Live ‘81-’85
Liberation Hall, 2026
9/10
The San Francisco-based post-punk/new wave legends Romeo Void assemble some of their best performances from their personal recording archives here, where the 17 songs span their 3 excellent albums.
The first 8 tracks are from Ann Arbor, Michigan at Second Chance on 10/25/1982. “In The Dark” opens with Benjamin Bossi’s rich sax bouts that suit the driving rhythm section and Debora Iyall’s distinct vocals, and it isn’t long until “Not Safe” uses thumping drums and Frank Zincavage’s playful bass lines for the post-punk and New Wave nods that also flirt with jazz.
The lone track captured in Albany, New York at J.B. Scott’s on 7/2/1981,“I Mean It, brings a darker spirit with its chunky bass and mysterious singing, while “Billy’s Birthday” is taken from The Loft in Berlin, Germany on 2/5/1985 and allows for Larry Carter’s fluid drumming to mix with the animated wind.
“Instincts” arrives late and slows the pace down with introspective textures that illustrate the depth of the band at The Marquee in London, England on 1/29/1985, and “Chinatown” is even deeper and radiates a scrappy and timeless ‘80s presence that still sounds great all these decades later.
If you’re like me and never got to see Romeo Void live and learned of their existence much too late, this first official concert release from one of the most original bands from the early days of New Wave/post-punk is a must.
Travels well with: Romeo Void- Live From Mabuhay Gardens: November 14, 1980; Vivabeat- The House Is Burning: The Best Of Vivabeat 1979-1986