GIG GUIDE: A Certain Ratio

An old Manchester "post-punk" band comes to town to play a gig. You have every right to be skeptical. However, in A Certain Ratio's case that skepticism would be unfounded. A group that did indeed start off in the same circle as Joy Division/ New Order and the likes, ACR have expanded their horizons over the years to include disco, funk and even Latin influences. To add to the mix, the band released the Mind Made Up album only last year, the first since 1997, so you can be sure this will not be a bunch of leathery has-beens turning up to gracelessly re-hash hackneyed tracks from 30 years ago. To listen to their MySpace now, aside from the classically Manchester-in-the-80's vocal, there is very little to suggest that the band were every a member of the Factory Records scene, testament to their versatility. This could be a very rewarding gig for anyone planning on heading along for a look

A Certain Ratio play The Button Factory March 28th.