Nine Feet Underground

Last time I saw Genesis - at Knebworth in 1978 - Steve Hackett had already left the band and they'd just released the aptly titled, 'And Then There Were Three'.  Looking back at the albums Genesis released after Steve Hackett left  - and I include 'And Then There Were Three' in that number - it's clear that, whatever the song credits may suggest, he had a big influence on the sound and songwriting and his departure coincided with the end of my interest in their albums.  I'd go further and say, lyrically at least, losing Peter Gabriel also negatively affected the songwriting, though that's one for another day... From Hillage to Hackett in twenty-four hours - and, a fter the magnificence of Gong and Steve Hillage's performance in Aylesbury the previous night, this was going to have to be good, though several sources had suggested we'd not be disappointed. Friends met, drinks in hand, we took to our seats in the circle, front row ...

Steve Hillage live twice in the same year?  You spoil me... ...not only that, but  a chance to see Gong live playing their own new songs as well as playing as Steve Hillage's band is an opportunity not to be missed... ...and so it was, on a cold and wet Friday evening in November, I began the 35 mile drive North to Aylesbury in the rush hour. After a meal with a good friend it was off to the Waterside Theatre, a venue I'd never visited before, to the gig hosted/promoted by the legendary Friars Aylesbury music club. Seated at the back row in the circle provided a perfect view of the stage: question is would the sound be any good? Bang on 7:30pm Gong took to the stage, fronted by Kavus Torabi, and from the off any doubts about the acoustics were dispelled - the sound was clear and sharp. Kavus even remarked on how impressed they were with the acoustics when they set up and rehearsed earlier that day. Kavus made it clear this wasn't going to be a Gong nos...

Gnod playing in Reading?  At South Street Arts Centre! I cannot miss this... A cold Thursday night beckons, get there early, get some drinks in and see the support, Typical Hunks, a local band.   Checked them out on Bandcamp, sound OK - always good to hear new bands. Yep, nicely set up for the evening. Typical Hunks took to the stage - a two-piece, guitar, bass and a drum machine - let's hear it for the trusty drum machine, a revival, perhaps? Didn't warm to them at first, but as the drum machine cranked up, more rhythmic numbers were played. Bass lines and drum patterns snaking around each other, sprinkled atop with angular, spiky guitar lines and equally spiky vocals.  The magic formula slowly emerged. Thirty minutes or so later, they were spent, done. Would I seek them out? Maybe - if they were on the bill, I'd watch them. Figure there was a kernel of something in their tunes that could become something interesting... Grab another drink ahead of Gno...