Despite their longevity this was The Dream Syndicate’s first visit to Scotland. They formed in California in the mid ’80s, along with several others coalescing around a scene some wiseguy christened the “Paisley Underground”, possibly due to the somewhat psychedelic nature of the music and/or the deployment of paisley pattern shirts by some of the protagonists. Other bands given this label included The Rain Parade (also on this tour in stripped down format) and The Bangles (the band have brought one ex-member with them on this tour…)
Despite spanning four decades it has not been a straightforward career for the band – some albums and tours have been more successful than others, with a few ‘life events’ aiding and abetting their musical activities. This, their second night at small Glasgow venue Hug and Pint, is sold out and when The Rain Parade do their support slot the place is already rammed.
The set tonight comprises nineteen songs, mainly TDS originals from a wide span of records, although ‘Days of Wine and Roses’ does provide the majority of the material, at around six songs. The core group of Steve Wynn (guitar/vocals), Dennis Duck (drums, vocals) and Mark Walton (bass/vocals) are joined on this tour by ex-Bangles guitar player Vicki Peterson. On the small stage here it is a combustible lineup, with all musicians firing up well as they power through the first few tracks. The music is swampy, bluesy, with lacerating riffs and solos abounding. Nearest comparisons (maybe a bit lazy) would be Crazy Horse and The Afghan Whigs. Steve’s slightly mannered vocals drawl through stories of good situations turning bad, unlikely scenarios and hazy memories. BM’s favourite TDS album is ‘Medicine Show’ from the later ’80s and we get two choice cuts from it tonight…
There are a few anecdotes from Steve along the way (they are clearly enjoying themselves!) including regarding the band’s trip to nearby Paisley, where the streets were not paved in colourful patterns… well of course not, and the museum was shut for renovation so even getting some background on the evolution of that famous pattern was not possible… oh dear.
Some furious guitar playing on ‘The Days of Wine and Roses’ marked the end of the main set but the band returned for Bangles cover ‘Hero Takes A Fall’ and TDS original ‘Too Little Too Late’ (the addition of Vicki’s vocals very welcome here) before the two Rain Parade members joined the stage for a version of RP’s original ‘You Are My Friend’ and a final Television cover, ‘Glory’, in tribute to the recently deceased Tom Verlaine.
Well as they say, you wait decades for a TDS show in Glasgow then you get two – hopefully they won’t leave it so long next time, and although the sweaty close proximity was good, their sound would probably suit a bigger venue, just saying…
(Images (from the Friday show): Mike Melville)