Crud World Domination Enterprises give you
POP WILL EAT ITSELF
2005
Birmingham Academy 22nd 23rd January
Shepherds Bush Empire London 24th 25th January
(review by ian jones, pic by http://gigs.photies.net/)
"Perverts on your knees for what you are about to receive…"
The last 10 years have been cruel to England’s Finest. Brit pop came and cool Britannia ruled the NME and the Maker and one of the most innovative and original British acts of the last 20 years bid a not particularly fond farewell.
Times have indeed been stranger since – Their split gave us Bentley Rhythm Ace. Their split gave us Clint Mansell the Hollywood film Composer. Their split went pretty much unnoticed by all but local press and fans and here, it was going to seem, finished the story.
But no – after rumours, fuelled and encouraged by the brilliant
www.pweination.org (good man Tezzer) shows were announced, tickets were sold out, flights from Australia, America and Japan (to name a few) were booked and over 8000 Poppies fans, over 5 days, came together to create something very…very special."Music ladies and gentlemen, is the gift of god…"
..And here is how the show began!! Maybe its because they are among friends. Maybe because they know they can’t fail but what we are treated to is a pure joy to watch and hear. Much like The Wonderstuff shows of late 2000 there is a real family vibe in the venue and this makes for one hell of a party down the front, at the sides and right up at the back!
The back catalogue is given a thorough investigation including everything you would expect from a PWEI show ("Def.Con one", "There is No Love", "Ich Bin Ein Auslander" to name a few) and more than enough surprises ("Oh Grebo I think I love you" and "Beaver Patrol" anyone???)
A stunning lighting rig strobes and pans across the venue, blinding and impressing with equal measure while the now infamous
Designers Republic imagery is scrolled across the backdrop, mirroring the thousands of beaten and faded t-shirts facing back at the stage.Each track an anthem for a generation – each track drowned out by the noise from the floor and the nosebleeds – each track a shiver up the spine as the game of "what next" starts to get played through the front rows. The sense of anticipation rising, the roof lifted and the delight of a few thousand launched back towards the band. Feels like Karma? You betcha baby!!
"The Power exists in everyone…"
So 5 shows in 5 nights and it was all over – Exhausted and still in awe of a gig experience unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed. This was more than a pogo down memory lane. This was more than resurrecting memories of pints of snakebite and ex girlfriends in stripey tights. It was more than painted Doc Martins and red dreadlocks. Yes there was an element of nostalgia to it all, but there was something more. This was a genuine moment when music ahead of its time finally didn’t look out of place. How we all need a band like this today. Innovative, intelligent and armed with damn good party soundtrack.
Now who’s for hitting the message boards with rumours of new material??……
Set list (Shepherds Bush Empire January 24th)
The Incredible PWEI V’s The Moral Majority
Preaching to the Perverted
Wise Up! Sucker
Get the Girl! Kill The Baddies
88 Seconds… And still counting
RSVP
Kick To Kill
Wake Up! Time to Die
Ich Bin Ein Auslander
There is No Love Between Us Anymore
Eat Me Drink Me Love Me Kill Me
Can U Dig It?
Everything’s Cool
Not now James, We’re Busy
Their Law
Bulletproof
There’s a Psychopath in My Soup
Oh Grebo, I think I love You
Sweet Sweet Pie
Beaver Patrol
Def.Con One
Dance of the Mad Bastards
Urban Futuristic
Karmadrome
Additional Tracks Played on Tour
Runaround
Organ Accumulator
Harry Dean Stanton
Menofearthereaper
The Black Country Chainstore Massacre
Monogamy
Axe of Men
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