This was an industry-only show for Robyn to showcase his new album. We had a grand dinner beforehand w/ Robyn at some fancy restaurant and then it was off to Tramps. I was so excited stealthily recording this show amongst all industry suits that were there but was I so disappointed in Robyn's set. Perspex Island is one of my least favorite Robyn albums and I felt this set just blew. It actually turned me off of Robyn for a good chunk of the 90's. And sadly it was the last time I saw him play with the Egyptians.

--madelf
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Info from Mike Sauter on 'WHTG History' group on Facebook.

On this day (9/12) in 1991, Matt Pinfield and I represented WHTG at a Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians showcase at Tramps in New York. Hitchcock was previewing music from his new album, Perspex Island. Most of the audience was radio people, journalists, A&M Records employees, various music industry types, and 25 members of Hitchcock's fan club.

Prior to the show, A&M's radio promotions staff hosted a dinner at a restaurant up the street from Tramps. Matt and I had a quite enjoyable time, certainly partaking in the freely-flowing complimentary spirits that accompanied dinner. When the time came for the stroll over to the venue for Hitchcock's performance, we encountered Dave Kendall, the then-host of MTV's 120 Minutes, standing in front of the venue with a camera crew attempting to tape a piece for the show.

Matt decided it would be amusing to heckle Kendall, which he proceeded to do, loudly and repeatedly. An exasperated Kendall finally interviewed Matt, man-on-the-street style, about Hitchcock. This wound up being Matt's first appearance on MTV, about 4 or so years before he would eventually take over hosting 120 Minutes himself. (The interview with Matt aired on 9/22/1991.)

Among songs performed by Hitchcock were "Oceanside," "Acid Bird," "Lysander," "Balloon Man," and "Freeze."

Also catching the show was King Missile frontman John S. Hall. We hung out during the show, having met a couple of months earlier when Hall and his bandmate Chris Xefos came by WHTG for an interview on June 28.
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ROBYN HITCHCOCK & THE EGYPTIANS
Tramps, New York City, September 12

For a band that doesn't play that many live dates, this trio sounded like they'd been practicing rigorously for an extensive world tour, replete with set changes and dancers. At this special venue there were, however, no pyrotechnics or big show paraphernalia and no special guest photo-op jams. But, from just three people, there cam a complete sound - clear, fascinating and memorable. Although Robyn Hitchcock will probably never be remembered as a textbook vocalist or guitar guru, his quirks in front of the microphone and his twangy antics with six or 12 strings have added that priceless dimension to his work that allows his songs to be infinitely more meaningful than just catchy British pop. Watching Hitchcock twitch and growl allows you to see those still active cells of his punk mind take over and frighten us for a moment. In his hour plus set, our chart hero Robyn played songs mostly from Perspex Island and threw in "Balloon Man" for the die-hards. With 12-string in hand, he and the Egyptians were able to recreate the vitality, power and ambience of the of the album's opener. "Oceanside." For a man who some have called "eccentric," "loony" and "just plain nuts," Hitchcock certainly did not seem to lack any clarity or presence of mind whatsoever as he continues to perform some of the world's most enjoyable deviant pop.