Aahh, The Lemonheads. Our paths last crossed at Glastonbury Festival in the early 1990s and they were the default soundtrack to our stoned Somerset shenanigans, with their grungy American punk and added cool from their frontman Evan Dando.
With his uncanny penchant for snappy three minute, irresistible and hook laden tunes, they were a formidable force.
But Dando rather liked drugs, as detailed in the harrowing auto biography Rumours of my Demise.
He had his demons but if tonight was anything to go by he’s waved farewell to his chemical dependency.
He was something of a star back then, all good looks and a wasted persona, but with a fine newish album Love chant ( 2025 ) to promote and a back catalogue to die for what’s not to like.
It was a lengthy set and he covered all bases, he opened with Great Big No, a fine rocker but he pummelled us a little too much with the heavier stuff like 58 second song, Roky and My Drug Buddy. It was too brash, that is until Bit Part was played, which was brash but magnificent.
Big Gay Heart was a nice big singalong, as was the always a pleasure Outdoor Type.
What I didn’t expect was an acoustic interlude. Just Evan and his battered guitar. The band left him to do his thing, Come Back To Me and Being Around were sublime, it was a really endearing moment. When he did Into my arms it stopped us dead in our tracks. Lovely stuff. Also in there was Michael Nesmith’s Different Drum.
All in all a fine gig…but not as good as Glastonbury 93.
Words by John Haylock, pictures by Arthur Hughes
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