Meat Puppets
Meat Puppets are the sort of band you really should see. Beloved by many other bands, most notably Nirvana who had them as support for their magical Unplugged show. Going since the 80’s with only a brief hiatus for, you know, life stuff, Meat Puppets are absolute legends in musical history, but often legends don’t live up to their name when playing live. Not in this case though.
Meat Puppets are a hairy band these days, with long white beards and long hair aplenty. They start their hour and a half set with a few dainty plonks on the keyboard sounding like See Emily Play, followed by some filthy feedback, and in a way this was the perfect overture for what was to come. First song proper was the footstomper Comin’ Down, perfectly balanced thrashingly drunk drums pounding away against blissful harmonies. An amazing guitar solo rushes us along to the end. This is already a memorable experience, watching an experienced band play without arrogance or assumption, but with confidence and joy, even after all these year. Meat Puppets are a down home act, a mix between the romp and stomp of ZZ Top (one of the band’s favourite acts) and sound walls and wails straight out of Pink Floyd or My Bloody Valentine. Oh, of course there’s also the tender vocal harmonies and tunes from the world of folk and country, especially the Californian 60’s gang. It shouldn’t all work together, but it really does. Oh Me has a powerful wrenching middle section and a grandiose finale. Other songs are dark grunge sludge which makes me think of Kurt Vile’s material, whirlpools of sound reminiscent of the very best psych, and Up On The Sun develops into a huge, warm psychedelic jam session lasting about 10 minutes that builds to an orgasmic end and leaves us all melting into the floor and cheering. Lake Of Fire is brutal and angry with a keening guitar solo, and the evening ends with Breakwater, their biggest hit and a lovely indie singalong song it is. Meat Puppets were always going to be worth seeing, but I didn’t know how worthwhile until I did. Legends, proper legends.
More Live Reviews
Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
There was very little messing about, charging through song after song, so that when the band departed after an hour, having knocked seven bells out of the drumkit, it felt like only half that time had passed.
Offbeat Collective
Offbeat Collective
Eight members, eight different instruments, one cosy pub and the distinct and addictive sound of reggae and soul.
Dream Nails
Dream Nails
Whilst Dream Nails may be self-proclaimed musical witches, their love for their audience is clear to see.
Absolute Bowie
Absolute Bowie
My only disappointment – he didn't do The Laughing Gnome, or Little Fat Man.
Sinkhole
Sinkhole
Norwich’s next big thing has arrived, once and for all…
Mogwai
Mogwai
I entered the LCR ready and willing to worship at the altar of their magnificence. Sadly, it didn't quite work out that way. At times this felt less about composition and more akin to ritual.
More by Lizz Page
The The
The The
I feel like it was a once in a lifetime experience on a hot TheThersday night. 10/10 Lizz
Slowdive
Slowdive
Got a big jumper? Hairdo that hangs over your eyes? Groove like you’re being made to dance with your grandma at a wedding? Well then you probably enjoy Slowdive
Outline Magazine - Running A Magazine During A Pandemic Age
Outline Magazine - Running A Magazine During A Pandemic Age
Support your local independent businesses! Norwich is so fortunate to have so many such businesses, and now is the time to spend your pennies with them, not the chains.
Outline’s Best Of 2020
Outline’s Best Of 2020
Kate Rusby
Kate Rusby
Matthew Bourne's New Adventures: Romeo & Juliet
Matthew Bourne's New Adventures: Romeo & Juliet
Related Articles
Kezia Gill
Kezia Gill
From Las Vegas to Benidorm in just over 90 minutes – how many other gigs take you on a journey like that?
Kaiser Chiefs
Kaiser Chiefs
As Everyday is followed by I predict a Riot, Modern Way and Na Na Na Na Naa, it's a shocker to be reminded that noughties post-Britpop happened a long time ago.
Chloe Foy
Chloe Foy
Her voice reminds me of Lucy Rose, and her honesty and bravery in delivering the new songs in particular was both endearing and moving.
ASH & BAG OF CANS
ASH & BAG OF CANS
Nostalgia be damned, Ash are as relevant now as they have ever been.
MOUNTAIN PEAKS - WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN (I COULD HAVE BEEN MORE)
MOUNTAIN PEAKS - WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN (I COULD HAVE BEEN MORE)
Pavlis has to apologise for a long delayed review of a scorcher of an EP.
ADULT DVD & SILVERWINGKILLER
ADULT DVD & SILVERWINGKILLER
The hottest ticket at Wild Paths 2025 - which Pavlis missed - come back to Norwich. Was it worth the wait? Hell yeah.