Terrorvision

15th anniversary tour of "how to make friends and influence people"
Support: Rebel Yell
O2 Academy Islington, London

10th December 2009

Rating: 5/5

After a one on one interview with Terrorvision front man Tony Wright, Primal Noise head outside to check on the status of queuing fans for tonight's event. Not much. A disappointing measly dozen or so folk line up in the cold when doors are moments from opening. Not good. Or is it? Because once the doors open, people are piling in seemingly out of nowhere. A good crowd starting off, drinks in hand and having a good ol' natter.

Starting the night off for us is 'Rebel Yell' a quintet hailing from Leeds. (3.5/5) With the vocalist standing with the impressive double bass at his side and starting off with a song sounding similar to Queens Of The Stone Age, the band have a great sound with a punky edge to their opening song. However, getting to song two, the style changes with a southern-american style, rockabilly number which really is something to see coming from a typically northern bunch of lads. As their set continues their versatile abilities include songs with a swing feel and even a bit of the blues. Rebel Yell prove that they are undefinable and refuse to be labeled. One thing's for sure though, this band have something unique. Keep your eyes on this lot!

By the time Terrorvision are due to come on stage, the floor of the Islington is almost completely full, and that's despite a generous proportion of the rocker population on the balcony up top, ready to see the reunion of one of Britain's most carefree Northern bands.

Starting off with 'Alice What's The Matter', the audience are straight in there, singing along to all the words. Accompanied also, by an arena full of bouncing bodies, their appendages stretched upwards as vocalist Tony Wright holds the mic out to the chorus of voices filling the room, showing this is one hell of an iridescent performance ( and not just because of guitarist Mark Yates' bright red, suede shoes and colourfully patterned shirt )! All of this and they're only just getting to the second song, 'Oblivion', a massive hit back in the day, to which the crowd only grow with excitement. Tony jumps in unison with the masses, screaming "Put your hands in the air". Do the audience comply? Of course they do! The screams in response reach the ceiling and beyond. You'd hardly believe that these guys disbanded in 2001!

Despite the more laid back pace of 'Stop the Bus', the audience seem oblivious; all continuing to jump up and down, the middle one huge phalanx, leaving the 1st row plastered to the barrier, yet clearly loving every minute of it.
By the time incredibly infectious "Pretend Best Friend" is played, the crowd are in a frenzy, with quick lyrics that most rappers might have difficulty keeping up with; these die hard fans stop for nothing, giving it their all whilst challenging the singing, breathing combo( Fortunately, there were no casualties! ) The band sure know how to keep their crowd going, Tony Wright, with his northern charm and witty personality; maneuvers the audience like a high-speed car chase through the classics of the 'How To Make Friends And Influence People' album. This is the 15th Anniversary of aforementioned album, after all!

Come song 14, Wright divides the crowd in two - left and right as a rivalry! And everyone, ( we shit you not) every single person in that room is singing to the opposite half "There's a party over here, FUCK YOU OVER THERE!".The mind-boggling doesn't end there either, if you thought that Terrorvision couldn't surprise you any more with their crazy, they slink into their pop chart hit "Tequila". Who doesn't like singing to a song about some hardcore booze? "Tequila, It makes me happy!" (makes us happy too, Tone!)

The most memorable performance of the night comes at the classic request for lighters to be whipped out, and everyone who had one, really did just that. Tony declaring that 'Suffocation', a softer song, "is a really old one." followed by 'Mr. Buskerman', yet another rarity, with a soft current, before 'Celebrity Hitlist' has everyone bouncing again, continuing right through "My House" from Terrorvision's earlier album 'Formaldehyde'. This classic tune is one that the crowd seem eager for with it's catchy "oooh oooh's" and its bouncy melody, along with Perseverance ( lets hear it for the Whales & Dolphins! ), which is a perfect rounding off of the night, after an impressive 22 song setlist. Yet the crowd still want more. And it has to be said, Primal Noise do too!

Terrorvision gave an impressive performance which was consistent the entire time they played on stage, leaving the masses to exit with a feeling of total fullfillment - after all, it's just not a British rock gig unless you've been showered with beer, is it? Terrorvision are a refreshing experience in the minefield of pretense and cliches that often dominate rock today.

Setlist:

Alice What's The Matter?
Oblivion
Stop The Bus
Discotheque Wreck
Middleman
Still The Rhythm
Ten Shades Of Grey
Stab In The Back
Pretend Best Friend
Time O' The Signs
What The Doctor Ordered
Some People Say
What Makes You Tick
Friends & Family
Tequila
Suffocation
Mr. Buskerman
Celebrity Hitlist
Josephine
D'Ya Wanna Go Faster
My House
Perseverance