[ originally published 24/11/2014 ]
MANIC STREET PREACHERS
English Riviera Centre, Torquay - 12th July 1993
Support: Blaggers I.T.A., Credit To The Nation
Higgz and I had travelled to Torquay to interview Blaggers I.T.A. for our fanzine-that-never-was. I remember Higgz being concerned that Blaggers were “hard as fucking nails” and that we didn’t say anything to upset them - it was during this tour that Matty Blag assaulted a Melody Maker hack. As it turned out, Blaggers were very accommodating, even though you could feel a crackle of tension amongst them and us.
This was the second time I saw Credit To The Nation, who were a surprise inclusion on the bill. Not really what many of the punks wanted to see, but they were pretty good and went down well with those who bothered to watch them. Blaggers I.T.A. blew the roof off the place and were by far the best act of the night.
As for the Manics? They were touring on ‘Gold Against The Soul’, their second album, and I think I’d already made up my mind that I hated them before they even played a note. I love them now, of course, but at this show I couldn’t see beyond the make-up, the silly rock posturing and the controversy-courting quotes in the press. They came across as a bad Guns ‘n’ Roses tribute band and I sneered contemptuously throughout. I even walked out before they finished - the second of three times I've ever walked out on a headline band.
The truth is, I probably just didn’t get it. Whatever, my overriding memory of this show is that the Manics were terrible and it would take a while before they would eventually win me over.
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