MUSIC | Feature
ROCK OF AGES The next few months offer an embarrassment of riches in the heritage/ middle-age/ classic rock genre, fi nds Rachel Devine
T he staying power of rock music’s ageing dignitaries is good news for those fans who were too young to recall them the first time around. After all, generational gaps in music tastes are often blurry and meaningless: classic rock doesn’t lurk in stacks of dusty vinyl any more, it just returns in cycles with a few more grey hairs and a batch of younger fans in tow. Those who were lucky enough to see legendary acts in their heyday often scoff at attempts to recreate past glories, but nostalgia is a powerful thing. Over the course of a very packed June week, Glasgow and Edinburgh host gigs from a variety of rock icons and, as always, the various-ages audience will be down the front singing along word for word.
In what is rumoured to be their last hurrah, Neil Young and Crazy Horse (SECC, Glasgow, Thu 13 Jun), is surely the one not
to miss, such was the timeworn charm of last year’s Psychedelic Pill album. Although Young (below) is likely to carry on, Crazy Horse guitarist Frank ‘Poncho’ Sampedro believes creaking bones stand in the way of another tour. As even recent Crazy Horse gigs have been known to last up to three ferocious hours, it’s hardly surprising. Meanwhile, The Stone Roses, supported by Primal Scream, will have a go at recreating some magic from the past when they take to the stage (Glasgow Green, Sat 15 Jun), for which tickets sold out within the hour when they went on sale at the end of last year. Ian Brown (above, right) and co. played what’s regarded by many fans as their best ever gig at the same venue in June 1990. Bruce Springsteen (above, left) swings by with his Wrecking Ball tour (Hampden Park, Glasgow, Tue 18 Jun) for what’s likely to be
the kind of sweaty, frenetic, energy-defying performance that puts men a third of their age to shame, no doubt lasting several hours or until someone backstage thinks of the neighbours and reaches for the off switch. Elvis Costello (Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Sun 16 Jun) reaches us with his Spinning Songbook, a recreation of his 1986 tour, which allows the audience to select the next song in the set by spinning a huge wheel. Children of the 1990s can indulge their bittersweet longings for the baggy clothes decade with The Breeders (pictured above, 02 ABC, Glasgow, Mon 17 Jun). The group have reformed for the 20th anniversary of Last Splash, with the line-up that played on that album, on the cusp of greatness before Kelley Deal’s trip to rehab in 1995.
See listings, from page 81, for full details.
REFLECTIONS R O OF A FANBOY Ross Clark (below), from Three R B Blind Wolves, on his musical hero N Neil Young (left)
Neil Young was the first artist to inspire me both as a songwriter and as a guitar player. Young’s talents bridge both simple poetic ta country songs and furious eruptions co of sludgy rock, something that I still of
strive to capture with my own music. I recorded a tribute to his song ‘Thrasher’ with Paul Murphy from Canadian band Wintersleep.
The gateway album for me, as for many, was Harvest, a record which to this day still contains my favourite tracks. It reminds me of the beginning of my musical career: I wanted to be able to write songs that were musically appealing and had the lyrical anchor that at any point could come loose and take me to wherever Neil wanted to go.
I have only seen him once, in the Edinburgh Playhouse, with my father,
and it was probably my favourite concert of all time. He played a solo set at first and after a break he came out with his band including the late Ben Keith and the remaining members of the Harvest band and played one of the biggest-sounding sets I have ever experienced. It was loud. This time my dad and I will be joined by my fellow bandmate Davie and his father: I’m sure it won’t disappoint. Especially as this time it’s with the legendary Crazy Horse. (As told to Rachel Devine) ■ Three Blind Wolves’ Sing Hallelujah for the Old Machine is out now on Instinctive Racoon.
74 THE LIST 13 Jun–11 Jul 2013 74 THE LIST 13 Jun–11 Jul 2013
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