RADIO
BIRDMAN FIFTY FOOT COMBO (Belgium)
Salle du Vigean. Eysines, France
September 4, 2003
RADIO
BIRDMAN
FIFTY FOOT COMBO (Belgium)
Salle du Vigean. Eysines, France
September 4, 2003
Before I came to Eysines after a 600km trip , I was a little bit afraid
about the place because I heard that Salle du Vigean was a theatre or something
like that and not a rock 'n' roll place. And you know when you are waiting for
such an event as Radio Birdman playing live, you want everything to be all right.
In fact, Salle du Vigean is a gymnasium prepared for 1,000 people (with just
beer taps for a pathetic blonde ale).
The show was originally planned for a rock 'n' roll club called "le CAT", in
Bordeaux and was changed to a bigger place when the promoter was told that 150
tickets were already booked from Spain, a month ago. But just 50 people were
inside when the first band came on stage, Fifty Foot Combo.
They played one hour of instrumental, psychotronic surf music. The music was
cool, but the venue was too big for their sound and they were a little rigid
because of their role as opening band. As they told me later, they used to be
the STARS of the show. Sorry little boys, itÕs not for you tonight! (A band
like Holy Curse - who supported in Nancy - would have been more appropriate).
However, I know Fifty Foot Combo's records and I had already seen them in a
small club, so I can say that they can kick a place hard. Good luck!
During the set, the place become more full (perhaps 700 people). Two articles
in the local papers might have helped a little. A large community of Spanish
rockÕ n rollers was actually here and I was able to recognize some people from
the local scene or French bands like Jerry Spider Gang. The average age of the
crowd was more 25 than 20. A lot of beards. A lot of Radio Birdman T shirts
(a little touch of devotion ?) and other classic references as MC5 or Zen Guerrilla
worn by the ones with afros.
Staff switched off the lights and after a long sample of "Are You Experienced?",
Radio Birdman came on stage amid artificial smoke. And to set eyes on the entire
group in front of a large red flag with the Birdman logoÉ Woah! "Burn My
Eyes" was their first attack. Loud, sonicÉ I was directly into it. It was
not the case for a part of the crowd. They were here to watch. So the band had
to work harder to hit them right in their heart.
But each song was a blast for me. "Do the Pop", "I-94",
"Hangin' On", "Murder City Nights". They played almost all
of "Radio Appears" and the best of "Living Eyes". Some people complained about
bad acoustics! OK, but Birdman gave us just what we really needed: a direct
guitar sound , with no effects, no posing, just rock and roll. And during the
whole show I realized how unpretentious they are! Forget the "Ritualism"
album and think more about Powertrane's "Ann Arbor Revival Meeting"
album if you want a comparison about the vibes. And the vibes touched the crowd.
The band won the war (and the crowd)! Deniz Tek smiled !!! They played better
and better as the sert went on. They did wonderful versions of "Man with
Golden Helmet" and "Crying Sun", among others!!! Superb version
of "Dark Surprise" (yeah, they played it). Some covers: "Route
66", "Waiting for the Man", both played with the Birdman touch.
Irresistible. The solos came from either side with Tek and Masuak sharing them.
They ended their third encore with "You Gonna Miss Me", dedicated
(in French by Mr Jim Dickson) to Dominique Laboubˇe, singer of the Dogs (another
myth for somebody) who passed away last year.
The lights turned on. I realized that they'd played almost two hours. Everyone
sweated a lot, a smile fixed on their faces (me too!) Should I go to another
date of the tour to see if they change their set, and to count the differences
between the two performances? All I know is that I will always have this show
in my mind. Three days later and I donÕt wanna forget it.
Technically:
Because of not enough Pip Hoyle at the debut.
Sincerely:
because of the sonic effect.
