There’s been much debate among rock fans recently about the legitimacy of bands that are still functioning and touring but without any of the original members. Some feel that an act without original members is little more than a tribute band, but there are always exceptions to that rule and Gong is one such. Originally formed by creative lynchpin Daevid Allen in 1969, the band found early fame, or notoriety, as ‘pot-headed pixies’, their name synonymous with instrumental indulgence best appreciated while under the influence of substances and even fifty years later they still carry that label for some. In reality, the early jazz-inflected psychedelia represents only a small fraction of the genres they have worked in over the decades - jazz-rock/fusion. space-rock, funk, the decidedly ‘European’ sound the band settled on when Pierre Moerlan was in charge and back to the form of space-rock it largely plays today. There are similarities with Hawkind, formed in the same timeframe and, like Gong, still operating today.
At Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms, the sister venue to the slightly larger Rock City, Gong played an expansive two-hour set to a capacity and enthusiastic audience, many of whom looked to have been with them for the long haul. What may surprise a newcomer, who knows the band only by reputation, is how aggressive, punchy and LOUD their live sound is. There is nothing fey about these boys! When he is not creating dreamy textures on guitar, axeman Fabio Golfetti is chopping out some ominous riffs, evoking memories of his predecessor the legendary Steve Hillage (also still touring) whose Om Riff from the You song Master Builder was dusted off to provide a highlight of the performance. Equally impressive were bassist Dave Sturt, Ian East on saxophone and flute, Cheb Nettles surprisingly aggressive on drums and vocalist/guitarist/ Kavus Torabi, a suitably charismatic frontman. Inter-tune banter was welcome but kept to a minimum for the focus was firmly on the music. With such a vast back catalogue to mine, there was always going to be scope for disappointment but the choices were judicious - form the opener You Can’t Kill Me, first heard on 1971’s Camembert Electronique to some lengthy selections from their current album The Universe Also Collapses, pausing midway to salute founder Allen, died in 2015, with the celebratory Rejoice.
Concerts in smallish venues being what they are, it wasn’t always possible to hear Torabi’s voice above the band’s often overpowering sound but Gong has always been about moods and shifting textures rather than lyrics Backed by a lightship that would surely require a warning to epileptics, they delivered a performance of often overwhelming intensity with just enough humour to prevent things from getting po-faced. With all respect to previous incarnations, this current version of Gong may be the best one yet.
As a bonus, the audience was treated to a half hour warm-up set by guitarist and Ozric Tentacles frontman Ed Wynne. Backed by a second guitarist, a bass-player and some pre-programmed synthesiser, he did more than establish a suitable mood for the headline act but impressed with his fretboard virtuosity. A very appropriate support act!
Having lived in the area for nearly sixteen years, this was somehow my first visit to the Rescue Rooms and I shall be back again! It’s a friendly, intimate venue that seems to attract music-lovers rather than poseurs. The lack of people watching the gig through their phone cameras was noted and welcome!
Reviewer - Richard Ely
on - 22/5/19
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