Why Are NMA So Out Of The Public Eye?

[Intothewind]

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....

[Ava Enturin]

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 :-)

[Pol]

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

[Master Ray]

OK, I have to say... I (sort of) agree with Space...

(The entire Forum passes out through shock alone...) 

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.

 

[Space]

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.

[Space]

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.

[Red]

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

[Red]

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

[Space]

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.

[Space]

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."
 

[Viv Savage]

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.

[Ron B]

 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.
 

[Space]

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.

[Viv Savage]

"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.

[Shush]

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.

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.