May 2 - London Astoria

Badlander · Post #351 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 10:54 am Post subject:

You know what I'm really pissed off with ? There's many more people coming to HL to complain about what in their opinion was a bad gig than there is when people are happy. Rolling Eyes

If you don't bother coming here when things are alright, why do you bother coming here at all ? Do you think that this forum's sole purpose is to receive complaints ?
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allfear · Post #352 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 10:56 am Post subject:

Well firstly the Gig

While the Sound mix was abysmal I thinght the sisters were awsome, and are still the main reason why ima goth!!!!!

As for the Astoria, Well nenver mind that they dont let in people on the guest list, Last year I was one of the main people behind the Running of Arthur Browns Big Show there, at one point they Tried to throw me out of the venue for taking a bloody photograph!! and back in 96 I remember a bouncer there throw the singer of a band that was playing there down the staires because she didnt pack up and clear out quick enough, then you got the intimadeteing men in the bogs trying to get money out of you for wahing your hands.

Basically PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Mr E Next time u do london do either the Forum, Brixton or better still 5 nights at the islington Academy the best quality venue in london even if it isnt the biggest!

Matthew

jay · Post #353 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 10:57 am Post subject:

Yeah... Stop moaning a start getting some photos on here
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allfear · Post #354 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 11:03 am Post subject:

Oh as a PS I took my mate with me who saw them many times before but hadnt seen them since bristol Studios in 1985 and he really enjoyed it, so roll on next wednesday

Matthew

Ozpat · Post #355 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 11:09 am Post subject:

allfear · Post #356 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 11:12 am Post subject:

I got to say though there was a LOT of bad feeling of dissapointment I was stood neal a bunch of really friendly french people that travelled over and were really upset by the poor sound and short set. there were a lot of boos from the audience as well, as I said I enjoyed it thoug I can see why a lot didn't

bananacamel · Post #357 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 11:28 am Post subject:

markreed · Post #358 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 11:30 am Post subject:

This forum is for people who like The Sisters, not people who think everything The Sisters do is perfect in every way. Or is Sycophants corner now?

markfiend · Post #359 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 11:39 am Post subject:

Gottdammerung · Post #360 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 11:59 am Post subject:

the-happening · Post #361 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:01 pm Post subject:

Does Von think that their 1985 album has no tracks on it that are good enough to get a live airing! Adam and Astoria had no such songs how strange, oh well won't add to the list of grievances about last nights gig but suffice to say I don't much like being ejected immediately the house lights go on, I wonder if merch sales were down due to the venues policy of immediate exit, they couldn't have been quicker if was a real fire or security alert.
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Mokarran · Road Kill Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 56 Location: London

I'm going to agree with the 'too short and too quiet' consensus. As ever, there were moments of Godlike Genius, but I fear Satan was at the mixing desk. The dry ice wasn't so OTT - I've seen more at a Pixies gig (!).

To sing the way Von does, you can't really shout for long periods. He's just got to growl enigmatically into the mike and save the shouting for the shouty bits. Actually, the shouty bits were very satisfying (I would dearly love to hear his '1969' again), but Von was too far back in the mix for most of the time. I really don't mind not seeing the little fella, but not making himself heard is, frankly, a tad presumptuous.

It's always special seeing the Sisters, but a lot of people were left nonplussed by this one. The new guitarists did a great job, but I'm not going to bother remembering their names, as you never know how long these guys are going to be in the job. Perhaps a number system would be more practical...

Interesting to see how many people feel cheesed off with the setlist. I reckon it just shows that Sisters fans all have their own ideas about which period/songs are best. Is it my imagination, or does Von have a personal dislike of the 'First Last Always' material?

I'm not good at making out the spoken bits, but I think I heard Von say 'I can't hear me either' when those shy boys at the front offered their own helpful advice on the mix. And was that a 'goodnight slaves' at the end? The prolonged bow is open to interpretation. Von knew this was not a classic gig, so the gesture was either deeply ironic, humbly apologetic or he knackered his back.

Very impressed to see so many goths summoning the energy to (sort of) dance and sing along. It kind of made up for the lack of audible Von...but not quite. Finally, and I admit I am getting old, I'm getting a bit fed up with the way they pack in the crowds in the mid-size venues. I'd say this one was 10 per cent oversold, but for the benefit of m'learned friends I would add that this is only a personal opinion.

I have been a Sisters fan since the mid-Eighties, but I do wonder if will turn out to be my last gig. However, unlike the big bloke I overheard in the bar, I will not be rushing off to see Fields of the Stevenage. Despite all their faults, there's no-one quite like the Sisters...

Tata.

'A man's got to know his limitations, Briggs'

Gottdammerung · Post #363 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:04 pm Post subject:

and another one...

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allfear · Post #364 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:04 pm Post subject:

I bought a t shirt from the merch stall downstaires, last time at the astorial was a scrum and a half, this time tere was NOBODY there, I mean I walked up and just bought a T shirt!!

so yes I think merch sales would have been affected, again another curse of the astoria

hellboy69 · Post #365 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:05 pm Post subject:

Gottdammerung · Post #366 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:06 pm Post subject:

the-happening · Post #367 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:12 pm Post subject:

Hooligan · Road Kill Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 1

Anyone else think Von's long coat made him look like a bald Cruella DeVille? Surprised

Gottdammerung · Post #369 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:13 pm Post subject:

Gottdammerung · Post #370 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:20 pm Post subject:

DomConway · Post #371 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:21 pm Post subject:

Another disappointed person here I'm afraid. The whole thing was way, way too quiet - especially Von's vocals. The volume did pick up a bit as the gig went on, but still wasn't loud enough to get a proper atmosphere going. I've been absolutely gutted about missing Sisters the last couple of times around, so had high hopes for this night and feel well let down Sad

I'll give them a second chance in Bristol though, hopefully that'll be better.
Good to bump into a few of you at the end, even if it was rather briefly.
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ruffers · Post #372 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:33 pm Post subject:

My tuppence -

It was OK, no more. Sound was good but as has been said far too quiet. It's possible to have loud and clear at the Astoria, Primal Scream managed it a few weeks ago so I don't see why the Sisters can't do it.

Overall though it just gave the impression of going through the motions, a bit stale, a bit tired. Much as I'd love the set to be different I knew what I was going to get so don't really have a problem with it so not complaining that way, but maybe they could freshen it up from show to show to keep a bit of an edge. I can understand the set being fairly constnat with new members but they seem pretty well honed by now so surely they can learn some new stuff.

So, disappointingly but realisticaly, what I expected. I enjoyed it but 6/10 no more. And I never heard a single comment between songs, it was almost like an extended PA.
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hellboy69 · Post #373 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:38 pm Post subject:

Badlander · Post #374 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:39 pm Post subject:

Scardwel · Post #375 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:39 pm Post subject:

I thought it was a pretty good performance, but the PA volume was so damned low it was a disgrace. Motorhead it certainly wasn't! Neutral

Crowd seemed pretty hostile at times but I don't really blame them.
Hopefully Leeds tonight will be better.