The Pretenders recently played Portsmouth Guildhall, 46 years after their first and eponymous album was released. Writer Andrew Larder was there.
Dressed in a pink satin jacket and biker boots, singer and founder Chrissie Hynde struts onto the stage and delivers the songs with that distinctive voice: powerful enough to belt out rock but with a soulful aspect that gives an ethereal touch to the ballads. She roars out the first few numbers, including new songs ‘Losing My Taste’ and ‘A Love.’
With nothing to prove and everything to share, Hynde has surrounded herself with top musicians. Sadly, her original songwriting partner and guitarist, James Honeyman-Scott died from a drugs overdose in 1982. His potential never fulfilled, he was nonetheless an influence on Johnny Marr who said the Smith’s signature jingle-jangle sound came from Honeyman-Scott.
He was not the only casualty in those early years. Original bass player Pete Fardon passed away a year later (again from drugs). The deaths hit original drummer Martin Chambers hard and he faded in and out of the line up over the decades. The Pretenders’ membership has been fluid at times, but in 2008 Chambers introduced guitarist James Walbourne to Hynde.
Previously in his own band The Rails, and having supported Ray Davies and the Pogues, Walbourne is a great showman. Tonight he whirls about the stage, thrashing out punk cords on ‘Tattoo Love Boys’ and blistering riffs on ‘Back On The Chain Gang’ and ‘Kid.’ Hynde is happy to share the stage with other members of the band; there is no sign of an ego.
Fellow gig-goer Tracy MacClure says to me, ‘A great evening’s entertainment with superb musicianship. Chrissie Hynde’s voice has lost none of its range or power and the sound quality throughout was beyond impressive, with possibly the best guitar playing I have seen live. A good mix of well-beloved hits and lesser-known material, clearly delighted the sold-out audience who needed no encouragement to get out of their seats and dance.’
The support act, the Picture Books, are good value for money. A drummer and guitarist duo, they are based in Germany where they have their own studio; but they also tour the world. Serving up a mix of originals and covers they are a great warm-up act, perfect for festivals. They say they will be returning to the area in the spring, so I will be keeping an eye out for them.
Down in the bowels of the Guildhall, the basement has been undergoing a long overdue transformation. New toilets, a bar area and, best of all, facilities for creative 11- to 25-year-olds. Recording rooms, rehearsal studios and mixing desks; everything to encourage young musicians. The next generation of Pretenders-quality musicians are being nurtured in Portsmouth. Downstairs they have time on their side, on the stage Hynde has the experience.
During the set there is a quiet section when Hynde abandons her guitar, steps to stage front in the spotlight and performs several bluesy, doo-wop style numbers in a row. There follows a magical rendition of ‘I Go To Sleep’; her vocals are emotional, yearning for her absent lover. At the end she says, ‘A beautiful song by a beautiful song writer,’ referencing her ex-partner, Ray Davies.
Regardless of the change of pace, she seems determined to squeeze in as many tracks as possible.
The tempo increases with ‘Private Life’, with a reggae beat thumped out by Kris Sonne on drums and bass player Dave Page. Hynde’s tone transforms from vulnerable to belligerent, tired of a drama king or queen who has pushed her too far.
By now many of the audience are dancing, swaying and singing along, mesmerised by Hynde’s performance. Not only does she roll back the years, but she also kicks open the metaphorical door and smashes in all the windows.
Since those tough early years, Hynde has burnt brightly at the heart of The Pretenders. She’s journeyed from a small town in Ohio to international stardom. As a worker, creator and campaigner she is relentless. It is appropriate that the Pretenders’ most recent and fourteenth studio album is titled Relentless.
Chrissie Hynde particularly liked the definition of the word. She mentioned it in a press release and on how it applied to her career. ‘No abatement of intensity. It’s the life of the artist. You never retire. You become relentless.’
A powerful mission statement, but you know Hynde can deliver.
The word also refers to her work as an animal rights activist. She became entangled in a long-term legal dispute with McDonalds, which she won. These days she prefers to find solutions rather than use her energy to protest. Hynde set up a farm in the Netherlands that practices Ahimsa, a non-aggressive form of farming. She no longer drinks or takes drugs.
The big finale is ‘Night In My Veins,’ ‘Precious’, ‘I’ll Stand By You,’ and new song ‘Let the Sun Come In.’ After a series of encores, Hynde seems as fresh as ninety minutes earlier. Her voice as strong. Clear, proud, and unfailing. Relentless.
Image [[File:The Pretenders.png|The_Pretenders]] re-used under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence.
