Project Description
Primal Scream
+ Sshh
Metropolis Fremantle
15/02/18
Live Review
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Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie – photo by Klowe Photography
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Glaswegian chamelionic rockers Primal Scream have always marched to the beat of their own drum. Since the band’s inception in 1982 they have progressively embraced new musical styles and movements, moulding them into a fusion that incorporates dance and electronic elements, Stones-esque rock, psychedelia, indie pop and more. Their absolute devotion to their craft and uncompromising stance has seen them release a series of increasingly challenging albums over the years. Their 1991 album Screamadelica has been hailed as a modern classic and one of the iconic British albums ever released.
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So it was certainly a gratifying sight to behold a packed Metropolis Fremantle on Thursday evening as the Scream kicked off their 2018 Australian tour in true rock ‘n’ roll style.
In what turned out to be one of the most unlikely – and surprising – support acts this reviewer has witnessed in some time Uber power rock trio Sshh put on a display of lean and punky tunes chock full of attitude. Fresh from supporting Liam Gallagher in Sydney and Melbourne the band was comprised of frontwoman Sshh and Zak ‘son of Ringo’ Starkey (on GUITAR no less!) and they were joined by Ali Foster on drums to add some pounding insistent rhythms to their tunes. Sporting a pretty serious tracksuit and a white Les Paul, one would not have expected the former Oasis and current Who drummer to be pulling out such huge Sex Pistols-esque riffs, but that’s exactly what he did. Sshh herself proved to be a live wire singer with plenty of appeal and a delivery that reminded one more than a little of Siouxie Sioux. Constantly moving, jumping into the crowd and dancing, she proved as engaging, powerful and hilarious a focal point for a band as any. In short Sshh are a bold, in your face slice of rock. Slighty trashy, oh so catchy and a bit sexy. Perfect.
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SSHH – photo by Karen Lowe
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By the time Primal Scream hit the stage the room was absolutely heaving, and as they blasted straight into the funky groove of Slip Inside This House the sea of people danced as one to the acid house anthem. The band sounded bloody enormous, with the waif-like Bobby Gillespie cutting a striking figure out front. Long flowing hair, flowery shirt, shaking maraccas and swaying to the beat, he proved to be in a banging good mood that continued throughout their entire set. Without so much as a pause guitarist Andrew Innes ripped into the Stones swagger of Jailbird, and from there we were off. For over two hours the band led the jam packed Freo crowd through a journey into their back catalogue. Gillespie was in fine form vocally and showed off his dance moves at every opportunity.
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Primal Scream – photo by Klowe Photography
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Songs like Dolls from 2007’s Riot City Blues and Can’t Go Back from its follow up Beautiful Future sat well alongside tracks from the aforementioned Screamadelica and Give Out But Don’t Give Up and they aired a few tracks from their most recent release, 2016’s Chaosmosis for the first time in Australia as well, proving that there’s still plenty of gas left in the tank creatively. A massive XTRMNTR was a welcome mid set highlight as was Damaged. Gillespie at 55 remains quite unchanged, still pulling out all the familiar moves, and is still a fantastic frontman. He led the band through the full on assault of Swastika Eyes, turning the whole club into an old school rave for several minutes before the voice of Peter Fonda asking “Just what is it that you want to do?” heralded in Loaded. The iconic track bought a healthy dose of acid house dance to the fore as the entire club swayed and dance in sheer delight. It’s still a blissed out track of epic proportions and one that cemented the band’s status as giants upon its release.
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Primal Scream
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“This one’s for the ladies” Gillespie said to introduce Country Boy and from here on in it all classics to the end. Rocks was always going to get everybody moving, its upbeat dance rock getting the whole place singing along with the chorus, and the finished with a heavenly encore of Come Together and Movin’ On Up, and the former certainly did that. One audience, one voice, all together for one purpose; to bask in the glory of one band.
This was more than a mere concert, this was a truly religious experience.
Time and again down the years Primal Scream have proved that they’re ahead of the game in the studio, on Thursday night they reaffirmed that they’re at the top of their game live as well.
There’s nothing quite like a little Primal Scream therapy.
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Check out Karen Lowe’s gallery of this show HERE
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