Jack the Ripper killed women in real life. He is known as Jack the Ripper, and was never caught for his violent crimes.
Nick Cave kills people in his music. He is known as the greatest singer in the world, and is in a band called The Bad Seeds. He has been caught by video cameras and audio recordings performing his murderous songs.
It’s only fitting that Jack the Ripper would make it into Nick’s brilliant back catalog.
Fellow Bad Seeders, indulge in “Jack The Ripper”:
It’s not only a video, it’s a public service announcement. So, ladies, if you’re overbearing on your man, it’s best to hide the cutlery and other sharp objects.
Here’s “Jack The Ripper” from their 1992 tour:
I covet those white shoes. The Bad Seeds dress code is toeing that thin line between looking like a well dressed preacher or a high-end pimp.
Germany, 1996:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kHVErwsr2A
Those awful festival barriers. As you have seen from earlier Nick Cave Mondays, these days Nick likes to jump out into the crowd even if they’re 30 feet away from the stage. I can’t wait until the Bad Seeders shoot video from Coachella.
If you haven’t seen Nick Cave yet on the 2013 tour, you’re in luck, “Jack The Ripper” is on their set list.
Here they are in Nashville, including some fun banter with a drunk audience member:
Jack The Ripper has been the subject of song by other musicians over the years. By far my second favorite song referencing Jack the Ripper is by Screaming Lord Sutch.
Marilyn Manson’s grandpa is pretty scary.
In other Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds tour news, here’s a great segment on his back up singers in Canada a few days ago.
How cute are those petit Bad Seeders? Welcome to the club kids.
“Well you know the story of the viper, it’s long and lean with a poison tooth.”
Thanks for reading and come back next week for another edition of Nick Cave Monday.
4 responses
“So, ladies, if you’re overbearing on your man, it’s best to hide the cutlery and other sharp objects.”
I think Anita Lane should have something to say about that.
The “drunk audience member” at the Nashville show was right behind my wife and I. He was very vocal in his appreciation for “Stranger Than Kindness”, one of my personal favorites too, which is what prompted the reaction from Nick. In all fairness, the guy in the audience was very well-behaved throughout the rest of the show and the other concertgoers, though enthusiastic, were relatively tame compared to some other times we’ve seen Nick. One thing was for certain, Nick was in a great mood. “Jack the Ripper” has remained a solid set piece that demonstrates how powerful and threatening the live Seeds can be. The “hollers what she wants from where she’s at” line always reminds me of Ma screaming, “Whar’s mah bottle? Bring me mah bottle!” from ‘And the Ass Saw the Angel.’
That’s awesome Chris. Wow, “Stranger Than Kindness” was in that set. Amazing.
I wish people were keeping a better track of set lists. For their 2008 gigs everyone from early shows were posting the song order….that’s when I knew “Hard On For Love” was coming.
Tony, you’d be a blast to go see a Nick Cave show with…
When Nick was introducing “Stranger Than Kindness,” as “a song written by a very dear friend of mine, Anita Lane, and Blixa Bargeld,” I was pretty sure that was what it was going be but, since he didn’t announce the title, a little part of me was thinking, ‘No way…’ until it droned in behind him. Anytime he pulls from the first three albums (I love ‘Kicking Against the Pricks,’ but I kind of consider that as a sort of non-album), I think the audience is getting a special treat. I was really surprised to hear the title track “Your Funeral, My Trial” pop up later in the show too!
I love your “Nick Cave Mondays”. Please keep ’em coming!
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