THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 18, 1994 TAG: 9408180087
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: SOUNDCHECK
SOURCE: BY SUE SMALLWOOD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
SEATED INDIAN-STYLE on the parquet floor, they were as quiet as church mice and lucky as hell.
A handful of appreciative Hampton Roads modern rock fans were treated to the pleasure Monday afternoon of a private acoustic performance by vocalist Richard Butler and guitarist Richard Fortus of the new group Love Spit Love. Butler is the former frontman of the influential alternative rock act Psychedelic Furs.
The event was one of a continuing series of ``live from the studio'' performances by national acts courtesy of local radio station WROX. The ``Live X'' shows are taped at the plush Windmark recording complex in Virginia Beach, then aired soon afterward. The cozy studio audience - typically 30 people - won a 96X contest to gain entry.
Monday's performance will air at 9 p.m. today on 96X.
The concept of the ``live-on-tape'' radio concert is hardly new, WROX program director Chris Blade said, citing several radio stations nationwide hosting similar shows. Locally, the now-defunct alternative rock radio station WOFM aired its own ``taped live'' series featuring area artists recorded at Earworks Audio, another facility in Virginia Beach.
Other national acts who've taped a ``Live X'' segment include Greenberry Woods, Buffalo Tom and Sam Phillips. The Hoodoo Gurus will play a full electric set on Sept. 9.
``It's getting to be a popular thing with bands coming through here wanting to do this,'' Blade said of ``Live X.'' ``It really is a neat thing, very intimate. It's good for our listeners to go in there among their friends and get that close to the band.''
Butler appeared a bit put off by the somewhat claustrophobic setup at first but warmed toward the end of the half-hour set, joking about the pair's matching striped shirts and breaking into laughter when the wildly versatile Fortus broke a string during a kinetic take of current radio hit ``Am I Wrong.''
``Wake Up'' was another hypnotic highlight, with Butler's distinctive rasp so jagged that at times it seemed to splinter into two voices. Fortus, formerly with Pale Divine, who opened for the Furs' final U.S. tour, alternately strummed with fervor and skittered gently through fragile passages.
After the show, Butler and Fortus obliged their admiring fans with an hour-long session of autographs, handshakes and chit-chat in Windmark's comfortable lounge.
Monday's performance was just one of several radio gigs Butler and Fortus have lined up to promote their eponymous debut LP, the guitarist said. After a similar radio junket through Europe, the entire band - which also includes another Psych Fur, bassist Tim Butler, and drummer Frank Ferrer - will embark on a full-fledged concert tour.
Windmark Recording, owned by ex-Flock of Seagulls drummer Michael Marquart, is well-equipped to handle artists of the ``Live X'' caliber. Past Windmark clients have included major label talents Teddy Riley, Bruce Hornsby and Gwar. MEMO: Got a tip, comment or complaint about local music, radio or nightlife?
Leave it on the Soundcheck talkbox _ 640-5555, category 3277.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MICHAEL HALSBAND
Richard Butler, vocalist for Love Spit Love, was recorded for a
``live-on-tape'' performance to air tonight at 9 on 96X.
by CNB