PJ Harvey, Shepherd's Bush Empire, Monday 12th February 2001
TALES FROM THE KNITTING FACTORY
Hurried Guinness, foregone dinner
Monday road trip to the Bush, via Pinner
Supporting PJ, Giant Sand
Twice as hairy, half the band
Silver-sequinned, vampish alchemist
Sings to men who stand, half-pissed
One; 'I love you!' another; 'You're beautiful!'
Curteous PJ sings on, dutiful
Months before in New York City, six at a time
Meditated on autos, skyscrapers and gun crime,
Chinatown, suicide bombers, love (unrequited, forbidden and
others)
And those who make inadequate lovers
Olive-black mane, sluttish attire; ironic
Sings of anger, hurt and brutal love, demonic;
Savage relationships; wrecks in the brine
Casts words like pearls before the swine
Shy, Yeovil-born, quarryman's daughter
Now prowling, drives her audience to the slaughter
As Polly Jean, though ruled by Venus
Wields her guitar like a penis