CHURCH Dundee, the venue for tonight’s tour visit from Theatre of Hate and guests The Membranes. With its twin staircase as you enter and the characteristic church appearance, it’s gothic charm lends its self as a perfect place of worship for two bands that have stood the test of time. The dramatic architecture and atmospheric presence, work on many levels, as you enter the building. Stepping in from a balmy summers evening, into a dark hallowed venue, you’re ready for the sermon.
The Membranes John Robb takes the stage and baits the audience to come closer. With the song title, The Universe Explodes Into A Billion Photons Of Pure White Light the self-awakening begins for those who’ve made it tonight. Dark, atmospheric, powerful end of days music for the disillusioned. It’s an incredible behemoth of a song with multiple complicated layers of darkness. You could imagine Dante writing The Devine Comedy to The Membranes music. Next, Dark Energy (from the 2015 Album Dark Matter/Dark Energy) has John Robb’s bass pulsing whilst the dual guitars of Nick Brown and Peter Byrchmore bring subtlety and eeriness. Crushing bass and jangling chaotic guitars signify Do The Supernova which is well received. The tempo drops for the atmospheric yet angular and chopped, In The Graveyard. John Robb’s heavily effected vocals carry the song and see him at his theatrical best bringing out his dramatic emotive energy as he raises and outstretches his arms to the heavens. He dedicates the song to the local graveyard, where we’ll end up…. if we’re lucky! Encouraging the crowd to dance, Black is a Colour is up next. The throbbing edgy bass and straight beats from Rob Haynes are wonderfully complimented by the twin guitars. A new track, which has it’s first airing live, A Strange Perfume demonstrates there’s a lot more to come with the anticipated new recordings, as again, driving bass and some great tribal tom work is the background to the fantastic harmonic yet diverse guitar work which elevates the song. The penultimate song, Hum of the Universe (again from their last album) sees another drop in tempo with no less focus on delivery. The crowd join in at John’s request to singalong with the chorus then, on to the last song. The seminal Myths and Legends, perhaps the most archetypal song which could define The Membranes. A captivated audience show their appreciation for what has seen a spirited performance, fitting for the location.
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Theatre of Hate take the stage in a low key manner and get straight down to business with the bands first ever single, Original Sin. Turning the clock back, the opening saxophone of Clive Osborne is joined by Stan Stammers bass then the drums of Chris Bell come hammering in before Kirk Brandon’s opening lyric takes us back to 1980. Clive Osborne’s haunting sax starts Judgement Hymn, another early track is next before we get the first of the newer songs Black Irony from the last album (Kinshi). Kirk picks up his iconic guitar and sings, “I believe in Mickey Mouse”. The focus and deliver from the band are as relevant today as they ever were. The band’s incredible passion is evident with every note, set apart by the saxophone which has an unmatched empathy with any other band of it’s genre. Kirk’s lyrics filled with social/political comment are worthy of dissection and he remains a relevant voice for those who need to find an alternative voice. Kirk introduces Facade (another from Kinshi) as a song about how this world is “unreal”, everything we see in the media or on TV is just a show we’re watching. This song has a timeless feel to it with the saxophone again bringing an elegance to the song. The third song from Westworld is next, “63” with Americanos and Conquistador following on.
The musicianship and intensity from the band are felt throughout the audience and there’s a gravity about the band which comes through in their no-nonsense performance. Day of the Dog (Kinshi) is a fabulous upbeat song with some throwback lyrical references to earlier Theatre of Hate songs which leads onto another track from Westworld as The Wake see a return to early form. Driving bass and drums with twin guitars of Kirk and Adrian Portas and the sax supplemented with Kirks distinguishable voice. Two more tracks from Kinshi, the thought-provoking Eyeless in Gaza and Slave bring Theatre of Hate smack bang into the present day. The next track sees Kirk brandishing a drumstick in hand as he hits the mic stand/monitor and himself to the hypnotic beat. Listed as Africa on the setlist, it benefits from heavily played tribal drumming and heavy strummed bass with the signature melancholic sax with a great running solo on guitar. Kirk’s in a world of his own twirling the drumstick like a baton. The song ends to rapturous applause.
A rousing version of Incinerator is followed by the seminal Legion as the band are in full flow and deliver the B side of the first single with great energy. The middle break with Stan hammering his bass and Clive’s sax filling the room, see Kirk, stage left dancing and gesturing back towards the band before he comes crashing back in with his rousing Legion, Legion, Legion. Biggest response from the crowd so far as the band fire into Europa and the infectious Propaganda. This brings the set to a close but after a brief break, they return, much to the delight of the eager audience and The Klan breaks the silence before the unforgettable Do You Believe in the Westworld does see the band bid farewell to Dundee as Kirk thanks the audience.
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https://www.kirkbrandon.com
http://www.stanstammers.com
Not the busiest gig I have ever been at to be fair but both bands delivered tonight. Both with musical content and passion, they left nothing to the imagination. For those that did turn out, they were treated to two bands at the top of their game!
Thanks to Boab Williamson of Patchchord News and Ruthless Artists http://ruthlessartistes.co.uk for a fantastic gig.