Edinburgh’s Liquid Room welcomes back post-punk marvels The Membranes for a performance as explosive as the big bang they contemplate during opening number ‘The Universe Explodes Into A Billion Photons Of Pure White Light’.
Their short set is snappier than some of their song titles but this lot pack a sizeable punch into their limited time on stage as they ponder topics such as the environment, space, the universe and our very existence, all with eerie intensity. Quite deep stuff I know, but it’s done with a fine slice of humour and this quirky bunch are first and foremost here to entertain as they belt through numbers from 2019’s What Nature Gives…Nature Takes Away and 2015’s Dark Energy/Dark Matter.
Here to support fellow post-punk Mancs, The Chameleons, frontman and bassist John Robb raves about the main act to follow, and has a wee moan about the cold. He could always pop a jumper over that muscle and chest exposure, but then again it might ruin his masterful quiff. Excessively energetic, Robb seems to be everywhere these days, from running festivals and websites, to fronting his other band Goldblade, contributing to media items, writing books and popping up on shows like ‘1987’s Best Indie Record To Listen To While Eating A Vegan Kebab’. Amongst all of this he still finds the time to tour with The Membranes, who formed in 1978 before splitting up in the late ‘80s and reforming in 2009. A fresh sound followed, which saw them delve deeper into the darker side of bass-driven, atmospheric post-punk, and over the last few years they’ve supported acts such as The Stranglers, Sisters of Mercy, Killing Joke and Mark Lanegan.
The line up tonight features an eclectic group with years of experience under their belts. The formidable guitarist Peter Byrchmore, also of Goldblade, has played with bands such as UK Subs and the Nightingales, while high-flying drummer Mike Simkins has toured with the likes of New Order and The Stone Roses with his band BFG. Completing the mix is outstanding classical pianist and composer, Amelia Chain, on keyboards, percussion and backing vocals. Chain, back touring with The Membranes after 2019’s Mark Lanegan tour, has received many accolades including ‘Artist of the Week’ in February 2021 for her evocative tune, The Haunting on BBC’s Hereford & Worcester radio show BBC Music Introducing.
They open tonight with the The Universe Explodes Into…you know the rest… from 2015’s Dark Energy/Dark Matter, Robb wailing that familiar teenage rant ‘I never asked to be born’. Of course, he’s peering ominously into the birth of the universe, rather than explaining why he’s not picked up any of those empty crisp bags shoved under his bed for the last five months… Dark Energy follows, Amelia’s euphonious vocals juxtaposed with Robb’s blasting bass as he strides from side to side on his modest patch of stage. Charismatic as ever, he entices the audience to huddle in, surely against Nicola Sturgeon’s current restrictions, but nevertheless, they’re soon eating out of his beckoning hands.
Do the Supernova opens with an apocalyptic bass which pulsates so viciously, I check my Fitbit to make sure my heartbeat’s not gone astray. Tonight this number is catchier than covid, with a gutsy groove that’s still battering around in my head. Chain, shrouded in black lace and garnished with a floral headdress, weaves her arms furiously, and could certainly show Liam Gallagher a thing or two when it comes to brandishing the tambourine.
Black is the Colour, from What Nature Gives…Nature Takes Away opens with Chain’s haunting operatic chants, clashing beautifully against the building bass, Bychmore glowering vacantly at the ceiling as disembodied feedback drills our brains, the uplifting harmonies deliciously breaking through from the rubble of noise. Deep In The Forest Where The Memories Linger encapsulates the transient nature of life with its intense and atmospheric bass-driven vibe accompanying Amelia’s goth-opera chants, as the music builds to a frenzied punk-goth jam that shakes the Liquid Room’s foundations. More dark energy expels over the stage as they head back to 1983 to end the set with a raucous rendition of Myths and Legends.
If you ever see The Membranes listed on the bill, get there early, you won’t be disappointed!
Check out our review of The Chameleons >>
Words: Shirley Mack @musingsbymarie
Pictures: Calum Mackintosh @ayecandyphotography