Could this really be the greatest band you never heard ? I've said it alot on this blog, y'know, always talking about the great bands who either a) split up too quickly, b) died too quickly, c) carried on but never got any recognition. I haven't a clue as to why Kiss made millions and Kik Tracee didn't, but it's one of those magical qualities which seems to make all the cool bands cooler. Now, Gunfire Dance, where do I start ? Simply slot together Iggy Pop, New York Dolls, Rolling Stones, T-Rex etc, and nowadays we have a kind of Primal Scream type sound, but back in the '90s there was Gunfire Dance...a beautiful sleaze band of great potential, and I mean great. They sparkled, they flirted, they glided effortlessly through gigs, sexy, sensual, creative, a beacon of light...and they faded, creating a wonderful myth as each member went on to do very normal things (sadly singer Ant died...isn't that always the case ?). Gunfire Dance were rock 'n' roll, and their career can best be summed up by 'Archway Of Thorns'. It's a bit like finding one of those great psych records from the late '60s which tend to put together the best, albeit scarce works of a little known band. I spend my life seeking out such records, and when you hear 'Archway...' you'll know what I mean.
Gunfire Dance were rock 'n' roll personified, slot alongside The Throbs, and Thee Hypnotics, although these Brit rockers (from Birmingham) had more edge, somewhere riding high on the Hanoi, Lords of the New Church, Bolan train to stardom and tragedy. There's an eerie quality about this compilation, and it's a must have for any fan of real dirty bad ass rock 'n' roll. Nothing fake here, just loose-living quality. Magazines and websites still rave about them, and hopefully the flame will still burn. Certain to shed a tear in those who delight in getting off on short-lived genius. My cup of tea....you beautiful, beautiful people.
8/10
1 comment:
Such a a good call! I can't help but mention this lot on my blog every few months ....
Saw them a fair few times from 1989 onwards (first saw them supporting Kill City Dragons at the Marquee - no competition at all!). Also saw the post-Jeff variation, the name of which escapes me but they weren't quite the same.
Then there was the brief reunion - 2004 I think it was, maybe 2005. Still sounded great, and it was interesting to hear them play a set that covered their whole 'career' (as covered by the compilation), as they tended to dump most of their set every couple of years. Certainly the songs from the first demo (eg 'Give Me Back My Heart') were dropped circa 1991/2.
Top band who truly deserved more.
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