MUSIC LIST/ROCK
f—
34 the list 7 20 April 1989
ROOK
FRIDAY 7
Glasgow
I Big George and the Business l.a 'l'aniere. l5 l-os Street. 221 4844. 9pm. Free. Regular rhythm and blues.
I Shoot To Kill lngram Bar. Queen Street. “pm. free. A band who are certainly working hard It nothing else.
Edinburgh
I Frazier Chorus. The Man From Delmonte and Botany 500 ( ‘alton Sttidios. ( ’alton Road. 55h "firm. l-.nigmatie Virgin signings kick off the regular l‘riday night gigs at the refurbished Studios. assisted by 'l‘enncnts l.l\el. which takes in acts like (iail Ann 1)orsey . lllll rah? and Diesel Park West in commg weeks. the ( ‘alton‘s set-up also boasts y ideo. l).ls ( ‘olrn Someryillc and Alan ( ampbell. and \Vraygun and'l‘hc Rockets play mg in the bartonight. formerly w llll 4A1). the (horns have a new single tsce listen? l audalbum imminent
I Avalon l’icsery .rtion llall. Victoria Street. 22fi381b 1.1 after 0.30pm. Leading folk-rock band
I The Bivvy Bag Band Negoeiants.1.othian Street. 225 M313 0.45pm.1-'ree.l)iyersc. and frequently humorous. young local acoustic band w itli tolkish and blugrass tendencies.
I The Humpff Family trading t’osr . the Shore. 5.5.5 qlfwt. lllpltt. l‘rec. Spool country and western. Residency.
I Doug Rich Paddy ’s. Rose Street. 9pm.
l'it ee.
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FRONT 242
To compare Belgian act Front 242 with any British musical contemporaries would be completely and utterly pointless. Formed in 1981 , they have been largely ignored by the British media despite releasing touralbums and six maxi-singles, until recently, when perhaps allied with the interest in dance music originating in the Benelux countries, they seemed to become flavour of the month, prompting their first British tour, eight years aftertheir formation.
‘We did one promotional gig in England two years ago, and at the time England was not interested,’ said the band's Patrick Codenys. ‘This is the first time we have had decent conditions to tourthe country, and that is why we have not toured before. I have no idea why we are popular now— but it might have something to do with the fact that last year, torthe first time, it was not the press and the major labels that were making the musical scene. It was more down to NS and people inthe clubs.’
Front 242 have enjoyed some measure of success in Europe, something which even with press support will take a near miracle in Britain. 1992 will have to destroy British isolationism to allow Front 242 a glance at the British charts. Their background, working on what they describe as ‘research in electronic music‘ (rather than songwriting) may make them an alien prospect to British ears reared on rock music. Patrick tried to explain the fundamental differences between Front 242 and conventional rock bands.
‘If we were to state any influences, it would be things that are much wider than just music,‘ he said. ‘At the start, we listened to European electronic bands and a few of the British industrial type bands, butwe were influenced just as much by TV, movie soundtracks and more recently sampling has meant that the world of Front 242 is unlimited. We
have a huge library of sounds, and it mightbethata slogan is enough to build a piece of research round.
‘We don‘t consider rock bands as a challenge. We merely use musical support to enable people to assimilate information or research. You also have to considerthe Belgian situation when we began: there were no musicians we could use so machines were the obvious wayforward.‘
In the light of this, the fact that Front 242 even attempt a live show is slightly bizarre, that being the traditional forte of the ‘rock bands‘ they have nothing in common with. Patrick has obviously heard this one before: ‘We had to reconsiderthe old cliche of the rock band,‘ he said. ‘We were aware of that andthe really cold feelingthat most bands using technology put across when they play live, so we chose to work with tapes. We have two people dancing on stage, we use sampled percussion, keyboards and a singer. Thefinal memberofthe band is onthe mixing desk, putting in the samples and so on.‘
Drawing conclusions about Front 242 is hard. The interview, far from clarifying anything, adds more doubt. One thing is certain, to call them either a band or a live act is treading unsafe ground. (John Williamson)
SATURDAY 8
Glasgow
I Odd Bay Music Halt Bar. 1(i()Woodlands Road. 332 1210. 9pm. Free. Paisley band who featured on last year's Paisley 500 album. Featuring the interesting yocalsof Audrey Wood.
I Big George and the Business La 'I‘aniere. 15 Fox Street. 221 4844. 3pm. Free. Afternoon alternative to the football.
I The Core La Tanierc. 15 Fox Street. 221 4844. 9pm. Free. Formerly the 5:88 Band.
Edinburgh
I Vatican Shotgun Scare. Call Me Clive and This Little Jealousy (‘alton Studios. (‘alton Road. 556 7(166. £2.50. £2. VSS have a new demo. with the usual helpings ofnoisy guitars and yelping. but they‘re probably better known to the local populace than many more mainstream-sounding bands thanks to the 15l1l1copiesoftheirsinglc given away with footie zine Ali"()1-.(‘all Me (‘liye come with recommendation. though This Little Jealousy are new to us. I Belladonna and Midnight Blue Rock Cafe. Venue. (‘alton Road. 557 3073. Mainstream metal. Support comes from ex-La Paz and Heavy Petting members. I The Rootsie Tootsie Band Preservation Hall. Victoria Street. 226 3816.11 after
9.3(1pm. Rock and blues.
I Bluetinger Platform ()ne. Rutland Street. Rock'n'roll. Residency.
I The Humpff Family Trading Post . the Shore. 553 7164. lllpm. l‘ree. Spool country and western. Residency.
I Green Isaac Negoeiants. 1.othian Street. 225 6313. 9.45pm. Free.
SUNDAY 9 Glasgow
I TWil‘l TOW" and MO!“ Videodromc. 33 3‘) York Street. 221 (1441 . 8pm. 'I'wolcmale fronted bands. with Moni‘s demo in particular hinting at the prospect of something worth seeing.
I Bella Donna Rooftops. 92 Sattchichall Street. 332 5883. ltlpm. Judging by recent Rooftops Sunday night gigs. probably a hard rock act of some type. although I confess ignorance. Ask a Kerrang reader. I King Bees Duo l.a 'l‘anierc. 15 Fox Street. 221 4844. 0pm. l‘rcc. Acoustic blues.
Edinburgh
I WASP Playhouse theatre. (ireensidc Place. 557 2590. P( )S'l‘P().\'1{I) until 18 May.
I Fjaere Nilssen and Occasional Rain i live. Rayelston llouse Hotel. Musselburgh. American female singer.
I Drunken State Moshit. Venue. (‘alton Road. 557 3(173. liast Kilbridc thrash combo.
I Very Very Negociants. 1.othian Street. 225 b313. 0pm. Free. Punk-inspired pop group. playing a few dates over the next while. l'nderwhclmed by earlier appearances but accounts suggest they 'y e got It more together.
I Warren Peace St James ( )ystcr Bar. (‘alton Road. 557 2925. 9pm. Free. Residency.
I The Tex Fillet Five Trading Post . the Shore. 55.3 "1M. 8pm. Free. 'l'ongue in cheek country. Residency.
I Bluefingert‘ate Royal. \Vcst Register Street. Split. Rtiels‘tt't'till.
I The Kitchen Devils l’rescryation 1 tall. Victoria Street. 22h 38H). {l aller‘lpm,
MONDAY 10 Glasgow
I Strictly Business l.a 'l‘anierc. 15 tins Street. 22] 484-1. 9pm. firec.
Edinburgh
I Fairground Attraction t 'shcr I fall. l’()S'l‘P().\'1-‘.1) until 2ll.\lay.
I Johnny Sunbeam Negociants. toiliian Street. 225 0313. 0.45pm. Free. Residency. 1 lard-gigging band playing almost entirely original material. A the album w as recently recorded. btit no news as to w hen it w ill see the light otday.
I Light l’rcscryation Hall. Victoria Street. 22(i.‘s81(i.‘).3tlprn.1-'rce.
TUESDAY 11 ‘ Glasgow
I Hearts and Minds Napoleons.12s Merry lee Road. M“? 5238. 9pm. l-‘rcc. they seem to be gigging constantly this year. so there is no excuse for not haying seen them. I)a\‘ey Scott is still one of the finest songwriters in Scotland. and it is time someone in 1.ondon took notice again.
I Southern Approach l.a 'l‘anicrc. 15 t-‘ox Strcet.2214844.l)pm.l-'ree.
I Bobby Wishart l lalt Bar. lfi(l\\'oodlands Road. 332 121”. ‘)pm. l‘rec.
Edinburgh
I Rick Wakeman Play house theatre. (ireettside Place. 557 25‘)“. 7.30pm. £8.51). £7.51). £(r.5ll. Apparently on aNcw Age kick these days. Rick's set at l‘ifc Aid was not the most edify‘ing experience of the weekend.
I The Tex Fillet Five Negociants.1.othian Street. 225 (i313. 9.45pm. 1’rec. Spoof country and western. Residency.
I Los Supremos St James ( )y'stcr Bar. (alton Road. 557 2925. 9pm. liree. ('oyers from decpblucs to'l‘alkirig 1 leads. Residency.
I DOUQ Rich ( ilolie. \Vest l’tirt. 2294553. 0pm. Free.
WEDNESDAY 12 Glasgow
I Wild BiverApples and Quinn the Eskimo l‘ury .‘yttirrys. ‘lfi Maxwell Street. 221 (i511. lflpm. Second of the exchange gigs. with the Wild Riyer Apples needing no introduction in this column. while
New castle's part of the bargain comes in the shape of Quinn 'l‘hc Iiskimo. whoarc an archetypally jangly. guitary'. Sixties-ish indie band. with some good songs.
I Slave Trade l"ixx.8(i.\1illcr Street. 243 285‘). ltlpm. f-‘ree. Been away for some time. but this is a return with new songs and a new singer. (iiyen the aural pain inflicted by the previous incumbent. this should greatly improve the quality ofthe operation. Might be worth seeing. as they do haye sortie idea about the structuringof a good pop song.
I Becbaka 'I‘hird liye Centre. 350 Sauchiehall Street. 8pm.
I Shootlo Kill l.a 'I’anierc. l51‘ox Street. 221 4844. 9pm. Free.