Psychic TV, Bristol BierKeller, 2007/09/17
Suck on my Chalice, Baby!
Okay, before I write this review, I have to confess that I am not really familiar with Psychic TV and Genesis P-Orridge. I mean, I had heard about Genesis and TOPY and knew Psychic TV was connected with that in some way, but for whatever reasons had never felt curious enough to look into them further. None the less, I knew enough to know that when Nathaniel J. Harris asked if I wanted to come up to Bristol and see them live, I wanted to be there!
And boy am I glad I was! What a night!
By the time I arrived at the Bristol BierKeller, my knowledge of the band was increased by watching their videos on YouTube, and listening to Nathan’s copy of their latest offering, ‘Hell is Invisible … Heaven is Her/e‘. So before the band came on stage, I bought a copy of the CD from their stall and put it in my handbag because I knew it was good.
Handbag? Well of course I was cross dressing for this event! Given my recent track record of going out I may well have cross dressed anyway, even if it wasn’t Genesis… 
Anyway, their latest sound is very much Psychedelic Rock, and influences of Sid Barrett can be clearly heard in many of the vocals. Genesis did a damn good Sid impression on a couple of occasions, so good it had me wondering if it was a sample! Musically I could only hazard a guess at the influences, but I can hear elements of Pink Floyd, The Doors and a kind of dark twisted version of early Rolling Stones in various places. Someone more musically minded might be able to give a more accurate description, I just listen, dance and enjoy…
So yeah the sound was definitely Psychedelic Rock, although when Genesis said ‘Its Psychedelic’ between songs, Nathan shouted back ‘Psycho-delic’. Genesis seemed so impressed with this pun that s/he came down off the stage and gave him a hug. S/he also later dedicated a song to him and Jasmine, and worked their names into his lyrics, pointing at them in turn. We will have to see if the term ‘Psycho-delic’ catches on… 
I apparently also made an impression with my dancing as at one point I earned Genesis singing the following words whilst pointing and looking at me, “I’m suspicious of you, I’m suspicious of your wiggling’. At least I think it was wiggling. I suppose I was practising my veil dancing moves (without the veil or belt), and that does tend to create an impression…
The only comment I have to make is that I am surprised how poorly attended the gig was considering how big Industrial Music has become, and that Genesis was a founding member of the first ever Industrial Band, Throbbing Gristle. There a lot of dates left on their tour, which has only just started really. Make sure you get out and see them if they come anywhere near you.
