The official NMA board
General Category => New Model Army => Topic started by: Whirlwind on October 19, 2019, 04:24:57 PM
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People often ask what is New Model Army like? What band are they most like? The common response is The Clash. Well watching "The Graham Norton Show" last night it hit me. On Graham's show was a guest who made me realize that he is what NMA are -- Bruce Springsteen.
Consider:
- both have the longevity
- both do things their own way
- both are noted for their live shows
- both deftly utilize electric guitars as well as acoustics to form their songs
- both create songs that rock like a sledgehammer or can soothe and carry us off to wonderful places
- both write heartfelt songs about the common man and his struggles in life, in love, connecting with others, isolation...
- both easily venture into the political world with their songs
Very few differences really between NMA and Springsteen. One glaring difference is that NMA seem to always find a bass player who can groove. Bruce's song do not groove. They can rock, but they don't roll. NMA songs do. But other than bass players and Bruce's use of keys, NMA and Springsteen really are two peas in a pod.
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I would have also added that some of their songs do have either a political or social message about the human condition. It is obvious that both artist have a liberal philosophy and are not afraid to sing about that in their music. And during these recent times they have both expressed their opnions on the current state of affairs. 8)
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You can listen to Justin talking about Bruce Springsteen at about 12:30 into this podcast.
https://themouthmagazine.com/2017/03/29/new-model-army-justin-sullivan/
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You can listen to Justin talking about Bruce Springsteen at about 12:30 into this podcast.
https://themouthmagazine.com/2017/03/29/new-model-army-justin-sullivan/
Thanks for that.
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for some reasons a Turkish rock band even if their yrics I cannot understand: DUMAN very famous in Turkey
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Waiting for the Leeds gig to start last night I was thinking about who if anyone NMA reminded me of? Springsteen and the clash were the 2 that both came most to mind. I like NMA better though.
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Justin used to do a rather brilliant cover of Springsteen's Highway Patrolman, from the Nebraska album, live back in the day. Got me into Springsteen and still love him today.
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It's very hard to compare them with anyone. To me they always sounded as the most Brittish band I've ever heard, but on the other hand no other Brittish band sounds similar. Of course it always has a lot to do with the way you've come to know their music yourself... My time with their music began when I was 15 and my brother came back from living in London for a year and a half. He brought, among other stuff, a single tape of Green and Grey, T&C and a recorded copy of No Rest. I was reading The Lord of the rings at the time and they sounded as a perfect soundtrack, the wariors fighting a good fight for a just cause, in the imaginary world where division between good and bad is very visible and straight. So that was the way I've always seen them. The other Brittish bands at the time were The Stone Roses or The House of love or similar, which was all fine and I like them, but cannot be compared to NMA by anything other then geography...
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Springsteen makes me fall asleep. NMA doesn't.
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Springsteen makes me fall asleep. NMA doesn't.
lol, that made me laugh. Love both Springsteen and NMA, but your comment is spot on, Bever! For me though, personally, the only other band that comes close to NMA's level of intensity, thrill, bite, spirit, passion, heart, conviction, brilliance, etc. has only ever been classic line-up of The Who - Townshend, Daltrey, Entwistle, Moon. But it's moreso that, NMA are the only band that has ever come, even a hair, close to what and everything that Moon era Who were... well, almost. They're almost at par, the two bands, but not quite, technically, musically speaking. And even with that said, that's still a major compliment to all incarnations of NMA, and is a tremendous accomplishment, feat in itself. :)
Classic / definitive line-up of The Who (PT, RD, JE, KM) was colossal, massive, indestructible, exceptional, monumental, astounding. Great thing for NMA, is that NMA's still around, there's still time and room to grow, climb, stretch, etc.. Moon era Who are a seriously tough act to follow, that SO many bands are still trying to emulate, follow. But in my eyes, the only band that has ever, ever come within touching reach / distance to Moon era Who, has pretty much only ever been, every version of New Model Army. 8)
Though NMA might not be the best band the world has ever seen, they are my favourite band ever. And sometimes, it just goes to show that technical skills are simply not enough to win over the hearts of many - of which I am one. :) xxxxx
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Well, my approach in comparing them will maybe leave you with a "whaaat?" look on your face, but to me they are only comparable to....
GWAR
I will explain:
My first nma gig was in 1990 and my first GWAR gig must have been in 1992 and since then i love to listen to their music and go to shows.
Both bands have stayed true to their initial motivation about being artists, doing what they want to do. And never compromised to the market demands.
Both bands have undergone many changes in the line up, had some real dramatic phases and loosing people who died, but still didn't change and kept on going.
Both bands have a unique independant style.
Both bands love to tour and do what it is about: "live music" like maniacs and just live for their art.
Both bands are from outside germany but have a huger fanbase there than compared to other countrys besides their own.
And both bands are one of the most constant thing in my life since i began to listen to them. Seems like many things have changed, my taste, my life, but my fascination and fandom to their work still remains unchanged and when i go to shows, it really lifts me up and gives me something that is good for me and is still the same thing that it was like 40 years ago.
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Killing Joke and Midnight Oil (especially pre-Beds are Burning) are two bands that I feel have a similar energy/longevity/integrity to NMA.
Redneck Wonderland by Midnight Oil:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXBHRzlOGAg
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If you want to see the best praise of Killing Joke, check out the link 8 gave me and go to 8:40min:
Beefcake praising Killing Joke at 8:40min (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pe5nBasiOA&t=4s[/url)
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If you want to see the best praise of Killing Joke, check out the link 8 gave me and go to 8:40min:
Beefcake praising Killing Joke at 8:40min (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pe5nBasiOA&t=4s[/url)
Love it! ;D
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best praise of Killing Joke Beefcake praising Killing Joke at 8:40min (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pe5nBasiOA&t=4s[/url)
lol, I was on the edge of my seat watching that entire "What's In My Bag?" clip! When they whipped out the Motorhead, Sepultura (with nod to "Chaos A.D."), and Killing Joke I though SO fcukin' close, PLEASE, name you know who! But it didn't happen. :'(
Maybe GWAR or at least Beefcake and Pustulus Maximus might be fans of NMA, to some degree? Would you happen to know, Cthulhu? ???
Funny, they got a lot of bang for their buck at Amoeba! From what I've heard, the lucky folks who agree to do a "What's In My Bag" spot are each given just $100 USD to go crazy shopping with. :P But these two guys made it go pretty far, which was really great to see! I remember watching a clip once, can't remember who it was now, and the guy/artist only picked out ONE fcukin' item, that's it. At least here, there was variety. :)
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...and i know that i told him about nma, but i cannot remember what he said, must have been like: "yeah i kind of heard of them. and they are that good?"
The above quote pulled from another thread, another section. Cheers, Cthulhu! :)