67 JAMES, THE PRIMITIVES, Miaow, London University Of London Student Union, Friday 9 January 1987

Took the train in and stayed with a friend at Brunel University. Got to see all of Miaow's set this time, and was impressed with their understated but groovy pop, with current single "When It All Comes Down" a delight. The Primitives were very loud, punky, psychedelic and cool; met tiny and cute vocalist Tracey Primitive afterwards and complimented her on her elegance!

Headliners James (headliners! At last!) took the step up in their stride, and were, as ever, James; precious, whimsical, unorthodox, never dull, always eccentric, debuting a slew of new numbers but never failing to entertain. Superb!

72 THE PRIMITIVES, Jim Jiminee, Reading University Student Union, Tuesday 3 March 1987

This turned out to be a very late gig, as Reading Uni Student Union had ordered the wrong PA! A replacement didn't arrive until 10.30, so once things were set up, support Jim Jiminee didn't start their set until 11.30! Nevertheless, they impressed with a very fast, upbeat and punchy jive/ rockabilly/ jangly/ I don't really know how to describe it set. Complimented vocalist Kevin afterwards.

The Primitives (whom we'd chatted with beforehand, standing around waiting for the PA) were on just before 1 am, mainly promoting new single "Stop Killing Me" but playing an excellent fast, brash and punky set, with closer "Really Stupid" my favourite of the night. On a small stage, we nevertheless still looked down on them!

101 THE PRIMITIVES, Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie, Bristol Studio, Tuesday 10 May 1988

Drove Rich and his new "friend" to the gig, also meeting PG and his workmates in the pub beforehand, before going into the venue. The support were absolutely god-awful - should've stayed in the pub!

The Primitives put on a jolly energetic show, with vocalist Tracey wiggling her petite bottom about coquettishly, and coyly waving at the audience, but their guitar-heavy pop fizz seemed a little thinly-stretched in this big venue, and I couldn't help wondering that chart success (sitting at No. 5 in the singles chart with "Crash") had come a little too soon for them. Still, a most enjoyable if not brilliant concert; and I still got a set-list - God knows how!

145 THE PRIMITIVES, PALE SAINTS, Bristol Studio, Sunday 19 November 1989

Got there early, as one of my gigging companions needed to get sorted with a ticket; good thing too as I was well up for the support! Pale Saints have produced my favourite single of 1989 with the wondrously shimmering "Sight Of You", and I wouldn't have missed this mightily magnificent set, crammed with caustic guitar interplay and brain-hugging tunes, for anything! Brilliant stuff from a moody new guitar band destined for greatness.

By complete contrast, The Primitives did a buzzsaw guitar pop set all packed with colour and froth, style over substance, which was fun but patchy, with only the old numbers such as "Out Of Reach" and "Really Stupid" outstanding. Bubbles blown out into the crowd, and a few welcome Wendy James insults from vocalist Tracey, were nice touches, but overall tonight the Prims were like sour candyfloss after the aural feast that was Pale Saints!