Mott The Hoople ’74 / Tax The Heat
London Shepherd’s Bush Empire
All aboard for fun-time.
★’Surreal’ is the word that keeps coming back when trying to describe the first of Mott The Hoople’s two packed-out appearances at Shepherd’s Bush Empire; closely rivalled by fun.
It’s surreal in 2019 to be sitting in this venerable venue as a veteran of the Mott trenches half a century after they were birthed as the speed-child of Guy Stevens, predominantly surrounded by over-50s blokes mouthing every word and vocal interjection. It’s even more surreal seeing Ariel Bender, once auburn-tressed rock god of the power chord, manifesting like a hyperactive leprechaun in leopard-skin tights, scarves, fluorescent-buckled dance pumps and red beret, growing old disgracefully by inventing a new species of bonkers over-70s guitar hero. Even sophisticated piano maestro Morgan Fisher leads an audience chant of: “I don’t care what the people may say, I don’t give a fuck anyway”, before charging Bender, toreador-style, with his keyboard-lapel coat. This is not a wake, it’s a riotous, dam-busting party (with next-generation successors Mick Jones and Bobby Gillespie on the guest list).
It’s cockles-warming to see Ian Hunter brimming with unfettered joy and vitality as he struts, kicks and laughs, sounding in better voice than he ever did in ’74. Bolstered by a band on scorching form and adoring audiences, he’s entered the tour spirit with the gleeful gusto with which he’s about to embrace his eightieth year, even reading out Bender’s self-scribed glowing introductions.
Hunter initially agreed to the tour to give Bender and Fisher their turn in the sun after being excluded from 2009’s and 2013’s reunions, this Mott seeing him billed next to the pair as stars in their own right, backed by Ian’s Rant Band: guitarist Mark Bosch, keyboard player Dennis DiBrizzi, bassist
