FISTFULAYENElvis Costello and The Attractions on German TV, 1978
I bought this on VHS in the 90s from one of those NYC street bootleggers. I was talking to a friend about it today and was stoked to find it on YouTube, since the VHS is in the garage and I don’t even have a VHS player anymore. I’m posting it here for you to enjoy and also so I can easily find it in the future. 
Check out Elvis and The Attractions, never once resting between songs, just over-performing a string of incredible songs with amazing energy, Elvis DRIPPING sweat in that suit. Incredible. Flawless. The James Brown of singer/songwriters. No talk, just rock.
Every time I see a wishy washy singer/songwriter sitting on a chair under-playing what could be a great song and wondering why no one cares I want to show them this video, encourage them to get a killer band and give people something to be excited about. I seriously think this should be required viewing for anyone playing live. I don’t get the impression people think of Elvis Costello as having built his career on a blistering live show but it looks to me like he had that as part of the package.
It’s not just Elvis of course, Steve Nieve, Pete and Bruce Thomas — damn. That was a band. Pete Thomas is the star for me personally.
Of course it helps it’s only songs from my favorite three Elvis records. It was the perfect time to capture this band, much like the Bowie Santa Monica ’72 recording.
With songs and a performance like that there’s NO FAILING.
For more this-period Elvis and The Attractions, be sure to grab that Live At Hollywood High
Who is doing this today?
Ted Leo?
White Denim?
Lemme know, I want to check ‘em out at SXSW…
ian
@lostcabras wrote:
A show of recent memory that had a lot of energy and great stage presence, was the Night Marchers. Great songs and John Reis is frickin' hilarious.
Posted 24 Feb 2010 at 6:28 pm ¶
Andy Baio wrote:
Wow. Great find, thanks for sharing. Did you hear the new Live at Hollywood High reissue? (Also, his hair's dangerously close to a mullet there.)
Posted 24 Feb 2010 at 7:02 pm ¶
Marc Whitman wrote:
Good stuff, Ian. Classic Elvis. Maybe he needs to get with TopSpin someday soon. ; )
I like your two examples. if you're looking for other suggestions, the Whigs is another power trio with a similar stage style and energy . Here they are sweating through their set at Lollapalooza.
And yes, it looks like they'll be at SXSW.
Posted 24 Feb 2010 at 8:16 pm ¶
Marc Whitman wrote:
Ha! I just realized the Whigs are now using TopSpin, so I guess you're probably well aware of them at this point.
Posted 26 Feb 2010 at 8:46 pm ¶
Dick Wingate wrote:
I was EC's Product Manager for the first three albums and these performances are just classic and the sound is great. The Clash and EC were the absolute best performers from the Brit Punk era.
Posted 28 Feb 2010 at 2:24 am ¶