Post by markwj on Aug 31, 2010 19:17:21 GMT
Bad Religion
Academy, Manchester
24/8/10
As I remain in my 30’s (for many weeks to come) it does make me wonder if I ever heard Bad Religion in passing in my primary school years. Celebrating their 30th anniversary with plentiful gigs and festival appearances, I think I only cottoned on to them through more punk orientated folks attending the metal gigs at Wrexham Memo in the early 90’s but was rapidly and rabidly convinced they were onto a winner from then. Still, I had only taken the one previous opportunity to see them over here from LA in about ‘92-’93 down in Wolverhampton (although this location is disputed by other old timers with failing memories who i went on that heavy weekend sesh with) so a birthday present ticket including lift for this one was a treat indeed.
I’d thought it might be in the biggest Academy given the occasion and their relatively infrequent appearances over here but it was in Academy 2, which in some ways meant for a better, cosier atmosphere. Refreshments elsewhere after the arduous journey (not that we hadn’t had any before or during it) meant we missed local support Revenge of the Psychotronic Man but having seen them over in North Wales before I’m sure it would have been a good show for their hardcore punk, and a great one for the CV for them to share a stage with the legends.
As ever, Bad Religion are an unassuming band, there’s no image over substance with this collection of misfits currently featuring 3 of the 4 original members though that has been down to 1 over the years. But what you do get is effortless charisma and enthusiasm in their show, no doubt honed after all these years, never mind their massive contribution to the wider punk scene through setting up Epitaph Records, or Professor Greg's day job contributions to the science of paeleontology. They have nothing to prove, all we have to prove is the affection for the great selection of however many of their 1 ½ to 3 minute songs they can fit into their set. And that’s loads. Starting with the gem “Do what you want” of my favourite album “Suffer” (the title track also gets played), they flip backwards and forwards through their catalogue and it’s pretty much without fault. Some of my personal picks of the older school like “Flat Earth Society”, “Fuck Armageddon…” and lots off “No Control” leave me satisfied and hoarse before we even get to encore time. Not having a complete collection myself some tracks aren’t familiar to me but the vein of their melodic punk runs true and the fantastic harmony vocals give you easy lyric hooks to pick up on. Vocalist Greg is Biafra-esque in his mini-mimes along to the heartfelt socio-political, naturalist themes they dwell on, although there is an almost questioning air to him as opposed to hard line preaching. The between song banter is also entertaining, as they knowingly question Manchester’s status in the UK, and not many can believe they throw an ACDC riff casually in the middle of a number. The guitarists are all weaving back and to, and beam with their enjoyment to, kicking back the inflatable sheep that comes to visit them on stage. While there are occasional surfers and mild moshes inspired by some of the more hardcore tunes generally it’s an all round singalong celebration as we get a good 90 minutes/ songs. Not all religion is bad for you
Academy, Manchester
24/8/10
As I remain in my 30’s (for many weeks to come) it does make me wonder if I ever heard Bad Religion in passing in my primary school years. Celebrating their 30th anniversary with plentiful gigs and festival appearances, I think I only cottoned on to them through more punk orientated folks attending the metal gigs at Wrexham Memo in the early 90’s but was rapidly and rabidly convinced they were onto a winner from then. Still, I had only taken the one previous opportunity to see them over here from LA in about ‘92-’93 down in Wolverhampton (although this location is disputed by other old timers with failing memories who i went on that heavy weekend sesh with) so a birthday present ticket including lift for this one was a treat indeed.
I’d thought it might be in the biggest Academy given the occasion and their relatively infrequent appearances over here but it was in Academy 2, which in some ways meant for a better, cosier atmosphere. Refreshments elsewhere after the arduous journey (not that we hadn’t had any before or during it) meant we missed local support Revenge of the Psychotronic Man but having seen them over in North Wales before I’m sure it would have been a good show for their hardcore punk, and a great one for the CV for them to share a stage with the legends.
As ever, Bad Religion are an unassuming band, there’s no image over substance with this collection of misfits currently featuring 3 of the 4 original members though that has been down to 1 over the years. But what you do get is effortless charisma and enthusiasm in their show, no doubt honed after all these years, never mind their massive contribution to the wider punk scene through setting up Epitaph Records, or Professor Greg's day job contributions to the science of paeleontology. They have nothing to prove, all we have to prove is the affection for the great selection of however many of their 1 ½ to 3 minute songs they can fit into their set. And that’s loads. Starting with the gem “Do what you want” of my favourite album “Suffer” (the title track also gets played), they flip backwards and forwards through their catalogue and it’s pretty much without fault. Some of my personal picks of the older school like “Flat Earth Society”, “Fuck Armageddon…” and lots off “No Control” leave me satisfied and hoarse before we even get to encore time. Not having a complete collection myself some tracks aren’t familiar to me but the vein of their melodic punk runs true and the fantastic harmony vocals give you easy lyric hooks to pick up on. Vocalist Greg is Biafra-esque in his mini-mimes along to the heartfelt socio-political, naturalist themes they dwell on, although there is an almost questioning air to him as opposed to hard line preaching. The between song banter is also entertaining, as they knowingly question Manchester’s status in the UK, and not many can believe they throw an ACDC riff casually in the middle of a number. The guitarists are all weaving back and to, and beam with their enjoyment to, kicking back the inflatable sheep that comes to visit them on stage. While there are occasional surfers and mild moshes inspired by some of the more hardcore tunes generally it’s an all round singalong celebration as we get a good 90 minutes/ songs. Not all religion is bad for you