I was slightly disappointed upon my arrival at Manchester University’s most intimate gig space to discover that there was no support band booked for the long-awaited return of one of the late eighties’most significant bands.
Instead, we were treated to a reggae compilation or two, culminating bizarrely in the HOUSE OF LOVE taking to the stage to the strains of Chaka Demus and Pliers' ‘Tease Me.' Was this an ironic comment on a great band’s unrealised potential or just lazy programming by entertainments staff?
Lyricist Guy Chadwick and indie axe hero Terry Bickers appeared grateful and somewhat surprised by the level of interest (bordering on devotion in some quarters of the venue) in a band that burned so brightly for a couple of years so long ago, before a protracted and painful spluttering out.
Appropriately for the first major post-Smiths British band, Johnny Marr was spotted at the bar. A loud mouth Bickers devotee quipped that Marr was there to pick up a few tips from the greater player. Whilst this was obviously the ranting of a madman, Bickers is undeniably a great guitarist. He does, however, tend towards the noodling end of things, one of the reasons sited for Chadwick and Bickers acrimonious split. They have obviously reached an accommodation regarding fret-wankery, which, whilst no doubt good for their relationship, resulted in some rather boring late-Floyd style protracted work outs.
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This is a minor criticism, however, because when The House of Love are good they are very, very good. In their prime, Chadwick and Bickers produced a handful of the finest songs about love, loss and (lack of) faith ever written, and we are treated to them all tonight. ‘Christine’ is greeted ecstatically by a predominantly 30-something crowd for whom it has deepened in significance over almost 20 years.
They end the night with an immaculate rendition of their greatest number. ‘Shine on’ still sounds astonishing – earnest, urgent and beautiful – all the more so considering that The House of Love were always the band least likely to reform. And then they were gone, but hopefully it won’t be another decade before we encounter Chadwick and Bickers united in harmony once again.
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