Notes:
There are conflicting reports there were 2 shows at The Channel;
one being an all ages show. This
may explain the differences mentioned regarding the set lists in the
reviews below… Then again, maybe not…
Support band were
The Young and The Useless; who included future Beastie Boy Adam Horowitz.
Photographer Maureen Baker
– who worked closely with PiL around this time – also
has a flyer from the Bradford Hotel in Boston. Does anyone know anything
about this show? |
I was at the Boston show.
Opening band were the Young and the Useless who ended up becoming the
Beastie Boys. I met them a few years later when I was a college DJ in
New Orleans and told them that I was the guy who nearly got whacked
by them whipping a drum stick into the crowd! Young and the Useless
started a minor riot by telling the crowd we were only there to kiss
Johnny Rotten's ass. That was basically the end of them, as the crowd
pulled the rug and corresponding drum set off the stage!
PiL were incredible. I was new to the music only owning 'Flowers of
Romance' at the time. As I remember they didn't play anything off of
it. Place was packed and it seemed to me that Lydon was staring me straight
down though for all I knew he might have been looking at anyone around
me.
Highlights, some kid in a
brand new Sex Pistols shirt jumping on stage and crouching in front
and exchanging big smiles with his idol. I thought Lydon would beat
the shit out of him but instead he was mildly charming to the fan. I
remember not being able to figure out if he was taking the piss or what.
Another highlight, being surrounded by the mob singing "Love, War, Fear,
Hate" endlessly and endlessly, fists shaking in time, feeling like the
rebirth of the brownshirts! Atmosphere definitely had the knife blade
of imminent violence in it. Went out and got First and Second Edition,
the latter of which is more often than not still my favourite record.
John Voorhes |
I was at the Boston gig, and there was no indication of a previous,
all ages show that day, or indeed at all. In those days I was a fanatic,
obsessive music researcher with my ear to the ground; this mention
in your website of an all ages show is the first I have ever heard
of it. I would have gone to both shows if that was the case. I may
be wrong, of course, and I'd like to hear about the when and where
if there was one.
When I arrived in the
evening (dusk) the band was doing a soundcheck ('Public Image',
the song), and when the doors opened some time later I was one
of the first in. The set opened with just Levene, Atkins, and Jones
very slowly and ominously swirling around 'Lou Reed pt 1'. It was
such a different intro than I expected (that song being unknown
to me at the time), that I was transfixed...the power built up,
the 'funk' elements introduced (slap bass), and it became quite
powerful, but still operating with full 'dread at the controls'
tension. Lydon's voice came over the PA from offstage, "...Where
Are Youuuu?",
and I thought he was teasing us, mocking us about when he would come
out. It soon transpired that that was a song, he emerged to great
excitement, and the gig proper was on. The first review on your page
is fairly accurate, although the second reviewer is also right; those
songs from 'Flowers pf Romance' were definitely played. There is
some doubt amongst friends of mine as to whether the Young and
Useless opening band were in fact the pre- Beasties...however,
a band by that name did play that evening, and it transpired very
much the way documented in your first review.
A life changing show by
my favorite band at the time. I was also at the 9 Landsdowne St.
show early the next year, with the same line-up, and have several
memories of that, as well.
The Bradford Ballroom flyer MAY have been from a cancelled show,
I have a dim recollection of dates being changed a bit before the
Channel show, and perhaps that flyer comes from there. They definitely
did not play at the Bradford on that tour (unless that was the mysterious
all ages show).
So, I am providing as facts only the things I eye-witnessed, and
my opinion on the rest. I hope it does not further murk the waters.
Timothy Sasscer |