Monday, 1 April, 1985 – Agora, Columbus, United States

Copped It
Fortress
Disney’s Dream Debased
Couldn’t Get Ahead
Elves
Clear Off
2 x 4
Slang King
Barmy
God Box
Wings
Lay of the Land

NOTES

1 hour

Soundboard

Exceptionally clear soundboard – a bit heavy on the guitars, bass non existent and backing vocals indistinct – but generally highly listenable for the clarity of MES’s vocals.

The highlight of this gig is a memorable reading of “Elves” which starts with strange with chitterings and mutterings and resolves into a blistering mass of unrelenting sound. I assume keyboards are played by Rogers which assumes that Brix picks up bass duties at some stage, however given the keys dominate what appears to be Brix’s guitar slot on the board it could be she is playing keys(?) but the modulation/chords imply Rogers more dexterous hands – a bit of a mystery but for all that a brilliant reading.

I also assume that we are without bass for a few songs as there is clear evidence of two guitars and a keyboard playing – the assumption is that Rogers is doubling up on both bass and keyboards at this stage. Talented chap!

I don’t know what the mutant alien sounds are on 2×4 but it sounds like a heavily overdriven guitar which provides for a completely different perspective. More akin to noise-niks than the group. Note also Rogers brave attempt to do a Doc Shanley!

The over-amped guitar gives an entirely new perspective on “Slang King” which comes across as an angry fractured thing more like the Gang of Four at their “Solid Gold” funky best than was produced on TWAFWOTF.

There is evidence of extensive keyboard buggery by MES especially on “Barmy” the opening section of which is an atonal confection. Notwithstanding this a memorable reading of some violence.

The version of “Wings” is brilliant – Scanlon holds the riff as the group builds a hypnotic locked groove around motorik motion through the airline routes – this is an insane twisted and broken reading which drips pure Fall….indeed “always different – always the same”. There is an awful lot going on here which bears careful listening.

“Lay of the Land” is a partial and fades in.

Well worth a listen.