MUSIC LIST/ROCK
tax- showing that, although the majority oi the audience may be too young to be liable iorthe tax, and their support oi the cause has no doubt been
One oi the night’s most heartening l moments is the cheer reserved tor the ‘boring bit' - a speech by an STUC representative on combating the poll ,
The third assignment in the Tennents Live !/List Gig Of The Month series was the prestigious Rock Against The Poll Tax concert at the Usher Hall on April Fool’s Day. Edinburgh-based Stephen Fairclough brought back the pictures, Alastair Mabbott the words. Each month this year we hope to feature a live gig and the work ofan up-and-coming Scottish photographer.
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GIG OF
THE MONTH
60 The List 5 1H May Wis")
l helped along by the endorsement oi
‘ theirtavourlte homegrown pop stars, at
1 least they give oh the conviction ol
5 youth that they are not without power.
i The evening begins with THE
! cameo HILL VARMINTS, the only
unsigned band on the bill, and the least
sell-conscious, just going out, giving it
their best shot and making a lot at new
lriends in the process. With no inflated
reputation to live up to, they do a lot
better than the acoustic SILENCERS. As
a live rock band The Silencers make a
good noise, but the acoustic treatment,
l as it pulls away the walls oi sound,
1 suggests that there was never that much behind them in the first place.
i TEXAS, represented tonight by
f Sharleen Spiteri and Ali McErlaine,
I create a more substantial stir, running
through a few acoustic blues numbers.
Splteri does indeed have an impressive voice, but accusations oi contrived image have more weight here than watching them on TDTP. Making exactly the right moves, they iit into their chosen space as it chiselled there by Employment Training conscripts.
0n the cusp oi a new album release, but not wanting to appear crass enough to hype it, DEACDN BLUE tollow up a couple oi laid-back ‘Raintown’ numbers with ‘Like a Rolling Stone'. ‘When you ain't got nothin’, you've got nothin‘ to lose' gives the song a spurious relevance.
WET WET WET's Marti Pellow is no Michael Jackson. in tact, as a dancer, even Terence Trent D‘arby could run him into the ground. But his moves get the required eiiect, with what irom the vantage point oi the circle looks like ridiculous ease. He starts oii sitting on a stool to show that his bouncing knee can raise the pitch oi the screaming all by itseli, and by the time he gets to shaking it around a bitthere isn't a dry seat in the stalls. The crowd's reaction, as is so oiten the case, is massively more impressive than anything happening on the stage. It’s the lirst time I've seen the Wets live since they hitthe big time, and l startto leel somewhat insulted on behali oi the deliriouslans. Pellow's dental landscape and gyrating knee, already adjusted to their role oi drawing attention away irom the Wets’ creative roadblocks, will, bythe time they reach their ‘diiiicult' third album, have eclipsed the music entirely.
HUE AND CRY, with a huge band that includes sax star Tommy Smith, thanktully concentrate on upbeat material to keep us awake after a irequently battling display oi Scotland's stellar pop talent. Never being one who could listen to more
‘ than three Hue and Cry tracks in a row without iinding an excuse to put the kettle on, liind it an eye-Opening experience to be able to compare them with the Wets. They also seem unique on the bill in having several deliant songs which could have been written tor the occasion, directly addressing the experience oi living in Scotland in the present day. Pat Kane's wordiness may iniuriate some, but only The Proclaimers could have been more suited to headlining this night, and capturing its essence so periectly.
4844. 9pm. Free.
I Ted Hawkins Govan Town Hall . (iovan. 7.30pm. See Mayfest
I Avia Tramway Theatre. Albert Drive. 7.30pm. See Mayfest
I Zvuki Mu Renfrew Ferry. 9pm. See Mayfest
I Loose Cut La Taniere. 15 Fox Street. 221 I Kelly’s Heroes Halt Bar.l6() Woodlands Road. 332 1210. 9pm. Free. A folk/rock band from Nottingham.
Edinburgh
I Lixx Rock Cafe. Venue. (‘alton Road. 557 3073. Colourful (but nothing queer.’.’) rockers profiled in this magazine a few months ago. originally from Dundee. and kickin' some serious ass around the country.
I Avalon Preservation Hall. Victoria Street. 226 3816. £1 after 9.30pm. Leading folk-rock band.
I The Smokehouse Boys Bluebcat Club. llailes Hotel. Wester llailes. 8pm—lam (doors close 11pm). £2.50. Blues in the ster of Muddy Waters. Elmore James and Little Walter. with standup bass. harmonica and slide guitar. R&B. doo-wop and soul records on disco.
I Blueiinger Platform One. Rutland Street. Residency. Rock'n‘roll groupwith original material and impressive pedigree. which takes in session work for some big names and includes llipsway's former bassist.
I The Numpil Family Trading Post. The Shore. 553 7164. 10pm. Free. Spoof country. Residency.
I Bulb Cormorant Lord Darnley. West Port. 22‘) 43-11. Afternoon. Free. Residency.
I Innocence Lord Darnley. West Port. 229 4341. lflpm.
l ‘ I A Glasgow
I Deacon Blue SECC. Finnieston.248 3000. 7.30pm. SOLD OUT. Sec Sat6.
I BMX Bandits The Mayfair. 490 Sauchiehall Street. 332 3872. 9pm. Sec Mayfest.
I John Martyn Renfrew Ferry. 9pm. See Mayfest.
I Five Guys Named Moe and Tantara Blade The Videodrome. 33139 York Street.221 (1441. 9pm. £2. Warm up gig for Five Guys Named Moe. who will be appearing with label mates Fairground Attraction at the Pavilion on the following nights. Likely to be busy in its own right.
I King Bees Duo La Taniere. 15 Fox Street. 221 48-44. 9pm. Free. Acoustic blues. Residency.
Edinburgh
I Intense Degree Moshpit. Venue. Calton Road. 557 3073. 7.3(1—11pm. Another thrash evening. This group were recommended to the Moshpit by Napalm Death themselves. incidentally.
I Johnny Sunbeam Preservation Hall. Victoria Street. 226 3816. £1 after 9pm. (ialashtels-based lovers of funk and R&B playing a lot around town. Recently self-financedlive and studiol.Ps. '
I The Tex Fillet Five Trading Post . The Shore. 553 7164. 8pm. Free. Spoof country and western. Residencv.
I Blueiinger (‘afe Royal. West Register Street. 8pm. See Sat6.
I Warren Peace St James Oyster Bar. 557 2925. 9pm. Free.
MONDAY 8 Glasgow
I Fairground Attraction and Five Guys Named Moe Pavilion Theatre. 121 Reniield Street. 332 1846. 7.30pm. Sec Mtiy'fest.
I Giant and Willard Graze Mayfair. 490 Sauehiehall Street. 332 3872.'9pm. Sec Mayfest.
I John Martyn Renhew Ferrv. 9pm. See Mayfest I ‘