words: Paulo Carmona (edited by Raquel Pinheiro); photos: Marcos Leal
The dark, rainy night seemed to have been ordered on purpose for the recital of strong emotions and deep feelings that would adorn room Sala Dois of Hard Club.
And who better than an experience, talented and, above all, theatrical musician to deliver.
Gavin Friday was thar man. Coming from the late 70s the post-punk, founding member of the legendary Virgin Prunes – pioneer band that inspired many alternative music projects – Gavin presented Ecce Homo, his most recent solo work.
Ecce Homo is impregnated with love, longing, loss, lamentations, anguish and strong experiences. An ellipse of throbbing emotions.
However, despite this lyrical density, the musicality is exciting. Curious!
Electro rock’n’roll, with many hints of liturgical music and traces of industrial experimentalism, delivered with very different dynamics. Be it powerful and melodic rises, or accentuated descents, at times abrupt, at times contemplative. It makes your skin crawl several times, and forces to you to stretch your neck and close your eyes to feel all of its refined and majestic enchantment.
It was a magnificent performance, in which songs from Ecce Homo predominating, such as: Lovesubzero, Ecce Homo and Lamento, an intense song, in which he recalls the loss of his mother. Virgin Prunes songs like such Sandpaper Lullaby and Caucasian Walk were also played.
I left there thinking that the bar was too high for this year. What next?…
Mondo Bizarre Magazine 