#SpookyTunesSeason, Volume Two

Clinging onto the Hallowe'en bandwagon, here's the second half of a month-long Twitter challenge, covering the past fortnight and up to today's final tweet.

 

As with Volume One, this has been done on the fly, so you will find zig zags from lo-fi indie to lush alt. country to German disco to reggae to revisionist pop history.

Once more, the 'sleevenotes' are a direct lift from my tweets, which provide little insight other than I clearly need more caffeine in the morning!

 

Spider To The Fly: Isobel Campbell

From Isobel's current album Bow To Love, which is so good that she also recorded and released the entire album in French as Place à l'Amour. Fantasmagorique!

 

Frankenstein Conquers The World: Jad Fair & Daniel Johnston

...or Frankenstein vs. The World, if you got the expanded UK/Europe reissue in 1993, renaming the original self-titled album as - what else? - It's Spooky.

 

Pretty Little Graves: Baby Bird

Tucked away on the B-side of the Cornershop single, uptempo rhythms belying Stephen Jones' downbeat lyrics.

 

Where The Creepyboyz Sing: John Cale

This turned up as a Japan-only bonus track on the Hobo Sapiens album, less than 1k views on You Tube. Deserves to be heard!

 

The New Cobweb Summer (Album Version): Lambchop

Hard to believe that this song is over 20 years old. Here's a more recent, but equally lovely, live version from Pickathon 2019.

 

(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows (Moby Remix): Billy Idol

Moby takes Billy's 1983 album track, chews it up, spits it out 35 years later for a remix album project. Vital Idol Revitalised? Regurgitated, more like! I love it.

 

Spooky Rhodes: Laika

From the Sounds Of The Satellites album, which I was lucky enough to catch them touring in the UK. Here's a fan-made video, which seems to have no relation to the song...Not spooky, but odd.

 

Soul Dracula: Hot Blood

Ready for some German disco on Dutch TV? There was a follow up LP in 1977 called Dracula And Co, including Baby Frankie Stein, Dracula Goes Dreamy and, er, Sex Me.

 

Because You're Frightened (Album Version): Magazine

Magazine's reformation in 2009 for an album and tour was something I'd previously thought impossible. I was lucky enough to see them in Birmingham. An astonishing show.

 

My Boy Builds Coffins (Album Version): Florence + The Machine

A lovely interview & performance from 2008, when Flo' was 'one to watch'. She's done alright since, hasn't she?

 

As I Washed The Blood Off: The Fatima Mansions

From the much missed Cathal Coughlan. I'm endlessly fascinated by the songs that people choose to make DIY videos for and post on You Tube...

 

Nightmare: Bim Sherman

Nightmares? Here's the remedy.

 

Killer Inside Me (Killer Long Version): MC 900 Ft. Jesus

Mark Griffin deftly mixed rap, jazz and unsettling narratives in the early 90s before retiring from the biz. And his full name is supposed to be '900 foot' not 'featuring'...!

 

Trick Or Treat: Otis Redding

A co-write with Isaac Hayes, it's hard to believe that this remained unreleased until 1992. A monster tune!

 

Thriller (The Reflex 'Halloween Disco' Edit): Michael Jackson

An obvious pick, but possibly a version that some may not have heard before. Nicolas Laugier works his magic yet again.  

 

Whether you're celebrating or battening down the hatches this evening, you could do worse than give this a spin. Though possibly not much worse ;-)

1) Spider To The Fly: Isobel Campbell (2024)

2) Frankenstein vs. The World (Video Version): Jad Fair & Daniel Johnston (1989)

3) Pretty Little Graves: Baby Bird (1997)

4) Where The Creepyboyz Sing: John Cale (2003)

5) The New Cobweb Summer (Album Version): Lambchop (2002)

6) (Do Not) Stand In The Shadows (Moby Remix): Billy Idol (2018)

7) Spooky Rhodes: Laika (1997)

8) Soul Dracula: Hot Blood (1975)

9) Because You're Frightened (Album Version): Magazine (1980)

10) My Boy Builds Coffins (Album Version): Florence + The Machine (2009)

11) As I Washed The Blood Off: The Fatima Mansions (1994)

12) Nightmare: Bim Sherman (1990)

13) Killer Inside Me (Killer Long Version): MC 900 Ft. Jesus (1991)

14) Trick Or Treat: Otis Redding (1966)

15) Thriller (The Reflex 'Halloween Disco' Edit): Michael Jackson (2013)

Volume Two (1:06:16) (KF) (Mega)

#SpookyTunesSeason, Volume One

Jumping on the Hallowe'en bandwagon, this is the first half of a month-long bit of fun over on Twitter. I've literally been making it up as I go along, so it's a surprisingly coherent Dubhed selection, all things considered.

Expect some wild swerves from indie to reggae to rap to disco to bubblegum pop to contemporary breakbeats. I've copied and pasted my 'sleevenotes' directly from Musk's manky bird. 

I Walked With A Zombie: R.E.M.

I was going to ‘rest’ for a month, but there’s clearly no rest for the undead… Starting big with this great cover from R.E.M.

 

Ghouls: Wooden Shjips

Ripley Johnson, Dusty Jermier, Nash Whalen & Omar Ahsanuddin R.O.C.K. out!

 

My Beloved Monster: Eels

I suspect this song may have been posted lots already, so here’s a lovely version from the 2 Meter Sessions in 1997.

 

Vampire: Sinéad O'Connor

Cover of the Devon Irons & Dr. Alimantado/Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry classic from 1977. Sinéad produced by Sly & Robbie and absolutely smashing it.  

 

Devil Is A Liar: Kode9 & The Spaceape

Astonishing music and video, sadly released posthumously as The Space Ape aka Stephen Gordon passed far too soon on 2nd Oct 2014.  

 

Horrorworld: Momus

I nearly picked The Hairstyle Of The Devil, but this more recent offering from Mr. Currie also has a suitably creepy video.

Werewolves On Wheels: Don Gere

Forget the "first ever motorcycle horror film", it's the soundtrack & especially the main theme that you need to hunt down. Just remember to bring the silver bullets.

Terror In The Canyons (The Wounded Master): Phosphorescent

Lots of great live performances out there, including this one atop the Studio Brussel tower in Belgium, on 26 May 2013 (like today, also a Tuesday)

I Don't Want To Be A Freak (But I Can't Help Myself): Dynasty

Just a music love affair...  

 

Garghouls (Richard Sen Remix): Funboys

Head straight for the Sen. Old school video, new school vibes courtesy of this Norwegian-Australian-Belgian-Anglo collab.

 

Munster Creep: The Munsters

A cash-in single and album on the classic TV show that's actually pretty good. The real musicians apparently include Glen Campbell on guitar and Leon Russell on keys. Spooky! (#1)

 

These Are The Ghosts: The Bees

Their harmonies are the bees' knees, as this 2011 live version amply demonstrates.

 

Plastic Man, You're The Devil: Pink Mountaintops

From The Bees to McBean. Stephen McBean, that is, with a lovely live version from Vienna in 2009. 

 

She's Got A New Spell: Billy Bragg

I'd already chosen the song before fact checking and I have just discovered this was released as a single in the UK on 14th November 1988. Spooky! (#2)

 

Dirty Creature: Split Enz

The video is online but I've gone for this performance on short-lived Australian daytime music show WROK. Health warning: hairy chests from the start.

Skeletons: Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Lots of YYY contenders, but I don't think this has made an appearance so far. Great song from a great album.  

 

With Volume Two landing tomorrow, I'll leave it to you to decide if this is 'trick' or 'treat'...!

1) I Walked With A Zombie (Cover of Roky Erickson & The Aliens): R.E.M. (1990)

2) Ghouls: Wooden Shjips (2013)

3) My Beloved Monster (Album Version): Eels (1996)

4) Vampire (Album Version) (Cover of Lee Perry ft. Devon Irons & Dr. Alimantado): Sinéad O'Connor (2005)

5) Devil Is A Liar: Kode9 & The Spaceape (2014)

6) Horrorworld: Momus (2021)

7) Werewolves On Wheels: Don Gere (1971)

8) Terror In The Canyons (The Wounded Master): Phosphorescent (2013)

9) I Don't Want To Be A Freak (But I Can't Help Myself) (Album Version): Dynasty (1979)

10) Garghouls (Richard Sen Remix): Funboys (2021)

11) Munster Creep: The Munsters (1964)

12) These Are The Ghosts (Undead Version): The Bees (2004)

13) Plastic Man, You're The Devil: Pink Mountaintops (2006)

14) She's Got A New Spell: Billy Bragg (1988)

15) Dirty Creature: Split Enz (1982)

16) Skeletons (Album Version): Yeah Yeah Yeahs (2009)

Volume One (1:08:26) (KF) (Mega)

Waking Up From A Dreamin'

Today's selection is forty six minutes of Low. 

 

In just over a week from now (6th November), it'll be two years since Mimi Parker passed and Low effectively came to an end.

 

As a celebration of the music that Mimi and husband Alan Sparhawk created, I've curated a 10-song selection gleaned entirely from Uncut and Mojo magazine promo CDs, which were effectively my introduction to Low's music. I've since caught up with all of their studio albums, and it's an incredible body of work to say the least.

 

Low were regular features in both magazine's end of year Best Of countdowns and it's little surprise. The music was by turns abrasive and challenging yet also heartrendingly beautiful in it's complexity, especially when Mimi sang solo or harmonised with Alan. 

 

Most of these are lifted straight from the albums, with a few exceptions. Disarray appears on 2018 album Double Negative, here receiving a slight edit to the intro for the version given away with Uncut. 

 

Uncut magazine also presented cover version compilation CDs in 2019 and 2021, focusing on Wilco and Bob Dylan, so I think Low's contributions to both may be exclusive to those releases. Not wanting to be left out, Neil Young also gets a tribute, also an Uncut magazine freebie, this time with Dirty Three. It's an astonishing version, Mimi once again to the fore.

 

Given the disjointed way that the song choices for today's selection arrived, I'm pleased with the sequencing, which I think makes for a coherent and satisfying listening experience. Let me know what you think.
 
1) What Part Of Me (2015)

2) Witches (2011)

3) Just Make It Stop (2013)

4) Breaker (2007)

5) Down By The River (Cover of Neil Young): Low + Dirty Three (2001)

6) War On War (Cover of Wilco) (2019)

7) Disarray (Edit) (2018)

8) Everybody's Song (2005)

9) Hey (2021)

10) Knockin' On Heaven's Door (Cover of Bob Dylan) (2021)

 

2001: In The Fishtank, Volume 7 EP: 5 

2005: The Great Destroyer: 8

2007: Drums And Guns: 4

2011: C'mon: 2

2013: The Invisible Way: 3

2015: Ones And Sixes: 1 

2018: Electric Wonderland (Uncut magazine promo CD): 7

2019: Wilco Covered (Uncut magazine promo CD): 6

2021: Dylan Revisited (Uncut magazine promo CD): 10

2021: Hey What: 9

Waking Up From A Dreamin' (46:46) (KF) (Mega)

Speeding Train

At the weekend, Underworld shared another song from their current album Strawberry Hotel.

Techno Shinkansen is three and a half minutes of perfection, speeding along like it's namesake and reaching it's final destination far too soon.

Until the inevitable mega (mega) extended version, here's evidence of Underworld's previous form with the train, on this rather fine version of Dark & Long from - can you believe it?  - thirty years ago. 

A.I.

Altered Images have played locally live twice in the past week, in Bristol on Sunday 20th and Stroud on Friday 26th. 

 

I missed both, but thankfully Mike is here to give us the low down on last weekend's show. Take it away, Mike!

Firstly an admission – Clare Grogan is great. 

Her career is great. 

Her films are great. 

So what I’m about to write may include negatives but they aren’t aimed at her – 

it’s more of the state of gigs we go to at the moment and 

the choices us as punters have to make now we are ‘a certain age’.

Many of you will know the back story here. Altered Images split up in the mid 1980’s shortly after the album ‘Bite’ and had a long hiatus until Clare was offered gigs on the ‘80’s circuit which developed in the early 2000’s. She has been plying her trade with a younger band and this has even resulted in new music – ‘Mascara Streakz’ an album released in 2022. This month Altered Images (or as I call them AI) are touring ‘Bite’ at ten venues- Bristol being the second after an opening night at Brighton.

When we get to the venue the crowd is sparse. Bristol O2 Academy capacity is about 1700 and I would say there are about 450 people there? You know attendance is low when they cordon off the upstairs and it still feels...erm...draughty. My mate Jon had been to the previous night in Brighton and as it was a smaller venue it looked reasonably busy and a tight intimate atmosphere.

My heart always goes out to the band when this happens – who did the booking? Did AI’s management really think that they were going to anywhere near sell out this venue? Has an AI song been used in a film that the TikTok generation has seen hence the expectation of masses of teenagers descending on O2 Academy in anticipation of ‘Insects’? 

Anyway the show is a game of two halves – the first half ‘Bite’ – played in order. Bite is a short album only consisting of 8 songs and TBF it is pretty consistent all the way through. Clare comes on and her voice is strong and we are transported back to 1983, legwarmers, deeley boppers and Les Dawson on prime time television. AI perform 'bite' go off and come back again to do a 'greatest hits' set. The band is a young band – I have seen AI 3 times in recent years and I would imagine none of them have seen a deeley bopper in their life, let alone a Rubik’s Cube.

 

Thanks, Mike! It sounded - and looked - like a great night, all round.

So with half a set comprising the entirety of the Bite album played in sequential order, how to approach today's Dubhed selection? Not as tough as it first seemed.

 

Several tracks from Bite appeared on my previous A.I. selection I Could Be Happy (Last Goodbye) back in July 2021, so I started by removing any 'duplicates'. There were three singles from the album, so I plumped for the 12" versions for all. 

 

Note for purists: the 'extended version' of Don't Talk To Me About Love is from the 12"/80s compilation and the expanded edition of Bite, both released in the early 2000s and about a minute and a half shorter than the version on the 12" single in my collection.

The half-dozen 'greatest hits' got largely the same treatment. The 12" mix of I Could Be Happy appeared on the previous A.I. selection, so I've opted here for the rather wonderful version from 2022's Clara Libre EP. 

 

Assuming that a few of you may have the spectacular comeback album Mascara Streakz, I've included radio edits of the three singles featured in the set; I bought the digital format of Mascara Streakz which came with these as bonus tracks.

See Those Eyes is the Razormaid edit by Joseph Watt, not massively different from the original Dance Mix by Martin Rushent but reintroducing Clare's vocals which are mostly absent from the dubby latter. However, the US version is missing the fun studio dialogue intro of the original 12" so I've tacked it on.

 

And how else could the set end, but with Happy Birthday? Again, I've gone for the full-blown 12" Dance Mix. Over familiar yes, but no less joyous than when I first heard it forty-odd years ago.

 

This one's dedicated to Mike, with thanks again for the review, but also for Brian, who I know will be very happy to hear Clare's dulcet tones this fine October day.

 

1) Bring Me Closer (Extended Version) (1983)

2) Another Lost Look (Album Version) (1983)

3) Love To Stay (Extended Version) (1983)

4) Now That You're Here (Album Version) (1983)

5) Don't Talk To Me About Love (Extended Version) (Edit) (1983)

6) I Could Be Happy (Cuban Version) (2022)

7) Mascara Streakz (Radio Edit) (2022)

8) Dead Pop Stars (Single Version) (1981)

9) Double Reflection (Radio Edit) (2022)

10) See Those Eyes (Dance Mix Intro / Razormaid Remix) (1982) 

11) Glitter Ball (Radio Edit) (2022)

12) Happy Birthday (Dance Mix) (1981)

 

1981: Dead Pop Stars EP: 8 

1981: Happy Birthday EP: 12

1982: See Those Eyes EP: 10

1983: Bite: 2, 5

1983: Bring Me Closer EP: 1 

1983: Love To Stay EP: 3

2002: Class X Volume Nineteen: 10

2005: 12"/80s/2: 5

2022: Clara Libre EP: 6

2022: Mascara Streakz (bonus tracks): 7, 9, 11

A.I. (56:15) (KF) (Mega)

You can find my previous Altered Images selection, I Could Be Happy (Last Goodbye) right here.

 

 

Photos of Clare by Mike at O2 Academy, except for the 'shoes' pic headlining this post and my Dubhed selection. Both are snippets of a photo of Clare on stage at The Sub Rooms in Stroud on 26th October, taken and tweeted by FromTheMoshPit aka @DazKamera.

Fifth Strike

Way back in October 2021, picking up on a loose theme of "gigs I got tickets for, but never made it to", I reflected that John Grant is the artist that I've missed the most times. Four attempts since 2011, three times with tickets purchased in advance.

 

After breaking down the tragic circumstances for each and noting that the last three missed opportunities had all been at the same venue, I closed by saying,

 

"Fingers crossed, I will get to see John Grant perform live on stage one day. 

Given my track record so far, I might have to choose a venue other than Bath Forum..."

 

So, with a new album The Art Of The Lie and UK dates to support, I was determined that this would finally be my chance to break my run of bad luck and see the great (Grant) man.

 

I took no risks and avoided all possible jinxes. Avoid The Forum in Bath? No sweat. This time, the location was the Bristol Beacon. Tickets in my name? Uh uh. Mike came to the rescue, buying tickets (I paid him after) so no part of the transaction even featured my name. Work crisis stranding me miles from the gig? No siree. I based myself in Stroud. Okay, my car might have broken down and they may have cancelled all train services to Bristol. But what are the odds?

Nope. I was on it. Friday 25th October 2024 would be marked in history as the day I finally got to see John Grant live in concert.

And then Mike emailed me at 3.15pm yesterday.

Obviously, I'm sorry and concerned for John Grant and I hope he makes a full recovery soon.

But my first, honest reaction?

FFS!!!!!

Yet...once I stopped thinking about Franz Ferdinand/Sparks, I regrouped and reflected that maybe Friday 25th October 2024 wasn't the right time after all and the moment, when it comes, will be magical.

So, what's a John Grant fan to do in the meantime?

Well, I'd held off buying or listening to The Art Of The Lie as I wanted to hear the songs for the first time as performed live on stage. Therefore, the next best thing is to curate a brand new 12-track Dubhed selection on the fly and repost my previous two efforts.

This one's named Fifth Strike (what else?) and it just about manages to cover each of JG's four previous studio albums, a couple from the superb Live In Concert double album with The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, another live performance recorded in Iceland for KEXP, a Nick Drake cover and a couple of remixes, one bootleg, one official. And of course, every single one is a gem. 

 

Quite happy with this one, considering I was blinking back tears as I compiled it...

More gig action on Sunday, but not what you might be expecting. Hope to see you here.

 
1) Fireflies (Album Version) (2010)

2) Tempest (Album Version) (2018)

3) Marz (Live @ KEX Hostel, Reykjavík, Iceland) (2013)

4) Snug Slacks (Album Version) (2015)

5) Black Belt (Say Hooo! Edit) (2013)

6) Day Is Done (Cover of Nick Drake) (2023)

7) Where Dreams Go To Die (Live @ BBC Radio 6 Music, Media City, Salford ft. The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra) (2014)

8) Voodoo Doll (Gwenno vs. Peski Kid Remix) (2016)

9) Why Don't You Love Me Anymore (Album Version ft. Sinéad O'Connor) (2013)

10) Outer Space (Album Version) (2010)

11) It Doesn't Matter To Him (Live @ BBC Radio 6 Music, Media City, Salford ft. The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra) (2014)

12) The Cruise Room (Album Version) (2021)

 

2010: Queen Of Denmark (ltd 2x CD): 1, 10

2013: Black Belt EP: 5

2013: Live On KEXP EP: 3 

2013: Pale Green Ghosts: 9

2014: Live In Concert: 7, 11

2015: Grey Tickles, Black Pressure: 4

2016: Voodoo Doll EP: 8

2018: Love Is Magic: 2 

2021: Boy From Michigan: 12

2023: The Endless Coloured Ways: The Songs Of Nick Drake: 6

Fifth Strike (1:03:40) (KF) (Mega)

 

And if you want even more JG Dubhed action...

 

Some Of Them Remember But Most Of Them Don't (October 2021)

Filled To The Top With Pop And Rocks And Cyanide (February 2023)

Being Human(ist)

Last Thursday (17th), Mike and I ventured into Bristol to see Humanist play the final date of their UK tour at Dareshack in the city centre.

When Mike suggested the gig back in June on the back of my post the week before, I knew next to nothing about the band or the venue, which is usually as good a reason as any to say yes.

At the time I wrote about Humanist's collaborations with Dave Gahan, Tim Smith and John Robb, I also said that I was sufficiently intrigued to check out both the debut self-titled album and the then-forthcoming follow up, On The Edge Of A Lost And Lonely World. I only managed the latter.

It's a good album, aurally a vast soundscape that floats through shoegaze territory at times, tips a hat at Trent Reznor's film soundtracks and has a dizzying conveyor belt of guest vocalists, including Carl Hancock Rux, Ed Harcourt and Isobel Campbell. So, quite a challenge to recreate this in a live setting, I suspected.

As far as the venue is concerned, Dareshack is a relatively new addition to Bristol's rich and diverse live scene. Just along from a Caffè Nero and Greggs opposite the city's aptly named Castle Green, the former offices opened as a cafe and restaurant in 2020, adding a live venue in an adjoining room in 2022.

 

When Mike and I arrived, we bought (soft) drinks and as there was no seats available, or standing room to speak of in the cafe area, we headed straight to the performance room. Bristol was the only date on the tour with a support act 'TBA' and it quickly became apparent that we'd not missed them, there was none.

In fact, apart from a couple of people on stage, another couple in the sound booth and a solitary man next to what appeared to be the merch stand, we were the only ones in the room, and this pretty much continued to be the case until around 9.00pm, when others started to drift into the space.

There's a heart-stopping moment when Wendy Rae Fowler's bass drops to the stage with an almighty clang and she examines it in the dim light for damage...but all appears well and the show can go ahead.

With little fanfare, the neon Humanist logo backdrop lights up, there are a few belches of dry ice and the band take to the stage, left to right, Wendy on bass, Scott Pemberton on drums and Humanist main man Rob Marshall on guitar. Lastly, lead singer Jimmy Gnecco silently takes up position behind the microphone, gripping with both hands like his life depended on it. And maybe it did.

I mentioned that people had started to drift into the performance space, and that's true, but not many. Back in February, Humanist secured the coveted support slot on Depeche Mode's European arena tour, playing in Germany, Czechia and Poland to crowds of between 14,000 and 18,000 people per night.

The room at Dareshack has a capacity of 200 and I would generously estimate that it was half full as the band launched into a blistering performance of Beast Of The Nation from the debut album. I could only imagine that it must be a strange and arguably enervating sensation for the band to go from one extreme to the other, especially when facing what felt to me a rather flat and lifeless audience.

 

Beast Of The Nation was one of several Humanist songs originally performed by Mark Lanegan and therein lay the challenge for Jimmy Gnecco on stage: to reimagine and own songs that in their studio incarnations have a variety of formidable voices shaping them.

As a singer, Jimmy did a pretty good job, a good range and a consistent tone and character to the songs (admittedly, helped in part by my unfamiliarity with the originals) and some occasional vocal surprises, particularly on the final song when he really let rip. Unfortunately, his singing was frequently low in the mix, undermining what was clearly a virtuoso performance.

 

Visually, Jimmy also looked the part: a skinny scion of Iggy Pop and Richard Hell, hair slicked back and cheekbones cutting through the clouds of dry ice; black leather biker jacket zipped up tight, overlong T-shirt reined in by a thick belt around the hips; the hint of a tattoo sleeve poking out at the wrists.

 

As a performer, on this night at least, Jimmy was largely static, between song chat was perfunctory and kept to a minimum and I likely misinterpreted the regular glances at his bandmates to the left and right - and less often to the crowd itself - as the expression of someone who wished that this was all be over soon. Then again, I could hardly blame Jimmy for that and the absence of any real connection with the audience, when relatively few people had bothered to turn up and experience a great band in a (very) intimate setting.

The rhythm section were solid throughout. Wendy's face was pretty much hidden behind a curtain of hair throughout but her bass playing was clear and fluid; Steve has played with Rob for two decades now and together the pair were more than up to the task of providing a solid foundation for each of the dozen songs played.

 

And Rob? Well...Humanist is effectively Rob Marshall and, whilst there were few words from him onstage, he let his guitar playing do all the talking. At one point, I was mesmerised by Rob's playing on a solo, both hands literally a blur as he played with such speed and skill. The night was full of moments like that and frequently the focus of attention, arguably at the expense of the lead singer. It really was something to see and hear.

That said, there was a weird juxtaposition between the multi-layered, complex sounds on the album that were designed to be heard in cinemas and live arenas and the almost pub gig vibe of the Dareshack show. 

 

The venue blurb makes much of its "d&b 360 Soundscape installation", "twenty-two loudspeakers combined with state-of-the-art processing power, object-based mixing, and sophisticated room emulation". I'm not sure how much of that was actually at play during the Humanist set, not least our experience of the drowned vocals, but the band delivered a great show, all things considered.

 

I think the last three songs marked a gear change, as Jimmy made songs sung by Dave Gahan, John Robb and Mark Lanegan (again) his own and the spark became a flame in respect of the energy and driving force of the performance.

The set closed with Disbelief Suspension, a cover of the first song from Mark Lanegan Band's 2019 album Somebody's Knocking, which Rob co-wrote and played on. An hour after they first arrived on stage, Humanist left for the final time and the lights went up. 

Mike and I spent the walk back to the car, processing what we'd just seen and heard and trying to work out if we'd actually enjoyed it or not. I think on balance we did, but the sound, the venue and certainly the audience did the band a disservice and I felt bad that Rob and co. may have come away thinking that it was a pretty flat end to their UK tour. 

Interestingly, on Monday Mike shared a review of the same night by Richard Bowes for Live4Ever. It's a wonderfully written review, although reading the above you might think we were at different gigs. There's a lovely reference to "a reverential silence" between songs, which evokes a different feeling from the reality that it was largely down to a piss poor turnout. Richard notes that "the flicks of switches are clearly audible" at times; likewise, I could frequently hear my own applause above others, not what you'd usually expect at even a modestly-attended show.

We're all in agreement that Humanist are worth checking on record and stage, though. I'm going back to find the debut on the back of the Dareshack show and keep both albums on rotation for the rest of this year at least.

Given that I own only 50% of the Humanist catalogue so far, recreating the setlist as a Dubhed selection is beyond my reach. Therefore, I've instead plumped for YT links for each of the songs played, a few official videos, but mostly live performances filmed by the audience at several of their 2024 gigs. This means you can compare and contrast my description of the Dareshack gig with your own opinions. Let me know what you think.

1) Beast Of The Nation (Live @ The Roundhouse, London, 27th May 2024)

2) This Holding Pattern (Live @ Headrow House, Leeds, 15th October 2024)

3) Skull (Live @ Electrowerkz, London, 10th October 2024)

4) Born To Be (ft. Peter Hayes) (Official Video)

5) The Immortal (Live @ Headrow House, Leeds, 15th October 2024)

6) Too Many Rivals (ft. Tim Smith) (Official Video)

7) Happy (Live @ Nice 'n' Sleazy, Glasgow, 8th October 2024)

8) Ring Of Truth (ft. Carl Hancock Rux) (Official Video)

9) Shock Collar (ft. Dave Gahan) (Official Video)

10) Brother (ft. Dave Gahan) (Official Video)

11) English Ghosts (ft. John Robb) (Official Video)

12) Disbelief Suspension (Cover of Mark Lanegan Band) (Live @ Electrowerkz, London, 10th October 2024)