Let It Rock: Live From The San Francisco Civic Center 1980
Liberation Hall, 2024
9/10
Listen to Let It Rock: Live From The San Francisco Civic Center 1980
The early ‘80s were a pivotal time for the punk rock pioneers Flamin’ Groovies, and this live set was captured when their contract with the label Sire had just ended. The band were also dealing with much internal strife, but you wouldn’t know it from this playful and unpredictable evening of originals and covers.
After an introduction, “Never Been In Love” follows with front man Cyril Jordan’s gritty and tuneful voice guiding George Alexander’s frisky bass amid the triple guitars, and the fuzzy and speedy “Back In The U.S.S.R.” puts a garage rock spin on the classic tune.
Deeper into the night, the bouncy and dance floor tailored “Around And Around” is a really lively version of The Rolling Stones’ hit, while the harmonic vocals from Jordan, Chris Wilson and Mike Wilhelm makes for a raw take on a song by you know who via “A Hard Day’s Night”.
Closer to the end of the 12 song set, “Paint It Black” showcases the scrappy rhythm section thanks to David Wright’s drums and precise guitar interaction, and, of the 3 bonus tracks, “Shake Some Action”, which was captured at the Old Waldorf on October 24, 1980, is an excellent original that bridges the bands proto-punk spirit with no lack of melodies.
This is the first time this show has ever been released, and it further solidifies Flamin’ Groovies as one of the most impactful and influential bands from the Bay Area.
Travels wells with: 999- Emergency At The Old Waldorf 1979; APB- The Radio 1 Sessions