It’s very rare that any of Robert’s gigs across the years have been cancelled due to him being ill but after their appearance at Bogart’s Cincinnati, the band's scheduled appearance at Buffalo had to be called off. Press reports from the time say this was due to Robert suffering from “a viral infection and swollen glands.” This meant that the 400 or so punters who’d bought their tickets in advance were disappointed. A few days later when the band take to the stage at 11.00 pm they are sounding noticeably reserved. The normally pin-sharp Trap seems a little reticent compared to its usual verve. Are they tired? Is Johhny Toobad suffering from whatever it was that brought Robert down? No. Robert mentions that Mr. Toobad is getting electric shocks from his hi-hat. No wonder he was reticent! Mind, to hear the whoops and yowls during the first Thrang and Boy At Piano you’d think the audience was getting that errant current directed their way. The jolts, of course, come directly from the live-wire guitar playing that’s helping a few of the crowd hop from foot to foot. The build-back on Dislocated is a lovely example of a band and audience responding to each other. The rapport at that moment is almost tangible.
