MC5 - London 100 Club - 13/3/03
4/5
By: Toby L
Set-List: 'Skunk (Sonically Speaking)' - Kramer on vocals, 'Gotta Keep Movin' - Andersson, 'Tonight' - Vanian, 'Looking At You' - Vanian, 'High School' - Vanian, 'Poison' - Vanian, 'American Ruse' - Andersson, 'Let Me Try' - O'Brien, 'Rama Lama' - Kramer, 'Sister Ann' - Lemmy, 'Back In The USA' - Lemmy, ENCORE #1, 'Rambling Rose' - Kramer, 'Kick Out The Jams' - Astbury, ENCORE #2, 'Comm.' - Kramer.
The anticipation proves immeasurable. The moment the laminates are placed around necks upon entry, you feel a part of something - and that's because you are; just a mere few-hundred have blagged, bribed and heckled their way into this one - the intimate reunion, with special-guests, of the MC5 in punk-epicentre, Oxford Street's 100 Club. Expectations alone couldn't have predicted what was to ensue.
Yet, there are minor marring-points. This isn't so much a gathering of intense fans, as one-third loyal devotees, and two-thirds industry don't-give-a-f**kers; so, sure, the hardcores line the front rows (behind the official, approved photographers, of course), whilst those not fortunate enough to accustom such a position skim the outer-edges of the assembly, endeavouring to take excited, private photographs of the event, only to be threatened to be kicked out for doing so.
The reason why for such a brutally cold edge? Tonight - ironically, and contrary to much of the original MC5 ethic - is a corporate-to-the-eye-balls bash, sponsored by a major jeans-company. For a band once so overtly political and fiercely spirited, this is surreal. But, as opportunities go, this is also a classic case of the 'one-off' - a chance to witness such 60's Detroit punk/garage-rock luminaries within close quarters, and an instant that is hardly likely to present itself again... Let's not let the suits ruin it for us.
So, following a support-set from Beachbuggy and DJ-ing throughout from Stone Roses/Primal Scream stalwart Mani, the music silences and the audience roars. Onstage, guitarist Wayne Kramer arrives, alongside latter-day MC5-entrants, drummer Dennis Thompson and bassist, Michael Davis, plus Hellacopters' lead axe-man Nicke Andersson, and brass-section providers Chas and Buzzy. Yes, it's a full stage - and one that fills even more with the arrival of guest-vocalists throughout the performance's hour and three-quarters duration.
Erupting into the might swath of impenetrable, distorted noise that defined their early sound, it's awesome from the get-go, with 'Skunk' evoking all the teenage-dream/angst of yesteryear, a defiant punch to the air above, whilst Anderson's steal of the mic leads to the traditional lurches of a rock 'n' roll-centred 'Gotta Keep Movin', the fans pulsating with throbbing bewilderment, only pausing to check that a smile is still etched on their face from ear-to-ear. Suddenly, what can only be deemed an Elvis look-a-like invades the stage - quick, security - but, wait a sec - it's only The Damned's Dave Vanian, a man that perhaps over-characterises his part (aside from an electrifying 'Poison'), before making a departure that enables a manic 'American Ruse'.
The temperament remains high and keen from start to finish, with newcomer Kate O' Brien producing one of the few soulful, downbeat contrasts in 'Let Me Try' in an otherwise teary-eyed greatest-hits epilogue, which really hits overdrive with the appearance of Motorhead's Lemmy, who excels in 'Sister Ann', before pulling the show to a temporary pause after a riotous 'Born In The USA'. The cheers deafen and the act soon returns after a considerably confident time away; 'Rambling Rose' headed by Kramer is our treat - and a furious 'Kick Out The Jams', as rasped by The Cult's Ian Astbury, the track every bit as urgent and chaotic as you could dream of.
Even with the glimmer of a free-form, loose return-encore to follow, all that's needed to be said and done is by now completed. Just a toil the big-wigs almost spoilt the party.
Artists in this article: MC5
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