930 Forums
=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: lily1 on November 04, 2003, 11:06:00 am
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which show should i attend? i'm torn. i wish bdb was an early show and once it finished i could pop over to the black cat for bsp. but sadly, that's not the case.
what's a fan to do?
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Originally posted by lily1:
which show should i attend? i'm torn. i wish bdb was an early show and once it finished i could pop over to the black cat for bsp. but sadly, that's not the case.
what's a fan to do?
I'm in the same boat except I have a wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner the same night. Luckily it's in DC so I am hoping I can pop over in time for Phaser, if that is the show I decide to go to.
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See British Sea Power...my sister saw them in NY this past weekend, and not knowing them at all beforehand thought it was a fabulous show. And she's a pretty tough critic.
I'm not sure BDB is all that thrilling live.
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it wasn't that tough a decision for me.......
accoustic badly drawn boy is my favourite way to see him, and besides it wasn't so long ago i saw bsp..............
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how often does bsp tour? i've managed to see bdb in 2001 and 2002.
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BDB is one of the worst shows you could possibly see. You're better off watching the home shopping network.
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BSP has only just released its first album. I saw them two or three months ago. The albums is good but not great, despite being on Rough Trade.
BDB seems to be coming around every year or so. He has 3 albums, the first two of which are great. The thisrd one was overproduced. I am not sure the stage show worked that well with a band.
I am looking forward to seeing him again without the band. Hopefully he wil improvise and muck about the way he did the first time he came here. That was the longest performance by an act I can remember, at close to three hours.
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Originally posted by markie:
The albums is good but not great, despite being on Rough Trade.
Maybe you should listen to it more, you dont recognize it when it comes on
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Originally posted by pollard:
[/qb]
Maybe you should listen to it more, you dont recognize it when it comes on [/QB][/QUOTE]
True, In my defence, it does sound like so many other things. It think I said it sounded like one of them, right?
I dont really remember.
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Originally posted by J'Mal:
BDB is one of the worst shows you could possibly see. You're better off watching the home shopping network.
yes, i agree. He is Badly Perfromed Boy.
Although, when i saw BDB it was the same weekend i saw Ben Folds and as far as comparing two guys with pianos onstage....he royally sucked.
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Originally posted by markie:
True, In my defence, it does sound like so many other things. It think I said it sounded like one of them, right?
I dont really remember.
you just looked confused i think, but that is often how you look
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Oh, I remember now..... I was confused because you normally only ever play GBV, but it didnt sound like them (much better).
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remember this story...
http://www.dotmusic.com/news/February2003/news28421.asp (http://www.dotmusic.com/news/February2003/news28421.asp)
BADLY DRAWN BUSKER
Badly Drawn Boy took to the streets of London yesterday for a spot of busking but could only manage to earn ÂŁ1.60.
Damon Gough has enjoyed two hit albums and a lucrative soundtrack deal for 'About A Boy' but he went practically unnoticed despite performing in his trademark hat outside one of London's most popular commuter stations.
According to The Sun, the singer-songwriter was filming the video to his forthcoming single 'All Possibilities', playing an hour long set outside Waterloo Station.
"People didn't believe it was me, or didn't know who I was," he told the paper. "I sympathise with real buskers, most people just don't care."
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Originally posted by markie:
only ever play GBV
What else is there?
(as I continue to listen to "live at the wheelchair races")
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Originally posted by pollard:
What else is there?
Pussy? <img src="http://home.online.no/~rsvensse/fun-cat.tvslave.jpg" alt=" - " />
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Originally posted by markie:
Pussy?
Isn't this more your speed?
<img src="http://www.musicfolio.com/modernrock/almond_laststar.gif" alt=" - " />
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I only like marc for his music.....
But this guy: <img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00008MPBA.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg" alt=" - " />
has an excellent Vivienne Westwood safety pin piercing in the shape of a penis. YUM.
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just to get back on topic. I love BDB; <img src="http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1945000/images/_1946007_badly150.jpg" alt=" - " />
and here is British sea power: <img src="http://www.rockpalast.de/bilder/bizarre02/british_sea_power.jpg" alt=" - " />
nice boobs
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the first 2 hours of that show were enjoyable, the last hour was painful.
Originally posted by markie:
Hopefully he wil improvise and muck about the way he did the first time he came here. That was the longest performance by an act I can remember, at close to three hours.
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Originally posted by lily1:
the first 2 hours of that show were enjoyable, the last hour was painful.
If I knew it was going to be so long, I would have been better prepared for it. The last half hopur for me was a real struggle. But that is what I am hoping for on Friday.
It was great entertainment.
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British Sea Power played a strong, noisy set at the Black Cat a few months ago, and they have distinctive, funny songs, sort of a hyper Echo and the Bunnyment. Badly Drawn Boy, on the other hand, has tunes like wet tissue paper, and one of the worst live shows I've ever seen, up there with Flipper as far as contempt for the audience goes.
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Originally posted by jpbelmondo:
Badly Drawn Boy, on the other hand, has tunes like wet tissue paper,
I am not entirely sure what that means.
BDB didnt appear to be in a very good mood at the last show. He was much happier the time before.
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If I ran the club, i wouldn't book him again without a major apology for his shitty performance.
We respect the musicians by paying to hear them play. They should respect us by trying to do so.
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I have seen much worse performances. Infact I still thought the show was good. Its not like he stormed off after doing a 30 minute set or anything.
Plus some of the histrionics may well have been staged. He threw the harmonica into the audience at another show I read the review of.
The music is so good, imho, that he can do what he wants on stage.
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Originally posted by markie:
I have seen much worse performances
Your elementary school's beginning orchestra doesn't count.
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have you seen Jamiroquai? Or Cursive?
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Originally posted by markie:
have you seen Jamiroquai? Or Cursive?
no, don't really care for jamiroquai.
I really wanted to see Cursive but they were the 4th band at the black cat and i didn't want to see them at 3a.m. on a tuesday.
were they drunk, rude, unable to perform, and not rehearsed???
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Originally posted by markie:
Cursive?
you haven't
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Originally posted by J'Mal:
were they drunk, rude, unable to perform, and not rehearsed???
No. I think BDB was well rehearsed, it was toward the end of his tour. I think those things are all part of his schtick. think of him as a UK Lou Reed.
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Originally posted by pollard:
Originally posted by markie:
Cursive?
you haven't [/b]
I wish that were true.
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Originally posted by markie:
I think of him as a UK Lou Reed.
Based on this description:
Originally posted by J'Mal:
drunk, rude, unable to perform, and not rehearsed???
He sounds more like a British Anton Newcombe.
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Originally posted by markie:
I wish that were true.
it is true
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Isnt Anton British already?
I have not seen Cursive? Its always the good life? I thought last time was actually cursive?
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Originally posted by markie:
Isnt Anton British already?
I have not seen Cursive? Its always the good life? I thought last time was actually cursive?
no, you have seen the good life twice, and you said you enjoyed them the first time, senility is horrible
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BDB fucks trannies just like Lou Reed?
Originally posted by markie:
Originally posted by J'Mal:
think of him as a UK Lou Reed. [/b]
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Originally posted by pollard:
\no, you have seen the good life twice, and you said you enjoyed them the first time, senility is horrible
Have you ever thought that I might have said that so as not to offend you?
I was strugling to think of someone who played that was bad. I seem to have blanked them all out.
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Originally posted by markie:
Have you ever thought that I might have said that so as not to offend you?
I did not even know you when you saw them the first time.
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Originally posted by pollard:
I did not even know you when you saw them the first time. [/QB][/QUOTE]
Wasnt it them who supported the bad emo band Kurosawa made us see? You know the guy who cried because a couple of people in the audience were whiispering t each other.
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Originally posted by markie:
Wasnt it them who supported the bad emo band Kurosawa made us see? You know the guy who cried because a couple of people in the audience were whiispering t each other.
yup, that would be Bright Eyes and the good life opened for them, Bright Eyes was awful that night and good life were very good, unlike the second show in both cases
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Originally posted by pollard:
good life were very good, unlike the second show
Actually they were good that time, much as I loathe to admit it.
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Originally posted by ggwâ?˘:
Originally posted by markie:
I think of him as a UK Lou Reed.
Based on this description:
Originally posted by J'Mal:
drunk, rude, unable to perform, and not rehearsed???
He sounds more like a British Anton Newcombe. [/b]
I saw BDB once, he was drunk - it was painful!
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Originally posted by El Tee:
I saw BDB once, he was drunk - it was painful!
did he have a full band?
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Not really sure I want to jump in on this debate, but Cursive and The Good Life are two of the most consistent live bands around these days - especially Cursive. I've seen both bands many many times, and have yet to be disappointed. Bright Eyes, on the other hand, couldn't be more inconsistent in performing. No matter how much I love them, I have often walked away disappointed. I'm not even sure who you guys are criticizing anymore, but if it's Cursive, I would be very surprised.
As far as BDB vs. BSP... last time I saw BDB he was horribly rude to the crowd. I seem to hear this all the time in reviews. That's not my cup of tea, so I think I'll be catching BSP.
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Ok.....
The good life were not good last time I saw them at the black cat. They were supporting Rilo Kiley as I remeber. The lead guy was off. Pollard/jadetree will concur.
Badly drawn boy insulting to the audience? I dont remember it quite like that. What do you think he said/did?
His last show at the 930 was not the best ever. But his songs are amazing.
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Originally posted by markie:
Originally posted by J'Mal:
were they drunk, rude, unable to perform, and not rehearsed???
No. I think BDB was well rehearsed, it was toward the end of his tour. I think those things are all part of his schtick. think of him as a UK Lou Reed. [/b]
No, it was first night of his tour. Or maybe the second.
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Originally posted by Jaguär:
No, it was first night of his tour. Or maybe the second.
Yep you are correct.......
Oct. 17; Washington, D.C.; 9:30 Club
Oct. 18; Philadelphia, Pa.;Theatre Of Living Arts
Oct. 19; New York, N.Y.; Roseland
Oct. 22; Boston, Mass.; Avalon
Oct .24; Toronto, Ont.; Phoenix Concert Theatre
Oct. 25; Detroit, Mich.; St. Andrews Hall
Oct. 26; Chicago, Ill.; Park West
Oct. 27; Minneapolis, Minn.; Fine Line Music Cafe
Oct. 29; Denver, Colo.; Ogden Theatre
Oct. 30; Salt Lake City, Utah; X-Scape (formerly DV8)
Nov. 1; Vancouver, B.C.; Vogue Theatre
Nov. 2; Seattle, Wash.; Showbox
Nov. 3; Portland, Ore.; Aladdin Theater
Nov. 5; San Francisco, Calif.; The Fillmore
Nov. 7; San Diego, Calif.; Canes
Nov. 8; Los Angeles, Calif.; Wiltern Theatre
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BRITISH SEA POWER
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Originally posted by bungle bud:
BRITISH SEA POWER
Word! ( i really need to get over that saying but just can't help myself,it works so well)plus I'm a lazy typist :o
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Originally posted by markie:
Ok.....
The good life were not good last time I saw them at the black cat. They were supporting Rilo Kiley as I remeber. The lead guy was off. Pollard/jadetree will concur.
Badly drawn boy insulting to the audience? I dont remember it quite like that. What do you think he said/did?
His last show at the 930 was not the best ever. But his songs are amazing.
I thought Tim sounded great that night, but that's cool if you didn't. As far as the last BDB show, I felt like he was really copping an attitude with some folks in the front. He made fun of some girl standing near me and kept rolling his eyes at people. And then there was that whole, "they don't know who they're messing with" act that got pretty annoying.
I thought he sounded pretty good, though, especially when he gave us a choice between Pissing In the Wind and Disillusion. I thought I wanted to hear Disillusion, but Pissing in the Wind ended up being the highlight of the show.
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Originally posted by bungle bud:
BRITISH SEA POWER
Sea Power will be the show I'm at for sure!! I just spoke to a guy in L.A. who saw them a week or so ago and said it was one of the wierder shows he's seen in a LONG time!! Can't friggin' wait!
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Go see BRITISH SEA POWER. I thought they were a lot of fun opening for the Libertines a couple of months ago. BDB seems like he would be boring.
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I will be front and center at the British Sea Power / Phaser show. The weirdness of BSP definitely appeals to me. And I've talked to a lot of people who are going, so it should be a good crowd.
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ack, i was hoping there would be a big divisive swing in one direction of a musician but instead its split!
and i still can't decide!
arrrgghhh. well, at least i can take comfort that as of right now, the work monster shouldn't attack friday night. (she says with trepidation)
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Originally posted by lily1:
ack, i was hoping there would be a big divisive swing in one direction of a musician but instead its split!
and i still can't decide!
arrrgghhh. well, at least i can take comfort that as of right now, the work monster shouldn't attack friday night. (she says with trepidation)
Although I'm not crazy about BSP's record, their live show should clearly beat BDB. Plus Phaser are great live.
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Walkie, stop talking people into going to BSP. I don´t have my ticket yet!
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gee jag, i thought for sure you'd be on phaser's guest list considering all the promoting you've done for them on this bb! they should hook you up!
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Originally posted by lily1:
gee jag, i thought for sure you'd be on phaser's guest list considering all the promoting you've done for them on this bb! they should hook you up!
I know they should but as far as I know, they don't even know that I exist. :confused:
And that doesn't count all of the people that I know of who bought and love their CD from different parts of England, Italy, Canada, Scotland, and various other parts of the US, all because of me.
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Originally posted by Jaguär:
Walkie, stop talking people into going to BSP. I don´t have my ticket yet!
Whoops! Sorry, Jag.
*goes to his room*
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i think we need to stage a protest in front of the club during sound check. really, you might as well be the band's promoter. certainly more fun than teaching school!
Originally posted by Jaguär:
I know they should but as far as I know, they don't even know that I exist. :confused:
And that doesn't count all of the people that I know of who bought and love their CD from different parts of England, Italy, Canada, Scotland, and various other parts of the US, all because of me. [/QB][/QUOTE]
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lily1 if you go to the bdb show make sure you get their for the wonderful leona naess, but if you want to see a great show its got to be BRITISH SEA POWER.
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so here it is friday morning and i STILL can't decide. maybe i'll flip a coin.
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I'm in for British Sea Power. Have never seen them live, and the guitars on the album sound ripe for the live setting. And I want to see Phaser too.
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If you only knew the story of BDB's hat......
http://hem.passagen.se/dig_fanzine/dig5/hatten.htm (http://hem.passagen.se/dig_fanzine/dig5/hatten.htm)
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what makes the bsp show's strange? a few of you have mentioned that. weird antics on stage? odd lights?
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Originally posted by lily1:
what makes the bsp show's strange? a few of you have mentioned that. weird antics on stage? odd lights?
plastic birds, lots of foliage, second world war tin hats and military outfits, marching through the crowd.....
those kind of gimmicks to distract people from the music.
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because the music is sub par? or just for the hell of it?
right now i'm thinking its bdb. but could change in an hour. i dunno. maybe what hasn't sold out by the time i get there tonight? that's a decent strategy me thinks.
Originally posted by markie:
those kind of gimmicks to distract people from the music.
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grrrr, distract from the music,the music is great.
remember me entered the uk charts at 27 i think, then droped to no 73,opps.
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Originally posted by Jaguär:
And that doesn't count all of the people that I know of who bought and love their CD from..... various other parts of the US, all because of me.
Add San Francisco to that list. Smackette can't get enough of Sway and has now recommended it to many of her friends (amoeba had used copies for $2.95 and it flew off the shelves).
Thank you Jag for making smackie look good.....
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I'll be glad when this evening passes and this thread dies.
How is Badly Drawn Boy any different than Elliot Smith, other than still breathing and a bit less talented?
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BSP were great both musically and in their performance. I wouldn't call them "gimmicks" or "distractions." More like "enhancements" or "accessories."
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Acytually, I liked BSP, I thought it was a good show. I would see them again. But BDBs albums are just so much better.
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look markie just wants some company tonight and will try anything to get people to goto bdb. rhett this thread will not die if you keep posting on it :roll:
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sadly i'm going to neither tonight... been feeling subpar all week with the bug that seems to going around. for me it's another quiet smoke free evening home, not wanting to get sicker before crossing the big pond next week.
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oh that's right! happy early wedding congragulations kosmo and kosmette!
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
sadly i'm going to neither tonight... been feeling subpar all week with the bug that seems to going around. for me it's another quiet smoke free evening home, not wanting to get sicker before crossing the big pond next week.
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actually the weddings next year... this a short break to do some scouting around london and paris.
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dib dib dob dob
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badly drawn boy it is now. just hope it doesn't sell out before i get there. that would suck.
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see you tonight then lily ..........i think you made a wise choice..........
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Does anyone know how close BDB is to selling out! I would hate it if I headed down there only to find out they just sold the last ticket.
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Originally posted by lily1:
because the music is sub par? or just for the hell of it?
I think all of the stage decoration and antics are further expressions of the band members' strange (yet wonderful) outlook on life. Their newsletters are brilliantly written.
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HEY! Let's have a pool and see who can guess how many retards will be wearing wooly hats in the crowd tonight?
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Originally posted by mankie:
HEY! Let's have a pool and see who can guess how many retards will be wearing wooly hats in the crowd tonight?
actually it might be easier to do it by how many are not wearing wooly hats :p
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Originally posted by mankie:
HEY! Let's have a pool and see who can guess how many retards will be wearing wooly hats in the crowd tonight?
At the last Interpol show, I was behind the sole (at least as far as I could tell) person wearing a multi-striped wooly hat complete with little pom-pom on top. I spent most of the the concert dodging it while he proceeded to bang his head to some Interpol. Hope he's not there tonight.
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Originally posted by Shiverintheshadows:
Originally posted by mankie:
HEY! Let's have a pool and see who can guess how many retards will be wearing wooly hats in the crowd tonight?
At the last Interpol show, I was behind the sole (at least as far as I could tell) person wearing a multi-striped wooly hat complete with little pom-pom on top. I spent most of the the concert dodging it while he proceeded to bang his head to some Interpol. Hope he's not there tonight. [/b]
If he IS.....I'll promise to put him on his ass! :)
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Originally posted by markie:
Originally posted by El Tee:
I saw BDB once, he was drunk - it was painful!
did he have a full band? [/b]
No, just him (in Philly)
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so how badly did it suck?
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Originally posted by J'Mal:
so how badly did it suck?
I did not see the show you saw, but he was pretty much perfect tonight, almost 3 hours and no problems, very entertaining.
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BDB was fantastic. One of the best performances I have ever seen.
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Originally posted by J'Mal:
so how badly did it suck?
I think someone needs to accept the fact they're in the minority on this one..... :p
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So after the first five songs I thought it was going to be the best show ever, but then he brought on his band, and while It was still pretty good, it just wasnt the same. They played a pretty odd selection of songs too which didnt help.
Sorry we didnt get to say Bu bye to you Mankie.
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So I wonder if everyone enjoyed BSP?
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it looked like they did, a funny moment when yan was going a little crazy and didnt see the back of the stage and fell off. that phaser band are rather good and the beards which they have looked nice, dont worry the robbie williams lookalike guitarist was still clean shaven.
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So bungle,
was it as good as with the libertines? If so I am sorry I missed it.
Thanks for the goodies. Did you find anyone to hang out with?
I didnt heckle Leona, Mankie was behind me and I got stage fright.....
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i thought they were better with the libertines, but it was a great show, no heron this time maybe that was the difference, jaguar and opps i forget who,erm, her friend, you know the one you said, well they were both kind enough to stand next to me. and the gay guys didnt turn up some crap about a car towed, rejected by the gays.
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Originally posted by markie:
So bungle,
was it as good as with the libertines? If so I am sorry I missed it.
Thanks for the goodies. Did you find anyone to hang out with?
I didnt heckle Leona, Mankie was behind me and I got stage fright.....
I was just mesmorized by that perfect bum of Leona so wouldn't have heard you anyway....leona/leon, do we have a loooooove connection? Especially as she seems likes chubby mancunians with facial hair. :) I thought she was fairly good, but very sexy so it wouldn't have mattered anyway..like I said to lulu, a bit too much like Nora Jones without a piano.
I didn't push back up front with you markie because that would've meant me standing about 6" in front of that group of fairly short girls right behind us and didn't want to be a hypocrit seeing as I bitch about it when arseholes do that to me.
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maybe the" guys "were put off by your belly?
I am glad you found someone to hang out with.
If BSP had been better than last time, then they might have been as good as BDB. If they were worse, BDB was probably the right decision for me, afterall.
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im just telling you what you want to hear, how was leona? did you like her?
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I dunno, Leona just didnt do it for me. I think its hard to do a good acoustic solo set in a space as big as 930. I think I like that kind of music done by guys or Suzanne Vega.
Yeah Mankie I felt bad about pushing back in, but I didnt want to leave Lulu alone alnight.... I figured it would be a long one.
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didnt like leona, are you a MAN LOVER, im going now ta ta.
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Originally posted by mankie:
Originally posted by J'Mal:
so how badly did it suck?
I think someone needs to accept the fact they're in the minority on this one..... :p [/b]
I'm sure your mom once said something like, "if everyone else wanted to go to a shitty concert, would you do it, too?"
Glad you liked it. If BDB makes a public apology for his crappier shows, like the one I saw, and vows to work on his issues, and if the ticket is free and I've got nothing else to do, I might see him again.
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yep, that was my impression too. but she is talented, just not my genre
bdb was great. the best of the 3 times i've seen him at the 930.
i didn't know it was going to sell out though. luckily, we got tickets on the street, as did jadetree/pollard/hewhosenamestartswithm.
and i think the highlight was nearly having a throwdown with that drunk girl, getting her to finally shut up, who then after the first half, moved over to markie and poorlulu. where then markie nearly had a throwdown with her.
dumb drunk bitch she was. but i can laught at it now.
Originally posted by mankie:
like I said to lulu, a bit too much like Nora Jones without a piano.
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Originally posted by markie:
So I wonder if everyone enjoyed BSP?
It was outstanding. I definitely thought they were better this time than when they opened for the Libertines. It was like the difference between an appetizer and the whole meal.
I'm kind of underwhelmed by the album, but I think they're an incredibly tight band in a live setting and the music sounds much much better. The guitarist is great and he's always got the thousand-yard stare going. But when did they draft Macauley Caulkin to play bass?
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Glad to hear that BDB put on a decent show but sorry you weren't all that enamored, Markie. At least we all seemed to have a good night.
Mankie, I'm glad that you got out to a show again! Sorry that I again missed you. So close, yet so far. LOL.
The worst that I can say about British Sea Power is that they kicked ass!!! Great show! The energy level of the band was a tad bit more economical but the musicianhip was more focused. Believe me, there was no doubt that they delivered one fine performance. By the reactions and excitement of the crowd, yet another wonderful night out on the town.
I wholeheartedly agree that their performance is so much better than their recorded works. They are a very guitar driven band, which I love, but for some reason, it's not as apparent on the CDs.
Speaking of guitar bands, always great to see my boys Phaser again. But of course, you knew I'd say that. ;) They debuted a whole load of new songs. First time I've ever seen them use a set list, of which I got one. Can't interpret half of it though because it's written with those cryptic band titles and half of them are new songs. Another little note: for better or worse, they have a new drummer. In my opinion, he's competent enough but a tiny bit too in your face. Maybe I'm just missing Ritse too much. Wish that we could get them to play for Smackie's return.
To top my night off, I had great gig companions; Kurosawa and Bungle Bud who rocked along with me the whole night, front and center. Everyone around us seemed pretty cool, even the group of Brits :p who traveled all the way from the UK just to see BSP at the Black Cat. You've got to admit, it was a great formula.
One last laugh was had by me on my way home when I drove down U St. past the 9:30 block and spotted a wooly capped guy in a pee coat walking away with a group of others. No doubt where they were coming from.
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jaguar you failed to mention that you turned another person onto the charms of phaser,me, whats that 21 fans thanks to you.
oh yes a big sorry to kurosawa for getting the setlist and then giving it to some grabby girl, i dont know what i was thinking,the look you gave me scared me :eek:
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Originally posted by bungle bud:
jaguar you failed to mention that you turned another person onto the charms of phaser,me, whats that 21 fans thanks to you.
:D :D :D
Actually, it's much, much higher than that. The 20 were only the ones that I know for sure bought the CD.
My strangest connection is a friend from Chicester, England I made online because of Phaser who found out about them indirectly because of me. I had everyone on one board worked up about them and it spread to another board that I wasn't a part of. (Long story short.) She told me that everyone on her board (of another fine Mancunian musician, I might add) was going wild over them.
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Been out of town since the BSP show, but I felt it was the best show I've seen this year... now that is only drawing from around 20, but hey, that is how I saw it. As for the album, I think it's a great album. The only fault I find is that they need a song or two like Beetroot or Insect life near the end of the album. But talk about smooth as glass. I agree with the person ranking this show better than the Libertines performance. Both were top notch, but this was the main course. Phaser was less than stellar I felt. Wasn't familiar with the "new" material, and it struck me as too slow. Everything had "sway" tempo. Life and illusion was terrible sounding from my spot.
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POP MUSIC
Monday, November 10, 2003; Page C05
British Sea Power at Black Cat
Even for those who didn't know that British Sea Power was one of the U.K.'s most idiosyncratic contributions to American culture since Monty Python, it was clear something strange was coming on Friday night when the band's members appeared in military camouflage on a stage liberally decorated with . . . ferns.
Skeptics might wonder whether rockers in the guise of erudite Doughboys are just working a cheap gimmick, and whether they'd have the chops to deliver a solid live show. But BSP's long set at the Black Cat was an unforgettably fearless combination of showmanship and musical passion.
BSP's lead singer, who goes by the name of Yan, looked and sounded like a paranoid young David Bowie overdosing on caffeine. Behind his scampering, sultry vocals was a caterwauling, bass-heavy rhythm section with a masterful tightness that evoked the Pixies. Steering the way melodically was the guitarist, known only as Noble, who wore baggy white winter camouflage and an eerily blank expression as his guitar alternated between pretty, tuneful picking and the shriek of feverish, off-kilter chords.
Together BSP conjured up a hilarious onstage anarchy. Yan (gently) flogged fans in the front row with a huge fern branch, and occasionally swung from low ceiling pipes. At one point keyboardist Eamon, clad in a Russian fur hat, pranced through the audience pounding a marching drum.
Fortunately, these antics didn't distract from the music. BSP raced through crackling versions of songs drawn mostly from their lone LP -- from the screechy ("Apologies to Insect Life") to the lilting ("Carrion") to the anthemic ("Remember Me."). British Sea Power may someday decline, but on this night it achieved something close to supremacy.
-- Michael Crowley
Badly Drawn Boy at 9:30
Take away the between-songs banter, and Badly Drawn Boy -- aka scruffy Brit-popper Damon Gough -- could have wrapped up Friday's 9:30 club gig in 90 minutes flat. But Gough buttoning his lip is like Don Rickles going easy on the zingers. It just ain't gonna happen.
So during a very loose and ultimately likable show, the garrulous 34-year-old, alone onstage for most of the nearly three hours, riffed on such topics as the opening act's bosom, his hatred of Coldplay, his ever-present knit cap and his children.
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't applaud everything I say," BDB admonished the spirited, capacity crowd. "Just the choice cuts."
He eventually got around to singing a few tunes. BDB's prattling may get nasty, but his mixed-genre songs (think Bob Dylan doing the theme for a Japanese game show) prove that he's a softy at heart. Equally adept at piano and guitar -- not to mention chain-smoking -- Gough opened his set with a reggae version of the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back." Then, with a gruff voice straining to be sweet, he casually worked through most of his latest album, "Have You Fed the Fish?," which deals with the perils of being a rock star and a family man.
"You Were Right," a fantasy about turning down Madonna's advances but kindly "getting her tickets for what she needs," was a jaunty rag that wouldn't have been out of place on the back end of "Abbey Road." And the night's highlight, the acoustically gorgeous "What Is It Now?," detailed the mixed emotions surrounding the "surprise" birth of his son Oscar.
After getting a little choked up at song's end, BDB took a long drag on his cigarette and, reverting to form, told the hushed crowd, "Of course, we might have given him away if we didn't like the looks of him."
-- Sean Daly
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20568-2003Nov10.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20568-2003Nov10.html)
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I thought it was a great show. The Cassettes were good enough that I'd see them again. Quirky but very catchy, and their stage 'look' was classic, especially the guy on the theremin. Phaser was great! And their disc is great! Good call on them. BSP was very good too, but my energy was waning since I'd been up for more than 24 hours at that point.
If there's a better deal for ten bucks, I don't know what it is.
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Originally posted by Jaguär:
Originally posted by bungle bud:
jaguar you failed to mention that you turned another person onto the charms of phaser,me, whats that 21 fans thanks to you.
:D :D :D
Actually, it's much, much higher than that. The 20 were only the ones that I know for sure bought the CD.
[/b]
As an FYI, you can put tht count at 21. Merely from your raves on the Board, Jag, I bought "Sway" at Amoeba records this weekend. Haven't listened to it yet -- no CD player at my hotel, and I had my iPod, but I'll give a listen this week.
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After about 5 glasses of Chiati and tons of garlic infused food at Bucca (wedding rehersal dinner)I looked at my watch and noticed that it was getting too late to try and make it to Black Cat to catch Phaser, which was the main reason I wanted to go in the first place. Thank god they are local and I can only hope they will play again soon.
I am luke warm on BSP after listening to thier album several times. It's good but nothing really seems to grab my attention on it. It sounds like the put on a great show! Hopefully they can come back after writing some new material.
BTW, did Phaser play Last Letter Home? Anybody get to talk to them and ask them how the new recordings are coming along??
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Definitely a great show. Just the foliage and birds alone make me laugh, so I was bound to have a good time. Lots of energy from both the nand and crowd. Especially the last two songs. And you can't help but love the clothing and the straw crown on the bass player. I was pretty surprised at the devotion of the crowd. Clearly a lot of people were impressed at the Libertines show and returned for more BSP love. And I agree all around that BSP are much better live than on record.
I didn't find The Cassettes to be all that great -though I liked the one song where the guy jammed with the accordian (!). Otherwise, it didn't seem to work. Maybe with more practice they can work out the kinks.
And, as Jag mentioned, Phaser did play a lot of new material. I think I only knew 3 songs. I would say that the new stuff is a lot more accessible and simplistic. I enjoyed it.
And bungle bud, I was actually reaching to get the set list for you -Lol. I made the face because the girl was so grabby and practically knocked you over to get it. Nice to finally meet you, by the way.
P.S. That's a good review from WP.
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Originally posted by Mongo:
I am luke warm on BSP after listening to thier album several times. It's good but nothing really seems to grab my attention on it. It sounds like the put on a great show! Hopefully they can come back after writing some new material.
There really is a substantial difference between their live sound and their recorded sound. The same material that sounds kind of flat on the disc sounds much more raw and powerful live. As Jaguar pointed out, the guitars are much stronger live, and I would add say that the drums are as well. It makes a huge difference.
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Originally posted by ggwâ?˘:
Originally posted by Mongo:
I am luke warm on BSP after listening to thier album several times. It's good but nothing really seems to grab my attention on it. It sounds like the put on a great show! Hopefully they can come back after writing some new material.
There really is a substantial difference between their live sound and their recorded sound. The same material that sounds kind of flat on the disc sounds much more raw and powerful live. As Jaguar pointed out, the guitars are much stronger live, and I would add say that the drums are as well. It makes a huge difference. [/b]
That really doesn't make me feel any better for missing it :D I definitely have to see them next time they come around.
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Thanks for the reviewss GGW.
So from that it sounds like you couldnt lose that night. Unusual for the paper.....
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I have to say that I was disappointed by Phaser. I was really looking forward to seeing them, and I felt they just didn't deliver. And I can't even blame it on new stuff...I think that oftentimes the test of the quality of a band comes when you enjoy them even if you don't know their material. Much of it was too 'jammy' for me and with too many down-tempo songs...did not adequately get the crowd worked up for BSP's energy.
BSP put on a hell of a show. My only distraction was the couple in front of me that were grinding on each other (not even to the beat, mind you) and making out heavily for the entirety of the show. Sometimes I wonder how people like 'that' find their way into shows where the band doesn't have a hit song on the radio. To each his own, I suppose.
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Not wholly familiar with all of Phaser's material, their songs grabbed my attention (despite the drab and dark setting). I'm not sure that it was the right opening band for BSP energywise, but I hope it wasn't a total loss for them. One of my friends is roomates with Paul, but I have yet to meet any of them. As for BSP, I liked the decor and quirkiness - that last song with the pounding on the drum stayed in my head for quite a while. I didn't have time to check the board beforehand so had no idea which board members were going, although I tried to keep an eye out from the little I've picked up.
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BTW. Did anyone come up with a name for the instrumental piece BDB played and said he was open to ideas for a title??
I thought of "music for the test-card"
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Originally posted by Sweetjoy:
BSP put on a hell of a show. My only distraction was the couple in front of me that were grinding on each other (not even to the beat, mind you) and making out heavily for the entirety of the show. Sometimes I wonder how people like 'that' find their way into shows where the band doesn't have a hit song on the radio. To each his own, I suppose.
As a participant in the drunken stomach-churning arrhythmic display witnessed by Sweetjoy, I hereby apologize to each and every audience member at the Black Cat. I know it’s small consolation, but the consequences of this grievous error in judgment were soon visited upon me in predictably unpleasant ways.