A PERFECT BOOKEND (Part II)

10/21/2023

A PERFECT BOOKEND (Part II)

Yesterday (well, late last evening anyway) we heard the boisterous ‘I Like Rock ‘N’ Roll’- the opening track on what seemed to be the final studio LP from the “Pride Of East Kilbride” 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN.

Today we get the “Yang” to yesterday’s “Ying”.

I had been in on this outfit since nearly the get-go. I was at their Toronto gig at the RPM Club on December 12, 1985. I was there working on a case and was fortunate to get a ticket.

At that time JAMC gigs were epic. In my opinion, they were the ultimate punk gigs ever. They lasted no more than 25 minutes with the band playing a few songs of feedback laden perfection.

To generate the feedback, Jim and William Reid faced the speakers and made no eye contact with the audience. Drummer BOBBY GILLESPIE stood pounding the snare drums.

[Ed. Note – Yes Virginia, that same guy who formed legends PRIMAL SCREAM shortly thereafter.]

Meanwhile, the mosh pit was a scene of frenzy. Many venues in the UK refused to book them because of the damage that occurred.

[Ed. Note- rex was not at the Toronto gig in 1987 when a punter shouted at JIM REID. He swung the mic around striking the fan. REID was charged and spent the night in jail.]

Anyway by 1998 the JESUS & MARY CHAIN train had pretty much run aground. The last song on ‘Munki’ was entitled ‘I Hate Rock ‘N’ Roll’.

It is a perfect bookend to the LP and at the time it looked like a career. One of the best anti- music screeds ever. BBC

[Ed. Note- Here it is with a small LANGUAGE ALERT in case you want to play it very loud in the car (as I often do) with children whilst doing Saturday activities.]