October 3, 1998

Hull University

From the squelchy Black Grape-isms of 'Downer', the anthemic comedown balladeering of 'Morning Afterglow' to the predictably slack-jawed sluralong of 'Nothing To Do But Get Stoned', each song in ton

It's not easy being mad. Which must be something Electrasy have discovered by now, as they go to ridiculous lengths to appear as if they are.

They emerge in all-white straitjacket-style suits, and singer Ali McKinnell employs all manner of posing, posturing and grimacing to make it seem as if, yes, he really is completely doolally. Sadly, in the nuclear-bunker-crossed-with-cow-shed environs of Hull University Union, he only manages to look slightly silly, while drawing attention away from the genuinely schizophrenic nature of the songs.

From the squelchy Black Grape-isms of 'Downer', the anthemic comedown balladeering of 'Morning Afterglow' to the predictably slack-jawed sluralong of 'Nothing To Do But Get Stoned', each song in tonight's set could be a different band. Although 'Chemical Angel', in which Ali screams, "Who's gonna give me what I want?" over slamming breakbeats and squalling guitars, is every bit as infectious as the Hammond-punk mayhem of 'Miracle', the whole thing can't help seeming contrived. There's too much routine and deliberate image-mongering evident for their haphazard careering to be entirely convincing.

Sometimes beautiful, then, but definitely not insane.

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