The official NMA board
General Category => New Model Army => Topic started by: Space on February 09, 2015, 10:14:02 PM
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Watching the Grammy Music Awards last night and the entire music biz was there. From Paul McCartney to Kanye West to Taylor Swift to Beck to Beyonce to Miranda Lambert to Tony Bennet to Madonna to Prince to Annie Lennox to AC/DC to Sia....
My question is why does NMA not participate in the world of music? I know from youtube clips that they appeared on the old TV show "The Tube," but why do they not do other TV appearances. I realize the Super Bowl and the Grammys is out of their reach, but why not make an effort to appear on "The David Letterman Show"? "Saturday Night Live"? Or the iconic American TV music show "Austin City Limits"?
And don't cry "sell out." Even the most notoriously sincere bands appear on TV now and then. My God, even the Godfather of f-you to the establishment, Lou Reed, always would pop on on TV and that guy sure is no sell out. Why doesn't NMA make that effort to be heard by more people?
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They don't need/desire to :) :)
They're happy as they are
If you had ever take time to see them and even had the chance the speak to Justin or other band members you'd know they're happy doing what they do :)
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Probably because, to paraphrase various quotes:
"We stuck 2 fingers up to the media who in return stuck 2 fingers up at us"
Given that 35 years later they can do what they want, when they want, how they want without being in thrall to the cult of celebrity and the bean counters, I'd imagine they'd say it worked out alright in the end.
Neither do I imagine being in the public eye was/is a driving force behind what they create. May be unfathomable to some but "Me Me Me" doesn't make everyone tick.
:-*
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Probably because, to paraphrase various quotes:
"We stuck 2 fingers up to the media who in return stuck 2 fingers up at us"
Given that 35 years later they can do what they want, when they want, how they want without being in thrall to the cult of celebrity and the bean counters, I'd imagine they'd say it worked out alright in the end.
Neither do I imagine being in the public eye was/is a driving force behind what they create. May be unfathomable to some but "Me Me Me" doesn't make everyone tick.
It does to some
No names mentioned :) :)
:-*
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Because they are not playing music just so they can get an award and appear on American television. They are true artists. They seem happy to be doing what they want and enjoy. Not what others want.
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Because they are true artists.
So Lou Reed wasn't a "true artist"? Bob Dylan isn't a "true artist"?
So you feel Justin Sullivan is a "true artist." When he made "Vengeance" and appeared on "The Tube" he wasn't a true artist then? Is that how it works?
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they're happy doing what they do
They could be happier.
Listen, have any of you here ever listened to a New Model Army album? The lyrics and music sure isn't "Shiny Happy People." Mr. Sullivan clearly could be happier. A pathway to that happiness might be putting his music out there a bit more. Going on a TV show. How about that Jools Holland show that we get to see here in America. Is Justin Sullivan completely incapable of bringing himself to appear on that show? I do not believe he is such a malcontent.
Why won't New Model Army appear on the Jools Holland music show?
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Space, read this --
http://board.newmodelarmy.org/index.php?topic=7654.0
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Read it, Shush. Thanks.
Good to see I'm not the only one that would like to see them on that show. Definitely one of the best music programs ever on TV. Man, I grew up with "American Bandstand." Oh, was that lame. But we did have "Soul Train" over here and "Midnight Special" Saw some great bands on those shows growing up. Then MTV gave us the British music show "The Tube" for a bit. Wow, that was some show. Now we get the Jools Holland show. Another "Wow!"
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Because they are true artists.
So Lou Reed wasn't a "true artist"? Bob Dylan isn't a "true artist"?
So you feel Justin Sullivan is a "true artist." When he made "Vengeance" and appeared on "The Tube" he wasn't a true artist then? Is that how it works?
There is no doubt that Lou Reed and Bob Dylan were indeed artists. And very talented at that. They were from a different place and a different era in music. I think that may be part of it. Dylan emerged in an era where folk singers were very in fashion. Plus hung around with a lot of people who were considered cool at the time.
The Velvet Underground came at a time when people were open to new ideas and a lot of drugs were involved. Therefore revolutionary and sort of pushing boundaries. I am sure writing a song called Heroin was controversial at the time. But I don't know.
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they're happy doing what they do
They could be happier.
Listen, have any of you here ever listened to a New Model Army album? The lyrics and music sure isn't "Shiny Happy People." Mr. Sullivan clearly could be happier. A pathway to that happiness might be putting his music out there a bit more. Going on a TV show. How about that Jools Holland show that we get to see here in America. Is Justin Sullivan completely incapable of bringing himself to appear on that show? I do not believe he is such a malcontent.
Why won't New Model Army appear on the Jools Holland music show?
How do you know they could be happier?
No, never, please enlighten me to what I've been missing all these years!!!
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New Model army seem quite happy compared to some of the other shit I listen to....
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Yeah. I love the world sounds like someone really pissed off. What exactly is the public eye anyway the latest throwaway trend lets see where ed sherran or Sam smith are in 35 years time probably as popular as shaking Stevens
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I haven't worked it out but I would say NMA has proportionally less sad songs than other bands - Perry, Yes, Beatles and Prince notwithstanding. It is true that NMA have sadder songs than these holy 4 - to which all other music must be measured.
Although When doves cry and Sometimes it snows in April are pretty damn upsetting!
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Im rather glad they arent part of the luvvie brigade. They wouldnt be the band they are if they were mixing with the Lady Gaga's of the world. Maybe its a British thing, being a big fish in a little pond as opposed to setting yourself up for a fall.
Its not really important. Some bands/artists get famous briefly then fade away and are forgotten. Not everyone can be a global star, otherwise if you dont make it, whats the point in making music? Theyre successful on the level theyre at. Maybe thats enough.
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If I'm honest I don't care why they're out of the public eye - it just doesn't interest me. (I know, I know I shouldn't be commenting then)
I do know that it is a lot easier to be out of the public eye than in it. So it should come as no surprise that any band (at any point n their career) is not in it.
All I care about is the fact that they keep making great music for me to listen to. :)
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I guess being in the public eye and, maybe more importantly, keep being in the public eye comes with compromises and expectations to fulfill which are not necessarily in line with what you might want. One would have to decide which way to go at some point, I guess. Not everybodies dream is fame and fortune.
Seeing the band live since 25 years now - and I kinda get the feeling that they are quite happy with what they are doing. And for me, that´s part of the magic ;)
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Being in the public eye doesn't necessarily mean you are our for fame and fortune. Why does everyone here assume that?
How about making an appearance on "Saturday Night Live" simply because you want people to hear your music? Wow, that's a strange thing, huh? Wanting people to hear the music you make. How dare a musician want that.
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I don't think it's the 'selling out' that's the point here, It's just the media/music industry shit you have to do to get that kind of exposure. I guess it just looks like NMA never cared about that stuff enough to put it ahead of everything else - or ever had the money for someone else to for them.
I might be going out on a limb here but listening to their music I do get a sense of wanting to be apart from all this mainstream media stuff too?
Maybe I'm wrong and they've been trying for years with little success. I kinda hate Julie Holland and his over elaborate showyoffy piano playing anyways.
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Of course it would be nice to see NMA in TV sometimes, listen to them on the radio and so forth. I don´t think that anybody here would argue against that.
It´s only the question: what takes you there? And what are you doing when you´re there?
It seems to me that NMA had this kind of moment back in the 80s, and possibly the early 90s, when what they did and what the public eye wanted aligned for a time - and they decided to walk away and follow their own path, evolve, renew, change. Maybe there will be another alignment, maybe there won´t be.
But maybe I also got it completely wrong, just like Intothewind thought he might ;)
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Saying that, they have just recently had their own magazine and now a film! Quite mainstream media both.
Perhaps enough people don't like em, perhaps they're really just crap and we haven't noticed. aw who knows :)
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Being in the public eye doesn't necessarily mean you are our for fame and fortune. Why does everyone here assume that?
How about making an appearance on "Saturday Night Live" simply because you want people to hear your music? Wow, that's a strange thing, huh? Wanting people to hear the music you make. How dare a musician want that.
How easy is it to get on "Saturday night live" ? is wanting to go on the only requirement. As I hope the link to the "Jools Holland" thread illustrated, the band would like to do that show, but have never been invited. A good show, but it tends to call back known regular artists of the show, famous artists with new releases, new up-and-coming bands. All of which NMA are not.
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Watching the Grammy Music Awards last night and the entire music biz was there. From Paul McCartney to Kanye West to Taylor Swift to Beck to Beyonce to Miranda Lambert to Tony Bennet to Madonna to Prince to Annie Lennox to AC/DC to Sia....
My question is why does NMA not participate in the world of music? I know from youtube clips that they appeared on the old TV show "The Tube," but why do they not do other TV appearances. I realize the Super Bowl and the Grammys is out of their reach, but why not make an effort to appear on "The David Letterman Show"? "Saturday Night Live"? Or the iconic American TV music show "Austin City Limits"?
And don't cry "sell out." Even the most notoriously sincere bands appear on TV now and then. My God, even the Godfather of f-you to the establishment, Lou Reed, always would pop on on TV and that guy sure is no sell out. Why doesn't NMA make that effort to be heard by more people?
Well My answer would be What would NMA gain out of going to award shows like this. Really Nothing if you think they would gain new fans from that group of people most of those in the audience were not born when NMA made their 1st record. Plus the fact that the crowd is mostly Poppers or those that listen to Pop music and we can go down the list Katy Perry, Iggy Azalea, Ariana Grande, Rita Ora their pop singers . That is not the music NMA makes.
Let me say a little about the acts that you did mentioned
I did not watch the grammy's ( walking Dead was on and I ain't missing that) better action there anyway
One person who I know did watch the grammys said Paul looked like he did not want to be there he could be a grandpa to some of those acts and I can't blame him he has nothing in common with these acts. AC/DC had to use a teleprompter to sing the lines of the new song they played. :D Madonna well to me she never had talent and her gimmick is to dress like she is still in her 20's so showing skin is her thing and really the only older act that some people told me was the highlight of the evening was Annie Lennox singing and she still has the pipes to blow all the other female singers off the stage so I give her credit. But their is no catagory that New Model Army's music would be listed under Rock Beck won that and I have not listened to him in over 10 years I did not know he even had an album out and he won in the Rock catagory you got to be kidding ::)
After all this is the same group that years ago gave Jethro Tull the best in the Metal column where Metallica got left out and you want to have NMA go to this charade. I could not blame them and plenty of great bands have never got their due from the Grammy's so NMA is not the only one. They are doing just fine touring and making great music for their Fans not for the music industry. 8)
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I'm not suggesting the band should perform on the Grammys. Merely saying that the band makes no effort to be a part of the music scene at all. No desire to participate in the world that they are a part of. That's both odd and self-destructive.
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Magazine (here in the UK), film, lots of gigs all over the world.....?
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Can't see why it should be odd or self-destructive?
They are celebrating their 35th year, having gathered a dedicated fan base who is following them around, partly since the beginning. And younger to very young people that they picked up on the way.
What exactly is your measure for "success" anyway, Space?
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Can't see why it should be odd or self-destructive?
They are celebrating their 35th year, having gathered a dedicated fan base who is following them around, partly since the beginning. And younger to very young people that they picked up on the way.
What exactly is your measure for "success" anyway, Space?
I wonder if it's having a Space remix at the top of the charts :) :)
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They are celebrating their 35th year...
Yeah, 35 years of playing the local pub down the road somewhere is Leipzig.
Beatles were playing Shea Stadium, Paul sings at the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Olympics...when you look at that it would be foolish to suggest that playing a half hour set in Leipzig is something to celebrate.
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What exactly is your measure for "success" anyway, Space?
The best measure of success is what filmmaker Woody Allen was doing with his films in the '70s. They were strong personal artistic statements ("Annie Hall," "Manhattan"...) that were number one at the box office. The artist himself, the critics, and the public were all extremely pleased with the work. That's the ultimate level of success.
Critical and public and personal success all in one. Very hard trick to pull off. Beatles did it. Woody Allen. Early Stones. Hard to do.
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How do you gauge success?
Selling thousand and thousands of records and millions in the bank,top of the charts with every release, performing in front of sell out crowds in massive arena tours, etc etc ?
Success is a personal thing, I expect Justin would say he's been successful in what he does but always striving for change and maybe improve his guitar playing? ;)
He told me in the weeks before the 30th Anniversary dates that he's an average guitarist but a bloody great songwriter :)
Successful or not at least Justin is happy doing what he does and that's all that matters
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Yep I guess it's time to admit that NMA aren't that successful, especially compared to the largest most popular group in pop music. It's hard to take but we'll just have to go on....
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Very different time you're talking about, Space. Maybe that was so then. My feeling is that nowadays to be "successful" in that sense, to reach the masses you'd have to be foremost one thing: willing to serve the masses. (Sorry that on this point is my english not good enough to put it like I'd like to, but hope to be understood anyway...).
If the aim is to bring beauty and truthfulness to the world, yours is simply the wrong measure.
Guess that Red said the important thing about that already :-)
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Being very selfish aren't we all glad that nma aren't in the public eye or bigger. It gives us all a much better chance to see them at smaller more intimate venues and come together as family and friends. Yes Justin and the boys deserve a bit more money etc i certainly wouldn't grudge them that
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OK, I have to say... I (sort of) agree with Space...
(The entire Forum passes out through shock alone...) ;D
I think that NMA is a band with appeal that goes beyond their usual fanbase. I think there are a lot of people, who might be of a certain age or perhaps just not being catered for by the music that they are being targeted with, that would love this band. In fact, I seem to remember an interview with, I think, Joolz, where it was put out that NMA are rather under-appreciated. I totally agree with that. Now, I'm not saying that they should have top-ten hits or be playing 10000+ arenas, but they should be more than a cult band. And I think that here, in the UK and possibly in other European countries, there should be more done to get their songs / message out to the general public... please note, NOT an attack on their people who do that public relations stuff...
The Joolz Holland show would be a classic fit, but it seems to be a closed shop. Cult artists? Fine, if you fit certain perameters. NMA obviously don't, despite all the heat around them nowadays. BBC6? Again, some heat. But not enough.
Space, I'd be interested to know what avenues are open to a middle-aged band from the UK that most folks in the US have never heard of and what the inner circle of the band might do about it...
Closing note... I'd love to have NMA have a big old resurgence into the public eye in their autumn years. Not least because they ain't getting younger and if, god forbid, health problems might kick in one day, some years down the line, I'd like to think that if touring / recording wasn't possible anymore, they'd be OK (oh, wow, that's a ******* depressing comment!) and they'd have a legacy that might stretch beyond the usual hardcore followers... not least in a financial sense...
Yup, I just equated what NMA do with money. Heck, the lads gotta make a living. Bring on the flames.
:-\
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I think that NMA is a band with appeal that goes beyond their usual fanbase. I think there are a lot of people that would love this band.
Bingo. That's exactly true.
Quick note: Here in the early '80s we had college radio that would play the most obscure bands on Earth. No public radio station would touch these bands or songs. We'd hear Test Department, Einstrurzenden Neubatten, Crass...and even a song called "Melt With You" by some little independent British band called Modern English. I kept hearing "Melt With You" everyday back then and kept saying to myself that if the public could just hear this song, they'd love it. Why is this perfect song relegated to a few hundred listeners of college radio?
Well, you know the rest. When "Melt With You" somehow was heard by others it became a massive pop hit. Top of the charts, in movies, in commercials, played as countless wedding songs across the USA....
Point is if New Model Army got more exposure people would love their stuff, too. It's not selling out. It is just exposure. The band Modern English didn't bend over for the record companies. They simply made their little song and when people heard it the people responded positively. I feel New Model Army music could do the same. The band has nothing to be ashamed of with their music. They should try to get it out there so more can hear it. Book a spot on "Letterman." They truly do hurt their own careers, deprive the public, and do their music no favors at all by being so negative towards the music scene and staying out of the public eye.
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Space, I'd be interested to know what avenues are open to a middle-aged band from the UK that most folks in the US have never heard of and what the inner circle of the band might do about it...
The band needs an agent that understands the business better.
Here in America we have an iconic, respected music program called "Austin City Limits." It doesn't book the Lady Gagas of our time. It books the serious musicians and bands for its audience who are serious about music. We'll get The Alabama Shakes, Gary Clarke Jr., The Foo Fighters, Johnny Cash, Pearl Jam, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Nick Cave... Don't have to like it all, but the program always puts on music that is not just shooting for number one on Top Of The Pops.
If NMA had a decent agent, "Austin City Limits" would be perfect for them. Will it lead to NMA playing Shea Stadium. Uhhh, no. But it would lead to a large number of people adding New Model Army records to their collection. That's good for the people, that's good for the band.
My God, do you think it is right that middle-aged geezers like The Eagles and Billy Joel sell out night after night at Madison Garden over here while NMA play before twelve people in a bar in Leipzig? NMA should have done more to raise their profile. They were good enough. Their music is not avant garde. It is simply good rock and roll. There is an audience for that. Why they chose to avoid that audience was not smart.
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Space, I'd be interested to know what avenues are open to a middle-aged band from the UK that most folks in the US have never heard of and what the inner circle of the band might do about it...
The band needs an agent that understands the business better.
Here in America we have an iconic, respected music program called "Austin City Limits." It doesn't book the Lady Gagas of our time. It books the serious musicians and bands for its audience who are serious about music. We'll get The Alabama Shakes, Gary Clarke Jr., The Foo Fighters, Johnny Cash, Pearl Jam, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Nick Cave... Don't have to like it all, but the program always puts on music that is not just shooting for number one on Top Of The Pops.
If NMA had a decent agent, "Austin City Limits" would be perfect for them. Will it lead to NMA playing Shea Stadium. Uhhh, no. But it would lead to a large number of people adding New Model Army records to their collection. That's good for the people, that's good for the band.
My God, do you think it is right that middle-aged geezers like The Eagles and Billy Joel sell out night after night at Madison Garden over here while NMA play before twelve people in a bar in Leipzig? NMA should have done more to raise their profile. They were good enough. Their music is not avant garde. It is simply good rock and roll. There is an audience for that. Why they chose to avoid that audience was not smart.
Now i would pay to see him :) :)
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Space, I'd be interested to know what avenues are open to a middle-aged band from the UK that most folks in the US have never heard of and what the inner circle of the band might do about it...
The band needs an agent that understands the business better.
Here in America we have an iconic, respected music program called "Austin City Limits." It doesn't book the Lady Gagas of our time. It books the serious musicians and bands for its audience who are serious about music. We'll get The Alabama Shakes, Gary Clarke Jr., The Foo Fighters, Johnny Cash, Pearl Jam, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Nick Cave... Don't have to like it all, but the program always puts on music that is not just shooting for number one on Top Of The Pops.
If NMA had a decent agent, "Austin City Limits" would be perfect for them. Will it lead to NMA playing Shea Stadium. Uhhh, no. But it would lead to a large number of people adding New Model Army records to their collection. That's good for the people, that's good for the band.
My God, do you think it is right that middle-aged geezers like The Eagles and Billy Joel sell out night after night at Madison Garden over here while NMA play before twelve people in a bar in Leipzig? NMA should have done more to raise their profile. They were good enough. Their music is not avant garde. It is simply good rock and roll. There is an audience for that. Why they chose to avoid that audience was not smart.
There's always the possiblity that they don't want or need it :)
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Uhh, Red, you ever heard of Yogi Berra? He's a famous New York Yankee baseball player who is as famous for his baseball as he is for saying memorable things. "It ain't over till it's over" is a world famous Yogi-ism, but he also said this one. A few years ago while watching a Steve McQueen movie on TV, Yogi came to this conclusion, "Hey, he must have made this movie before he died."
Point is, Johnny Cash appeared on "Austin City Limits" before he died. Guess you couldn't figure that one out.
Any other problems you might have, I am here to help you out, kid.
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There's always the possiblity that they don't want or need it :)
Last I heard New Model Army are not monks living in a monastary atop a mountain in Greece.
When they do that, then you can say they "don't want it or need it."
They make records, they play gigs. They sell those records, they sell tickets to those gigs. They even sell little magnets and trinkets on their web site. Now tell me again "they don't want it or need it."
Go on, make me laugh.
Twenty dollars for an NMA winter hat. Six dollars for an NMA key chain.
"They don't want it or need it."
;D
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You know Space I'm really beginning to lose my patience. I'm bored of your trolling, your astonishing negativity and utter ignorance of how the music business actually works. I have defended your right to free speech, but I can't defend your self-obsessed need to bore the **** out of me and everyone else with your "insights". As much as I've actually enjoyed the banter and general livening up of the board that it has provoked, I think it's almost time for you to take a holiday.
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Space. You have heard of the term one Hit wonder well since you used Modern English as one of those bands that had a mega hit with I melt with you ( BTW I do have After the show ) So I know the band. I did a little looking up on them to see where is this band today. So you know and you can look it up they disbanded twice and they have gotten back together but guess what they are not playing major venues Matter of fact when is the last time you heard of one of their newer songs you probably haven't and those 12 people in a bar in Leipzig . That's probably where they play their gigs Now.
I had already asked in the question section when would NMA come back to the Colonies across the pond and the band was nice enough to say at this time it is not Financially possible for them to come here to play the states. And if you know the story about the band you would know at one time they could not come and play in America that is documented all you have to do is look for that info.
One of the biggest Musical festivals in America is the South By Southwest festival in Austin Texas. Well if you did not know NMA played this festival some years ago and got a very good response and write ups about their performance there I remember that vividly so the press was very kind that did not mean that Radio was going to put them on 24 /7 it meant that the real music press those that know music know what the band is about.
Finally all I can say is this being in the music business is not easy and if you can survive for 35 years playing gigs. You have found your calling it's one thing to play the old favorites go thru your greatest hits and just play that a lot of the older bands are doing just that but to keep coming out with New Music well that's a special talent and very few bands can do that NMA just happens to be one of those bands that can so count your blessings that they are not just some one hit wonder but they can stay fresh and keep up with the times and still have that edge that other bands wish they had. 8)
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Hey, Viv, because I don't say that every single second of every single NMA song is brilliant, I am negative? I've always felt the best comments are the intelligent dissenting ones. The best conversations always arise due to a differening point of view.
And you do note that because of my arrival the board is far more livelier. Well, isn't that a good thing? No one here is threatening each other, insulting each other, making each other cry. We are simply discussing different aspects of a band's musical life and doing it (on my part, anyway) with tongue firmly in cheek.
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"No one here is threatening each other, insulting each other" - Really? You have a very short memory.
Intelligent dissent is one thing, but consistently being aggressively antagonistic is another. You are not challenging peoples ideas and thoughts, you are for the most part, just being belligerent.
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Space. You have heard of the term one Hit wonder well since you used Modern English as one of those bands that had a mega hit with I melt with you ( BTW I do have After the show ) So I know the band. I did a little looking up on them to see where is this band today. So you know and you can look it up they disbanded twice and they have gotten back together but guess what they are not playing major venues Matter of fact when is the last time you heard of one of their newer songs you probably haven't and those 12 people in a bar in Leipzig . That's probably where they play their gigs Now.
I had already asked in the question section when would NMA come back to the Colonies across the pond and the band was nice enough to say at this time it is not Financially possible for them to come here to play the states. And if you know the story about the band you would know at one time they could not come and play in America that is documented all you have to do is look for that info.
One of the biggest Musical festivals in America is the South By Southwest festival in Austin Texas. Well if you did not know NMA played this festival some years ago and got a very good response and write ups about their performance there I remember that vividly so the press was very kind that did not mean that Radio was going to put them on 24 /7 it meant that the real music press those that know music know what the band is about.
Finally all I can say is this being in the music business is not easy and if you can survive for 35 years playing gigs. You have found your calling it's one thing to play the old favorites go thru your greatest hits and just play that a lot of the older bands are doing just that but to keep coming out with New Music well that's a special talent and very few bands can do that NMA just happens to be one of those bands that can so count your blessings that they are not just some one hit wonder but they can stay fresh and keep up with the times and still have that edge that other bands wish they had. 8)
Great post Ron. Its a shame some of NMA's true U.S. fans are unlikely to see the band at home for the foreseeable. Hope you can make it over here in the not too distant future to enjoy a gig with some of your forum friends. 8)
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Space. You have heard of the term one Hit wonder well since you used Modern English as one of those bands that had a mega hit with I melt with you .....
being in the music business is not easy and if you can survive for 35 years playing gigs you have found your calling. NMA just happens to be one of those bands that can
The question is always wouldn't you rather be a one hit wonder than a no hit nobody? Modern English cemented themselves in pop music history with that tune. 35 years after its release people still know "I Melt With You," younger kids still flock to it. A timeless song. Anyone involved in music would be happy to have such "one hit" success. And as you have the lp "After The Snow" you know the band isn't a sugary pop band. A 4AD indie band. Their succes with "Melt With You" is astonishing.
As for NMA being around 35 years...well as a fan I wish they had more success. I wish the world knew their tunes. Don't you think New Model Army's music should be more in the public ear than Taylor Swift's? That's all I would want. I'm a frustrated fan. I know of this great band and unlike others who want to keep them to themselves, I wish to share them with everyone.
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I certainly don't want to keep nma to myself I wear a nma t shirt and hat nearly I'm not working I wear my t shirts over my hooded tops, when its cold n wolly nma hat when warmer t shirt and nma baseball cap. Everyone that even slightly knows me knows I'm a huge fan. I can't force others to like them.
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Space. You have heard of the term one Hit wonder well since you used Modern English as one of those bands that had a mega hit with I melt with you .....
being in the music business is not easy and if you can survive for 35 years playing gigs you have found your calling. NMA just happens to be one of those bands that can
The question is always wouldn't you rather be a one hit wonder than a no hit nobody? Modern English cemented themselves in pop music history with that tune. 35 years after its release people still know "I Melt With You," younger kids still flock to it. A timeless song. Anyone involved in music would be happy to have such "one hit" success. And as you have the lp "After The Snow" you know the band isn't a sugary pop band. A 4AD indie band. Their succes with "Melt With You" is astonishing.
As for NMA being around 35 years...well as a fan I wish they had more success. I wish the world knew their tunes. Don't you think New Model Army's music should be more in the public ear than Taylor Swift's? That's all I would want. I'm a frustrated fan. I know of this great band and unlike others who want to keep them to themselves, I wish to share them with everyone.
So you think having one big hit that everyone (not me)remembers after35 years is preferable to a 35 year career?I wonder how many times "Modern English"get asked "Didn't you used to be that band who sang 'I melt with you' and then faded into oblivion?"
What did the members of Modern English do for jobs when they split up?NMA have supported themselves financially from day one and not from royalties from hits years ago.
I would imagine if I was a songwriter,I'd be more proud to earn a living from my chosen profession than to do other jobs to make ends meet and then reform and do the "nostalgia circuit"
While I wish NMA lotsof success,the thought of only ever seeing them play stadiums(and god forbid the supper bowl)fills me with dread.Give me small venues every time.I wonder how special those 12???/ people in Leipzig felt.One of my favourite gigs was NMA in Swansea to maybe 100 people(or was it 12) :D
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Space I've avoided replying to alot of your posts, because I suspect you either actually believe what you type and think that your views are superior and correct, or it's all a massive wind up and you are laughing at us all rather than with us. Either way, it's unpleasant. And before you say it, no I am not insisting that NMA should only be praised to the high heavens, and everything they touch turns to gold, just that your approach is not in a very nice spirit. But anyway, I just wanted to point out that you seem to have no idea how the music or TV or PR industries work. To get on any of the shows you mention, a well-oiled PR machine would have to click into place. Talent bookers would need to be approached, all sorts of hoops jumped through and a certain amount of schmoozing. The band would probably need to be touring the States at the time, or have an album / single out that is making some sort of impression out there. There is a chance that a producer or host might take a liking to the band and put them on the show as a punt. There's a much bigger chance that it would all fall on deaf ears.
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Uhh, Red, you ever heard of Yogi Berra? He's a famous New York Yankee baseball player who is as famous for his baseball as he is for saying memorable things. "It ain't over till it's over" is a world famous Yogi-ism, but he also said this one. A few years ago while watching a Steve McQueen movie on TV, Yogi came to this conclusion, "Hey, he must have made this movie before he died."
Point is, Johnny Cash appeared on "Austin City Limits" before he died. Guess you couldn't figure that one out.
Any other problems you might have, I am here to help you out, kid.
Never heard of him mate, don't watch your version of rounders either :) :)
( I find it laughable that the USA have a WORLD series baseball that only American teams compete in)
As for the Johnny Cash comment you said, quote 'We'll get him'
Obviously you can't as in case you have not realised he's no longer around.
if you mean by 'we'll get him' actually means an old filmed gig it's not really the same is it, or maybe it is :) :)
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There's always the possiblity that they don't want or need it :)
Last I heard New Model Army are not monks living in a monastary atop a mountain in Greece.
When they do that, then you can say they "don't want it or need it."
They make records, they play gigs. They sell those records, they sell tickets to those gigs. They even sell little magnets and trinkets on their web site. Now tell me again "they don't want it or need it."
Go on, make me laugh.
Twenty dollars for an NMA winter hat. Six dollars for an NMA key chain.
"They don't want it or need it."
;D
As you're such a massive authority on the band it is such a shame that you have never bought one:) :)
yes I know you can't possibly attend a gig on your own, maybe you'll need to ask your mother to go with you to hold your hand :) :)
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you ever heard of Yogi Berra?
If its not who Boo Boo hangs out with, I haven't heard of him either.
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you ever heard of Yogi Berra?
If its not who Boo Boo hangs out with, I haven't heard of him either.
Oh yeah, silly me
I now know who you mean
Didn't realised he played rounders though :)
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm179/RACred/yogibear_zpsb90bec2a.jpg) (http://s296.photobucket.com/user/RACred/media/yogibear_zpsb90bec2a.jpg.html)
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I'm a frustrated fan.
Oh really, we hadn't noticed. ;)
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My ten halfpennies worth is that if NMA were all over the BBC and other telly/radio media, then that would probably mean they were making music that us lot weren't interested in and wouldn't like anyway, I've always liked indie music of one sort or another precisely cos it ain't mainstream, not cos I'm an awkward old codger, but cos I just don't get or like most mainstream music as frankly it irritates me immensely, always has.
So, in a way if appearing for ten mins on Liz Kershaw's radio show a few months back is as good as it gets in this regard, then that's probably about right for me.
The band are selling out venues, shifting CDs and t shirts like they're going out of fashion and the NMA 'scene' (OMG how hackneyed does that sound?) is the best it's ever been IMHO.
What's there not to like?
Not being in the public eye is why the amazing interesting intelligent bunch of people who follow NMA follow NMA, I wouldn't have it any other way.. My suspicion is JS would run a country mile if he thought it was going any other route. Wittingly or unwittingly. I may be entirely wrong.
So to sum up, who gives a flying (thru the) smoke if the Beeb and Jools H ignore the band?
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There's always the possiblity that they don't want or need it :)
Last I heard New Model Army are not monks living in a monastary atop a mountain in Greece.
;D
I think Nepal would be more accurate than Greece. If you are going for secluded than the Himalayas win. When most people think of monks and Monasteries Greece usually is not the first place that comes to mind. At least if you are speaking of now. You didn't even get the right continent. :P
You may have the ability to insult other's intelligence in the music field but you need to do more research in the field of geography. It comes across in some of your posts that you think that American culture is the best in the world. That may be considered arrogant. Maybe that's why people are always wound up by your posts. :)
Also what is even the point on posting cynical posts about a band on their own official forum? Obviously it will wind up many fans that love the band. Personally, I like buying my merchandise. I also know that it's one of the main sources of income for musicians. Being a musician is actually a job and how they pay their bills.
Just try to be nice.
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One of my favourite gigs was NMA in Swansea to maybe 100 people(or was it 12) :D
Was that on the High tour when the security got a bit antsy about the pyramids and Justin allayed their fears by saying "Don't worry about them. They've all attended a special training camp, west of Llanelli"?
If so, that was one of my favourites too.
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A) you think that American culture is the best in the world.
B) what is even the point on posting cynical posts about a band on their own official forum?
A) American culture is the best and most influential in the world. Example: just look at the music and the films that you listen to and watch. Heck, this very site would not even be in existence if it weren't for American culture. You do realize that America gave birth to rock and roll. If no America, NMA would be a skiffle band right now.
B) I post questioning posts about NMA, not cynical. Are NMA songs too long? Why don't NMA do more TV? These are valid questions that can be discussed by fans of the band. Don't you like to examine your favorite band? My favorite band is The Beatles. I belong to a super hardcore Beatle site and we constantly disect the band. You think questions there about Yoko are greeted with "She was great" responses? Real fans of a band want to discuss everything about the band -- the good and bad.
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I'd question whether its the best. It has a part to play in culture. But then so did Greece, Rome and in fact any other nation in the world. America is a baby in world history.
Still, if you like brightly coloured breakfast cereal its right up there. :P
By the way, the Beatles were from the North East of England. And changed/influenced American/global music. Otherwise you'd be listening to Grand Ole Opry and the like.
I actually like America. Its not perfect and it does play an important part in the world. But it isnt the world. I think because its so big and patriotic, you forget that it only exists because the people of the world made it from a vast array of culture, that gave you your culture. Because every state is different and large its like 50 countries under one flag.
But back to music. I guess it depends what you want from it. I like what NMA do for me personally. I dont need to over analyse it, I need to hear music that touches me and I can appreciate the work and feeling that goes into it.
And thats what it does. I dont beleive it needs to do any more than that.
:)
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A) you think that American culture is the best in the world.
B) what is even the point on posting cynical posts about a band on their own official forum?
A) American culture is the best and most influential in the world. Example: just look at the music and the films that you listen to and watch. Heck, this very site would not even be in existence if it weren't for American culture. You do realize that America gave birth to rock and roll. If no America, NMA would be a skiffle band right now.
B) I post questioning posts about NMA, not cynical. Are NMA songs too long? Why don't NMA do more TV? These are valid questions that can be discussed by fans of the band. Don't you like to examine your favorite band? My favorite band is The Beatles. I belong to a super hardcore Beatle site and we constantly disect the band. You think questions there about Yoko are greeted with "She was great" responses? Real fans of a band want to discuss everything about the band -- the good and bad.
Yes you do but the problem is that you do not want answers that disagree with your way of thinking.
You have this I'm better than you, American is better than everything,without America we, the rest of the world would have nothing attitude.
You are so sadly mistaken but you carry on living in your little bubble and leave the rest of us to get on with our lives
Ain't you got some Katy Perry to listen to and a rounders match to watch :) :)
Yes we also discuss the good and the bad about NMA but at least we do it in a friendly manner without the abuse you dish out
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One of my favourite gigs was NMA in Swansea to maybe 100 people(or was it 12) :D
Was that on the High tour when the security got a bit antsy about the pyramids and Justin allayed their fears by saying "Don't worry about them. They've all attended a special training camp, west of Llanelli"?
If so, that was one of my favourites too.
Hi Jack,seems to ring a bell.Was in a venue called Sin City.
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Actually, I am American and dislike the culture and lifestyle. This culture is so obsessed with fashion,reality television, sports,crap pop music and trivial crap. For this reason I do not own a television or turn on a radio. It just feels meaningless.
The lifestyle is all about how hard you can work, how much money you can make, how much better you can do than everyone else. Fire arms are easy to obtain and there is a monthly gun massacre somewhere in the country. 3/4 of the nation have never owned a passport and get the false idea that U.S.A. is number one drilled into their heads since birth. Anyone under 30 has been set up for failure and they have no chance for retirment since the baby boomers have already spent all of that money on themselves.
Just turning on an American television can kill a few brain cells. " Toddlers and Tiaras" and "The Kardashians" and "Miley Cyrus" and "24 kids and counting" Please delete my knowledge of this from my brain
Yeah, pretty much the best culture ever!
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B) I post questioning posts about NMA, not cynical. Are NMA songs too long? Why don't NMA do more TV? These are valid questions that can be discussed by fans of the band. Don't you like to examine your favorite band? My favorite band is The Beatles. I belong to a super hardcore Beatle site and we constantly disect the band. You think questions there about Yoko are greeted with "She was great" responses? Real fans of a band want to discuss everything about the band -- the good and bad.
New Model Army's music accompanies me on my journey through life, I don't have any desire to analyse that relationship any further. I spend too much energy dissecting the stuff that isn't working to have a need to understand the stuff that is. As for being a 'real fan' - "Give me some place that I can go, Where I don't have to justify myself"
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B) I post questioning posts about NMA, not cynical. Are NMA songs too long? Why don't NMA do more TV? These are valid questions that can be discussed by fans of the band. Don't you like to examine your favorite band? My favorite band is The Beatles. I belong to a super hardcore Beatle site and we constantly disect the band. You think questions there about Yoko are greeted with "She was great" responses? Real fans of a band want to discuss everything about the band -- the good and bad.
You may think that but what you seem incapable of understanding is that it's not what you say but the fact that you are a disdainful, arrogant, aggressive insulting individual who is incapable of treating anyone else with the slightest courtesy or the most basic manners. Therefore the fact that you may raise good points of interest or topics for discussion becomes irrelevant because you just come across as a particularly unpleasant penis.
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"I post questioning posts about NMA, not cynical. Are NMA songs too long? Why don't NMA do more TV?"
No. As Anna says, your posts do not pose a question - they state as fact. You did not "ask" if NMA songs were too long - your post was titled "Let's Face It, NMA Songs Are Too Long". And you did not suggest that NMA did more TV - you insinuated they were incompetent not to do so and expressed disbelief that your idea was not acted upon. Once again, before you bang that drum again - I am NOT saying NMA should never be critiqued on this board, just questioning your approach. The Larry Sanders Show is in my opinion one of the greatest gifts American culture has given the world. If you haven't already, I suggest you watch the episode called "Hank's Night In The Sun". You might learn something about how people react to hubris as opposed to humility (as well as how your beloved talk shows are actually run). I'd sworn I would not get dragged into this, as it plays right into your hands, but there you go.
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Actually, I am American and dislike the culture and lifestyle.
The lifestyle is all about how hard you can work, how much money you can make, how much better you can do than everyone else.
So true. And someone captured it perfectly in song:
"The bitterness of failure and the dirt in success, this is the choice.
Every winner means a loser in the Western Dream."
Justin nailed it. "Western Dream" is Justin's best work. An incredible piece of writing.
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because they are too good, too genuine, that is why they keep doing what they do and doing it so well.
bands which are much more famous who sell millions like the Cure I mean they did amazing stuff in the 80s then sime incredible shit. ok that became pop music all about love etc most of the songs are about relationships etc but musically speaking it s pop. it became pop. NMA always remained NMA even changing style.................
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One of my favourite gigs was NMA in Swansea to maybe 100 people(or was it 12) :D
Was that on the High tour when the security got a bit antsy about the pyramids and Justin allayed their fears by saying "Don't worry about them. They've all attended a special training camp, west of Llanelli"?
If so, that was one of my favourites too.
Hi Jack,seems to ring a bell.Was in a venue called Sin City.
I was at that one; think it was 2008. Sticky floors and no air conditioning.... Just how it should be.
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One of my favourite gigs was NMA in Swansea to maybe 100 people(or was it 12) :D
Was that on the High tour when the security got a bit antsy about the pyramids and Justin allayed their fears by saying "Don't worry about them. They've all attended a special training camp, west of Llanelli"?
If so, that was one of my favourites too.
Hi Jack,seems to ring a bell.Was in a venue called Sin City.
I was at that one; think it was 2008. Sticky floors and no air conditioning.... Just how it should be.
You're right about that one! Too many venues nowadays, like Manchester Acedemy, are all airconditioned! I don't want a cool, calm breeze washing over me, I want the smell of sweat and excitement and passion... wow, that went a bit 'Fifty Shades Of Grey', didn't it? :D I just remember NMA at Preston, that tiny venue and how utterly drenched in sweat I was by the end of it...
Sticky floors... hmmm, you don't know 'sticky floors' unless you've been to Nottingham Rock City... I swear, they spray the floors with glue at that wonderful venue... ;)
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Therefore the fact that you may raise good points of interest or topics for discussion becomes irrelevant because you just come across as a particularly unpleasant penis./quote]
End of chat.
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Sticky floors... hmmm, you don't know 'sticky floors' unless you've been to Nottingham Rock City... I swear, they spray the floors with glue at that wonderful venue... ;)
Or what about the Tiv in Buckley? Floors so sticky it's like laminated Mandrax...
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One of my favourite gigs was NMA in Swansea to maybe 100 people(or was it 12) :D
Was that on the High tour when the security got a bit antsy about the pyramids and Justin allayed their fears by saying "Don't worry about them. They've all attended a special training camp, west of Llanelli"?
If so, that was one of my favourites too.
Hi Jack,seems to ring a bell.Was in a venue called Sin City.
I was at that one; think it was 2008. Sticky floors and no air conditioning.... Just how it should be.
You're right about that one! Too many venues nowadays, like Manchester Acedemy, are all airconditioned! I don't want a cool, calm breeze washing over me, I want the smell of sweat and excitement and passion... wow, that went a bit 'Fifty Shades Of Grey', didn't it? :D I just remember NMA at Preston, that tiny venue and how utterly drenched in sweat I was by the end of it...
Sticky floors... hmmm, you don't know 'sticky floors' unless you've been to Nottingham Rock City... I swear, they spray the floors with glue at that wonderful venue... ;)
I like when it is air conditioned. It keeps people from sweating to the point of dehydration.
However I am from a different generation and don't know how it was in days of old. I imagine it was a bit like greek gigs. It's hot and a lot of people are smoking.
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I like when it is air conditioned. It keeps people from sweating to the point of dehydration.
However I am from a different generation and don't know how it was in days of old. I imagine it was a bit like greek gigs. It's hot and a lot of people are smoking.
At the risk of sounding really ancient, when I first started going to gigs there were no noise limits (Sepultura, Wolverhampton Civic 15th Dec 1996.... ears rang for days afterwards) and if there were any capacity limits nobody gave them much attention and cigarette burns on the shoulders were commonplace. The floor would be sticky, condensation would drip from the ceilings and you were still allowed to stage-dive. Them were the days, I tell 'ee!
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To be fair, thats most of Wolverhampton in 2015..... COYB.. There's probably only me on here that'll get that too.. Ah my little world :)
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I can remember at the barrowlands behind the crush barriers at the front of the stage, the bouncers would have barrels filled with water and they would throw cups of water over the crowd when things got too hot and sweaty
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I was at the legendary Clash shows at Bonds in Times Square. That place held about a thousand people but they packed in four thousand. Fire marshalls soon shut down those shows...Clash played 17 nights to make sure all ticket holders got to see them...but, man, those early gigs when there was no air to breathe were insane. Only a miracle that no one died. Pure insanity. It was like being in Hell. But it sure was fun.
For once the bureaucrats were right. Shut it down.
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I was at the legendary Clash shows at Bonds in Times Square. That place held about a thousand people but they packed in four thousand. Fire marshalls soon shut down those shows...Clash played 17 nights to make sure all ticket holders got to see them...but, man, those early gigs when there was no air to breathe were insane. Only a miracle that no one died. Pure insanity. It was like being in Hell. But it sure was fun.
For once the bureaucrats were right. Shut it down.
You saw The Clash live?
Jealous as all ****, sir.
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You saw The Clash live?
Yeah, countless times. The Clash at Bonds shows are legendary for a reason. The Clash at the peak of their powers, I was at six of those shows. But my older brother has me beat, though. He was at the show that is the famous cover of the "London Calling" album.
Incredible live band. Great energy and passion. Also knew how to create a set list.
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tv club dublin
1982 or something like that
only time i saw the clash
it was enough
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It's an interesting subject, this. In the 90's I worked for a PR company that promoted various bands of NMA's ilk, them included. The important thing to remember is that it is serendipity that gets bands a rollout of exposure, if the have no strong patronage from somewhere above, which NMA do not. As such, there may be writers who'd put them in every issue of a rock mag, but if the editor only feels they warrant an album review during the launch of a new product, that's all they'll get. No double spread, no cover lines, maybe a live review. So they could hit all the major rock publications in the UK and still not have a raised profile. But whatever band you promote, the press release and the CD goes out to all the magazines just the same, and everyone at those mags at that point knew who they were. Were they dismissed out of hand sometimes by the staff there? Did nobody at some publications pick up the CD for review? Probably. But I'm sure the bands that got coverage instead aren't complaining.
Of course, an editor's job is to sell as many magazines as possible, not to do NMA a favour, so he's not going to stick them on the cover when Kid Rock is already selling magazines because of his radio exposure, which brings me to...
I presented a radio show when Strange Brotherhood came out. I played WWTG a couple of times, I didn't get any of the audience feedback that popular tracks usually generated, so I don't play it much further. When there's always more good music to play than you have hours in the show, a couple of plays is good for a band no-one is asking you to play again.
Now, I have no idea what the turnover is like for NMA these days, compared to back then. But we could put them on in our venue and sell it out, and the same seems to frequently happen now, so one can only assume album sales are similar, adjusting for how that's changed across the music business in the last 2 decades.
The conclusion I've reached with this band is that what they do (and who they are) appeals to sufficient people to allow their ambient level of success, and that is more than most talented musicians could ever hope for. Certainly for three and a half decades or so.
On the flipside, they also aren't unpopular enough. To pluck some low-hanging fruit, Limp Bizkit (a band who made very bad music) got very successful with an almost perfectly balanced discourse in which they were equal parts awesomesauce and horseshit. If everyone hates you, you can have a cover line. Maybe you can even have the cover. But people who don't like New Model Army just don't like them. They aren't vocal about it, particularly. The tribal rivalry between groups of fans (which the media will always promote because it puts food in their children's mouths) was all but over for the 80s alternative bands by the end of NMA's second decade, and the band never played up to it anyway. That's the stuff that keeps you in the media.
I think also Hopeless Causes should have been a virtual relaunch for the band, re-positioned them in the brave new decade of British alternative, but Sony didn't know what the **** to do with half the excellent bands they had on their books in those days. The neo-mods of Britpop had Paul Weller, Mr. Sullivan could have been that guy for the for the alt-rock sphere. The Almighty were briefly enormous, surfing the same wave as Therapy? and the Wildhearts. Even though LOHC charted higher than Impurity and almost as high as T&C, that link was never made.
Everything except the musician and the noise they make is a story, and NMA have always been keen to tell their own. It doesn't leave much for the media to create.
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Interesting subject Mike? That's a damn fine interesting post. Thanks :-*
The conclusion I've reached with this band is that what they do (and who they are) appeals to sufficient people to allow their ambient level of success, and that is more than most talented musicians could ever hope for.
Everything except the musician and the noise they make is a story, and NMA have always been keen to tell their own. It doesn't leave much for the media to create.
I think you've got it pretty much bang on there.
Given what else you said can you think of another band that's done a similar thing to a similar level?
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Interesting subject Mike? That's a damn fine interesting post. Thanks :-*
The conclusion I've reached with this band is that what they do (and who they are) appeals to sufficient people to allow their ambient level of success, and that is more than most talented musicians could ever hope for.
Everything except the musician and the noise they make is a story, and NMA have always been keen to tell their own. It doesn't leave much for the media to create.
I think you've got it pretty much bang on there.
Given what else you said can you think of another band that's done a similar thing to a similar level?
I can. Marillion.
Started roundabout the same time as NMA and, to be honest, became far more successful. NMA never headlined Milton Keynes Bowl in front of 35000 people... although they should have done... ::)
But they split with original singer Fish, changed their sound and their album sales went lower and lower (despite, IMO, making some great music) and seemed like they were destined for the gutter...
... until they split from their record company, took matters into their own hands, bought their own studio, started a real fanbase thing, asked their fans to pay for the album a year in advance (a real act of faith) and have, in recent years, become more and more highly regarded thanks to doing exactly WHAT they want WHEN they want to do it...
Sound like anyone we know? ;)
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There are lots of great bands out there that don't get the attention they should From the same start off era and same area as nma the cult , the mission, sisters of mercy to name a few
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The neo-mods of Britpop had Paul Weller, Mr. Sullivan could have been that guy for the for the alt-rock sphere.
That's so right. Kobain then Vedder eventually became the go to guy for the alternative nation. Prior to their emergence, Justin Sullivan could have been that guy.
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There are lots of great bands out there that don't get the attention they should From the same start off era and same area as nma the cult , the mission, sisters of mercy to name a few
Yes but they are nowhere as good as NMA. they can't even touch them with a long stick. That's like old 80's goth rock or something. NMA are not that. In fact they would fit more into the indie catagory or even none at all.
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The cult aren't a Goth band definitely more a alternative rock band
And as for who is better, come on its the nma forum but you won't hear me arguing
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OK sorry. I just get a bit touchy as I too often hear poeple label NMA as goth and they are not.
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The neo-mods of Britpop had Paul Weller, Mr. Sullivan could have been that guy for the for the alt-rock sphere.
That's so right. Kobain then Vedder eventually became the go to guy for the alternative nation. Prior to their emergence, Justin Sullivan could have been that guy.
I'd disagree. I was being anglocentric, as I'm only qualified to speculate about the UK music scene. Which, while it hold it's own superbly, is hardly equivalent to a worldwide scale. But in the UK at least, Justin might have had a higher profile, the band a more widely spoken respect at a time when they were the musical Gandalf the upstarts were crying out for. As for Europe, different things are cool there.
It's a band fronted by a fairly regular fellow who has cultivated an exceptional musical eloquence in himself, and he'd much rather just get on with that, I think.
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OK sorry. I just get a bit touchy as I too often hear poeple label NMA as goth and they are not.
It is, inasmuch as it's music that goths like. Early Chemical Brothers and Josh Wink aren't remotely indie music, but it was those crowds who embraced the music, so many will rightly lump it in.
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I can. Marillion.
Marillion basically invented Kickstarter, pledgemusic et. al. NMA are pretty commercially conventional by comparison. Other bands who might reasonably be compared to both would include Hawkwind, The Wildhearts (or at least Ginger) and possibly Anathema, who I'd like to lock Justin in a studio with for a couple of months, in an Eno-y role.
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Some great posts there, Mike... thanks for recognising Marillion. Despite their early 80's success, they've ploughed their own way in the music industry and, like NMA, they should be more highly regarded...
I've also been surprised by how many people somehow think of NMA as being 'goth'... where did that come from? Not a scene I have too much knowledge of, although I have dipped in and out and generally liked what I've found... although I always had a sneaky thought that they needed more bats somewhere or other... :D
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possibly Anathema, who I'd like to lock Justin in a studio with for a couple of months, in an Eno-y role.
That would be ace. I'd buy the results, that's for sure.
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Just in case any of you aren't familiar with Anathema... Untouchable, Parts 1 and 2...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDsMpOM4uAU
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I've also been surprised by how many people somehow think of NMA as being 'goth'... where did that come from? Not a scene I have too much knowledge of, although I have dipped in and out and generally liked what I've found... although I always had a sneaky thought that they needed more bats somewhere or other... :D
Again, it's about UK musical subculture. The scale of the place relative to the population means that if a band can appeal to a subculture, it probably will. And With songs like The Price, people who buy that EP are also going to buy some Sisters of Mercy and Cult records.
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Why they don't do TV appearances - I think it's propably a mix of they're happy with the level of 'success' / attention they have and get and they don't really like the whole TV-business. I had a brief brush with that business last summer, I was in a few rounds of a casting for a TV-show, and while it was kinda funny and interesting I was pretty amazed about how completely fake everyone and everything was (well, 90% of it all anyway). Also it was quite obvious they had me there to 'use' me, and, at least to me, that didn't really feel too nice. (Oh and there's lyrics like 'deadeye', 'with their smiles never touching their eyes...', stuff like that)