Domingo 2 Nov 2008, 19:44

Sun 2 Nov – Shellac, Aidan Moffatt

Found it odd that this was Shellac's first Glasgow visit, though maybe I can claim that the fact that I moved to the city after 14 years of faithfully attending their London gigs could have something to do with it? I think I might be taking too much credit …

… but a subdued introduction it was - despite Bob's opening gambit of "Hello cunts" (did I mishear?). Not on Shellac's behalf. As is often the case, and more so in larger venues, sometimes the sound can take it's time to adjust to the space but pretty soon Albini's guitar grated at just the right angle, Bob's bass clunked in your gut and Todd's impression of Animal out of the Muppets produced vicious thuds and tinkling cymbals in all the right places. They produced their usual loose tightness, messing about with tunes, lyrics and rhythms, introducing some unfamilar material which was either new or covers mixed with old favourites such as Wingwalker, Crow, My Black Ass, Prayer to God, End of Radio, In A Minute, Boycott … though no Il Porno Star I am sad to say. There was the traditional question and answer session conducted by Bob, who dealt with the Why Not Edinburgh question with appropriate dismissal, though no input from Todd which is a bit disappointing as he usually has something entertainingly surreal to say, and Albini did some of his audience baiting but also complimented the venue and Glasgow's architecture.

No, the subdued nature of the gig was the audience. As Bob observed before they started the set, the audience was unnaturally quiet. And even once warmed up, most at best were happy to nod along or tap their toes … especially the younger ones. Now maybe it's a London thing, but I'm used to Shellac gigs packed to bursting point and while not the most manic mosh pits in Christendom, an animated audience. Maybe it was just that Shellac'd left it this long to get to Glasgow so the populous feels a bit lukewarm towards them? Or was it just awe? I just hope that if/when they return, the audience are better prepared and it's not left down to oldsters like me to bring some life to proceedings by jumping around and jerking like fools … coz who knows how much longer we'll be able to keep it up? As 40 approaches I might have to start conducting myself with a bit more dignity … but probably not.