Melody Maker, March 7, 1981: Difference between revisions
(+image links) |
(+text part 1b) |
||
Line 42: | Line 42: | ||
The first two songs arc pounding, sharp pop, Elvis's voice cutting through clearly. The third is loose, almost jazz-orientated, with large helpings of Steve Nieve's keyboards complementing Elvis's crooning vocals. | The first two songs arc pounding, sharp pop, Elvis's voice cutting through clearly. The third is loose, almost jazz-orientated, with large helpings of Steve Nieve's keyboards complementing Elvis's crooning vocals. | ||
Then they break into "Possession" from ''Get Happy'' and a smile of recognition shoots across Andy's face. "My favourite | Then they break into "Possession" from ''Get Happy'' and a smile of recognition shoots across Andy's face. "My favourite song, this one." | ||
According to Andy the worst band to visit the Coliseum were undoubtedly the Stranglers. "Jean-Jacques Burnel just stood there taking the piss, like, and no-one said anything 'cos they were too scared." | |||
The best were undoubtedly Stiff Little Fingers. But it's due to the now defunct Sham 69 that bands play here now. It was Jimmy Pursey who came to the Coliseum first, nearly three years ago, blazing the trail for a steady flow of bands. | |||
Now Slade, the Who, Rose Royce and Status Quo are either expected, or have already played for these quiet, forgotten villages. The locals don't mind because the Coliseum is out of the way and doesn't disturb them, while the kids have a hall to dance in and arcades to amuse them. | |||
So in front of the backstage door Andy explains how he dyed his hair black and burnt his eyes in the process, and Elvis begins "Big Sister's Clothes." | |||
''"It's easy to say I love you,"'' come the words through the wall, ''"but that sounds easy I suppose."'' | |||
Outside Andy shifts his feet impatiently. Only two hours to go now. | |||
Last October, Elvis Costello and the Attractions went to Sweden and played a [[Concert 1980-11-13 Stockholm|gig]] in Stockholm, in a hall that held 5,000 people. They sold the place out and afterwards went to the Alexandria Club to celebrate. | |||
There they saw a local band by the name of Dave and the Mistakes. Three days later, Jake Riviera, Elvis' manager, rang Dave and his Mistakes and offered them a gig supporting Rockpilc in Scandinavia. | |||
The band accepted, but unfortunately the gig was cancelled and the band kicked themselves with frustration. | |||
In Sweden their popularity was increasing, but it was tough work. Sometimes they would find themselves setting up their gear in a backward hall to play for a group of drunken Swedes blitzed on illegal whisky, before setting off that very night to another gig 1100 kilometres away. | |||
Three weeks after the Rockpile gig fell through, Riviera rang again. Elvis would be touring Britain in March. Did they want to support? DID THEY WANT TO SUPPORT? | |||
In Cornwall, stomachs churning and a horror of freezing totally before their first foreign crowd, Dave and the Mistakes take the stage and acquit themselves perfectly. | |||
Neither serious nor a total joke, their brand of hard, melodic rock, coupled with the visual attack of their overweight vocalist Dave, and attractive female counterpart, brought a lot of smiling faces, and a lot of dancing bodies to the floor. | |||
They've obviously been listening to early Cheap Trick and Meatloaf, which may sound horrendous, but actually proved quite enjoyable as they energetically shake the crowd up with a distinctive brand of pop and rock. | |||
After each number Dave clowns as the applause rolls in, heightening the comedy level. The rest of the band play solidly with verve and expertise, creating an appealing wall of sound with ringing guitars and sturdy rhythms. | |||
They're not the best band in the world, but provide perfect support for the bespectacled one. And they left the hall in the perfect mood for Elvis. | |||
Half an hour later Costello bounds onstage with the Attractions and the "Tour To Trust" is underway with what may be either a new song or some obscure oldie. It's that hard to tell. | |||
oldie. It's that hard to tell. | |||
Elvis, of course, never tells us, finishing sharply and leading the band straight into "Accidents Will Happen." At once a great swirling sound is created as the band catch hold of the song and take it for all they're worth. | Elvis, of course, never tells us, finishing sharply and leading the band straight into "Accidents Will Happen." At once a great swirling sound is created as the band catch hold of the song and take it for all they're worth. | ||
Line 113: | Line 134: | ||
'''Melody Maker, March 7, 1981 | '''Melody Maker, March 7, 1981 | ||
---- | ---- | ||
[[Paolo Hewitt]] reviews Elvis Costello & [[The Attractions]], Sunday, [[Concert 1981-03-01 St. Austell|March 1, 1981]], Cornwall Coliseum, St. Austell, England. | [[Paolo Hewitt]] reviews Elvis Costello & [[The Attractions]] and opening act [[Dave & The Mistakes]], Sunday, [[Concert 1981-03-01 St. Austell|March 1, 1981]], Cornwall Coliseum, St. Austell, England. | ||
{{Bibliography images}} | {{Bibliography images}} | ||
Line 119: | Line 140: | ||
[[image:1981-03-07 Melody Maker page 14 clipping 01.jpg|360px|border]] | [[image:1981-03-07 Melody Maker page 14 clipping 01.jpg|360px|border]] | ||
<br><small>Clippings.</small> | <br><small>Clippings.</small> | ||
[[image:1981-03-07 Melody Maker page 15 clipping 01.jpg|360px|border]] | [[image:1981-03-07 Melody Maker page 15 clipping 01.jpg|360px|border]] | ||
Line 125: | Line 147: | ||
[[image:1981-03-07 Melody Maker page 35 clipping 01.jpg|240px|border]] | [[image:1981-03-07 Melody Maker page 35 clipping 01.jpg|240px|border]] | ||
<br><small>Clipping.</small> | <br><small>Clipping.</small> | ||
Revision as of 16:10, 19 September 2016
|