32 year wait…
Saturday night saw the culmination of a 32 year wait. Well to be fair I haven’t been sitting in a darkened room since 1986 waiting for this gig. However, since the tour of the UK and Spain was announced & I had the opportunity to interview her and review her debut solo album under the Fur Dixon (WTFukushima) banner for Louder Than War, I have been excited about the opportunity to see her live and in person.
Having seen her posts on social media since the gigs kicked off in London on Thursday in the Moth Club, the anticipation had been growing. Fur and the band seemed to be having a blast as they worked their way up the country towards Edinburgh stopping off for a triumphant gig in Gateshead on the way.
The Cramps
As a teenager in 1986, I distinctly remember watching The Cramps iconic (overused word I know, but hey) performance on The Tube. With a certain Fur Dixon on bass I was mesmerised by the whole experience I was witnessing. Lux and Ivy were obviously the main draw for me tuning in, but I was transfixed by the whole spectacle. Lux in his gold lame breeks and Cuban heels. Ivy looking all moody and sultry as usual. Mr Cool Nick Knox and his laconic drumming style and this vision on bass with her shock of pink hair, fur lined bra and bunny tail rounded off with a cheeky sneer. Unfortunately though, I didn’t see The Cramps live on that tour. So Saturday was to be my first opportunity to see the delectable Ms Dixon in the flesh.
Heading East
Being a west-coast weegie, I don’t often venture east-wards towards Auld Reekie for gigs. I was making an exception in this case and set out for the road trip in the glorious evening sunshine.
Not being a native of Edinburgh I was relying on satnav to guide me to the venue and somewhere convenient to park.
The stars must have been aligned to set the scene for a perfect night as I drove onto Cowgate and there was a space just waiting for me. Leaving the car and walking up to the venue, I now know where Bannermans is having only known of it through social media before. My compadre and I decided we would need to arrange a night out in Edinburgh as we passed several decent looking pubs.
While I was outwith the normal gig /venue circuit I’m used to in Glasgow, it was refreshing to see loads of friendly faces in the venue, including other non-Edinburgh natives who had also made the trip through.
The Trama Dolls
Support on the night came from The Trama Dolls who entertained us with a trashy NYC-like sleazy glam punk noise and a number of barbed messages in their songs. A band I’d heard of but never witnessed before, I enjoyed their set and they heightened my anticipation for the upcoming headliner.
Please Welcome….
The time came for the main event and a trio of accomplished musicians took to the stage. On bass from Dream Syndicate was Dave Provost, on guitar Bernard Yin (of Fuzztones and Bellrays fame). And with the mighty Dusty Watson from The Sonics on drums you can’t go wrong.
As the band played the intro of Jack the Ripper, someone bumped me from behind. I turned to see who it was and immediately realised it was Fur herself, making her way to the stage.
She took to the stage accepting the applause of the gathered crowd. I glanced around I noticed a number of rockabilly/psychobilly quiffs among the appreciative faces. If I’m right I also heard a South African accent wondering if they’d made the trip all the way for the gig? Tonight had been a long time coming for us all, and we were set to make the most of it.
The atmosphere was electric
The atmosphere was electric, quite literally for Fur who received shocks from her microphone throughout the set. It didn’t affect her performance though. She was on top form laughing and joking all the way through the set. Perhaps that was the combination of lack of sleep (8 hours in the last few days) and a can of Red Bull prior to taking the stage.
Much like 32 years ago when I had my face stuck to the TV, I was transfixed for the next hour or so. Hardly taking my eyes away from the stage, whether that was watching Fur and listening to her between song banter or watching Dusty’s mesmerising masterclass in drumming. Drawn in by Bernard’s glorious guitar licks or Dave’s solid booming bass. But mostly transfixed by the fantastically foxy Fur.
There were a number of things that made this gig so enjoyable. The musicianship for starters and the exquisite songs. The fact that Fur looked and sounded so relaxed and appeared to be really enjoying it herself made it glorious.
Sugar Sweet
The set was drawn largely from the new album, Return 2 Sender. With a number of additional treats as the gig unfolded. Album highlights like Out of Darkness Slowly, Safari Road and the immense bombastic glam-rock stomp of Sugar Sweet raised the bar a few notches in the live setting.
Are you Fay Fife?
A cameo appearance from the Rezillo’s Fay Fife was another pinnacle. Fur invited Fay onstage to duet with her on her cover of Buffy Saint Marie’s Cod’ine. The cover is another of Return 2 Sender’s peak and the live result was pretty outstanding too. Preceded by a tale, made all the more touching following recent events, of Fay and Fur spending time together with Cramps drummer Nick Knox. RIP Nick.
This wasn’t the only cover we would be treated to tonight, with her rabble-rousing take on Eno’s Baby’s on Fire (the only electronic music she likes) and One Step Closer from US punks Poison 13.
I look forward to reading more about Fur’s time with The Cramps from her perspective when she comes to release her memoirs. Judging by the story she told of the demise of her bunny tail and other demands made on her prior to launching into the vitriolic Get that Saddle off My Back, it will be an interesting read.
A New Kind of Kick
Tonight gave me my old kind of a kick. As with any great gigs, it allowed me to take my mind away from all the crap that life throws at you sometimes. For that hour and a half or so, nothing matters but the music. Fur took us all back to that time when we were all a bit younger and life seemed simpler, with a furious New Kind of Kick to close the set.
Returning to the stage she struggled to find a guitar pick to use, having fired hers into the audience at the end of the set, with it flying past my head. Finding one in her pocket, she refused to use it as she’d picked it up at a gig by Japanese heavy experimental band Boris. The wayward pick was duly returned to a very grateful Fur.
Cramps fans were in for a treat with the encore too, Fur screaming a high-pitched yowl before kicking through a raucous Can Your Pussy Do the Dog? Leaving us with Love Me she pleaded “why do you not love me?” when the gathered throng failed to sing it back loud enough (or in time). Believe me Fur, we might have missed our cue, but there was plenty of love in the room for you tonight.
On leaving the stage, Fur took up her position at the merchandise table signing albums, provocative tour posters and plectrums. (I never did get my signed plectrum..) After spending time communicating with her via social media/email/messenger over prior week’s setting up interviews and confirming reviews, finally getting to meet her face to face was a joy. Another tick on the old bucket list.
Don’t be a stranger
Before leaving the venue, I had a quick chat with some folks on the way out. It was like being back in the 80’s again with a bit of quiff envy going on and comparing styling techniques.
I vowed with my friend that we would return to Edinburgh for a night out. I hope Fur doesn’t leave it another 32 years to return to Scotland, and vows to come to Glasgow next time……but I definitely wouldn’t discount Edinburgh.
Fur on Facebook
Fur website
Get Fur Dixon – Return 2 Sender from bandcamp
The Ginger Quiff facebook page