UNKLE @ Echoplex, 10/26/07

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’UNKLE’“We’re gonna go old school right now, so take your drugs now and enjoy.”

This remark came about mid set. I took his advice, so that may not be an exact quote. Aside from this group being total visionaries in the studio, I was very curious – almost a bit concerned, as to how they would translate live. All that concern was thrown out the window when they took to the stage playing “Chemistry” and “Hold My Hand” right out the door, both of which are off the amazing War Stories album. To say it was a thunderous opening would be an understatement. The band that was assembled for this their first live-band tour was amazingly tight. I’m really not sure about names which is sad because the bassist: SICK. Everyone was, really, but I need to single him out here.

Vocalist Gavin Clark came onstage several times to sing on “Broken”, “Keys to the Kingdom”, and “Eye for an Eye”; all tracks that he collaborated on with the band over the years. Despite Gavin Clark’s guest vocals, other vocal tracks from artists like Ian Astbury and Thom Yorke were played over the PA with the bands instruments accompanying. At first I wasn’t a fan, but hearing the actual voices of the creators of each track made me feel more comfortable.

Throughout the evening James Lavelle spoke about War Stories being recorded here in L.A. with Producer Chris Goss. He mentioned how enjoyable the experience was on numerous occasions. Toward the end of the evening, Mr. Goss joined them onstage to shred a bit, and it was absolutely brilliant. The entire evening was.

The crowd started off a bit blase at first, but once the band really hit their stride, or after James’ mid-set drug statement, they fell right into a rocking groove that didn’t stop till the last chord. Other notable songs of the evening were “Reign” and “Eye for an Eye” from Never Never Land, as well as “Lonely Soul” and “Rabbit in your Headlights” from Psyence Fiction. Rabbit and Eye closed the night off respectively, with the video for Rabbit playing on the screen behind the band.