gene/readymade
april 22, 1997 • MTW, offenbach, germany


review: A support band not credited on the posters, and a local band at that, is usually always something to beware of. So that, Readymade, from Wiesbaden, are assured and unassuming, lo-fi and fine, uncool and cool --- all at the same time --- is a very pleasant surprise. There are subtleties to their music no new band deserves to have, and that bassist has some kind of keyboard pad that he plays with his foot is a further bonus.

Gene, then. No, they're not The Smiths, Martin Rossiter isn't Morrissey, but that's okay because he wasn't very happy anyway. He is, however, a fine showman, and Gene are a fine band. "Rousing" is probably the appropriate word. "Sleep Well Tonight" and the excellent "Fighting Fit" simply buzz with energy and "Olympian" is, for one night only, the best song ever written. Enjoyment enough then, but no great surprise --- perhaps they should buy their bassist a keyboard to play with his foot... (andrew.1997)