Everything Louder Than Everything Else No.2

Cambridge again, for what may turn out to be my final solo outing to that fair town. (I've pretty much run out of genuine courses that I will be allowed to attend, and excuses for further imaginary courses are likewise stretching the credibility of my actual career trajectory).

While Sunday's outward journey was annoyingly problematic (involving cancelled trains and a lift into Brough from a kindly stranger), at least a change of accomodation yielded positive results when I eventually arrived in town hours later than intended. (The University Arms and its endless idiosyncratic variety of damp patches and creaking floorboards had become too tiresome to contemplate).

Anyway, as the trip was booked some time ago as a personal respite from the anticipated rubbish family holiday earlier in the month, I was determined not to let the bad start affect my mood. (The family holiday was indeed very rubbish, in case you're interested).

But apart from the break from the break, the real reason for the trip was...

Motorhead were one of those bands that I used to go and see quite often, at short notice and in a very chemically altered state. But despite the considerable number of gaps in my memory, I don't think I've actually seen them live since the early 1990's. And even though he's only getting on for 70, Lemmy won't last forever...

With my hotel only just around the corner from the Corn Exchange, there was plenty of time to mooch past the tour buses, watching the equipment being loaded in, and listening in on the soundchecks.

Like most concerts of this ilk, you never get to learn the name of the first band on stage unless you look it up online after the event, and I must admit that I haven't quite got around to it yet. Anyway, whoever they were, they were rather good and quite well received, which is always nice to see.

I must admit, I was really looking forward to seeing Anthrax again. My first ever "proper" concert experience was the Among the Living Tour when it rolled into Manchester way back in the winter of 1987, and now that that "classic" line-up is 80% back together, it was an unashamedly nostalgic ride.

And they were simply amazing.

Despite a relatively short setlist, it was packed with hits played with the buzzing adrenaline that sucks you in and keeps you there. Joey Belladonna is still a front-man to be reckoned with, having a good line in mock disappointment when he thinks the crowd aren't putting in as much effort as the band are. (And bassist Frank Bello still has entertaining leg movements worth observing, which tickle me no end). 

Setlist Surprises: None, really. A safe, Greatest Hits package.

Disappointments: No "Metal Thrashing Mad", which as quibbles go is pretty minor.

And Motorhead were... well, Motorhead.

Older, slower and unfortunately rather distorted, their continued existence is simultaneously both life-affirming and some kind of self-fulfilling prophecy.

Default vantage point of near-the-front-and-a-bit-to-the-side found me once again on the edge of the mosh pit, which is a pleasant place to be. (And there were spectacular arcs of spilt beer arcing skyward as the first chords of the set rang out and the audience lurched into life).  

Setlist surprises:  "You Better Run", "Are You Ready?" (an obscure Thin Lizzy cover) and "Rock It" (even though the "Another Perfect Day" album has recently come in from the cold, a jaw-dropping inclusion nevertheless).

Disappointments: No "Iron Fist", and I guess the Bomber lighting rig will be forvever denied me. Excessive distortion on the vocals.

Spending the rest of the trip drifting in and out of pubs and bookshops wasn't all that bad either, giving me a good opportunity to finish "Voice of the Fire" (a book which has rekindled my enthusiasm for the works of Alan Moore), smoke copiusly and scribble down notes for a forthcoming audit at work.