The dearth of quality footage from The Sound is one of the great injustices of the internet age, so on occasions such as this rather than bemoan the low quality of this footage from the band’s performance in Madrid, Spain in 1984 – broadcast on La Edad de Oro – we’ll just be grateful it exists.
The song comes from the band’s second album, 1981’s From The Lion’s Mouth, which should be regarded as one of the best records of the original post-punk era.
And in the interests of thoroughness, here’s another 1984-vintage live recording – audio only – from a show at Paradiso in Amsterdam:
Why this song? I go through periodic deep dives into the band’s discography, usually coming out with a greater appreciation for their later, less feted records, but this one was triggered by an unexpected guitar lesson from one of the channels I follow. While the riff and song as a whole sounds simple, watching how it’s played – and trying it myself – it’s trickier than you might think. Or at least it was for me.
And why now (which I asked one of the previous times I posted a song from The Sound, hmm), journalist Simon Heavisides has published Destiny Stopped Screaming – The Life and Times of Adrian Borland, which aims to be the definitive story of Sound frontman Adrian Borland’s life and death. I’ve not read it – I’d like to, but suggesting I will only draws attention to my dismal track record of making it through books in the last few years – but reviews have spoken highly of the work Heavisides has done with it. If you are a fan of the band, odds are it is worth your time and attention.
Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland – Book Review @ Louder Than War
Thank you for the mention, much appreciated!