The Borderline has become, of late, a harbour for bands playing 'special' secret showcase gigs, only problem being that they are so bloody secret nobody turns up!
Well, that's not quite true as Bradford boys LOUD have managed to gather a fair clan of music industry hacks to witness their return to the live fray, having been held up in a studio in Munich putting the finishing touches to their forthcoming album Psyche 21 due for release in early April.
And what a good album it is too, having allowed myself the pleasure of nabbing an advanced copy of it from the protective paws of their record company. By the strengths of it, their live show at the Borderline was all the more appealing as it displayed a new found depth and diversity.
Loud frontman Chris McLaughlin is a star, and he knows it. He performed as if he was playing to a stadium-sized audience. Complemented by new band members, bassist Stuart Morrow and keyboardist guitarist Etch, McLaughlin and remaining drummer Ricky Howard pulled some serious musical muscle as they propelled their way through new songs such as "Peace of Mind" and "Easy" plus the "Old Degenerators" from their last album...
Through a series of intertwining moods and song structures, they managed to showcase a set of material which shows a natural progression from their formative beginnings.
My only gripe is that more could have witnessed what I considered a truly excellent show from a band poised to rise above their minimal cult status on to a pedestal that should put them up with the 'big boys' in no time at all. Their musical whims may be termed 'pretentious,' but that's nothing for them to worry too much about. Judging by this show, it seems that Loud have that initial spark to turn their dreams into reality!
Mark Crampton
Pix: Paul Smith
Riff Raff
April, 1992
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