Back on the Chain Gang

[commonpeople1]

Photo by Wits

In the 80s, when asked to choose between the Jesus and Mary Chain or death, Morrissey chose the latter. Their particular brand of rock cacophony didn't appeal to his sensitive Mancunian ears and, if asked today what he thinks of their return to the stage, he'd probably have another barb ready to be flung. Unsurprisingly, the Reed brothers have responded in kind over the years, describing him as having "a face like a sack of marshmallows" amongst other niceties.

The Jesus and Mary Chain's recent return to the stage (and the recording studio) is akin to Morrissey's own re-birth a few years back. And the reception has been just as enthusiastic, with a show at the Brixton Academy last year sold out almost immediately. What was to be two shows at the Roundhouse this week had to be squeezed into one night (for reasons unknown), guaranteeing a house filled with original fans as well as kids exploring the influences to their favourite bands - the many which owe their careers to the JaMC.

As the band took to the stage, and Jim Reed grabbed the microphone, a plastic cup flew in the air, dousing him with beer - an ironic reminder of the band's early gigs, when violence and rioting usually broke out in the crowd, and their set didn't last more than ten minutes. This one, though, couldn't be more in keeping with the times: the band onstage in time; the set list aimed at classics such as "Just Like Honey", "Happy When It Rains" and "Reverence"; the occasional banter with the crowd (and the one or two fuck ups with the sound); the introduction of a mysterious brunette who sang back up on two tracks (apparently not talented younger sibling Sister Vanilla); and the departure from the stage only to return for an encore.

Although their rupturable days are over, and their presence is as polished as it comes after two decades of experience, they managed to get the front crowd nicely excited with each recognizable song. Even some of the punters in the circle seats were waving their arms maniacally, a step away from diving head first into the standing crowd. Two new tracks were introduced which didn't deviate from their should-be-patented-by-now sound; the signs point to a studio album that will play it safe. A night as sweet and harmless as nostalgia.

• Other reviews: Piqued, The Observer, MusicCnews, Cheezy, Hecklerspray and Augstone
  
• Videos: Just Like Honey, live at the Roundhouse
  
• Photos by Max Tollworthy, WiTS and Ipan
  
• Livejournal personnel: nils, spotted right before the first support band came on, texting someone and wandering around; then kixie, who I didn't see but knew was there thanks to two text msgs I couldn't reply to (typical lack of phone credit.)
  
• Celebrities: someone who looked very similar to Feist in the Tube (on the way there), and Bloc Party's singer (but not 100% sure).
  

Comments

[idioticpoet.livejournal.com]

I'm curious to see if they'll return stateside.

Have you heard anything about Bauhaus' new album (I've read conflicting reviews)?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I only found out recently they had a new album out. I'd say the odds are high it will be a stinker.

[naturalbornkaos.livejournal.com]

Weird. Jimbo looks like Brett Anderson on that photo.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Yes, he does. And his brother stole Robert Smith's look!

[tonight-we-fly.livejournal.com]

I was particularly heartened when William Reid fucked up the beginning to Happy When It Rains and they had to start again; that made me feel nicely nostalgic. I seem to remember him doing exactly the same thing at Brixton Academy in 1987.

As well as the comfort that he still hasn't learned to play his guitar properly after all these years (and they're not even that difficult to play - Just Like Honey was the first song I ever learned to play when I got my first guitar more than twenty years ago) he's still noticably cooler than people in indie bands nowadays almost young enough to be his grandchildren. Oh, just for general indie cred, the band last night featured the drummer from Ride and the bloke who used to play bass in Lush.

And I still can't understand why Between Planets was never a single...

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Where were you? I was on the circle level, first seats, just about facing the stage straight on.

Do you still play the guitar? :-)

[tonight-we-fly.livejournal.com]

We were standing, but with swaying around drinks rather than jumping up and down with the young folk. Just about where that circle of pillars is in the stalls, and (of course) right in front of the bar. Get your tickets now for when British Sea Power play there in October!

I've hardly got my guitar out at all over the last ten years or so. It finally dawned on me one day that it doesn't impress girls after all...

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I'd love to get tickets for British Sea Power, but I always feel a little worried when committing so far ahead - who knows where I'll be in October?

I wish I had learned a musical instrument as a teen. I can imagine it's something nice to know, just for your own pleasure, if you feel like learning and playing a song you love.