Still Rockin’ in the Almost Free World

As if to make it clear that their revitalization isn’t concentrated merely on “Nostalgia” (which they didn’t play), the ’Cocks loaded the middle of the set with justifiably confident songs from their new self-titled CD. “This is the time for your wake-up call,” Diggle intoned as Shelley’s lovely skyscraper-climbing lead-guitar line culminated in a trademark police-siren squall. Shelley’s slightly Ray Davies–ish vocals pierced the I’m-sorry-card “Jerk” with typically winning yearning, and morphed hilariously bitchy on an old Howard Devoto collaboration, “Lester Sands” (“. . . is a stupid fucker/and Lester Sands will stay that way”). Buzzcocks encored raucously with “Why She’s a Girl From the Chain Store,” the insidiously plaintive “What Do I Get?,” and “Orgasm Addict,” which boiled up the pit like a shark feeding frenzy. “Ever Fallen in Love”‘s lyrics still packed a sucker punch, but an earlier dash through the epic “I Believe” was the true climax, with Diggle and Shelley throwing down their moaning guitars as Philip Barker furiously racked his kit and Tony Barber’s bass throbbed sullenly underneath. “There is no love in this world anymore!” the kids, young and old, chanted with pent-up “We’re not gonna take it” anger. Stand back. (Falling James)

ATP DOA

As you might’ve heard by now, the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival scheduled for June 20 through 22 at the Hollywood Palladium, the Palace and the Henry Fonda Theater has been postponed to September 26 through 28, due to “poor ticket sales,” as the official press release puts it. (The ATP-sponsored Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds show slated for Wednesday, June 18, at the Palladium is still on, as are a number of other ATP events; check the Weekly Calendar section for details.) The June events, under the auspices of UCLA, were curated by The Simpsons creator Matt Groening, and represented a sterling sampling of progressive new music, including planned performances by Wire, Boredoms, Jah Wobble, Le Tigre, Patti Smith, and a rare reunion of Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band. The festival organizers hope to regroup with a “more attractive” lineup, which will most likely take place at the previously confirmed venues. Here’s a thought: Perhaps those poor tickets sales can be explained by the impossibility of presenting a “festival” that’s spread out over several locations around L.A., where music fans can choose to hear “listening music” bands such as ATP’s in smaller and/or more acoustically sympathetic venues rather than boomy barns such as the Palace or the Hollywood Palladium. Just a thought . . .

—John Payne