Iggy & The Stooges

When I first heard that the mighty Stooges were reforming I was less than impressed, bearing in mind that over 20 years had passed since the Asheton Brothers had played with Iggy Pop and Mike Watt from 'the Minutemen’ was subbing on bass as original Stooges bassplayer Dave Alexander died from alcohol related illness in the seventies. I really felt that the energy and ridiculous level intensity could never be remodelled twenty years on – especially since Iggy had cleaned up his act and was no longer the mess that had sprawled, bleeding and sweating, on stage in the seventies. Oops!
Iggy is, on this showing, absolutely at his best with Ron & Scott Asheton exploding behind him and Mike Watt’s bass delivering the heart of the music with solid, sure and portentous power.
Iggy seems like a kid on his birthday as he discovers the space available to him on stage and through the gig manages to cover every inch, his hair flowing out behind him and his body stripped to his jeans, skin seemingly painted on his skeleton for the night.
'Loose’ pours out, all driving speed and strangled guitar lines and moves through 'Down The Street’ into '1969’ with its lyrics spat out from the brattish mouth of Pop and then the classic 'I Wanna Be Your Dog’ with the doom laden guitar blast - 'I Wanna do an animal song!!' and Iggy stands there, arms akimbo as the audience woofs at him, begging for his attention. 'TV Eye’, 'Real Cool Time’ and the magnificent 'No Fun’ – when Iggy sings it you feel he isn’t having it but when Johnny Rotten does it, why does it seem like you are the one not having fun? – before a quick psycho medley.
The intensity never lets up as the band tear out classic versions of 'Fun House’ and 'Skull Ring’ as well as a frighteningly Bowiesque 'Dead Rock Star’, all featuring, appropriately for Belgium, saxophone. Finally, a full band reprise of 'I Wanna Be Your Dog’ and its goodnight.
The image quality throughout is superb and the extras include interviews, a directors cut and a retrospective of Iggy’s career so value isn’t an issue - the audio Cd of the gig hasn't left my car since I got the set.
For anyone with memories of the old days this will stir some dangerous memories and for anyone who hasn’t yet discovered Iggy & The Stooges this is a great introduction. For anyone who has seen them in the last three years, of course, this is essential.