The Pigs & The Jellyfish
Live @ Civitavecchia, 07.07.12

THE REVIEW

Very little punk, despite the large number, the audience gathered at the Little Paradise in Civitavecchia on the 7th for the second live concert in Italy of the historic Bristol band the Pigs. A meteor in 1977 alongside the much more acclaimed Cortina, the Pigs still had the honor of a record release and an endless series of concerts, resumed just a few years ago, a sign that their punk-rock had and still has something to say.

Three-quarters of the old lineup are still there, indestructible and pulsating as they were back then, led by Kit Gould and with the only addition of the very Italian bassist Paolo Mastrandrea, a recent and opportune discovery by drummer Ricky Galli, of Civitavecchia descent, although also from Bristol. Fresh and vintage, they then revisited tracks such as "Youthanasia", "They say", "Psychopath" and "National front", with an unusual (for the location) participation from the audience, second only to the reception the Pigs received at the Rock Festival in Palestrina just two days before. An "excerpt" that lasted little, only 45 minutes, but that thrilled and provided a comprehensive fresco of the punk musical culture made in Bristol, directly from the 70s.

Following, Italian emulators of that British atmosphere of the late 70s-early 80s, here reformed the historic band from Civitavecchia, the Jellyfish, who revisited tracks by XTC, Joe Jackson, Julien Cope up to involving David Bowie. By enlisting a keyboardist from another Lazio band, the Tanzergott, a figure not foreseen by the old lineup, their performance also involved the audience, almost peers of the musicians, making them remember, dance, and savor many of the hits that had engaged them 30 years ago.

All in all, a nice revival that made many relive the same early hours of their youth, perhaps with the same sense of fulfillment.

Piero Poleggi