WILCO = Will Cold-cock
October 22, 2006 10:45 AM   Subscribe

Fan jumps Jeff Tweedy. Jeff Tweedy jumps fan. Incident. Apology. Pitchfork. WILCO (scroll down to "Springfield Masacree)
posted by c:\awesome (96 comments total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
 
I think I would've done the same thing if I were in Tweedy's place... maybe even more!
posted by c:\awesome at 10:46 AM on October 22, 2006


Thanks for this post - Wilco's my favorite band, and I hadn't heard about this yet.
posted by jonson at 10:49 AM on October 22, 2006


How weird - I'm listening to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot as we speak.
posted by skoosh at 10:54 AM on October 22, 2006


what a dickhead that singer is.
posted by dydecker at 10:55 AM on October 22, 2006


Totally disagree, I would have done the exact same thing.
posted by jonson at 10:55 AM on October 22, 2006


bullocks. that's a punch?
Does that mean I had license to destroy the fucktard that chipped my tooth at a show I played at? I should hunt him down.

funny shit, watching him emo himself out afterwards. fucking hoi polloi getting all uppity.

'look, dude, I get you like our music, and I like that you pay $XX to see us, but that's where it ends, mmkay?'
posted by Busithoth at 10:57 AM on October 22, 2006


at least Tweedy didn't barf on the guy
posted by matteo at 10:59 AM on October 22, 2006 [2 favorites]


"nobody likes to punch people in the face. now I feel all bad"

aw he's so sensitive. emo is the word. If it hurts your precious feelings to punch people in the face, don't do it.
posted by dydecker at 11:00 AM on October 22, 2006


This happened a few blocks away from me. I didn't go to the show, but from what my friends told me, there was next to no security around the stage... or anywhere else for that matter. The venue (Springfield's Shrine Mosque) is typically staffed by aging shriners, so I'm really not surprised. I bet that's the last time Wilco comes to Springfield.
posted by bjork24 at 11:01 AM on October 22, 2006


All I saw was a fan jumping on stage and trying to sing with whatever his name is. Mr Singer then punches him. How is that being jumped?
posted by DieHipsterDie at 11:01 AM on October 22, 2006


Ian Brown shows how it's really done.
posted by the cuban at 11:07 AM on October 22, 2006


Didn't look like a punch to me. Looked like the singer pushed him away.
posted by jayder at 11:07 AM on October 22, 2006


I think the point is that, midsong, Tweedy is probably very focussed. Sneaking up on him, as that guy did, is bound to startle anyone. And if you are VERY intent on doing your job WELL in front of X number of people (how big is the Shrine?) you are bound to react defensively. I'm a big Wilco fan and Tweedy strikes me as the least likely guy to resort to that kind of thing.
posted by fingers_of_fire at 11:08 AM on October 22, 2006


how big is the Shrine?

The Shrine holds a little less than 5,000, but only 1,300 showed up to the show, which is probably another reason for Wilco not to come back. Springfield's a terrible concert town, and Wilco thought they could organize a good-sized show with zero advertising. That might work in Columbia or Lawrence, KS, but not here. It's sad, really.
posted by bjork24 at 11:13 AM on October 22, 2006


He should've given the guy a brisk rogering.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 11:15 AM on October 22, 2006


The most shocking thing about that video is just how awful Wilco's music is. Yikes!
posted by DieHipsterDie at 11:15 AM on October 22, 2006


I saw Wilco in April at the Starland Ballroom, about half an hour outside of NYC. Now, the previous two times Wilco played in the area, the venues were Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. What gives? Is it just me, or does Wilco have strange and erratic performance practices? Don't get me wrong, I think it's cool that they are playing smaller markets, but as bjork sez, zero publicity? I don't get it...
posted by fingers_of_fire at 11:17 AM on October 22, 2006 [1 favorite]


I don't really understand the criticism of Tweedy; if you do something as asinine as jumping up on stage during a show (and attempting to kiss the singer!), a punch in the face seems like the least you should expect.

(And, the whole thing seemed less remarkable than the initial post led me to expect. I'd guess this sort of thing happens on dozens of stages every night of the week.)
posted by sriracha at 11:20 AM on October 22, 2006


I had comps to that show, but skipped it due to flu.

And yes, Springfield is a terrible concert town.
posted by sourwookie at 11:22 AM on October 22, 2006


Note to self: stop sneaking up on performers and grabbing their heads while they're on stage singing. Some of 'em don't like it.
posted by washburn at 11:29 AM on October 22, 2006


Heh. They quote Lou Whitney. I'm in a band with him.

Given the size of the "scene" here chances are really good I know the interlopers (video footage is blurry). I should find out who they are.
posted by sourwookie at 11:30 AM on October 22, 2006


I feel bad for Tweedy, he seems genuinely upset.
posted by Matt Oneiros at 11:32 AM on October 22, 2006


Aw, poor Springfield (my hometown).

I saw Alice in Chains have a much worse meltdown at the Shrine about twelve years ago. It's not a great place for shows at all.
posted by Bookhouse at 11:42 AM on October 22, 2006


I don't see the big deal. That idiot will dine out for years on the glory of having been shoved by Tweedy. The apology was a little wussy, though. Keith Richards doesn't apologize.
posted by languagehat at 11:43 AM on October 22, 2006


I've been checking the local message boards to get an ID but have had no luck.

I did learn, however, that to get on stage he climbed onto the legs of a wheelchair-bound girl with whom my younger brother just returned from Egypt.

Small world.
posted by sourwookie at 11:46 AM on October 22, 2006


He probably was upset, Matt Onerios. Tweedy used to be famous for his pre-show anxiety attacks, so god knows that probably rattled him. I'm really shocked by Ian Brown, though. He always seemed so nice on Sunday Morning.

Note to DieHipsterDie (Or is your name German for Vie Hipster, Vie?): You try too hard.

And when the heck did Wilco become emo? Don't make me quote Princess Bride on your poseur asses.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:48 AM on October 22, 2006


Good for him. Jeff Tweedy rules.
posted by unknowncommand at 11:52 AM on October 22, 2006


No it's 'TheHipsterThe'.
Anyone who speaks German can't be all bad.
posted by Flashman at 11:57 AM on October 22, 2006


Ugh on the fans getting on the stage. Why is it there's always some idiot who thinks they're the rock star? I didn't come to see them get their drunken arses on the stage.
posted by dog food sugar at 11:58 AM on October 22, 2006


Don't make me quote Princess Bride on your poseur asses.

There's a shortage of perfect breasts in this world?
posted by sourwookie at 12:03 PM on October 22, 2006


Hint: if the band wants you on stage, they well tell you to get up on the stage.
posted by cortex at 12:04 PM on October 22, 2006


There's really nothing more annoying than the current trend to sling "emo" around like it's an insult. It's really not. There are some terrible emo bands, like there are in any sub-genre of music, but tossing it out there like you're making a clever point is just, well, stupid.

/puts on Fugazi
posted by The God Complex at 12:08 PM on October 22, 2006


Yeah that's what I was thinking of Alvy Ampersand.
posted by Matt Oneiros at 12:10 PM on October 22, 2006


Also, fans who get on stage, or fans who throw things at performers (shoes, batteries, glass bottles) deserve everything they get. I'm always a bit surprised people who throw things on stage don't get the holy hell beaten out of them by other people in the audience, or at least find themselves being "escorted" to security. I mean, one imagines they're actually fans of the band onstage.

He shouldn't have apologized though. This sort of thing happens all the time, only the band usually has a security guy on the side of the stage that will run out and forcefully tackle anyone who tries something that stupid. It's always kind of funny to watch that happen while the band keeps playing.
posted by The God Complex at 12:12 PM on October 22, 2006


Wow, all this time I've been laughing at that Sideshow Bob quote for the wrong, misheard, and not really logical reason.

That makes much more sense.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 12:17 PM on October 22, 2006


Mod note: Totally justified. The only other appropriate reaction would have been for Tweedy to visit the guy at *his* job the next day and jump him from behind right there in the mailroom just to see how he likes them apples.

Also, see Idolator's Hey, Asshole!, which attempts to be a snarky compendium of this kind of "fan" obnoxiousness.

Finally, would this be the right thread to post this humorous audio parody of the "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" film? self-link to my Vox, just because I can't find it online right now. also, warning: excessively geeky, loud screaming monkeys
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 12:24 PM on October 22, 2006 [1 favorite]


I was once showered with glass when this fucktard hurled a beer bottle at Danko Jones' mic stand. If I hadn't been wearing glasses, I would probably have suffered some serious damage.

I hate idiot concert-goers. Holy fuck can they be annoying. This guy got off easy imo. Tweedy shoulda stomped his ass.
posted by dobbs at 12:26 PM on October 22, 2006


DieBartDie
posted by DieHipsterDie at 12:33 PM on October 22, 2006


FYI: The Keith Richards Video (YouTube)
posted by toftflin at 12:35 PM on October 22, 2006


I Am Trying To Break Your Nose
posted by Flashman at 12:40 PM on October 22, 2006 [1 favorite]


as long as we're hating on idiot concert goers, can we save a little hate for people who won't dance, crowds that won't get their fucking hands up, and whatever's left for people who hold their cell phones in the air the whole show? (I'm looking at you, Chrome Children.)
posted by carsonb at 12:43 PM on October 22, 2006


Not a big deal. Normal reaction. Drunk guy probably didn't feel a thing.
posted by itchylick at 12:46 PM on October 22, 2006


Once again, we learn that Pitchfork are dicks. How is it that they could write a story and interview neither Tweedy nor the fan? Nor did they link to Wilco's press release about the matter? WTF?
posted by eustacescrubb at 12:46 PM on October 22, 2006


Dimebag R.I.P.
posted by the cuban at 12:47 PM on October 22, 2006


He should've given the guy a brisk rogering.

The guy was clearly a fan, so the chances of him punching him back were pretty slim.

Then, he didn't even have the courage of his convictions. He punches him, and spends the rest of the night agonizing about it.

So it looked to me like he'd be a damn sight happier dropping his pants for the guy and taking a brisk rogering.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 12:48 PM on October 22, 2006


Go Tweedy! No need to apologise. PeterMcDermott, when someone you don't know grabs you like that in that sort of a situation it's instincive to react with some form of physical retaliation. I'm sure it shocked him more than anything and while there's reason to feel bad about it afterwards as someone like Jeff might, there's no reason to apologise when the other person is acting so inappropriately.

Having said that, I was at a Wilco show at the Commodore in Vancouver about 5 or so years ago when a fan tried to climb up onstage and Tweedy booted him square in the chest and the fan flew backwards in stagedive fashion. It was more of a rowdy rock n' roll show than they do these days (so it didn't make a big impact), but just like this it was totally justified. Reacting strongly to abnormal fan behavior is instinctive (as in this case) and self-defensive as well as a deterrant for any future, similar behaviour. I'm all for it. People have been seriously hurt by fans.

Can't wait for that Sunken Treasure Solo, Live DVD.
posted by jimmythefish at 12:55 PM on October 22, 2006


Jeff Tweedy is the Joyce Carol Oates of alternarock.
posted by dhammond at 12:55 PM on October 22, 2006


Come on, PeterM. He reacted instinctively when someone snuck up on him. Then he felt bad about it.

On preview, what Jimmythefish said.
posted by ibmcginty at 12:55 PM on October 22, 2006


Once again, we learn that Pitchfork are dicks. How is it that they could write a story and interview neither Tweedy nor the fan? Nor did they link to Wilco's press release about the matter? WTF?

Not that I want to come to their defense, but the press release came out AFTER the PFM article (and, I presume, in response to it) as did the YouTube vids, which paint quite a diff picture than the people who emailed Pitchfork. And how did you expect them to interview the fan?

To me, the PFM article reads exactly like what it is: a gossip entry, and gossip entries are rarely checked up on or remembered.
posted by dobbs at 12:59 PM on October 22, 2006


Not a Wilco fan. Know nothing about them.

Tweedy did the right thing. Both by defending himself, and by apologizing/clarifying his point of view.

Stay off the stage unless you are part of the act!
posted by The Deej at 1:04 PM on October 22, 2006


The worst idiot concert-goers are the people who wait for a pause in a slow song to go "Woooo!", just so everyone can hear them.
posted by Bookhouse at 1:07 PM on October 22, 2006 [1 favorite]


Tweedy was right and anyone who thinks he is a "dickhead" is either

a) an asshole
or
b) has never performed on stage.

I work behind a mic and let me tell you, I'm not much in a fight- but if you run up on stage and touch me, I will deck you so fast they won't know where to throw the spotlight.

ANYone who criticizes Tweedy is a DillWeed of the Highest Order.
posted by squidfartz at 1:15 PM on October 22, 2006


the fan , took a blow in the face for all the cheerful morons , who daily ruin other people's good times in theaters, restaurants, parks, bars, and in traffic.

i just wish all the child like buffons (i have never been intriduced to) who scream at a friend across the restaurant, or what ever, would get a promt fist in the kisser, from tweedy.
posted by nola at 1:26 PM on October 22, 2006


or put another way. if your over the age of 12, try acting like it.
posted by nola at 1:29 PM on October 22, 2006


My favorite is this one of Maynard from Tool. Takes the dude down with some Jiu Jitsu and keeps on singing.

I can't see how Tweedy has anything apologize for.
posted by frenetic at 2:34 PM on October 22, 2006


Maynard from Tool took down a dude who rushed the stage and finished the fucking song while sitting on said dude's head. This feels off-topic to me, but it can't be off-topic, since it's a musician walloping somebody who shouldn't have been on-stage, right?
posted by cgc373 at 2:35 PM on October 22, 2006 [1 favorite]


I remember when I was a sideshow performer playing at a small gig in Scandanavia somewhere. Two very drunk locals sort of took over our stage to "perform" their own stunts. They were too big and drunk for us to try and remove them, and there was no club security. We simply waited until they left the stage, then resumed what we were doing.

Sorry to sound like I'm copping a 'tude here, but this Wilco situation seems quite lame, and not really worthy of Metafilter attention.
posted by Tube at 2:49 PM on October 22, 2006


can we save a little hate for people who won't dance

Why the fuck do you care?
posted by snoktruix at 2:53 PM on October 22, 2006


For that matter, could we instead reserve a little hate for people who think a concert is some kind of showcase for their elite spasmodic dance moves. Should you shove me while engaging in this awesome display of coolness, which clearly in your mind exceeds that of anything that might be happening on the stage, I reserve the right to get push you on your ass into a puddle of beer. No, I can't dance very well.
posted by snoktruix at 3:04 PM on October 22, 2006


A professional and efficient takedown of a fan onstage; the band (Radiohead) doesn't miss a note. (26 seconds on YouTube; originally from a camera phone, I'm guessing.)
posted by jokeefe at 3:32 PM on October 22, 2006


Uh. So your sitting at a cafe using the wi-fi typing up how "not-hip" you are on Metafilter, minding your own business, and some dude pops up next to you and without warning invades your personal space and grabs your head. He violently presses his face to yours. And then you... what?

I'll tell you what. You react.

Some of us have reactions to shit like that. Violent reactions. Sometimes it's a part of who we are - maybe the result of PTSD. Sometimes it's trained into us. With some of us it's BOTH.

And because the world is full of people like ME who may react with extreme sudden violence to that sort perceived intrusive assault, we as a civilized society have developed rules of personal space. We have developed rituals for entering a strangers space safely.

Violate those rules and you better be prepared to except the consequences.

Certainly. People make mistakes. Maybe you over react to those mistakes. So you stop your self. And you feel bad about it. And you apologies no harm no foul.

I think that's a whole lot better than me continuing to REACT— with my knee on your goddamned chest dropping elbows into your bleeding face and feeding you a side-walk sundae until you spit motherfucking pink Chiclets. Leaving you to spend the rest of your life having somebody else chew your food.

Tweedy was 100% stand up here.
posted by tkchrist at 3:44 PM on October 22, 2006


OK, I now love Maynard 500% more. That shit was awesome.
posted by jimmythefish at 3:59 PM on October 22, 2006


carsonb: get your fucking hands down - I paid money to SEE this band.
posted by nowonmai at 4:36 PM on October 22, 2006


with my knee on your goddamned chest dropping elbows into your bleeding face and feeding you a side-walk sundae until you spit motherfucking pink Chiclets. Leaving you to spend the rest of your life having somebody else chew your food.

Rock and ROLL! WOO! (I loved the Motherfucking Pink Chiclets' first album, but after that they kinda lost it)
posted by biscotti at 4:36 PM on October 22, 2006


Wow. Tweedy's calmed down from the UT days.
posted by eriko at 4:40 PM on October 22, 2006


eriko: yeah, he's started sucking too. (right after YHF, to be honest.)

jay > jeff
posted by keswick at 4:57 PM on October 22, 2006


Ok, that Tool takedown video made this thread worth it. I am mostly Tool-indifferent but that was beautiful.
posted by furiousthought at 5:08 PM on October 22, 2006


Weird, frenetic; sorry to double you, even down to the takedown and the dude.
posted by cgc373 at 5:13 PM on October 22, 2006


She begs me not to hit her.
posted by bardic at 5:14 PM on October 22, 2006


Some of us have reactions to shit like that. Violent reactions. Sometimes it's a part of who we are - maybe the result of PTSD. Sometimes it's trained into us. With some of us it's BOTH.

And some of us were abducted by the CIA as INFANTS and PROGRAMMED FROM TODDLERHOOD in TERRIFYING SKINNER BOXES until we were HAIR-TRIGGER KILLING MACHINES WHO WANT BLOOD AND GORE AND GUTS IN VEINS IN OUR TEETH and wander the streets in search of opportunities to be badass.

So unless you want to spend the rest of your short-ass life with your own torn-out tongue wrapped AROUND your neck like a tourniquet and your FECES torn from your bowels and shoved into your NOSTRILS, you'd better not invade our space or think negative thoughts about us. And don't think we won't hear them, motherfucker, we hear everything.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 5:23 PM on October 22, 2006 [1 favorite]


This was hardly an incident. Hell, I've ducked harder hits than that in mosh pits. Pretty much, after Darrell, if you climb up on the stage, expect to get your ass kicked. You know, unless you climb up on tweety's stage, in which case, expect to get slapped like a girl in a junior high bathroom fight.
posted by dejah420 at 5:44 PM on October 22, 2006


and wander the streets in search of opportunities to be badass.


I pretty much stay in my basement... er... lair... watching TV... er... monitoring the survalence cameras. Eating slaty snacks. Er... left over entrails. Eh. YMMV.
posted by tkchrist at 6:04 PM on October 22, 2006


yeah, he's started sucking too. (right after YHF, to be honest.)

so, keswick, right after one album ago Tweedy started sucking? Wilco's made one studio album since YHF...
posted by jonson at 6:16 PM on October 22, 2006


You eat slaty-snacks?

I take back any implications or implosions. You are a badass motherfucker.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 6:46 PM on October 22, 2006


I prefer them to suagry snacks. Slaty has more blood in it.
posted by tkchrist at 6:57 PM on October 22, 2006


Could Tweedy -vs- Danzig pay-per-view event be far off?
posted by eatitlive at 7:37 PM on October 22, 2006


bardic, ftw!

i dreamed of killin' you again last night
and it felt alright to me

posted by benATthelocust at 8:34 PM on October 22, 2006


I agree the Tool video fulflled the promise of "cold cock." I'm not familiar with Maynard (yes, I'm old) but he must have some attitude. As he sat on the fan patting him softly with his left hand you see him shift weight and just jam his foot into the fan's crotch.
posted by ?! at 8:36 PM on October 22, 2006


The most shocking thing about that video is just how awful Wilco's music is. Yikes!


"Awful" is too kind. "Lame" is the adjective I choose. Lame lame lame lame lame lame lame lame. Oh, and lame. LAME.
posted by goetheswench at 10:00 PM on October 22, 2006


goethe was an overrated wank with bad taste in women
posted by cortex at 10:07 PM on October 22, 2006 [1 favorite]


kinda like jeff tweedy,

if by "bad taste in women" you mean uncanny ability to puke on stage and be a slimy alcoholic and punch fans in the face.

goethe probably could have written better music if he'd tried. hell, my cat could without the "trying'" part.

W -- wildly
I -- inane &
L -- lame
C -- concoction
O -- of overrated crap

(((cortex)))
posted by goetheswench at 10:24 PM on October 22, 2006


...
posted by cortex at 10:30 PM on October 22, 2006


Seriously, you broke almost a year of lurking silence of this? Did Jeff Tweedy run over your cat or something?

*konks goetheswench on noggin with keithrichards'sguitar*
posted by gompa at 11:12 PM on October 22, 2006


For this, I mean.

*konks self on noggin with keithrichards'sguitar*

posted by gompa at 11:13 PM on October 22, 2006


Man, we gotta start introducing argument by acrostic into the Iraq threads.
posted by furiousthought at 1:49 AM on October 23, 2006


Keith Richards doesn't apologize

I've never been able to shake the suspicion that the Keef incident was staged, though. I figure they (stagecrew, roadies, security) would've nabbed that guy and charged him with assault if it'd been for real.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:44 AM on October 23, 2006


eatitlive: notwithstanding that impressive video you linked, the outcome of Tweedy vs. Danzig would be obvious. How about Danzig vs. ummm, Mike Tyson?
posted by exogenous at 7:28 AM on October 23, 2006


furiousthought writes "Man, we gotta start introducing argument by acrostic into the Iraq threads."

I completely agree. Into MetaTalk, too!
posted by OmieWise at 8:35 AM on October 23, 2006


I am so proud that this happened in my hometown.
posted by Saellys at 11:53 AM on October 23, 2006


Yeah, I broke a year of silence for this. I'm a lurker who thoroughly enjoys this site and never feels much like adding a comment. It's just that I have this Wilco-loathing bone or something and it got tickled.

I also have similar bones pertaining to Widespread Panic & Phish. I can't quite understand it. I mean, there are much worse things out there musically then these three (Britney Spears, Asia, Boston, etc.), but they just set off something within me I cannot control.

I will now go back to my hovel in Lurkerville, located outside of Raleigh. It's just so safe and cosy there.
posted by goetheswench at 2:11 PM on October 23, 2006


I can understand and respect the loathebone. No harm done. I just prefer some substance, some attempt at explanation and consideration that suggests the motive and nuance behind a particular osteo odium.

Don't tell me Wilco is inane and lame; I will reply in kind that you are incorrect—they are not lame, nor inane—and we have gotten nowhere. There was an exchange, but there was no conversation.

I have tried to explore a lot of my own irrational loathings over the last few years. Many times, I've found myself reconsidering my position, developing a less knee-jerk understanding of the subject, and being better for it. (Examples: The Cure, traditional conservativism, broccoli). Other times, I've found myself justified in disliking the subject, and capable of expressing that justification when it comes up. (Examples: major-label pop-country music, Objectivism, kale.)

The key thing is offering some substance beyond "wilco is inane" or "goethe is overrated"—and examining your motivations if, offhand, you realize you can't. You don't have to go back to Lurkerville, just give us something to really chew on.
posted by cortex at 3:58 PM on October 23, 2006


I used to really like Wilco, then I saw them in my town. Tweedy was a prima-donna and 'phoned it in'. The concert I was at showed that he has a contempt for his audience. Now, after "ghost", I think Wilco is no longer remarkable and rather "phish-like".
posted by BrodieShadeTree at 5:02 PM on October 23, 2006


Not to mention Morrissey, who has had rabid fans on the stage at every show for 20 years and has never, to my knowledge, punched one.
posted by BrodieShadeTree at 5:03 PM on October 23, 2006


I am so proud that this happened in my hometown

Of course, Springfield being as small and insular a town as it is I had to check who you were 'cause I figured there is a good chance I know you.

Well. I don't exactly know you, as such. But we have talked on the several occasions that you've come into my store to look at guitars. Seems we know some of the same people. One of the Yeltsin kids is a cousin of mine.

So, uh, I return this thread back to pugilism and Wilco.
posted by sourwookie at 5:47 PM on October 23, 2006


What if Jeff Tweedy fought Uwe Boll?
posted by cortex at 5:58 PM on October 23, 2006


One of the Yeltsin kids is a cousin of mine.
So Boris is your Uncle!?!?
posted by Floydd at 7:27 AM on October 24, 2006


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