February 23rd 1991 – Leicester Poly
Well, this was a controversial one. If anyone if worried about certain words in the dictionary, I will warn you now, that a choice word is used in relation to a cover version of a Patti Smith song.
Birdland pretty much swept in and then swept out of the music scene like a hurricane firing a tornado and breaking out into a thunderstorm!!
Birdland formed in 1988 in Birmingham by the brothers Robert (vocals) and Lizzy Lee Vincent (guitar),who used to be in glam rock band Zodiac Motel (1984–1988). The band also included, Simon Rogers (bass), and Neil Hughes (drums).
They were wild, peroxide blonde, dressed in black and ready to cause mayhem. Their first single was “Hollow Heart” which was loud and shouty, but in some ways to me, melodic and set the tone for where the band would go. A bit of Ramones in there and a nod to The Clash and the punk blast out in under 3 minute mantra.
The song that caused them (and others issues was “Rock and Roll Ni**er” – a cover version of Patti Smith’s 1978 original. The word is used to describe outsiders and how they need to be accepted. Read Patti’s thoughts on this song and why she doesn’t play the song often (but still will from time to time).
This concert was brash, fast, furious, melodic and full on and over very quickly….just what we wanted as 26 year olds….oh and a tough mosh pit and stage kit trashing thrown in. Wearing glasses was never great for moshing, but as I knew the rules for this gig a glasses case had actually been remembered. I hi t the floor twice during this gig, which is the most I’ve ever lost my balance in a mosh pit. Everyone helps each other though.
It’s fair to say it was all stage managed, but the managed violence of this type of rock and roll was appealing to us at the time. It was a release really from the real world….in a pantomime way.
I reckon the gig lasted about 45 minutes until they had played all their songs and yet we were done in! Great night!
Set List
- Hollow Heart
- Crystal
- Gotta Getaway
- Rock n Roll Nigger (Patti Smith Group cover)
- Everybody Needs Somebody
- Shoot You Down
- Sleep With Me
- Paradise
- Wake Up Dreaming
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