Ultravox!

Live At The Rainbow 1977

UMC/ISLAND The Foxx ‘Vox!

Any sub-quinquagenarian who grew up in the extensive shadow of the towering electro-pop edifice that is Vienna could be forgiven for believing that Ultravox are stern, pencil-moustached monochrome men in belted raincoats who would far rather be icily glamorous spies than joyless musicians. But Ultravox were not always thus.

Prior to being dropped by Island Records in 1980 they were one of the most exciting live bands on the punk-era gig circuit. They featured the singularly charismatic John

Foxx on lead vocals, dealt in a futuristic guitar-driven brand of glam-literate, dystopian sci-fi post-punk not unlike Magazine on steroids, and appended their name with a richly deserved exclamation point.

Ultravox! were brilliant. It’s as simple as that. But they couldn’t deliver a hit record if their lives depended on it. All three of their Foxx-era albums died on their arse, but you could do a lot worse than purchase the lot. Ultimately, Ultravox! were the Roxy Music Santa Claus forgot.

Recently, while cleaning out their cupboards, UMC discovered this exhilarating, seat-of-the-pants nine-song live set from March ‘77. Three of the tracks are previously unreleased, and it’s only an utter joy. Especially for existing fans with long memories and an enduring aversion to gabardine macs. ■■■■■■■■■■