THE NOMADS
Support: The X-Rays

The Garage, London
Saturday, November 3

KKKKK

Scandinavian garage rock legends make rare UK assault.

The seductive sound of over-cranked Swede rock mayhem
has become almost obiquitous of late with entire battalions
of marauding, modern-day Vikings with an artistic affinity for
the sounds of Detroit '69 and New York '76 emerging from
Scandinavia in recent years. But the true progrenitors of this
swashbuckling scene have capitalised on their virtually
legendary status by actually deigning to bring their notorious
live noise Brit-wards. But tonight to celebrate their 20th year
in existance; Stockholm's Nomads - indubitably one of the
greatest rock’n’roll bands on the planet - are here to prove
that the original article remains way better then the rest.
    First, though, we've irrefutable proof that post-punk sleaze and
swagger is not the exclusive preserve of the Swedes. The home-
grown X-Rays deal in high-octane, rapid-fire, sonic skulduggery
reminiscent of the classic Stooges on a particularly tooth-
grinding brand of industrial-strength amphetamines,
and as such, they're above criticism.
    As whisker-chopped guitar assailant Hans Östlund casually ignites
the crackling ozone with the opening riff to 'Can't keep a bad man
down', the inexplicably sparse crowd press forward to witness the
full force of The Nomads' unique evocation of The saints,
Dead Boys and Dolls. Oh sure, they're all at it meatball side, but
none with the same self-assured, instinctive power of The Nomads.
This is no mere Stooges/MC5 pastiche; this is pure, unadulterated
passion, inflamed by an unquenchable desire to rock like crack-
crazed hyenas at a cockfight. And it's absolutely, unequivocally
brilliant.
    The Nomads not only live up to their legend, they surpass it.

                                                                        IAN FORTNAM