There's a revolution going on, people, and I'm at the heart of it! Here, in this raging inferno of adolescent frustrations and barely frothing beer known as the Monarch, the kids are revolting. Truly revolting.
Huggy Bear are here, angry fanzine-wielding Riot Grrrls are here. Yes, the Grrrl generation are out in force. There must be at least 35of them. And these kids are rejecting the trappings of capitalist society, casting aside materialism and leaving their expensive mountain bikes chained up outside the door. Not only that, but they are refusing to pander to the oppressive doctrines of the national music papers that are scattered suspiciously about the tables by refusing to read them! For two or three minutes at least!
Into this abyss come Hellfire Sermons, possibly the only people in here not modelling Talulah Gosh, Heavenly Records or similar tee-shirts and the only boys apart from me to look like Real Men, not particularly poncy girlies. Hellfire Sermons are addressing Serious Issues, like the relevance of spectacles in rock, and whether or not a band can use an old Fall B-side as a basis for a career.
Actually, this lot can, because, despite my considerable cynicism, Hellfire Sermons are pretty rockin' good. In places, anyhow. Like when the guitars stop fannying around and their awkward yet plangent melodies manage to invoke the ghosts of Blue Orchids, Buzzcocks and Mark E. Smith's "No Xmas For John Quays". And all at once!
Mostly, I like the Sermons' lyrical equation that goes "I am a singer / And I am a sinner." I'm also prone to agreeing with it, but things like technique don't matter anymore cos this is Garageland and Hellfire Sermons are a garage band.
Although, tonight, it's my bullshit detector rather than my aural faculties that come close to overload.
Dave Simpson - MM - 27/2/93