2001, November 14th
London, UK - The Astoria
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Butch Vig might be out of action with a nasty bout of food poisoning but Shirley Manson more than makes up for it with a simply astonishing show of
force and real-life androgyny; the Tank Girl revival starts here
"We found this during the soundcheck and had all sorts of fun with it,"
laughs Shirley Manson, catching her breath whilst a huge sign flashes the word "GAY" behind her. Part of the venue's infamous Saturday pop night, the
sign is surprisingly apt for tonight's show. Trussed up in bovver boots and braces with a white trash bottle blonde crop, the usually feisty yet
feminine Manson looks splendidly asexual. "Does it make all the men here
uncomfortable?" she taunts, gesturing towards the sign again. "You've all gone very quiet on me."
Stomping around the stage like a naughty child provoking elder relatives, Shirley puts up her dukes from the start. Opener 'Push It' is soon beaten
into submission, whilst poison replaces meek disillusionment in 'Special'. A punchy 'Breaking The Girl' and the delicious go-go pop of forthcoming single
'Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go)' allow her to berate feeble women and the weaker men who fall for them whilst she stands untouchable.
The aggression continues with a menacing 'Vow' and whiplashed 'Supervixen'. Bassist Daniel Shulman and drummer, Matt Chamberlain are slapped into line,
whilst absent drummer Butch Vig is ribbed for insisting he would join the tour despite being hospitalised with hepatitis ("What are men like?!"). Not
even Shirley's former band, Goodbye Mr Mackenzie, are exempt; she dedicates
the venomous 'Not My Idea' to their failings.
The show becomes truly fascinating when Manson turns on herself, as publicly-aired self-loathing translates into performance. 'Shut Your Mouth' sees Shirley succumb to her demons, hamming it up from high parody to
Mockney wideboy, switching from victim to villain until she's left exhausted. Her fury subsides with 'Milk', sounding more delicious and
grandiose than ever, whilst 'Drive You Home' is effortlessly endearing. Encore 'Number 1 Crush', an obscure b-side, sees Shirley lovesick and
tormented until closer 'Only Happy When It Rains' washes the blues away and leaves the audience ecstatic.
With a set largely consisting of revamped classics and a revitalised sense of righteous indignation in their singer, Garbage have finally realised
their true potential. There's fun to be had with angst and, as tonight proves in no uncertain terms, it makes for a tremendous display of onstage
therapy.
(XFM)
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