November 14th 1996 – De Montfort Hall
“Stoosh” was their second album, but Skank Anansie sprang to fame a year earlier with the strong single “Weak” which was brilliant (from “Paranoid and Sunburnt”), so this was another gig to look forward to, so we could see the difference between radio music and live music.
Here’s your learning point for this article. The name “Skunk Anansie” is a combination of the name from Akan folk tales of Anansi the spider-man of Ghana with “Skunk” added, which Skin said in her biography was to “make the name nastier”.
So, Skin (real name – Deborah Anne Dyer) was the driving force behind this band. I’ve amentioned before a definite liking of feisty women lead singers (Note, Maria McKee and Kirsty MacColl before this).
Skin was a lil bit confident and angrier still than the ones I’d followed so far…..ooooh, she had a voice.
As she walked on to stage with the band, she looked slight, smiley and was chatty. As the opening track chosen was “Yes It’s Fucking Political” and Skin strutted around, gesticulating, running, jumping, screaming and shouting., track two was “Selling Jesus”…..it became apparent live was better for this band and we were not in for an easy ride! 🙂
This song give a great idea of Skin’s stage presence….and not afraid to take on tough subjects (look up the lyrics), whether its religion, sexism, racism, inequality…..just don’t mess with her 😉
This is a full onslaught of the ears in both loudness (the bass was so strong on the chest tonight, maybe as it wasn’t a full house, the sound was too high), vocal performance and crowd singing back.
The first two albums had been so strong and live it was brilliant to listen to the passion, anger and harshness of the music. This was a crazy gig and although the crowd was down on capacity, everyone there was in it for a good time……more fool those who decided not to bother!!
Set List (probable)
Yes It’s Fucking Political
Selling Jesus
We Love Your Apathy
I Can Dream
Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good)
It Takes Blood & Guts to Be This Cool but I’m Still Just a Cliché
Twisted (Everyday Hurts)
All I Want
Brazen (Weep)
She’s My Heroine
100 Ways to Be a Good Girl
Weak
Milk Is My Sugar
Intellectualise My Blackness
Encore: Charity, Little Baby Swastikkka
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