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Post by The Curmudgeon on Oct 18, 2007 20:14:55 GMT 2
Now, I always say that sales don't equal greatness. Look at the dire state of the charts right now and what is selling, and it almost seems to be dull, pedestrian and vapid = £££. Or $$$ if you'd rather. There are the exceptions to that rather negative viewpoint, but you get my point.
So, have you ever seen a band you like who don't even touch the surface of Best Sellers and wish it were different, that they were selling out stadiums and that everyone, from the little kids to the housewives, owned their album?
Case in point - I've been into this band for a few years now, Hot Hot Heat, and I think I can count on one hand the amount of people I know who have actually heard of them. Their new album came out a few weeks ago and didn't even make a dent on the charts. And yet (in my opinion) less superior guitar bands are selling out gigs and topping charts and "Best Of" polls everywhere.
It's pretty frustrating, especially when some dead-eye asks what band you're going to see, and then they roll their eyes and snicker at the "crazy, no-hope" bands I'm into. Yet I know that all it would take is for a HHH song to play on, say, Grey's fucking Anatomy or some car ad and they would suddenly be "fans".
Does this sort of thing bug anyone else?
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Post by trashcanman on Oct 19, 2007 22:58:00 GMT 2
Hot Hot Heat have gotten a lot of press on the hipster SPIN magazine circuit, but I haven't heard their music. Personally, I've found that whenever one of "my" bands make it big, they tend to forget who the fuck they are and become the very thing they opposed for so long. System of a Down and Primus are notable exceptions (I am still boggled that anyone else listens to those guys) but Korn, AFI, In Flames, and even the mighty Ozzy have all succumbed within the last several years. It is truly sad that I'm the only Bad Brains fan I know; but hey, it just makes the music that much more special to me. Holding it down for the underground while remaining successful is a hell of a tightrope to walk and very few bands can do it for long. Bad Religion, NOFX, Anthrax, Slayer, Bob Mould, and Fugazi are some key examples from the punk, metal, and indie worlds that have sustained careers for decades without selling out or otherwise losing their integrity. If only more could follow.
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Post by The Curmudgeon on Oct 20, 2007 0:47:21 GMT 2
Not that its the same sort of music as Bad Brains, but have you seen the movie "Dig!" ? It kinda draws a line between what's getting your music heard and being a successful rock band and being a corporate shill. The guy from the Brian Jonestown Massacre was just 100% against anything like record deals or music videos, while Courtney Taylor of The Dandy Warhols went for it but still managed to make the music he wanted to. Which, I suppose, is why I'm calling him "the guy from Brian Jonestown Massacre."
Regardless - top movie.
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Post by Ben on Oct 21, 2007 7:44:04 GMT 2
I would tend to agree with Trashcanman on this one: Most bands who make it big take serious changes for the worse. For that reason, part of me likes bands that aren't well known to stay that way. On the other hand, if I could force Hurt's music into the ears of everyone I know, I'd be happy to know they listen to SOMETHING decent.
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Post by The Curmudgeon on Oct 21, 2007 17:36:58 GMT 2
I also like when you meet or get talking to someone who likes some fairly uknown band. It's certainly better than talking to someone who only likes big, mainstream bands.
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Post by trashcanman on Oct 21, 2007 20:58:54 GMT 2
Agreed. It's cool that when I wear my Dead Kennedys, S.O.D, or Husker Du shirts out someone comes up to talk just based on that mutual interest. It's also fun because my wife hates those shirts, but she craves compliments for her own outfits so she gets this look when someone likes my shabby fashion statements. Naturally, I've got to rub it in, afterwards. "Oh look, sweetie, that's the third person this week! How many compliments have you gotten on that Marie Claire top? None? Oh, how awful! Would you like to borrow my Johnny Cash flipping the bird T-shirt?" Muwa-ha-ha-ha!
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Post by Calum on Oct 28, 2007 13:27:15 GMT 2
Curmy, Hot Hot Heat are pants and Bandages is the most annoying song since Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick.
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Post by The Curmudgeon on Oct 28, 2007 14:10:58 GMT 2
Ahem, as someone who lists The Hussy's, JJ72 and fucking BABYBIRD on their Myspace, I think that's rather cute.
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Post by Calum on Oct 29, 2007 7:19:26 GMT 2
There are those who have heard You're Gorgeous and ventured no further with Babybird and there are those who have ventured further and seen the genius of "If you'll be mine"/ "Snails"/ "Too Much"/ "Fireflies" etc all of which beat the likes of "Bandages" to a bloody pulp in the quality stakes.
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Post by The Curmudgeon on Oct 29, 2007 7:56:53 GMT 2
No.. no, they really don't. "You're Gorgeous" was one of the worst novelty hit singles ever. That they failed to move on from one-hit wonder status was only a blessing. Never mind, they have a song as the soundtrack to a cooking show - how rock and roll.
And Stephen Jones out "twats" Steve Bays any day of the week.
Sigh - you know Calum, one of these days we may agree on something. I'll don my Criswell hat and say........ 11th October... 2010. Be there!
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Post by Calum on Oct 29, 2007 14:49:19 GMT 2
You're Gorgeous was great for the simple fact that couples got married to it without listening to the lyrics which are CLEARLY about a freaking gay pornographer taking pics of someone to sell to a top shelf mag! Just brilliant.
Stephen Jones always came across, to me, as a very smart guy and his particular brand of lo-fi has had many highlights. He's never done a good album but about 50% of everything post-Ugly Beautiful has been brilliant. Their best of CD is a really high quality affair IMO and I rate them very highy indeed ("If You'll Be Mine" is hands down one of the best singles of the 90s).
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