Today's guest author,`Lil' G:Lil' G is a globetrotter, who divides time between East Canada and West Europe. A part time musician (guitar, drums, and some keys) and hobby photographer, Lil' G loves pop quizzes as much as good food. Lil' G has written articles and columns for several websites, with topics ranging from graphic novels, travel to music and eye candy.
Another concert review from across the Atlantic. This time I’m going to introduce you to a British band: Skunk Anansie. Besides Mother’s Finest and Living Color, I don’t know any bands - not at the top of my head anyway - of which (some of) their members are of African descent who rock hard. It shouldn’t matter, but I remember a time, where the number of non Caucasians at a hard rock concert were far and between. (I was usually one of the few.)
You may have heard of them (SA had a cameo in a movie called “Strange days” starring Ralph Fiennes and Angela Bassett), but I won’t be surprised if you haven’t. This British band is pretty popular in Europe, where numerous dates of the Wonderlustre tour (including the Amsterdam date) have sold out.
Skunk Anansie released their debut album in 1995 (Paranoid & Sunburnt) and turned quite a few heads. It wasn’t just their political and sexually charged lyrics wrapped up in a punk rock jacket, it was also their leading lady Skin. An out and proud woman from the start, and at one point tired of the same old boring questions by journalists (her bisexuality, being a front woman of color etc), she dubbed SA’s music “clit rock”.
Their second album was released in 1996 and was called “Stoosh”. This album definitely showed the band’s more “poppy” side. “Post orgasmic chill” was released in 1999, and (lyrically) saw a darker side of the band. Musically, they mix, punk, rock, pop, reggae, funk, and dance influences.
After the tour that followed the release of their last album, the members took a long break to reform in 2009. They went back into the studio to record a couple of new songs (for a “best of” album) and found the entire process so much fun, they immediately started writing songs for an entirely new album: “Wonderlustre” (2010).
I had seen Skunk Anansie play a European music festival after the release of “Stoosh”, and I had enjoyed their performance immensely. So, while taking a break from The Great Lunenburg Schooner Race last year (I was crew on the Avenger), I received an E-mail from my friend EJ. He informed me that SA was planning to tour Europe, and asked me if I would like to see them. I can assure you I was looking forward to February 25th ever since EJ told me he managed to get tickets to the concert.
The Virgin Marys, fellow Brits, were Skunk Anansie’s opening act. The music was alright, albeit mediocre. The singer’s vocal abilities were pretty much limited to one style of singing, and I was wondering how he could have been performing all this time without completely losing his voice (especially, after noticing how he sounded like towards the end of their set). Anyway, I think the drummer was entertaining to look at for a while (think “Animal” of The Muppets). Right then, it wasn’t really showing the SA concert was sold out: there was plenty of empty space towards the back - in front of the seated area. (Have a behind the scenes peek here, with guitarist Ace joking around a bit at the end.)
Then, finally: Skunk Anansie time! After an intro where the band made a grand entrance, they kicked off with a song off their debut album (check out the Amsterdam set list here). It was obvious Skunk Anansie was ready to blow their audience away, and that they had planned on having a good time. By the time the band finished their first song the venue was packed.
Singer Skin needed about three songs to get her vocal chords properly warmed up. Little time was wasted in between songs for meaningless chit chat, which only added to their high energy performance.
Their second song (“Charlie Big Potato”) is one of my favorites off the “Post Orgasmic Chill” album: after a Drum n’ Bass inspired intro, the song takes you on a little musical roller coaster ride. (If you haven’t checked out the video through the set list, you might want to do that now to get what I mean.)
“I can dream” is another one of my SA favorites (“Selling Jesus” is my other fave off their debut album, but they didn’t play that one) and is blatantly sexual. When I heard the opening riff to “Twisted (Everyday hurts)” I was super thrilled: that bass line still kills in my opinion.
The band made up an excellent set list in my opinion: uptempo rock songs were followed by poppier songs or ballads in an inconspicuous way. The audience was in for the ride and having a great time. Skunk Anansie treated us to a new song (“I don’t want to kill you”), which I found to sound promising (another Skunk Anansie album in progress?).
Even though the sign to NOT crowd surf were clearly visible, Skin had no problem ignoring them, and the audience in the front rows love her for that: they made sure she didn’t fall. She did, however, trip about halfway through the show and came close to landing ungraciously on the floor. But she quickly regained her balance and continued singing.
When it was time to introduce the band, Skin had a little fun with the guys in the band, and they each had their moment in the spotlights. Literally. (I have to admit I was envious of Mark’s drum kit: what a beauty!)
I noticed that the Dutch audience just seem to love their ballads, which I found interesting.
The band came back for two encores, ending the show with an acoustic rendition of “You’ll follow me down”. Again, Skin’s sense of humor shines through, when she made a reference to her trip earlier that evening.
And just like that, the concert’s over. Skunk Anansie played a great show, and I had an excellent time.
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