13 Awesome Gigs on Friday 13th

1. Trail of Dead (24th August 2001 - Main Stage, Temple Newsom, Leeds) - Unwittingly found myself in the mosh-pit, as one does. This was not long before the release of their magnum opus, Source Tags & Codes (That record hasn't aged a day) The set ended in chaos as the drum kit was trashed and then passed out to the crowd. It was an awesomely ferocious end to a jaw-dropping, powerful gig.
   
2. Ash (25th August 2001 - Radio 1 Tent, Temple Newsom, Leeds) - I think this was the second of three gigs I saw them at in close succession. I dunno why this one sticks in the memory more than the others, as I was way back in front of a packed second stage. There did seem to be an almost carnival-like atmosphere, at least where I was stood, no crushed ribs, just good times. They played a cover of Weezer's Only In Dreams - almost note for note - and gave Angel Interceptor a rare outing. I must've been kicked in the back of the head about fifty times, but after the gig I just couldn't stop grinning.
   
3. The Hives (Some time in 2001 I think - The Casbah, Sheffield) - This one was total shock and awe. They were on and off stage within about 20 minutes. I might've felt hard done by had it not been totally gratis. At this point, the braggado was quite refreshing and it wasn't clear that they really did have just the one riff. Ah, well.
   
4. Polyphonic Spree/Interpol/The Thrills (4th February 2003 - Rock City, Nottingham) - And the fourth band, who headlined, were none other than The Datsuns, who managed to piss off everyone in the space of one 10 minute outro. It was total guitar shop wankery. Anyhow, the other three were fantastic. Admittedly The Thrills formula wore off not long after this gig, and Interpol were much better when I saw them at Leeds, but the Polyphonic Spree were just, beyond superlatives. The singer, Tim something-or-other came onstage to Robin Hood, wearing the green cap of course. An exuberant set which included a brilliant cover of Bowie's Five Years.
   
5. Pretty Girls Make Graves/Blood Brothers (25th August 2003 - Joseph's Well, Leeds) - Great double header. I confess I didn't really listen to much of these two bands before or even after this gig. I didn't need to. To say that the records didn't do them justice would be something of an understatement.
   
6. Polysics (24th April 2004 - Stealth, Nottingham) - I think this was another short set. It didn't feel it, they were one of the most hyperactive bands I've ever seen.
   
7. Pixies (4th June 2004 - Brixton Academy, London) - This was fantastic don't get me wrong. But having to sit was a real downer. Had a great view mind. There was one fantastic moment during Vamos when Dave Lovering lobbed a drumstick to the hand of Joey Santiago, a good 20 feet away, an almost Jonty Rhodes-esque piece of fielding, without dropping the beat. They probably rehearsed this a hundred times but I DON'T CARE.
8. Champion Kickboxer (6th July 2004 - The Lescar, Sheffield) - I think this one was the single launch for the glorious Like Him + Her + Her + Me single. This was when they were at the peak of their powers, when they straddled the line between the prog and the pop (which they seem to have dispensed with these days, sadly). They were simply fantastic, and this is one of the few instances I've ever witnessed of a genuine encore (ie. not one that is "expected"). I think it took about 5 minutes of chanting and hollering, but eventually we got The Waltz. And it was good.
   
9. Hot Club de Paris (21st July 2005 - The Cricketer's Inn, Sheffield) - This was after a Balor Knights gig and I'm not ashamed to say we got thoroughly blown off stage, even with a double bass amp setup. Highly technical and massively fun. They were funny guys too, what with being Scousers and all that
10. Animal Collective (3rd November 2007 - New Century House, Manchester) - This was not what I was expecting at all. I was expecting a Strawberry Jam/Grass-heavy set, but they actually played a few early versions of songs from Merriweather Post Pavillion. It was a very techy, if that makes sense, I think I saw Avey pick up a guitar once. The throbbing beats just jarred beautifully with the surroundings. Bit of a bizarre venue, it's sort of like a traditional-looking conference hall, and from when I went through the lobby to the opening strains of This Lamb Sells Condos by Final Fantasy over the PA, I *knew* awesomeness was in store.
    
11. Uhnellys (2006 or 2007 I think - Shoreditch, London) - Another Balor Knights gig, and another band from Japan. Derecene (their touring buddies) were also great, but it's this band that I remember most. They were a bit like Melt Banana but 1000% more visceral. They had a guy on stage who was tasked with pushing effects pedals, and boy, he did this with aplomb. He jumped around like he was being electricuted. I think they lasted about 15 terrifying minutes before management pulled the plug.
    
12. Plans & Apologies/My Pyschoanalyst (25th October 2008 - The Royal, Nottingham) - So sad, and yet so great. The last ever Pandaz appearance. But the first time I'd seen the new 5-piece My Psych. I don't know what it was, because they were never particularly languid as a threesome, but as a five they were pure fucking rocket fuel. And P&A didn't disappoint either, I think they played for 90 minutes, an epic set for a "local band" (apologies for the perjorative term, like so many, they should have been fucking massive). Ex-members of the band shuffled on and off the stage, and the 7-piece (I think) finale was just fantastic. They were unique, and they were too good for us.
    
13. Dananananaykroyd (17th November 2008 - The Harley, Sheffield) - Ah to be honest, I only put this one on to make it a round thirteen. A good gig, mind. I had to leave before the end to catch my bus. The "wall of hug" was fun and amusing.