In 2000 while the band was writing and recording Anoraknophobia, an offer was made to play two nights at the Bass Museum. After the success of the acoustic shows at the Walls restaurant in 1998, it was a good opportunity, and there was space in the schedule before the 2000 Christmas tour.
To celebrate the shows, the Bass Brewery brewed a unique beer called Racket Fuel. As part of the gigs the band were given free beer for a year, but after this show this was rescinded after they drank the bar dry! Like the Walls shows, the stage was relatively small so the band went for a similar acoustic approach.
As h explains during the set, the rearranged songs had been tweaked again. They included some deeper cuts from the back catalogue such as After Me, Afraid of Sunrise, Dry Land, Sympathy and A Collection. Welcome to the Digital Front Row Club!
They also threw in a few surprises such as Cinderella Search (first time playing it since December 1986), debuted Number One (a song ultimately left off Anoraknophobia) and a couple of covers. Plus for the first time, Stephanie Sobey Jones joined the band on Cello.
Both nights were recorded for possible inclusion on a Christmas CD, but it was the second night which was used in edited form and subsequently released as FRC11.
The second night was also filmed / streamed as a live Web stream and became the Piss Up In A Brewery DVD (available on The Space).
As part of the DFRC we are pleased to present the complete first night.
The band are in relaxed form and there are a couple of fluffs as they get to grips with the new arrangements. As they are all close together you can hear some of the banter during the gig. Enjoy a very special night.
This recording was made as a reference for ourselves while touring, and as an archive of our live performance - it was never planned to be released. We have taken the original recording and ‘remastered’ it to provide a better sonic experience, however it has not been re-touched or overdubbed in any way. This recording is provided “as is” – warts and all – for your listening pleasure, so please keep this in mind when listening!
Includes full artwork in .pdf format.
