Rock Show Phase (1983 - 1996)
The rock show period comprised of four(1)
fairly distinct stages, with the unifying characteristics of copious quantities
of noise and an interesting profligacy of unusual(2) lighting techniques:
Pyrus Labius Inaugrous flourished in far-flung places such as
ethnically dominated ‘Blues Bars’ and transsexual ‘Dives’. An early
tendency towards abnormality attracted an equally diverse set of
admirers. Few visual records exist from this early stage.
Pyrus Labius Vulgaris was readily distinguishable by an unbridled
tendency to sprout a ‘Led Zeppelin cover’ at any moment. This variety saw
the rapid development of the use of on-stage pyrotechnics, despite remaining
in habitats of modest size, and also some early multimedia
experiences(3).
The highly seasonal variety Pyrus Labius Ferocious displayed
a remarkable extension in sound vocabulary and extreme development of
musical style. This lurid spectacle manifested itself as a rushing
wall of noise and musical ideas hitherto unparalleled. Similarly
extended was the propensity to indulge in pyrotechnic experimentation(4).
The subsequent Pyrus Labius Populous variation showed signs of
refinement and a distinctive propagation across a much larger section
of the planet - it was spotted throughout Europe and also in parts of
Japan and the Australias. Unusual lighting was employed to the full,
with fairy lights a particular favourite(5), often coupled with the
intensive distribution of either bubbles or confetti. Also of note is
a marked proliferation at the sites of open-air festivals. A secondary variation of
Populous is known to have existed - Pyrus Labius Intimatus was found
in many record stores, as well as some radio stations. This was an altogether more low
key variety, though no less glorious.
Multiple Sound Source Experimentation Phase (1996 - 1998)
Pyrus Labius receded vastly when Populous overextended
and drew the Rock Show Phase to a close. This precipitated the relatively
rare Enclosous variety, found only in
parking lots in the mid-south of the North American sub-continent.
Pyrus Labius Enclosus was distinguished by a stark appearance
coupled with a truly complex construction. Its rarity cannot be overstated,
as there are only seven recorded sightings of this phenomenon(6).
The main reason for the scarcity of Enclosus was the rapid
development into the highly developed Pyrus Labius Involvus.
This intriguingly evolved form of gig was first
encountered in the late Summer of 1997, and rapidly developed from a
relatively stationary system to the well documented form seen at the
fully interactive third encounter. Involvus displays an astonishing
variety of behavioural patterns and has been known to induce extreme
reactions(7). Several sightings usually occur in quick succession
and close proximity before this most enigmatic variety of Pyrus Labius goes
to ground for varying periods of time. It is now thought to be dormant.
In 1998, climatic change in the environment of Pyrus Labius and marked shifts
in growth patterns suggested that the development of a new genus was imminent.
Reports of possible mutations abounded. However, it remained unclear how these might
actually manifest themselves(8).
Multimedia Extravaganza Phase (1999 - )
What actually established itself could be genetically considered to be a hybrid variety,
born of Populous and Enclosus. However, the new Pyrus Labius
Spectaclus is in fact very much a mutated hybrid, achieving
far more than has ever been seen before. Still in its early stages, this truly
remarkable mutation has already displayed a huge range of new visual traits with strange
additional dimensions in sound(9). Coupled with a tendency to evoke much more feeling
than had previously been the case (in the Rock Show Phase from which it is largely descended),
this looks set to become the most beautiful and admired variety yet.
