This weekend, their co-headlining North American tour winds down with concerts scheduled Friday in San Diego (Rady Shell at Jacobs Park) and Los Angeles (YouTube Theater).
Last spring, Scotland’s The JAMC – led by Jim Reid (lead vocals) and William Reid (guitar) - released the compelling Glasgow Eyes, their first new studio album since 2017. It was followed by the siblings’ biography “Never Understood” and the recent single “Pop Seeds.”
Meanwhile, England’s The Psychedelic Furs, with singer Richard Butler and bassist Tim Butler have 2020’s Made of Rain, their solid, underrated first studio album in 29 years (!) to freshen up setlists.
The Psychedelic Furs’ 15-song, 70-minute set kicked off in haunting fashion with “The Boy Who Invented Rock and Roll,” off the Rain release. Then the band, comprising guitarists Rich Good and Richard Fortus, keyboardist Amanda Kramer, ace drummer Zack Alford, plus another guitarist, followed it with a dreamy, measured “The Ghost in You” to loud fan reaction.
Richard Butler gestured dramatically as he sang the U.S. hit with those trademark sandpaper vocals. Alford, a veteran of David Bowie and B-52’s tours, proved his mettle early with propulsive beats on “So Run Down” (from Talk Talk Talk). Longtime sax man Mars Williams, who died of cancer in 2023, was sorely missed here and elsewhere throughout the evening.
Both Butlers moved around the stage corners, with Richard often putting his arms around Tim and crouching down close to fans gathered in front. “All That Money Wants” (an alt-rock radio chart topper), emotionally resonant “Wrong Train” (a Rain winner where Richard finished a capella) and the billowy “Love My Way” were all highlights. The vaguely political Furs concert staple “President Gas” took on new meaning after a contentious American election surely divided fans.
Later, the denser original album version of “Pretty in Pink” was performed instead of the popular sax-infused remix found on the beloved movie soundtrack. The aggressive thrust of “Mr. Jones” proved exciting and “Heaven” closed things out on a stately note.
Initially shrouded in smoke and lit by green flashing lights, The Jesus and Mary Chain opened its 17-song, 70-minute performance with the sinister barrage of “Jamcod,” among three Glasgow Eyes tunes unveiled here. Jim Reid frequently doubled over while singing for dramatic effect.
William Reid, with his wild mane of white (or gray – hard to tell in dim lighting) hair was content to stay in the background on rhythm guitar and added the occasional shards of feedback noise. The touring band, anchored by drummer Justin Welch (Elastic, Lush, Suede) with backing vocals from guitarist Scott Von Ryper and bassist Mark Crozer sounded tight.
Longtime JAMC enthusiasts loudly roared with approval at the band’s popular cover of The Pixies’ “Head On,” its careening rock guitars as exciting as ever, the churning “Blues from a Gun” and Eighties era, reverb-drenched noise pop gems “Happy When it Rains,” “April Skies,” “Some Candy Talking” and “9 Million Rainy Days.”
Although both acts let their music do most of the taking, Jim Reid was unintentionally funny toward the end of the JAMC’s set when he said “this is how it is when we are enjoying ourselves.”
Opening act Frankie Rose, a former member of LA dream pop group Dum Dum Girls, joined the JAMC toward the end of its set on “Sometimes Always” and “Just Like Honey.”
The JAMC finished with the intense Stooges vibe of “Reverence,” with an extended intro. Fittingly, it concluded in a maelstrom of feedback.
William Reid, with his wild mane of white (or gray – hard to tell in dim lighting) hair was content to stay in the background on rhythm guitar and added the occasional shards of feedback noise. The touring band, anchored by drummer Justin Welch (Elastic, Lush, Suede) with backing vocals from guitarist Scott Von Ryper and bassist Mark Crozer sounded tight.
Longtime JAMC enthusiasts loudly roared with approval at the band’s popular cover of The Pixies’ “Head On,” its careening rock guitars as exciting as ever, the churning “Blues from a Gun” and Eighties era, reverb-drenched noise pop gems “Happy When it Rains,” “April Skies,” “Some Candy Talking” and “9 Million Rainy Days.”
Although both acts let their music do most of the taking, Jim Reid was unintentionally funny toward the end of the JAMC’s set when he said “this is how it is when we are enjoying ourselves.”
Opening act Frankie Rose, a former member of LA dream pop group Dum Dum Girls, joined the JAMC toward the end of its set on “Sometimes Always” and “Just Like Honey.”
The JAMC finished with the intense Stooges vibe of “Reverence,” with an extended intro. Fittingly, it concluded in a maelstrom of feedback.
Psychedelic Furs photo courtesy of the artist. The JAMC photo by Mel Butler.
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