Bauhaus

Seeing Bauhaus live is essentially like going to an intense theatrical production. The band embodies extreme and experimental artistic expression. They project influences ranging from 1920s german art, glam rock, gothic poetry and horror films. Anything seems to be fair game for their music and live shows.
At times the band seems more like performing artists than musicians. During the time of their formation none of the members were experienced musicians. Daniel Ash did not play the typical chord progressions heard throughout rock music, but rather created ungodly noises and bizarre atmospheric tones from his guitar. Peter Murphy though endowed with one of the most distinctive voices in punk history was not a well versed singer. He first assumed the position of frontman not by showcasing vocal harmonizations, but by reading articles from the newspaper. The groups lack of musical preconceptions might be one reason why Bauhaus sounded like no one else. They stripped themselves from the conventions of the tried genre of rock n' roll and directed their music towards new expressions and experiences.
Their concerts are not just about the music, though this is the central focus. They encapsulate all the senses. There music is so raw and primal you can almost feel it pumping through your body. The blasting bass pulse on "Double Dare" hits right in the stomach, and the drum breakdown directly proceeding the intro shakes the body from the inside out. Peter Murphy's screaming chants are enough to give a person shell shock. There is so much intensity in that song that it seems like the roof is going to blow right off the venue.
Though Bauhaus is very much a cult band and have a comparatively niche audience, those who do profess to be fans are some of the most dedicated group of people I have ever seen. This of course makes the concert a 100 times as fun. At one of their shows you will likely be in a sea of people covered from head to toe in black. Some of the audience may even be wearing gothic style make up. The band is also dressed for the occasion. They can often be spotted in dark sunglasses and pitch black suits. At some of the shows Daniel Ash even wears a top hat and a flamboyant sequent scarf.
Bauhaus might also be the only show where you can see the lead singer hanging upside down from the ceiling like a bat (as Peter Murphy did during the performance of Bela Lugosi's Dead). The music sounds as good as it does on the record (in fact probably even better). This is a performance that no recording can substitute for or no review can do justice. You have to see it to believe it.

Saw them at the Carling Academy in Birmingham a number of years back. They were truly awesome as any real fan would agree. Despite the years apart, they were real tight and with their rendition of Joy Div's 'Transmission' which was broken by the encore, note perfect was brilliant. I must admit it is probably the only time that I ever felt a true connection with a band at a gig before. Ironically, I saw Peter Murphy at Rebellion a couple of years later he knelt forward and punched my clenched fist almost as if he remembered seeing me at that gig in Birmingham which though highly unlikely, made my day.

This was a fantastic show. Peter Murphy defies logic and explanation! What a performer! He's like a vaudevillian Dracula, exuding power and mystic. His voice is still huge and on pitch. He was simply mesmerizing.

And the band was so tight they seemed to add dynamics to songs that weren't necessarily there on the recording of In The Flat Field itself. Stigmata was epic, with highs and lows that I hadn't heard before (and I don't even like that song very much, lol).

Thank you David J and Peter Murphy! Incredible! Please tour again!