2003 Reviews

When Pete Alien (vocalist with Alien Matter) buys Killing Joke’s Jaz Coleman his 7th double whiskey before the band go on stage you know you’re in for a good night. We saw Killing Joke on Friday night in Liverpool, which turned out to be a winter warmer before being hit by the full force of the storm here in Manchester 3 days later. The Liverpool gig was rocking & I would’ve happily retired for the week a fulfilled man having seen it, but if Liverpool was awesome, Manchester was devastating. Just on the boundaries of the mosh pit in this crammed Academy was the spot to take it all in, too quiet right at the front where Pete Alien & Milton rucked away, too much boom & feedback at the back where Steve Sync stood grimacing at the soundman’s fumbling fingers (Steve said; ‘after a bad feedback attack I looked over to the soundman, who to my horror, was ‘air drumming’ – twat!!’). No, at the periphery of the mosh pit I had the prime place & my ears were last seen heading down the road with rucksacks in tow, looking for a safer haven to live.
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