Boston’s Mission of Burma was always largely respected but never the legendary band that grew out of the American DIY-indie scene of the 1980s.
They never quite hit the heights of your Sonic Youth’s or Shellac’s or Fugazi’s, but they were a solid band who managed to have that rarest of beasts; a successful reunion.
What made them distinctive for an American band is actually how British they sound.
Mission of Burma to the uninitiated would and still do sound like the peak of British post-punk from the late 70s and early 80s of Magazine, Wire, Public Image etc.
Their sizeable influence is clearly evident here, as they play a practically full Mono on a freezing night, with a reasonably diverse smattering of people of various ages in attendance.
Mono, though a great space, it feels isn’t the best choice for this band where sister venue Stereo would be perfect; as the band (only a three piece now, with Bob Weston on sound-man duties) are suitably loud, but a lot of their songs, particularly for Roger Miller’s guitar, which just sort of get lost in the roof sound-wise.
There’s a strange energy too, to seeing an ageing band who still clearly rock and are fairly tight, but who just don’t really look the part.
Mission of Burma historically was at their best when they were at their spikiest, snottiest and most desperate.
In their greatest moments, they captured a youthful enthusiasm and anxiety rarely matched by their peers.
At their least interesting (and unfortunately too often tonight) they’re a solid jam band that write tight songs devoid of capturing the imagination.
There are some wonderful moments tonight, with of course the best example is “hit” ‘That’s When I Reach for My Revolver’, but too often songs contain interesting moments, but are altogether uninspiring.
Perhaps this is why they never quite joined their elite peers.
Words: Adam Turner-Heffer
Photos: Yasmine Carruthers
