Ever since Syd Barrett fried his creative faculties with LSD, pop has been fascinated by the idea of the "unhinged genius". Some may say that the Aliens' Gordon Anderson has a greater claim than most to that epithet. After emerging as frontman of the hugely acclaimed Beta Band, who provide the Aliens with three of their number, he underwent what he still refers to as "demonic possession". The Aliens' fantastic debut album, Astronomy for Dogs, describes Anderson's time in the wilderness as "10 long years in a mental asylum".

Now he's recovered, all eyes are on Anderson. With Jimi Hendrix Experience hair and a loopy spotted tie, he looks like he could have been blasted from a 1967 acid trip. He affects a Spike Milligan goon voice, has to start a song again after forgetting to tune his guitar, and comments that the crowd look "very web-like". However, as the Aliens gradually get it together, it is clear that Anderson is in control not just of his creative juices, but of an astounding band.

Their music may well mirror the chaos that went on in his head, but Anderson and pals make it sound like no bad thing: there are snatches of dub, crashing Moog synthesisers and psychedelic pop. The lyrics document mental collapse, but are delivered so gleefully they incite hysteria among the crowd. In the infectious Robot Man - which may or may not refer to his treatment, which involved 144 electric shocks - Anderson moves his rubbery legs like a demented moonwalk. Then he wonderfully illustrates Happy Song by literally climbing the venue's walls.

· At the Cluny, Newcastle (0191 230 4474), tonight. Then touring.