From Adam Huffman Sent Sat, Nov 21st 1998, 12:31
From Adam Huffman Sent Sat, Nov 21st 1998, 12:31
The Grapes, Trippet Lane, Sheffield, Friday 20th November A public-house performance. Unfortunately we didn't get there in time to see Matt Wand spinning but reports were that he was good. The venue, a pokey little room upstairs contradicted the usual law of decor/PA: the dingier the place, the worse the sound. When we arrived V/vm were spinning, mainly on nifty new CDJ things, plus a laptop. There was a mini-tribute to Sheffield, with "enhanced" versions of LFO and Heaven 17's Temptation. As the pig masks were donned, Tina Turner told us that it was Simply The Best, sounding a little slower and more masculine than usual. My favourite bit was the Minder theme tune or a loop thereof, complete with Dennis Waterman's soulful throating and a little interlude with Arfur talking about a lock-up in the studio. At around half-ten Tom J. came upstairs from the pool room and slotted in his MiniDisc or tape or whatever it was then went to the back of the room and stood nodding his head in time with his own stuff. This was a Conceptual Performance of sorts, introducing Neil the Sonic Nihilist and his recalcitrant producer. The first tune was the incredible breakbeat acid number he played at Schizm in October. Then there'd be a bit of dialogue between Neil and the other bloke. He'd provide a basic hip-hop backing track and Neil would rap over the top, complaining that the producer was scuppering his chances etc, then there'd be another tune. Apparently mostly old songs but recognisably Jenkinsonian and very good. He finished on our old friend Dimotane Co. Funny how most people still looked at the stage even though there was nothing to see. A few seemed disgruntled at not getting a straight rendition of album tracks and short-changed by there being no overt performance element. After all, as m'colleague pointed out, who wouldn't prefer that over a one-off no-one else will ever see/hear... I also got the chance to tell Tom how much I enjoyed his Schizm set; he's a friendly bloke. Long may he stay Up North. adam