Murder, Misery and then Goodnight

The day prior to flying across Europe, I jaunted down the M62 to Liverpool to check out Kristin Hersh at the Academy 2, accompanied by the always charming Nickyxx.

Whilst not a huge fan of Ms Hersh's work like my good friend, I have enjoyed several Throwing Muses albums and checking out a gig by her other band, 50ft Wave, six years ago provided a top night out. So making the effort to negotiate Liverpool's one-way system didn't seem too much of a hassle in return.

Once inside the pretty soul-less venue, it's a surprise to see the large amount of emo kids knocking about. It would be nice to think that they'd been checking out the 4AD back catalogue, but the truth revealed itself in the first of the two local support bands. The Kill Joys wander on stage and their various friends all crowd down the front to root for them.

A four piece with a combined age of what looks about 75, they bash through their set with gusto. Shame that their moves are all taken from the Big Book of Rock Cliches. They clap their hands above their heads during a drum breakdown and the bassist in particular seems to really want to be a star, with his foot permanently on his monitor. Fine musicians all, especially the propulsive drummer but a real lack of actual, y'know, tunes that you can remember.

Which is pretty much the same problem our next bunch of contenders have. Frankincense moved through their set competently, but failed to stir my interest at all. Over a week later, my main memory is the dreadful haircuts of the guys playing guitar and bass. But what do I know? A quick google check would suggest they've been approached to have their music on some American TV shows.

Then finally, the main attraction. We're pre-warned by a guy that I assume is her manager/husband that Kristin "doesn't talk much", so he explains her new album is taking the form of a book. Presumably, you buy the book, which in turns allows you access to download the actual music.

Unlike my only previous sighting of her, in a pretty much full-on rock gig, Hersh is solo and acoustic here. I've seen this set-up fail many times, but as an excellent guitarist with a voice capable of carrying songs with little backing, Hersh doesn't need to worry. Though I don't recognise most of the songs, it's an entertaining show that passes by with a strange kind of dream-like quality.

Hersh does actually talk between some songs, explain origins of the odd number. It's strange to think of someone so shy being able to do the whole touring and performing gig for so long, but her stories are amusing, especially the one about a neighbour who named both his sons Errol Flynn.

Trooping back to the car afterwards, though, Nicky expressed a feeling of disappointment over the gig and reckoned Hersh was well off her game, even to the point where she wondered whether this would be the last time we'd see her on the road in these parts. Would be a shame if so, as I still really hope to see a Throwing Muses gig, ideally complete with returning Tanya Donelly.