and forced 
to take a shite in the bushes because there's not enough toilets.  And the
festival's pretty bad too...

Lee

I don't have any of her records but I've liked what I've heard so I thought
she'd be worth a visit. First off I was taken aback at the entry price of
Sfr32, about �12, and secondly I was taken aback to find that at 8.30pm she'd
already started. It transpired there had been no support and that she was only
the second song in, so no big deal.

She cut a striking figure on stage in black and white stripes and checks; very
easy on the eye. The crowd was small but very enthusiastic and in fact there
was a very good atmosphere: everyone was very happy. 

The music was a varied bunch, a lot of countryish folksy stuff and some harder
bluesy music which I liked a lot. Everyone seemed multi-talented, so the
(female) lead guitarist played banjo and mandolin as well as guitar, producing
excellent solos on banjo and guitar. This girl was unkindly but accurately
descibed by my companion as "mousey": she didn't have an ounce of Michelle's
stage presence. Michelle's brother was in the band, as chief mandolinist and 
fiddle player. He was introduced as <somebody> Johnston, so maybe that's her 
real name rather than the rather cheesy pun by which she's known. Her father 
also appeared in a brief solo spot introduced as (more puns) Dollar Bill.

The current lp, 'Arkansas Traveller', had a section all to itself complete
with costume change. While Dollar Bill was doing his act, a garden shed thing
(to be seen on the lp artwork) was wheeled on at stage left, from which the
entire band emerged in country bumpkin get-up, including Michelle in a frumpy
print dress (also to be seen on the lp artwork). This very folky section was
enjoyable, but I was glad when it was finished, when she got back into her 
lycra togs and a harder sound re-emerged.

They played for over an hour-and-a-half finally, with two encores, the second
of which I think was genuinely unusual and coaxed out of her by a happy 
audience. An excellent night, possibly best if you're American and can whoop 
and holler in their unselfconscious way.


Rod

    She_Who_Must_Be_Obeyed and I finally managed to see the great man live
    a week ago Saturday at Sheffield Arena. Apparently he was only doing
    five dates in the UK, so I guess we were lucky.
    
    Oh, but what a show! As well as his "new" stuff, he covered all his old
    material - the ones that groove like Schooldays, Superstition, Signed-
    -Sealed-Delivered, Living For The City, etc., had everyone on their feet.
    In with those were the ones to smooch by (does anybody ever do that these
    days?), such as Lately, You And I.
    
    All in all, enough to make me forgive the Maestro for "The Lady In
    Red"! 
    
    In the emotional aftermath of the gig, a very profound thought
    (profound for me, anyway) occurred to me: a philosopher (Wittgenstein, 
    I think) said that it is impossible to describe our inner feelings with
    words, as something that is of the outside world (words) cannot possibly
    encompass the inner human condition, and to do so merely diminishes that
    condition. There are zillions of songs about love, which are just words 
    about the emotion, set to music, but every now and then someone comes along
    who writes real love songs that are on a different plane altogether. These
    manage to convey to the listener, via a combination of words and music, a 
    feeling that would be diminished if anyone tried to describe it, and is 
    utterly personal to the listener. The greats did it, (an example for me is 
    Hoagy Carmichael's Stardust, incurring a sense of longing for something I 
    can't even begin to describe; someone else may think differently) and 
    Stevie Wonder does it. Oh sure, he can make you get up and dance, get 
    angry, blow up a storm on that harmonica of his, and generally make you 
    have a ball, but for me his genius lies in his ability to describe, via 
    his songs, things the rest of us (well, me anyway) can only hint at. 
    Speaking personally, McCartney comes nowhere near, and is trite and trivial
    by comparison.
    
    In any event, it was a Wonder-ful gig. He sang his heart out for two
    and a half hours, and made it obvious he was enjoying every minute. The
    band and backing singers were superb, and he even had a full orchestra
    on stage - synthesisers were there to be played by humans, not to
    replace them. As if that wasn't enough, during the time we were waiting
    for the gig to start, they played Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?"
    album end to end. Twice.
    
    Stevie was interviewed on the BBC a few nights later, and it confirmed
    everything I heard on the night - a professional showman, a genius, and
    a helluva nice guy.
    
    Dave
                            

Last night saw the opening of Prince's 8-night residency at Earl's Court in 
London - backed by The New Power Generation.

If anyone's going along hoping to see all their favourite Prince hits they're 
going to be very disappointed - unless they think that Diamonds and Pearls has 
got all of his good stuff on that is!

After an almost endless New Age -like droning, dry-ice generation and manic 
light dancing, the show opens with Thunder. Great start as the drums come in 
EXACTLY as they sound on the album. Followed by extended versions of Daddy Pop 
and the title track. The lighting is astonishing. Huge banks of computer-
controlled lights, mostly on, above, or behind the stage meant that is was very 
hard to see who was doing what most of the time. There were also smallish video 
screens at either side of the stage, as well as smaller ones on-stage. 

(Round about now the scurrillous thought occurred to me that if 'Sunday Night 
At the London Palladium' had really kept up with the times, it would look like 
this!).

A cruelly-aborted Let's Go Crazy followed, which led into an extended jam 
(first of many) covering for Prince's (first of many) costume changes. He 
reappeared in purple for . . . . Purple Rain! More tracks from D & P came, Kiss 
also (with extended audience participation) and I was getting increasingly 
conscious that I wasn't gripped. This was strange - I really like Diamonds and 
Pearls, but most of the songs seemed to degenerate into raps and jams, 
dominated by the bassdrums and with the vocals, guitars and keys being lost in 
the vastness of the venue.

A highlight was a brooding version of Thieves in the Temple, and he follwed 
this (I'm probably getting the order wrong) with 2 songs I didn't know: a quiet 
ballad, probably called Damn You and a rant which sounded something like Sexy 
Mother Loves ya (though I'm sure it wasn't!!)

A rousing Gett Off finished off the main section. The long-awaited encore 
started with another song I didn't know, sung by the amazing Rosie Lanes (?) 
who sang soul-like, rapped, danced and played keyboards! This then led into 
what started as 1999, but soon moved into a long drum/synths/guitar rap-rant 
which finished the show.

Everything you'd expect from a Prince show is still there - a marvellous, 
underused brass section (they gave us a quick blast of Strollin' which wouldn't 
really have fitted in with the rest of the show if Prince had done it);, lots 
of dancers, guitar solos standing on the piano, and he still sticks his guitar 
between women's legs and rips off their skirts!

It's a brave show, missing out almost all of the old favourites (nothing off 
Sign O The Times, Lovesexy or Graffitti Bridge, no Red Corvette) and I sense 
that he's trying hard for a new younger audience. The rapper, Mike Mosley (?) 
has almost equal air-time with Prince and the overall feel of the show is much 
harder and grungier than either of the last two.

If you haven't seen him before, you'll love it. If you have, and you go 
expecting more of the same, you may be a little disappointed.

grahame

and while I'm being grumpy about Earl's Court . . . you can buy 'food' and 
'drink' there, but you're not allowed to take it into the concert arena 
(unlike at Wembley). And it's even supposed to be No Smoking. I didn't see 
anyone light up - apart from when Purple Rain started of course!!

g

    Re.414   - Graham - the title of the song you refer to is from
    his new album and is called Sexy MotherF*****!!!
    
    With regards to your review that just about summed up my feelings -
    I'm not a great D & P Fan except for the Gett Off, Cream and Thunder
    tracks which were good at the concert but all the slow and rapping
    stuff bored me to tears - I have never sat down so many times in a
    Prince concert as I did on Monday night.  I agree that if you have
    never seen him before you would probably enjoy the concert but for
    those of us who have seen the previous tours such as Lovesexy
    (brilliant IMHO) this round of concerts could leave you feeling as
    if you've been cheated!
    
    Mazzer
    

    
    A litle less Rap please-thats my view,I been to many Prince Concerts
    and this was the first time I have come away with mixed views,for
    a start I wish we could see more of him on stage,he went missing
    quite alot during the concerts.The special affects were brilliant
    but I thought the Rappers were naff.I also wish he played more Guitar
    the feeling I got was that he was holding back quite a bit,vocal
    wise maybe thats due to the number of concerts he,s doing.I am going
    

If you know Mary Margaret O'Hara, then you probably know her sole brilliant
debut album, `Miss America', because that's pretty much all she's done.

What you may not know is that she has no talent on stage whatsoever.  Halfway
through the first song, people start to realise something is wrong.  She
whinnies and groans the lyrics out, sometimes remembering to sing into the mike,
sometime not, and jerks around the stage with all the grace of Joe Cocker.  The
next number is cut short because she appears to have forgotten the words.  The
audience are yelling at her to `start singing properly'.  It's looking bad.

But eventually she picks up.  She seems to gain some confidence after blathering
some story to the audience which nobody understands, and then breaks into
some new material.  This is what we are all really here for.  It's been nearly
4 years since she produced anything, and everyone was hoping this would be a
showcase for new songs.  A lot of the new stuff seemed mainly instrumental, or
it may be that Mary just didn't get the singing bits together again, but it
was very smooth, very professional, with that off-kilt edge to it all the time.

Hopefully there'll be a new album soon, and hopefully someone will give her a
kick up the backside and tell her to get her stage-act together.

Lee

    Did you see the support act - Barenaked Ladies?  I'd have liked to see
    them but didn't want to pay for both for just a short set... (although
    I love Miss America I didn't envisage Mary being particularly wonderful
    live.. having seen her on The Word or something last year).
    
    I've heard some of their stuff on GLR and loved it.
    
    Debs.

Barenaked Ladies are in session on one of the late Radio 1 shows tonight:
Nicky Campbell or Bob Harris.

+Mark+

    >If you know Mary Margaret O'Hara, ...
    
    I was wondering what was going on with her. Thanks for the news, even
    if it is rather disappointing.
    
    -Vicki  

    RE: .420   
    
    Typical - I only read this note this morning.... :^(
    
    Anybody catch it?   (or even tape it?!?)
    
    Thanks,
    
    Debs.

    I was at the MMoH concert too.
    
    I was well impressed by the Barenaked Ladies - they were hilarious,
    and did some wonderful parodies. Look out for this band, they're already
    huge in Canada, and I'm sure they'd be big everywhere if they got some
    air time. They're totally mad, I think they live on the same planet at
    the housemartins, madness, B52's and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers (Wild
    Planet!)
    
    I'd agree with .118 about the Mary Margaret O'Hara - the stage act
    was pretty disasterous. Her band were good musicians and tried to
    keep it together, but musically it was wierd and somewhat chaotic.
    I loved the first album, and was hoping to hear more new material,
    but there wasn't much, and what there was wasn't memorable. :-(
    
    d:){=| Dave.

    Saw That Petrol Emotion at the Old Trout in Windsor last night.
    Still as good as ever and the new material stands up well against
    1990's "Chemicrazy". They have recently been dropped by Virgin along
    with a few other bands, notably PIL, and it could well be Branson's
    first big mistake. Lets hope so.
    
    Andy

    Branson sold Virgin to EMI-Thorn some months back.

    
    The Stranglers, "Stranglers in the night" tour, at Kilburn National
    last weekend. This band has seriously changed. I first saw them in 
    76, just before "No more heroes" was released, they were brilliant.
    One of the most lively gigs I've attended, it set the standard as 
    far as I was concerned for a very long time.
    
    Then I saw them mid 80s, open air possibly Reading, the performance
    was lack luster and not very inspiring. That's it, I thought, the
    Stranglers have lost thier edge. Then they didn't play much off the first
    few albms, shame as it's some of thier best. 
    
    Now the new Stranglers, no Hugh Cornwall, they have a new lead
    guitarist and a new vocalist. The guitarist was sometimes heavy handed
    when compared with Hugh Cornwall but very proficient, at one point
    the sound got pretty psycadelic, almost Stone Roses.
    
    The vocalist is young, when compared with the rest of the band, and the
    new blood definately has a major influence. After getting to grips with
    a few hecklers he was diving all over the stage and into the crowd.
    They played most of Ratus, plus several from other early albums and a few
    new numbers. The crowd loved it getting 3 encores out of them, something
    better change, 5 minutes, No More heroes plus others. If they play like
    this consitently and the new record is half as good as thier act then
    we will be hearing much more of the Stranglers.
     
    
     Mike Webster. London UK.

Anybody else see the mayhem that was The Sultans of Ping F.C. at the After Dark
on Saturday?  What a band!  Those songs!  Those costumes!  Granted, they sound 
a bit football-terrace chant-like, and most of their songs are about football,
and, err, they're really big football fans, but that doesn't stop it being all
good, daft fun.  The After Dark proved (dangerously) too small  a venue for 
such a new band, the crowd going mental to tunes not so far from The Fall and
The Undertones.  Debut album out in the new year, apparently.

Lee

    
    Dangerous?? Nonsense!
    
    it was all good clean fun and although there were a lot of people in
    there, it didn't seem to me as if the amount at the front were
    dangerous.....
    	I have to agree with you though, they are excellent and I was very
    impressed with the support band as well.... There was only one drawback
    though, I had some di@k next to me for about 1/2 an hour of the 2 hour
    show shouting "WHERE'S ME JUMPER? WHERE'S ME JUMPER?" Then, when they
    started playing it, (the 12" version) he bloody didn't know what it
    was!! What a lightweight.
    	Does anyone know who the support band were? I know they weren't the
    Shanks because the guy in there said that they'd pulled out.
    "L.M.N.O.Penguin" was the name I think, but i'm not sure....
    
    Greg....
    
    p.s. Thanks to the girl that I helped up after she mistimed her
    stagedive for calling me a ******* ******:-):-)
    
    Rude girl
     

    For an event which was sponsored by an anti-smoking group and an
    anti-drinking group and gave space to an anti-AIDS group, there was a
    hell of a lot of smoking and drinking going on. However even if they
    were against sex and drugs, they weren't against rock'n'roll.

    First up was a french-speaking group, the Maniacs. They were competent
    rockers who occasionally threatened some interesting guitar noise
    histrionics, but only occasionally. Next were the Mega City Four who I
    was mildly interested in seeing. I recognised the dreadlocked singer
    Wiz from NME snaps. They were more competent and more loud, although
    with a drum-heavy sound. Some of the ditties were familiar and I
    enjoyed the antics of their engagingly dopy bass-player who leapt
    around the stage in shorts and a woolly hat, but really they didn't set
    the place alight.

    The venue was fine, a big square hall with an efficient sound system
    and outside it a long bar with plenty of people behind it. So I was
    enjoying a beer when the lights went down again to notify the arrival
    of the headliners, the Young Gods, a Swiss-German threesome whose 'TV
    Sky' lp earlier this year was pretty damn good.

    The stage was sparser now with only a large drumkit, a mikestand and an
    Akai keyboard. They started out with a slowie off 'TV Sky'. The singer
    has a great voice, like Jim Morrison's but an octave down, and a trick
    mike stand which has a spotlight built into it pointing upwards, very
    effective given the smoky atmosphere. A few songs in they were playing
    some of the faster tracks like 'Skinflowers' and the crowd was getting
    into it, with the stagedivers starting to appear. Lighting was much
    darker than for the previous bands, and instead of just random coloured
    lights we now had a much more planned and monotone light show:
    gothically gloomy whites and reds. The sound quality was one of the
    most distinctive I've ever heard at a concert: a lot of ultra-low
    frequency stuff, so loud that it felt like my clothes were flapping in
    a gale, then the growling singer, and wailing sampled guitars off the
    top. It was bloody impressive stuff, industrial-grade techno but with
    much more tricky rhythms than the usual straight dance stuff. So after
    completion of normal time I was enjoying it but not feeling totally
    involved. 

    That changed. The first encore song was a throwback to an earlier phase
    in their career as (I think) Kurt Weill interpreters. The keyboardist
    played one of those ironic clapalong tunes, the singer sang, the crowd
    enjoyed it. Then, wham, straight into an ultra-heavy, fast, deep dance
    track. The contrast was great. The stage-diving became wild, arms and
    legs flailing everywhere, then the singer too joined in and simply let
    himself fall backwards off the stage. The crowd kept him aloft and
    passed him around the front for a minute or two, then shoved him back
    on stage. Great stuff.

    This was an excellently good gig. The YGs have a germanic seriousness
    and a swiss quality about what they do and they know how to stage a
    show. You shouldn't miss a chance to see them.


    Rod

I passed on Friday's funk night at Vernier sur Rock, tho' I heard a bit of
Omar being broadcast on Couleur 3, but Saturday Piers and I went along for
Redfish/25th of May/Stranglers.

Redfish were yet another competent but forgettable band. The 25th of May,
however, were more than competent and extremely memorable. I know nothing
about them except that they're a Liverpool rap group but I've listended to
their tape and it's great; lefty political raps against breakbeats and
wailing guitars, party music in both the political and fun senses. 

They were just so different to the rest when they came on stage, a couple of
rappers in tracksuits, a crazy bassist in baggy shorts, a dj -- the whole rap
bit, right down to the frantic running all over the stage. So we got down to
No Way! No How! No Comprosise! and F*** the Right to Vote! and their many
other surprisingly catchy numbers, down the front where we got doused in
the bands' mineral water and where Piers' Carter T-shirt got a fingerpoint
of recognition from the singer. I was knackered by the time they finished. 

The Stranglers were pretty good. They have a big catalogue of hits to play
and they're very efficient and professional at doing so. Their new singer
has a whole lot of good moves to show off although perhaps he veers too
far towards being a parody of rock singer. The crowd was overwhelmingly
there to see the Stranglers and they would have gone home happy.


Rod

    I know I went home happy, and that in spite of the Stranglers having
    recruited Clive James to play guitar for them. Jett Black looked a lot
    like he was singing along, though you couldn't hear him, and to my
    surprise had in fact shaved since the last time I saw the band back in
    1979 or so. JJ Burnel has lost that narrow mean look he used to have,
    though his bass still has that wickedly good sound and makes the band
    stand apart from so many others. They played a lot of old stuff, from
    "Hanging Around" and "Feel Like a Wog" through "Toiler on the Sea" and 
    "Tank" to "Golden Brown" and "Strange Little Girl".
    
    Nonetheless it was indeed The 25th of May who stole the evening for me.
    Fun -- noisy, brash, young, witty, on the ball, and great movers. And 
    the band were great too.
    
    Piers

	Gil Scott Heron - Camden Centre ( I think ) 7/11/92

I was not familiar with this chappy's stuff, and the absolutely appalling
(� Prince Biglugs ) sound mix leaves me just about none the wiser. Having said
that it looked at times as if the rhythm section were getting into a fairly good
groove , but then on occasions seemed to drift off into some extended 
self-indulgent solos.

The man himself has apparently, led a "full" life but still seems keen
on people enjoying themselves at his concerts, and is still capable of
belting out a good vocal.

Stuart


BTW the word is Johannesburg

    re -1
    
    Gil Scott-Heron....at Fantails (Woking).
    
    
    I wasn't going to enter anything for this gig as it was definitely one
    of the worst I have ever seen!!!
    
    7 songs in 100 minutes isn't much cop....and as for a 45 minute
    over-the-top-self-indulgent-I'll-have-a-break-while-the-band-plays-on
    version of Angel Dust...well...boring just about covers it!
    
    This was much in line with the last time I saw him at the T&C Club,
    however he did play a wider selection then (even tho' it wasn't that
    good a gig...(I should have known better than to go this time)).
    
    The place was only about half full, GSH had a bad voice' the only good
    thing.....he didn't play an encore....(and he didn't even play
    Johannesburg in the set).
    
    Oh how the mighty have fallen.....
    
    
    Harv

          <<< Note 20.433 by SAC::LANG_H "Button up your overcoat" >>>

    re -1
    

    Funnily enough one of the few things I could decypher was that he had
    played Woking. He also mentioned Canterbury and losing his voice.

    I don't think I would pay to go and see him again, but it wasn't �10
    completely down the pan, as the seeing some of the "characters" in the
    audience was probably worth a few quid.

   Stuart

    Sounds like it's a good job Mr Scott-Heron hasn't given up his day job.
    Shame really. You can hear him on the TV,
    
    "You know
    when
    you've been TANGOed"
    
    (Where on earth did I find this out from?)
    
    yours fizzically
    john

           <<< Note 20.435 by MIACT::WALLACE "john wallace @ bbp" >>>
                       -< Livin' on the bottle (of pop) >-

>    Sounds like it's a good job Mr Scott-Heron hasn't given up his day job.
>    Shame really. You can hear him on the TV,
    
>    "You know
>    when
>    you've been TANGOed"
    
>    (Where on earth did I find this out from?)
    
>    yours fizzically
>    john


He mentioned that on Saturday, but I wasn't sure if he was kidding or not.


Stuart

    re .435....
    
    
    Hmmm...now he did mention this in Woking; and I too thought he was
    playing on the fact that the voice-over sounded like him; in fact,
    most people thought it was a wind-up too as we all had a good laugh at
    the time!
    
    Harv

Temptations + company @Reading Rivermead, Friday 6th November 1992
==================================================================

This was an evening of traditional and alternative karaoke.   It began
with the alternative stuff - instead of unknown singers trying their
best with well-known backing tracks, we had well-known singers being
accompanied by a less than accomplished band.   First up was Merv Johnson
(Merv who?), that well-known singer who had two hits in the 60's (A rose
for my rose, and You got what it takes).   Not only did he sing, but he
danced too - demonstrating the "funky chicken" and the "pony" to an
increasingly responsive audience.

He was followed by the women who used to wear sequened dresses but who
have matured into tiger-skin tops - The Three Degrees.   They started
well with the compulsive Stevie Wonder song "I wish", but things went
slightly awry after that.   It was a bit suspicious that the keyboard
player had full set of music in front of him, and it often seemed that
he (or the whole band) had skipped a vital page.   The ladies were
impeccable professionals, hardly breaking sweat during their routine
which included a skim of their hits, a set dedicated to Marvin Gaye
(ending with Let's get it on, which the band had obviously being
practicing hard) and "When will I see you again ?".   Their encore
was the racey Dance Little Sister by that other trio - Terence Trent
Darby.

The excitement was obviously getting to people - during the interval
a woman broke into the gents toilets, hotly pursued by a burly security
guard, who insisted that she must wait in the queue with everyone else -
however (in the words of Ray Stevens) it was too late - she had already
locked herself in a cubicle.

The Temptations had brought a stageful of musicians who burst into life
with a sort of overture of hits before the group appeared - dressed in
yellow suits.   People threw down their walking sticks, cast aside their
zimmers and started dancing (well they stood up).   It was the same
old routines to the same old songs which were performed with a certain
style and eloquence.   They did hits from all three decades - 60's,
70's (Papa was a rolling stone) and 80's (Treat her like a lady) as well
as the current single from their 50th album.   In good spirits, they also
took a swipe at Rod Stewart when they did Motown Song.   Everyone was
waiting for My Girl after which they did some real karaoke, when several
(non-arbitrary - these folk could sing a bit) members of the audience
were invited to have a croon with the boys.   And then it was over - the
history lesson had finished all too soon.

Ray,

Surely it was MARV Johnson who did Rose for my Rose? (And why can't I remember 
useful things?!)

grahame

    Grahame - I'm sure you're right - just checking to see who had
    their poll/final bit set ...
    
    Ray

This morning I tried to find this note with a DIR/TIT="review" . . . . ho hum.

Any chance a mod with a minute to spare could fix it? ta,

g

    
    No sooner said than done. Well, only 22 hours sooner, anyway.

    Support bands are generally a bit of a drag before the main event but
    N-factor were terrific. They turned out to be a rock/rap crossover type
    outfit, so with with two big guys handling the rapping (lots of "Hi,
    y'alls!" and mentions of the "Geneva posse") and a wild-looking
    guitarist providing loud riffs, a very good time was had by all.
    It's not often a support comes back for an encore, but they did.

    I wouldn't like to be a roadie these days. The amount of electronics on
    stage for this was staggering (as seen from my between-set perch on the
    edge of the stage). Must be all those syn-drums, DAT machines and, err,
    other things. Cabling everywhere.

    Pretty late by this time, and with a long wait between sets,
    Consolidated weren't on stage until 1am. A heavy hip-hop beat started a
    solid hour of radical politics ear assault. Consolidated are very
    strong on anti-racism, sexual equality, gay rights and animal rights
    (the drummer had a "Meat Stinks" sticker on his drum kit). They were
    bloody impressive (bloody loud) but not quite as much all-out fun as
    N-factor. Four video screens showed footage of riots, cows being
    slaughtered, stuff like that. After an hour they stopped the show and
    did the bit where they let the audience have their say. It soon became
    apparent that there was a language problem so an interpreter was called
    for from the audience, and who emerged but an actual celeb, the singer
    from the Young Gods. Most of the chat was stock right-on stuff with
    the funniest being from a young guy who complained that Consolidated
    had earlier asked people to dance carefully; he felt this was cramping
    his style. But he was told, "Hey man, it was hurting me just to watch
    you!". After this, another couple of ear-splitting numbers including a
    cover of Neil Young's "Keep on Rocking in the Free World" before I
    stumbled dazed and ear-ringing into the Geneva night at some godawful
    hour of the morning (02.45 to be precise).

    
    Rod

    

    
    Pavement on sunday at the T.U. Club.... Apparently they were brilliant.
    Due to an over-indulgence on the alchohol front i was unaware of their
    presence apart from a 20 minute spell in which the were great.
    I will never drink again.
    
    Greg...

    Ventured dahn sarf of the river last night to see da Ramones at
    the Brixton Academy. After managing to enter the venue with minimum
    grappling by security we all had a laugh at what was on offer at
    the merchandising stall or, Ramones Emporium. Tie-dye Ramones T-shirts
    (the spirit of '76 or '67?) and Ramones football type scarfs emblazoned 
    with the legend GABBA GABBA HEY! All the goodies could be purchased
    with ACCESS or VISA which brought sighs of relief from the assembled
    Punks, Grebos and Crusties; their pleasure only soured, no doubt, by
    the fact that Diners Club International was'nt accepted behind the
    bar. 
    
    Entrenched at said bar, the fun began with Terrorvision, or so my
    mate claimed they were called. Not a Japanese tribute to Lloyd, 
    Verlaine & Co (groan), but another one of those bands featuring a 
    bassist/ guitarist bedecked in Bermuda Shorts, baggy T-shirt (I 
    blame Anthrax for all this) and the head movements of a nodding 
    dog on speed. Very loud and very heavy; heavy metal minus the crap 
    clothes and poodle haircuts.  
    
    The last thing I heard by the Ramones was "Road To Ruin" in 1979. 
    Over a decade later only a fool would expect the Ramones to have
    learnt a fourth chord, or maybe even a third for that matter. Maybe
    Johnny and Joey or whoever-y would've liked to play some free form
    Jazz, but not tonight. The old ones were there as were the newer 
    ones (everything after "Road to Ruin" for me) which were probably 
    the old ones played backwards. The singer, Johhny(?) still looks like 
    a blind stick insect and the black mop-top haircuts are still there. 
    By rights the perfect Ramones gig would last about 20-25 minutes and 
    leave off at "Rocket To Russia". Unfortunately it did'nt and by the 
    end I was glad to see them "go, go, go, go goodbye".      
    
    barry.                                               
    

    
    Went to see Carter at Brixton Academy on Monday. Brilliant. The Frank
    and Walters were unannounced as support and we simply superb. The
    Family Cat followed (they were anounced) and were good too. Then
    Carterr came on stage to hysteria from the annoying 15-16 year old
    girls at the front and I must admit that they get better each time I
    see them live. Superb. If I wasn't so skint I would have gone and seen
    them on tuesday as well. They probably would have been better then as
    well:-)
    
    Greg...

  22/12/92 Brixton.

  Missed all the support ( apart from Santa ).

  Carter were great. It was wild.

  Stuart

 ( It appears that I have missed out on my "I've seen Carter in Calais <on
   the front > with a very large NOT! on the back T-shirt ). 

    Christmas Time whine, eh, Stuart?
    
    Anyway, Carter USM, Bournemouth, 17/12/92.
    
    From the opening strains of Jesus Christ Superstar to the closing 
    "Oh I do like to be beside the seaside... F***, I think I'm stuck!"
    they were just the bestest. Call me a 15 or 16 year old girlie if you
    will, but I was down there at the front loving every minute.
    
    Piers

> Call me a 15 or 16 year old girlie if you will

You're a 15 or 16 year old girlie.

    First up - Gunk, probably a local band. OK in a sub-sub-sub Nirvana
    kind of style, but not as melodic. 
    
    Next were Headcleaner - jolly loud and stroppy musically, although the
    guitar player had a humorous side too. Loud, loud, loud feedback/odd
    noises from the guitar, slightly unusual song structures, definitely
    'got it on'. 
    
    Finally, The God Machine, promoting their new lp. Very doomy, very very
    heavy and monstrously loud. More distorted guitar, impassioned singing
    etc. Got more intersting when they started easing off a little and
    getting a bit more, er, strange. Drummer uses marshmallow sticks for
    the entire set, but really pounds his kit. Unfortunately, the sound was
    not very good, as the extremely loud bass guitar seemed to be tuned to
    the resonant frequency of the room which made for a lot of howling and
    shaking. Or maybe it was meant to be like that.
    
    Anyway, it broke up a less-than-totally enthralling training course.
    
    Bob
    
    

    
    Stereo MC's at The Tunnel in Glasgow last night. Totally superb. The
    band played out of their skin. Only drawbacks were the time (didn't
    start till 12-30) and the prat behind me that insisted in waving his
    wooly jumper in my face.  Oh yeah - it was pretty loud too. I ended up
    beside the biggest speaker since the last big one. All morning me and
    the guy next to me (he was there too) have been asking when the
    aeroplane we can here is finally going to take off :-)
    
    
    Stereo Mark

    
    Summerhill (who incidentally have Tom of Sesame st./Love Club/Curious
    Orange fame in the line up) were just your average run-of-the-mill
    band. They were good, but I didn't see anybody jumping around, just
    sort of swaying to the soft rock/indie crossover that never really got
    going in any big sense. Oh well, early days yet.
    	Radiohead, on the other hand were much heavier than Summerhill,
    Much heavier than they look and much heavier than they sound on record.
    That doesn't mean they weren't good, however, because they were. They
    were damm good. Not the best gig I've ever see down there, but
    certainly worth the 350 pence that I paid. The latest 12", "Anyone can
    play guitar" sounds really different - Much better. Highlights of the
    evening were all the freebies being given out (loads and loads) and
    a lone stagediver (not that type of band, folks) being pubically
    humiliated by the lead singer, booed of the stage and when he tried to
    jump back in, they moved out of the way and he tasted floor! Brilliant!
    
    GrEg...

Despite dashing headlong from the pub with the very real fear of having missed
the start of The Cranberries set, we still had plenty of time to wait outside
in the cold and rue having left our coats in the car. But the wait was worth
it, the bar well stocked, and The Cranberries, having stood up one of our party
last time around, made amends by doing passable imitations in quick succession
of Lush, The Sundays, Sinead O'Connor and 10,000 Maniacs.

The set started way too slow, mind, and it took some time for the crowd to stir
themselves to their feet, let alone move (carpeted venues do seem to encourage
people to sit around in small groups waiting to have their beer kicked over
their cardigans.) 

The debut single Dreams and the new single Limber provided high spots of the
set which kept verging on the good rather than the merely interesting, but I
was left not entirely satisfied for some reason -- partly no doubt due to
continuously bellowed cries in my right ear of "lovely lilt, mind" and "see,
10,000 Maniacs". The Cranberries bear further investigation.

A longer than strictly necessary break for beer, Sheep on Drugs and the
Lemonheads very wonderful cover of "Mrs Robinson", while a small army of
roadies pretended to retune pretuned guitars and make the traditional one-two
noises they seem to survive on.

On they ran and Belly were a delight from start to finish. Tanya Donelly in
wide snake-smile scathing form against sexist dickhead hecklers, between
breathy fast/slow renditions of every song off the album. Enough of the
poignancy of country music and the passion of the best indie pop -- something
danceable in every tune, and something in every lyric to write on the back of
envelopes. A brief encore of the Jungle Book favourite "Trust in Me" (snake
smile) and they were gone.

Kristin Hersh once said that having Tanya Donelly on stage with her was like
playing with the devil. I think she may have been right.

Piers
    

    
    No Support, on about 11:30 odd. Can't remember. They were quite good,
    got the place dancing more than any other band I have seen down there.
    Intense.
    
    GrEg...

       Senseless Things  - Town & Country 13/3/93

   The real reason I went was because I knew that Carter were playing 
   an unannounced set. I can't remember everything they played ( well they
   were on for over 30 minutes ) but they did their version of "Another
   Brick in the Wall " except that JimBob decided to sing Donna Summer's
   "I Feel Love".  Mr Bob justified this later with "well we were pissed".

   Next on Mambo Taxi ( truly dreadful ), followed by Leatherface ( a bit
   better than Mambo Taxi ) and then the headliners - Senseless Things.
   I quite like their debut album , but apart from being very loud their
   performance was notable only for being disappointing.

   Having said that, a few drinks afterwards made for an interesting journey
   home and it was good to go to the T&C for one last time before it
   reincarnates as the Forum.

   Stuart 

    
    Daytripper- Ride/Charlatans 12/3/93
    
    Started on the beverages at 12:00 - bad mistake but at least I had the
    sense to stop whilst in the van or I would be mr.coma. Anyways, the
    drive down was a nightmare- 3 hours of roadworks, traffic jams and
    irate impatient motorists.... Got a lot of beeps off of others going
    down there due to the signs in the back window - ride & charlatans or
    pi$$ed!
    	 We must of looked like crew or something becuase there was a huge
    queue and we just walked in !! bit smashed like....
         The security was a joke- nobody in the hall itself, two people on
    the door (one was a old granny) I know you don't expect much trouble
    off of Ride/Charlatans fans, but it was ludicrous- 3 people in a huge
    bar tending to about 300 thirsty (mostly underage) fans.
         Stop complaining Greg.... Onto the concert itself. The charlatans
    were on first, (yes, the five pints are mine!!) and were great. Played
    everything that I wanted them to and quite a lot of new stuff. The new
    stuff wasn't introduced, and Tim said about 3 words (as usual)
    throughout the whole set, so I can't comment on that stuff, but it was
    fairly good, on the whole. 
    	It has to be said that the sound quality was superb. Better then I
    have heard at any gig. It was so clear, even though it was fairly loud.
    Ride next, the ones I wanted to see most, and they didn't let me down.
    They were bloody excellent, better than Reading, Brixton and Oxford put  
    together. It was the perfect gig. One of my favourite bands, playing        
    brilliant music, that was very clear, and even though there was loads 
    of people there, you had room to move about and dance a bit. They played 
    nearly all their 'greats' as I would call them and an excellent Who cover 
    (i wish I could remember the name). I'm not sure if it was the drink, but 
    i can't remember them playing Chelsea girl, even though my mate Steve 
    thinks they did........ oh well, It was a�brilliant evening anyway, so 
    well done RIDE/CHARLATANS!!!!.
    
    GrEg...
    

    THE SHAMEN AT READING RIVERMEAD -- 22/3/93
    ==========================================
    
    Went to see The Shamen simply for the fact that they were playing ten
    minutes away.  
    
    We didn't really know what to expect crowd wise.  When we got there
    though, there was a mixture of Indie kids, ravers and the normal people
    who you would expect to see at a nightclub.  
    
    This is the third time I've seen The Shaman and I was quite looking
    forward to it.  The first two times were at Glastonbury festival and
    Brixton Academy.  
    
    Got in Rivermead at about 8.00 and the venue was already 3/4 quarters
    packed.  For anyone thats been to Rivermead they were playing in the
    main hall where the badminton is usually played.  
    
    Rave music was being played over the speaker and then the support band
    Eskimos & Egypt came out.  I was disappointed to see the Utah Saints
    pull out but the Eskimos didn't let us down.
    
    Three white guys, two with dreaded hair played furiously.  The singer
    pranced about on stage occasionally playing on the keyboard.  What a
    strange name though.  Why the Eskimos & Egypt.  Despite this bad name
    they weren't bad until the singer sang.  It seemed to ruin their
    appeal.  An idea of their sound is just really another Utah Saints
    without as many samples of different singers/bands.  
    
    The singer then asked the crowd what they thought of Axl Rose.  The
    majority of people cheered and this singer said he's a sexist and a
    racist.  The lead guitarist from this band started to play the chord in
    Sweet Child o' mine.  What a strange way to introduce one of your
    songs.  If they don't like then don't use any of his stuff.  
    
    The Eskimos finished and I have to say overall I was impressed.  Next
    it was the turn of Mr C doing his rave routine.  This basically was him
    mixing a few records whilst some of the roadies got the set ready.  To
    be honest Mr C's mixing was crap.  A total waste of time.
    
    Then at 9.30, The Shamen came on.  Mr C wearing a red top with funny
    lines on it and black leather trousers.  Colin was wearing all just
    wearing all black.  
    
    The Shamen got straight into a song and then after the first song Mr C
    said that they were a dance band so lets not have any of this rock
    crap.  He was of course talking to the few who insisted in moshing. 
    Fair play to them too.  Why not???  They were there to enjoy themselves
    so if these raves guy can blow there whistles why can't the others
    mosh.  
    
    Anyway soon, into 'Move any Mountain' which was remixed as was
    everything.  Mr C's rapping was great.  Then they were joined by a
    womman dressed in a funny black thing.  It wasn't the usual singer but
    they got straight into 'Phorever People'.  The crowd loved this one and
    then straight into 'Love sex intelligence' or 'LSI' to people more
    aquainted with their music.  This was also performed well.  
    
    When she left we were straight into 'Boss Drum'.  This personally was my
    best Shamen song.  It was another remix but it was still done well.
    
    Then into 'Eberneezer Goode'.  "Is Ebernnezer Goode in the house today"
    asked Mr C.  The crowd cheered and then some Geezer who was dressed as
    him appeared.  He was wearing black & white clothes and he also had his
    face painted.  "Eezer is a geezer who must never be abused".  We were
    away.  We were then treated to Eberneezer throwing sweets out to us,
    "Thats it", said Mr C "Share em' out".  Mr C then went on to his got
    any Salmon routine.  
    
    The concert sadly finished with The Shamen only doing an hour.  I was a
    bit dissapointed that the crowd didn't shout for more.  Most of the
    Ravers didn't really know what they were supposed to do at a gig.  Mr C
    thanked us and then he said "we'll leave you with a bed time story". 
    This was just another ravey tune.  
    
    Overall though, worth going to see but probably the worst performance
    I've seen from them, though don't get me wrong, they were still better
    than most bands.  A good night out.
      
    
    Cheers Then
    Gary

    Gary - a very fair review, even if I didn't quite understand all
    your terminology.   The lead singer of Eskimos was certainly an
    angry young man - I thought he was going to blow a fuse when they
    turned up the lights during their last number.   By the way - was
    he really singing "Seriously Aberdeen" ???
    
    The Shamen on the other hand were very professional.   A good old
    fashioned dance gig - like they used to have (and probably still do)
    in Glasgow - long before "raving" and things were invented ..
    
    Ray

	  Royal Albert Hall 2/4/93

          Barry Manilow "The Greatest Hits - and Then Some Tour"


      Unfortunately I didn't arrive until just before the interval, but
 what I missed was more than compenstated by watching and listening to
 Bazza bang out "Mandy", "I Write The Songs" and "Copacobana".

 What a showman!*


 Stuart


 BTW During the interval there was a P.A announcement along the lines of
     "The Management of the Royal Albert Hall and Mr Manilow request that
      the audience do not light matches or use cigarrette lighters during his 
      performance of "I Write the songs". Seasoned fans where prepared for
      this because the opening chords rang out a whole host of torches were
      produced.



 * Or do I mean what a dork?

    Did noone see the reconstituted Velvet Underground?

    I love this band, but, strangely enough, had no desire to see them this
    time around.......
    
    Bob

I don't know how much detail I should go into here, but the first thing I should
say is that it was brilliant. I'm not a big fan of pg (I partly went because tony
levin plays bass) but it really was very impressive. It was held in the ice-rink
in Lausanne, Switzerland, filled to near bursting. I had some initial fears about
being trampled to death, but once pg came on people were really cool and there 
were no problems. The show was (insert some superlative) - a stage at one end of
the rink, another round stage in the middle, and a kind of catwalk thingy connecting 
the two. The catwalk thingy had a conveyor belt built into it, which was used for
various things during the show. After a few songs - talk to me (? I haven't heard
the new album) & steam, the whole band were 'rowed' across the catwalk by pg 
during a song called across the river (I think), to a duplicate of all their gear
set up in the dark by the crew.

Other songs were sledgehammer, solsbury hill, probably more stuff off the latest 
album, biko, in your eyes.... There were two encores. Oh yeah during 'digging in
the dirt' - might not be called that but you'll probably know what I mean, pg 
was wearing a tiny tv camera thing, the image from which was displayed on a huge 
screen at the end of the rink. That was really weird - a kind of mutant fish eye
close up of his face .

Anyway all this showy stuff is fine, but really it would all have been a waste
(for me) if the band/music had been crap, - which wasn't the case (esp tony levin
 - what a dude - even played his chapman stick on a few songs).

The only thing I didn't like was that everyone wanted to clap along with all the 
songs,  often out of time, and always so loud that the music was being drowned 
out. I hate that. It's a bit like lighting your fag lighter and waving it around 
- also observed that night. Many other interesting things (show-wise) happened,
but I won't spill the beans in case you intend to see it. I'm really glad I went, 
and for 18 quid it was well worth it. 

Rob

    
     Okay, Not many of you will have heard of this band, but as a musical
    event this gig outshone anything I've seen for some time :-
    
     First lets set the scene, The nth 'Leek Arts Festival' is taking place
    at the moment, and once again several of the best bands in the area are
    mysteriously missed off the agenda. Enter the 'Leek alternative
    Festival' upstairs in Tim's kitchen on saturday Night.
    
     About 120-130 people crammed into the flat after kicking out time at
    the local, where the band had moved all the units in the kitchen down
    to one end to form a stage, on top of this is the backine/PA fronted by
    two guitarists -Tim and Paul, & Sisco on Bass, in the corner by the Sink
    is Gordon playing Keyboards, and in front of all this is Scott on the
    drums.
    
     They played two 45 minute sets, including 'Belgian Head-dress', 'Doug
    (King of Shopping)' & 'Shopping Trolley heroes' from their latest
    cassette they also played a couple of improvised 'Ozric's type' jams
    which I hadn't heard before.
    
     The sound quality was much better than they've managed previously even
    with professionally set-up PA's and from what I can remember of the
    evening it all went down very well.....
    
    If anyone wantsa cassette of this band, please Mail me and see if I can
    get you one. BTW Scoot used to be the Drummer for Demon if that means
    anything to anyone....
    

    
    Got in and the place was already mobbed - the DJ did a gooid selection 
    of ragga tunes - but that's all he stuck to.
    The support band were the Urban Speech thieves who comprised of a 
    "mixer-dj" ,female lead singer who was quite good,lead rapper who looked 
    very like Bob Marley,another lead rapper who had a very strong accent and 
    sounded very "ragga" - he was really good,guitarist,female bass player who 
    was pretty good and drummer.Plus this guy who just danced about the stage.
    Their songs were either very good or boring - this was about a 50/50 mix.
    They were obviosly influenced by rap and ragga and I would definatley say 
    the stereo mc's too.Quite good really.The barrowlands has always been
    hot but the sweat was running down our cheeks before we started
    dancing.
    
    The mc's played all of the new album plus 4 or 5 from the other two 
    which I hadn't heard - the old songs were excellent as good as any
    traxs except connected and step it up.They did two encores of three
    songs including a re-mix of connected which was absoloutley brilliant.
    The bass sound was very good as was the rest except the vocals were a
    bit harsh.The "dj-mixer" - what do you call those guys "musicians"?
    didn't do too well - either that or his decks weren't working right,
    backing singers were very good also.All in all an excellent concert.
    
      

7pm? Could the venue seriously be open this early and if so when would The
The be on stage? Counting on a support band and the usual rock late start,
plus realising too late that the venue (Thonex) was as far away as it
could be and remain within Geneva, I arrived at 8.50 to find the set
already well underway.

No bar either at the Salle des Fetes even though after my cycle ride I
could have used a beer or several, so I wandered disconsolately into a
large hall with a biggish audience, perhaps 500 - 1000 people. Matt was
standing up there in the middle of a wide stage with a spotlit baldy head
and a black t-shirt, belting out a song from 'Dusk'. Left to right the band
consisted of mouth-organist, bassist, drummer, keyboard player and
guitarist (J Marr? I don't think so). The sound quality was clear and good
though the bass was occasionally chest-vibratingly powerful. Across the
back of the stage was a large screen made to look like the smashed-window
frontage of a deserted factory building.

Perhaps through feeling discomfited at missing the start, I felt quite
detached from the set for a long time. The crowd seemed enthusiastic
enough, right down to a distressing tendency to clap along to the music. It
must be strange to come to a foreign country and find a large audience
familiar with your work. But I guess your average pop star manages to cope
with that. Not that Matt J is your average pop star, he sings real adult
songs instead of just creating rhythms and slogans; a comparison with Nick
Cave and the Bad Seeds comes to mind, another band with a strong leader
and songs with wide concerns. (How do people like Cave and Johnson manage
to impose their will on other musicians so strongly? There's not a great
deal of continuity in the The The band members, yet the modern guys play
good versions of songs from a decade ago. I guess they're just bloody
contractors really. Yeah, that's it. Matt's a permie and they're
contractors.)

The set delved into older material via one or two from 'Mind Bomb' and
several from 'Infected' before returning to 'Dusk' with 'Lonely Planet',
whose big sentiments (if you can't change the world, change yourself/the
world's too big/and life's too short/to be alone) struck me as a set-closer
and such indeed it turned out to be, the man striding off-stage with a wave
of the hand while the band were still playing.

The first song of the encore was the highlight for me - 'Uncertain Smile',
and a nice rendition too. He then produced something called an Omnichord,
which he said he'd written most of 'Soul Mining' on, and used it as the
backing on 'This is the day'. The thing had a jaunty early 80s sound -
aren't our wonderful modern electronics just so much more sophisticated! -
but he couldn't have used it on the actual lp because I've just listened to
that and it has a much fuller sound. MInd you, I'm pretty sure the acoustic
guitar he played occasionally was the same one recorded on 'Dusk'. The set
closed with 'Lonely Planet' off 'Dusk', all musicians working away at their
instruments for an impressively big sound.

And I still felt detached from it all. The set had been well played but
didn't really add anything to the recorded versions other than volume: for
me there was a lack of excitement somehow. Ah well, there's another Indie
dinosaur to see this Saturday; the Fall. I wonder if they'll do it for me
live?


Rod

    re-1.
    
    I saw the Fall in Wolverhampton the other week, supported bt The
    HEarthrobs.  If anything, they were more 'loose' than usual, and MES
    was in a bit of a grump about something, but they did do some
    stonkingly good versions of recent tracks.  T shirts were Ok also.
    
    Mikef

    what was the Hearthrobs like? Only heard a couple of trax but liked
    them.

    Hearthrobs - some good guitar pop music.  I liked them a lot.
    
    Mikef

    I love love love the Hearthrobs, but I bet they're not supporting The
    Fall in Geneva tomorrow night...
    
    Piers

    I enjoyed the e.p. they had out last summer with Hooligan on it. Most
    listenable.
    
    Andy

    re: .465
    
    >(J Marr? I don't think so)
    
    When Matt J was on 120 Min. he explained that Johnny Marr is not touring 
    with THE THE this time `round because he's staying home to take care 
    of his brand new baby.
    
    -Vicki  

re .465 & 471

[stuff about J.Marr (not) being there] 

Well he looked liked J.Marr to me

Rob_possibly_not_an_expert_in_recognising_J_Marr

    Also not there, as advertised, were The Fall on Saturday night in
    Geneva, not to mention the possible support band, The Heart Throbs.
    Shame.
    
    Piers

Re .472:  You were nearer the front than I was, so perhaps you're right. I
just didn't expect to see Marr there somehow.


Rod

OK, I'm new to this so be gentle with me!

	Well it must be ten minutes since the last Mega City Four LP and tour so 
its high time they where on the road again. I guess I must have picked the least 
attractive venue on the whole tour.... The Ipswich Carrabian Centre. Ipswich 
doesn't get many "Big Name" bands and this gig coupled with The Senseless Things 
back in Febuary may help to get a few more bands stopping off in Suffolk. I 
can't tell you about the gig without describing the venue which is a squat 40' 
square room with a low ceiling and a simple box stage about two feet high. Any 
band that brings a full PA can make the tiles in the suspended ceiling over the 
bar move. The stage being protected from stage divers by the local gym, who 
where as  effective as the proverbial chocolate teapot.

	I think this was the first night of the new tour to promote "Magic 
Bullets" the  latest LP. I've seen them about five times before, mainly in the 
heady days of being at University in Liverpool two years ago, but tonight they 
where supported by one of the worst support bands of all time. If you are going 
to any date on this tour supported by MOVING TARGET make sure that your either 
late enough to miss them or near enough to the bar to for it not to matter. They 
seem to be yet another ex-Heavy Metal band who have discovered an "Indie Rock 
Element to their music" they had one good song that was an instramental that 
opened the set. I think that they may have even murdered an Elvis Costello song 
from Get Happy on the way which is a most unforgivable crime.

	The three piece band came on at about 9.30 with an amazing wall of 
guitar sound that just kept on building and building, I don't think that they 
have ever layed it down on tape but it got the 150-200 strong crowd into the 
right sort of mood to continue. Ipswich's Riot Grrrl movement stood in one 
corner punching each other ( I realy don't think they have anything to fear from 
men at gigs, they seemed to do more damage to each other, than everyone else at 
the gig could possibly have). The local sixth form lay around the bar muttering 
about A levels and how they had never tasted this alchol stuff before. ( 
Students are like learner drivers most people have very little time for them, 
but have done exactly the same things). Within minutes of the first track the 
rest of the venue was just one great mosh pit, a scary feeling in a town thats 
big gig last year was OMD. 

	The set was varied playing only about six of the songs of the new LP and 
concentrating more on the early stuff than the last release. They where amazing, 
the small venue helped as sound was coming at you from all directions. After the 
first pre-meditated encore they came back and played several more songs 
including Miles+Miles Apart and the excellent Who Cares Wins. Finishing with 
another instrumental that is still ringing in my ears now. All in all a 
wonderful night out.

Can anyone mail me or post the rest of the dates?

	
	

    
    Got there late- Blur had already started and I missed the support
    (still don't know who it was). The one thing I noticed straight away is
    how much londer/faster Blur seem live. There was a good mixture of the
    songs, both the older, more familiar 'hits' and some off the new album
    'Modern Life is Rubbish". 
    	I have to say that they were very good, and although the Heights
    isn't the most ideal venue for bands, they made the most of it and
    produced an excellent show. It seemed that the dancefloor were playing
    a game with Damon - Who could jump the highest and go mad. All good
    clean fun, though.
    
    7/10
    
    Cheerz
    
    GrEg...

    
    Saw 10cc last night in the Hexagon, Reading. I expected a lot from them
    and I wasn't dissapointed. No Godley/Creme but Stewart/Gouldman were
    there plus lead guitar, percussion, drums and keyboards. Music was
    superbly put together and the light show was brilliant. Played all
    their hits including Im Not In Love, plus some newer material. Art for
    Art's Sake brought the house down about 20mins in. Not many
    shows where everyone's giving a standing ovation at the end. They did two
    encores the first of which was brilliant. Rubber Bullets, one I didn't
    know and straight into Life is a Minestrone. Their final encore was a
    12 bar rocker which I didn't know. In total played for 1 and 3/4 hours.
    See them if you get the chance.
    
    Richard

    Okay Okay long wait, but I had to recover!! Got to Finsbury Park a bit
    late (after a visit to the pub at Paddington station:-)). Just managed
    to get the last 10 minutes of THE FAMILY CAT. They were pretty good,
    Steamroller being the last (and easily biggest) song they played
    (whilst I was within earshot). Then, if memory serves me correctly, I
    was entertained by the KINGMAKER, a fairly good group, playing some
    rather good tunes, including the newies. I was quite surprised to see
    them there actually, after the bust-up they had with Carter on last
    years American tour... oh well eh!
    	CATHERINE WHEEL.... hmmmmmm I don't really go in for these much,
    was paying more attention to the beer tent to be honest,and who can
    blame me. From what I hear, they we allright, not bad, like. I could
    say how wonderful THE SENSELESS THINGS were, but I can't. This is for
    the simple fact that I slept through the whole thing. I wasn't my
    fault, beautiful skies, sunny, they weren't that loud...... (excuses
    excuses, they weren't any good anyway apparently!).
    	Now it gets a bit hazed. Damon and the other guy from BLUR came on,
    but I can't remember if it was after the FRANK AND WALTERS or not. Who
    cares! BLUR only played "For Tommorrow" acoustic, like, that was
    allright. Now, the FRANKS were something else. Lovely jumpy up and
    downy pop tunes, ridiculous outfits (the old ones pale compared to
    these) and inane rambling between the songs (I think it was sort of a
    mixture between some gaelic, and the word 'like' in an irish (of
    course!) accent, made to sound like gibberish. He did a good job, I
    didn't understand a bloody word:-):-). However, the songs were as
    always brilliant, from 'After all' to 'The world carries on' and all
    the others.
    	Guy Chadwick then came on from the HOUSE OF LOVE, again unannounced
    like BLUR, again acoustic. Unfortunately not as good as BLUR, and
    insisted on plugging his new album, just as the mood was getting pretty
    mellow. This was of course greeted by many a 'boo' and several other
    words that I'm not allowed to say in here:-)
    	Was it SUGAR or BELLY first? I can't remember, suffice to say I
    thought BELLY were bloody excellent, one of my fave bands nowadays, and
    SUGAR were allright, nice and loud. It has to be said that Bob Mould
    needs a wig. Someone had to say it, and it was me. Sorry Bob mate.
    	SEAN HUGHES apparently kept coming on, but I kept on missing him!
    He couldn't have been on for that long, I would have surely heard him.
    Anyway, we were constantly entertained by that DJ Bird, Janice Long I
    think her name was, interviewing the bands before they came on,
    plugging XFM. And, why not! Great idea for a radio station. CARTER USM
    came on to the usual light and video display (probably because of the
    simple fact that it's just them and the audience would get bored
    otherwise!!) Apart from that, they were good, playing out most of the
    old favourites, and some new ones too, that were faster, more 'punk
    rock' as someone commented. Lots of pretty fireworks anyway. Oh, and
    please someone tell Fruitbat that the new haircut sucks.
    	I wasn't awaiting THE CURE with too much glee. I've never seen them
    live, and was skint and tired, but thought I'd wait for them anyway....
    They were Brilliant! Along with BELLY and the FRANKS, they were the
    best of the day. Now cut down to a 4 piece, after the loss of the
    keyboard blokey, they sound great, really crisp and a real good sound.
    They played a long set, many songs, both old and new and everyone
    seemed to be having a really good time. Great stuff. 
    	A great day out! Long live XFM!!
    
    cheers
    
    GrEg...
    
    P.S. Special thought goes out to the bloke in the crane who was filming
    them from the back in the air. The poor bloke was up there all day!
     

    re:-2
    
    anyone got the remaining dates/venues for 10CC's tour,is it confined to
    U.K.????
    
    
    M.J.

    
    Got them at home but if I recall Reading was the last but 2 on an
    approx 20 venue tour. Cardiff was one of the two. It was a UK only tour
    but they had been touring extensively abroad particularly Japan.
    
    Richard

    
    LENNY KRAVITZ BRIXTON
    
    Brilliant performance from the phychodelic rockster played plenty
    of old and new songs....Best song was the acoustic version of Sister
    and ARE YOU GUNNA GO MY WAY blew the place up....catch him if you can.

    
    The support band were called "Walter Wray" never heard of them. But
    after hearing their show, I will definetly look out for them in the
    future. They were really good, with a rock sound, and a little bit of
    folk, good they were.
    	Onto INXS. I have seen them before, on the KICK tour. The
    athmosphere was intense, more so than any other gig I've been to.
    Then it began. From start to finish, one of the best concerts I've ever
    been to in my life. Every song I wanted to hear was played, as well as
    some songs from the upcoming album, whcih were great. If you were one
    of the lucky enough people to see INXS on the "get out of the house
    tour", then you were dead lucky. 
    	Best gig I've ever been to.
    
    GrEg...

Really I wanted to see Slowdive, their name having appeared on posters
for a Cranes/Slowdive double bill, but more recent publicity hadn't
mentioned them so I wasn't too surprised when they didn't appear, though
I was still disappointed. 

The support act were a Swiss group called Secrets of Industrialized Noise,
SIN for short (clever wording, eh?). Very goth and gloomy, this lot, and
them so young and you'd think having a good time too. Their most obvious
influence are the Young Gods, with the guitarist's haircut straight out of a
Flock of Seagulls, shaven up one side of his head and a huge floppy blonde
fringe on the other. Didn't know they made them like that any more. I
rather enjoyed this lot but I won't be rushing to acquire their cd. Sound
quality was good. I notice the Usine has put cork on the walls and rush
matting on the roof to soak up some of the sonic reflections. Still the
same old beer-soaked floor though, with as big a crowd as I've seen adding
a few new stains.

The Cranes came on to a synthesised violin intro, clouds of smoke, beams of
purple light cutting through the gloom. I wasn't too familiar with them but
as the set progressed I realised I'd heard a few songs before. Not a
light-hearted bunch, these people, with a sound that depends on loud slow
beats, melancholy piano phrases, a mixture of semi-acoustic and feedbacked
guitar, and above it all the childlike wail of their female singer. It
would be easy to parody, I think. I enjoyed two tracks in a row which I
knew, but I began thinking I might go home (it was well after midnight),
drifted off into other thoughts and then suddenly realised I was getting
into the music. It had sneaked up on me after all. Enjoyed it fairly
solidly after that although the electronic flash lighting employed for
every other song was a bit too visually aggressive for me, and why does
every bastard have to smoke.


Rod

I was very pleased when I saw the line-up for this year's Vernier-sur-Rock
since it featured Radiohead, responsible for one of the best albums of the
year in 'Pablo Honey'. I was keen to experience 'Creep' in full live
effect. Inexplicably they were advertised at the bottom of the bill, but
just a few days beforehand the organisers finally woke up and moved them to
second spot.

We arrived as the first act, Loquilla y Trogloditas, were underway. Are
they part of a new scene in Spain? I hope not, for Spain's sake. Every
ghastly rock cliche was there, a singer dressed in black leather, touching
the hands of the crowd, a sax player with a hat on the back of his head,
Status Quo style guitar workouts. They were perfectly competent but I hated
them.

Radiohead's album, good though it is, does not prepare you for the venom
that Radiohead  bring to live perfomance. From the opening crashing chord
they were absolutely electrifying. Thom Yorke is a passionate frontman,
while a weedy guitarist picks out lines of lacerating power. The group has
a terrific grasp of dynamics, very like Nirvana in that respect, in other
words the quiet bits are quiet and the loud bits are LOUD. They played
their album songs plus two or three (good) new ones. 'Creep' when it came
half-way through was just had me laughing with joy, how could you imagine a
Geneva crowd singing such alienated words as "I'm a weirdo, I don't belong
here", but they did. Radiohead played for forty minutes and took no encore.
I had a grin pasted to my face the whole time. Do not miss any chance to
see them since there can only be a limited supply of performances like
this.

Having been so knocked out by Radiohead, in a way I'd have been
disappointed if James were brilliant. But they weren't, so that was OK. In
fact I enjoyed their set quite well. They have an awful lot of back
catalogue they can select from, and Tim Boothe has perfected a knack of
writing anthemic, involving songs that crowds love, nevertheless hafl-way
through I headed for the bar where in passing I met Thom Yorke and told him
I thought they'd been f*cking brilliant. He looked really wasted.


Rod

    
    It was 9.15pm and The Senseless Things were due on at 10pm, 100 miles
    away, in Fribourg. It was going to be a near run thing. But empty Swiss
    motorways prevailed and we drove up to the Fri-Son at 10.20pm, just as
    The Senseless Things were breaking into their second number. We stood
    at the back for a while and joshed with Jim Bob ("Stuart Panes sends
    his regards." "Is he here?!" "No, he couldn't make it.") between songs
    and found out that this, unexpectedly, was the last night of the tour.
    
    Down at the front a gaggle of Fribourg's finest teenage girls in "1992"
    T-shirts strained forwards for a sight of the pair standing not far
    behind them.
    
    The Senseless Things were great, although it wasn't easy to distinguish
    one song from another. The bass player had a wicked slap-me slap-me
    guitar style, and was like a cross between Pete Townsend's playing and
    Johnny Rotten's stage attitude, right down to the spiky blond hair,
    stare-you-down eyes, and a shabby grey suit worn over the naked skin of
    his thin, pale, hairless chest. The singer waved headloads of hair
    around and said only two coherent words through the whole set,
    introducing their last song, Homophobic Arsehole, but he was great.
    They all were. They stormed off after turning all the Amps up to 11 and
    leaving their guitars leaning against them with an awful but somehow
    enjoyable sternum-shaking wailing.
    
    Jim Bob and Fruitbat sloped backstage while the Crazy Carter Crew
    wandered around putting plastic dinosaurs on the Amps and giving us
    ample views of the different slogans on the backs of their T-shirts
    (Have a Good Time All the Time, Low Fat Custard...). The lights dimmed,
    the tapes started up, and Fruitbat wandered on wearing exactly the same
    polo shirt, jeans and woolly hat he'd worn for watching the support.
    Jim Bob had taken time to don a baggy pair of tartan trousers that
    didn't quite come down as far as his boots, and a Spoilsports
    Personality of the year shirt. We stood behind the by now screaming
    teenies and settled into a very pleasant hour and a half of gentle
    moshing in the amazingly uncrowded shed that is the Fri-Son. (There
    were probably 300 or 400 people there.) The moshing gradually got more
    adventurous, the girls wrote Jim Bob little notes and passed them to
    him, and we all sang along and smiled uncontrollably.
    
    They played:
    
    2 million years BC
    Spoilsports Personality of The Year (with an insert from new Order's
    Temptation (oh you got red eyes, oh you got green eyes...))
    Mid-Day Crisis
    Second To Last Will And Testament
    Rubbish
    Cheer Up, It Might Never Happen
    A Bachelor For Baden Powell
    Say It With Flowers
    Do Re Mi So Far So Good
    The Only Living Boy In New Cross
    The Taking Of Peckham 1-2-3
    The Music That Nobody Likes
    After The Watershed
    Bloodsports For All
    Lean On Me I Won't Fall Over
    Lenny and Terence
    ----------
    Suicide Isn't Painless
    Sherriff Fatman
    ----------
    RSPCE
    Stuff The Jubilee (punk version)
    GI Joe (with an insert of David Bowie's 
    Laughing Gnome)
    My Way (Accapella)
    
    And then they were off and we were off and heading down the long empty
    motorway home, deaf and dumb with joy.
    
    Piers

>  empty Swiss motorways prevailed 

Empty English heads more like.

>  deaf and dumb with joy.
  
I wasn't deaf, on account of having had bits of tissue (previously unused, 
I think) in my ears. It were grand, though.


Rod

                <<< Note 20.485 by RUTILE::LETCHER "Republic" >>>
          -< Carter USM/Senseless Things, Fribourg Fri-Son, 19/11/93 >-

>    The Senseless Things were breaking into their second number. We stood
>    at the back for a while and joshed with Jim Bob ("Stuart Panes sends
>    his regards." "Is he here?!" "No, he couldn't make it.") between songs
 
     Jim who?
         
     Stuart

    The Breeders are in Australia for their first tour. On Thursday night,
    they played at Sydney university - $20 for them, Crow and SPDFGH (don't
    worry about it).
    
    First things first - the sound was appalling
    
    The band played brilliantly, considering the heat was despicable. !7
    songs, starting with "Don't call home" off the safari Ep and ending
    with "Limehouse" off Pod. They played a good mix of stuff from both
    albums, the EP and their singles (Lord of your thighs was HUGE.)
    
    Highlights were IJWGA, Divine Hammer, Cannonball, Hellbound and
    Happiness etc.
    
    Their style was very funky a la the Safari sound, with the temptation
    to thrash out admirably resisted. They stuck to the script on every
    song, which was a bit of a drag - put it down to nerves.
    
    Kelley Deal's voice is great and hopefully she'll get lead vocals on a
    few more songs.
    
    They showed enough to prove they will be mone of the greatest bands
    around, and when I go to see them on Wednesday at an open-air festival
    I expect to be vindicated. (Report will be posted.)

I was all set for an evening of doing absolutely nothing but Philippe
phoned and said this band were playing at the Usine and did I want to go.
Having not gone to The Tindersticks in Lausanne on Thursday and wishing
that I had, I said yes. Neither of us really had a clue what AATT were
about.

Goth city, that's what. Not really me, goth, but I do appreciate the
tangle-headed all in black women it brings out. The crucial fashion
accessory tonight was a white shirt under a black jacket, lacy flounces
optional, so I felt a bit out of place in my standard slacker big shirt.
Not trying hard enough, you know?

By heck the band were serious chaps. White shirts and sober jackets to a
man and woman, with short arty haircuts (wish I could get one of those
instead of the mess I've got). The singer crouched over the microphone,
moaning serious lyrics (sample: "and the stars weaved their dreams about
you") in a deep voice, meaning anguish, meaning suffering, meaning he
sounded just like Andrew Eldritch out of Sisters of Mercy. Shortly he
discarded his jacket, then his waistcoat to reveal - yes! - braces holding
his trousers up. Family heirloom probably.

"I have a recurring dream. I'm on the third floor of a building, in a room
without furniture. A fire burns in the grate. {there may be no furniture
but at least the servants are still at work.} I move towards the window. I
have the feeling a man is behind me. I look out to the horizon. He stands
beside me" - long pause - "In the distance a blast furnace explodes!"
Naturally the band does too at this point, doing its best to sound like
blast furnaces exploding. I'm wondering whether a blast furnace actually
can explode. Obviously they've all been to art school so while their gothic
imagery is up to scratch, I doubt that their grasp of industrial
engineering is quite so solid.

Anyway, enough mockery. The crowd loved them, whistled and clapped them
back for a second encore and even the normally unimpressable Philippe said
he thought they were great. Unconvinced myself, it's all a bit too
manufactured for me, but I did nab another poster to hide the crap
paintwork in the kitchen.


Rod

    I still have a letter that AATT wrote me after I slagged them off in
    the NME during a live review of a gig they played at The Clarendon in
    Hammersmith. I think my offending remark was along the lines of "Thank
    God they brought their friends along" or somesuch. Anyway, that was
    back in 1983, and I do believe that they have changed not one jot in
    the intervening decade and a bit.
    
    Piers

Primal Scream - Wolverhampton Civic Hall

I ended up having to drive myself down, so no drinking for me.  The security 
at the civic was the tightest I've ever seen it.  Metal detectors being waved 
about, and cigarette packets being opened up and checked (I wonder why...).
Actually, from the amount of messing about with trousers going on inside
the hall, anything that was sneaked in was probably very warm and
slightly smelly...

No support band, loads of 70s/spaced out dub music, with the hall bathed
in orange light, which made for quite a nice effect. Interesting mix
of people also, young indie types, older hippies, 70s retro chic, even one 
Mike Read lookalike.

The Primals came on just after 9.30, starting off with a new track I didnt 
know, then did Rocks.  This might be slightly dull single, but live its
a leaping singalong.  Then a great version of Movin on up, the crowd were 
totally on their side by now, and pogoing all over the place.

It was a good mix of new stuff and Screamadelica stuff, and even included
'I'm losing more then I'll ever have', the original version of Loaded.
End of the main set was a great version of 'Come Together'.  3 encores (I 
think, could have been 4).  The real highlight was Higher than the Sun, totally 
spaced out and heavy, fading into a chant of 'A Love Supreme', then
 - I don't want to lose you baby - a brilliant rendition of Loaded, causing
a mass outbreak of frugging.  These last 10 or 15 minutes were just
amazingly good.

One last encore of a new track. 

If you get the chance to see them - go.  The London gigs with
George Clinton and Funkadelic are going to be amazing.

Mikef

    I bet you're glad you went now. Shame on you for dithering.
    
    Rich.
    

    re-1
    
    Yes - you're right.  I am a dithering pillock.  
    
    Mikef

    I didn't call you a pillock Mike. I wouldn't do that to your face ;-)
    
    
    no offence intended
    
    
    Rich.

    I would love to go and see Primal Scream . Higher than the Sun is one
    of my all-time favourites...does anyone have a future gig list ?
                                                                
    Cheers,
    
    Zoe.

    Still tickets for Brixton Academy April 10th available.
    
    Ian.

"Noisy Pop" was how l'Usine, in it's euro-English way, described Stereolab
and it was as good a description as any I came up with while trying to
describe their music to a friend without using words like 'idiosyncratic'
and 'arty' which, let's face it, just aren't sexy in a pop context. I've
got one of their records, "And the groop played space age bachelor pad
music". As a title that's not so much idiosyncratic as bloody irritating.
You wouldn't want to be heard asking for that in a shop. I kind of like the
record, it has its moments although occasionally the quirkiness turns into
amateurishness.

There's millions of them on stage, or six, whichever is the lower number,
three boys, three girls (they look young, no grizzled pop veterans here).
Despite one of the audience shouting "British crap!" early on, their main
singer, Laetitia, is French, however they didn't seize this opportunity to
woo the small crowd with polished banter, saying hardly anything. The two
women singing preferred to sing to each other rather than us. Why are these
bands so shy? Neither are they especially dressy or eye-catching but I
guess that many musicians are too busy playing their instuments to become
style icons. No merchandising in the hall either if you fancied filling in
the gaps in your Stereolab collection. 

Their sound is based on a pleasant and tuneful-sounding rhythm guitar
overlaid with singing and organ doodling. Whereas on record the pace is
quite varied, live, one three-minute song tends to fade into the next
although sometimes the music was insistent enough to almost kick ass. But
with my driver off his beer and looking at his watch, we made tracks before
the end of the set and left Stereolab playing their music to each other.


Rod


PS The support were good, three young guys playing sort of Cure/Cocteaus
stuff but they were so painfully shy as to make Stereolab seem like Tom
Jones in Las Vegas by comparison. I asked the singer what they were called
and he muttered something that might have been 'The Naked Tools'.


PPS  Re 611.1762, thanks for the tip about markers. You live and learn.

Trevor Warwick put me onto Swell, memorably describing them as grunge-lite,
and I found their first album 'Swell' a bit of a grower. So I was pleased
on Thursday to find they were playing Geneva on Friday.

The usual sort of crowd at the Usine on a perfect summer's evening. Swell's
intro tape was something cool and jazzy, setting the tone for a very
laidback set. They're a fourpiece, guitar, bass, acoustic guitar and drums.
They have a distinctive sound, strummed acoustic guitar, muscly bass lines
(bass players are definitely becoming more important in bands, aren't they,
everyone gets off on low frequencies), and lovely guitar lines, often, I
noticed, played slide-style though not offensively so. The guy just does it
that way 'cos sliding from one note to the other is so much more *relaxed*
than picking each note separately. Minimal stage presence though and I
swear the light on the mixing desk was brighter than the stage lighting.
"We're from, uh, San Franciso", muttered the bassist. Ssssh, I'm thinking
at the crowd, be quiet and let the man speak. Anyway, they ran through (no,
make that walked through... or strolled... running is just too much
*effort*) all the songs I knew and lots of others besides. No moshpit, well
you couldn't, and the crowd thinned out as those seeking the simple rush of
loud and fast music realised they'd come to the wrong place, but those of
us who remained absolutely loved it. Low-key singing, a sense of loss,
restrained melody, occasional guitar rock-outs; just great. They played
about three encores, catching me out by starting the third as I was leaving
but I to tear myself away before my lift collapsed from lack of sleep. And
one more good thing, I didn't have to steal their poster off the wall
because there were some free ones to be had.


Rod

Where the hell is Gex, you might be thinking, not recognising it as one
of Europe's major stopover points for name bands. Neither do I, but since
Gex is a little town just 10km up the road from me, I felt it would have been
rude not to go and see a band whose record I had once bought ('86?).

The hall was surprisingly cavernous and hangar-like and the several hundred
crowd was made to look small, clustered round the stage. But up the front
the atmosphere was good. Sure enough, they still have the baldy git with
shades singing who with backwards baseball cap bore a strong Michael Stipe
resemblance. They kicked off with their old singles, Ideal World, Forgotten
Town, stuff like that. They've still got their trademark strong harmony
singing, and even dipped into acapella (shudder) at one point. This
singing and the idealistic tone of many of their songs have always made me
think that maybe they really *are* christians, and not the evil rock pigs
we like to assume that pop is peopled with... The highlight of their set
was a the celtic-tinged song that was big here in France in '91 (cannot
remember its name) and the mood stayed good after that. During the encore
the singer hammed it up by parading around in the crowd (aren't radio mikes
great) but they disappointed everyone by not returning for a second encore.

I was surprised how many songs I recognised. They're obviously still
trading on that initial burst of creativity. From remarks the singer made
(stung by insensitive questioning from one of the people I was with, Hi
Keith) it sounds like they may not have a record deal.  

There were quite a lot of children there, this was a family affair, and it
occurred to me that this could have been the first experience of live pop
for many of them. The first band I ever saw was the Edgar Broughton Band
(and if you've heard of them you'll know how long ago that was) who were
crap although I still loved the experience. The Christians weren't crap, so
would have been a better intro to the mixed pleasures of live pop than I
ever had.


Rod

>                                              The highlight of their set
> was a the celtic-tinged song that was big here in France in '91 (cannot
> remember its name)

Wasn't the track called 'Words'. The tune was a ripped-off version of the
trad Irish folk tune 'My Lagan Love'. As an  aside, that was (I think) the
same year that Simple Minds ripped off the Irish tune 'She moved through
the fair' for their hit 'Belfast Child'. Now that one REALLY sticks in my
throat!

Balders

    Think you must be right. That would explain the good choon also.
    
    
    Rod

Friday night (Saturday really) I went to what you could say was my first
rave (aw, sweet) at the Usine in Geneva for an event they called the
Global Sweatbox. Arriving about 1am we stayed till five, having seen a
Bhangra band (great sounds, fun, loud) and Urban Species (millions of them
on stage, looked great, a bit too reggae-ish for me) in the live hall, 
bought drinks in the bar upstairs with the reggae sound system, danced our
heads off in the techno room (dj Robert Leiner, aka The Source, who has
a track on Trance Europe Express 1) and sat down to recover in the ambient
chill-out room which was spliff city, you could have cut the atmosphere
with a knife. Best for me was the techno room, awesomely loud thudding
techno and strobe lights, what more could ask for? (Don't answer.)


Rod

    It was bloody marvellous.

Only got a couple of minutes to set down some words of wisdom
about Dick Dale at the Music Box, Edinburgh.

The tickets said doors open at 7, so we turned up around 8.30 only to
find that the support (the Beat Poets) had already come and gone.
Silly time to start if you ask me, but I think that the venue was
booked for "club" afterwards.

Anyway, fairly soon after our arrival this grizzled old codger ambles
out onto the stage; this, I am assured, is the man.  The band were
Dick Dale (geetar), random youth on drums and GuyWhoLookedABitLikeZappa
on bass.  I had had misgivings before going that I had forked out
hard-earned to attend a Bert Weedon Fan Club meeting; this looked
like my worst fears confirmed.

Nothing much happened for about five minutes, they appeared to be having
trouble with a recalcitrant snare drum.  Eventaully our man ambles up to mike
and says:

"I don't usually say much until half an hour into the show, but I've got
some time now, so I'm Dick Dale, and I'm here to melt your ears.  I'm gonna
do serious damage"

Suddenly there was lots (I means LOTS) of noise that went sort of "eeeeeoooooww
eeeeeooooowwwww buddabudddabudda twang eoooooeeeeoeoeowwww".

I left (thoroughly deaf and most impressed) about 1� hours later in a
bit of a stunned state.  The music defies description (although "turbo
charged surf" comes closest).  Dick Dale can certainly still cut the
mustard, and there was a bare minimum of fretboard masturbation.
Loud, exciting, exhilarating.

My lasting impression was of feeling guilty for buying records by talentless
gits which go "bleep, bleep, boink" instead of being a die-hard fan of
Dick Dale, a man with a genuine gift.

Don't know if the above makes much sense, but what the hell.

Guy

Very strange indeed.

The support band were total turd, can't remember what they were called
but there only chance would probably be to shoot the vocalist/lyricist
and try a getting a new one - the folks with the guitars at least
appeared to know what they were doing.

The dress code for the night seemed to be Very Short Hair and Big Boots;
lots of bare chests (gents, not ladies) and the overall feeling was
a really strange sort of gay nazi vibe - never seen anything like it.

The music included most, but not all of my faves, I can never remember
what half the tracks are called so I won't embarrass myself or bore
everybody else with a listing.

The band were Doug McCarthy singing, two skinheads on guitar/bass and
occasional dramatic bashing of bits of electronic percussion.  I think
there was also another drummer lost in the smoke at the back of the stage.
I think all the keyboard stuff was on tape and I suspect that a considerable
amount of the rest of it was taped too - a lot of the noises that you thought
were live carried on when people stopped playing.

I haven't quite made up mind how I feel about the night - the music was
100%, but as for the presentation or the ambience, I'm not so sure.

Guy

  It's good to see some old traditions being preserved. A band with no 
  keyboards, just guitar, bass, drums and tambourine, no lightshow, no scenery 
  and no appreciation that they might not be playing to their fan club back 
  home.
  
  Billed as "Their First-Ever Show in Switzerland", and "The Best Party on 
  Workers' Day", it may well have been the former, but it certainly wasn't the 
  latter.
  
  Firstly, though I have to say I thought they were brilliant! For some reason 
  I wasn't expecting them to come out and play so well. Memories of some of the 
  great 3-pieces of the past such as Cream and Hendrix' Experience came, and 
  the comparisons with Led Zep seem more reasonable live than they do from 
  listening to the album. The bass and drums hammer along, and Squire was 
  superb on lead.
  
  They opened, predictably, with the noise from the beginning of 'Second 
  Coming', but by the time they arrived, in a wash of dry ice (I told you it 
  was traditional), they'd turned it into I Want To Be Adored, a much better 
  idea. Then followed 2 more of the early hits and Ten-Storey Love Song - what 
  were they going to do for the rest of the show? 
  
  A few off the second album followed, and then came the only communication we 
  were treated to by Mr Brown. I have to say the crowd in the (full, I think) 
  Volkshaus was the quietest I'd ever been in - no idea if this is typical of 
  Switzerland, Zurich - perhaps they just haven't got that many fans. But 
  there'd been generous applause, not so much of the usual shouting and 
  cheering. "What's up with you lot at the back - are you alive? What's the 
  problem, have you got too much money?". Puzzled silence to this one, and more 
  after "Who was at the riots today? Who's been shot at with rubber bullets?". 
  Riots, in Zurich?? 
  
  Anyway, the band was now cosily grouped on chairs for the acoustic interlude, 
  which conspiculously didn't add to the 'party' feeling. Then on to the big 
  finish with the last of the early singles (sorry for forgetting all the 
  titles!) and the Sister/Messiah song off the new one. After 80 mins (2 
  albums!), off they went. We were now treated to the annoying tinband stuff 
  off Track 90, until smiley Ian came back on to snarl "Thank YOU" and wander 
  off as the lights came up.
  
  So, a churlish end to an excellent gig. Musically they were brilliant, though 
  the songs are thankfully, a lot better than the singing. But they made no 
  effort to 'put on a show'; one tradition missing was any moving around, and 
  not a single foot left the floor of the stage during the entire gig. 
  
  I don't suppose they'll be back to Zurich - a shame, I'd go again.
  
  grahame
  

    
    nice review grahame - can't wait 'til Glastonbury !
    
    G

Yes, I imagine they'll enjoy themselves a bit more there!

btw, apologies are in order to Mr Brown - rubber bullets were indeed fired at a 
crowd of demonstrators throwing stones on Monday afternoon. 

grahame

    Here's one for the older readers.       
    
    I've waited 20 years for this.  I was even considering a trip to
    America to see him.
    
    Leo Kottke played at Union Chapel, Islington, London last night.  He
    plays six and 12 string guitar and sings a bit (well almost sings, he
    has likened his own voice to a duck breaking wind, which gives you an
    idea of how he sounds), and he tells very amusing anecdotes between
    songs.
    
    For those that don't know, his style is fingerpicking, his own
    compositions (plus a couple of cover versions).  The style is sort of
    ragtime/jazz/avant-guarde/folk.  But to me he is just a superb
    guitarist.
    
    He played for 2 hours, I watched intently but I still couldn't figure
    his right hand technique.
    
    The venue was surreal, we were sitting in a church, the sun setting
    behind stained glass windows, Leo sitting in front of a very ornate
    pulpit.  There were what looked like the ultimate BOSE speakers, the
    biggest mixing desk I've ever seen, and people all around drinking
    beer and this unbelievable guitar music.
    
    Apparently he's coming back to the UK again in July for the Cambridge
    Folk Festival, so if I can find out when it is, I'll be going to see
    him again.
    
    tmp

    Cambridge Folk Festival
    July 28th-30th
    
    Information from (01223) 463346
    Box office (from May 15) (01223) 357851
    
    Balders

    Thanks,
    
    He's on Saturday and Sunday. 29th and 30th July.
    
    Tickets for the festival are �20 per day or �36 for the weekend.
    (I think there's something on on Friday aswell but didn't ask).
    
    tmp

    Went to see Evan Dando (Lemonheads lead singer for those not in the
    know) at the Mean Fiddler last night, and was highly dissapointed.
    Having seen the young man perform before acoustically like, I was
    expecting similar fare, I was wrong. The whle thing had a shambolic
    lacklustre air about it, Mr Dando had a distortion pedal on his guitar,
    which he decided to use aat the most ridiculous moments, sending the
    occasional good song into a pit of mediocrity. He played the usual sort
    of things, Into Your Arms, Confetti, Ride With Me, and had a quick bash
    at Oasis' Whatever. I was not impressed.
    
    PS If you were the young man in glasses who reprimanded my 3 lady
    friends for having a good time, because they were talking! between the
    songs!, then I would say to you...if you can't stand the heat..stand
    somewhere else!
    (:^'
    

   Mr/Mrs Ukstationary,

   Do you think his somewhat erratic performance was in anyway connected
   with alleged love of things pharmaceutical?

    Stuart

...or perhaps being put off by talkative members of the audience...

;)

    For the record I believe Mr Dando had had a few (half a wine box I am
    reliably informed). As to this degenerating his performance, maybe,
    I've seen him worse for wear and playing much better. He did seem
    quite coherent when he emerged from backstage at the end of the
    evening, but then I thought I was quite coherent at that stage, and I'd
    certainly sunk a few pints with Old Bowlfish chasers.

Apparently, the stupid toad got bottled off at Glasto.  Any confirmation 
Glasto-freaks?

    NOt quite true...
    
    he was due to appear oin the acoustic stage (at 3.30 I think).  but
    there was a massive organisational cock up, which resulted in two
    thouseand people trying to go one way, and two thousand people plus
    half a dozen cars trying to go the other way, both through a gate about
    ten feet wide.  I was trying to get th where Mr Dando should have vbeen
    playing, and it took me 40 minutes to do a ten minute walk.  Evan was
    stuck in the crowd even further behind me....I think he was gonna try
    and play later in the same day.
    
    Hmmm...I have to say that people talking loudly during gigs cheeses me
    off, esp if its an acoustic thing and I can hear them more than the
    music.  I dont understand why people go to gigs to have a conversation? 
    Why dont they go and stand at the bar instead?
    
    mikef (half alive after Glasto...) 

    re .517 The talking in question happened between songs, at a very low
    volume. The real talking during songs, which I was not party to, was
    dissatisfaction at Evan's performance. The ticket's were �8 and for
    that I would expect a little more quality than I actually got. I might
    have enjoyed the gig if Evan had played better and not pissed around as
    much as he did.
    
    According to a friend of mine who went to see Portishead, Evan Dando
    turned up as unofficial warm-up to give Dando fans a chance to see him.
    The crowd wanted Portishead and told Mr Dando so, bottles were then
    thrown and Mr Dando threw some back, then went after about 3 songs. 
    

    If it was low volume between songs, that sounds OK.  I hate gigs where
    I learn about what the people behind me did at the weekend...its one of
    my pet hates, and I tend to be very unpleasant to anyone who cheeses me
    off by doing it (I usually jump up and down a bit then accidentally
    land on their toes...).
    
    I can imagine that anyone who actually got near the tent where
    Portishead played were a bit anti-Evan...they must have been waiting
    for several hours to have had a reasonable chance of seeing them. 
    Dando does seem to have been getting a bit odd in hois old age.  Try
    yelling out for 'Mre Robinson' at one of his gigs, thats certain to
    wind him up!
    
    mikef

    
    So, somebody knows someone who saw Portishead ! what was their verdict
    then, any good or what ? 
    
    I was originally planning to see them, but it became obvious by Friday
    evening that every man and his dog was also going, so rather than spend
    the whole of Saturday in the Acoustic tent just trying to get a spot I
    decided to see Orbital and Banco De Gaia instead. Orbital were very
    good, but I left 20 mins before the end to get a place in the Avalon
    tent for Banco de Gaia - they/he was superb, definitely gig of the
    festival for me.
    
    graham

    
    
    Christ, what a long day !!
    
    This was my 23rd Birthday present (my birthdays in December!!), and so
    I had really psyched myself up for this concert. You know, a few
    sherbets, see a support band, few more sherbets, hear the second
    support band, a gallon of the stuff, lie down and moan to background
    noise, REM come on, start chewing grass !!
    
    However, all did not turn out as planned.
    
    We arrived at Milton Keynes at about 2:30, so we managed to get in to
    the place at about 3:15. First problem was having to drink my 4 litre
    bottle of orange juice, as you can't take them into the Bowl. After
    doing this I had no room for beer until about 9:00 !! Anyway, at about
    4:00 Magnapop come on to cries of "Who the hell are they !" After
    playing their first 2 songs everybody realised why no-one had heard of
    them before. They were sh*te !! Never heard such a pile of dross in my
    life, and I've seen RDF play !!  Next up were Belly, who weren't bad
    although I don't think playing in front of 65,000 people is their
    strongpoint, 'cos they didn't come across that well. By this time we
    had had so much sun that we left little sweat patches when we got up
    off the grass. To top all this, the sky suddenly blackened and hundreds
    of wasps descended on us. Very uncomfortable I can tell you. 
    
    At this point there was an almighty cheer as some guy with a rucksack
    full of fake Tour programmes went legging it through the crowd,
    followed quite clumsily by 2 hulking great Security Guards. Most of the
    crowd stood up to try and hide him, but he was eventually caught.
    
    At about half past six, Blur came on and were absolutely superb. They 
    played at least 4 new songs, plus there new single, and I'm really 
    looking forward to the next album. Should be a corker !! Only let down was
    that Phil Daniels wasn't there, as he broke his foot playing football. 
    Damon almost got into a punch-up with one of the security guards over the
    fact that there was no water for any of the people right at the front,
    so every 5 minutes Damon would be handed a few glasses of water and he
    would throw them out onto to the throng. Not the glasses though !! :-)
    
    Blur went off at about quarter to eight, and we were then subjected to
    almost an hour of some woman caterwailing which was supposed to be
    REM's warm-up music. As if we needed it in that heat ! So at around
    about 8:45 REM came on, with Mike Mills resplendent in what could only
    be described as a Saturday Night Fever suit !! They ran through all of
    the songs from Monster as well as 3 from Green, 3 from Document, 4 from
    Automatic for the People and a couple from Out of Time. However the
    highlights for me were a superb impromptu rendition of Fleetwood Macs'
    Tusk, and a game of football with the crowd, which ended in the
    chanting, " Billy hows your head, Billy, Billy hows your head  !! 
    
    At the end of the day I left feeling sore, red, stung, deaf,
    dehydrated, and only partially satisfied. Maybe if we had turned up
    just in time to see the start of Blurs set, I might feel better, but I
    can't help thinking that the support wasn't good enough. They just
    didn't get you hyped up at all, and for an eight hour concert you need
    something to keep you occupied. The women weren't bad mind. ;-)
    
    
    Cheers,
    
    Ian.

    Well the long awaited concert finally arrived and despite the fact I
    was a steward I managed to watch the whole show.
    
    AS you may have read, the stage show is one of the biggest (if not the
    biggest) in the UK, and the sets were huge. There were two scaffold
    structures on either side of the stage, and two ramp/walkways which
    extended into either side of the arena. The guys opened with Relight My
    Fire which was really noticable because the screaming hit hysteria
    pitch at this point, they also for the first time had dancers on stage
    (al la East 17..) but it made it all the more exciting when the four
    finally arrived on stage, suitably attired and then appearing in the
    centre of the stage with *those* gold costumes on..fantastic costumes
    throughout.
    
    
    Not to bore you all (ha) the running of the show was very smooth, the
    songs ran into one another, with the odd break for a bit of a chat to
    the audience, including a Robbie talk about not beleiving the papers...
    
    Outstanding numbers were obviously Back for good, surprisingly in the
    absence of Bob, Could it be Magic was fantastic, Markies ballads were
    great and one of the high points of the show - and wait for this Matt_
    was when the guys  picked up their instruments , Mark on base, Jay on
    guitar, Howard on drums and Gaz on keyboards and Jason sang Another
    Brick in the Wall, really well actually, and then they went into an
    excellent Smells Like teen Spirit, which has the lads playing their
    guitars and Gary going mentol all around the stage, ripping his shirt
    off - really a send up not just on themselves but on the "hard rock"
    image they just haven't got..it was great..  
    
    The finale was the high point for me, not just Pray which was
    excellent, but the four of them with their black suits on and the whole
    of Earls Court on their feet (they raised the lights slightly for the final
    song) and doing the "TOTP" dance whilst the lads were on the
    travelators, with the choir behind them..bloody marvellous, lump in
    your throat time.. 
    
    Overall, all the people in the crowd I spoke to (including reluctant
    fathers with children and a few couples who dragged their
    boyfriend/husband with them) were not only on their feet dancing within
    about 15 minutes of the start, but all said how great it was..
    
    Can't wait for Wednesday when I can go mentol too..
    
    
    
    Andrea
                   

    Any tickets left?
    
    
    Matt$takingthepiss,honestguv.

    One or two left for next week, Matty, but you could always steward and
    get a tenner for the pleasure, I really felt guilty taking the money -
    not!!!@
    
    Andrea

    They'd have to do better than a tenner, I think.  Oh well.  I guess
    you've got to be of questionable sexual orientation to become a male
    member (!) of the TT party, anyway.
    
    I suppose I'll have to wait for Bad Boys Inc. to reform...

Some reasons for NOT going to see Paul Weller:

 - you thought the Jam were great

 - you thought the Style Council were great

 - you think the solo albums are a bit boring, but surely they'd be more 
exciting live

 - having a young band would give some excitement to the performance


Some reasons for going to see Paul Weller

 - you like the idea of seeing him wearing a flowered shirt and performing in 
front of the slide show last used by Pink Floyd in 1968

 - you like the solo albums and can sing along with them, making them sound 
better in your head than they actually are

 - the show finishes at 1030, so your mum won't worry


OK, I confess, it was solely due to the 'beer' being non-alcoholic!

grahame

    Oh goody,
    
    	Does this mean I can wear a paisley shirt with pride on the 25th at
    Bournemouth ?!!
    
    	Euan
    
    PS True confession follow soon ....
    

What a Weddoes week that was...

We were going to spend the day in Glastonbury doing shopping (ie, spending
money on my wife), but things got a little vague, and we didnt get there 
until nearly five pm.  

Shepton Mallet is just up the road from there, so we got to the venue
a little before 8.  Shepton is kind of in the middle of nowhere, so I guess
it doesn't have a large catchment area for gigs.  I think TWP were the first
band to play there in ages, and gave the local youth something different
to do on a Saturday night (flocks of sheep breath sighs of relief...).

The venue was different - one of those modern theatres/arts centres, with
downstairs coffee area, bar upstairs, and the actual hall was quite long.  
I think DG was a bit tacken aback with it (he looked a little miserable when
we arrived, or maybe he was just thinking 'heres that wierdo again').  We
got to have a good chat with him anyway.  The new lp, called Mini, is due on 
22nd January, and they may do another little tour to promote it.

I got to meet Jayne also (swoon...), and got my single signed with non-smudge
autographs.  

The start of the gig was a little odd - only around 200 people in the hall, 
and atmosphere was minimal.  I think only a few people seemed to know
much about the band.  After a few songs, the Shepton Beer Boys appeared, took
off their T shirts, then leapt around a bit at the front, generally cheesing
people off.  One guy was really out of his head, and threw a couple of
pints of beer on the stage over Darrens equipment.  David gave someone a
good glare for this, but confided later that he had been staring at the wrong 
guy...

There were also around 20 or so twelve or thirteen year olds pogoing 
as if their life depended on it (I told you this was an odd gig).  They had 
been hanging around in the corridor before sneaking drinks and bragging about
having seen the Stone Roses at the Pilton Fete.  Hmmmm...

Anyway - the gig itself warmed up, Sportscar is a real highlight for
me, a real plaintive guitar noise from Darren not a thousand miles
away from Sonic Youth, and Go Man Go is a real boppy tune.  A potential
single I would have thought.  Rotterdam is a  rough edged diamond, 
with DG giving it some thrash on his acoustic.  

I think Sucker is much better live than on vinyl, although the B side 
(Waiting on the guns) is totally excellent.  I've never heard of this 
American band before (Butterglory?), but I think I should check them out.

Even Wierder - I'm sure Shepton Mallet is Twin Peaks - DG stopped about
halfway through and said 'someone would like to make an annoucement'.  
One guy climbed up on stage - obv a real Weddoes fan in his American 
Seamonsters T shirt - then asked his girlfriend to join him.  Once she was
up on stage, he went down on one knee and asked her to marry him.  I think 
she accepted...  Anyway, congratulations to Matt and Becky (a real
Wedding Present couple now!).

This new line up seems to have really gelled together - Jayne (swoon) looks
really comfortable on bass, and there seems to be an element of humour
on stage again.  I'm really looking forward to the new mini album, I just
wish there was a way to get the press to take more notice.

I also wish I could think of something intelligent or witty to say to DG!
I just seem to babble garbage at him.  I get the feeling that he thinks
'why is this odd guy following me around the country?'.

Maybe I'm just getting too old for this lark, I do feel a tad embarrassed 
asking for autographs at the tender age of 32.

Set list (thanks Sally!):

Sticky, Swimming Pool, Crawl, Lovemachine, Gas, Sportscar, Dare, Sucker,
Skindiving, Rotterdam, Brassneck, Queen of, Convertible, Click Click, 
Drive, Silver Shorts, Yeah Yeah, Go man Go.

hmmmm

Mikef
       


 

    Mike,
    
    	So they don't play 'Kennedy' anymore then !!
    
    
    Ian.

    They do playit sometimes...Kennedy and Brassneck tend to alternate as
    the two older tunes they  play.  They were both on David Gedges
    'master' set list - those tunes they had rehearsed and chose the
    evenings list from.
    
    Mikef 

>> been hanging around in the corridor before sneaking drinks and bragging about
>> having seen the Stone Roses at the Pilton Fete.  Hmmmm...
    
    luck B�$%$&*s!
    
>> Maybe I'm just getting too old for this lark, I do feel a tad embarrassed 
>> asking for autographs at the tender age of 32.
    
    ...I know just how you feel Mike, travelling anywhere I can to see 'The
    Church', getting all my record sleeves and photos signed, babbling on
    about the same old things - still they'd be pissed off if folks like us
    stopped turning up !
    
    G.. 

    We saw Midge Ure on Saturday night. Support were a didn't-catch-the-
    name jazz/blues type band (three old gits) and I thought they were
    rubbish. Midge came on about 10.25pm supported only by a long haired
    chappy playing mandolin and other guitar type instruments and a 
    Lofty from EastEnders lookalike playing accordian, keyboards and 
    banjo and doing backing vocals, Midge himself played lead guitar,
    it was an almost accoustic set. Midge said that if you were pissed
    enough you'd be able to hear the drums. He did 15 songs in all, 
    including Ultravox hits Vienna and Dancing with Tears in my Eyes, 
    plus all my favourite songs off his three solo albums, plus three new 
    songs which indicate that the new album will be excellent.
    
    Highlights of the evening - standing at the front of the stage just
    two feet from Midge, locking eyes with him and him smiling at me;
    him telling those of the audience who weren't interested in him to
    shut the f*** up, using various other swear words and slagging off
    the Richard and Judy show!!
    
    An excellent night out only marred by my better half's car refusing 
    to start at midnight when we left to come home and waiting for those 
    nice RAC men to come and rescue us.
    
    Jane.

Paul Weller,  Utrecht Concertstadiuumvenuenplaceforgigenhallen.

An accidental Weller concert!  Having some time to kill on tuesday evening 
in Holland, I went off to get some food.  I saw a sign for an Indian
Restaurant, and vaguely followed the instructions.  Down one street I 
saw some bright blue lights, and thought 'ahhh...curry house'.  I trotted
down there and peered in the window, but it wasn't the menu that I got an 
eyefull of...  I'd forgotten about this facet of life in Holland, which
was probably obvious from the look on my face.  I don't think she could have
been making much money tho, it was -7 celsius and this sort of thing was the
last thing on my mind, and after seeing her, it was even further away.

So, after a traditional Dutch meal (Pizza Hut), I meandered around the town a 
little and resigned myself to a dull evening in a hotel.  I followed a bunch
of people into what I thought was a shopping mall, but turned out to 
be a concert venue.   I asked the lady in the box office who was playing
that evening, and she said:

'Hey, its that crazy English beat combo Paul Weller!'.

Or words to that effect.  The show was sold out, but I got a ticket from
a couple of girls (I managed to knock them down to face value by pretending
to be a sad englishman missing Paul Weller).  

Anyway - the venue was like a large theatre, so I wasn't a hundred miles from
the stage.  Support was a guy from Ocean Colour Scene doing some solo
stuff.

Weller is down to a four piece now, and subtlety is out.  It was loud, with
lots of thrangy guitars.  The band sound very different to the 'Live Wood' 
set up.  He did one old Jam number (err...Tales from the Riverbank?) in
an acoustic interlude, apart from that it was just the last two studio albums
(I think).

It was a good evening tho, and probably much more fun than the lady in the
window.  So, Paul Weller -  better than paying for sex with a complete 
stranger - official.

Mikef

    Just a brief note about the Stone Roses in Reading last night.
    
    Graham - the t shirts were ok, but not tour specific, just the record
    covers that you can get in Our Price anytime...don't read on if you
    don't want to know any songs that they play!
    
    
    
    
    
    
    I must admit that even a cynical old gig goer like me got a real thrill
    when they sauntered on stage after a lengthy opening bit and noodled
    off into I wanna be adored.  Talk about manic pop thrill.  
    
    When a groovy piano tootle turned into the chimes of Waterfall, The
    crowd just went crazy.  Who cared that it took fiveyears to get this
    far.
    
    There were a couple of dull bits - a lenthy jamming sess, one or two of
    the newer songs had people going off for the loo, but whenthey were
    good, they were brilliant.  Even a sit down acoustic few minutes
    worked, even tho IanBrown doesn't have the best voice in the world. 
    And has there ever been a better end of gig anthem than 'I am the
    resurrection'?  what a groove! 
    
    Mikef
     

re .534

�And has there ever been a better end of gig anthem than 'I am the
�resurrection'?

Twelfth Night's Love Song always did it for me.

Balders

    Delayed writing, but did get through the torrential rain to see Paul
    Weller at Bournemouth, resplendant in subtle paisley shirt !
    
    Good, but not that good.  Part of the problem is that we were stuck on
    the balcony and it felt pretty remote, the audience in the stalls were
    having a ball but we had signs everywhere saying 'no standing ' etc.
    etc. with stewards acting like they were on a mission to stop anyone
    actually enjoying themselves.
    
    Weller was on form, playing in a four piece that was loud but sound
    reproduction was pretty good I thought. set majored on Stanley Road and
    did pull numbers from both 'Paul Weller' and 'Wild Wood'.  BTW, The
    acoustic set token jam number was 'Tales from the Riverbank'.
    
    Overall, a bit disappointed, it may have been better down the front,
    but my better half doesn't like getting in the ruck at the front of the
    stage.  Lasted all of 1 hour and 20 minutes, one short encore
    (Woodcutter son) and then gone. The guitarist and bass player do a
    wonderful impression of nodding dogs while they're playing !!
    
    	Euan
    
    PS Can you imagine the grief I got coz David Bowie was playing the
    night after in Exeter, particularly as jane hated everu minute of the
    Weller gig ?!! I think not .....
    

    
                        
                   The Stranglers (Forum Saturday 16th Dec)
     
    What can I say ... brilliant gig.
    
    Came on to Genetix and consquently rattled off a selection from their
    21 year History. ie Golden Brown, Goodbye Toulouse, Something Better
    Change, Duchess, Keep it in the family. North Winds, 96 Tears, Always
    the sun, Nice n Sleazy. They also played Sinister, Lies and Deception 
    and Golden Boy from their latest offering.
    
    After 70 gigs and 17yrs of seeing them play live I thought we were
    going to experience the first set without "No More Heroes", however
    to finally end the night a throaty version was forthcoming.
    
    Pj                                              

Well, this was very strange. Imagine Bruce Hornsby coming to England and only 
playing the Granby in Reading. But, I love his pianner-playing so we took a 
chance it wasn't "No, not THAT Bruce Hornsby" and went.

The Albani is tiny, and the stage was barely big enough for his piano (it 
turned out he'd just bought it in Zurich - odd choice) - so definitely no "The 
Range" to play with.

Hornsby treated it as a reasonably self-indulgent night out. He played a fair 
bit of stuff off the new album (which isn't too impressive) and extracts from  
the back catalogue, including of course, "The Way It Is". But mostly he was 
content to reminisce about his mates, and play their songs. One of the 
highlights was 'The end of the innocence'. written with (and a hit for) Don 
Henley.

He used to play with the Grateful Dead (he said!), so we got a couple of 
theirs, a couple of Robbie Robertsons etc.

Very relaxed, demanding requests, long improvised solos (he doesn't actually 
seem to play all that well - missed notes, double notes) - apparently he 
played for 3 hours, but we had a train to catch. Interesting show, but for 
the real fans only - even I'm still too young for Cabaret shows!!

grahame

This was a surprising evening. First one was the lights going down at exactly 
the advertised start time. Second was the appearance of 3 blokes, not one of 
which was Morrissey. They turned out to be Placebo, a pretty good 3-piece, 
whose singer looks like a girl, sings like a cross between Feargal Sharkey and 
John Lydon, and had a nice line in guitar efects. Anyone know anything of 
them?

There were no signs up, no warning, no announcement and no apology for the 
invisibility of Moz - I hope no-one had paid just to see him. Any news 
elsewhere on the mystery?

I've seen some pretty scathing reviews of the Bowie show. The one in my paper 
said 'too much art, not enough show'. This turned out to be grossly unfair. 
Maybe he should have gone to see Take That?

Just about all of Outside gets an airing, and it's interspersed with quite a 
bit of the back catalogue: Scary Monsters, Teenage ? (rats!), Moonage Daydream 
(encore), Andy Warhol, Diamond Dogs (got the floor moving) and the highlight 
for pretty well everyone: Under Pressure, with Gail Ann Dorsey (?), the 
bassist, as Queen. But Outside is worth a listen too - I can hear about 6 
potential singles on it.

The biggest success is the man himself. From the word go he was all smiles and 
communication - makes a change from the usual miserable buggers you see on 
stage these days. He looks and sounds pretty good as well, all things 
considered.

The sound is predominantly bass - the bass drum and guitar are mixed way up 
front, occasionally drowning the 3 (!) keyboards and 2 guitars. It was 
heartbeat-threatening at times. (We were even issued with earplugs from a 
health-insurance company at the door!).

If you like the album, you'll love the show. But it's good anyway.

    
    I can't remember the details, but Morrissey pulled out of this tour
    quite some time ago. In the UK you could even get a ticket refund if
    you didn't want to see Bowie without Morrissey as support.
    
    graham
    
    BTW, should have seen Ocean Colour Scene last night but they cancelled
    in favour of recording tonights TOTP. It's been rescheduled for March
    27th but somehow I think it'll cost a bit more than the '3 quid on the
    door'  that last nights gig should have been.
    
    

Thanks, Graham, I suppose that'd explain why there were no dramatic 
announcements last night (though Bowie did say Placebo were 'a very late 
addition'). As the tickets clearly said Morrissey's name, the refund scheme 
should apply here as well. It would have been interesting to see him, but 
luckily I don't mind enough to try and work out how to complain!

g

    There's a catch - isn't there always ? - in the UK you had to get your
    refund OR go and see the gig, not go and see the gig AND get a refund !
    
    Graham

    Graham,
    Depends on wether you knew he was, or was not, going to be playing in
    advance.
    
    			Stretch.

The tickets said "David Bowie plus very special guest Morrissey". There were 
the generic posters outside the hall which show 6 months worth of concerts (Bon 
Jovi to look forward to!!) and they also still had both names on.

I was a bit surprised to see when we went in that instead of them ripping off 
the corner of the ticket and handing it back, they took the whole thing, tore 
it in half and dropped it in a bin! This, sadly, rules out the obvious plan of 
complaining vociferously - after watching Bowie of course.

g

    After a massively mad and illegally fast dash from Elm Park
    (dissapointing 3-3 draw with Sarfend) I arrived at Reading University
    about 10 minutes after The Bluetones had started (those of you waiting for a
    Laxtons Superb review will be disspointed I'm afraid). The crowd were
    going mental at the front of the full to capacity main hall, which was
    slightly bemusing as I found The Bluetones to be insipid, lacking any
    sort of charisma, and extremely bland. The well known songs i.e. 2
    or possibly 3 of the entire set didn't really do anything (at least they
    were consistant I suppose) to me, but the crowd still went mental down
    at the front, crowd surfing, moshing, whooping, and whatever else
    people do at these things. Thankfully they were only on for an hour,
    keeping it mercifully short. When I listened to the album for the first
    time I remember thinking that they may possibly be a bit dull live, so
    they lived up to my expectations on that count at least.
    
    Singles 8/10
    Album   3/10
    Live    2/10
    
    dickie.
    
    PS thank you for the kind gentlemen who selflessly sold me their
    tickets.

    By the sounds of things, you are more than welcome !!!
    
    
    Ian.

    re-2
    
    Maybe you should ask for your money back!
    
    Mikef

    the thought had crossed my mind...

    Well I should point out a couple of things:-
    
    a) The hall was NOT rammed to capacity. (I thought it was a sell out?) 
    
    b) The set was short, and in my opinion sweet. I have heard the singles
     along with a couple of album tracks so was aware of the lack of
    "oommpphh" songwise. 
    
    c) I did turn to Mr Kirkpatrick at one point and comment on the        
    "Rosesesqueness" (Is that a word? It is now!) qualities of
    certain songs.
    
    d) The bar had shut by half ten!!!! What is happening to the standard
    of education in this country when a union bar shuts at half ten !?!?
    
    e) The crowd surfing (!) was rather uncalled for. I assume the throng
    at the front were all close personal chums who had made the journey
    down from that most Rock 'n' Roll of locations.......Hounslow!!!
    
    f) I did enjoy myself and would certainly consider seeing the band
    again. Perhaps when they have a few more songs in their catalogue.  
    For a four peice I thought the sound was quite good given the
    age/experience involved <-- You ageist git, Stretch!!!
    
    g) In a lot of ways I am glad I went to the gig, and NOT Elm Park last
    night!!
    
    
    To sum up - A good night was had by myself (and Mr Kirkpatrick I think)
    
    		
    
    			Stretch.

    Ahhh, I didn't say the hall was rammed to capacity, I said "full to
    capacity main hall", being rammed and being at capacity are 2 different
    things n'est pas? If the hall had been much fuller it would have
    exceeded capacity (fire exits, toilets etc, being 2 important factors
    here). To clear up any confusion, the hall was pretty packed up to the
    mixing desk 4/5 of the way down the hall from the stage, behind the
    mixing desk were a fair few people who had a bit more room to
    themselves.
    
    (;^)
    dickie.
    

    Dickie,
       What I mean about rammed/packed was more to do with the fact that I
    thought it was a sell out. Having been in that hall when it has been as
    packed at the back (by the stairs) as it was at the front last night I
    can only assume a lot of people did a Stratto/Edwards/Rutherford thing,
    or the tickets were not all sold in the first place. We were stood
    about a third of the way back and I did not have any probs with beer
    being knocked, dancing people crashing into me etc etc. 
    
    			Stretch.

    Caught Everything But The Girl down in Portsmouth last night.  Support
    were Ultramarine, who weren't very interesting to be honest.  Too much
    bleeping and not enough blooping, although the last track was very good
    - Hymm I think its called, and features Mcalmont on vocals.  Mcalmont
    was there last night, and what a good singer he is!  Although he has
    very long arms.
    
    EbtG were on form - they had two musicians backing them.  A very good
    double bass player named Danny Thomson (and I'm unsure where I heard
    that before).  The double bass made a big difference, especially on the
    more recent uptempo/boogie tracks, a lovely warm bass sound with some
    funky bits on top.  They also had a drummer who seeme dto be in control
    of all the samples n twiddly bits.  
    
    The newer tracks came over really well, and they did a well cool
    version of Missing.  It was an intimate friendly atmosphere, which made
    a big difference.  I don't think too much of the venue (The Pyramids),
    but at least it allows you to get up close.  Doesn't sell Beamish or
    Murphys tho. 
    
    BTW - Tracey Thorne smiled at me twice.  I don't think I will be
    allowed to forget this. 
    
    
    Off down to the same place tonight to see the Archdrude Copey being
    wierd.  Wonder if there is a chippie anywhere near the venue?
    
    Mikef

>double bass player named Danny Thomson (and I'm unsure where I heard
>that before).

there was a Danny Thompson who used to play drums for Hawkwind around 10 years 
ago, but I doubt if it's the same guy...

Chris.

Was this Danny Thompson a bearded geezer, with a wickedly laidback
jazzy style? If so, then it could have been the Danny Thompson who
used to play with Pentagle (John Renbourn, Bert Jansch, Terry Cox,
Jaqui McShee and Mr Thompson himself) one of the first folk super-
groups. Actually they played a kind of folk-jazz fusion. Very 70's.
DT also spent some time hanging around with Richard Thompson who
is not related, but who is my all-time-no-1 guitar god.

Balders

Julian Cope - Portsmouth - March 22 1996 C.E.


Drude - slight return.

The venue was the Pyramid Centre, and it isn't the most inspiring of places, 
although it does let you get right up close to the stage.  There was a lot
of heavy security to get in - the show was a benefit for the South Coast
Against Roads group (or something like that), and I think they were
expecting a lot of trouble from Bypass protesters.  There were quite a few
cameramen outside waiting to film trouble and protests, but they were to be
disappointed.  I felt like going and asking the TV crews to give me a
tenner and I'd shout something nasty about the Government...


The crowd were very mellow and nice - too mellow.  They should have had 
'anti security' to only let in people who looked like troublemakers.  There
were way too many large felt hats and flared jeans... ;-)


The support act was Melanie Gartside (sp?).  She was quite good - sort of
early Suzanne Vega-ish, although I suspect she would hate me saying that.
She did some good angst ridden off-centre songs, and the crowd seemed 
to like her.

Set around the edges of the hall were stalls from various organisations, 
Friends of the Earth etc, handing out literature and info on the Road Schemes
and the protest movement.

The Archdrude came on to rapturous applause around 9:30.  He was wearing
a black body suit (like body builders wear), and what must have been one of his
wifes nightdresses over the top (or 'big girls blouse' as someone shouted).
He was obviously in one of his 'lets all have a good time' moods, and spent
 a few minutes joking with the audience, then into his set.  The first songs 
were just him on guitar or mellotron (yes, the yellow mellotron!).  The
Keyboard player Thighpaulsandra came on later for some good groovy
stuff (Hung up and hanging out to dry...), and some ranting sections where
Julian dribbled on, and Thigh... made lots of interesting noises using
a Theremin.  

Thighpaulsandra seems to have quite a following of his own, and
was well popular in his blue velvet outfit with white ruffs...

The Drude stopped at least one song so he could give the front row a
good hug,  and embarked on a little crowd surfing.  

A highlight for me was a version of 'Great Dominions' with the two of
them on keyboards and noise...


He finished off playing a few requests on guitar - Greatness and Perfection, 
Wheelbarrow Man, Sunspots, Trampolene...


I managed to chat with Copey for about twenty minutes afterwards (whilst helping
him tidy out the back of his car).  He starts work on a new album today
(March 25th), with a working title of 'Upper Crustie', it will be a 13 song
set, with a proto punk underbelly (whatever that is).  He did tell me more
about it, and what the songs were, but I can't remember what he said - 
titles that stuck in my mind were 'Interplanetary sit-in' and 
'Maid of constant sorrow'.  Its going to be a righteous trip...

We chatted about Newbury, and some of the things going on in the world. 
He plays up the affable loon image in the press, but he is actually
one of the most articulate and intelligent people I have ever met.  

A fun night out....


Mikef  
  

Well, they don't do Beatles impersonations and they don't do techno, but they 
do everything else, and mostly better than everyone else. They even have 
Natacha to beat Take That in the singing, dancing and clothes-changing 
departments!

Sadly only an hour, and strangely, about 6 songs I didn't recognise. Are they 
touring before the new album, or have I just been asleep?

grahame

    The new TGU album comes out in mid may, I might go see them in Reading,
    mainly coz I want to see the support - Blackstar Liner.
    
    
    mikef

Cheers, mike. The new songs seem well run-in already. Can't help feeling 
they're losing sales by playing so far in advance of release. Typically you 
rush out the next day to buy the album - by next month you'll have forgotten.

g

    Caught Transglobal Underground in Reading last night.  My other half
    didn't go, so I had to do my 'sad bloke on hiw own' act, and Stuart S
    wasn't there, so we couldn't do 'two sad blokes on their own...'.  
    
    I wasn't expecting much after hearing the live stuff on the
    Interplanetary Meltdown cd,  but I was surprised - they were very good! 
    They did around 90 minutes, mainly new album stuff (which I haven't got
    yet), and some older songs. They ended the main set with a really
    stomping 'Templehead'.  The indian singer Natcha Atlas was with them
    also, and I may go check out some of her solo stuff.  
    
    The place was quite full, so there wasn't too much room available to
    swing my pants in that style which has become known as 'short fat
    whirling dervish bloke'.  
    
    mikef

Mike,

Yup, good show. How do you like the Natasha Atlas album? Diaspora? I first saw
this crowd when I went to see her at Womad about 5 years ago - it described
her varied background, and she sounded interesting. TGU were the backing band
and uncredited, even though Templehead had already been a hit. 

She's definitely not Indian though - I think Moroccan comes closest.

grahame

    re-1
    
    Its great - thanks.  I got the CD without the case, so I have no info
    on Natcha Atlas, not even a track listing.
    
    I'll look out to see if she is at this years Womad.
    
    Did you get the new TGU album?
    
    mikef

>    Its great - thanks.  I got the CD without the case, so I have no info
>    on Natcha Atlas, not even a track listing.
    
Or even how to spell Natasha?! I'll try and get you a track listing (all I 
need to do is remember, the rest is no problem!)

>    Did you get the new TGU album?
    
Didn't know it was out yet - thanks for the tip.

grahame

    re-1
    
    Sorry - Natacha. I just havent had enuff coffee today.  
    
    Its good however its spelt!
    
    m

    I've got the Natasha Atlas CD, it's great. It's amazing where you end
    up just by having liked the Sex Pistols.
    Dave WOOD 

  Never a dull moment at this place. No support advertised, so I turned up 5 
  minutes before the start time to see the last number by a Swiss support band. 
  Then, after only 20 mins of resetting the stage, on walked a crowd of 
  scruffs. One of them announces "Good Evening, we're the Levellers, we're here 
  by mistake, but never mind."
  
  So a bonus half-hour of reeling and rocking, and they went down really well. 
  
  It was then another hour before Man and Horse arrived. For some reason I was 
  surprised there were only 4 on stage, and no keyboard. But this is no 90s 
  band, they're stuck firmly in about 1974! Loud country rock, with added 
  grunge; each song breaking into extended guitar impros and lasting 5-10 
  minutes. Lots of headbanging and swaying from the waist - I imagine Status 
  Quo concerts are pretty much the same. Marvellous stuff.
  
  I'm a recent convert to the Young canon (all I know are Freedom, Sleeps with 
  Angels and Mirrorball, and he played nothing off them), so I could only spot 
  a couple of the more famous ones: Needle and a ?, Cinnamon Girl, Like a 
  Hurricane. The rest of the audience seemed old enough to have worn out 3 
  copies of Harvest, so it went down a storm.
  
  grahame
  

    After the departure of key member Graham Crabb (Golden Claw Musics solo
    project now his main thing) I was expecting a well below par
    performance, but it wasn't. The line-up has now been augmented by
    guitarist The Buzzard, who played on quite a lot of PWEI old stuff. The
    set was quite short (50 mins) and was loaded towards the brand new
    stuff which sounds just like the thing they were doing on Dos Dedos Mis
    Amigos, i.e thrashy techno, of this stuff, the delightfully named F***
    stood out as did their reworking of the track they co-wrote with The
    Prodigy 'Their Law'. They played a few old-uns, Wise Up! Sucker being
    the best of those, as well as a couple from their last album. As with
    all PWEI gigs, at any time someone was shouting for Beaver Patrol.
    
    All in all money well spent and an energtic time was had by all,
    speaking to a reliable source i.e their manager I was told that they
    would be splitting up on Saturday, an albums worth of material has now
    been completed and this should be released in the not too distant
    future.
    
    dickie
    

    
    Did you get any of the stage divers on your head?  I did.  bastiches.
    
    
    I.

    I thought the stage was only about a foot high?  Must have been more
    stage leaping than diving?
    
    mikef

    
    People were being hoisted up by the crows, passed forward and then
    pitched over the security barriers in a final death-dive, THey then
    used the stage as a jumping off ramp.  It was quite funny to watch
    though because the crowd were not impressed and kept dropping people. 
    The security men were decidedly unchuffed by the proceedings and pushed
    people back before they hit the stage so there was a kind of
    pass-the-parcel game going on with some poor sod being pushed back and
    forth over the heads of the crowd until the crowd tired of them and let
    them fall.  Hilarious.
    
    
    I.

    
    For "crows" read "crowd" as there were actually no birds of any variety
    present at the gig.
    
    
    I.