Mad About Music - Carbon/Silicon
Rob Jones says punk legends Mick Jones and Tony James can show today's young pretenders a thing or two after seeing their latest band at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff.
The pedigree of the nucleus of Carbon/Silicon goes without question.
The combination of the talents of Mick Jones (The Clash, Big Audio Dynamite and now the celebrated producer of the brace of Libertines albums) and Tony James (Generation X and Sigue Sigue Sputnik) is a mouth watering concept.
Therefore, a collection of Jones/James fans from 1976 onwards gathered at Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, to witness the current incarnation of the dynamic duo.
As there are only download options available as regards the music of the lads on their website questions were raised as to what would be the sonic style on offer!
Many of the audience were sampling the catalogue of Carbon/Silicon for the first time - so would it be punk, sci-fi, dub, hip hop, sample heavy, or just a good old fashioned, high energy rock show?
Well, the answer is that Carbon/Silicon - described as The Rolling Stones with a laptop - are a band who proffer proficiency and exude entertainment!
The four piece line up strayed away from the many requests to repeat the repertoires of those halcyon yesterdays.
Jones made a heartfelt speech confirming that it is now time to move on, and not live in the past.
He has moved with ease from The Clash to Big Audio Dynamite, and now he wishes to embark upon a new adventure.
The enjoyment of the jam on stage was a real buzz, and this good vibe veered in to the appreciative audience.
I had the pleasure of speaking to Super Furry Animals vocalist, Gruff Rhys, (who I must say was a real gent).
Gruff knows all about the art of audience arousal, and he noted that the enthusiasm permeating from the performance was a real treasure to witness.
There is a line on The Libertines album track The Ha Ha Wall which states "It's been a long war - we're tired and dirty" - well, who could be more tired and dirty in the take-no-prisoners, rock'n'roll war than our Mick and Tony!
Nonetheless, the energy and exuberance of Carbon/Silicon was both fresh and uplifting, which belies the media fixation with age.
If you have the skills to pay the bills, then why should it matter how many birthdays you have recorded.
These new wave icons are survivors, and Jones made light of the veteran theory by claiming he wrote one tune in 1948, which was followed by a tongue in cheek combing of his diminishing hair.
The permanent, beaming smiles and genuine joy in their ability to play music in a live format was a welcome change to the dour, dreary desperation of many of the aural heroes of the contemporary world.
The bouncing, buoyant, blues beats (in the vein of early B.A.D. compositions, with Medicine Show springing to mind) kept the punters on their toes.
The hour plus show bonded fans with their idols as Jones took a camcorder from the crowd, and filmed the proceedings alongside and before him.
Another member of the public joined the boys for a photograph, and Mick and Tony obligingly posed and played on with aplomb.
If ever there was a case that the artist appreciates the audience, as much as the reverse scenario, then Carbon/Silicon step forward (and, Mani of Primal Scream take note!)
No pretence, no frills, no gimmicks, no nonsense, ladies and gentlemen this is Carbon/Silicon calling, and you need to listen!
Rob Jones - October 2004
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