| Author | Message | ||
     Georgina Sheils Member Username: Georgina Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2007 |
Well im 23 and adore the Go-Betweens? Im new to this web site and would love to hear past stories of when the Go-Betweens were at their peak...thoughts? | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1583 Registered: 04-2005 |
That's cool that you like them so much, Georgina. To think you were born about the time "Spring Hill Fair" came out! I wish I'd seen them in the '80s with the classic RF/GM/Lindy/Vickers lineup, but they were pretty darn great when I saw them in 2005 in Seattle with Adele and Glenn. | ||
| Jonathan Evans Member Username: Jon Post Number: 120 Registered: 04-2005 |
I never managed to see the original band, I think I managed to split them up first time round because as soon as I'd geard them they finished! I managed to get to see them twice in Manchester (about 2003) and Liverpool (2005). Manchester was brilliant with RF saying the aussies had signed David Beckham to play for them for $2, and I shouted that they've been robbed, and he corrected it at $1.50....me being a Liverpool fan, you can't admit a Manc is a good player (its the law). Liverpool was great, I just wished I'd taken my camera. My only regret.....I spent 12 weeks in New Zealand in 2005 (that's not the regret), and couldn't afford to see them in Spain with Teenage Fanclub late 2005 - the rest is history. Cheers Jon | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2417 Registered: 03-2006 |
I saw the 16 LL lineup, I guess that makes it the penultimate configuration of the GBs, in 1989, Georgina. It was at Tipitina's, an historic New Orleans nightclub that's been around for eons and more known for featuring zydeco, and Cajun and old N.O. soul groups than Australian chamber pop ensembles. Though it can easily hold 500 people, there were probably only 20 people there to see the GBs. I remember that our heroes looked pretty raggedy and weary. I realize now, with the benefit of hindsight and David Nichols' book, that they must have been on the verge of breaking up at that point and that it had probably been a pretty rough tour. Amanda, who I definitely took notice of because I had a crush on her, really looked particularly like she didn't want to be there. Robert was wearing that mustard-yellow suit - he mentioned that he'd bought it for $50 in the Quarter. Grant, who contrary to the rest of them, actually looked like he was having a good time was still rocking that white t-shirt bruiser look - the only thing missing was the pack of cigarettes rolled up in the sleeve. Grant looked like he was having a blast, too, rocking out, taking a lot of the solos. Since I didn't know then that they alternated duties, I assumed he was the lead guitarist. I remember that they played fairly loud, though the only songs I specifically remember are "The Clarke Sisters", because people in the audience were singing along, which impressed me, and "I'm Alright", which I remember because Grant was really playing the central riff of it very fine and true - "just like a ringin' a bell" as Chuck Berry would say. I wish I remembered more - if my level of devotion then was the same as it is now, I would've definitely paid better attention. Also, I had the misguided idea in those days that I couldn't really enjoy a show unless I was drunk and/or stoned, so that didn't really help either. At least I got to see 'em, though, and that abiding image of Grant is one I really treasure. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 793 Registered: 09-2006 |
2005 (at age 43) was when I saw them too, Kurt, so I'm guessing we were at the same show - The Triple Door, that odd, schizophrenic yuppie dinner club where you couldn't even get up to dance if you had the urge (and I certainly did)? They were a well-oiled road band in the best possible sense of that term, knocking out song after song with charm, style and power. Georgina, if you have the "Striped Sunlight Sound" DVD you have a good taste of what that tour was like. | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 326 Registered: 05-2005 |
With the exception of about 90 seconds, all of the times I saw them was in the 2nd coming. In June '89, supporting REM in RDS Dublin, I caught the last half of their last song (pretty certain it was bye bye pride - anyone??) My sister insisted on having one more drink before making our way to the show... Saw them in October 2000 at The Olympia in Dublin, with two of my sisters. I ignored them all night, such was my reverie at finally seeing the Go Betweens perform again, something I thought I'd never experience. April '03 was a wonderful gig, with the last encore (of about 4!) played on a half-dismantled stage!!! June '04, again was wonderful, special because it was my nephew's first time to hear them (he was born 3 months later!). I honestly don't remember the full setlist from any of those gigs. I just remember the feeling of joy in seeing them perform... I was supposed to see them play in London in May 2005. I had the concert ticket, the plane ticket, the hotel was booked. It clashed with a family celebration, so I cancelled my trip, thinking "I'll see them next year"... | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 327 Registered: 05-2005 |
Ahem.... I was em.... 4 in 1989.... | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1586 Registered: 04-2005 |
Yep, Allen, the Triple Door show was the one I saw. Your description is perfect. Maybe it was just the live sound vs. the DVD, but I thought the band sounded a lot more forceful at the Triple Door than they did at the Tipoli show. The explanation that RF was terribly nervous because he was being filmed seems very viable; his playing almost sounds like he's afraid of making mistakes or is trying not to draw attention to himself. He didn't seem that way at the Seattle show. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 780 Registered: 10-2004 |
Sadly I didn't see them in their heyday either... I first saw them as just Robert Forster and Grant McLennan when they did the acoustic duo tour in support of Bellavista Terrace, before they officially reformed. This was at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, back in 1999. Prior to that, I never thought I'd ever get the chance to see Grant and Robert together. I prefer seeing them with the full, electric band, but still, that acoustic show was nothing short of stunning. The energy was insane. The crowd was radiating intense joy - dancing, crazy applause, people singing along to every single word, etc... I think we were all totally floored that we got the chance to see them work their magic, but there was also this feeling in the air that this could be the only/last time we'd get to see them together, so everyone got into it like there was no tomorrow. Saw them again when they when they played in support of FORW. This was at a not-so-good venue in San Francisco called Slim's, in December of 2000. Sadly, by the time they got to the states, they'd sacked their drummer, so they did the acoustic thing again, except this time with Adele on bass. I don't remember much about this show. The sound was bad (how the hell do you fuck up the sound with such a simple arrangement?), and the vibe was just a bit off that night. Still, it was a good show, but just somehow a bit less memorable, and it seemed like Robert was having some difficulty getting into character, if that makes sense. I remember next to nothing about the set-list, which means that most of the show consisted of FORW songs (my least favorite album). Third and final show during the tour for OA, in June of 2005 (at Slim's in San Francisco again). It took about 3-4 songs for the band to loosen up, but once they did, it was a mesmerizing and stellar performance. And I was elated to *finally* get to see the Go-Betweens in full, electric glory, complete with Glen on drums. However, some very strange events occurred at this show, which seemed so out of place for a Go-Betweens concert that it cast the evening in a surreal light. See my description of it here (this whole thread is worth a read, actually): http://go-betweens.org.uk/cgi-bin/chatro om/discus.cgi Not sure if this counts, but I saw Robert Forster with the "Warm Nights" line-up of Glen and Adele back in the Fall of 1996 (at the appropriately intimate Bottom of the Hill venue in SF). I had only been into the Go-Betweens for about a year at that point, and the show was pure magic. I didn't (and still don't) really care much for the album Warm Nights, but the songs came off much better live. Plus he included several Go-Betweens songs, and I still vividly recall the goose-bumps I got when they played them. He only played four Go-Betweens songs (Head Full of Steam, Love is a Sign, Dive for your Memory, and Rock 'n Roll Friend), but that was enough to make me stupidly happy. The show was exceptionally good: the trio was tight and energetic, Glen and Adele were stellar and seemed joined at the hip, while Robert was in top form - completely at ease, comfortable, and doing his eccentric, ironic, pseudo-rock star posturing perfectly. He was a true showman that night. For some reason, he never seemed quite as comfortable when playing with the Go-Betweens. Maybe it was the larger venues? Maybe the added pressure and increased expectations of playing as the Go-Betweens? Maybe I'm projecting? | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 781 Registered: 10-2004 |
Crap, sometimes the limitations of this message board are really frustrating. The url I posted for my description of a Go-Betweens show from 2005 just links back to the main msg. board page. So, I *really* urge you to find this thread: Archived Posts » 2005: April - June » Hilarious & Bizarre events at SF show it's really funny, not too long, and definitely worth reading. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1588 Registered: 04-2005 |
Damn, Jeff, I'm jealous of you catching RF at Bottom of the Hill in '96. Intimate is right about that place! Unfortunately, though I was in the right place in those days, I was too musically uneducated to realize what I was missing. Oh, for a time machine... | ||
| Elizabeth Robinson Member Username: Liz_the_new_listener Post Number: 122 Registered: 10-2006 |
Dear Georgina - I can relate to your enthusiasm about the Go-Betweens quite keenly. When I first started posting here I mentioned a performance by Grant McLennan and Robert Forster that I (a Minnesotan) missed by several years. Here is my post from the message board archive - which might be fun for you to explore. So delighted that you have discovered the Go-Betweens! - E. I thought I would look on the website of 'City Pages', the free alternative weekly paper in Minneapolis/St. Paul, for anything on the Go-Betweens, particularly in regards to the appearance that Grant McLennan and Robert Forster made at the 400 Bar in 1999. Sure enough, there was a preview: http://citypages.com/databank/20/966/art icle7661.asp and a response to the same, citing a misquote of lyrics in 'The Wrong Road': http://citypages.com/letters/detail.asp? TID=609 There is more! You may or may not enjoy a reaction to the release of FORW here: http://citypages.com/databank/21/1033/ar ticle8998.asp And here is a blog entry from the current pop music reviewer at CP in regards to that great loss to us all here: http://blogs.citypages.com/ctg/2006/05/g rant_mclennan.asp Oh, for a time machine indeed! | ||
| joe Member Username: Dogmansuede Post Number: 318 Registered: 07-2006 |
i saw them support oa in 2005 at the forum in melbourne, it would've been one of their last ever i'd guess. obviously a huge privilidge (i still have the ticket in my wallet), but i thought they were a little stiff. robert just about blew grant off the stage and it was the one and only time i've ever made it through the complete surfing magazines - not impressed. excellent encore of love goes on! though... | ||
| Cristóvão Gomes Member Username: Portuguesefan Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2007 |
Well I did see them a number of times (4 or 5), the first time I was 16, it was 1989 and they played in a kind of gigantic greenhouse. It was stuning...The second time was robert and grant as the «go-between» opening for Lloyd Cole and acctualy I recorded that...Gotta see where the tape is, convert the damn thing and send it to you all. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 36 Registered: 08-2005 |
I first heard them courtesy of a friend in the very early 80s and first saw them at Glastonbury in, I think, 1986. Can't remember too much but I did enjoy them, and also the excellent NZ band the Chills. My working holiday in Australia in 1988 coincided with the release of 16LL. I had the great experience of seeing them at The Venue, Dee Why and on "The Night of Miracles" at a theatre in Redfern (both in Sydney). Just had a look at the Gigography and couldn't find either; so I'd best check my diaries of the time - I've got photos from Dee Why and I think the ticket from the theatre. On the Night of Miracles they were supported by the Died Pretty, a magician who usually performed children's parties and a hypnotist. I went on stage to be hypnotised but didn't "go under", unlike some. I remember the GBs being on very good form. In 1989 I was lucky enough to see them at Warwick University, where my then-girlfriend was studying. And I've got a black and white contact sheet of the gig (note: must get prints made). 1997 I saw them at the Forum, London, and thought they were on cracking form; 2000 Shepherd's Bush Empire (another great gig); 2003 the Astoria, London - the only time I saw them and was disappointed. Partly because we missed the first song (it was a long drive to get there) but it seemed short and rushed. It had to finish at tem o'clock for the G.A.Y. nightclub, I think. 2004's Barbican gig is one of my all-time favourite gigs. I like sitting down in comfort (!); they played a great set, had their string section - fantastic! The last time I saw them was at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in 2005; again they were on cracking form. Solo gigs: both Grant McLennan (92) and Robert Forster (93) at the Orange in Hammersmith. Robert's gig was very good, but then he us a fantastic performer. I was also lucky enough to finish a 3,000 mile bike ride in Melbourne the day before Grant played the Prince Patrick in 1995; I've got the set list somewhere, and possibly photographs. In short, their gigs were virtually without exception hugely enjoyable, sometimes fantastic and always moving. And occasionally plain great. But they are my all-time favourite band... | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 37 Registered: 08-2005 |
Whoops. The Night of Miracles was at the Enmore Theatre, Newtown. My mistake. Heck, it was 19 years ago. Now I've just got to find exactly when it was... | ||
| Paul B. Member Username: Paul_b Post Number: 31 Registered: 10-2004 |
First saw the band support R.E.M. during the Green World Tour. Way back in 89. I've seen the boys on may occasions, amongst them, Grant playing an acoustic lunchtime show with Phil Kakulas on Cello, back in the Watershed days. And I'm proud to say I made it onto the 2541 cover. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 38 Registered: 08-2005 |
And there's more: Jazz Cafe when they played as Forster and McLennan; plus I think I saw Robert at the Garage. It's just a shame I couldn't see them supporting REM. I was back in England by the time of the tour, when REM were supported by the Blue Aeroplanes (great gig at Newport). Oh, and in answer to the original question, I'm 44. But look younger. But still old enough to be Georgina's dad. Oh dear... | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 329 Registered: 05-2005 |
I just noticed a weird co-incidence. With the exception of the 90 seconds back in '89, every Go-Betweens gig I saw happened on 26th of the month... And as everybody else is being honest about their ages, I was 4 and a few months (192 to be precise!) when I saw that 90seconds back in '89. So while I'm technically old enough to be Georgina's mum, it's only if I was planning to appear on the Gerry Springer show!! By the way, you're not the youngest Go Between fan, Georgina - I've already started educating my 5 month old nephew about all things Go Between. So far, his favourite is Bachelor Kisses. It might be a while before he starts posting here though!!! | ||
| Jonathan Evans Member Username: Jon Post Number: 121 Registered: 04-2005 |
While everyone seems to be letting on their age, I'm 36. Cheers Jon | ||
| Cristóvão Gomes Member Username: Portuguesefan Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2007 |
i´m 34 and I put my daughter to sleep listening to the go-betweens. I hope I´ll raise her to love them too. | ||
| Pat Boland Member Username: Pat_boland Post Number: 33 Registered: 05-2005 |
I don't mean to be a spoil-sport Catherine, but the RDS gig in 1989 was on Saturday the 24th of June. I still have the ticket (R.E.M. plus Special Guests - no mention of the Go-Betweens on it) as it happens. They closed with 'Karen', opened with 'Quiet Heart' and (in no particular order) played 'Clouds', 'Bye, Bye Pride', 'The House that Jack Kerouac Built', 'Streets of your town', 'The Clarke Sisters', 'Love Goes On!', 'Spring Rain' and 'Apology Accepted' in between. After that, I was at Robert's gigs in the Mean Fiddler in Dublin in October 1996 and June 1998, the 're-formed' Go-Betweens at the same venue for both gigs in June 1997, the acoustic show in Vicar Street June '99, full band shows at the Olympia October 2000, the Ambassador April 2003 & Vicar Street again in June 2004. If push came to shove and I had to nominate a favorite I'd have to flip a coin between the RDS gig in '89 or those magnificent, euphoric reunion gigs in 1997. | ||
| Pat Boland Member Username: Pat_boland Post Number: 34 Registered: 05-2005 |
As it happens, after The Wannadies gig in the Temple Bar Music Centre in 2000 I got into a conversation with a chap (he was wearing the Lee Remick t-shirt and, lets face it, if you leave the house wearing such a garment you are duty-bound to engage with other Go-Betweens fans who will - without fail - find it impossible to resist the urge to spark up a conversation with you about the greatness of the band) and he claimed to have been at a Go-Betweens gig in Galway some time in the late 1990's. Can anyone confirm the bona fides of this lofty claim? | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 330 Registered: 05-2005 |
Pat, I knew the RDS one was 24th (that's why I said it was the exception). I still have my ticket stub too!!. The other gigs were all 26th of the particular month, though. Thanks for clearing up the closing song, though. I got it into my head it was Bye Bye Pride, but I never could remember for sure. A friend of mine was at one of those Mean Fiddler gigs in '97, but didn't tell me about it until afterwards. It took me a while to forgive him for that!! | ||
| Pat Boland Member Username: Pat_boland Post Number: 35 Registered: 05-2005 |
I... ehhh.... I'll get my coat! Apologies for any offence caused, Catherine. My sub-standard speed-reading aside, it still rates as quite an impressive coincidence. Any numerologists out there willing to add their two-cents? | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 305 Registered: 04-2005 |
Sure that I've told these stories before in different threads, but you can skip them if you already know them! Discovered the band through buying all the Postcard (Records of Scotland) releases, but it wasn't really til 'Before Hollywood' that the magic hit for me. First time I saw the band was was in Edinburgh in '84 (?) as support to Aztec Camera, but I only caught a few songs. But I distinctly remember 'River of Money'. And Robert Vickers looking so cool (and about 13 years old) After that was Melbourne in '86: 2 nights running in different venues. Amanda had just joined and 'Liberty Belle' was out. Wonderful shows, especially the first. The band looked and sounded their best, with Lindy in her ballgowns. And Robert in his. There were obvious tensions in the air and an inebriated Robert Forster insisted on thrashing (Jesus and Mary Chain) style all over 'Apology Accepted'. He also left the stage to conduct the band for 'Draining the Pool', which seemed to last for hours with Amanda's violin heavily featuring. The second evening (at the Uni) I blagged my way backstage using a loose connection to Malcolm Ross as an opener. Dates become a little hazy after this (have to look out ticket stubs one day!). Edinburgh in '87 at Coasters, with the release of 'Tallulah'. Amazing and I got to interview Grant outside on a beautiful May day the morning after. You can hear the birds on the tape. He was absolutely charming, and very serious about his answers. And when I did my gushing fan bit, said he understood perfectly and that he felt like that about Dylan. London Town + Country club - Tallulah time too? I had the astonishing realisation that Tracy Thorn was standing on one side of me and Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteaus) was on the other. Robert Forster tooks to the stage sporting a tartan cape: at some point a roadie came on and carefully removed it, James Brown style. There was more walking around in the audience whilst singing 'When People Are Dead'. Around the same time also, the Mean Fiddler in London, most memorable for 'Spirit of a Vampire' in which RF repeated 'St James Park' like a man possessed for what seemed like a 100 times. A concert in Glasgow for MayFest in Govern Town hall. Remember thinking "John Wilsteed is not a good bass player or he doesn't care for the band much" The split Robert solo 5 times? First in London with 'Baby You Know' backing. Wonderful. Grant pops up for a song. After that 4 times in Glasgow. Great 'Warm Nights' one with Adele and Grant in the 13th Note. For some reason it was free to get in! Robert was extremely friendly afterwards chatting away and signing T-shirts. And the best ever RF solo for me. See http://www.go-betweens.org.uk/gb/reviews /rf010310.htm The reunion. Saw the acoustic tour (Glasgow again) and four band gigs. For me it wasn't quite the same, but still had its moments. The best was in Paris, with 'Too Much of One Thing' dedicated to June Carter who had died that morning. I had an argument in French with a guy that insisted on talking. Afterwards my partner tells me that the guy's French was as bad as mine and that he was obviously an English speaker too. Georgina, welcome aboard. Hope that their music enchants and entertains you as much as it has me. They are probably my favourite group of all time and like many others here, kinda the 'soundtrack to my life'. I am 45. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 997 Registered: 08-2006 |
I only saw them twice, once in '99 when they played Chicago's Double Door as a duo and then in '05 when they played here at the Abbey Pub. I think Michael mentioned he was at one or both of those shows. Both were great, but the '99 show had special resonance because I never thought I'd see them perform together. Their weren't many people at that show and it just seemed very initimate and very moving. I'm 41. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 783 Registered: 10-2004 |
Wow, Andrew, your post really blows mine out of the water, what with the sheer history, not to mention, you seem to have caught some wonderful moments. Of course, I was too young to have seen them in the 80s (I'm 32, presently), given that most venues here are 21 and over, and well, I wasn't into the Go-Betweens in the 80s anyway. They weren't artsy enough for my angsty, 4AD-dominated, adolescent tastes of the time. | ||
| allan kingdom Member Username: Allan_kingdom Post Number: 9 Registered: 04-2006 |
I had the pleasure of seeing the go-betweens many times The first time was in March 1983 when they were the opening act for Orange Juice. I was too close to the stage, so my main recollection is of Vickers’ suede Chelsea boots and Lindy’s ferocious drumming. The second time was a year later supporting Aztec Camera in Oxford on 10/02/84. It was a big stage and Robert and Grant seemed to stand as far apart from each other as possible and introduced each other’s songs cryptically as “this was written by my good friend…” with a slight sarcastic tone. But I might be wrong. It was 23 years ago. I next saw them in London in 1985, upstairs at the Clarendon, in Hammersmith. I remember Robert had Blake Carrington hair by then, and (I think) was wearing some sort of gold lame shirt. Unfortunately I had to leave halfway through, as the Jazz Butcher went on a little too long and I had to get the last train home. I don’t think I saw them again until 1988, at the Mean Fiddler in Harlesden (which is not on the gigography). This was an amazing, intimate gig as I was right at the front, making eye contact with Grant intermittently during the show. I think Robert was playing a fender Telecaster and Grant a Stratocaster. I also saw them at the Astoria in August 1988, and remember Robert’s hips grinding against the back of his guitar (Fender Jaguar?) The final show of the classic lineup was on 6-6-89 ant at the town and country club. I remember Grant making references to the Tiananmen Square Massacre which had ended 2 days before. Possibly my favorite show was Robert’s first solo shows at Subterania, Bay 63 in Ladbroke Grove in 1990/91 promoting Danger in the Past. I remember the German backing band were on fire & Rob looked amazing, black shirt & jeans & a black Fender Telecaster. I next saw Robert performing a solo acoustic show in a small venue in London promoting calling from a country phone. I remember he changed the words to “The Circle” I also saw Robert and Grant play acoustically in Tower Records in Picadilly Circus and at the Rough Trade shop in 1999. I moved to Los Angeles in the fall of 1999, and saw the reformed band twice: at the Knitting factory and at the Troubadour. | ||
| allan kingdom Member Username: Allan_kingdom Post Number: 10 Registered: 04-2006 |
I am 42, sorry for the poor writing, I just had to get this down before i forgot. | ||
| Georgina Sheils Member Username: Georgina Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2007 |
well i must say some of your stories are most impressive. Andrew, i can't believe that you interviewed Grant-that would have been a real spin out! Its also beautiful to see that some of you are introducing the GB's to your children as i know i will do the same(that won't be for a while though!) Thankyou for letting me in on your cherished memories. Fantastic! | ||
| allan kingdom Member Username: Allan_kingdom Post Number: 11 Registered: 04-2006 |
The overriding impression from all of the shows was that there was always something enormously special and magical happening onstage; ad libs, lyric changes, sexy dancing, sexy eye contact with grant if you were lucky, the sense of glamour (Vickers' boots, Robert’s hair) and excitement. Thinking back now, I’m ashamed at how blasé I was most of the time, not towards the band, but at not recording, photographing, capturing everything, just in the same way I’m annoyed that (for example) there isn’t any decent footage/recordings of the velvets in 66. Living in London at the time, seeing the band out and about (Robert in a Camden bar, lindy at a rough trade Xmas party, obviously a little tipsy) one became almost flippant, knowing here would be another show within a 6 months. I'm also embarrassed that I probably drank a little too much at these shows, hence the lack of interesting anecdotes. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1858 Registered: 05-2005 |
39 and a cancarian. Saw Gobees many times in the 80's. My fave gig was at Wolverhampton Polytechnic, I think 1987. I don't think its listed in the gigoraphy for some strange reason, however i was there and I saw them play Wolves Poly. The Weather prophets supported. It was the Tallulah line up. Vickers still on bass. My fondest part of the night was when Robert wandered off the stage and stood right in front of me with his fender jazzmaster, i didn't know where to look. After this Irish Centre in Birmingham was a good gig. Iremember Grantdedicating Quiet Heart to the poor students mowed down in tennament Sq. Robert made me laugh by declaring that the next song, the Clarke Sisters was about two elederly women down the road in Walsall. the absurdity of the remark had me in tears 9you had to be there!) I saw them in '97 at London Forum. Adele on bass, can't remember drummer, they were good, but for me, when they started playing again later on with the newer albums, like Rachael and Bright, it livened the set up, it cemented the new line up magnificentally and it confirmed the two main men were obviously always joined ta the hip. Last time say them, I think May 2005 Birmingham. A great night, sad to think never hear Grant sing those songs live ever again... y'know these guys were like Reed and Cale, or Verlaine and Lloyd, or Peters and Lee to me, they were awesome together. Oh, I remember seeing Robert solo at the Fleadah festival, Grant joined him for Rock n Roll Friend, when fnished, they waved and dowed and walked off together shoulders atop of one another under the back flap and out of of the tent behind the stage, and I watched them for a few moments through the gap in the tent flap, I was standing there transfixed, as they were walking off and they were still in sholder hugging! Shows you the love they had I guess, bless... | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 331 Registered: 05-2005 |
Pat, there's no need for one, but all the same, apology accepted (couldn't resist!). It's not often I wish I was older, but right now, I wish I was about 10 years older than I am. I'd love to have seen the original lineup, circa 84/85/86, but I doubt if a 13 year old would have made it past the door! Elizabeth, if you get your hands on that time machine, let me know!! Spence, I have a lump in my throat, reading about Robert & Grant at the Fleadh. To see them onstage together, you could see that bond, but to catch a glimpse of such an intimate moment... Cancerian too, btw | ||
| Matsrep Member Username: Matsrep Post Number: 44 Registered: 10-2005 |
Oh, where to start? London August 1984 at a cinema. (I was 20 and a fan since Cattle and Cane & Before Hollywood the year before.) A film as warm up act. Spring Hill Fair not released yet: Part Company single is. Ana Silva on backing vocals on Bachelor Kisses. River of Money is great. Ask from Before Hollywood have never been bettered. Robert Vickers is the new guy, and the band clearly loves the possibilities of two guitars interacting. Stockholm 1985. Robert trying to kick his guitar on River of Money, Lindy tries to stop him (I think it was the one electric guitar he had). Second Hand Furniture is a fabulous new song. Stockholm 1986. (or 1987?) The Modern Museum. Amanda appears out of the blue. Short set, GBs are the warm up act to Electric Guitars (anyone remember them?). Robert in red top belly dancing on Draining the Pool. Stockholm 1988 (or 89). Vickers gone, Willsteed is there but the band seem to go through the motions. Robert with Baby You Know. Uppsala 1991 or 92. As pointed out somewhere above this was a great band, which made the songs in new ways. It grooved, it flew, and the piano made a lasting impression. Robert in a three man band (three men: maybe the drummer was Glenn?). Stockholm 1994. Wonderful, intimate set. The Fortress esp. great! Robert and Grant at Nalen, Stockholm 1999. Everyone was there! Robert with a white face and acting a bit strange in the beginning. I chatted with both Robert and Grant afterwards. They signed an Able Label t-shirt. (Now the signatures are washed away.) GBs 2003 in Stockholm. The young crowd was wild, knew every line of every song. But I felt, as I did in 1988/89, that something was missing. I really regret that I did not travel to the London Barbican show in 2004. I would have loved to see the three piece band. I can only echo what Andrew, Allan K and Spence have said, that there were lovely things happening at every show, and that The GBs are the soundtrack to many many years and thoughts and hopes. And memories. | ||
| julia motzko Member Username: Julia Post Number: 39 Registered: 05-2005 |
Paul B., you're on the 2541 cover! that is SO COOL - like being a small part of Go-Betweens history! I'm looking at the cover right now, guessing who of the men could be you. There's this one guy in the front who kind of draws all attention...he's got that Iggy look, blonde longer hair, holding a beer can. Could that be you? ;) I saw the Go-Betweens for the very last time today 2 years ago (in Nuremberg, Germany). Historic date for me. Last time ever to see Grant. ...I was waiting outside the venue for a friend, and my friend (who knows Robert) had met the Go-Betweens out on the street (they had just arrived in a taxi), and so he was walking towards me with THEM at his side, chatting. Then he stopped in front of me, and the band stopped too. They were standing in a little half circle around me, looking down at me rather curiously, like "Why are we stopping, who is this girl?" I could have died at that moment. The concert itself didn't thrill me that much, but I had seen them the evening before as well, so I guess it was just because it was the second night in a row that my excitement had ebbed a bit. My fondest memories, however, are of the solo acoustic gigs Robert did in a bookstore in Regensburg in 2001. That spoiled me, because after that, he always seemed a tad too far away on a big stage with the Go-Betweens. So I was a Robert fan first and then a Go-Betweens fan, I guess. Similarly, my first bought cd was "Warm Nights", and then came the Gobs albums. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 787 Registered: 10-2004 |
A nice memory of the 1999 "Forster and McLennan" acoustic show in SF that I mentioned above: On the stage, right in the center, several feet back, was a large, fancy, vintage sofa. It seemed to be there as merely a prop. But towards the end of the show, when they played Danger in the Past, Robert put down his guitar, laid down on the couch with his lanky legs dangling off the end, and put on his most ironic-wistful pop star pose when singing for added melodrama. Midway through the song, after milking all he could out of the couch, he got up and did some of the most hilariously ironic pelvic thrusting I'd ever seen. With every "yeah" and "mmmm" that follows the line "Danger in the Past," he'd give it that pelvic thrust for added emphasis. Hilarious. Robert had strange make-up on that evening too. Thick eye-liner, bright red lipstick, and a ridiculously thick layer of white foundation. He also wore a snazzy pin-stripe suit. Few people his age could have gotten away with that, but Robert pulled it off with ease. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 788 Registered: 10-2004 |
And to balance that with a nice Grant memory: At the 2005 show in San Francisco, the band had to stop German Farmhouse midway through when a fight broke out in the crowd. Robert motioned for the band to stop, asked the two people fighting what was going on, and after a brief and slightly cryptic explanation by one of the two men involved, Grant stepped up to the mic and sang, "If you're going to San Francisco be sure to wear some flowers in your hair..." followed by intense laughter from the crowd. Brilliant! And of course, the idea of a fist-fight breaking out at a Go-Betweens show was nothing short of mind-boggling. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 118 Registered: 05-2005 |
Saw the Go-Betweens firstly in 1984 just after the release of Spring Hill Fair (I'm 45..). And then I haven't missed a tour when they were in Germany or Belgium. The last one excepted. I've found today my old 80's tickets : http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/7475/ gobsjb9.jpg I confirm that all these concerts were always highly enjoyable. It was a big part of the thing! Their bad luck with success allowed me to see them in nice little venues. It was something like to see the Beatles playing in front of me! Hard to say the best one, probably those just after 'Liberty Belle' and 'Rachel Worth'. I read on the website that Robert has nearly completed the new record. Hope he will tour again. When I'll be very old, I'll go to see him with my wheelchair pushed by a nurse... | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1589 Registered: 04-2005 |
Well, RF's going to be that much older than you, TROU, so will he be confined to a hospital bed at that point? Of course, knowing RF, he'll find away to deliver a stylish and individual performance even in that state... | ||
| Paul B. Member Username: Paul_b Post Number: 32 Registered: 10-2004 |
‘There's this one guy in the front who kind of draws all attention...he's got that Iggy look, blonde longer hair, holding a beer can. Could that be you?’ Not quite juliajulia, the top of my head can be seen to the left of him, I’m wearing glasses and looking directly at the stage. It was at this gig that Robert started to sweat so much that he asked the audience for a towel, or something. Somebody in the audience obliged with a t-shirt (Frank Henry do you read this list?) and he received a Robert Forster T in return. We thought it was special until it was repeated the next night, and probably continued as part of Roberts shtick from then on. As well as the gigs previously mentioned there have been a few others that stand out. The ‘Ballad Of The Go-Betweens’ show in Sydney a few years back was a standout. (also because ticketing machine near the venue was broken and we got free parking..oh he joy!) Another was a free gig at the Brisbane multicultural festival about 3 years back. It was in an open-air stage during a warm spring night, there where little kids everywhere and the atmosphere was relaxed and playful. The wife and I had skipped dinner and gone right to the numerous desserts that where available, so that probably colors my recollection I find that at a lot of the free gigs in Brisbane there are a lot of old fans and friends, many are taking the family along to see ‘the band that Dad rocked to when he was at uni.’’ Oh, I am 38. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1819 Registered: 05-2005 |
Lovely memories everyone. Pat, The Go-Betweens never played anywhere in Ireland other than Dublin. Robert and Grant did say to me that he wanted to, but they never got round to it. That part of the interview went: "We are going to Cork this time. I've been pushing to get out of Dublin. I want to drive out of Dublin, not to the ferry. I've never driven west of Dublin. It will be lovely to drive that road." McLennan has set his sights further afield: "I've always wanted to go to the Aran Islands, so you never know." The full article is at http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseac tion=blog.listAll&friendID=76050141&star tID=128976218&StartPostedDate=2006-06-04 %2022:21:00&next=1&page=4&Mytoken=AC239E 08-69D3-4D41-9FB30AFC3D397A3112996091 I'm 40 and I saw The Go-Betweens seven times, including their very last show, which was in Sydney in January last year. I'm almost crying now thinking of that. I'm listening to Grant sing Bachelor Kisses on the acoustic section of the DVD as I write these words. I missed seeing them in Dublin supporting R.E.M. in 1989 as I'd just moved to Boston. When R.E.M. toured the US later that year I went, but The Go-Betweens weren't supporting. So the first time I saw them was at The Mean Fiddler in Dublin on June 3/4 1997. Two nights in a row. Both shows were utterly incredible. Next was in Vicar St in Dublin on June 4, 1999. That was billed as Forster and McLennan. Then on October 26 2000 at the Olypia Theatre in Dublin. The next three were all in Sydney. At The Metro on June 20 2003 and July 16 2005, and at that beautiful last ever gig on January 16 2006. That was at what I think is called The Sydney Theatre. It's near the Harbour Bridge. I've written about this elsewhere on this board, as have others. I've seen Robert solo live six times. The first was in Dublin at The Mean Fiddler on October 17, 1996. I interviewed him that morning too. Next was also at The Mean Fiddler on June 7 1998. Now that I think of it, maybe it was that morning I interviewed him! The next four Robert gigs were four nights in a row in Brisbane's Powerhouse at the end of July 2007. All were stunning. They are discussed in great detail elsewhere on this board. I never saw Grant play solo unfortunately. He usually came to Ireland to promote his solo albums, but he never played a solo gig. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 720 Registered: 08-2004 |
Sadly the 1st & only time I saw them was at the Barbican. 2004. Not the earthiest setting for a new wave band. But it was brilliant nonetheless. They were kind of their own support band & played songs from the earliest to the newest. It's all on the CD so 'nuff said. I was 31 at the time. | ||
| John B. Member Username: John_b Post Number: 125 Registered: 10-2006 |
Ah this is fantastic :-) I am 47 and like others saw them in 1989 - in Dusseldorf supporting R.E.M. As I have said before here, its the only concert I have been to where the support act was asked for encores. The only other occasion was May 2005 in Hamburg. I recall someone writing a review in the archived posts. It started slow but then the crowd really got into it. Five encores, and once the best version of Karen I have ever heard was over, Robert yelled "Go Home" because the band was totally exhausted. | ||
| Michael D Member Username: Michael_d Post Number: 14 Registered: 06-2005 |
First time was their first Australian comeback show at The Zoo in Brisbane calling themselves The Australian Go-Betweens Show in Summer 1995. Then several times again over the years in Australia and Europe, where I've been lucky enough to cross paths. and as if to bookend the whole live experience... Finally at their last gig: The Story of The Go-Betweens at the Sydney Theater Company. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 195 Registered: 01-2007 |
Allan you've reminded me where I saw them it was in 1988 at the Astoria in london couldn't remeber which venue it was only it was int the Tottneham COurt Road area and went with some friends from University, some of them were big fans but some wnet along because they thought it would be cool or a good night out, it was both of course but it detracted the enjoyment for me as some many people distracted you from the stage.It was a good show but a bit short as i remember. At around the time of Tallulah I saw them in HMV live acoustic with just Robert/Grant/Amanda and Lindy, remeber speaking to Grant after them signing my LP about how weird it was to here yourselves on the HMV speakers he was a gentleman of course | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 196 Registered: 01-2007 |
I have to say that at around this time the Triffids were in town and they performed a fabulous set at the Euston Theatre, they were as good if not better live than the Gb's, it is hard for me to say that. My last time Iwas to see the reformed GB's was in Manchester and the gig was cancelled (presumeably)as they were on the Jools Holland show that week, big disappointment for me and Mrs Bascombe, havoing enjoyes a few beers on Oxford Road in Manchester only to walk up to the union building and see a notice. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 107 Registered: 10-2006 |
All this live music, you think there would be a mass of tapes somewhere around waiting to be released! Since I was brought back to the band in a big way by the acoustic section of the DVD especially, I'd particularly love to hear stuff from the Forster & McLennan duo period: a lot of their songs just seem to work so well in that kind of setting. I wonder what kind of set they played, anyone remember? And of course, I screwed up my one chance of seeing them live, on the 2005 European tour, thinking that I'd catch them next time round...sigh. | ||
| Erhard Grundl Member Username: Erhardgrundl Post Number: 17 Registered: 09-2005 |
like a lot of people her i have very fond memories of all the Go-Betweens shows i have seen. my first was at Glastonbury 86, and all i knew about the band then was that they were from Australia and had a woman drummer. i can't remember the setlist, all i remember is that they blew me away. not one mediocre song in the set - a truly rare breed. next was the 87 european tour, where i got to know Grant McLennan after another fantastic show in Linz/Austria. we had a long chat about my favourite artist (as it turned out, his too!) of all time: Bob Dylan. fine shows on this tour I remember Nuremberg and Heidelberg (where a steel blonde RF touched my hair during The Clarke Sisters. For the following years i rate their final REM support show at Circus Krone in Munich as one of the best i`ve ever seen, the only show where they ever did not capture my attention entirely was the Astoria show in 1988 where they seemed too nervous ("cut it out" was performed and i didn`t like it). I saw several Grant and Robert solo shows, but always liked it best, when they played together. With Robert Poeschl i had the pleasure to host a Grant/Robert accoustic concert in Regensburg in the mid 90ties. Great show i think, naturally! Yes, i was at the RF "regensburg bookstore gig", mentioned in one of the posts above and it was the first time i ever heard "he lives my life". i will never forget that moment. a great song. the Go-Betweens reunion i think was a fantastic gift to all their fans. It was a different band, but the shows where just as good. Remember the Barbican as a stand out for me, where i got to hear favourites of mine like "the sound of rain" for the first time from a stage. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 866 Registered: 01-2005 |
I saw them at the 7th House, a Pontiac, Michigan duo acoustic show in June of 1999 a couple of days after Rob saw them in Chicago at The Double Door. As Rob mentioned, I did venture forth to Chicago to see the full band in 2005 at The Abbey Pub. Both concerts have special memories for me that I will always treasure, but like Rob mentioned the acoustic show meant something more for me as well as I thought I would never see them together. Not to mention that My friend Cindy took some great photos backstage of us all having a great time, as Robert and Grant shared their Heinekens and food with about a dozen of us diehard fans. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1019 Registered: 08-2006 |
That Abbey show was pretty great, wasn't it, Michael? I started off upstairs with some friends - we got there early and got a table. Grant and Robert were sitting talking with folks a few tables away. But once they started I decided I couldn't see well enough so I went down to the floor. As I recall there was a decent-sized crowd there, certainly more people than attended the 1999 Double Door show. | ||
| david sigston Member Username: Futuretarded Post Number: 13 Registered: 04-2006 |
Im 21. Saw them when I was 19, in 2005 at the brisbane show where they recorded Striped Sunlight Sound...they did three encores I think (my memory might have betrayed me) but it was just an amazing show and Im very lucky I got to see them. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 874 Registered: 01-2005 |
Rob, Austin (who posts here often), Cindy and I were in the very front a couple of feet from Grant when they played at the Abbey. I managed to walk off with GT's set list after the show, as it was taped to the floor next to his drums. Do you have a cd-r of the show? I would love to get one. | ||
| Large Burgers Member Username: Burgers Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2005 |
I'm saw them I think 8 or 9 times between 84 on the Spring Hill Fair tour and 2005 when they played the in store show at Avalanche in Edinburgh. | ||
| Georgina Sheils Member Username: Georgina Post Number: 8 Registered: 10-2007 |
oh david thats amazing you were able to see them at such a young age. I really envy that. If i only i discovered them a few years earlier... | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1024 Registered: 08-2006 |
Michael, I don't have a CD-R of the Abbey show. I wish I did. And that's a great story about the set list. I was a bit farther back in the room. The sight lines at the Abbey are good as long as you don't end up under the balcony behind a support. | ||
| david sigston Member Username: Futuretarded Post Number: 14 Registered: 04-2006 |
Thanks Georgina. I was obviously very lucky to have seen them. Would have been amazing to see them during the 80's (if I had been born) | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 875 Registered: 01-2005 |
I must have been in the ozone in December of 1991, but I missed this Robert and Grant show: 1991.12.14 Detroit, State Theatre The G-B's were in Toronto in 1987 which I could have driven to in less tham 4 hours, but I didn't know about them until November of 1988! I would have loved to have been at that Toronto gig as I never did get to see Amanda, Robert Vickers and Lindy. | ||
| Duncan Hurwood Member Username: Duncan_h Post Number: 85 Registered: 05-2005 |
I've seen them live only a few times, always in London. The first was a free record store gig in around 1992, in London. Only a few songs played, but a great occasion. In 1997 (I think) I saw Robert on his own promoting the "Warm Nights" album. My favourite concert was a 1999 re-union show, maybe at the Jazz Cafe. A wonderful concert from beginning to end; I don't think I've ever been to a better one from anybody. I had tickets to Northampton a year or two later, but it was cancelled due to 'Later with Jools Holland'. And finally I saw them at the Barbican for the recording of the 'Live in London' CD. Even though I was there, I much prefer the sound/music/atmosphere on the Tivoli Show DVD/CD to this one. | ||
| allan kingdom Member Username: Allan_kingdom Post Number: 12 Registered: 04-2006 |
I was 17 when I saw them at the Lyceum, London in 1983. I have a live recording of the OJ show, and have heard that recordings exist of the Go-betweens/Marine Girls too. Is it acceptable to talk about Bootlegs on the forum? | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 897 Registered: 01-2005 |
Allan, Not sure, although we have done many tree exchanges via the mailing list. The NYC June of 1999 Joe's Pub show with Grant/Robert and special guest Robert Vickers playing bass would be a great one to tree. That's assuming there is a recording of it! | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 828 Registered: 10-2004 |
There was a guy on here who made copies of an early US Go-Betweens show (in Hoboken, I believe, circa '84) for several people, and he was banned from the msg. board for doing so. I'd approach the subject with caution. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 311 Registered: 04-2005 |
My messages regarding my posting of Robert + Grant solo radio sessions (and giving links) got removed. As to why, I got an answer from Jonathan saying that the record company helped fund the board and would view my activity as illegal. I think that was the gist of it Jonathan? | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1900 Registered: 05-2005 |
Bit tight that isn't it!? Next, we'll have to pay a log on surcharge...hmmmmph. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 279 Registered: 05-2005 |
I've seen the Go betweens numerous times in various guises. A couple were real standouts obviously. I remember seeing them at the Byron Bay Piggery supported by Ups and Downs and Died Pretty - must have been 86/87. Robert was playing up to all the beach girls down the front who were obviously there because nothing else was on - it wasn't your typical Sydney student Go Between crowd. All the bands were apparently heading home (Brisbane) for Christmas from Sydney. Robert was also quite fetching in a green floral dress and lipstick for the R.E.M. gig in Sydney(89). He asked after the first couple of songs, "Do you like my dress?" to a huge roar from the crowd! I think it was the last gig ever of the classic lineup one that I saw them, feet hanging over the balcony, at Selinas. The weather on the drive home nearly killed me - THICK fog and then torrential rain through the fog at 3am. The gig "by Robert and Grant of the Go Betweens" at the Basement had some great new songs that turned up on "Friends..". Grant introduced "He lives my Life" as another fastastic classic from Robert - or words to the effect. The last time I saw them was at the Heritage hotel in Bulli. I (very) drunkenly yelled out for "Delray" - which they played and then Robert thanked me for requesting it after they played it! Magic band. | ||
| Peter Member Username: Peterw Post Number: 16 Registered: 02-2007 |
I first saw them as a high school student (snuck into the club) in '85...without doubt I saw them more then any other band, countless times. They weren't always good, in fact some nights they were awful (especially in the 80s) They weren't the best players ever to form a band. I remember one night at Maroochydore (90mins north of Brisbane) in '87 I think, it was shambolic. Unfinished songs, missed notes, forgotten lyrics, but it was perhaps my fav ever Gobs show. Robert was in his Prince stage, in fact he out dressed Prince that night and for every mistake he'd compensate with a camp one liner or an even camper dance move. It was so over the top this night that the rest of the band couldn't stop laughing all the while Robert with his earnest pout. Hilarious. In effect Bobby's attempt to divert attention from the poor playing made it worse cause the band were in stitches and unable to play. | ||
| Peter Member Username: Peterw Post Number: 17 Registered: 02-2007 |
Geoff that piggery show was in Jan. 1989 all 3 bands were on their way up to Brisbane to play the first Livid Festival. Also their last gig was at Max's Petershem Inn in Sydney | ||
| Bryce Member Username: Rockandrollfriend Post Number: 23 Registered: 07-2005 |
I saw them in Brooklyn, at Southpaw in Park Slope in 2005. I had tried to get tix to the show a night earlier at the Mercury Lounge, but it was sold out. The show was amazing! I think there was something wrong with Robert's boots because he played the whole show in his bare feet. I remember the highlights being "Draining the Pool" and "Boundary Rider." | ||
| Charles Coy Member Username: Coy Post Number: 32 Registered: 10-2006 |
...I have returned to 'Send Me A Lullaby' Sarah Blasko's version of "Hold Your Horses" on the tribute show at the Tivoli in Brisbane, demanded I do so..3 most memorable (out of many)shows for me were at Morticia's Brisbane 1989, The Forum Melbourne 2005 and Hepburn Springs, Daylesford Vic 2005 also, Robert & Grant autographed CD's and Book for me...'Finding You'..my son 17 is now finding them.. | ||
| Ted Member Username: Ted Post Number: 8 Registered: 01-2005 |
Saw Robert and Grant solo a few times over the years, but in terms of GBs gigs my first (and possibly favourite) show was the first time they played at St. Paul's Arts Centre in Oxford, UK. It was 1986 I think. Certainly Liberty Belle was the current LP. I went to the gig on my own (being a relative stranger in town) and I remember walking up the steps of the venue (a converted church) and seeing Steve the bass player from Ride (not sure if he was at the time) who worked in Our Price Records and thinking this must be a relatively hip gig to go to if he's here. It was a warm spring evening (I think) and people were milling around outside. I'm not sure how because at this stage I didn't know who the GBs were but I recall thinking that a bunch of people who were standing around outside just HAD to be the band, because they were so cool. Even the guy in the long sand coloured woollen coat (more of him later). Support band was called Here Comes Everybody, who were making a big thing about the fact that this was their last ever gig. I resented them for this because they were merely the support act and I felt they were trying to steal the show. Little did I know that they were fronted by one of the most gifted songwriters around - Richard Ramage - who would shortly go on to form the unbelievably brilliant Anyways, who should have been the biggest band to break out of the Oxford scene but instead got nowhere. Thinking back, I think HCE may have played at a 'Fun in the Parks' event a short time earlier with the GBs. Certainly the GBs had supported Aztec Camera at Oxford on the 'Knife' tour. Stupidly I had missed both these gigs. So I turned up to see the GBs not knowing what to expect, but with a slight suspicion they were going to sound like Magazine (no idea why!). They didn't have a bass player that night. Robert Vickers got sick and had to go back to London, but they went on with the show, and boy am I glad they did. It was the start of a 20+ year love affair. It possibly wasn't the best gig they ever did. Weird place for a show, acoustics not great, but somehow atmpospheric and it worked. I'm sure the guy in the coat I saw beforehand turned up on stage playing keyboards - could it have been Dean Speedwell? I don't know, but I fell in love with them. Five Words and That Way stuck in my mind, but I can't recall too much else. I think they may have been getting complaints from the hospital next door and had to curtail the set a bit. But that night changed my life. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 920 Registered: 01-2005 |
Did anyone see Robert and Grant at The Fez in NYC in June of 1999 when Robert Vickers picked us his bass and joined them on stage? | ||
| Andreas Severins Member Username: Andreas_severins Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2007 |
Hi Georgina, first of all what I wrote after Grant's sad passing by: ------------------------ Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 01:54 pm: ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- A smile in the night from one ear to the other – it will never shine no more At his moment I am crying - my tears flood... I just read the lines from Tracey Thorn which she wrote about her friendship with Grant and the Go-Bees. It is still impossible for me to believe the truth that Grant is no more alive. Monday afternoon I was looking for something at wikipedia and in a corner of my eye I read the worst news possible… My heart broke and since then a huge part of me has died… The Go-Betweens and their music has been most important to me since the early eighties. The first time I was able to see them in a concert was in Duesseldorf in 1989 when they played with R.E.M. Shortly after that brilliant show was the split of the band. It was unbelievable and so wonderful to me that the reunion took place and three more wonderful records have been released. I nearly took every chance now to see them play live - having even seen them playing Perth on February, 15th 2003 I had the chance talking to the band after the show. Sorry - I have no words for what I feel... All my love to Grant and his family, to Emma and to the band. Grant - you will live on for the rest of my live and a part of me will cry when hearing your songs. Robert, Grant, Adele and Glenn - I loved all the silent moments with you after your concerts and will especially never forget the ZAKK in Duesseldorf when you saw me while you were eating and wiped and smiled when you saw me. Grants silent smile will never be forgotten! Love goes on in the core of a flame Your friend Andreas. -------------------------- It is hardly possible for me to read all this. Througout the years I have seen them so often. I have seen Robert in many of his solo shows in Bochum, Germany. But the last Go-Betweens concerts I have seen were so special. The band knew me quite good and that made it all special. I flew to London to see them at the Barbican and a year further to see them at Shepard’s Bush… There is a very special moment to me from my last visit to australia one year ago. Being sitting in a small cafe in Perth with some new friends I made I heard a moving song. It was Grant on one of his solo records. A song I have never heard before. The owner of the cafe is a huge Go-Bees fan and he gave me the monthly with Robert article on Grant and a 12" vinyl of "was there anything I could do?" as a present to me !! Thanks a lot again, Braydon! (tiger, tiger coffee shop in perth) There are so many things to remember and I am so happy meeting Grant, Robert, Adele and Glenn so often and could talk to them as a friend. I am looking forward to seeing Robert again when he hopefully will tour Europe next year! Georgina, I am almost fifty years old but especially the band helps feeling me much younger  ) Andreas. | ||
| James Member Username: James Post Number: 41 Registered: 05-2005 |
First gig was Grant Mclennan solo (does that count?) - June 1996 Leeds Duchess of York, then 1997.06.07 London, Finsbury Park, The Fleadh 1997.06.09 The Forum, London then Big Day Out - Melbourne 2001 (doesn't appear to be listed in the gigography here but did happen) 2003.04.27 England, Manchester 2003.05.23 Spain, Barcelona, Primavera Festival 2004.06.27 The Barbican, London, England 10 May 2005 Liverpool All of them amazing. Listing them just now gave me a pang I didn't expect to feel | ||
| Richard Martin Member Username: Ems Post Number: 2 Registered: 01-2008 |
I saw one of the Robert Forster & Grant McLennan shows at the Basement in Sydney in the mid-nineties, and then the final show at the Sydney Theatre a few years ago. The Basement one was actually much better to my mind, it had a lovely atmosphere and such a crowd-pleasing setlist - a wonderful introduction to these two great performers live. | ||
| Paul Evans Member Username: Paulse Post Number: 1 Registered: 01-2008 |
Liverpool 1984 then lots of times in the 80s. Last was two nights of the Jazz Cafe stint. | ||
| Guy Ewald Member Username: Guy_ewald Post Number: 205 Registered: 02-2005 |
The first time I saw The Go-Betweens was New Years Eve ’84 at Maxwell’s (show previously mentioned). I was a fan and they delivered. The Maxwell’s crowd really liked them, which was great because they weren’t necessarily the kind of "party" band you’d expect in front of a seriously-inebriated NYE audience. The other bands on the bill that night were The Individuals and Red Buckets; a wonderful, but sadly never-recorded band (who inspired the song "Ballad of Red Buckets" by Yo La Tengo). The Go-B’s set was a great mix of singles and Before Hollywood album tracks as well as material destined (or not) for Spring Hill Fair. I think the next time I saw them was at The Ritz; the classic five-piece lineup touring in support of Tallulah. A great gig with the band at the peak of their powers. The dB’s were the opening act IIRC. And then my wife and I saw the acoustic trio of Robert, Grant and Amanda at the old Knitting Factory on Houston Street on election night ’88… Robert offered his condolences to the crowd when news filtered-in that King George I would be taking the throne. That show took place a week or so before the KCRW acoustic set that graced original copies of Bellavista Terrace, so you can imagine how wonderful it was. It was a great night all around and we hung out drinking for a couple hours afterwards. As we were leaving we saw Robert on the street talking with friends and well-wishers. We hung out for a bit and when we said goodbye he grabbed my beautiful wife around the waist, dipped her over and planted a kiss worthy of Rhett Butler! I was filled with a mix of amusement and jealousy and I am fairly certain that our daughter was conceived an hour or so later… she was born in August of 1989. Immediately following the Go-Betweens breakup Robert and Grant toured together as an opening act for Lloyd Cole. They did a short set focusing on material from their respective solo debuts… it was at the Academy, off Times Square. A good, but somewhat bittersweet performance. If The Go-Betweens played any other shows in NYC back in the 80’s I was unaware of them and missed-out. As solo performers I saw Grant once and Robert a few times including an intimate in-store solo performance at Other Music. When Robert and Grant toured as a duo in 1999 I was lucky enough to attend both sets at Fez. Robert Vickers joined on bass for several songs as did Will Rigby on snare. It was a great night of music… really sweet. I saw their first Rachel Worth reunion gig at the Bowery Ballroom with the German drummer. It was a long Jetset label night during the CMJ Festival with Spoozy’s, Macha Bedhead and Arab Strap on the bill. I remember the new drummer was too high in the mix and seemed a bit heavy-handed, but I’ve heard recordings of the show where he actually sounds pretty good. In any event, the band didn’t think so; when they returned to NYC six weeks later he was gone. I missed their support slot opening for Yo La Tengo at the Bowery, but saw the Robert, Grant and Adele trio at the (new) Knitting Factory a short time later. The band looked haggard and at one point Robert said, “We played in Philadelphia last night. Yes, it was grim.” But the enthusiasm of the crowd invigorated them and the show ended-up being great… inspirational even. The Go-Betweens couldn’t justify a costly trip to the US after Bright Yellow, Bright Orange, but they did a short tour after Ocean’s Apart and we went to both the Mercury Lounge and Southpaw gigs. Fantastic shows both. My wife talked to Robert after the show at Southpaw (no mention of his Hollywood-worthy smoocheroo back in ‘88). He told her he was nervous about a flight they were taking the next day in a small plane and she gave him a talisman for good luck… a Buddha I believe, and that really cheered him up. I wish she’d given one to Grant too. So I was lucky… I got to see them many times and they're wonderful memories. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1022 Registered: 01-2005 |
Guy, Do you have the Fez sets on cd-r? | ||
| Guy Ewald Member Username: Guy_ewald Post Number: 208 Registered: 02-2005 |
No, although I've heard discussion of a video being circulated... maybe it was a low-res document available for view on the club's website (back when the club still existed). There have been some wonderful recordings from that 1999 tour posted on Dimeadozen, but it would really be special to have a recording with Robert Vickers joining in. I remember that Grant looked especially pleased to have a rhythm section on stage... he was just glowing after the first song as a quartet. Of course, he expected Vickers to know the songs and was happy to play with his old friend, but he seemed surprised that Will Rigby could contribute so much on snare with a pair of brushes. The opening act at Fez was Tim Keegan & Departure Lounge. Grant said some really nice things about them from the stage and recommended the audience buy their CD at the merchandise table. I have to say, "Out of Here" has been one of my favorite albums of the past eight years and I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone here on the board. | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 134 Registered: 05-2005 |
Guy wrote: "I've heard discussion of a video being circulated... maybe it was a low-res". There was an online video stream of the Fez show up on the beggars banquet site for a while but I think it's long gone now. It was amateurish but worth looking at nonetheless. | ||
| steve haddan Member Username: Steve_haddan Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2006 |
Playing Live? Well I remember visiting Grant's famous weatherboard share home at Golding Street, Toowong, (it was soooo Brisbane but has since been replaced by a block of rather dull home units)in mid 1977 (where the band was born) for one of our regular "parties" and seeing Rob and Grant strumming away on the living room couch. It really was party central the famous Golding Street. I won't go into more detail than is necessary, but picture the end of the seventies, a rather sparse wooden walls and floors setting, with Grant's movie posters adorning the walls, among them "Last Tango in Paris", "The Conversation", "The Last Waltz" "La Grande Bouffe" etc and lots of undergrad fun and debauchery!!!. Grant lived here with (they'd become) his lifelong friends from his college days at Queensland University medical students Andrew Wilson and Karen Byatt (who later married, my fellow arts student York McFadzean and his girlfriend Tricia (they married too) as did Ian Lilley (now an anthropology professor) and his girlfriend Kathy. All, like Grant, were particularly gifted in their fields, the loveliest people, and most importantly the best company you could imagine. Exciting company indeed. We all got together occasionally when Grant would stop by in Brisbane and had a big reunion at Grant's wake at the Powerhouse. Rob at the time was teaching Grant how to play the guitar and I learned that they were putting together a band. Subsequently on occasion they would play here for their friends at their home. In especially remember :"Lee Remick" which was the first song they recorded with "People Say". I think I have my facts right there. They then graduated to what I recall as their first live gig one of which was played before about a dozen or so friends at the infamous Caxton Street Hall with their first female drummer, who's name for now escapes me. This was the very first incarnation of the Go Betweens I ever saw live and was defintely in 1977. The next time I saw them play live was at the Mansfield Tavern in 1989, Rob, Grant, Lindy, John, Amanda and Robert. Grant then was still going out with Amanda but Rob and Lindy weren't. | ||
| David Gagen Member Username: David_g Post Number: 139 Registered: 02-2007 |
Steve, good to hear from you. Just before the Schonell Theatre closed, last year or late the year before, they played Striped Sunlight DVD from their Tivoli show and various assorted film clips of GBs, as Grant worked there in the 70's. The Schonell had been such an important place for us in the late 70's at Uni of QLD. To commerorate its closing as a cinema and the sad passing of Grant, they decided to play the concert film and various Rock Arena, and other TV live GBs songs from early on. I thought there would be more people there than turned up, mayb only 50 or so if I remember correctly. Anyway, before the film started, a lady walked on stage and told us her connection to the GB story. She had worked at the theatre from day 1 in the 70's, apparently had given Grant his first job there, and told us about the early days in Toowong where Robert n Grant would practice at parties etc. Then she pulled out an old T shirt (I think) with the leters GOBETWEENS sowed on to it. She had made it for Robert (I think) on the very first day they had named the band. Anyway she still had it and I'll never forget the affection and love she had in her voice for those times and friends. | ||
| Jorge Teixeira Member Username: The_clarke_brother Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2006 |
Hi everyone, greetings from Portugal! I'm 41 years old and I was fortunate enough to see The Go-Betweens in Oporto, my hometown, in May the 24th, 1989 (please don't congratulate me on my memory, I had to check the "gigography" part of this rather fine site to remember . By the way, Mr. Webmaster, if you're reading this, the venue is wrong, it's NOT Teatro Riverla, but Teatro Vale Formoso - wich means "Beautiful Valley" in portuguese: can you think of a better suited name for a venue housing a Go-Betweens gig?). Well I digress, back on topic... back then I was already a huge fan of Grant & Rob, ever since I first heard "Bachelor kisses" on the radio, back in 1983. But after the gig, The Go-B's became one of my top-3 favorite bands (the other two? New Order and Echo & The Bunnymen, if you really want to know). Let me tell you, it was the BEST gig I had ever seen, and it hasn't been surpassed since. You see, Lindy had broken her arm (or her wrist, I can't remember) on the night before, at their gig in Lisbon. Any other band, of course, would politely apologise and head back home to heal their wounded coleague (and some wouldn't ever bother to apologise!)... but not our guys, oh no! They insisted on playing the gig, with Robert explaining at the beginning what had happened (there was no Internet back then, so nobody knew!) and humblingly apologising for any mistakes that might occur... as they had no time to reharse this all-new "no drummer" line up! To cut a long story short, they blewed everyone's mind, playing a storming set with Robert on the tambourine! Thank YOU for one of the best nights of my life, then! Cheers, Grant, wherever you are... | ||
| Ian Darby Member Username: Jan Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2006 |
I saw them for the first time at the University of Melbourne in 1983 - I remember it well because I popped my head in the door to see who was playing at a Student Union night - and then spent the next 10 minutes trying to convince rather dopey friends to stay with me (the first of many failed Go-Betweens conversions). They were playing Cattle and Cane when I looked in. A year or so later I saw them in Sydney in the outer Western suburbs and in Melbourne. Then I lived overseas in Paris and Geneva and never saw them there - though Swiss FM radio - the closest station to something cool did play them a bit. Then saw Grant play solo twice and the reunion gigs as an acoustic duo. So I guess I was 23 when I first saw them. I still carry the last ticket stub in my wallet - 15 July 2005, The Forum, Melbourne - an almost identical performance to the one on That Striped Sunlight Sound. | ||
| Kindling Wood Unregistered guest |
I saw them in Dublin June 24th 1989 - REM were supporting them The standout song for me was The Clarke Sisters, a superb rendition, but the whole gig was great. I think most in the crowd that night would have known little or nothing about them, but the feeling talking to the unconverted that night was that they were blown away by the set. REM just didn't touch them that night. I saw them again in June 1997 in Whelan's Dublin,this time I was much closer to the stage, and got the full GB experience,really super stuff. The final time was the Vicar St gigs, when was that? 1999 I think,must check the gig dates, I was ill with a virus but I still went,and ended up nearly fainting at the end,but I saw it through and glad I did. I don't know of anyone who saw the Trinity gig in Dublin around 1986,but it was as a result of the Dave Fanning interview with Grant that week that got me hooked, The Wrong Road was the song that did it. | ||
| Charles Coy Member Username: Coy Post Number: 91 Registered: 10-2006 |
..for me Summer 1989 Morticia's, Brisbane, again in July 1996 The Continental, Prahran Melbourne,2005 The Forum Melbourne City. These gigs, amongst many are the standouts, mainly I guess I got to share an hour or so in the band room and bars afterwards. I treasure those times, as I did with RF's recent gigs in Melbourne. That Way from BH, got me started. | ||
| Michael McKeown Unregistered guest |
At The Riverside in Newcastle upon Tyne in late '88 when I was a student there...then hitched to Manchester to catch them in December of that year (I think)...next was Dublin supporting REM at the RDS in '89...then a long gap to the Ambassador gig in Dublin again in April '03 (my favourite gig, it was soooo good to see them back and enjoying it so much)...spoke to Robert after this gig, he promised a Belfast gig someday, never to be...final time was Vicar Street Dublin in June '04. Some wonderful memories. | ||
| jay Unregistered guest |
the first time i saw them was in the grounds of trinity college in 1985. they used to run lunchtime gigs for charity in the run up to the trinity ball. they played for an hour and i am a fanatic ever since. next time was them supporting REM in the RDS in 89. great show. then after that it was : mean fiddler 4 june 97 vicar st 4 june 99 as forster/mclennan olympia theatre 26 october 2000 ambassador theatre 26 april 2003 vicar st 26 june 2004 also saw robert in the mean fiddler in 97 and 98 (i think they were the years) | ||
| raymond coyle Member Username: Dogbottomley Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2006 |
i saw the go betweens @ the Q.M. uni in glasgow back in the 80's (i'M 45 now) i was in a band @ the time,& after seeing grant &robert work their craft i left that gig buzzing on the vibe that hit me, & it's never left,the go betweens kicked arse.i never missed a glasgow show after that,mann they rAWked. | ||
| Adam Sanderson Member Username: Adam_sanderson Post Number: 11 Registered: 09-2005 |
I first saw the GB's in 82, (I think?), supporting the Birthday Party upstairs at the Clarendon Hotel, Hammersmith. I saw them later on, (it may have been the same year), at the Rock Garden. The next time I remember seeing them was at the ULU supporting the Joboxers. I saw them a few more times that year, I recall going to the Lyceum to see them support Orange Juice. I think I saw them support Aztec Camera sometime around this period. By this time, the likes of Aztec Camera, Edwyn Collins and other early 80's London based band types were regulars at GB's gigs. We would often meet the GB's at other band's gigs, they really liked going out, but were usually broke, so were usually seen at gigs where they could get on the guest list. I can't remember how many times I saw the GB's, it must be around 15 - 20, at a rough guess? I also saw several solo gigs, including Robert's Bay 63 gig mentioned earlier. | ||
| duckdogtwo Unregistered guest |
Late 1978 at the Queens Hotel in Brisbane. Supporting The Radiators!! I'm pretty sure. Tim Mustapha playing drums. I was underage and the week previously had seen The Sports there after being impressed by their Graham Parker And The Rumour support a few days earlier. Saw them many times after this when I moved to Sydney in 1980. Last saw them at the Tivoli in Brsbane in 2005. Went to the in-store at Rocking Horse but couldn't get downstairs as it was too crowded. | ||
| mojolicious Unregistered guest |
Late 1978 at the Queens Hotel in Brisbane We have a winner! I recall going to the Lyceum to see them support Orange Juice. Snap. Superb gig, great venue, fantastic memories. Clint Ruin (aka Jim Thirlwell, aka Foetus) was also there with his sax. 31 March 83, apparently (which makes sense - the single 'Rip It Up' was released in February and it was pretty much at its chart peak): http://www.go-betweens.org.uk/gb/reviews /gb830331.htm My only other gig was Shepherds Bush in 2000. They'd come back better than anyone dared dream, and it was incredibly emotional. I don't think I've ever seen so many teary 30-something (and upwards) men... | ||
| paul Member Username: Flvnow Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2009 |
Can't really recall who was play the drums, but I did see their first gigs at The Curry Shop, usually playing to 10 people. Lissa Ross & David (Dave) Tyrer in sure shared a house at some stage 1978ish. I'm sure I saw Lissa play, the GBs weren't that interesting then. | ||
| Richard67 Member Username: Richard67 Post Number: 20 Registered: 04-2004 |
First GB's show was May 89 at The Riverside in Newcastle. Looking back, 89 was THE year for gigs and this show was right up there. Either side of this gig I was lucky enough to see The Triffids, REM, The Stone Roses, The House Of Love, The La's, Pixies and a good few more. Fave GB's gig was at The Forum in 97 in London where they played what could be described as a 'greatest hits' (sort of!) set. Just loved that show. Knew we were on a winner that night when they opened with 'To Reach Me'. Bingo! Another great memory of this gig was the drummer, whose name escapes me? Smoked all night, don't think his mouth was without a tab for the entire set! He just oozed rock 'n' roll! | ||
| Guy Ewald Member Username: Guy_ewald Post Number: 224 Registered: 02-2005 |
Michael Bachman wrote: "Guy, Do you have the Fez sets on cd-r?" A recording of the first set was posted on Dimeadozen a couple months ago. The fidelity isn't up to the quality of the Munich Radio Broadcast or the Geislingen show from a few weeks earlier in Germany, but it's quite listenable. |