The Gun Club ‎– Live At The Hacienda '84 (LP Purple & Whites Split)

The concert documented here is the third and last time the Gun Club played the Hacienda, taking the stage with two guitars. “Hey Juana” (note the correct title) opens the set, without the melodic tail that propels the verse along on the version Jeffrey Lee Pierce would record for his solo album next year.

The band sounds great. They play confidently and (not always a given) competently, with Pierce remembering all his lyrics, playing tasty solos, and the band making no gaffs — that’s the takeaway of Hacienda ‘84. Maybe it’s just the spotlit riser he’s on, but Terry Graham’s drumming is the foundation this night and probably every night.

This Hacienda concert is actually more significant in Gun Club history for the external events surrounding it. The band pulled into Manchester running late and, with no time beforehand to check into their hotel, parked their van outside the Hacienda for soundcheck. As they played their gig, someone broke into their van (not a first time) and stole their clothes plus Graham’s video camera and all the footage he had filmed of the Las Vegas Story tour. Demoralized, Graham packed up his belongings and flew back to the U.S. four days later, with no advance warning, leaving the Gun Club once and for all.

The source recording here comes from the 2006 DVD Live At The Hacienda 1983/84, which also features the band’s first appearance at the Manchester club on 20 April 1983. The 2022 LP reissued for Record Store Day cuts 3 minutes off “Preaching The Blues" and features a photo of Pierce and Morrison on the cover that is definitely not from the evening in question.

Label: Culture Factory ‎– 783 533

Country: USA, Canada & Europe

Media Condition: Mint (M)
Sleeve Condition: Mint (M)