Crud World Domination Enterprises give you
Killing
Joke
October File
Tribatik
Academy, Liverpool
7/10/05
(review by MWJ - footnotes by Sync)
So some speedy last minute arrangements saw me off to
lose my Killing Joke virginity, ferrying the far more experienced Sync and
Fatman under the Mersey. My and Steve’s
lengthy debate on “all women are bad” failed to take the post honeymoon glow
from Andy but we did get round to discussing the band as well. They’re obviously a famous name but my own
knowledge of them was pretty limited, a proto-industrial punk band originating
in 1979, had some stuff off first album, knew covers of their stuff that had
been done, had a couple of good ep’s but also remember having to throw away one
atrocious 80’s pop one as well. Still,
from all I’d heard (including previous reviews here) and testament to their own
endurance had a feeling that they would be a worthwhile experience.
Early doors with the venue going into club mode after
eleven meant we were amongst the first there, and there wasn’t really many more
for a long time after that. Interesting
to read Phil’s recent comments on turnout in Liverpool , very much the same
when I was last here at the smaller downstairs bit for Cult of Luna, no matter
how good the band is an empty venue can be a downer on the atmosphere. So for the first band Tribatik the hall
looked a bit cavernous an empty.
Apparently they had some connection to working in the studio with
Killing Joke on their forthcoming album, so maybe that had helped them get
these support slots, but for all the glorious opportunity that might seem I’d
be pretty disappointed myself if it was only playing to the handful that were
there. Still they put in a decent
performance that sounded excellent through the big rig. Largely instrumental, predominately space
rock-y type stuff, they threw a lot of other ingredients into the mix
(thrash/reggae!) that at times could make the songs seem a little disjointed or
certain sections cut short but at the same time the variety maintained interest
when there were no vocal hooks etc. The
bassist has an intriguing near vertical/double bass playing style, which was
something new.
We’d been assured by their mate on the merchandise stall
that October File would blow us away, but I didn’t feel much of a breeze to be
honest. It was solid, gothicky metal,
pretty heavy and with strong chorus hooks but I wouldn’t say of any great
complexity or originality. The front
man’s growl definitely added to the metal feel, but he also inspired a bit of
annoyance from not just myself at his rather clichéd posturing, a bit of a mix
of Rob Halford and Glenn Danzig, just not convincing. The matching logo black shirts also smacked
of a managers advice/influence but maybe my cynicism was just on the rise
through a expecting something more.
According to their flyers they’ve certainly lined up a stack of gigs,
not just these supports but some with the Misfits™ and Anti-Nowhere League as
well, so maybe hard work is paying off for them but not my cup of (lukewarm)
tea.
The place had definitely filled by the time Killing Joke
started, a Gang of Four track providing their intro. Several hundred “gatherers” (the band dislike
the word fans apparently) in now, though I don’t know if that would have
compared favourably relative to other cities on the tour. The older age range here, inevitable given a
25 year history, obviously aren’t bothered about upstart supports but the
numbers coming purely for the main band is a reassuring portent. The sound is fantastic from the off, all the
instruments powerful and pounding. Jaz
Coleman is a natural front man, boiler suited, face painted, crazy dancing and
mime, effortlessly holding the focus of the crowd in his grasp. I’d heard him described as “the industrial
Ozzy Osbourne” and you could see elements of that in his freaky stary-eyed
theatrics, but while Ozzy may be just a little dazed and confused Jaz seems to
retain a lot more sharpness, despite (alleged, and maybe equivalent) indulgence
over the years. His brief between song
barbs on politics, beliefs, etc seem genuine and convincing without any points
being laboured. His vocals are also top
notch (“the best in the business” says sync and I can’t argue), the contrast
between the almost spoken, gentle melody of verses and the gruff roar of
choruses is remarkable. Raven on bass is
far more animated than when I saw him with Godflesh a few years back, despite
still possessing the eyes of a man who hasn’t slept for a year. Geordie seems to play with an extremely laid
back style, almost bluesy strumming on his semi-acoustic looking guitar that
totally belies the killer chugtastic industrial riffage that’s coming out. They have a new drummer, Benny, and his
youthful energy goes into really hammering tribal rhythms out, the most severe
beating I’d recall seeing since Ted Parsons.
Rez(?) on the keyboards is also right up front on the stage, which I
hear is a new development, definitely showing the importance of the keyboard
vibes, washes and swirling patterns in their sound mix.
They play most songs I know, “Wardance”, “the Wait” and
“Requiem” from the earliest days but despite being none the wiser for the
majority of the rest it is still immensely catchy and enjoyable for their 90
minute set. This is apparently a greatest
hits style set but with some more obscure album tracks resurrected, a winner
with crowd for sure. I am blown away
when after enjoying the first half of the set of rhythmic heaviness they pick
up the tempo into a section of faster numbers that destroyed, “Asteroid”
grinded like an asteroid and “Frenzy” built to one. There was maybe a couple that didn’t come
across so well but that was probably only in comparison to the strength of the
bulk of their material. A brief break
before a 2 song encore, the set maybe cut a little because of the
curfew/changeover, they express genuine gratitude for the “happy days” they’ve
always had in Liverpool, Jaz also embraces each of the band members in turn,
happiness all round. The almost fanfare
like keyboard intro of “Pandemonium” signals the closer and I for one am
delighted to eventually get round to having the experience.
On the way home, eventually able to obliterate Fatman’s
memories of bucking camels around the pyramids through the blastbeats of every
Egyptologists favourite death metallers Nile.
Sync’s notes –
Superb night; cheers to Mark for driving the very thirsty
Fatman and myself to the gig. I thought Tribatik were a great support band; the
start of their set was a sample of a steam train starting up chugging and
getting faster until the band kicked in with their space rock Hawkwind-like
sound. I enjoyed all of their set, which is unheard of for me watching a live
band for the first time, and I would make an effort to see this band live
again. Also wasn’t impressed with October File after being told by their
merchandise attendant that I would be back to buy the CD after their set (oh no
I fucking won’t!)
Nearing the start of Killing Jokes set, I had an almost
deja-vu like experience taking me back 2 years when we saw KJ in this very same
venue with the same Gang Of Four track as their walk on music. Jaz was and
looked on top form again as usual (best voice in the business), Not sure about
Geordie’s reversed baseball cap! But the guy looks cool whatever he’s wearing,
and after 25 years Raven knows how to play his bass without looking at his
fingers, which means he can scan the crowd for faces he knows or doesn’t know,
psyching them out with his intimidating gestures and facial expressions. The
set tonight included – Communion, Wardance, Song & Dance, We Have Joy,
Primitive, Frenzy, Total Invasion, Bloodsport, Requiem, Asteroid, The Wait,
Whiteout, Psyche, Darkness Before Dawn, Sun Goes Down, and Pandemonium. I’ve
seen them 5 times now, and this was another superb gig by a band that don’t do
bad gigs, and I just hope they continue to perform for years to come giving me
more opportunities to see them live, as they have become, over the years, like
a religion to me, with Jaz being the coolest and most obscure preacher to walk
this planet.
