Primal Scream . Webadelica

Stabbing - Melody Maker report

PRIMAL SCREAM have expressed their horror over an inddent during their show at GlasgowGreen on August24 in which an unknown man jabbed at least 14 fellow audience members with a hypodermic syringe.

A 27-year-old Lanarkshire man, who had been standing near the front of the stage at around 10.46 pm, saw a thin, dark-haired man plunge the syringe into two apparently unknowing fans in front of him, one on the shoulder, the other on the upper arm. A 26-year-old man from Helenburgh, Dumbartonshire contacted police on August24, and confirmed that he'd been the one who grabbed the assailant's arm in an attempt to take the syringe. During the struggle, he too was stabbed with the needle, before the perpetrator ran off into the crowd.

Strathclyde Police later issued an appeal asking anyone who attended the show who may have fefta needle puncture to attend their local hospital accident and emergency department. Greater Glasgow Health Board set up a free helpline during the first few days of last week, and by Thursday morning 15O people had contacted the number. Twenty went on to attend A&E units, and 14 were found to have needle wounds.

On Tuesday of last week, when the toll of victims was thought to be only three, Primal Scream issued a statement expressing their horror at the situation. ft said: "We are frustrated and annoyed that this happened at a hometown gig which, for us and our fans, should have been a time of celebration. We are shocked and disturbed that three people who had gone out purely to enjoy themselves ended up getting injured by one stupid f**king idiot"

The unlucky 14 who were found to have been stabbed have been vaccinated against hepatitis B. They have been told that they will have to wait three months for HIVtest.

Strathclyde Police confessed to bewilderment over the apparently motiveless attacks. Their spokesman Detective Sergeant Reg Shaw said: "The victims appear to have been chosen at random. So far, we have no other witnesses to this attack-but given the size and nature of the crowd, that is not too surprising."

Meanwhile, it has been stressed to The Maker that drummer Paul Mulreany leit the band under "very amicable drcumstances". The Primals' press spokesman strongly denied reports elsewhere implying that Muireany's playing had been inadequate and that the drummer had fallen out with his ex-colleagues. Mulreany contributed to three tracks on the recent album, "Vanishing Point", and he played at the band's Glastonbury show, and on the warm-up gigs for that festival. According to the Primals' spokesman, the real reason for his departure was that "itwas decided that the bestsound would be gained from samples and not live drumming. It was a purely professional decision, andthe band arestill on very good terms with Mulreany."

The latest line-up change follows rumours of a split, all of which have been firmly denied. As the spokesman said last week: "Nobody made this much fuss when Denise Johnson left.