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...and from the north to the south, onwards toward
the nations capital did the men of British Sea Power
carry their family and friends. Their gathering numbers
swelled at every stop. Surely now we must prepare for
the arrival of their time.
In less than two years since their Brighton inception
British Sea Power have become one of the UK's most charming,
important and alive bands. They possess a simplicity
which appeals to music fans who wish to feed their souls.
They have a wit and knowledge which lends people to
treasure them, BSP fans have that Manic fan's zeal pinned
all over their parkas. And they have a plan (I'm guessing)
that is not going to stop at a few good press write-up's
and a headline show or three.
This intimate London gig - intimate in that it's a couple
of hundred true fans in a strangely neon lit dingy venue
- is one of two celebratory shows for the release of
their now-Top 40 'hit' single, 'Carrion'. The crowd
are insiders one and all; celebratory in their gang
mentality, clinging to their 'secret' individual love
of the band. And so everything is as planned then, a
small crowd of hungry fans, a intimate venue and a typically
stinging BSP performance. When faced with such a partisan
crowd the show was never going to be awkward or a let
down. As every introduction was met word for word, quote
for quote the songs were lifted to a climbing-on-bonfires-sing-along
quality by the voices in of the crowd. 'Apologies For
Insect Life' ripped open proceedings, setting the now
traditional leafy stage set-up twitching. The favoured
'Spirit Of St.Louis' got a rapturous welcome, as did
'Carrion' but it was 'A Wooden Horse' which sealed the
show perfectly.
On the sleeve of the debut album, 'The Decline Of...'
there is a quote, "We ourselves may be loved only for
a brief time...Even so, that will suffice...There is
a land for the living and there is a land for the dead...".
In light of this my first BSP live show I can say that
there is too much determination and invention in these
fellows to pass on quite yet. And, should they decide
to end it all, a spirited British Sea Power revival
will be led by their devoted fans.
SID for Crud Magazine 2003©
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