cutcopy wrote:

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and a review from FasterLouder
http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/29423/Pulp-set-report--On-The-Bright-Side-Festival
Lots of thrusting....lots of it.

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Just found the answer to my violin question...Tom Peloso from Modest Mouse.  I can't imagine standing in a festival crowd, but this lineup sounds like it would have been a lot of fun to watch.

"With Russell, Candida, Mark, Steve and Nick all visibly enjoying themselves..."

Wow. Mark looks like he's staring straight into your camera in that shot! (sigh)

Great version of "Bad Cover Version." Here's "Live Bed Show," with some friendly banter between Jarvis and Mark just beforehand!

 

Like a Friend, Melbourne

Back home from Melbourne. Review time!

Pulp were playing Festival Hall in Melbourne which is a venue just on the outskirts of town. Rocked up around 3pm again and there were 6 people already queing - some of the same Sydney people from the concert a few nights ago headed to Melbourne as well. It seems to be that Pulp fans can all just get along even though they've never met! Everyones fagging and talking about the Sydney gig and what B-Sides they wanna hear.fabulous!

They soundchecked for much longer than Sydneyits almost as if they're using these venues as rehearsals? Got to hear The Fear, Like A Friend, stripped down Party Hard, The Birds in Your Garden (YES!!!), Bad Cover Version, Trees, Help the Aged - possibly Joyriders.but the inclusion of The Birds in Your Garden - could be a nod towards the setlist for Brixton?

We get in and once again stake prime position in front of Mark and Candida. Oh! their support band for both Sydney and Melbourne was a Sydney band called Belles Will Ring (shameless plug here) but having seen them loads of times around Sydney (and being one of my fav local bands - I even once shared a boat ride with them) it was great to see them supporting my all time fav band. If you like 60s, Scott Walker kind of stuff - (Even Jarvis had their CDS in his pocket)
Anyways, the gig starts with the usual 'light show' and we're off. I think maybe after the second track, Jarvis is sliding all over the place in his 'eels - he fell flat on his arse right in front of me, so decided to get one of the roadies to bring him out some rubber soul shoes. So he just changes his shoes right there on stage!

The coolest thing - well I think so, was during I Spy and he did the stethoscope camera trick down in the front row, anyway during the last line before the band kicks in, he sticks it in my face - so yeah being serenaded too by Jarvis inches away.. - cross that one off..

Mark being guitar hero during Sunrise - this man is totally underrated as a guitarist. And for someone who hasn't played much guitar for the past 10 years.

Coming back for the Encore, Jarvis shares his champagne and fuck it was strong - so thanks Jarvis for getting me that little bit more pished.

I knew this was my final hurrah, and I kept looking up at the celing thinking this cannot be happening. My all time fav band is in front of me - this is their 3rd own-proper show and they're doing it in Australia. Perhaps, just perhaps Jarvis enjoys Australia, thinking he toured here in 2007, 2009 and back in 2011. I'll think that anyway or maybe its just logistics...

So as I've written previously, they soundchecked Party Hard but a different sort of version - kind of stripped back in the start just before the chorus kicks in. As its Friday, Jarvis is asking if we wanna Party, and I yell out Party Hard which he says yes to - now most people kind of think this is a David Bowie rip off, but this is the song that got me into Pulp all those years ago - so to hear a new version of it, never played anywhere - I feel pretty lucky. Still had Marks wah wah guitar and Candidas keyboards but just the starts a little slower. More climatic - kind of builds up instead of just blasting out of nowhere.

And that was it, well Mis Shapes seems to be ending the gigs and what a way to bow out. I think standing dead in front of Mark and Candida for 3 shows, Mark recognised me and mouthed a Thankyou - I was thinking, no Thankyou - Thankyou for coming so far and deciding to play again - but hopefully fingers crossed they maybe one day come back to Australia and we can do it all again. Met some wonderful people - each having wonderful stories of how they got into Pulp and Jarvis gigs and a lucky few having seen them when they toured in 1998.

I did bring my This is Hardcore 12" (the single - not the album - far too heavy -come off its, split across 2 records..) to maybe/possibly get signed. Only Jarvis came out, but he very graciously signed it, asking if my name started with a 'K' and commenting that it was old, and not for resale. I think also it shows his character, Jarvis spent about 5 mins with a girl who was wheelchair bound - we all crowded around while she told him she was there in 98, and how great they all were - he asked her if it was a little too loud for her which we all laughed at - it was nice of him to do this. Albert was there as well, and was pulling on Dads jacket - it was abit after midnight by this time and absolutely freezing so a kid being up this late - well I was wanting to go home too!! Got a photo with Jarvis and Alberts in it as well. Cute as a button!

We saw the band pass in their Avis HireVans and I was waving with my record in the air, while we skipped down the street fagging and saying it was absolutely incredible. Hope they saw us in the back streets of Melbourne and got a kick out of some loonies waving at them!

So I can officially say, 4 x Pulp gigs in the space of about 25 days, for anything to top that - well its going to be very hard. Live On.

Dammit Cutcopy, I'm a perfect Othello for jealousy here!

I agree, though. He is a CRIMINALLY underated guitar player. Always thought that Hawley got a bit lionized at Mark's expense somewhat. It's like the Beatles had George Harrison and then got Jimi Hendrix as a touring guitar player.

(BTW your first photo is the wrong way round)

I know! I was thinking whose playing guitar that way.....Photoshop for you. yes had such a perfect time. You guys will have a wonderful time at the Brixton show! So excited for you all!

As you say. Jarvis humping the monitors. Nice slide from Mark at the beginning.

 

cutcopy your reviews have been tremendous, thanks for sharing.
Just, er, one question though...what the chuff is ''fagging''? Chain-smoking or something else?

oh to clarify, fagging = smoking. Just a slang term - I know the other meaning as well but no not that - just plain chain smoking.

The reviews have been fun to put together - cant wiat for all your reviews now!!!

Have to include this. Chris Martin dedicates The Scientist to Pulp.

 

Loved every minute of the Melbourne gig, well worth the wait to see Pulp for the first time!

Delighted that they played Misshapes and Like a Friend. Bit gutted that Pink Glove wasn't in there, but you can't have it all!

Managed to get my photo with Jarvis after the gig too which really made my night. It required a long wait but it was great to finally meet the bloke. He didn't seem to drunk which surprised me, but then again I was fairly drunk myself :)

Hope to get to another gig soon, so hopefulyl the reunion extends beyond 2011!!