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Live Review
by SashaS
15-12-2003
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More on: Funeral For A Friend
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| Funeral For A Friend's loud display |
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Live: Funeral For A Friend
Earls Court, London
Friday, December 12, 2003
FFAF - support of the year
Rock, alongside rap and R&B, has been in its burlesque phase for a long time due to, the sad truth time - losing its evil mojo! Against the backdrop of the world in turmoil, Rock acts have retreated into pure entertainment, be it corpo-rock rap (Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park) or pop-punkers (Blink 182, Good Charlotte); then, antiChrist-of-rap (Eminem), compliant TV-popstars, disrobing divas…
Wait a minute: ‘G-Dub’, nu-gangsta rap, hoodie-hooligans, the obscurest death metal, barely legal Sapphic pop, ‘Pop Idol’, Saddam Hussein, street protesters, Michael Moore, the EU (disunited in its Constitution discussion), Michael Jackson, Eminem (again), even the Dixie Chicks are more shocking than - Marilyn Manson!? MM, the artist himself, is a work of art, not his music, anymore.
Thus, in such circumstances, a band like Funeral For A Friend - a post-rocking noiseniks - finds itself supporting Iron Maiden at the place that architect designed as a carbuncle and not a concert venue, its atmosphere as harsh as its concrete walls… FFAF pour their emotions out, play their rock with all the gusto but is short of connecting with the audience.
It is not a reflection on this Welsh outfit but the Iron Maiden fans - blinkered by their band that‘s been static since… well, mid-1980s - can’t really get into it because they are so set in the old-fash way of their heroes who have almost become own tribute band. Alas, one can’t expect the new dynamics and energy of FFAF’s blood boiling with youthful rage and antics to engage these armchair-rockfans who are waiting for guitar-solos and bombastic performance…
As a matter of fact, although Maiden members are younger, they ride on nostalgia as much as Deep Purple. Although respect is paid tonight, it must have left the band feeling utterly unter-appreciated. FFAF were awesome for everyone who doesn’t think that tight-trooz, or greying longhairs are cool…
*
Tour dates (NME Awards):
25 January - University, Northumbria
26 January - Academy, Glasgow
27 January - Academy. Birmingham
29 January - University, Sheffield
30 January - University, Liverpool
31 January - Academy, Manchester
02 February - University, Leeds
03 February - Rock City, Nottingham
04 February - UEA, Norwich
06 February - Pyramid, Portsmouth
07 February - Brixton Academy, London
08 February - University, Cardiff
SashaS
15-12-2003
Funeral For A Friend’s album ‘Casually Dressed & Deep In Conversation’ is available now on Infectious/WMG
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