'Evil Face' - A stupendously fast-paced and entertaining show – outlandish, energetic, scary and absorbing!! But mostly just very very funny. The guys have so much fun doing their show, and certainly their music & madness is very infectious!!
MARTIAN FAN REPORTS – 'Scotland is a Great Big Evil Face' show
'Evil Face'
I thought it was time I sat down and wrote a proper review of this really fun show!
I enjoyed Evil Face several times in August, mostly to take photos for the Martians website. Some shows had more ad-libs than others, some had more songs, some had the boys more relaxed and having fun with it. I think it may have been the Saturday show when Sue and Amanda were up that we were really in fits laughing. Sometimes Gerry only needs to stand on stage to make the audience laugh. It’s that LOOK!! Then again he also does serious commentary at times too, with his arms folded and legs astride.
The show starts with the dramatic entrance of the three Martians and the scary song ‘You’re All Dead!’ This song has a very dramatic melody written by David Sneddon. The boys are wearing dark leather coats, it’s truly scary…. the climax coming when Gerry sprays silly string into the surprised audience! Next comes the story of the ‘evil tree, ’ played excruciatingly realistically by Gerry, and his piercing screams of agony when the tree is cut down.
This is followed by Houston playing a lisping Roman general, and John & Gerry as his two side kicks – Roman Polanski and Roman Keaton! They can’t be bothered to attack Britain really, and after chasing the Pict in his cave, they decide on a hasty retreat after discovering that there are 2 of them! Then there’s the song ‘What’s Your Favourite Kind of Torture,’ with the guys smiling sweetly, this song is priceless.
Next up is the Irish invaders, and the seemingly kindly Columba (John) waving his sword in greeting! There are several more scenes of more murders and mayhem. Unfortunately, due to lack of time they missed out the John Knox sketch, a truly significant segment of Scottish History. Scotland is a Great Big Evil Face is an off-the-wall journey through Scotland’s past, from the roots of Scottish ‘evilness’, to the attack by the Picts, the polite Romans unable to face Scottish 'evilness', the Holy Grail, the TORTURE! the tricks used at Bannockburn, the Irish and much MUCH more!
The Martians display a spontaneity, a love of the ridiculous and a high energy. It’s truly hard not to be laughing right through the show. After the show, the boys treat us to a few covers songs, as well as some of their own songs. The highlights for me were John putting all his infectious energy into 'UpBeat Beat' and by contrast singing his love song for his girlfriend 'Stopped me in my Tracks.'
In a big shift of energy, the boys suddenly change to a more reflective serious mood. The Martians play it large with both a playfulness and a theatrical drama in their music… and it is not for the faint-hearted! John sees himself as a poet/ playwright, with musicals as the expression of both his love of theatre and music. The Martians sound is a blend of rock and folk or, acoustic indie rock/folk. Fantastical lyrics and songs that paint brightly coloured canvases with big slashes of primary colours.
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I managed to get into Edinburgh on Saturday to catch the guys last performance at The Dungeons, for me best one yet!!!! even though the guys said they were struggling John told me he didn’t think his voice would last, after 2 performances a day for 3 weeks plus the busking and the ghost tours, It was a brilliant night.
The adlibbing was excellent John and Gerry,s rapport on stage was fantastic and not forgetting the amazing Houston, who still says he is trying to escape The Martians, he should know by now there is no escape!!!
Loving the songs I managed to sing along to most of them ( heard them at the Bongo club gigs last year) esp love Empty Glass and Wayside, I would have loved to have heard Wasted Love as well, maybe at the next gig !!!
Be great if they can arrange something at The Bedlam, although quite where John gets the time and energy from I just dont know.
Big thanks to John, Gerry and Houston for a fantastic Edinburgh festival and big thanks to everyone for the fantastic company at the pub afterwards.
Roll on the next gig. Marian
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What an amazing night, had such fun last night I have gone hoarse from all the laughing, the guys were brilliant last night and the adlibbing was soo funny.
Doing it all again today am I mad or have I just been Martianed
Amazing pics from Tuesday I was to busy laughing to take any pictures photo.
Looking forward to seeing everyone who is going today
It was great seeing everyone again on our completely mad 2 days at the Edinburgh festival, the guys just get better and better I haven’t laughed so much in years.
Loved the ghost tour as well, btw the way Sue I had a strange experience on the Ghost tour last night, probably just the alcohol but I did feel very weird
I cant wait to meet up with everyone again.
I still cant get over the very hysterical show? Upbeat beat, was brilliant.
I might even go again one night in the week, these Martians get addictive esp Gerry loving the Peanut song!!!
Anyone else thinking of going you will have a fantastic experience.
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Actually I managed to get up to Edinburgh on Monday 22nd til
Wednesday 24th and I spoke to the very lovely and talented John (my
admiration for him has increased) and Houston and Gerry. I saw the
show at the Dungeons and the Bedlam Theatre and saw them busking so
I am very happy. I thought it was a clever and very amusing take on
Scottish history and religion and the songs were brilliant. Just
managed to see them busking - very funny - but I was a bit worried
when John kept jumping on and off the concrete bollards. I managed
to chat for a short while to John, Gerry and Houston as they were
packing up to leave.
I brought the CD after the Dungeons show. I also like Empty glass
(which John said was written by Damien) but I think that is because
it sounds as if David could have written it ie with the heavy
piano. At the moment I like The Boy who Drowned best because of the
accompanying music. The CD has been updated with two extra tracks
one of the "tape recording" of the conversation between Robert the
Bruce and Red Comyn and a song which I am calling Just ain't an
answer to this which is very good. It's great to have recordings
the show. Rosemary
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