Thursday 18 November 2010

262 MADDER ROSE, Lotion, Bristol Bierkeller, Sunday 10 April 1994


A good old run down the M4 on a bright Sunday evening to this gig with Beef; had a beer and a couple of games of pool in the Prince Rupert beforehand, as is habitual for gigs at this venue. He beat me twice - I was robbed!

Popped into the venue to catch the support set from native Noo-Yawkers Lotion. They ranged from the very good (exciting grungy rock similar to early Buffalo Tom) to the bad (clumsy, Pearl Jam sludge. Yuck!), but overall had me tapping my toes more than once, especially to their astonishing destruction of old 70's chestnut "Baby Come Back".

Madder Rose came on at 9.45, led by the very frail looking Mary Lorson, who almost didn't look strong enough to hold on to her guitar! Nevertheless, hold it she did, and led the band through a set which perversely ranged from frail and winsome delicate melody, to the more hard rocking stuff, with "Beautiful John" a highlight and a perfect example of the latter. Mainly pushing their current album "Panic On", they put together a very fine hour of their excellently crafted and polished mellow/ manic rock, with the mid-set double of the melodic "Swim" and the haunting "Car Song" another highlight.

A quick chat with Jim from Lotion - an old friend of my current obsessions The Gigolo Aunts, apparently! - before heading off after a very satisfying evening!

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