To still be at the top of your game after over 30 years, with even more band member changes, producing one superbly unique and inspiring album after another, The Fall really are a legendary band. With the iconic, enigmatic Mark E. Smith as its creator, leader and frontman I think it’s fair to say Sheffield is in for a treat with what I’ll bet will be THE unmissable gig of the year.
Formed in 1976, The Fall have had many ups and downs what with the ever changing band line-up and fall outs with MES and various band members but one thing has remained the same, The Fall simply cannot produce a bad album. They are without a doubt one of the most important bands to emerge from the post-punk scene in Manchester in the 1970’s and have continued to influence music today with MES’s innovative and witty lyrics and their gritty post-punk guitar driven sound, not to mention MES’s instantly recognisable, somewhat incomprehensible vocals.
Many bands have to give credit to The Fall for their very existence and their influence can be heard in such varied artists as Sonic Youth, Elastica and Franz Ferdinand with many more referencing the band and lyrics. The renowned attitude of MES is key to their image, a reference to which is made in the recent Joy Division biopic ‘Control’ when manager Rob Gretton claims that things could be worse, you could be the lead singer of The Fall.
Having released at least an album a year since their first album release, ‘Live At The Witch Trials’ in 1979, they have an impressive back catalogue so you never know exactly what you’re going to get from a Fall gig, just whatever MES fancies I assume is the way it goes. With new album ‘Imperial Wax Solvent’ being released on Sanctuary later in March expect to hear new tracks and no doubt some of your old favourites. Really and truly not to be missed!
Head down to Corporation on Thursday to catch The Fall supported by I, Ludicrous, there’s really nothing more important for you to go to.
Watch This Space for a Review from Stefi Avis
