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Jamming Article
The bestowing of the term 'scene' on a city's musical activity is
invariably ill advised. In most areas of large populations (ond sadly but
inevitobly) high unemployment, there will always be folk making music,
some brilliant, some crap, whether the media chooses to patronise thot
location for a few months or not. That said, recent events have pointed
out the resurgence of quality music emanating from Glasgow. No scene
though, 'Just bands making fine music and putting on gigs.
Inevitably,one of the main impetuses behind this is the success of The
Jesus And Mary Chain. But as they move on to bigger and better things,
Primal Scream look set to emerge as the freshest blast to come out of
Glasgow this year.
In fact, Primal Scream are actually fronted by the angelic voice of
Bobby Gillespie, ertswhile drummer of said JAMC. Yet their lush melodic
singable, 'All Fall Down', (Creation Records), co-written by Bobby and
guitarist Jim could hardly be further removed from the vinyl output
ofJAMC. So, are Primal Scream the soothing plink plink fizz antidote to
the whirling Dervish feedback festivities of The Jesus And Mary
Chain?
Bobby: "When Primal Scream storted, all Jim and I used to do was make
tapes of noise, then we progressed to writing tunes oround boss riffs,
and then finally about nine months ago we started writing pop
songs.Essentially Primal Scream area pop band, but we've got a huge
range of influences, ranging from The Stooges to Irish rebel songs. All
stuff with real emotion in it.
In chatting to the band, what comes across most is a heartfelt passion for
great pop, be it of the Sonic Youth, Felt, or Ramones variety.
Bobby: "The Ramones must be the greatest pop band ever. I'd love to
leave behind a classic body of work like those first three albums." And
discussion rapidly ensues as to the origins of pop. Public Image? The
Monkees? Buddy Holly? Any advance? But all agree something has
definitely gone wrong today, when those that are in fact less than pop,
Howard Jones, Tears For Fears, actually claim to be so much more.
The beauty of Primal Scream is thot in the best of pop traditions, they
are proud to admit that they area pop band. And to prove it, 'All Fall
Down could well turn out to be two minutes of the finest jangly guitar
you'll hear all year.
As they leave to do their soundcheck before tonight's gig, I asked
Bobby, to whom the popular press would attribute something of a wildman
reputation, whether he was going to get drunk tonight. "Don't be daft. l
forget the words if I'm not saber."
Nice boys. And they take their pop seriously. But not too seriously I hope . .
Bruce 'Norman Mailer' Dessau
Originally appeared in Jamming! September 1985. Copyright © 1985 Jamming! Ltd.
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