Terrorvision / Rebel Yell
Manchester Academy - 09/04/09
No matter if you’re young at heart, the news that Terrorvision are touring to celebrate 15 years since the release of ‘How To Make friends And Influence People’ has got to hit some people hard. I was 14 when the album first surfaced like Jaws in 1994 and ate everything meaningless up, so I have been hit by this news a little less harsh.
First up are Rebel Yell from Leeds, a brash rockabilly band that are very tight (and ladies, very cute). They draw obvious similarities to The Clash; the chorus shouts, the punk attitude, and the catchy tunes with good lyrics. They also have a drummer that stands up to play and a double bass player that uses the instrument more like a set of step ladders than a boring orchestral blob at the back.
It’s a shame that they are all crowded into one corner of the stage; though maybe it’s their decision, as there is plenty of room. The pink backlight on them blinds most people rather than illuminate the band, but the sounds and shire musical talent of this foursome overcome this, and for once a support band at an established band’s show actually get credit from the crowd, despite the difference in musical genre. I can not believe they are not signed; today’s A and R need to get hearing aids.
Right, the tension is great for the return of a much loved nineties band, with all the original members. Actually they returned twice last year, playing two ‘Lost Weekenders’ tours, one with and one without bassist Leigh. Now they are back and know what we want, the greatest album they did (my opinion, though probably matched by many) from start to finish. We even get the ‘Tick Tock’ at the beginning.
The pace has hardly slowed either; for a band in their forties (and still looking good!) they give a great live show and play those songs like they are fresh today. Tony Wright, still bouncing about like Pooh’s mate Tigger, jokingly asks for help with the words, but does not need it.
Rebel Yell return after the Tick Tocks have faded again to play a few Terrorvision covers like ‘Bad Actress’, with a rockabilly swing. Some are hard to decipher (in a good way), so they have done a great job!
Not only do we get the full album, but we get a range of songs from across their back catalogue, like ‘Celebrity Hit List’ and ‘Do You Wanna Go Faster’ to more obscure B-sides like ‘Suffocation’ and ‘Mr Buskerman’. Highlights for myself (apart from the entire HTMFAIP album) are the jazz version of ‘Tequila’ (much better than the original) and encore tracks ‘My House’ and ‘Perseverance’.
Forget feeling old, these reunion shows always make me feel young again, so keep ‘em coming! Any chance of a ‘Formaldehyde’ 20th Anniversary tour?!
Danielle Millea