I'm coming up only to take your picture.
July 21, 2007 10:21 AM Subscribe
[...] now they’re really interested in this one song– and they still won’t make eye contact, looking through their little lenses, taping this one song for their blogs or for their fucking YouTube [accounts] or whatever, [...] and it just pissed me off.
Band of Horses singer gives San Diego YouTuber the finger, prompting reactions ranging from sympathy with the artist to basically "stop whining, it's part of the job".
Band of Horses singer gives San Diego YouTuber the finger, prompting reactions ranging from sympathy with the artist to basically "stop whining, it's part of the job".
A guy in a band flipped someone off from the stage? Wow. Shocking. That never happens.
posted by Squeak Attack at 10:34 AM on July 21, 2007
posted by Squeak Attack at 10:34 AM on July 21, 2007
I hate seeing a dozen people holding their cellphones up in the air at a show. They're usually the same people who otherwise just stand around looking fashionably bored and making the band feel like shit because everyone is just there to take photos to increase their scene cred and show off their stupid haircut or something. So I can understand why this guy flipped the camera off. It sucks to be on stage in front of an apathetic audience.
posted by cmonkey at 10:35 AM on July 21, 2007 [5 favorites]
posted by cmonkey at 10:35 AM on July 21, 2007 [5 favorites]
i know. it SUCKS to have people like your music enough to not only pay to attend your show, but record a video to further your cause.
posted by tremspeed at 10:38 AM on July 21, 2007 [3 favorites]
posted by tremspeed at 10:38 AM on July 21, 2007 [3 favorites]
is this something you have to be emo to understand?
posted by pyramid termite at 10:38 AM on July 21, 2007
posted by pyramid termite at 10:38 AM on July 21, 2007
Dumb question, but does linking to cached pages keep whining, self-important bloggers from making the Big AdSense Dollars? 'Cuz if so, here's the blogger's page.
I hate these Gargoyle wannabes can't just go to a fucking show and enjoy the music. They're almost as bad as the guy who's always yelling "YEEEAH!!!" two rows behind you. The arrogance of the grassroots ("We made you, and we can break you... but we'll probably just forget about you when next month's flavour comes around...") never ceases to amaze.
And the finger? Come on. Are people so thin-skinned, is the customer culture mindset so ingrained that getting the bird - and in an awesomely cool manner, at that - ruins a show for you? You pissed off the band, but you got off easy. Hell, back in the day, being flipped off would have been a badge of honour, albeit an incredibly mild one. I'm assuming the blogger never heard of the hardcore scene's or GG Allin's shenanigans.
Suck it up, put the camera away, and try being a human being for a few hours.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:52 AM on July 21, 2007 [4 favorites]
I hate these Gargoyle wannabes can't just go to a fucking show and enjoy the music. They're almost as bad as the guy who's always yelling "YEEEAH!!!" two rows behind you. The arrogance of the grassroots ("We made you, and we can break you... but we'll probably just forget about you when next month's flavour comes around...") never ceases to amaze.
And the finger? Come on. Are people so thin-skinned, is the customer culture mindset so ingrained that getting the bird - and in an awesomely cool manner, at that - ruins a show for you? You pissed off the band, but you got off easy. Hell, back in the day, being flipped off would have been a badge of honour, albeit an incredibly mild one. I'm assuming the blogger never heard of the hardcore scene's or GG Allin's shenanigans.
Suck it up, put the camera away, and try being a human being for a few hours.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:52 AM on July 21, 2007 [4 favorites]
it SUCKS to have people like your music enough to not only pay to attend your show, but record a video to further your cause.
I think that misses the point. Obviously you'd prefer to have people in the audience rocking out with you as well as each other when you're playing. The bores with the cameras, even in a small way, put a damper on that, so yeah, it can be frustrating. Besides, I have doubts about how much the youtube phenomenon (particularly in this way) actually helps further the band's cause.
If you want to be filmed while you're playing, you hire a crew and do a music video. Some wanker holding his cell phone up above his head is just taking up space.
It's funny that we've come so far from Miles Davis, who (paraphrasing) said that recorded music wasn't real music, it was just a pale, poor representation of it. Whereas now, when there are people whose sole reason for going to shows is to record them.
posted by psmealey at 10:54 AM on July 21, 2007 [3 favorites]
I think that misses the point. Obviously you'd prefer to have people in the audience rocking out with you as well as each other when you're playing. The bores with the cameras, even in a small way, put a damper on that, so yeah, it can be frustrating. Besides, I have doubts about how much the youtube phenomenon (particularly in this way) actually helps further the band's cause.
If you want to be filmed while you're playing, you hire a crew and do a music video. Some wanker holding his cell phone up above his head is just taking up space.
It's funny that we've come so far from Miles Davis, who (paraphrasing) said that recorded music wasn't real music, it was just a pale, poor representation of it. Whereas now, when there are people whose sole reason for going to shows is to record them.
posted by psmealey at 10:54 AM on July 21, 2007 [3 favorites]
It seems sometimes that no one goes to shows any more to just experience the show, but rather that they're there simply for the point of proving that they were there to those whose approval they crave. I can see why that would annoy the band -- it annoys me when I'm in the audience. The hyper-commercialism of the last 20-30 years seems to have turned out a whole generation of people who are much more concerned with other people's perception of who they are than with just being who they are. Maybe it just seems this way, but it seems this way a lot.
posted by Devils Rancher at 10:54 AM on July 21, 2007
posted by Devils Rancher at 10:54 AM on July 21, 2007
I'm with the band on this one. I hate going to shows only to see hoards of people filming, taking picture with flashes...
Seriously, when did it become acceptable to use a flash at any show?
Put the goddamn camera down and enjoy the show for a second.
posted by vernondalhart at 10:55 AM on July 21, 2007
Seriously, when did it become acceptable to use a flash at any show?
Put the goddamn camera down and enjoy the show for a second.
posted by vernondalhart at 10:55 AM on July 21, 2007
Also, seconding what Devils Rancher said.
posted by vernondalhart at 10:56 AM on July 21, 2007
posted by vernondalhart at 10:56 AM on July 21, 2007
would this person even be a 'youtuber' if he weren't flipped the bird? boo hoo. they weren't moving, just soaking up the energy they're putting out.
that said, it's better than being spit on, or having something thrown at them.
I suggest the singer use the anger to fuel his performance.
during the hard parts, anyway.
worked for me. that, and haranging the lad from the stage. that's always fun. why not just ask why they can't live in the moment.
posted by Busithoth at 10:56 AM on July 21, 2007
that said, it's better than being spit on, or having something thrown at them.
I suggest the singer use the anger to fuel his performance.
during the hard parts, anyway.
worked for me. that, and haranging the lad from the stage. that's always fun. why not just ask why they can't live in the moment.
posted by Busithoth at 10:56 AM on July 21, 2007
I typically find it really annoying when people record shows for the same reason it's annoying when your friend goes through a photography phase - you're not really present someplace when you're concentrating on how to record it so it'll look nice later. And I've definitely been at shows where the energy sucked for one reason or another, and I imagine a band onstage feels that just as keenly as a person in the audience.
On the other hand, the other day I saw Bjork in a standing only venue, and it was really nice that a guy in front of me was holding his digital camera up constantly since there weren't any screens. I could tell I wasn't the only short person near me who was watching the action on his screen so we could actually catch more than a momentary glimpse of her. So in that case, there was an unexpected plus...
posted by crinklebat at 10:56 AM on July 21, 2007
On the other hand, the other day I saw Bjork in a standing only venue, and it was really nice that a guy in front of me was holding his digital camera up constantly since there weren't any screens. I could tell I wasn't the only short person near me who was watching the action on his screen so we could actually catch more than a momentary glimpse of her. So in that case, there was an unexpected plus...
posted by crinklebat at 10:56 AM on July 21, 2007
Eh, they both seem like whiny little pissants to me.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 11:02 AM on July 21, 2007
posted by kittens for breakfast at 11:02 AM on July 21, 2007
Plus, "YouTuber"? I've seen the word used to describe people who are really into to the youtube "scene", popular "celeberties", that sort of thing. And that guy has only one video posted, the video of him being flicked off, so even by the most broad definition he wasn't a "youtuber" when he was at the show.
posted by delmoi at 11:08 AM on July 21, 2007
posted by delmoi at 11:08 AM on July 21, 2007
"I feel bad to single her out, but it wasn't so much her. It was mostly these other people in front of the stage that seemed so disinterested that kind of got the wheels turning, and once they all popped up with the cameras at the same time, I guess that's where it just exploded." So it wasn't even her he says. What a pussy. Single out the girl because some other guys take your picture.
You know, a good band or performer will totally transcend the moment and nobody in the audience will even think about taking a picture because they are to caught up in the energy of the song/concert. Really, if you don't want people taking your picture, try distracting them with your music.
And your favorite band still sucks.
posted by Sailormom at 11:09 AM on July 21, 2007
You know, a good band or performer will totally transcend the moment and nobody in the audience will even think about taking a picture because they are to caught up in the energy of the song/concert. Really, if you don't want people taking your picture, try distracting them with your music.
And your favorite band still sucks.
posted by Sailormom at 11:09 AM on July 21, 2007
wow, a 1000-word interview about someone whiny indie beardo giving the fingers on stage.
Pitchfork racks up another Pulizter.
posted by dydecker at 11:11 AM on July 21, 2007 [3 favorites]
Pitchfork racks up another Pulizter.
posted by dydecker at 11:11 AM on July 21, 2007 [3 favorites]
it's better than being spit on
Beware of Amy Winehouse spitting on you during one of her concerts.
posted by ericb at 11:18 AM on July 21, 2007
Beware of Amy Winehouse spitting on you during one of her concerts.
posted by ericb at 11:18 AM on July 21, 2007
Why is this an issue? I've seen guys in a band jump into the audience with a giant screwdriver, and when not doing that, flicking off members of their own band (yes, it was the Lyres). And this guy shoots a bird to someone with a video camera? And passive-aggressive middle finger at that . This is how you flick off a photographer.
And why does this Band of Horses singer wear one of those fake beards you hook over your ears?
posted by kingfisher, his musclebound cat at 11:24 AM on July 21, 2007
And why does this Band of Horses singer wear one of those fake beards you hook over your ears?
posted by kingfisher, his musclebound cat at 11:24 AM on July 21, 2007
Are people really discussing someone in a band flipping off someone in the audience? Really? And someone actually got offended by something that mundane?
This is a thin-skinned bunch of people.
I've seen The Meatmen perform; I'm now battle hardened and incapable of taking offense at anything a musician does.
posted by quin at 11:28 AM on July 21, 2007
This is a thin-skinned bunch of people.
I've seen The Meatmen perform; I'm now battle hardened and incapable of taking offense at anything a musician does.
posted by quin at 11:28 AM on July 21, 2007
If you want to be filmed while you're playing, you hire a crew and do a music video.
True. But then, conversely, if you firmly don't want to be filmed while playing, you should seek out venues where recording is strictly prohibited, or at the very least request that the audience not record you.
Overall though, I'm going with mountain out of a molehill...
posted by the other side at 11:29 AM on July 21, 2007
True. But then, conversely, if you firmly don't want to be filmed while playing, you should seek out venues where recording is strictly prohibited, or at the very least request that the audience not record you.
Overall though, I'm going with mountain out of a molehill...
posted by the other side at 11:29 AM on July 21, 2007
Ugh, people that do this wind me up. Mediated music. Seriously, can't you just listen? But my main gripe about is that because I'm short I can't see musch of the band as it is (woo-hoo it's the bass player's elbow!). Then a bunch of numbtiks remove any chance I have of seeing anything by sticking their phones in the air ('cause they just don't care).
Yeah, when I rule the world, gig tickets will be allocated according to your height, and short people will get to go to the front.
posted by Helga-woo at 11:34 AM on July 21, 2007
Yeah, when I rule the world, gig tickets will be allocated according to your height, and short people will get to go to the front.
posted by Helga-woo at 11:34 AM on July 21, 2007
I can see everybody's point.
As someone who dj's I'm fucking thrilled every time someone wants to take my picture or record or videotape me. It means I matter to someone or I have some value, which is really great to know.
But I can definitely see how, once you've proven yourself and you're doing it for a living and you have value and lots of people around you are making money off of you, while you aren't seeing a whole lot of the benefits yourself, while busting your ass to make good music that affects people, that can get frustrating.
I've played at clubs where it was not about the music, it was just about dressing up and buying a bottle so you can get a fancy table, and everyone is taking pictures of each other and wants to get a picture with the famous headlining dj, and it sucks. You feed off the energy of the crowd. A good crowd gives you energy back. If it's just a crowd of fucking scene vampires out there, it just bleeds you dry.
posted by empath at 11:56 AM on July 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
As someone who dj's I'm fucking thrilled every time someone wants to take my picture or record or videotape me. It means I matter to someone or I have some value, which is really great to know.
But I can definitely see how, once you've proven yourself and you're doing it for a living and you have value and lots of people around you are making money off of you, while you aren't seeing a whole lot of the benefits yourself, while busting your ass to make good music that affects people, that can get frustrating.
I've played at clubs where it was not about the music, it was just about dressing up and buying a bottle so you can get a fancy table, and everyone is taking pictures of each other and wants to get a picture with the famous headlining dj, and it sucks. You feed off the energy of the crowd. A good crowd gives you energy back. If it's just a crowd of fucking scene vampires out there, it just bleeds you dry.
posted by empath at 11:56 AM on July 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
Man, hope this dude don't go and see Extreme Elvis... Cause Elvis *might* pee on him.
posted by stenseng at 12:03 PM on July 21, 2007
posted by stenseng at 12:03 PM on July 21, 2007
Shame it wasn't a Jesus Lizard show...
posted by SweetJesus at 12:10 PM on July 21, 2007
posted by SweetJesus at 12:10 PM on July 21, 2007
Has anyone tried watching a cell-phone video on you tube? Here's a transcript:
Audio:
[loud noises that sound exactly like you're blowing into a microphone]
Video:
[Pitch darkness and/or luminous blobs.]
I mean, what is the fucking point?
posted by maxwelton at 12:13 PM on July 21, 2007
Audio:
[loud noises that sound exactly like you're blowing into a microphone]
Video:
[Pitch darkness and/or luminous blobs.]
I mean, what is the fucking point?
posted by maxwelton at 12:13 PM on July 21, 2007
What a waste of the internet.
Love Band of Horses though and a couple of other great bands on Sub Pop
posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 12:27 PM on July 21, 2007
Love Band of Horses though and a couple of other great bands on Sub Pop
posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 12:27 PM on July 21, 2007
I think that misses the point. Obviously you'd prefer to have people in the audience rocking out with you as well as each other when you're playing. The bores with the cameras, even in a small way, put a damper on that, so yeah, it can be frustrating.
don't get me wrong, i've never snapped a single photo at any show i've ever been to, and i've attended (and played) quite a few. but the actual birdflip or video camera or backlash wasn't really what i was commenting on- it was the sheer audacity of the singer complaining that one of his songs was popular, instead of appreciating the mere fact that people cared about his band, whether it be one song or ten. perhaps the only time i've ever wanted to deck a woman was the time one wiggled in front of me, had her friend also wiggle in front of me, so she could get pictures of herself in front of the stage while a relatively famous 70s underground-ish band played. believe me, i am as anti cameras at shows as possible. doesn't lessen my contempt for beardo's poor attitude.
Besides, I have doubts about how much the youtube phenomenon (particularly in this way) actually helps further the band's cause.
how is it under that rock?
posted by tremspeed at 12:37 PM on July 21, 2007
don't get me wrong, i've never snapped a single photo at any show i've ever been to, and i've attended (and played) quite a few. but the actual birdflip or video camera or backlash wasn't really what i was commenting on- it was the sheer audacity of the singer complaining that one of his songs was popular, instead of appreciating the mere fact that people cared about his band, whether it be one song or ten. perhaps the only time i've ever wanted to deck a woman was the time one wiggled in front of me, had her friend also wiggle in front of me, so she could get pictures of herself in front of the stage while a relatively famous 70s underground-ish band played. believe me, i am as anti cameras at shows as possible. doesn't lessen my contempt for beardo's poor attitude.
Besides, I have doubts about how much the youtube phenomenon (particularly in this way) actually helps further the band's cause.
how is it under that rock?
posted by tremspeed at 12:37 PM on July 21, 2007
Have any of you ever BEEN to Canes? Jesus Christ, it's like MTV Spring Break Douchebag Central. When I happen to attend a rare show there, I want to do exactly what this singer did to everyone there, except in my case, the bouncers would probably break my neck.
posted by afx114 at 1:05 PM on July 21, 2007
posted by afx114 at 1:05 PM on July 21, 2007
Was there a memo I missed about cameras at shows? I remember being frisked and told to take my camera back to the car or I could listen to the show outside when I was a kid. The last 2 shows I've been to (arena and indie club) were mecca's for assholes with cameras. Put the camera down and enjoy the show.
posted by photoslob at 1:05 PM on July 21, 2007
posted by photoslob at 1:05 PM on July 21, 2007
I am not a religious man but I am praying for a big Monty Python foot to come down and crush the entire club, bands, fans and all the next time this happens.
posted by fleetmouse at 1:07 PM on July 21, 2007
posted by fleetmouse at 1:07 PM on July 21, 2007
Maybe my punk-rock years left me more battle-hardened than most, but I think this is the the weakest bit of pseudo hipster complainery I've ever seen.
Sorry, gota do it... back in my day the finger was a sign of affection and belonging. If I, as a burdening metal/punk/skin/rude boy/whatever, was personally given the finger by someone on stage then I was doing something right.
Kids these days.
posted by willie11 at 1:21 PM on July 21, 2007
Sorry, gota do it... back in my day the finger was a sign of affection and belonging. If I, as a burdening metal/punk/skin/rude boy/whatever, was personally given the finger by someone on stage then I was doing something right.
Kids these days.
posted by willie11 at 1:21 PM on July 21, 2007
how is it under that rock?
It's pretty nice, but then I'm here with your mother. Under this rock. She seems to like it too.
posted by psmealey at 1:49 PM on July 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
It's pretty nice, but then I'm here with your mother. Under this rock. She seems to like it too.
posted by psmealey at 1:49 PM on July 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
If I was on stage I'd be more upset with the assclowns making a spectacle of themselves by dancing than those quietly and attentively observing. Hipster head nods are a more than sufficient show of enthusiasm, thanks.
"No, Eightball, we don't need you to do your emo-greaser update of the funky chicken atop the subwoofer, thanks. Yes, I know you put a lot of work into it in front of the bedroom mirror, making sure your bangs flop just so over your brow, but we play music here, not mindless artless by-the-numbers garage rock for you to project your precanned enthusiasm against."
posted by bunnytricks at 1:58 PM on July 21, 2007
"No, Eightball, we don't need you to do your emo-greaser update of the funky chicken atop the subwoofer, thanks. Yes, I know you put a lot of work into it in front of the bedroom mirror, making sure your bangs flop just so over your brow, but we play music here, not mindless artless by-the-numbers garage rock for you to project your precanned enthusiasm against."
posted by bunnytricks at 1:58 PM on July 21, 2007
If I was on stage I'd be more upset with the assclowns making a spectacle of themselves by dancing than those quietly and attentively observing. Hipster head nods are a more than sufficient show of enthusiasm, thanks.
Are you joking?
If that's true, and this is a common view today, than times truly have changed. As a musician for a lot of years, nothing made me happier than seeing people who were moved enough to dance.
Of course the moshing bullshit in the mid-90s got a bit ridiculous, but was still preferable to playing to a bunch of zombies "listening attentively" (or too uptight to call attention to themselves by getting into it a bit).
posted by psmealey at 2:04 PM on July 21, 2007
Are you joking?
If that's true, and this is a common view today, than times truly have changed. As a musician for a lot of years, nothing made me happier than seeing people who were moved enough to dance.
Of course the moshing bullshit in the mid-90s got a bit ridiculous, but was still preferable to playing to a bunch of zombies "listening attentively" (or too uptight to call attention to themselves by getting into it a bit).
posted by psmealey at 2:04 PM on July 21, 2007
And people call Billy Corgan an egotistical asshole? I guess some people aren't into free publicity. It takes all types to ruin music.
posted by saturnine at 2:12 PM on July 21, 2007
posted by saturnine at 2:12 PM on July 21, 2007
Lame, lame, lame. Whatever happened to the good old days?
" Three quarters of the way through the one-hour set, Rotten (aka John Lydon) stopped the show after he was repeatedly showered with unsolicited free samples of the sponsor's product.
"Y'know, it's a *&%$#'ing shame that we come all the way here and one wanker keeps throwing beer," said the bemused lead singer of the Pistols"
posted by Twang at 2:19 PM on July 21, 2007
" Three quarters of the way through the one-hour set, Rotten (aka John Lydon) stopped the show after he was repeatedly showered with unsolicited free samples of the sponsor's product.
"Y'know, it's a *&%$#'ing shame that we come all the way here and one wanker keeps throwing beer," said the bemused lead singer of the Pistols"
posted by Twang at 2:19 PM on July 21, 2007
If that's true, and this is a common view today, than times truly have changed. As a musician for a lot of years, nothing made me happier than seeing people who were moved enough to dance.
I went to see Apples in Stereo and Television at SummerStage in Central Park this year, and I had never seen such a sad bunch of morose hipsters in my life. During the Apples in Stereo, a band that is crazy about the danceable pop songs, the only people doing anything other than standing up and looking smug were a bunch of high school kids in the front- who my friends and I joined. So apparently most of the people standing near the front wanted to WATCH the Apples in Stereo, instead of merely listening to them whilst reclining further back, but not show any signs of approval. So we thought, okay, maybe all those guys are just there for Television. And they roll on out and start rockin- and everyone still looks like they're at a funeral. I can't imagine getting up on stage every night and seeing people act like they were pulled out of their beds and brought to my show in bread trucks.
posted by 235w103 at 2:43 PM on July 21, 2007
I went to see Apples in Stereo and Television at SummerStage in Central Park this year, and I had never seen such a sad bunch of morose hipsters in my life. During the Apples in Stereo, a band that is crazy about the danceable pop songs, the only people doing anything other than standing up and looking smug were a bunch of high school kids in the front- who my friends and I joined. So apparently most of the people standing near the front wanted to WATCH the Apples in Stereo, instead of merely listening to them whilst reclining further back, but not show any signs of approval. So we thought, okay, maybe all those guys are just there for Television. And they roll on out and start rockin- and everyone still looks like they're at a funeral. I can't imagine getting up on stage every night and seeing people act like they were pulled out of their beds and brought to my show in bread trucks.
posted by 235w103 at 2:43 PM on July 21, 2007
I had always attributed the lack of motion/movement/life in the audience to (1) possibly the band is having an off night, (2) it's harder to move the crowd on a Monday or Tuesday night or (3) regional reserve, people in some areas of the country are naturally less demonstrative than in others.
I had never realized that more than anything else, it had become codified in the hipster code of ethics and behavior ('here we are now, entertain us'): they shalt not exhibit any physical manifestations of enjoyment of the band's music.
Poor hipsters, everyone hates them: the bands, the rockers, the high school punks. They even mostly hate each other. I have to ask: as a species, how do they survive?
posted by psmealey at 2:56 PM on July 21, 2007
I had never realized that more than anything else, it had become codified in the hipster code of ethics and behavior ('here we are now, entertain us'): they shalt not exhibit any physical manifestations of enjoyment of the band's music.
Poor hipsters, everyone hates them: the bands, the rockers, the high school punks. They even mostly hate each other. I have to ask: as a species, how do they survive?
posted by psmealey at 2:56 PM on July 21, 2007
Bah. People holding up shitty cellphone cameras at shows should just stay home. Get over yourselves. No, the band shouldn't be appreciative that you're going to post some awful, low-quality clip of them on YouTube. It sounds like the vibe was a real bummer, and I feel bad for the band.
They seem like decent enough fellows, and I still enjoy Everything All the Time, altough every time I listen to it I feel a little more like they don't deserve quite as much credit for it as they've gotten. Although I wasn't there in the studio, I feel like Phil Elk made that record what it is. It has some pretty tunes, but the lyrics are pretty much unintelligible/throwaways, and everything else about it is fairly generic, except for that great expansive reverby sound. Still, I like it, it's just a headscratcher sometimes that they've been as successful as they have been based on that record.
posted by ludwig_van at 3:15 PM on July 21, 2007
They seem like decent enough fellows, and I still enjoy Everything All the Time, altough every time I listen to it I feel a little more like they don't deserve quite as much credit for it as they've gotten. Although I wasn't there in the studio, I feel like Phil Elk made that record what it is. It has some pretty tunes, but the lyrics are pretty much unintelligible/throwaways, and everything else about it is fairly generic, except for that great expansive reverby sound. Still, I like it, it's just a headscratcher sometimes that they've been as successful as they have been based on that record.
posted by ludwig_van at 3:15 PM on July 21, 2007
And just to beat a specific horse a little more: what are these "the band should be happy for any publicity they can get" people thinking? How do you know the band wants to exploit every possible avenue of promotion? These guys are on Sub Pop and play to some decent-sized crowds, so it's not exactly some basement DIY thing, but they're still indie rockers, and maybe they have, you know, principles of some kind when it comes to their art. Simply being a performer doesn't mean you no longer care about how your art is transmitted and received. It's absolutely Ben Birdwell's prerogative to not want to be seen on YouTube, whether or not that means that a few less people will buy their record.
posted by ludwig_van at 3:25 PM on July 21, 2007
posted by ludwig_van at 3:25 PM on July 21, 2007
At least he didn't go down there and break her camera. I'll give him that much.
posted by majick at 4:07 PM on July 21, 2007
posted by majick at 4:07 PM on July 21, 2007
Huh, this is an interesting post, but I think the whole issue is horse shit.
The interweb, blogs, cellphones, they're all here to stay. Anyone getting on any stage today knows that. So have some fuckin' fun with it. Flippin' the bird is cool. But hell, why not show your weener, or make some sexual innuendo with your tongue. It is a "show" after all.
But as BB metnioned Canes really sucks. His performance did too. So it's all moot anyway.
kingfisher, his musclebound cat, I've had a copy of that photo on my desk for many years! The Best!
posted by snsranch at 4:21 PM on July 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
The interweb, blogs, cellphones, they're all here to stay. Anyone getting on any stage today knows that. So have some fuckin' fun with it. Flippin' the bird is cool. But hell, why not show your weener, or make some sexual innuendo with your tongue. It is a "show" after all.
But as BB metnioned Canes really sucks. His performance did too. So it's all moot anyway.
kingfisher, his musclebound cat, I've had a copy of that photo on my desk for many years! The Best!
posted by snsranch at 4:21 PM on July 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
Bridwell is a birdbrain. His one hit song does not earn his whinyness.
Since when is a cellphone camera a major distraction? It fits in the palm of your hand. Fans have held their arms in the air, held up lighted butane lighters and screamed their asses off at rock concerts for decades. That's what a rock concert is for. If you can't concentrate on the band under those circumstances sit at home and watch a dvd with headphones on.
posted by Blingo at 4:49 PM on July 21, 2007
Since when is a cellphone camera a major distraction? It fits in the palm of your hand. Fans have held their arms in the air, held up lighted butane lighters and screamed their asses off at rock concerts for decades. That's what a rock concert is for. If you can't concentrate on the band under those circumstances sit at home and watch a dvd with headphones on.
posted by Blingo at 4:49 PM on July 21, 2007
I don't know about you guys, but when people flick (or is it flip?) me off it hurts my feelings a bit. I usually feel like flushing myself down a toilet. death etc. (excuse my poor excuse for sarcasm)
On a brighter note, I dialed up oinks and the band is pretty damn good!
posted by kuatto at 5:20 PM on July 21, 2007
On a brighter note, I dialed up oinks and the band is pretty damn good!
posted by kuatto at 5:20 PM on July 21, 2007
psmealy:As a musician for a lot of years, nothing made me happier than seeing people who were moved enough to dance.
I always enjoyed the part where the girls showed us their tits the best, myself. I played in a cover band for a few years that specialized in 70's-era hard rock, like Zep, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Nazereth, Cheap Trick, etc. and when we were having an on-night anyway, something about that stuff would move drunk girls to flash us on a semi-regular basis. I think some of them did it just to see if they could mess us up.
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:42 PM on July 21, 2007
I always enjoyed the part where the girls showed us their tits the best, myself. I played in a cover band for a few years that specialized in 70's-era hard rock, like Zep, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Nazereth, Cheap Trick, etc. and when we were having an on-night anyway, something about that stuff would move drunk girls to flash us on a semi-regular basis. I think some of them did it just to see if they could mess us up.
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:42 PM on July 21, 2007
A camera is a major distraction if you're standing behind the dude holding it up, but that's not the point. The point is that shit like that can ruin the spirit of a show. It's supposed to be about sharing a moment with people in a room, not about capturing it so you can show all your friends your postage-stamp-sized souvenir after the fact.
Once again, Birdwell can act any damn way he pleases about his own music, whether he has one hit song, no hit songs, or a hundred. The presumption on the part of everybody telling him how he ought to be acting is incredible.
posted by ludwig_van at 6:00 PM on July 21, 2007
Once again, Birdwell can act any damn way he pleases about his own music, whether he has one hit song, no hit songs, or a hundred. The presumption on the part of everybody telling him how he ought to be acting is incredible.
posted by ludwig_van at 6:00 PM on July 21, 2007
A camera is a major distraction if you're standing behind the dude holding it up
No it isn't. No more than a butane lighter, and less than an open hand, which is to say it's not a distraction at all. People hold their hands up at concerts all the time, what difference does it make if there's a phone in it? (note: the woman in question held her camera in front of her face, is 5 feet tall, and politely asked those around her.)
but that's not the point.
That is exactly the point you're making - that it's distracting. It's not hard to share a moment with someone holding a tiny camera phone, even in front of you, because it's a concert with a million screaming flailing fans, if you can't you should avoid live rock shows you old crank
Once again, Birdwell can act any damn way he pleases ...The presumption on the part of everybody telling him how he ought to be acting is incredible.
No, that he presumes to tell fans how to act at Canes in San Diego, where cameras and photos are allowed, is what is incredibly moronic. He should have taken it up with the venue instead of flipping off his fans. Sure, he can be a dick to fans, and his fans can call him on it - it's a free country. He's free to have a career flameout after one crappy hit if he wants. Not a good band anyway.
posted by Blingo at 6:26 PM on July 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
No it isn't. No more than a butane lighter, and less than an open hand, which is to say it's not a distraction at all. People hold their hands up at concerts all the time, what difference does it make if there's a phone in it? (note: the woman in question held her camera in front of her face, is 5 feet tall, and politely asked those around her.)
but that's not the point.
That is exactly the point you're making - that it's distracting. It's not hard to share a moment with someone holding a tiny camera phone, even in front of you, because it's a concert with a million screaming flailing fans, if you can't you should avoid live rock shows you old crank
Once again, Birdwell can act any damn way he pleases ...The presumption on the part of everybody telling him how he ought to be acting is incredible.
No, that he presumes to tell fans how to act at Canes in San Diego, where cameras and photos are allowed, is what is incredibly moronic. He should have taken it up with the venue instead of flipping off his fans. Sure, he can be a dick to fans, and his fans can call him on it - it's a free country. He's free to have a career flameout after one crappy hit if he wants. Not a good band anyway.
posted by Blingo at 6:26 PM on July 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
It's not hard to share a moment with someone holding a tiny camera phone, even in front of you, because it's a concert with a million screaming flailing fans, if you can't you should avoid live rock shows you old crank
Awesome. That's the: if it's too loud you're too old mantra for the late aughties.
posted by psmealey at 6:29 PM on July 21, 2007
Awesome. That's the: if it's too loud you're too old mantra for the late aughties.
posted by psmealey at 6:29 PM on July 21, 2007
OH MY GOD. HE GOT FLIPPED OFF. THAT MAN HAD BETTER GO RUN TO MYSPACE TO WHINE ABOUT IT.
posted by aspo at 6:31 PM on July 21, 2007
posted by aspo at 6:31 PM on July 21, 2007
I think you're still ignoring the crux of the matter of the matter, Blingo, but I don't really feel like discussing it anymore.
posted by ludwig_van at 6:50 PM on July 21, 2007
posted by ludwig_van at 6:50 PM on July 21, 2007
I'd have been more impressed with Mr. Bidwell if he'd have stuck to his guns a bit harder, instead of getting all apologetic after the fact. He should have flipped off more people and then told Pitchfork to get fucked when they came asking around.
I think it's funny how people offended by Bidwell's finger suddenly don't like the song anymore.
posted by BeerFilter at 6:59 PM on July 21, 2007
I think it's funny how people offended by Bidwell's finger suddenly don't like the song anymore.
posted by BeerFilter at 6:59 PM on July 21, 2007
It does seem like a ridiculous mountain to make out of a molehill.
I like the (possibly apocryphal) story about The Clash, and I'm going to share it here for no particularly good reason. It's in the liner notes to From Here To Eternity: Live. One fan claims that during a Clash US gig, at the end of a song, a bottle flies from the audience and crashes at Joe Strummer's feet. Joe leans into the mic and utters the brave, but monumentally foolish, line, "is that all you've got?". As they launch into the next number dozens of bottles are hurled at the stage, but, ducking and weaving, the band finish the song.
The great piece of audience interaction on that album is Joe instructing an enthusiastic but tone-dumb fan to, "sing in tune, you bastard".
Anyway. Ignore me.
posted by howfar at 8:12 PM on July 21, 2007
I like the (possibly apocryphal) story about The Clash, and I'm going to share it here for no particularly good reason. It's in the liner notes to From Here To Eternity: Live. One fan claims that during a Clash US gig, at the end of a song, a bottle flies from the audience and crashes at Joe Strummer's feet. Joe leans into the mic and utters the brave, but monumentally foolish, line, "is that all you've got?". As they launch into the next number dozens of bottles are hurled at the stage, but, ducking and weaving, the band finish the song.
The great piece of audience interaction on that album is Joe instructing an enthusiastic but tone-dumb fan to, "sing in tune, you bastard".
Anyway. Ignore me.
posted by howfar at 8:12 PM on July 21, 2007
A camera is a major distraction if you're standing behind the dude holding it up
No it isn't.
Yes, it really rather IS damn annoying.
*is far from being an old crank, too*
posted by Windigo at 11:42 AM on July 22, 2007
No it isn't.
Yes, it really rather IS damn annoying.
*is far from being an old crank, too*
posted by Windigo at 11:42 AM on July 22, 2007
Old is a state of mind. When a camera phone becomes a major distraction to the rock band blaring up on stage, face it: you are old. Stay at home, eat oatmeal, and let the kids have their fun.
posted by Blingo at 3:01 PM on July 22, 2007
posted by Blingo at 3:01 PM on July 22, 2007
I'm afraid you just don't get it, maaan.
posted by ludwig_van at 3:09 PM on July 22, 2007
posted by ludwig_van at 3:09 PM on July 22, 2007
And Blingo, if you think me punching you in the fucking face when you're holding your camera up is, like, a distraction, man, you're just not punk rock enough to go out to shows.
This all ahs made me vaguely more curious about the band though.
psmealy: "If that's true, and this is a common view today, than times truly have changed. As a musician for a lot of years, nothing made me happier than seeing people who were moved enough to dance."
Heh. This was Detroit's rep for YEARS — That the audience would all be nodding in their black leather jackets, just too jaded to give a fuck about whatever you were doing at all.
posted by klangklangston at 11:57 AM on July 23, 2007
This all ahs made me vaguely more curious about the band though.
psmealy: "If that's true, and this is a common view today, than times truly have changed. As a musician for a lot of years, nothing made me happier than seeing people who were moved enough to dance."
Heh. This was Detroit's rep for YEARS — That the audience would all be nodding in their black leather jackets, just too jaded to give a fuck about whatever you were doing at all.
posted by klangklangston at 11:57 AM on July 23, 2007
Heh. This was Detroit's rep for YEARS
Never been there. That makes sense given all that I had heard about that scene over the years.
posted by psmealey at 1:00 PM on July 23, 2007
Never been there. That makes sense given all that I had heard about that scene over the years.
posted by psmealey at 1:00 PM on July 23, 2007
Btw, klang, is that what underlies the "DETROIT SUCKS" t-shirt that the Lester Bangs character wore in Almost Famous?
posted by psmealey at 1:54 PM on July 23, 2007
posted by psmealey at 1:54 PM on July 23, 2007
I AM an old grouchy fucker. I'm not a big rock-star (like the BOH singer is) but the few times that I AM on a stage, I'm there to PERFORM (the fucker got paid, right?). I don't give a shit if it's a camera or a girl showing me her titties.
A camera? Hell, what would James Brown do?
disclaimer: yea, that girl was a dumb bitchy girl to go run to here blog to yap about it.
RE: emo, if the guy had squeezed out a tear, just for her and her camera, he would be king daddy dog-shit right now.
posted by snsranch at 4:59 PM on July 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
A camera? Hell, what would James Brown do?
disclaimer: yea, that girl was a dumb bitchy girl to go run to here blog to yap about it.
RE: emo, if the guy had squeezed out a tear, just for her and her camera, he would be king daddy dog-shit right now.
posted by snsranch at 4:59 PM on July 23, 2007 [1 favorite]
klangklangston, if making threats to strangers from the safe anonmity of your keyboard is what counts as being punk rock, then you are so punk rock you got it leaking out your ass.
Seriously, the band isn't horrible, I'd give their second album a llisten.
psmealey: I don't know if I'd call it dancing today, but it's more motion than there has been for while. After moshing mostly died out in the mid nineties, audiences would just stand practically motionless at rock shows. It seems that now there is some rocking and rolling going on.
posted by Blingo at 3:30 AM on July 24, 2007
Seriously, the band isn't horrible, I'd give their second album a llisten.
psmealey: I don't know if I'd call it dancing today, but it's more motion than there has been for while. After moshing mostly died out in the mid nineties, audiences would just stand practically motionless at rock shows. It seems that now there is some rocking and rolling going on.
posted by Blingo at 3:30 AM on July 24, 2007
you're just not punk rock enough to go out to shows
that's so 70s, man
posted by pyramid termite at 8:47 AM on July 24, 2007
that's so 70s, man
posted by pyramid termite at 8:47 AM on July 24, 2007
"klangklangston, if making threats to strangers from the safe anonmity of your keyboard is what counts as being punk rock, then you are so punk rock you got it leaking out your ass."
And if snivelling when people call out your dickish show behavior is what counts as being cool, then you're the motherfucking Fonze.
"Never been there. That makes sense given all that I had heard about that scene over the years."
Yeah, I remember it as a complaint in national rags (MRR, FSF) even before I started going to shows. But I think that the Detroit Sucks was more a testiment to our scrappy charm and longtime self-loathing.
posted by klangklangston at 9:19 AM on July 24, 2007
And if snivelling when people call out your dickish show behavior is what counts as being cool, then you're the motherfucking Fonze.
"Never been there. That makes sense given all that I had heard about that scene over the years."
Yeah, I remember it as a complaint in national rags (MRR, FSF) even before I started going to shows. But I think that the Detroit Sucks was more a testiment to our scrappy charm and longtime self-loathing.
posted by klangklangston at 9:19 AM on July 24, 2007
OH NOES HE RETURNS WITH WEAK SNARK!
posted by klangklangston at 9:28 AM on July 25, 2007
posted by klangklangston at 9:28 AM on July 25, 2007
"HE"? Not sure who you're referring to, Klang. Oh, I get it, you're referring to yourself in an unexpected show of self deprecation. What a pleasant surprise. Now run along and spread your weak snark elsewhere, you clueless bag of snot.
posted by Blingo at 6:22 AM on July 26, 2007
posted by Blingo at 6:22 AM on July 26, 2007
AND TEH WEAK SNARKS CONTINU!
posted by klangklangston at 9:21 AM on July 26, 2007
posted by klangklangston at 9:21 AM on July 26, 2007
Re-rail: et tu, Damien?
(relevant bit at the very end)
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 1:26 PM on July 26, 2007
(relevant bit at the very end)
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 1:26 PM on July 26, 2007
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posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 10:22 AM on July 21, 2007