Despite the vast number of gigs this weekend, this was the one I simply had to go to. Sex Gang Children were odd and avant-garde even by Goth standards as they emerged in the early 80’s, sticking out due to their eccentric lyrical output, extreme twitchy energy and distinct vocal clarion call from frontman Andi Sex Gang. I discovered them via first vinyl album ‘Song and Legend’ and compilation ‘Beasts’ back in 83 and never looked back, similarly fascinated by them, oddballs Bauhaus and the electronic bludgeon of Alien Sex Fiend. Unlike the others however it has taken me almost four decades to actually see them live but finally, albeit delayed for a couple more years courtesy of you know what, the time is finally here.

Red lighting and dry ice illuminate the venue as a healthy audience begin to gather for this somewhat early start. We are regaled by familiar anthems played by DJ Professor Patricia MacCormack, who certainly knows a good tune before the support Nine Day Decline take the stage at 7.30. Until researching and seeing a review with my name on their Facebook page I had forgotten I covered their 2015 album ‘Chaos In Motion’ and thankfully found the CD exactly where it should be next to a toolbox of Nine Inch Nails discs on the shelf, allowing a pre-show refresher course.

Opening with ‘Exit Wounds’ sound is meaty and pumped up, jagged riffs, driving drums and vocals all leapt off the stage with plenty of clarity. Obviously they have plenty of new material since said album and it quickly seemed to get bodies in motion, dancing around at the front. We are informed by singer Baz that ‘Butterfly In A Box’ is about victims of domestic violence. It takes a slightly slower route with diaphanous shimmering guitar weaves and despite hearing this and others for the first time sounded like a time capsule from the past. First ever single ‘Decisions’ which we are proudly told had originally been mixed by Jay Ashton of the Psychedelic Furs is a lot more familiar as it moved between slow-burning segments and an incredibly catchy chorus.

‘Dirty Secrets’ has some early Killing Joke rifferama embedded in it and it has to be said guitarist Steve was really impressing wringing sounds out of his axe. Drummer Mark is quick to get into the action on next one ‘Dreamer Lied’ turning it into a veritable foot-stomper and it even had a bit of a psychedelic flair about it. It’s all seems over in a flash and with closer ‘Fall From Grace’ it was obvious they had impressed friends old and new. I’ll be keeping a look out for that next album.

Finally, the time had come and there’s a buzz in the now crowded venue. Sex Gang Children stride on, fire up the machinery and Andi bounces on. They plough straight into one from the vaults, ‘The Crack Up’ and vocal whoops and wails nail me to the spot. The skeletal guitars, chunky bass and downright weirdness of it all throw me back through the years. I am sure anyone who grew up listening to songs like this can appreciate the buzz of hearing them performed right in front of you for the first time. I admit not keeping fully up with things and more with Andi’s solo albums in recent times but recognised the likes of ‘Hollywood Slim’ with its post punk twang and dark sinuous movement. ‘Draconian Dream’ with its strident and strange verse, slow drum beat and fluttering guitar sent shivers down the spine both mesmerising and caressing.

Having only heard latest album 2021’s Oligarch for the first time this afternoon I was intrigued by the development shown by songs like ‘The Gorgon And The Sow’ and ‘Bang!’ Those art-rock pretensions have been carried over, these both proving to be slow and bewitching numbers to sway along to. There’s not a huge amount of interaction although dedication is made to those past members who are no longer with us prior to ‘Ecstasy and Vendetta’ uncoiling like a viper, livening things up and delivering a venomous bite. The singer takes up acoustic guitar and leads us down a dark folk path with the strangely entitled ‘Sunset Of Crow’ a perfect counterpoint to the upbeat freneticism of ‘Death Mask Mussolini.’

They have raced through things but pretty much saved the songs of legend till the end. After a blink and miss it encore break they rattle into ‘German Nun.’ Whatever it’s all about is still beyond me but its frigged off with style and panache. The slings and arrows of ‘Sebastiene’ which I have always identified with as an ode to Derek Jarman’s classic film has everyone joining in the chorus before finally one of the evilest songs ever heard Dieche gets its’ blasphemous exorcism.

I seem to have scrawled the words “fuck me I’m surprised we didn’t burst into flames on my notepad after that one.” Andi is straight off the stage like a man possessed grabbing my hand for support as he navigates the steps down. Perhaps it had even scared the bejesus out of him too. That’s it, a memorable night and one very much worth the wait. Shows in Birmingham, Bedford and Bristol are to follow at the end of March, catch them if you can.

Pete Woods