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History, it's often been remarked, has a nasty habit of being written by the winners. It's easy to forget that 12 years ago or so Carter USM were arguably the biggest band in Britain, regularly outscoring the likes of Nirvana and Pearl Jam in terms of chart success. Yet, one change of musical climate later and they've largely been ignored ever since.
This is unfair as Carter were undeniably a vital part of the early '90s punk/pop scene, rousing the kids into a righteous fury against the then-Tory government with a series of devastatingly catchy tunes. Tonight, their lead singer JimBob is on the road promoting his book and hopefully at least some sense of balance will be redressed.
First though, two support acts both of whom deserve a mention in their own right. Chris Catalyst is of course better known as Robochrist to the metal fraternity round Leeds and it's a bit strange seeing him up onstage with just an acoustic guitar for company. Credit to the bloke though he turns in a more than competent set featuring a guest appearance by Dead Pets frontman Sweeney and culminating in an audience singalong to his unplugged version of A-Ha's "Take On Me".
It's also good to see the seriously under-rated Chris T-T back in Leeds as well and he looks like he's having the time of his life bouncing around the stage to the cheerfully nasty likes of "Eminem Is Gay" and "Seven Hearts". However, the dark pathos of "Tomorrow Morning" ("If you have to shoot the animals around you/Then you might as well start with me") proves he can do downbeat laments as well as anyone else while the rising anger of set closer "Cull" is that most rare of things, a war protest song that actually makes its point well without descending into cliche.
It's Jim Bob that the kids (well okay the twentysomethings) are here to see tonight though and his set is a mixture of his solo stuff (the likes of "Victim" and "Angel Strike" prove that the man can still pen a very observant tune) and old Carter standards like "A Prince In A Pauper's Grave" and "The Only Living Boy In New Cross" while reading some extracts from the book (the biggest cheer inevitably coming for the story about the still-legendary Smash Hits Poll Winners' Party incident). It's not only a timely reminder that one of the most unjustly forgotten men of the last fifteen years of the music scene has still got it but he also comes across as a genuinely affable bloke who you can just imagine having a good quiet pint and a chat with down your local.
All in all, an evening well spent.
Review and pics by Andy James
