I know there’s something that robot’s really trying to tell us! There may be something you’re trying to tell us as well but no existing thread will allow you that opportunity. That’s why Rock Town Hall created the All-Star Jam. Do you own thing!
All-Star Jam. Mmmmm, Kim Gordon’s panties.
As you enjoy your weekend, consider what – if anything – is missing from this video’s single-handed codification of everything that defined the early ’90s hipster. Amazing! The only thing I didn’t see was a Charles Manson reference. Anything else not covered in the quick cuts?
I’ve got one burning question for moviegoers: Anyone see Black Snake Moan yet? If so, please provide reports. I still need to make some time to see that bad boy. While you’re at it, has anyone seen Sandler’s 9/11 Syd Barrett biopic?
Brad Delp from Boston has died. Now I really feel like I’ve got to get my hands on a $1 copy of their first album and better articulate my feelings on them.
The just-snarky-enough-to-be-defened-as-not-snarky SY comments have a faint whiff of Mr. Moderator. Might he actually be Gerry Todd? Or is he just putting his ass-print all over someone else’s carefully sculpted personae?
Let’s hope The Back Office doesn’t catch wind of this.
I actually see more of a codification of the experimental filmmakers of the 50s-60s (Stan Brakhage, Warhol, Bruce Conner, and Kenneth Anger.) Anger actually had loose Manson connections, so there you go.
OK, you nabbed me! I thought I’d inject a possible discussion point while we work on all the good stuff that’s to come on Monday. My bad, as the kids say.
That is a good song for them. I wish I’d heard more that sounded like that whenever people used to play me their stuff.
Here’s an iMix for ya Mr. Moderator.
This video is such a huge BFD. At Wisconsin’s amazing “House On the Rock” they have dozens of automata from the 19th century that play far more complicated violin pieces than this plastic dude. Steam is more powerful than the electron, people!
This article sparks a question from me:
http://www.comcast.net/articles/entertainment-eonline/20090313/b104279/
I personally don’t have a problem with Radiohead snubbing these “stars”. I understand them being disappointed, but I don’t like Radiohead any more or less because of this. This brings me to my question: Where does an artists obligations begin and end with their fans? Do they have obligations?
I’m on the fence with this one. As an artist, I would be totally stoked that someone would want to meet me or get my autograph. On the other hand, I understand that there is a time and place for such meetings. For example: If I were at Target looking at spatulas, I might not want anyone bothering me. If I were on tour and trying to essentially sell my product to people, I would never turn anyone away. I don’t think I would ever turn anyone away for any reason, but that’s just me. Then there are just judgement calls we, as fans, should make.
I met Elvis Costello in New Orleans at the Virgin Megastore. I was in town to catch his show at the HoB. Funny enough, I had just purchased a couple of his LPs on vinyl at one of my local haunts. So, as I was going down the escalator, I saw him going up. I looked back to see if he had an “entourage” with him (he didn’t) and then I proceeded to look for signage in the store advertising a meet-and-greet (there wasn’t). I decided that he must simply be shopping and nothing more. I looked for my friend to no avail, then I made the decision: Better take the chance while I have it. So, I went back upstairs and eyed Mr. MacManus shopping the jazz section. I approached the guy at the counter and asked if he had a Sharpie while I removed one of my day’s purchases from its sack (Get Happy). The guy asked if that was “really him.” I said “yeah”. The clerk must have thought I was some sort of stalker as I just so happened to be in the same place with a few LPs in tow. It was really just a matter of being at the right place at the right time. I approached E.C. and asked for his autograph. I then talked with him for a few minutes about recording in Oxford and catching him at The Hi Tone in Memphis the previous year (this was 2005). Then I shook his hand, thanked him, and told him that I’d see him later that night. He was very cordial and friendly. I went back downstairs, found my friend, pulled the copy of Armed Forces I had bought,and instructed him to go upstairs to get his too (which he did). I know I bothered the man while he was shopping, but he honestly didn’t seem to mind. Plus, I got a nice souvenir to frame featuring E.C.’s scrawl.
On the other hand, I saw They Might Be Giants here in Jackson last year at a local club. It was their first trip to our fair city (we don’t get many shows). I saw the two Johns waiting in the restaurant before the show finishing up their dinner. I opted not to bother them as they were eating and likely wouldn’t appreciate anyone bothering them. After the show, me and a couple of other people waited near the bus. I think Flansbergh was already on board. Linnel walked by and I asked if he could sign my copy of Flood. He replied, “I’m off duty.” I thanked him for coming to Jackson and left. I’m mixed about this. I totally understand the sentiment and he was nice enough, I supposed, BUT it wasn’t like there was thousands of us clamoring to meet our idol. Just a couple of fans. I know the difference between “on duty” and “off duty” but it seems like if you’re on tour, then you’re on duty so long as you’re not having a meal or sex. My regard for these guys hasn’t diminished, but I have to admit that I was little put off by this reaction.
As a music fan, I hold a certain regard for what these people do and what their music means to me. It’s nice to be able to thank them personally (autographs are simply a bonus). But I also know that these poeple are just people and would like to live something of a normal life. It’s not like we get our plumber’s autograph and seek him out when we see him having dinner with his family. The plumber may do more for us than any musician…
Sorry for all the rambling, but I was just curious on what your opinions are regarding fans and the artist’s relationships to those fans.
TB
Good stuff to chew on, TB. I’ve always been reserved/shy about approaching artists I like. I’ve rarely seen a “titan” among my rock heroes up close unless being in the open band. The few artists I’ve seen off duty weren’t worth (for me) possibly interrupting their privacy: Phil Lesh, Rob whatever from The Hooters… I’ve seen more athletes and actors “off duty.” I haven’t cared much about autographs since I was a kid, so the most I’ve ever done is tried to get the person’s attention in a subtle way and, if it’s sincere, tell them I like their work. If I did try to approach someone for an autograph and chat and they turned me away, I don’t think I’d have a problem with it. As much as I think I’d like to be bugged by strangers for whatever I might do well, I know that I’d probably not like it in short time.
The celebrity to celebrity turn-downs that Radiohead executed are something else altogether. It’s hard to fault them for turning down meeting an “artist” whose work has absolutely no connection to what they do, but it would be nice if they could occasionally field a backstage visit from an artist who’s in debt to their work.
I’m with Mr. Mod on this one. The Radiohead turn down was more about some perceived dismissal of a famous person’s request than a rudeness to a fan. Miley should stop and consider why they should even believe that she is a huge fan. Is there poster on her wall in the Hannah Montana bedroom set?
I never really got to consciously hear Kanye until my son had Heartless on this week. It didn’t seem all that and I do go for some of that stuff. He seems to have really gone off the rails in the PR department lately after his initial phase of being the perfect celebrity. Before I even got around to checking him out, his bad press made me start to reconsider.
The autograph for me is simply the catalyst. It really doesn’t matter if they sign my LP, but I do like to tell people “thanks” for what they do. There’s some that I probably would never speak to for personal reasons.
I do think that if someone relies on “fans” to support what they do, they should feel obligated to at least acknowledge those fans. Especially if they are “on duty”. That goes for sports guys, musicians, or whoever. It we weren’t there to buy their music or pay to see them play their game, they wouldn’t make the big bucks.
TB
TB, I understand where you’re coming from. I went to a game in South Bend once, and we ate at Parisi’s which is apparently where the Notre Dame celbrity fans go to eat. Dick Vitale was there with his family and Jim Leylan’d and his family. I never cared one way or another for Vitale, and generally speaking I hate anyone that does “color” or “analysis” in sports. Vitale was eating his dinner and I swear he signed autographs for people three or four deep while the family ate, and when they were done his wife quietly had a doggie bag made up for Dick, and he seemed genuinely disappointed to have to leave, and shook hands with the remaining people. I thought it was rude that anyone would interrupt someone’s dinner like that, but if you ask me, Dick Vitale is a Class Act.
I don’t care one way or another about autographs, and I don’t always like to meet people in bands I really like. I’ve met some that I like very much (all the guys from Lucero are unbelievably nice, and Mick Collins is cool as hell), but if I don’t like them or they tell me they’re “off duty,” then I know I’d be pissed. Especially walking to a tour bus and claiming “off duty.” I’d be thinning out my record collection and enjoying some new music the very next day, I’m sure.
I don’t like the autograph thing. If I saw someone whose music I appreciated, I’d just say “Can I shake your hand? I really like your music.” And I don’t think I’d sign autographs if I got famous. If someone asked, I wouldn’t just blow them off, but I’d turn that around, shake their hand and say “No, my signature isn’t worth much, but it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Isn’t an autograph basically a way of proving to your friends later that you really did meet the person in question?
Nowadays at a Randy Newman concert he always tells the story about how he likes to sit with his back to the restaurant when he goes out to eat with his family in order to avoid interruptions. Then his teenage girl gets to be old enough to know what he’s doing and refuses to change seats with him, snapping “You’re not THAT famous.”
BRUSHES WITH GREATNESS DEPT.
We’ve got a kick-ass African jazz/funk ensemble in the studio today, featuring a “ringer” on keyboards… Jon Carroll, formerly of the Starland Vocal Band, and Grammy award-winning composer of “Afternoon Delight”!
Hrrundi, do you think you can get a quick interview/Dugout Chatter in with Mr. Carroll? For instance:
Next to the afternoon, what’s the second-best time of day for a “delight?”
During your band’s time together, if you could have swapped partners with any member of Fleetwood Mac or ABBA, which would it have been?
And so forth…
I guess you’d have to ask these questions AFTER the check clears:)