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When Peter Hayes takes to the stage, evidently Turner
and Jago-less, you get a severe sense of déjà vu. Unlike
the fabled Leeds gig in 2003, where a disorientated
Jago stumbled onto the stage almost an hour late, there
is a definite method in their madness. As cool and calculated
as can be, a solitary Peter Hayes stands amidst a cascade
of white light, yet still close enough to the shadows,
and in his chronically shy and aloof voice informs us
‘We’re going to try something a little different’. After
a nasal passage induced Dylan cover, enter Robert Turner.
What follows is an acoustic rendition of ‘Love Burns’
that is all smoke and soul, and for a second, at least,
renders their enigmatic and absent drummer surplus to
requirements. But just for a second though, as Jago
wanders onto the stage lazily shaking a tambourine.
And with the crowd duped into a misleading and comatose
state, the onslaught begins…
’Stop’ is an epileptic barrage of scuzz induced static,
‘Six barrel shotgun’ goes straight for the head, with
Jago’s drumming like staccato punches drawing blood
every time, whilst ‘Spread your love’ is as infectious
and exciting as it ever was. It’s as intense as it is
relentless. It's leather coat, Harley riding every stereotype
cool without ever trying to be. Tonight is fuelled by
a sense of resentment that boils beneath the surface
without ever exploding which makes them as musically
acidic as it does politically acute. Usually men of
few words, when Peter opens up with a righteous outburst
of ‘Fuck your government’, coupled with the thought
provoking ‘Generation’ and ‘US Government’, politics
was never sold so well. Dispelling thoughts of anarchy,
the behemoth that is ‘Salvation’ straddles the mid-set
slot that is often so many a bands' downfall. With enough
atmosphere and sensuality to drown the senses, it soon
returns the crowd to their rabbit in the headlights
state. The stand out point of the night is the wailing
guitar, tribal pummel and snarling bass of ‘Rise or
fall’ that is as masterful as it is moody.
As ‘Whatever happened’ brings everything to a white
noised climax, this is music to break the law too and
with a new sense of relevance and poignancy, you realise,
as Robert sang ‘Save me’ and your soul screamed it,
it was too late, it was already long gone, and the three
dark angels who are now its keepers are gone as well.
Relevant sites:
http://www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com
Sherief Younis for Crud Magazine 2004©
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