FM are introduced by a Capital Radio DJ. It is very good of them to promote the gig, but it would be much better if they'd include some rock and roll on their playlist.
The keyboard intro to "I Belong to the Night" cuts through the shouts and screams of the audience and, before Steve (Overland) can get to the mic, the Hammersmith choir has sung half the first verse. It was always going to be one of those nights. "Don't Stop" from the new album leads into "Face to Face" as Steve acknowledges, "the first verse is down to you Hammersmith."
It's taken FM six years to get to tonight, their first Hammersmith Odeon headline. It's been a long wait, with some bad times on the way, but I'm sure, if you asked any one of them, this made it all worthwhile. Tonight belongs to FM and the loyal fans who have waited patiently.
The flash image has gone and the band are dressed in the same jeans and T shirts most of the audience are wearing. It suits them much more. Pete Jupp still pounds and climbs all over his kit, like a man possessed, while rubber-faced Chris (Overland) and Merv (Goldsworthy) chase around the stage, sight to side, up on the drum riser, on the ramps at the back, and all the time the weird and wonderful Didge Digital merges with technology to become the ultimate keyboard machine. FM are on a roll. I try to think when a British rock band of this quality was last playing places like the Odeon. It has to be Obsession-period UFO or the Live and Dangerous LIZZY.
"Everytime I Think of You" is introduced as our new "Frozen Heart" and is every bit as good. Steve Overland has got to be one of the best vocalists not on a MICHAEL BOLTON album, powerful without screaming and full of soul. When this is released as a single, it will demand the chart position that "Frozen Heart" tragically never achieved.
The Overlands' twin guitars soar over the subtle keyboards and the rhythm section is as solid as the proverbial rock. "The Dream That Died," "That Girl," "Bad Luck," take your pick, they were all there, classic combinations of muscle and melody from a classy band.
"American Girls" ends the set and the audience has helped out on every chorus and more than one or two verses.
The first encore is the song that started it all 6 years ago, "Frozen Heart." It's criminal that this has never been to number one. Leigh Matty from ROMEO'S DAUGHTER (support) joins the boys for the usual storming rendition of "Hot Legs. FM do a wonderful version of this, but it's sad that it means one of their own songs has to go unplayed.
The night is drawn to an end with "Heart of the Matter," and everyone goes home humming their own favourite with a smile on their face that will last through the weekend. A night of perfect rock music from, for my money, the classiest rock band around, and not an American accent in sight.
Simon Robinson
The keyboard intro to "I Belong to the Night" cuts through the shouts and screams of the audience and, before Steve (Overland) can get to the mic, the Hammersmith choir has sung half the first verse. It was always going to be one of those nights. "Don't Stop" from the new album leads into "Face to Face" as Steve acknowledges, "the first verse is down to you Hammersmith."
It's taken FM six years to get to tonight, their first Hammersmith Odeon headline. It's been a long wait, with some bad times on the way, but I'm sure, if you asked any one of them, this made it all worthwhile. Tonight belongs to FM and the loyal fans who have waited patiently.
The flash image has gone and the band are dressed in the same jeans and T shirts most of the audience are wearing. It suits them much more. Pete Jupp still pounds and climbs all over his kit, like a man possessed, while rubber-faced Chris (Overland) and Merv (Goldsworthy) chase around the stage, sight to side, up on the drum riser, on the ramps at the back, and all the time the weird and wonderful Didge Digital merges with technology to become the ultimate keyboard machine. FM are on a roll. I try to think when a British rock band of this quality was last playing places like the Odeon. It has to be Obsession-period UFO or the Live and Dangerous LIZZY.
"Everytime I Think of You" is introduced as our new "Frozen Heart" and is every bit as good. Steve Overland has got to be one of the best vocalists not on a MICHAEL BOLTON album, powerful without screaming and full of soul. When this is released as a single, it will demand the chart position that "Frozen Heart" tragically never achieved.
The Overlands' twin guitars soar over the subtle keyboards and the rhythm section is as solid as the proverbial rock. "The Dream That Died," "That Girl," "Bad Luck," take your pick, they were all there, classic combinations of muscle and melody from a classy band.
"American Girls" ends the set and the audience has helped out on every chorus and more than one or two verses.
The first encore is the song that started it all 6 years ago, "Frozen Heart." It's criminal that this has never been to number one. Leigh Matty from ROMEO'S DAUGHTER (support) joins the boys for the usual storming rendition of "Hot Legs. FM do a wonderful version of this, but it's sad that it means one of their own songs has to go unplayed.
The night is drawn to an end with "Heart of the Matter," and everyone goes home humming their own favourite with a smile on their face that will last through the weekend. A night of perfect rock music from, for my money, the classiest rock band around, and not an American accent in sight.
Simon Robinson
Pix: Nigel Hinkes
Riff Raff
December 1989
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