House Of Love - ICA, London, 10/2/2005
by Anthony Strutt
published: 10 / 2 / 2005
intro
Back out on the road to plug their first album since the early 90's, Anthony Strutt watches reformed rockers the House of Love play a stunning set of old and new songs at the London ICA
The House of Love have actually done three reunion tours since they reformed back in 2003. This current one is to plug their comeback album, 'Days Run Away' which has come out on Art and Industry, and which showcases their first new material since the early 90's. The gig at the ICA showed the 30 and 40 something crowd how strong these new songs are. As well as playing 9 new songs, the House of Love also played 8 oldies which included 'Christine', 'Man to Child', 'Shine On', 'The Beatles and the Stones' and 'I Don't Know Why I Love You'. They opened the set with their first major label hit single, 1989's 'Never' which was released by their then new label Fontana. The set was very fresh and lasted a perfect 85 minutes, with a decent support set from The People's Revolutionary Choir who wanted to be the Stone Roses fronted by Richard Ashcroft. The House of Love's set was just as great as they were first time around and the band didn't screw with people's memories by changing the arrangements of their classic songs. Of the new songs, 'Kinda Love' shone like a diamond. You can still see that they do still love the Velvets. Do yourself a favour and buy the new album. It is already better than most band's output of last year. They're a great band and it's good to have them back.
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/TheHouseOfLoveOFFICIALPicture Gallery:-
interviews |
Interview (2007) |
Back together to play some 'Don't Look Back' shows and having had their first EP and album just reissued, Anthony Dhanendran chats to Guy Chadwick from the House of Love about his influential band's destruction in the 1980's by the recording industry itself and their future recording plans |
live reviews |
Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich, 23/7/2023 |
Nige Nudds watches 80’s indie act The House of Love play a haunting set at the Norwich Arts Centre |
Leadmill, Sheffield, 17/4/2005 |
12 Bar, London, 27/3/03 |
favourite album |
The House of Love (2012) |
In our ‘Re:View’ section in which we look back at albums from the past, Cila Warncke examines the House of Love’s seminal 1988 eponymous debut album, which has just been re-released in a three CD edition |
reviews |
She Paints Words in Red (2013) |
Pleasant, but unadventurous second comeback album from the reformed House of Love |
Days Run Away (2005) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
James Whild Lea - Interview
previous editions
Microdisney - The Clock Comes Down the StairsHeavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
World Party - Interview
Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Barrie Barlow - Interview
World Party - Interview with Karl Wallinger
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Banter - Heroes
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
related articles |
Pete Fij and Terry Bickers: Live Review (2014 |
Anthony Strutt watches ex-Adorable front man Peter Fij and House of Love guitarist Terry Bickers play an intimate show to promote their debut album, 'Broken Heart Surgery', at the Firebug in Leicester |
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart