Legendary post punk icon Mark E Smith has returned to the stage, enabling The Fall to continue touring.
Formed in Manchester in the late 70s, The Fall sluiced together punk, rockabilly and several gallons of noise. The group have evolved over the years, gaining and losing members with Mark E Smith being the only constant.
Infamously truculent the singer attacked his own band onstage in the United States in 1998, leading to several members leaving the group. However things have improved since then an the former Peel Show favourites are set to get back on the road.
Mark E Smith fell earlier this year, breaking his hip. After a stay in hospital and extensive treatment he is now well enough to perform – albeit with the use of a wheelchair.
This is not the first time Smith has suffered from this kind of injury. During a 2004 tour of the United States the singer broke his hip, forcing the band to cancel several dates.
The 52 year old frontman is rapidly turning into an acerbic Mancunian version of the Queen Mum. Taking to the stage in Cambridge last night (March 31st) for his comeback show he was on typically furious form, racing through old and new songs with an energy that belied his age and health.
The Fall are due to play a number of British dates. The band are set to headline the inaugural Hinterland festival, a massive music showcase event in Glasgow that takes place at the end of April.
