Bradley’s Almanac

[30 Years Ago Today] 4AD’s 13 Year Itch Festival

Posted on July 19, 2023 at 2:48 pm | No Comments

A quick post to mark a noteworthy anniversary…

4AD - The 13 Year Itch

Thirty years ago today I was in England for the first time ever, and for a very, very special reason: A week-long celebration of the venerable 4AD record label called “The 13 Year Itch” at the I.C.A. London. Monday, July 19th through Saturday, July 24th, 1993. Six nights of music, two scheduled bands each night, with unannounced ‘special guests’ each evening. Plus unique video presentations and a gallery of the unmistakable artwork of Vaughan Oliver (RIP), Chris Bigg, and their collaborators at v23. The announced lineup? Undeniable. Kristin Hersh, Pale Saints, Unrest, His Name Is Alive, Bettie Serveert, Underground Lovers, Red House Painters, Insides, The Breeders, The Wolfgang Press, Brendan Perry of Dead Can Dance, and Heidi Berry. Some of the surprise bands? Throwing Muses, Lush, Ether (more on them below), and bonus second sets from the Breeders & Unrest. Unreal.

This trip started my unending love-affair with label-centric festivals. As much as I say I’m not a ‘festival kinda guy’, if a label I love is throwing one, I’m probably there. Merge, Teen-Beat, Matador, Touch & Go, Slumberland, Numero (earlier this year), Dromedary (later this year), I’ve been to a lot of ’em, and they’ve been some of the musical/travel highlights of my life.

Interview clips & live footage from the UK version of MTV’s 120 minutes

Some random personal (and mostly fuzzy) recollections from that week to accompany some photos I snapped below…

  • Whew, those surprise guests. I was a massive Throwing Muses fan who was already excited enough to see Kristin Hersh solo, and certainly didn’t expect the whole band to play that week. And having the Breeders walk on stage a day after their scheduled slot for a bonus set? Hearing songs from the not-yet-released “Last Splash”? Thrilling. And Lush?! Premiering songs that would eventually appear on their 1994’s “Split” LP (and even one from 1996’s “Lovelife”). Amazing. And then there’s Ether… a supergroup if ever there was one. When they took their places in front of us, I couldn’t believe my eyes and then my ears: The band included the much-missed Caroline Crawley of Shelleyan Orphan along with guitarist Pearl Thompson and drummer Boris Williams of the Cure. Having two members of your favorite band suddenly appear in front of you is a shocking, unforgettable thing. And that meant that I’d get to see two of my top five fave drummers play that week (guess the other). Ridiculous.

  • I was very glad to randomly meet Andrea Feldman & Susan Curran early in the week, who had also traveled from New England, Providence to be exact. Fellow music (and 4AD) nuts who were starting up a great ‘zine called Warped Reality, they made my first-ever overseas solo trip that much more comfortable, and it hit hard when Susan passed away a decade ago (can’t believe it’s been that long). I also got to hang with Brant Nelson, who would found Dewdrops Records that year, and would eventually put out music from the first band I was ever in.

  • Another chance encounter and bit-of-bonding I treasure is with Red House Painters guitarist Gordon Mack. We got talking shortly after I arrived when I recognized him in the crowd and hit it off… he was incredibly kind, open, and affable, and we spent a bunch of time together that week. I was in awe of his band, but he was so genuine that he instantly squashed any of my potential fanboy behavior. When he’d had enough of the crowd at one point, he said “Let’s get outta here and hit a pub.” We lost touch, and I was bummed when he eventually left the band… they never sounded better than when he was creating his soundscapes inside of their songs.

  • There’s a mystery photo below, and maybe someone reading this can help with my faulty memory. One of the pictures is of Ian Masters, who was at the festival but who, as I was recently reminded, had left the Pale Saints by that point. Was his new band Spoonfed Hybrid one of the surprise guests? Did he jump on stage with His Name Is Alive? I don’t remember! Do you? Let me know. Update! HNIA drummer Trey was kind enough to confirm that Ian did, in fact, play bass with them during their set. Which I was surely very excited about at the time, but the knowledge disappeared with the passing years. Mystery solved!

  • You can find some of the setlists from that week at Setlist.fm, and listen to a few live recordings on youtube.

    Here’s my set of point-and-shoot photos from the week. Wish I’d taken more, but the pre-digital-camera era and varied crowd spots kept it limited (though I certainly think I got enough shots of Kim Deal :-))…

    Kim Deal of the Breeders during their surprise set

    Kelley Deal of the Breeders

    Kim again

    The Breeders’ Josephine Wiggs

    more Kim

    Kelley Deal wearing my favorite Unrest t-shirt

    Look, it’s Kim again

    Kim Deal, back when you could smoke on stage

    Josephine Wiggs of the Breeders

    another Kim Deal shot

    … and a last one for good measure

    Caroline Crawley of Ether

    Ether’s Pearl Thompson

    Ether’s Caroline Crawley

    Karin Oliver of His Name Is Alive

    Guest Jason Farrell helps introduce Red House Painters

    Former Pale Saint Ian Masters on stage with His Name Is Alive

    Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses

    Throwing Muses’ Kristin Hersh & David Narcizo

    Gordon Mack of Red House Painters

    Mark Kozelek of Red House Painters

    Red House Painters’ Gordon Mack

    Mark Robinson of Unrest

    Bridget Cross of Unrest

    Unrest’s Mark Robinson

    Unrest’s Mark Robinson

    Unrest’s Mark Robinson & Bridget Cross

    Mark Robinson sporting a spiffy Tsunami t-shirt

    Michael Allen of The Wolfgang Press

    Bless you, Ivo-Watts Russell, and everyone involved in putting that week together, for giving this Vermont kid a reason to take his first-ever cross-Atlantic flight. And memories I’ll never forget. Mostly.

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  • BOSTON-AREA LIVE SHOW ACTION
    Tuesday, September 19th
    Teenage Wrist
    Spiritual Cramp
    Trauma Ray
    @ Sonia

    Tuesday, September 19th
    The Brian Jonestown Massacre
    Today Junior
    @ the Royale

    Tuesday, September 19th
    Boris
    Melvins
    @ the Paradise

    Tuesday, September 19th
    Gorillaz
    with
    Kaytranada,
    Lil Yachty,
    and Remi Wolf
    @ Fenway Park

    Tuesday, September 19th
    Death From Above 1979
    @ the Middle East Downstairs

    Wednesday, September 20th
    Zildjian 400th Anniversary Concert
    @ Roadrunner

    Wednesday, September 20th
    OSEES
    @ the Royale

    Wednesday, September 20th
    Death Grips
    @ House of Blues

    Wednesday, September 20th
    Kurt Vile
    @ Tree House Brewing, Deerfield

    Thursday, September 21st
    The Gravel Pit
    The Mommyheads
    Eggstone (Per Sunding
    + the Mommyheads)
    @ the Lizard Lounge

    Thursday, September 21st
    Bully
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Friday, September 22nd
    Live Skull
    Thalia Zedek Band
    @ the Midway

    Friday, September 22nd
    Minibeast
    Valley of Weights
    Strange Pains
    @ Faces Brewing

    Friday, September 22nd
    Jawbreaker
    Joyce Manor
    Grumpster
    @ MGM Fenway

    Friday, September 22nd
    Fiddlehead
    Never Ending Game
    Praise
    Anklebiter
    Downtalker
    @ the Royale

    Friday, September 22nd
    Wire Lines
    Silver Screams
    Oak, Fallen
    @ The Square Root

    Friday, September 22nd
    Tegan & Sara
    Carlie Hanson
    @ Roadrunner

    Friday, September 22nd
    Lady Lamb
    celebrates 10 years
    of "Ripely Pine"
    @ the Sinclair

    Saturday, September 23rd
    Field Day
    @ the Jungle

    Saturday, September 23rd
    Stevie Nicks
    Billy Joel
    @ Gillette

    Sunday, September 24th
    The Breeders
    Screaming Females
    @ the House of Blues

    Monday, September 25th
    Steve Mason (Beta Band)
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Monday, September 25th
    Slowdive
    @ House of Blues Boston

    Monday & Tuesday
    September 25th & 26th
    boygenius
    Palehound
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Tuesday, September 26th
    Dead Boys
    Nervous Eaters
    The Plimsouls
    @ the Middle East

    Tuesday, September 26th
    Old 97's
    John Hollier
    @ the Royale

    Tuesday, September 26th
    Ben Folds
    @ the Wilbur

    Wednesday, September 27th
    Yes
    @ Lynn Auditorium

    Wednesday, September 27th
    Ratboys
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Wednesday, September 27th
    Royal Blood
    Bad Nerves
    @ Roadrunner

    Wednesday & Thursday
    September 27th & 28th
    Broken Social Scene
    "You Forgot It In People"
    20th anniversary show
    @ the Royale

    Thursday, September 28th
    Ratboys
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Saturday, September 30th
    Boyscott
    @ Deep Cuts

    Sunday, October 1st
    Explosions In The Sky
    Pet Fox
    @ Roadrunner

    Monday, October 2nd
    Neil Gaiman
    @ the Emerson Colonial

    Tuesday, October 3rd
    Field Medic
    Olivia Barton
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, October 5th
    Belly
    @ the Paradise

    Friday, October 6th
    Thalia Zedek (solo)
    Tyler & the Names
    @ the Lizard Lounge

    Friday, October 6th
    "A Night for Justine: Tribute
    Concert For Justine Covault"
    @ the Crystal Ballroom

    Friday, October 6th
    Kingsley Flood
    The Shang Hi Los
    @ the Burren

    Friday, October 6th
    Garrison
    Orangeisland
    Pilot to Gunner
    @ the Middle East Upstairs

    Saturday, October 7th
    Agent Orange
    Spice Pistols
    @ the Middle East

    Tuesday, October 10th
    The Good Life
    "Album Of The Year"
    anniversary tour
    @ Deep Cuts

    Tuesday, October 10th
    Nick Cave with
    Colin Greenwood (Radiohead)
    on bass
    @ the Wang

    Wednesday, October 11th
    Young Fathers
    @ the Royale

    Wednesday, October 11th
    Nick Cave
    Book Signing
    12pm @ Harvard Book Store

    Wednesday, October 11th
    The Mission UK
    The Chameleons
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Thursday, October 12th
    Drop Nineteens
    Greg Mendez
    @ the Paradise

    Friday, October 13th
    Minibeast
    @ the Middle East Up

    Friday, October 13th
    Violent Femmes
    performing their debut LP
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Saturday, October 14th
    The Walkmen
    Rostam
    @ Roadrunner

    Sunday, October 15th
    Chris Farren
    Mo Troper
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Sunday, October 15th
    Thundercat
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Sunday, October 15th
    Queen
    @ the Garden

    Monday, October 16th
    Chromeo
    Ric Wilson
    @ Roadrunner

    Tuesday, October 17th
    A Giant Dog
    @ the Middle East

    Tuesday, October 17th
    The Chats
    Cosmic Psychos
    Schizophonics
    Gymshorts
    @ House of Blues

    Wednesday, October 18th
    Palehound
    Empath
    @ the Sinclair

    Wednesday, October 18th
    Christine and the Queens
    @ House of Blues

    Thursday, October 19th
    The State:
    The Breakin' Hearts &
    Dippin' Balls Tour
    @ the Chevalier, Medford

    Friday, October 20th
    Ruby Rose Fox
    @ the Rec Room, Belmont

    Friday, October 20th
    Faye Webster
    @ Roadrunner

    Friday, October 20th
    Lewsberg
    Chris Brokaw
    Minibeast
    @ the Middle East

    Saturday, October 21st
    A. Savage (Parquet Courts)
    Annie Hart
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Saturday, October 21st
    Lucinda Williams
    @ the Orpheum

    Friday & Saturday
    October 20th & 21st
    Jonathan Richman
    with Tommy Larkins
    @ Somerville Theatre

    Saturday & Sunday
    October 21st & 22nd
    Gregory Alan Isakov
    The Milk Carton Kids
    @ Roadrunner

    Sunday, October 22nd
    Milly
    @ O'Brien's

    Monday, October 23rd
    Pile
    @ the Sinclair

    Tuesday, October 24th
    Squirrel Flower
    Truth Club
    Knifeplay
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Tuesday, October 24th
    M. Ward
    @ the Sinclair

    Tuesday, October 24th
    My Morning Jacket
    @ Roadrunner

    Thursday, October 26th
    Hiss Golden Messenger
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, October 26th
    The Zombies
    @ the Cabot

    Thursday, October 26th
    Mudhoney
    Hooveriii
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Saturday, October 28th
    Spencer Krug
    @ Deep Cuts

    Saturday, October 28th
    Jethro Tull
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Monday, October 30th
    Porno For Pyros
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Tuesday, October 31st
    Depeche Mode
    DIIV
    @ the Garden

    Wednesday, November 1st
    Nick Lowe & Los Straightjackets
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Wednesday, November 1st
    The Hives
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, November 2nd
    Henry Winkler
    @ First Parish Church

    Friday, November 3rd
    Runnner
    @ the Crystal Ballroom

    Friday, November 3rd
    Slow Pulp
    Babehoven
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
    November 3rd, 4th, & 5th
    Bob Dylan
    @ the Orpheum

    Saturday, November 4th
    Quicksand
    playing their "Slip" LP
    @ the Royale

    Saturday, November 4th
    Blonde Redhead
    @ the Crystal Ballroom

    Saturday, November 4th
    Amyl and the Sniffers
    Die Spitz
    @ Roadrunner

    Monday, November 6th
    Yeah Yeah Yeahs
    Sasami
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Monday, November 6th
    Judge John Hodgman
    @ the Wilbur

    Monday, November 6th
    Into It. Over It.
    (playing "Intersections")
    Kevin Devine
    Queen of Jeans
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Tuesday, November 7th
    Lucero
    Jason Boland & the Stragglers
    @ Big Night Live

    Wednesday, November 8th
    Rosie Tucker
    @ Rockwood Music Hall

    Wednesday, November 8th
    Codeine
    Barbara Manning
    @ the Sinclair

    Friday, November 10th
    The Menzingers
    Microwave
    Cloud Nothings
    Rodeo Boys
    @ Roadrunner

    Friday, November 10th
    Couch
    @ Royale

    Saturday, November 11th
    Dexys (Midnight Runners)
    @ the Emerson Colonial Theatre

    Sunday, November 12th
    Slaughter Beach, Dog
    @ Roadrunner

    Sunday, November 12th
    The 1975
    @ the Garden

    Wednesday, November 15th
    Future Teens
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Wednesday, November 15th
    Tool
    @ the Garden

    Thursday, November 16th
    Slaughter Beach, Dog
    @ Roadrunner

    Friday & Saturday
    November 17th & 18th
    Letters To Cleo
    celebrating the 30th anniversary
    of their "Aurora Gory Alice" LP
    with the Gigolo Aunts
    @ the Paradise

    Saturday & Sunday
    November 18th & 19th
    The Hotelier
    & Foxing
    @ the Sinclair

    Sunday, November 19th
    Men I Trust
    Tops
    @ Roadrunner

    Monday, November 20th
    Beach Fossils
    Turnover
    @ House of Blues

    Tuesday, November 21st
    Liz Phair
    Blondshell
    @ Roadrunner

    Wednesday, November 22nd
    The Sheila Divine
    Orbit
    Dirty Bangs
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Tuesday, November 28th
    Deafheaven
    Touche Amore
    @ Roadrunner

    Tuesday, November 28th
    Baroness
    @ the Royale

    Thursday, November 30th
    Nation of Language
    Miss Grit
    @ the Sinclair

    Friday, December 1st
    Allman Betts Family Revival
    @ the Orpheum

    Saturday, December 2nd
    Buffalo Tom
    @ the Paradise

    Saturday, December 2nd
    The Hammer Party
    Black Helicopter
    Spiller
    George Tsiaras
    @ the Midway

    Tuesday, December 5th
    Pussy Riot
    Thick
    @ the Paradise

    Tuesday, December 5th
    Eric Andre
    @ the House of Blues

    Tuesday, December 5th
    Bar Italia
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Thursday, December 7th
    Wesley Stace
    @ the Charles River Museum

    Tuesday, December 12th
    Dogstar
    (Keanu Reeves' band)
    @ the Paradise

    Friday, December 15th
    Hallelujah the Hills
    Eldridge Rodriguez
    Aaron & the Lord
    @ the Sinclair

    Saturday, December 16th
    A John Waters Christmas
    @ Berklee Performance Center

    Sunday & Monday
    March 24th & 25th
    The Magnetic Fields
    perform "69 Love Songs"
    over two nights
    @ Roadrunner

    Wednesday, May 1st
    Ty Segall
    @ the Royale