Quite an eventful one, this, and not all
for the right reasons, but first, here’s my intro blurb…
The Wonder Stuff’s recent original album
celebration odyssey reaches a conclusion with this “ID30T” tour, commemorating
the 30th Anniversary release of their 4th and final
first-time-round album, “Construction For The Modern Idiot”… Hot on the heels
of their most commercial (and arguably successful) release, “Never Loved
Elvis”, this one toned down “Elvis”’ flippant fiddly diddly indie pop tuneage just
a tad, in favour of a more studious, streamlined and rockier sound evidenced on
darker, more dynamic leadoff single “On The Ropes”, which remains my favourite
Wonder Stuff track, and was supposed to catapult them to arena (and possibly
higher) status. Unfortunately, it did the opposite, the subsequent 1994 mega “Idiot
Manoeuvres” tour (on which I saw them 3 times, largely due to the presence of
my favourites Gigolo Aunts as support act) sadly precipitating the band’s initial
breakup later that year. Happily, though, they’re now back with us, and have of
late established themselves as one of the most reliable and thrilling “live”
acts of the past few years (particularly at “Shiiine On”, where main-man Miles
Hunt is a regular presence, either with the band or solo). Plus, we’ve seen
them do the other 3 albums, so we’re not about to miss this one, right?
The Stuffies themselves were due on in
short order thereafter at 8.30, however technical issues delayed their arrival
until 8.45, by which the place (surely sold out on the night) was fit to burst.
They opened with a jaggedly rhythmic “Change Every Lightbulb”, Miles taking the
stage last and bellowing the hook through a bullhorn, then “I Wish Them All
Dead” was strident, savage and utterly superb. “We’ve got the dark ones out of
the way; now let’s have some fun!” quipped Milo before a boisterous “Cabin
Fever” (announcing at its’ conclusion, “that should have been a hit single –
you’ll be hearing THAT from me a lot tonight!”) and by this point I’m already
thinking, these “Idiot” songs sound absolutely blistering “live”! How the hell
is it that more of them don’t feature as part of their regular set???
Well, apparently not everyone shared my
views, according to Miles, who later referenced, “two assholes on the internet
who have pissed me off,” by complaining about The Stuffies playing, “awful
songs from their worst album,” on this tour. Well, bunkies, you couldn’t be
more wrong! “Full Of Life” fully lived up to its title, as celebratory and
life-affirming as anything on display tonight, and a frankly astonishing “On
The Ropes” totally blew the doors off, with a rendition as good as I’ve ever –
EVER – seen The Wonder Stuff play my favourite Wonder Stuff song. A later,
poignant “Sing The Absurd” was also a surprisingly emotive highlight, before a
couple of overlooked yet still excellent “B” sides rounded off the
“Idiot”-centric first set splendidly, completely underlining the validity of
doing this tour.
Then things unfortunately went a little
South for me… I suddenly realised that the mixture of a packed sweaty rock
venue and double anaesthesia isn’t necessarily a good one, and, feeling distinctly
faint, sought some fresh air, ultimately propping myself outside in the rain in
the care of the doormen… Rach grabbed me some sugary drinks and I ultimately
ventured back inside, but only just, and I was firmly installed on the
cloakroom girl’s stool, right at the back of the venue, as The Stuffies
returned for set 2 of the night. Running 20 minutes late at this point, Miles
eschewed the chat to concentrate on the rock; a galloping “No For The 13th
Time” was followed by the sweeping hometown paean “Caught In My Shadow” and
fiddle-tastic singalong “Golden Green”, the tumbling circular violin riff of
“Here Comes Everyone” was a late highlight, then The Stuffies ploughed through
the encores to keep to curfew with a rambunctious “Unbearable” and shuddering
“Ten Trenches Deep”. The band were clearly on absolute top form; a shame I
wasn’t!
We all met up afterwards, Logan having
enjoyed himself in the mosh, and I chatted briefly with facebook friend Pete
Cole outside before a difficult journey home up an utterly awash A34 and M4.
Still groggy, I spent most of the next day in bed! So, an eventful one indeed,
although an inescapable conclusion from tonight is that “Construction For The
Modern Idiot” is a great album fully worthy of its’ place in the Wonder Stuff
canon, and of being deservedly given its’ time in the spotlight on this tour.
As for the rest, I’ll just have to make sure I’m fully fit for when The
Stuffies doubtless smash it all up at Shiiine On in November!
.JPG)
