Fugazi's first tour in four(?) years was something not to be missed and a near sell out crowd were packing out the MDH. First up were Manchester's own Spy vs Spy. Despite only catching one song, I can tell you that I was seriously impressed. This is a youthful band, but with a maturity which comes across in the impassioned performance they were giving. Definitely someone to "spy" on. (aaaaargh)

Another local band were next on the bill, providing a lamé covered contrast to the no-frills, straightforward presentation of Fugazi and Spy vs Spy, were Gold Blade. This eight(?) strong punk n'roll band are fronted by the infamous John Robb, and it is his background in music journalism that informs Gold Blade's "Soul Manual" manifesto. Taking their quasi-political cues from defunct hardcore legends Nation of Ulysses and looking like Rocket from the Crypt dressed by the Clash, Gold Blade provide tremendous spectacle. The shameless John Robb unfazed by the sceptical crowd's initial bemusement or his gold trousers wayward flies, is magnificent, leading the brothers into one riotous tune after another. Gold blade equals a revolution for your mind and a workout for your dancing feet. Yeah! Yeah!

It's a cliche when reviewing Fugazi to only talk politics. Everyone is well aware of their ethical stance on just about everything, and this must not be allowed to consume an appreciation of their music. It is in the interests of the media to perpetuate the image of Fugazi as dour, steadfast hardcore godfathers, making their favourite hobby of pigeon-holing bands and delivering them to the masses all the easier. However much it might be abhorrent to Messrs McKaye, Picciotto, Lally and Canty, the politics of Fugazi are a selling point, and this constant media reduction of the band to a one-dimensional political pamphlet is a scandalous evasion of the genuine qualities that Fugazi possess. Rant over.

Fugazi start things off in unconventional (what else?) fashion with Ian Mackaye asking if everyone can see and explaining that they have chosen not to have barriers at the front of the stage so everyone had better behave themselves. They then amble into "Reclamation" from 1991's classic "Steady Diet of Nothing" LP and the crowd go wild. So wild in fact that they have to stop the show and Ian Mackaye singles out the offender, saying, "You sir. Yes, you. You should know not to kick people in the head and if you don't stop I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Now, sir if you don't like it I will gladly give you your money back." They go from strength to strength, reeling out classics like "Merchandise" and "Great Cop" interspersed with their stop-start, jazz-dub, instrumental jams. There is real depth and contrast to Fugazi's music, personified in the differing stage presences of the band members; from Joe Lally's calm, almost detached demeanour, even when moving to the front of the stage to handle lead vocals; to the spidery, electric jiving of Guy Picciotto, stage right; and the fiery intensity of Ian Mackaye as he wrenches each chord from his guitar, stage left.

The unpredictability of Fugazi's non-scripted performances means that it is difficult for them to pace their performance and maintain the momentum they work up in the first half of the set and things do lull a little as they drift into yet another jam, when the pop-kid in you wishes they'd just play "Song No.1" or "Waiting Room". To find fault, however would just be splitting hairs and overall Fugazi turn in a magnificent, edgy performance which truly does belie their gloomy reputation. (9)

Fugazi Website

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