Why Are NMA So Out Of The Public Eye?

[Space]

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.

[Pol]

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.

[dilla]

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)

[Tariq]

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.

[Red]

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

[Red]

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."
 

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

[Shush]

you ever heard of Yogi Berra?

If its not who Boo Boo hangs out with, I haven't heard of him either.

[Red]

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

[Pim]

I'm a frustrated fan.

Oh really, we hadn't noticed. 

[Pazza]

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?

[Amandistan]

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.

 

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. 

  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.

[jackroadkill]

One of my favourite gigs was NMA in Swansea to maybe 100 people(or was it 12)

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.

[Space]

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.

[Bunny]

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. 

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.
 

[Red]

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