3. Scratch AcidThe Greatest Gift

I heard Jesus Lizard before I had Scratch Acid to be honest, but I would put Scratch Acid over them personally because I think they represent a bigger world of sound.

I think Jon Free (Penthouse, Gin Palace) introduced me to them, and Nick Cave and the Birthday Party, and I couldn’t believe how much Scratch Acid sounded like the Birthday Party. I still preferred Scratch Acid to them even, I think because of David Yow and the drumming.

They remind me at times of PiL, combining beautiful melodies with really disgusting guitar sounds and heavy drums.

The Greatest Gift excited me as it was like listening to a new sort of energy, it sounded so much angrier than anything I had heard and I think that is what separated them from the English bands I was listening to. They are really good musicians as well, but without being fiddly, it was intricate but also powerful.