Yes, but does it swing?

October 2, 2007 11:07 AM

Lengthy interview with The Bad Plus in All About Jazz
posted by klangklangston (17 comments total)

thanks for this, klang. i am currently enjoying the shit out of "prog." especially the "everybody wants to rule the world" cover.
posted by Hat Maui at 11:14 AM on October 2, 2007

I love love love the Bad Plus' blog.
posted by mkb at 11:21 AM on October 2, 2007 [2 favorites]

This is the kind of band I would publicly denounce as a bunch of douchebags, and then secretly listen to.
posted by phaedon at 11:26 AM on October 2, 2007 [2 favorites]

I caught them at Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park in the summer of '06: they did a terrific set which the small but devoted audience totally enjoyed.
posted by TheKlugArsch at 11:27 AM on October 2, 2007

"This is the kind of band I would publicly denounce as a bunch of douchebags, and then secretly listen to."

Yeah, I go back and forth about them, especially about their covers.

But I think, more than anything else, that they're incredibly interesting folks in interviews, so I knocked this up here.
posted by klangklangston at 11:33 AM on October 2, 2007

I totally dig The Bad Plus. Thanks for posting!
posted by Demogorgon at 1:27 PM on October 2, 2007

Thanks for the post Klang, and special thanks to you MKB for pointing me in their blog's direction. I love the Bad Plus, I would love to see them live one day.
posted by msali at 2:22 PM on October 2, 2007

In the space of about 2 months, I saw The Bad Plus play both the Knitting Factory and the Village Vanguard here in NYC.
The Knitting Factory show made me a total convert, as they put on a better rock show than most of the other rock and punk bands I've seen play there.
The Vanguard show was cool, but everybody was so dead silent, sitting at those little cocktail tables, that it was a little bit weird.
Conclusion: jazz or no, The Bad Plus are best listened to up your feet with a shitty beer in hand, surrounded by kids in hoodies.
posted by Hadroed at 2:53 PM on October 2, 2007

TheKlugArsch: I was at that set too. I had heard them a couple times before on the radio and otherwise, but that set hooked me. Been a big fan ever since.
posted by cacophony at 3:00 PM on October 2, 2007

he Bad Plus are best listened to up your feet with a shitty beer in hand, surrounded by kids in hoodies.

Up *on* your feet is what I meant. But sure, up your feet too.
posted by Hadroed at 3:01 PM on October 2, 2007

I like the Brit sloganeering feel of "Up Your Feet!"
posted by klangklangston at 3:02 PM on October 2, 2007

They wrote a great blog post about their covers and people mistaking them for sarcasm.
posted by revfitz at 3:21 PM on October 2, 2007

I like the Brit sloganeering feel of "Up Your Feet!"

Actually, from what I remember of Ethan Iverson's inter-song patter, it could also easily be the punchline to one of his song introductions.
posted by Hadroed at 3:25 PM on October 2, 2007

I was very "meh" about The Bad Plus until I heard "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" on the way home a few weeks ago. Damn, I've got to admit I'm amazed by how true they stuck to the original while still making it something completely different. I still think they're gimmicky, but they sure work that gimmick well.
posted by honeydew at 5:06 PM on October 2, 2007

I came to this thread to say in 200 words what it took phaedon 20 words to express.

I really want to hate this band on principle. But I can't. I like them.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 5:45 PM on October 2, 2007

Thanks for this link, I never would have seen it otherwise.

Just saw them at the local rock club, which also brings in acts like Mushroomhead.

The were awesome, and the crowd managed to stay shut up for the whole show! Unprecedented.
posted by 4midori at 11:40 PM on October 2, 2007

I categorically disagree with the folks who are crying "gimmick." Seriously, listen to that pianist. He can motherfucking play. They are real musicians.

Anyone who thinks that there is no place for humor, earnestness, quirk or (gasp!) the occasional touch of irony in music needs to throw away their iPod and take up golf.

The band writes very eloquently on this topic in the blog linked above.
posted by the_bone at 7:19 AM on October 3, 2007