Phantoms Siren's Review
This was the most important and exciting gig of the year for me- not only were Cruxshadows (CXS) playing (relatively) locally, but they were being supported by my favourite local goth band- the Screaming Banshee Aircrew (SBA). Most people know me as an obsessive CXS fan but I have been a huge fan of SBA for much longer than CXS, so for them to get such a high profile gig brought great joy to my little heart. I wasn’t sure what to wear to the gig- I’d avoided band t-shirts up until then but I really wanted to show my allegiance to the bands… but how? I didn’t want to get changed part way through the gig. Fortunately, the lovely Mister Ed (lead singer of the SBA) had given me a new SBA t-shirt.... Which became the first ever SBA skirt! I worn the SBA signature red and black striped tights and SBA t-shirt with a wings logo Cruxshadows t-shirt and my homemade Cruxshadows jacket- I looked like a walking billboard.
I had intended to get the train to Leeds but as we live in the same city Mister Ed and Xris (bassist) offered me a space in their taxi, which was great fun for me- its not all that often that you get to spend social time with the people you admire. We arrived at the venue at 3pm for the 3.30pm sound check. The gig was to be in the early evening in order not to clash with the monthly local goth nightclub “The Wendyhouse” so black plastic was being tapped to all the windows as we arrived, whilst Old Bob the lighting engineer was setting up the rigs around the stage (some of which Rogue would later insist on reorganising). Now this venue was very odd indeed and can really only be explained through a diagram. The venue was basically L shaped with the stage at the junction of the two arms of the room- however a large wall jutted out across from the stage and the gap between the two was very small indeed, making movement between the two rooms very difficult. Most of the speakers seemed to be aimed into section only.
We sat around chatting whilst CXS arrived and began setting up- Mister Ed got a bit star struck and worried about the quality of their equipment. CXS did their sound check at around 4pm, at which point Nix Mix (guitarist) and Jo Violet (backing singer) arrived and SBA began setting up. I was sat in a corner trying to look inconspicuous when Chris (really gotta love him) wandered over and we chatted about their trip to Ireland for a little while. Rogue seemed interested in the SBA sound check- though this maybe because Mister Ed also uses a radio mike and was wandering round the venue in much the same way as Rogue had done. The Cruxshadows then headed back to the house they were staying at and we sat around waiting for the venue to start filling up.
The Screaming Banshee Aircrew’s set began at 6.30pm- which is a shame as they didn’t really get the size of audience they deserved- though a number of their hardcore fans were there- some travelling for as far away as Edinburgh (that took dedication Random Redhead!). The band really seemed to enjoy themselves, both Ed and Jo invaded the audience, Ed danced with several of the audience and let one of them sing part of Banshee Chanty (yours truly). Their cover of 51st State went down well, and they even got an encore. Its been a while since I’ve seen a band enjoy a gig so much and it really does spread to the audience- by the end of the gig the SBA had sold out of merchandise, so hopefully they have won a few more hardcore fans.
The Cruxshadows returned to the venue at some point after the SBA set and I caught Chris as I wanted to know when would be a good time to give Rogue a present (Rogue is very hard to find when he wants to be). Chris (being an all round great guy) found him for me and pulled me downstairs to talk to him (it seems all the CXS gigs I go to have themes- for London it was injuries, for Manchester it was heat and for Leeds it was stairs LOL). I’d made a Rogue a set of 4”high dolls of the band (why is a long and complicated story), well I got 3 hugs just for getting him a gift. When he opened the box there was much squealing and crying “Oh my god! That is soooo neat!” and I got a few more hugs before being dragged up stairs to show the rest of the band. When Rogue is happy it really brightens up the world around him.
The Cruxshadows set began at around 8pm and it was very different to the other UK sets. I’m not use whether it was a conscious decision to change the set list or if it was a computer error, but the Troy theme was much more muted than at other gigs- the set list was mostly the same but it began with Resist/r rather than Into The Ether and this changed the whole tone of the set. Despite the incredibly small size of the stage the dancers still performed- though this time they were Beth Allen and Rachel Smith rather than Beth and Jessica- they were VERY close to the audience (as the bruises on my head attest). It may have been my position at the very front of the audience but I got the impression through out the gig that the audience weren’t as enthusiastic as they might have been- there was very little applause at the end of Resist/r which was both very strange and slightly embarrassing. However, the atmosphere improved at the gig progressed and by half way through the audience were mostly dancing and cheering as they should. Rogue chatted with the audience about Ireland, Guinness and hip hop fans (don’t ask) before telling everyone to buy the new EP- at which point Jess shouted that there were only two copies left, causing one of the guys at the front of the audience to begin struggling is way to the merchandise stand to everyone’s amusement. It seems that CXS sold out of a lot of things during the UK leg of the tour.
Deception was greeted with rapturous applause and it became apparent that most of the audience were only acquainted with the most famous of the Cruxshadows’ songs. Tears got a similar reception, and as usual the audience screamed for an encore, and once more Rogue asked for two dancers to perform during Marilyn, My Bitterness. Being right at the front I (almost literally) threw myself at the chance and Rogue dragged me onto the stage once more (yeah I know- I’m selfish- so sue me!). It was great feeling to be dancing on stage again and it was even better when Rogue got the whole audience screaming the lyrics back at him. The gig ended on a suitable high for the bands last gig in the UK for a year (sob!) and the band were surrounded by fans wanting autographs. I had a photograph signed by the four band members and my CXS jacket signed by the band members and all the dancers. Had another long chat with Rogue about various things- including finishing the conversation begun in Manchester- however, most of this chat included “walking and talking” so much climbing of stairs again. We eventually left at 11pm when Rogue was dragged away to help finish loading the van. I got farewell hugs from both Rogue and Chris before we headed to the train station. It was so sad to look back at the band and realise that it would be a whole year before I would see them again......
but at least I now have plenty of time to plan next years outfit! LOL
If you would like to submit photos, opinions, comments or reviews please email them to me at uk_tour@devotee.co.uk
