Back in 1984 I first heard the 'Chain' on 'John Peel's radio show'. It was just prior to the 'Psychocandy'album release. I had no idea what they looked like, or what country they came from. John Peel may have said somethingalong the lines of ....blah...from East Kilbride...blah...brothers William and Jim Reid.
Now this did'nt mean Jack S**t to me, but it was the tinny 'white noize' feedback driven guitars that whipped me up. It reminded me of 'European Son' by the Velvet Underground! I didn't know at the time, but they were an early influence on the fledgeling Jesus and Mary Chain.
I really liked the sound of the J.A.M.C. and made a mental note to investigate further. A month passed and then B..I..N..G..O.!! the Chain were going to perform on 'the Tube'a friday night 'yoof TV' show put on by Tyne Tees TV in Newcastle.(Hosted by the late Paula Yates with Jools Holland). The line up that night was, if I remember it rightly, Goodbye Mr McKenzie (featuring a very young Shirley Manson-now Garbage fame),J.A.M.C. and 'topping' the bill Paul Young (wherever I lay my hat etc.)
The Chain were the least well known so were on first, WOW...they were awesome.They stumbled onto this very small TV stage-Marshall stax behind them, Jim first, then Will, and finally a youthful Bobby Gillespie complete with 'pudding bowl' hair...fringe in his eyes. Paula Yates said 'ladies and gentlemen, from Scotland the 'Jesus and Mary Chain' Yeah...cue polite applause. I don't think that audience were ready for what they were about to receive!!
BAM- the opening chords of 'Taste the Floor' the front row of tightly packed in kids started a kind of 'mosh'.
I hope someone out there saw this performance because J.A.M.C.rocked 'big time'. All black leather, stick thin bodies and rayban shades. I was 30 at the time, but felt like a teenager again - excited, turned on, captivated! They sounded like a new MC5 or early Stooges/Velveta all rolled into one. They played for about 7 minutes. I think the did 1. Taste the Floor. 2. Psychocandy. 3. In a Hole. The mists of time have dulled a bit here and there but what I remember most is as the last wail of feedback continued they trooped off and Jim crushed a beercan underfoot and dropped his guitar to the floor.
My OBSESSION had begun...it continues to this day!! Never before or since have I heard or seen anything to compare with J.A.M.C. first appearance on 'the Tube' tv show. I mourn the bands passing but know that their place in my 'Hall of Infamy' will always be secure.
