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Live at Blackpool June 2002 |
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Playing a benefit gig for the Big Issue to an audience of Trade Union Conference Delegates can't be the easiest thing in the world. The audience, a mixed crowd of left wing radicals, pensioners representatives, shop stewards and National Executive Council members, had probably never seen or heard of Spy51.
The hastily arranged gig was held in the Regency Suite of Blackpool's Ruskin Hotel. The Ruskin being temporary home for Delegates of the North West Region of the Trade Union amicus-MSF Section, who were in town for their Annual Conference.
The Regency Suite is small, with a tiny PA and no stage. Just the tiniest of dancefloors before a small DJ booth.
Spy51 took to the floor using borrowed amps, albeit "Very nice amps" according to Charley Stone, and drumkit from Manchester Indie Pop kids Velvet Shore.
Despite the surroundings, not really made for a 'Pop concert', Spy51 launched into their set with the power and enthusiasm previously associated with The Clash. All action, running and jumping for as much as the little venue would allow.
Charley, in the best traditions of rock guitarists, produced an energetic performance, wrestling her guitar and stomping the FX pedals until they were almost embedded in the floor.
Lea Andrews, lead singer and bass player, exudes a combination stage presence that has to be seen. When playing she assumes a Strummeresque stance whilst a powerful, yet crystal clear voice delivers the lyrics of lost love, which seems to be a theme of many a Spy51 song. Yet they are not cliched. they are delivered with a genuine passion that would have consoled many a Smiths fan in the big bad eighties. The music however is punky, it's poppy, it makes you want to get up and pogo, shake your head and, yes, punch the air. Yet despite the genuine sadness that must have been felt when penning the songs, Lea and Charleys banter with the crowd and each other could quite as easily belong in the best stand up comedy club.
It creates an unusual feeling of a band that is serious, yet has that rare ability to laugh at itself and the best part of all, they take their audience with them.
All the time Toby Sinden fights a solid rear guard action with some great drumming. On the surface it appears simplistic, but it's effect is to gel the the energy of the two Spy51 strikers into a finely tuned piece of top pop machinery. This done despite the drumkit developing a life of it's own and inching forward across the dancefloor with every kick of the drum. Only timely interventions by Velvet Shore preventing Toby having to end up playing drums down the corridor.
The grande finale was rock'n'roll with Charley taking one last oppurtunity to do battle with her guitar, swinging it like a mace in some medieval battle.
The audience loved them, young and old alike. As the beer and sandwiches were consumed, the applause grew and the coffers of the Big Issue swelled by the thousands. Thank you Spy51
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Live at Manchester 12 November 2002
Spy51 played to a sell out crowd at The Roadhouse, Manchester in their part of the amicus-MSF sponsored benefit gig for the De Paul Trust, raisng £1,900 for young homeless people in Manchester.
The Roadhouse is a gritty Northern Venue. Smack bang in the middle of
Manchester City Centre, one desecends downstairs to a dark, hot
underground room which for this night was full.
The gig was a benefit organised by amicus-MSF Section Trade Union in
association with RTS Prmotions. The beneficiaries being the DePaul
Trust who run the only hostel in Manchester providing shelter for
homeless youth in the city.
This was Spy51's debut in Manchester and they did their reputation no
harm whatsoever.
Some of the audience had seen the London band perform before, most
notably at the Big Issue benefit gig in Blackpool. However most of
the audience were witnessing Spy51 live for the first time.
It could easily have gone so wrong for the London punk-pop trio as
Charley Stone's energetic guitar playing was too much for her guitar,
and within the first song her beloved piece of musical machinery
packed up. Enter Liverpool band Flamingo50 to the rescue with a spare
guitar and on with the show Spy51 went.
Such an incident so early on could easily have distracted a band, but
it was water off a ducks back for Spy51 as they played through their
set of new and old numbers.
Their new single 'Sheila's Sister', to be released in January, was
well received as another new song 'Cheat'. 'Cheat' being a real fast
paced Punk Rocker of a track, but true to Spy51 style instantly
accessible.
Ventures into older fair such as 'Here Today' did not sound tired in
anyway. Much rather was played with all the entusiasm of 'Cheat',
despite the enforced change of equipment.
Once again Lea's voice was clear and distinct, yet seemed much more
mature.
As always Spy51 took banter from the crowd and were only to willing
to hand it back, which serves to draw in the casual observers on the
perifery to come in closer and join the party.
A packed schedule for the night including Manchester acts dBoy and
Velvet Shore, along with Flamingo50 meant that all too soon Spy51's
45 minute slot was over. Not before they received a great reception
from their supporters, and not just from the established fan base
either. As in Blackpool Spy51 gathered new fans in the North on the
night. Surely a northern tour must be on the way.
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