An ideal starting point to focus on the Island scene which is particularly strong at this time. The research for the programme had taken place over the past three weeks and when the team from the programme makers Uden Associates returned to the Island to shoot the actual footage, Mr. Peel was with them.
As you would expect, Peel's prescence was characteristically low key and unassuming. For Christ's sake, the guy has seen it all since came here to compere the first Isle of Wight Festival in 1968. Nevertheless, as was shown here, many people enjoyed the opportunity to go up and say hello, and John Peel being there was a catalyst to fire off a couple of hours of high energy music in what was a memorable local gig.
Before the show the buzz of expectancy simmered slowly in the Anchor. In anticipation of a big crowd, a lot of people had sensibly arrived early, and for many there was an hours wait before the action began with the all-girl punk band Wargasm.
The band were a blast of raw energy, propelled by a five-string bass, a real throwback to punks infancy in the Silver Jubilee Year of 1977, and bands like the Slits. A gaggle of po-goers caught the energy at the front, and then introducing Leather And Sweat, a great comic moment. "Who's into S & M?" asked the band. "M & S?" was the crowd's quick retort and at the back John Peel nodded and smiled approvingly.
Then an interesting end to their set, a cover of the Eurythmics Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This. Some of the crowd expected a punked-up version but it remained fairly faithful to the original.
Next Void. All of them well into it, good stage movement from Lucy, and a faster fiery edge to match the momentum and mood of the night. A dynamically sharp Circa, with bass bubbling away promisingly, a strong and soulful Everything I Ever Wanted, and to end a stomping Funky Song helped by audience participation.
Finally the Jones who only played for about half an hour, but didn't they give it the gun. A minor technical hitch delayed them slightly, but that had the effect of stoking the energy level up even more before Chiz kicked them off into the TV song with the dedication "This ones for Channel 4".
Graham MacFarlane going demented and swinging from the rafters, but all through a searing, vibrant keyboard sound, sometimes Door's-like, others bright and poppy in the early style of Costello's Attractions. A great first gig for new drummer Mark Spencer. Did you recognise him with shortly-cropped hair?
MacFarlane commented later that he flet Mark brought a new dynamic to the band, a fair assessment. Great to see them live with a drummer again. Songs tumbling quickly into one another, One For The Road, Strange, Pop Love. Thickly spread Jam influences, so strong I thought it was a Friday night at the Hammersmith Palais rather than a MOnday night in Cowes. The licensing laws sadly meant a premature end, but have The Jone's ever played better?
Finally a word about the Anchor. If Channel 4 needed to film an Island pub gig, it couldn 't have been in a better place. By opening the door from the back bar out on to the courtyard it immediately eased the overcrowding problem that had been a concern beforehand. A wide cross section of the Island's music fraternity mingled and chatted in a festival-like atmosphere. Not bad for a Monday night in March.
Pete Turner said: "The best gig I've seen in Cowes for twenty years."
John Peel on his Radio One Show the following night (31/3/98) said "I'd like to thank the people who played last night at The Anchor, Wargasm, Void and The Jones'. A highly entertaining evening."
Vic King
Set ListsWargasm No Recovery, Who Ate All The Pies?, Hate You, Drinking Song, Kick Him When He's Down, Toxic Shock, Ian's Song, Leather and Sweat. Encore: Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This.
Void Despise, No 3, Circa, Aeroplane, A Maze, Everything I Ever Wanted, Funky Song.
The Jones' TV Song, One For The Road, Strange, Pop Love, Keeping With The Jones, Swing Low, Two Into One.