Review: Nash The Slash – 'Hammersmith Holocaust'

NASH THE SLASH
'Hammersmith Holocaust'
ARTOFFACT RECORDS

Another re-release courtesy of Artoffact Records, Nash The Slash's legendary live album 'Hammersmith Holocaust', which captures Nash's (AKA Jeff Plewman) performance supporting Gary Numan in 1980. makes its way into the 21^st century. A rare release to find in its original form (a mint condition copy will set you back $500!), remastered and repackaged in an expanded gatefold and including liner notes from Gary Numan to boot.

A direct from the soundboard recording the album is pretty good quality throughout. There isn't a large amount of crowd noise and the on-stage mix is pretty good. It still has a wonderfully crackly and low-fi edge to it that captures the atmosphere of the gig and emphasises the age of the recording, but it conveys a genuine warmth that is hard to resist.

Featuring his signature garage rock-tinged blend of synthesised sounds and electronic violin leads, Nash hurtles through a collection of classic tracks including 'Wolf, 'Children Of The Night', 'Danger Zone', and a glorious cover of Deep Purple's 'Smoke On The Water'.

This is another classic that was in great need of reissuing not only as a tribute to the late Jeff Plewman, but also as an important artefact from the formative years of popular electronic music. Fans of classic electronic music who are unfamiliar with the recording due to its elusive nature, will undoubtedly enjoy this, in part due to the brilliant music, but also due to the fact that this feels like the unearthing of something genuinely special.  

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