The Jesus And Mary Chain brought a sonic punch—lacking in any visual vitality—to the 9:30 Club Sunday night. All these years on however, they still sound fantastic.
The band ran through a 17-song set, playing a range of material from their 29 year career, including material as early as 1985’s “Never Understand,” their second single, and as late as 1998’s “Cracking Up” off their lone Sub Pop release, Munki. The only period not accounted for was 1994’s Stoned and Dethroned.
Jim Reid’s voice sounded as strong as it ever has during their more active years, and brother William’s distortion and feedback laden guitar work was just as vital.
The biggest complaint might be the lack of excitement on the visual end of things. On stage there was nothing of note—no smoke or strobes, no special lighting, and the band made for a mostly motionless and fairly unanimated bunch—a visual borefest. At times Jim Reid tensely gripped the mic stand, and though the packed house yearned for him to let loose, he remained restrained.
Thankfully, they made up for the lack of showmanship by pleasing the sold out crowd with solid performances of songs such as “Head On,” “Snakedriver,” and “Just Like Honey” on which Jim Reid shared vocals with opener The Vandelles’ bassist, Lindsey Ann.
It could be that it was just plain hard for the band to impress after openers The Psychic Paramount practically blew the roof off of the club. At times it was hard to tell if the smoke that filled the stage came from smoke machines or their instruments. NYC trio The Vandelles got the crowd warmed up.
Vandelles:
Psychic Paramount:
