1986 Singles # 6 Jesus & Mary Chain

 

Jesus & Mary Chain came to UEA ehere I was in the middle of my glorious first year experience. But I didn't go. I suspect I didn't approve of their name. Having had a church upbringing where I was largely pressganged by devotional parents but it still left its brand of vague belief and esential innocence

But I didn't like the idea if them. Their rudeness. Or their hair. Preferring Echo & The Bunnymen's. At least they made an effort in the Dissolute Bohemian department. And I didn't like feedback. That took a while. I was in thrall to bands who didn't stoop to dissolute rage and f- ing and blinding and could play full sets and not adopt a year zero rage approach because it made newspaper headlines.. .While they hid behind their fringes and acne and pretended to be The Velvet Underground when actually they really just wanted a nice girlfriend and an NME cover.  . 

Of course when they played was a 'legendary experience' which those who went still speak of in awed reverential whispers 40 years on. My own future honey was there. Snapping away on a pricey camera like some refugee from Warhol's Factory in her smart pork pie hat and smart blue coat. She took some great shots and gave one to the guy who roomed next door to me in an effort to win his friendship.. I'm not sure it worked. She certainly won my undying love. 

I still don't really listen to Psycho Candy that often.. I had my own Creation Road to Damsacus moment when My Bloody Valentine came to Nowich Arts Centre three years later and I found myself swimming in a sea of ecstatic youth that was altogether that was like a spell being cast and suspended like the best gigs and will always be one of the most memorable musical experiences of my lifetime. 

As forJesus & Mary Chain. I WASN'T THERE ! But I do like this. It captures the claustrophobia. The desire; The spell. The desire ti be more daring than you actually are or ever will be because essentially uou have too mych sense. These three minutes have everything you want from Rock & Roll frankly. Perhaps I should have made more of an effort and gone..