Over the years, there have been many great performances on chatshows all over the globe… however, one that really sticks out in my mind is the stupidly frenetic performance from Nirvana on Jonathan Ross‘ show on Channel 4 back in 1991. If memory serves, they were supposed to play their latest single, Come As You Are, but instead, fancied playing Territorial Pissing. Feedback, slight duffing up of the kit and slouching off slacker style, Nirvana came, saw, shouted, buggered off. Fantastic! Wossy, with alarmingly trim hair, was left ringing his ears… and the nation had a brand new love.
[video giankwithguitar]
Posted by
Stuart Waterman on
Wednesday November 28th, 2007 at
1:59 pm
With every two-bit indie band going all post-punk and digging the sounds of Joy Division and Gang of Four, it’s worth looking at what was going on across the pond back then. Kings of the US post-punkers were the fabulous Talking Heads (although post-punk doesn’t do them justice).
Here they are on the David Letterman show in 1983 (with everyone looking sprightly and very youthful) performing their bonkers I, Zimbra… The sound of Africa going head-to-head with disco and punk. Check out David Byrne’s moves!
Without question, 2007 has been the year of The Stooges. Iggy and Co went on a worldwide rampage of the festivals, causing havoc and mayhem wherever they went. Even in their vintage, they showed the young punks how to kick out the jams. Of course, their resurgence wouldn’t have been complete without some TV spots… So here they are, bullying men in suits on The Jonathan Ross Show (who is clearly besotted with the kings of punk). Enjoy the madness.
It’s nice to see a band still getting all heated up and angry at politicians… and even nicer to see Jay Leno letting them vent their spleen on his show. Bright Eyes’ performance of “When The President Talks To God” is electrifying, even for those (myself included) who can’t claim to be fans of the group. More of the same please!
Most US talkshows feature new acts performing tracks, and mostly, they’re dour faced serious types making ‘crafted’ pap. Now and again, someone comes along and rips their hearts out on the stage and leaves everyone wanting a full gig and less chat. One such occasion was the blistering prog of the superb Wolfmother. Their rendition of Mother on the David Letterman Show saw old hippies having nostalgic flashbacks and young hipsters wondering why every band on the planet didn’t sound that good. Watch. Weep. Stamp your feet. Listen out for Letterman’s joy as the band close.
Posted by
Stuart Waterman on
Wednesday October 31st, 2007 at
12:40 pm
