The Primitives / The Bodega / Nottingham
The Primitives hit the spotlight in the mid-1980s. A regular session guest on John Peel’s radio show, their career was boosted when the singer from The Smiths declared them one of his favourite bands.
A widely acclaimed first album “Lovely”, made them one of the UK’s most revered alternative rock acts, while the huge success of the single ‘Crash’ saw them cross over to a mass audience. Further chart success followed, along with two more studio albums, “Pure” and “Galore”, plus extensive tours of Europe and the US, before the band called it a day in 1992.
In 2008, Mojo Magazine voted The Primitives’ second single ‘Really Stupid’ one of the Top 40 greatest UK indie singles of all time.
The band reunited in 2009 following the untimely death of original bass player Steve Dullaghan, playing a show in his memory later that year in their hometown Coventry; their first time together on stage together for 17 years. They went on to tour the UK in April 2010, and in 2011 released the Never Kill A Secret EP through Fortuna Pop! Then in 2014 they released an album of new material called “Spin-O-Rama” with many feeling it was the natural follow up their classic 1988 album “Lovely”.
The Primitives went back into the studio in late 2016 to record tracks for the “New Thrills” EP, which was released in May 2017.
So, it’s more than three decades since I last saw The Primitives live. The venue, Nottingham’s fantastic Bodega may be smaller, and the crowd older but what a great intimate show we were blessed with. The current line-up of the band includes original members Tracy Tracy (vocals), Paul Court (guitar/vocals) and Tig Williams (drums).
The sound was still rock solid and Tracy Tracy’s vocal still have fantastic power and range, and bring the tracks to life. All their greatest hits were there along with some of the new material such as Spin-o-Rama. Highlights of the show for me were Sick of It and the final two tracks, inevitably Crash and Way Behind Me. Some of the best 80’s pop songs written and it was a joy to experience them live again one more time.
Funnily enough, this was our second gig in a spell of three shows in three nights, all bands with long careers behind them alongside Spear of Destiny and Ash. I have to say, The Primitives were a delightful highlight and a much appreciated entertaining blast from the past to remind me how great songs never age.
Set List
I’ll Stick with You
Through the Flowers
Spin-o-Rama
Stop Killing Me
Sick of It
Lose the Reason
Petals
Rattle My Cage
Run Baby Run
Where the Wind Blows
Buzz Buzz Buzz
Really Stupid
I’ll Trust the Wind
Empathise
You Are the Way
Nothing Left
Crash
Way Behind Me
