Thursday, 20 November, 1980 – Cedar Ballroom, Birmingham, England

  1. Slates, Slags, etc.
  2. The Container Drivers
  3. Jawbone and the Air Rifle
  4. Totally Wired
  5. New Face in Hell
  6. Printhead
  7. An Older Lover etc
  8. City Hobgoblins
  9. Leave the Capital
  10. Pay Your Rates
  11. The N.W.R.A.
  12. English Scheme
  13. Underground Medecin

NOTES

52 minutes

An exceptionally clear recording . Well presented material from “Slates”, “Grotesque” & recent singles, with the addition of the earlier “Printhead” and “U.Medecin” the latter of which this is the last documented recording.

This is the surly and uncompromising Fall of the late 80s, on the cusp of a change to a more keyboard driven sound, exorcising some demons and believing that they were universally hated. In that context that biting bile and sarcastic tinge to these tunes is both undestandable and refreshing. Here is a combo painting its place in history with a unique from of music and a totally uncompromising attitude. Having said that its apparent that this audience is enjoying the gig.

Notably “Printhead” appears to lack bite – the guitar is strangely distant and Paul’s drum fills dominate. Other than this the band is incredibly tight – ably evidenced with a tense take on “Older Lover” with guitars weaving in and out. “Capital” is particularly good – Smith’s lyrics are clear, the band providing an energetic pulse over a controlled rant.

The version of “Underground Medecin”is fast with a motorik beat and Smith galloping through the words and the band adding new riffs and guitar lines.