The Brigade, Peppermint Lounge and Object Action, Hacienda

 SATISFACTORY (but no cigar)

THE BRIGADE 
PEPPERMINT LOUNGE 
OBJECT ACTION 
Manchester Hacienda

WHATS YOUR favourite Hacienda bitch? The Greaseburgers? The famous 'booming sound'? The endless freezing alcoves where human life is rarely found? Whatever, the people have stayed away in droves leaving the misguided entrepreneurs from the upper regions of the Factory hierarchy in constant states of embarrassment and bitterness.

This night, though, marked the return of the ‘good idea’. ‘The Hometown Gig’ is a weekly showcase for up to four bands to display their talent (or lack of), to mix and mingle and bring their friends and generally build a regular base from which the new breed of Manchester could, hopefully, use as the initial elevator. Sound unlikely? Maybe but the first night was a success with a sense of happening being the prevailing factor despite the various time wraps in which lay a fair percentage of the music.

Object Action, ignoring the punky overtones of their name, did manage to produce an unusual atmosphere with a sound plummeted along by excellent drumming. Not enough though, to rescue the set from an all to evident lack of songs. Not an unusual fault. Concentrate on melody, lads, MELODY. Their finest asset is the singer who re-defines the forgotten term ‘pogo dancing' at the beginning of each song.

Peppermint Lounge fell into a old trap but then lay in it in such a convincing fashion. Indeed it was check shirts and Orange Juice time and the obligatory version of ‘Femme Fatale’ did little but seal the lid on the particular coffin. A shame really because somewhere beneath the image trap an encouraging kind of energy and hope was desperately trying to break free.. and it will.

Leaving us with the now nicely chisalled punk etchings of The Brigade who made Tony Wilson dance and the crowd smile. Such warmth from faded anarchy: I didn't think it was possible. They provided half an hour of cheekily simple but well crafted hard pop and wore nice T-shirts. Lovely. A cute finish to a potentially important first night.

The Hacienda has still to be built.

— Mick Middles