Between taxing tour itineraries in both 1991 (112 shows) and 1993 (134 shows), Fugazi took it down a notch in 1992, performing 73 times in total with most of these dates making up a 2 months + European tour.

The recording presented here finds the band in full stride early on in the European tour (note that the shows in both Nottingham and London on the following nights are outstanding as well) at the Waterfront in Norwich, England, a one-off experience as it turns out.

As soon as the tape starts, the listener is immersed in a cacophony of sound, mostly drums and discordant guitars, reminiscent of the first couple of seconds of the Dead Kennedys track Advice from Christmas Past / Government Flu, and as soon as Ian delivers his familiar introductory remarks, the band launch into Brendan #1.

The mix and volume levels settle early on during this energetic instrumental, and once they do, the audio quality is easily very good and satisfying indeed, even though the percussion (cymbals) are a bit high on treble sometimes, the dual guitars a tad difficult to discern.

The audience of around 500 are rather rowdy, which adds to the liveliness of the experience, particularly early on in the set because of some stage diving or spitting at the band.

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Looking at the set list, it is striking that it draws more than half of the songs in clusters from the respective albums (Repeater first, followed by Steady Diet of Nothing, In on the Kill Taker, then 7 Songs) before the band mix it up some more for the remainder of the set.

Note that a number of In on the Kill Taker songs were being debuted in the course of the 1992 European Tour, as is the case here (Rend It, Instrument, Great Cop) and as had been the case during the select number of shows in the United States earlier that year. Long Division, while released the year before, still features an alternate outro. Great Cop is introduced by Ian as a song “about people who are very curious about what you do with your time, and what you do with the decisions you make in your own life.”

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While this is an overall strong and enjoyable show, my personal highlights include the string of songs off of the 7 Songs debut EP played back-to-back mid-set (Bulldog Front > Suggestion (”suffer!”) > Give Me The Cure > Bad Mouth), particularly since Bulldog Front (tagged Beautiful Child by The Blow Monkeys) and Bad Mouth did not get played all that often that year, as well as Reclamation because of the spectacle that played out as the band comes off of Nice New Outfit and tears into this Steady Diet staple.

Michael Sanderson, having attended and documented the gig in his fanzine The Idea at the time, paints a clearer picture of the events that unfolded on this evening, both during Reclamation as well as later that night,

“I’m sat next to the monitors and a motorcycle helmet inches past my face followed closely by a pair of thick leather gloves and then their owner, who climbs onto the barriers and thuds onto the stage, takes control of the microphone... ‘All right you fuckers, you wanna party, yeah? Well get your fucking arses down here Saturday night.’ Then about 5 minutes of unintelligable muttering and shouting, later Ian escort him forfully from the side of the stage. Undettered they play a blinding set and seem in a really good humour, Guy recommending the mung bean pie from the upstairs restaurant!! They do have a sense of humour, it’s just a little weird that’s all!! We settle down in a Little Chef car park for the night and miss Fugazi’s van passing us a little later, on their way to Jab’s (tour manager for the UK) in Nottingham, all singing along word for word (apparently) to Queen’s greatest hits!”

The recording is complete and draws 19 songs in total from In on the Kill Taker (3), Steady Diet of Nothing (4), Repeater (4), 3 Songs 7″ (1), Margin Walker EP (2) and 7 Songs debut EP (5) respectively.

I saw this show and the London show back in 1992. The friends that I was with and I got to meet the band backstage after the show. What I remember most was how down to earth everyone was despite their presence as such a major band in the indie scene. We took pictures, but my friend's camera malfunctioned and none survived. Nevertheless, it still remains the greatest show I've ever seen in over 25 years of going to concerts.

for some reason can't comment on the cambridge gig, but you chaps stayed at my house near the junction afterwards, kipping in the lounge rather than your van. good memories.

I knew no songs. I stood at the back of the room. The first 3 songs were beset with 'difficulties'. I vaguely remember people spitting, and some guy insisting he got up on stage to read poetry - he was allowed to, whilst Ian & Guy (im)patiently(?) stood back, playing a riff, while the crowd booed and cursed. He left, and the band then were blistering. Can't remember all songs played, but think Reclamation was extraordinary. It still remains the greatest gig I've seen - I was nearly in tears after a few songs (despite knowing no material previously) So powerful.
I was lucky enough to witness one of their last gigs, and that's best gig #2. Truly great.