Citizen Fish, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

It can be completely absurd sometimes to see a band so geometrically at odds with the ethos of the main act that a casual observer may question the ethics of putting two such disparate groups together on the same bill. With the fantastic Citizen Fish supporting The Levellers at the o2 Academy, Liverpool on an impassioned night, there were no such worries at all.

Citizen Fish are sublime, a welcome antidote to pop greed that stutters and skulks its way through mainstream television and subverts the national conscious. In this there couldn’t have been a finer band to perform their anti-corporation music than the Bath group.

Their set was energetic, skilfully imposing with its Ska rhythms, jabbing beat and suitably refreshing lyrics. Led by Dick Lucas, the band turned back time, beyond their early 1990 humble beginnings, to the late 1970’s, early 80’s message of non-conformity and free thinking acceptance. The post-punk phase may be all but consigned to certain bands, which regretfully don’t get the air play they deserve, however this fusion of Ska/punk/rock was very well received and immensely enjoyable.

Citizen Fish played a set that made people stand up and listen and get into the mood of a good night out, perhaps earlier than they were expecting. The tracks were pulsating and intense and Dick Lucas bounced and weaved throughout it all. Songs such as Habit, Back to Square One, the brilliantly observed HD Riot and Human Conditioner were simply excellent.

With the crowd visibly enjoying themselves, the band stoked up the pressure on the men from The Levellers to give a performance that would be remembered in Liverpool as their best ever. With time running short the band went for a big finish and gave excellent renditions of the songs Fearless and the passionate Wake Up from their last studio album Goods.

It may be rare for a support act to give the main attraction a run for their money but Citizen Fish made a lot of friends in the Liverpool audience and will certainly be welcome in the city again.

Ian D. Hall