A View From The Back Of The Room: Electric Six (Live Review By Paul Hutchings)

Electric Six, 02 Academy, Bristol

This was meant to be a combined review with the band’s stop in Bristol and their triumphant show at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London two days later. Unfortunately, after ten minutes in the latter venue, which was very full by the way, I fell ill and needed to depart without seeing a single note played. So instead I will focus my attention on the gig two days previously at the 02. Our friends who we persuaded to stay confirmed that the Six were on fine form in London with a few extra songs pulled out of the bag to conclude their tour.

If you search Electric Six (9) on these pages, you’ll see numerous reviews of the band, both in the live arena and on record. Suffice to say that they remain the ultimate performers and in Bristol they once again provided a flawless 75 minutes which included songs from their vast back catalogue. Led by the inimitable Dick Valentine, they eased through tracks from last year’s Bride Of The Devil, still referred to as their ‘new record’ and threw in the usual handful of songs from 2003’s epic Fire. Of course, as usual at gigs these days, the crowd reacted more enthusiastically to the golden oldies, with the inevitable moshing for Gay Bar and Danger! High Voltage.

From my vantage point on the lower stairs I was able for once to admire and fully appreciate the technical prowess of guitarists Johnny Na$hinal and Da Vé, drummer Hyperkube Bonanza, keyboardist Tait Nucleus and bassist Rob Lower. As a band, these guys are phenomenal, gelling neatly with little fuss leaving Valentine as the focal point. His inter-song banter was limited but hysterical and as the band arrived at Synthesiser the place was rocking hard.

There is little more to be said. Electric Six remain an underground phenomenon some 20 years after their formation. They attract the widest selection of fans; the atmosphere is jovial and fun, and they play cracking music. I’ve said it before – you need to see this band at least once in your lifetime. I’m into double figures and already looking forward to their return to these shores. Hopefully fully fit and ready to throw those illegal shapes that I missed out on this time around.