Brixton Academy - 6.2.04
When Peter Hayes take to the stage evidently Turner and Jago-less, you get a severe sense of déjà vu. Unlike the fabled Leeds gig in 2003, where a disorientated Jago stumbled onto the stage almost an hour late, there is a definite method in their madness. As cool and calculated as can be, a solitary Peter Hayes stands amidst a cascade of white light, yet still close enough to the shadows, and in his chronically shy and aloof voice informs us ‘We’re going to try something a little different’. After a nasal passage induced Dylan cover, enter Robert Turner. What follows is an acoustic rendition of ‘Love Burns’ that is all smoke and soul, and for second renders their enigmatic and absent drummer surplus to requirements. Just for a second though, as Jago wanders on stage
’Stop’ is an epileptic barrage of scuzz induced static, ‘Six barrel shotgun’ goes straight for the head with Jago’s drumming like staccato punches drawing blood every time, whilst ‘Spread your love’ is as infectious and exciting as it ever was. It’s as intense as it is relentless, its leather coat, Harley riding every stereotype cool without ever trying to be. Tonight is fuelled by a sense of resentment that boils beneath the surface without ever exploding which makes them as musically acidic as it does politically acute. Usually men of few words, when Peter opens up with a righteous outburst of ‘Fuck your government’, coupled with the thought provoking ‘Generation’ and ‘US Government’, politics was never sold so well. Dispelling thoughts of anarchy, the behemoth that is ‘Salvation’ straddles the mid set slot that is often so many bands downfall. With enough atmosphere and sensuality to drown the senses, it soon returns the crowd to their rabbit in the headlights state. The stand out point of the night is the wailing guitar, tribal pummel and snarling bass of ‘Rise or fall’ that is as masterful as it is moody.
As ‘Whatever happened’ brings everything to a white noised climax, this is music to break the law too and with a new sense of relevance and poignancy, you realise, as Robert sang ‘Save me’ and your soul screamed it, it was too late, it was already long gone, and the three dark angels who are now its keepers are gone as well.
Sherief Younis.
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