At first I was mixing up the band with Rebel Truce, a Clash tribute band that are rather goods at their job. Instead we have Rebel Yell from Leeds, a rockabilly band with the same attitude as Joe Strummer and friends, but with a bit more to look at (yes they are quite pleasing on the eye, but that's not what I mean!)
Featuring three brothers called McGown and a Bowman, the band play fast and furious rockabilly punk. Frontman Ray swings around and balances on his double bass making it look like a component in a weird extreme sport, while brother Craig stands up at the drums for the entire set. All four take vocal duties usually at the same time, giving an edge to their songs.
'Glasses, Knives and Bottles' and 'Bang, Bang I'm Famous' end the set on a high, and new songs like 'Fish and Chip Wrapper' have a comical side and remind you where they come from. They even throw in a cover of Terrorvision's 'Bad Actress' for good measure, treating it to the RY treatment. Brilliant stuff; I for one am an instant fan.
Next up it's a return to the fold (again) for Terrorvision; and more West Yorkshire heroes. Tonight we get a special treat; not only is it the anniversary of 'How To Make Friends And Influence People', we have the tour pre show happening, as Tony Wright says "In the capital!". The intimate size of The Duchess makes this show really special, and one that needs to be viewed right from the front. How else can you feel the sweat and effort that these guys put in to return us to our nineties roots?
After the whole of HTMFAIP is played out in full, including the looped sound of 'What Makes You Tick' before and after, there is a short intermission (basically the band dry off) and it's back for a mixture of tunes from across the board. From the (for me anyway) iconic album stand out tracks include 'Oblivion', with hands swaying in the air (led by cheeky Tony), 'Pretend Best Friend', and the tracks that are not played live, like 'Ten Shades of Grey'. In fact the album played as it is, is a good workout for the lads, with the fast and the odd slow tracks merging together well.
Tony's as bouncy as usual; non-stop from stepping out into the dim stage lights to leaving at the very end of the show, dripping from head to toe. The rest of the band give it their all too, a right set of ping pong balls they are.
After the album is through that is not the end, oh no, for we have a few treats left. A number of rare tracks are played and others from across the Terrorvision board. A few spring up from their 'B-Sides and Rarities' compilation, like 'Suffocation', 'This Drinking Will Kill Me', and 'Mr Buskerman'. Then it's a mixture of tracks from 'Good To Go', and 'Shaving Peaches', finishing with the excellent 'My House' from debut 'Formaldehyde' and finally 'Perseverance' from 'Regular Urban Survivors'.
There are comical times, like for 'Tequila' a woman passes Tony a maraca, which breaks into pieces as soon as he shakes it. She tries passing over another one, and the handle falls off! Classic.
If you are after a good live show then Terrorvision do not disappoint. Not sure how long they can keep up all the jumping about, but they show no signs of stopping just yet...
Alice, What's The Matter
Oblivion
Stop The Bus
Discotheque Wreak
Middleman
Still The Rhythm
Ten Shades of Grey
Stab in the Back
Pretend Best Friend
Time O the Signs
What the Doctor Ordered
Some People Say
What Makes You Tick
Tequila
This Drinking Will Kill Me
Suffocation
Mr Buskerman
Celebrity Hit List
Josephine
D'Ya Wanna Go Faster
My House
Perseverance
article by: Danielle Millea
photos by: Danielle Millea
published: 09/04/2009 09:02
FUTURE GIGS
- date performer venue price
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Sat 21 Sep 2024
Terrorvision
Norwich
Epic Studios
[NR3 1JD] £27.50
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