A delighted crowd of pining grunge fans of ‘various’ ages gather to go back in time, 20 years since the band’s exceptional platinum second album, Last Splash, was first released. The last time I witnessed this particular lineup was in Belfast 1992, supporting Nirvana alongside Teenage Fanclub, creating what would inevitably become my most favoured gig memory and solidify a lifetime of listening to ‘alternative’ music.
Tonight we have the original Last Splash band (alongside violinist and long time friend Carrie Bradley). As a kind gesture to me personally, they play the album right through from start to finish, in order, thereby giving my review notes a rest and allowing me to join in the reminiscing completely.
What is truly amazing after all these years is that they all look exactly the same, and the sound is a lot heavier and tighter live than expected. Considering she was once recruited as the lead guitarist who couldn’t play guitar, Kelley Deal is now truly something to behold. Something special is revealed throughout the course of the night, the signature slow-fast-quiet-loud distorted everything, smashed together with a hypnotic and perfectly executed bass from Josephine Wiggs, the twins’ harmonies through smoke and smiles. You couldn’t help but love this band. As we crash through from the driving ‘New Year’ and re-enact the original recordings of ‘Cannonball’ dodgy mic and all, Josephine on drums for ‘No Aloha’ (motherhood does indeed mean mental freeze by the way) and ending with a ridiculous crescendo of ‘Roi (reprise)’, it’s clear this is a very enjoyable trip down memory lane for the band members as much as the audience.
‘I Just Wanna Get Along’ has Kelley on vocals dedicated to their sisterly love, and later she dons some black gaffer tape over her mouth perhaps feeling some need for restraint. Still manages to look good though, something which hasn’t escaped those Glaswegian fans down the front declaring undying love between every song. With Josephine reluctantly on ‘vocals’ for ‘Metal Man’ there is a moment to reflect as she deftly and accurately describes the 2000 degree heat we are now all currently experiencing. Exiting stage left with endearing waves you would get from your mum, a (very) warm glow sweeps around the O2 and dissipates in time for everyone to guess what the encore tunes might be.
With Kim announcing her departure from the Pixies earlier this week, it’s unlikely any big renditions of ‘Gigantic’ are coming on, and on reflection, that was no bad thing. A run through of some of the highlights from POD and the Safari EP seem a much more fitting way to end the show. A second encore encourages the band to return with ‘Glorious’ and ‘Don’t Call Home’ to finish, a perfect display of what makes The Breeders so special and a definite encouragement to get out and buy that deluxe re-issue LSXX before we all get another decade older.
- The Breeders - 19 June 2013
- Star Wheel Press / Emily Scott / The Last Battle - 27 April 2012
- Sigur Ros: ‘Inni’ screening / Withered Hand / Meursault - 28 October 2011