Fangbase - Reviews

Zodiac, Oxford

Saturday 31st August 2002

I know I'm biased, but at every gig I've seen by this line up I think "they won't top that". Well, this one was quite possibly the best one I've seen yet.

The omens were good. First, when I was waiting to get in, the good Captain came out to have a chat with some fans at the head of the queue. While he was nattering to them, he was approached by someone asking him to sign his white T shirt. Sensible obliged with a rather nice "Phil Collins must die" motif.

Second, on entering the Zodiac, the excellent Wreckless Eric's Greatest Hits were blaring over the PA (the hand of Gina Snowdoll at work here, methinks). I do believe this is the first time I've emerged from the Gents to the sound of "Semaphore Signals".

The Damned were due on at 9 and very nearly made it, Sensible explaining the very slight delay with "Sorry, I was down the pub". Before they came on, a dire warning was giving of the consequences of stuff being thrown at the stage and quite right too. Worked as well, not one missile being sighted all night.

The set list was pretty much the same as before, with "Street of Dreams" getting things off to a fine start.

Those of you that have read my reviews before will know I make a habit of not remembering the exact running order. This one runs true to form but the other tunes aired were (roughly in order):

Democracy
song.com
New Rose
Blackout
Would You Be So Hot
Disco Man
13th Floor Vendetta
Plan 9 Channel 7
I Just Can't Be Happy Today
Amen
Ignite
She
Under The Floor Again
Neat Neat Neat

Encore:

Curtain Call
Eloise
Smash It Up

One day I'll write 'em down!

If there was a "best turned out" prize for frontmen, surely Mr. Vanian would win hands down. Clad in an immaculate frock coat with cravat he looked rather smart - the coat was soon discarded (it was a bit hot but not quite as bad the notoriously sweaty Dingwalls gig this time last year) to reveal a neat black short sleeved shirt with white piping.

The whole band looked as if they were thoroughly enjoying themselves - as were the enthusiastic audience. The place was absolutely packed.

I'm sure the songs (and the band) are improving with age - I thought they were all played harder and faster than usual. They all sounded brilliant but I thought Democracy, Song. com, New Rose (still there I'm glad to say despite all those mutterings about dropping it), Blackout, Disco Man (which was preceded by a brief burst of Staying Alive from the Captain, together with a quick rant about the likes of all that Pop Idol crap), She, Eloise, and Smash It Up were the stand outs.

Other highlights:

*Eloise being rather more riotous than usual by Dave inviting a guy up from the crowd (as DV and Captain noted he looked not unlike Billy Idol) to sing. Dave and Captain shared a mic on backing vocals (The Jagger and Richards of Punk?) while said gentleman did rather well, prompting Dave to utter "I'll get my coat".

*Dave's tale explaining that when Barry Ryan wrote "Eloise", the lyrics had to be changed because it was originally about an exotic dancer. A member of the audience enquired if he was talking about "Smash It Up". Captain looked incredulous "How could Smash It Up possibly be about an exotic dancer" he asked? Dave not surprisingly lost his thread altogether here.

*Sanibel's amp playing up just before "Ignite" requiring a visit to the stage by a distinctly pissed off looking Andy the Soundman. This gave Captain a chance to do "Happy Talk" accompanied by Monty. It also gave DV the chance to say "This is where I go off and you have a good time". He did too, with a quick wave and a twiddle on the keyboards on the way. Pinch nipped off for a crafty fag here (US readers do not be alarmed!). Patricia moved to the back of the stage here.

*Monty's parents were there, Dave revealing the Monty's Dad is a professor specialising in Darwinism. Sensible: "He could prove how we've evolved into the best band in the world!"

*The start of Smash It Up with the stage being a blur of movement - Patricia giving a quick pogo, Monty cavorting as only he can (you ought have seen him during "New Rose"!) and Dave climbing on the drum riser so that Pinch (blue hair confirmed by personal sighting) could holler "Smash It Up" to kick the song off. More amp problems here, but solved by Sensible unplugging his guitar and plugging it back in.

*Dave pointing at the glitter ball before a really cracking Disco Man and asking "what is this" to cue the lighting man.

*Monty's perfect keyboard bit during "Just Can't Be Happy"

*A rather bizarre on stage conversation involving Captain Birdseye, The Mysterions and Doctor Who, prompted by one of Dave's childhood flashbacks.

*Good to see Patricia move into the limelight a couple of times

The only song I would like to hear again live was "Absinthe". I wonder if one day an official live album from this line up will be issued - I'll buy it!

Froggy