Somewhat exclusively for that elite coterie of individuals who care about such things, you'll be pleased to learn that the benefit show Killing Joke played for Joe Mojica at the Barfly in London went down especially well. For those who have no idea what I'm talking about (though I mentioned it here), you will probably be bored and confused by the following:
For the purposes of arguable accuracy -- and since I wasn't there -- I'll let my fellow Gatherer, Graeme Rowland do the honors:
Pretty soon after we got upstairs Killing Joke kicked into "Wardance" and the sound was superb. Nick Walker has gone and been replaced by a keyboard player who I'm told is from the band Inertia. Jaz was in his civvies, with no warpaint visible from where I was standing waving my arms about like some drunken fool. "Primitive" had seemed a bit too epic and overblown at their Motley Crue stadium support in Manchester, but was now back in more familiar hunting grounds. "Sun Goes Down" was as tribal and inspiring as ever, and I cannot repeat enough how thrilled I am that they've resurrected possibly the finest 'B-side' ever recorded by any band. Unless of course that's "Pssyche", which they played later, a song that could get cripples out of wheelchairs such is its momentum. "Asteroid" caused more of my beer to go on the floor than down my throat. "Are You Receiving" stormed past in a flash of pure adrenaline. Jaz introduced "Song and Dance" as something Geordie hates to play. "Complications" sounded the most apocalyptic I've ever heard it and "The Wait" was as wired as ever. Jaz looked quite pleased with the "Frenzy" singalong, whereas usually he seems derisive of the Gathering's attempts. I'm pretty certain they played "Bloodsport" too, but have no recollection of "Requiem" being played, although that doesn't mean it wasn't.
"Change" was the final song, which considering Jester's illness, seemed highly appropriate lyrically.
There you have it. I thank Graeme for allowing me to use his account, and thanks to Woody for the picture. Later posts on the Gathering corrected Graeme by saying it's "Change" that Geordie evidently hates playing. And, clearly, Jaz was sporting the warpaint.
I'm also happy to report that Joe wrote that he was very well looked after by both the UK Gatherers and by the band themselves.
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