My dialogue is fucked” he drones, “I can’t string a sentencrrrr…..”. Welcome to the wonderful and frightening world of Mark E Smith. Doing the rounds promoting latest album Re-Mit at Fibbers, York, notorious post-punk outfit The Fall are pretty difficult to judge by normal standards: If any other band did what they do there’d be hell to pay- but then again, nobody does. Nobody can.
A notoriously volatile and grumpy performer, Smith delivers a typically ramshackle but surprisingly good spirited performance. All the quirks are out in force, of course: idly twiddling knobs on amps, confiscating the mic from keyboardist (and wife) Elana, frequently leaving the stage for long stretches and, bizarrely returning to duet with a random guy from the audience.
It makes for a compelling performance, but what’s most surprising is the consistent smile on his face, sharing a laugh or two with the crowd and on more than one occasion standing back to bask as they chant his words back at him. Coupled with a tight and powerful back line, what we have here is a treat of a show.
Although he never actually mentions the new album, new single ‘Sir William Wray’ is given an airing along with a pick’n’mix of Fall perennials.
But the real treat is saved for the climax, returning to the stage for two encores with a surprising rendition of classic ‘Mr Pharmacist’ before a teeth shaking finale of the storming ‘Blindness’ brings the place down. Stirring stuff.
It’s hard to imagine anyone left the gig not smiling, least of all Mr Smith.