Pop Group - Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, 20/10/2014
by Tony Gaughan
published: 13 / 11 / 2014
intro
Tony Gaughan finds that seminal post-punk outfit the Pop Group have lost none of their abrasive edge in a dynamic show at the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh on their first full-length UK tour in over thirty years
Bristolian post punkers the Pop Group reformed in 2010 for the first time since 1981. Tonight they are supported by local electro pop DJs Finitribe, who gleefuly mix cocktails during their set. The packed venue doesn't seem to mind this though, and are anticipating a great night of angry punk/funk fused mayham from the seminal post punk sadly missing for most of the last thirty-five years. The room has plenty of fellow Scottish musicians in the audience, whom have been clearly influenced by the band . Front man Mark Stewart, adorned in a head band, leads the band out. It is clear instantly that the Pop Group are not only thoroughly rehearsed, but completely up for for this event. Genius or lunatic, Stewart may have put a few pounds on but nothing is holding him back as he spews out his profound lyrics. The buzzsaw guitar of Gareth Sager and pounding bass of Dan Catsis are held together by Stewart's vocals and the manic beat of drummer Bruce Smith. Opening with 'Trap', they perform their 1980 third album, 'We Are Time', pretty much in full bar the rather strange ommision of 'Springer'. It is a stuningly high octane performance and the crowd are definitely glad they came out. Stewart lets them know that "This is the best venue in England" to some ironic cheers, before they end their set predictably with the closing track 'We Are Time', but return for an encore of their iconic and fantastic single, 'We Are All Prostitutes'. A really unmissable show.
Also at Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/ThePopGroupOfficialhttps://twitter.com/thepopgroup
http://www.thepopgroup.net/
http://weare.hacca.jp/pop_group/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pop_Group
Picture Gallery:-
soundcloud
reviews |
Citizen Zombie (2015) |
Ambitious and brilliantly complex first album in thirty-five years from seminal pop rock outfit, the Pop Group |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #5 - ‘We all have good intentions/ But all with strings attached’: Music and Mental Health Part 2
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Madeline Bell - Interview
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesBill Wyman - Drive My Car
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Philip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Jules Winchester - The Journey
Deep Purple - =1
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart