You know the drill, right? Please provide your gut answers to the following questions. There ain’t no right answer. There ain’t no wrong answer. There’s just YOUR answer—and the answers of your fellow Townspeople.
What song or album have you most recently reconsidered, be it positively or negatively?
What’s your favorite song of your least-favorite genre? For instance, Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me Baby” is probably my favorite ’80s synth-pop song from a genre I couldn’t avoid in its time that I never liked.
Second to Converse Chuck Taylor model sneakers, what are the next-most rocking sneaks?
Do you have an “All-or-Nothing Artist,” that is, an artist whose songs you either love or do not enjoy at all? (For instance, if you’re used to my tastes, The Byrds would be my answer. They have maybe 10 songs I like a lot, but after that they typically don’t have songs I like even a little bit.)
What artist whose music you have little to no interest in do you nevertheless most enjoy as an interview subject?
Conversely, what artist whose music you love do you nevertheless steer clear of as an interview subject?
I look forward to your responses.
Byrne and Eno – My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. Yes, I understand the myriad ways that this record broke ground, but upon recent listening, I found it not to my taste. I used to really like the song “Jezebel Spirit” but now I just sort of enjoy it.
Heaven 17 – “For a Very Long Time”
You have to go with the Ramone’s white Keds, right?
Tom Petty.
Hmm…I know I’ve read some cool ones (probably Metal dudes) but I can’t think of any at the moment.
I just saw a YouTube interview with Ian McCoullough of Echo and the Bunnymen. Aside from being unintelligible a la Mark E Smith, he was full of himself in a way that quickly grew tiresome.
What song or album have you most recently reconsidered, be it positively or negatively?
– Not too long ago I realized that Aladdin Sane, while quite good, was not as good as Ziggy Stardust (a claim that I had previously made).
What’s your favorite song of your least-favorite genre?
– “Been Caught Stealing” is my favorite alt-funk-metal song.
Second to Converse Chuck Taylor model sneakers, what are the next-most rocking sneaks?
– Probably Vans. I think some of the Ramones wore them.
Do you have an “All-or-Nothing Artist,” that is, an artist whose songs you either love or do not enjoy at all?
– I might revise this choice but Steely Dan is the first band that popped into my head. About 10 gems and the rest is just highly polished nothing.
What artist whose music you have little to no interest in do you nevertheless most enjoy as an interview subject?
– I’ve liked the last few Tom Morello interviews that I read.
Conversely, what artist whose music you love do you nevertheless steer clear of as an interview subject?
– If I like them, I’ll read about them.
Adidas Superstars with the laces taken out.
What song or album have you most recently reconsidered, be it positively or negatively?
OK, so, I HAVE to go to this Foster The People concert because my girlfriend’s daughter wants to and my ticket has been purchased. That big song they had didn’t initially seem so bad is now irritating the crap outta me, and I suspect there’s not much more to look forward too. I will need to pack a flask.
What’s your favorite song of your least-favorite genre? For instance, Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me Baby” is probably my favorite ’80s synth-pop song from a genre I couldn’t avoid in its time that I never liked.
I loathe disco generally, but I don’t mind the counterpoint guitar part to Staying Alive those hairy Aussie fellows, kinda cool really.
Second to Converse Chuck Taylor model sneakers, what are the next-most rocking sneaks?
I honestly dunno. They’re about the same price as shoes now, so why would a punk bother?
Do you have an “All-or-Nothing Artist,” that is, an artist whose songs you either love or do not enjoy at all? (For instance, if you’re used to my tastes, The Byrds would be my answer. They have maybe 10 songs I like a lot, but after that they typically don’t have songs I like even a little bit.)
XTC. When I like the songs it’s mostly because of Moulding’s bass parts or a quirky bit of melody and production that is not tortured to waterboarding excess by Partridge, but sadly it is quite true that Colin’s songs are not as good, so I just end up skipping over things.
What artist whose music you have little to no interest in do you nevertheless most enjoy as an interview subject?
I could care less about Madonna, but she’s a smart cookie who used to know how to tweak a questioner. Especially Letterman.
Conversely, what artist whose music you love do you nevertheless steer clear of as an interview subject?
I like Green Day, but I do not care to hear how that sausage was made.
Gimme Dat Ding by the Pipkins, which I liked as a child but recently played to our kids and discovered it was something else I’ve grown out of.
The genre would be jazz, so probably King of the Swingers from Jungle Book
The Russian Grannies’ footwear is to die for
Albert Hammond, who coincidentally wrote “Gimme Dat Ding”
None that I can think of, although there are some artists I can’t stand who can be interesting and entertaining in interviews, which then makes me question why I dislike their music – although in the case of Queen, Van Morrison or Joni Mitchell not enough to get me to go back to reconsider.
#1 – Pink Floyd and Wish You Were Here. At one time I would have called it the best PF album. Now I find much of it to be fairly tepid. No wonder they missed Syd.
#2 – I don’t like disco but the Trammps’ “Disco Inferno” is pretty great.
#3 – Who cares what rockers wear on their feet, unless it’s Sly Stone’s infamous fuzzy white boots from Stand!?
#4 – Bob Dylan. Maybe a half-dozen great songs. The rest are bleagh to me.
#5 – I’m no fan of Van Halen, but Diamond Dave is always a fun and interesting interview.
#6 – Peter Gabriel. Smart but too serious and world-weary.
1. Reconsidered recently — somebody on MOG recently linked to a bootleg stream of Garland Jeffreys’ out of print Ghost Writer album. Fantastic! Whoever at A&M responsible for holding up re-releases of Jeffreys’ 70s stuff should be ashamed.
2. Favorite of least favorite genre? I Feel Love — Donna Summer, but generally had no time for disco.
3, #2 Rock ‘n Sneaks? Jack Purcell blue tips — still look awesome with jeans.
4. Led Zep — Can’t take full albums except for, weirdly, Presence.
5. Elton John gives some interesting interviews, but I haven’t listened to anything of his (voluntarily) for years.
6. I love him, but I really don’t need to read another John Mellencamp interview.
What song or album have you most recently reconsidered, be it positively or negatively?
I found Los Lobos’ How Will the Wolf Survive at a Goodwill for a quarter. I remember thinking they sucked for years and if I’d have listened to this whole album, I’d have figured I was wrong. it’s really good stuff.
What’s your favorite song of your least-favorite genre? For instance, Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me Baby” is probably my favorite ’80s synth-pop song from a genre I couldn’t avoid in its time that I never liked.
Take Five by Dave Brubeck. I think that’s great. I get so bored by the rest of jazz that it’s just not even funny to me.
Second to Converse Chuck Taylor model sneakers, what are the next-most rocking sneaks?
I like black New Balance shoes. My wife hates them, but I love them.
Do you have an “All-or-Nothing Artist,” that is, an artist whose songs you either love or do not enjoy at all? (For instance, if you’re used to my tastes, The Byrds would be my answer. They have maybe 10 songs I like a lot, but after that they typically don’t have songs I like even a little bit.)
Maybe it’s like a Greatest Hits artist? I like 10cc’s Greatest Hits, but I can’t get through one of their other albums. There’s plenty of bands I just don’t like at all.
What artist whose music you have little to no interest in do you nevertheless most enjoy as an interview subject?
Bruce Springsteen. He’s smart, I like his politics and he’s done quite a bit. I can’t wait to start getting into his interview with Jon Stewart in Rolling Stone this week. But his records? I’ll generally pass.
Conversely, what artist whose music you love do you nevertheless steer clear of as an interview subject?
Keith Richards. He’s been saying the same shit for twenty years. He’s pretty insecure and I can usually tell where he’s going right at the beginning of the interview. He used to have lots to say, but now he’s just saying it all over and over, like he’s trying to convince himself it’s all true.
“With Lee on my legs and adidas on my feet!”
Hell yeah!
aloha
LD
I recently listened to a tape of the Weezer debut album and seriously considered getting on mp3 or disc (that feeling is receding).
I am not much of a jazz vocalist fan but “Strange Fruit” is fearfully beautiful.
Alex said it: white Addidas with no laces
All or Nothing: Guns n Roses?
I don’t read many musician interviews so I don’t have the 1st question covered but I love some Dylan but am not interested in listening to him dodge and obfuscate the questions anymore.
1. Taking a cue from trolleyvoxx, I remember giving My Life in the Bush of Ghosts a chance again when it was reissued recently. I love Eno and Talking Heads, but I never understood why everyone thought this album was so great at the time. It turns out that I still don’t understand. I don’t hate it — the music is fine, but the imported voices are problematical for me.
2. I can’t deal with anything that smacks of metal, but I like Sabbath’s Paranoid.
3. My Adidas.
4. Dylan is probably my ‘all’ artist, and McCartney is my ‘nothing’ artist (with very few exceptions, notably Maybe I’m Amazed).
5. Someone mentioned Elton John. This isn’t really the same thing, but I recently saw the doc about him and Leon Russell, and he seemed like a great guy, even though I don’t like his music so much.
I can’t really think of anyone I like that’s a bad interview. Maybe Jagger, who is very unrevealing — maybe there’s no there there. Artists I like who are great interviews include Robyn Hitchcock and Tom Waits.
I’ll play before getting back to work…
1. Teenage Fanclub’s Songs From Northern Britain: I keep wanting to like this album, which I bought when it came out. However, it’s the same old story for me. After 2 spectacular opening songs the album STILL drags down into mid-tempo, candy-ass, sing-songy investigations into the mind of adolescent frustrations over managing a love life. Ugh! There’s a song in the middle of the album with a really cool guitar groove, almost like the VU’s “Some Kinda Love” mixed with a track from Rubber Soul. What does the band do with this musical bed? Sing 4-part harmonies that drag out the word “I” at the start and then move onto verbs like “can’t” and “want.” I like the band’s previous album, Grand Prix just fine, but they need a spanking for this one.
2. I answered this, but whoever said “Been Caught Stealing” was genius!
3. Adidas Superstars!
4. It’s funny, like The Byrds I typically feel this way about Teenage Fanclub and another Byrds-influenced artist who was cited, Tom Petty!
5. Steve Albini ranks high. I crossed paths with him a bit freshman year in college, when he was a junior or senior. He DJ’d a great radio show, wrote a great column for the college newspaper. He was really funny, really bright…but I had no interest in his music. I like some of the albums he’s worked on.
6. Brian Eno is usually a total, disappointing drag to read interviewed. Plus every answer he gives takes up 8 paragraphs of space.
1 – I’d always considered this song sentimental grease, but almost three years into fatherhood and Neil’s “I Am A Child” tugs at my heartstrings everytime now. Not only considering my boy but also in relation to my dad.
That “Cat’s Cradle” song/whatever though still sucks though. Hear it often and try to get away ASAP each time.
2 – Don’t know much about Gangsta Rap, but Snoop’s “Gin and Juice” is pure cross-over brilliance for this WhiteBoy. “Tangueray and Chronic? Yea, I’m f*(ked up now!”
3 – MY AH-DEEEDUS oWNlay bring good news!!!
4 – Almost named the Cure but know and enjoy the songs on their greatest hits CD. So I gotta go with the Smiths. Only can handle “How Soon Is Now.” Gave ’em a decent shot back in the hey-day of Napster, jacked about 50 tunes, and tried. Failed.
5 – Back to all the Gangsta Rap stars. How friggin’ awesome were those pieces, whether “serious” MTV pieces with ChuckD or Snoop “sizittin’ dizzown” with some writer in a van full of schmoke? And agree or not with their socio-politics, at least their take was something different for me to consider. And every now and then Flav would jump up in there! YEA BOYYYYYYY!!
6 – I’ve loved his music since I was about five, several times have spent months listening to his works exclusively, chose one of his solo tunes for our wedding dance, and seriously entertained naming my son after him, but every time I hear Brian Wilson interviewed a piece of my soul gets bashed.
aloha
LD
I agree with you and cdm about Done Been Caught Stealing. Even with the extremely annoying sing/whine, it just works.
1. After hearing it for most of my life, I really appreciated “Yesterday” by the Beatles when I turned 40.
2. I would probably say “School’s Out” by Alice Cooper.
3. Pass on the sneakers thingie.
4. I would also have to say Tom Petty, even though I like the Byrds.
5. From what I’ve read, Elton John seems to be a big music fan, which is pretty cool by me, even though I’ve no inclination to get any of his stuff.
6. Ditto on Brian Wilson.
1. I think I can now admit that Versus’ comeback record, On the Ones and Threes, is not as good as I wanted it to be, although there’s enough good songs to suggest a follow-up might be better.
2. “It’s My Life,” by Bon Jovi
3. Vans, despite their association with the Warped tour.
4. Tindersticks
5. Henry Rollins
6. I know I bust on Springsteen on occasion, but his music is miles better than his interviews, which I frequently find to be both incredibly corny and laughably pretentious. Not for nothing is his Bruce impression probably the best think Ben Stiller’s ever done, in my book.
This is gonna be your Kokomo, man.
Yeah, I had to read that twice. I was trying to think how it goes, but it always turns into an amalgamation of Living on a Prayer and the Steel Cowboy song. Oats is working too hard. he needs a vacation.
Tell me about it!
I’m not even sure what genre “It’s My Life” would fall under.
I’m too lazy to do it myself, but I almost feel compelled to summon Oats on the Main Stage to produce a “Ten Best Bon Jovi Songs” list.
Also, if I had to describe “It’s My Life”, I’d say think of the Kidz Bop singers doing a cover of “Living On A Prayer”, and then imagine Bon Jovi returning the favor and covering a song written by the Kidz Bop team, and you’d probably get to the right neighborhood.
That would be cruel.
Do it!
1. It’s My Life
2. Workin’, Textin’, Prayin’
3. Gimme a Yeah!
4. Lucy. Lucy Lucy Lucy Lucy.
5. Fiery Hearts
6. He’s the Batman
7. Teenage Riot (Sonic Youth cover, b-side to It’s My Life)
8. Jimmy Clap, Dead on Arrival
9. Thataway
10. Blaze of Glory
What song or album have you most recently reconsidered, be it positively or negatively?
All my Jam albums aged poorly for me as I went through my late 30s and early 40s. As I approach the mid-century mark, Sound Affects is rising up, phoenix-like, from the rock ashes. The production on that album is really bold — and the songwriting, with a few exceptions, is aces all the way!
What’s your favorite song of your least-favorite genre? For instance, Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me Baby” is probably my favorite ’80s synth-pop song from a genre I couldn’t avoid in its time that I never liked.
All the disco numbers mentioned so far (except for that Donna Summer turd) are good ones. “Disco Inferno” has to be the best of the bunch, though. It’s not just a good disco number, it’s a killer song, *period.* The lead singer just croaked, RIP.
Second to Converse Chuck Taylor model sneakers, what are the next-most rocking sneaks?
Somebody mentioned Jack Purcells — I was shocked we didn’t have more Beatles fan-boys standing up for those. I was thrilled to find a pair in Tokyo about five years ago. You *do* know that JPs were the preferred sneaker of late-period John and George, don’t you? I smell a RTH snapshot scavenger hunt on the way!
Do you have an “All-or-Nothing Artist,” that is, an artist whose songs you either love or do not enjoy at all? (For instance, if you’re used to my tastes, The Byrds would be my answer. They have maybe 10 songs I like a lot, but after that they typically don’t have songs I like even a little bit.)
I guess there are lots of those. The Beatles songs I don’t love are pretty hate-able. Somebody said Paul McCartney, and that’s a good answer. I have a hard time thinking of a “mediocre” Dylan song; he probably wins that dubious award for me.
What artist whose music you have little to no interest in do you nevertheless most enjoy as an interview subject?
I bet I could sink my teeth into a Kid Rock interview.
Conversely, what artist whose music you love do you nevertheless steer clear of as an interview subject?
McCartney. Dude is a.) crazy; and b.) full of shit.
I stand corrected, and am now officially on the hunt for a pair of Spring Court tennis shoes! George was indeed a Jack Purcell man, but John wore these:
http://positivespin.posterous.com/john-lennons-sneakers
Come to think of it, that might be an insightful question: which Beatle’s athletic shoe choice would be more important to you, and why?
Paul’s sneaker selection would be irrelevant — dude would always, *always* be wearing them for the wrong reason.
Ringo is a boots-n-bellbottoms man all the way, so I see no need to emulate his athletic footwear choice.
John versus George… hmmm. I think George’s choice would have more meaning. I mean, none of them were athletes, fer crissakes, but at least George would be wearing sneaks because they were comfortable and made a statement about one’s relative sense of formality. John, cool as he was, might wear sneakers for reasons that were *just* too far on the other side of “because they make me look cool.”
I’ve already definitively proven (https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/index.php/bands-on-the-run/) that John and George were the worst athletes in the Beatles, so of course they’re wearing sneakers towards the end of the band. They’re like those guys who play in an over 40 hockey rec league who have shiny, new gear because they’ve got something to prove.
Paul probably still beats John and George in a race across Abbey Road, even though he’s barefoot vs. George’s Blue Tips and John’s tennis shoes. But Ringo is the guy who would make me pay attention if he had on a pair of kicks. He’s got the best combination of natural athleticism and lack of self-consciousness, so you know whatever sneakers he picks will get the job done right, favoring reliability, comfort and stability over flash and “coolness”. Probably at a good price, too.
While I think that your choice is well reasoned, I hasten to point out that George is the only one of the Beatles who has ever been photographed actually participating in an athletic endeavor (albeit with Bob Dylan). http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/the-private-life-of-george-harrison-20110902/0316126
But John was photographed holding a pig while wearing sneakers!
http://www.beatlesbible.com/images/john_lennon/lennon-imagine-pig.jpg
I remember an article from the early 70’s by a guy who haunted basketball courts in Greenwich Village because Dylan was rumored to be frequenting them playing in pick up games. The guy described how he scoped out the right court, for example eliminating some where the competition seemed too fierce, and finally managed to engage Dylan in a a one-on -one game when he showed up one lucky day. I remember it being in a newsprint music tabloid like the original Rolling Stone, but definitely not Rolling Stone. Anyone remember this? Big Steve?
Doesn’t ring a bell.
See, those are *exactly* the kind of bullshit sneakers that prove John was a sneaker fashionista. I would expect to see those on Elton John’s feet, not John Lennon’s. The dream is over, indeed.
http://www.icollector.com/images/1202/21280/21280_0058_3_lg.jpg
What’s this? A pair of Nike Air Max sneakers owned by Ringo Starr? The very same Nike Air Max that earned a prestigious 4.6 out of 5 star ratings on Footlocker.com? The sneakers described thusly: “With its maximum impact cushion system, the Nike Air Max is designed to absorb the brutal impact of the road, preventing the usual wear and tear on a runner’s knees and feet”?
The very same sneakers that, when recently auctioned off, brought in more money for charity than shoes auctioned off by fellow musicians Britney Spears, Shaquille O’Neal and Justin Bieber combined ($1,600 for Ringo’s sneakers, $1,500 for the other three put together)?
I think it’s pretty safe to say that even today – especially today! – Ringo’s choice in sneakers is highly influential and immensely well-regarded, my friends.
Thread closed.
Well that just sucks. Here I was hoping Mr. Mod would find us a picture of Ringo playing tennis in his boots and bell bottoms, probably still kicking George’s ass at it.
Not so fast. Did you ever see those guys with the state of the art guitar rigs that have all manner of knobs, switches and flashing lights on their pedalboards? Compare their sound to the that of the old times who just plug a tele into a Fender and let it rip. The fact that a shedder with a coveted Paul Reed Smith Santana model (recipient of a perfect 5 star rating on Sam Ash dot com) can’t hold a candle to Bill Kirchen should be seen as a cautionary tale for the equipment obsessed Ringo. Gear won’t win the game. I’m not even sure that George was wearing sneakers in that tennis match. It looks like he might have been wearing hiking boots when he trounced Dylan. Summer of Love indeed. More like the Summer of Love/40.
I’m afraid John may be wearing bobos!
“Look what I found in a bin at the supermarket, John,” said Yoko one afternoon, “only $2.98!”
Maybe we’ve reached a generational divide, Oh Magic One, but any Jordan- and post-Jordan-era “puffy” sneaks are NOT cool, especially when worn for rocking.
No, Mod, we’re definitely in agreement, I’m a strong proponent of the Chuck Taylor/Jack Purcell canvas-style sneaker as far as coolness and what I personally wear, despite having grown up in the early Sneaker Wars era.
But Ringo’s sneaker choices speak to his interest in performance as the superior Beatle athlete: he’s not worried about being cool, he’s buying sneakers that will provide maximum support for his feet based on five decades of having to outrun rabid, screaming Beatle-and All-Starr-Bandmaniacs.
This experience and his favoring of function over form is what makes Ringo the one whose opinions on sneakers I value the most, and I bet 2012 All-Starr Steve Lukather would agree.
“More like the Summer of Love/40.”
Excellent!
“…decades of having to outrun rabid, screaming Beatle-and All-Starr-Bandmaniacs.”
Also excellent!
I’m glad we’re in agreement regarding style, but Superstars (or my main sneak now, Adidas Sambas) provide both the requisite form and functionality that rock ‘n roll requires.
I am blown away that you can name 10 Bon Jovi songs. Not kidding at all. Just awesome to summon that up like that.
Technially, he only named nine. I didn’t want to pince nez Oats on Bon Jovi, but now I have to: “He’s the Batman” isn’t a Bon Jovi song, it was a Tico Torres/David Bryan side project that they recorded for Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins. Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora do not appear on it.
Yeah, but how do I know you aren’t making most of these up?
Yeah, far be it from me to question Oats’ motivates but if I were a more cynical person, I would suggest that this is a list of song titles selected not because they are favorites but rather chosen because of how funny they sound.
I’ll bet his feet felt fine though.
No, even though I personally think it’s garbage, I’ve seen Oats rock out to “Workin’, Textin’, Prayin'” at least once.
And “Jimmy Clap, Dead On Arrival” is a pretty damn good Ghost of Tom Joad-era Springsteen style number from Bon Jovi, I don’t think anyone can argue with that.
I second your opinion on Bruce speaking by adding that when listening to Bruce my preference is bootlegs, and I do my damnedest to skip his between song rambles for your stated reasons.
And if I remember correctly, didn’t Stiller’s Springsteen interview Puff Daddy and open with the question, “Puffy, why are you so awesome?!?” I third and fourth you on that point too.
aloha
LD
What? No “Lay Yo’ Hands On Mey”?
Back in the late ’80s that made the cut on my 90min cassette “Music to be Played at No Less Than 90MPH” for the ride between B-Town and home
aloha
LD
Dude, glad to hear you’re coming back to the Jam. Your renewed fondness for Sound Affects, will, one hopes, lead to a process of healing and you will come around on the rest of the Jam’s mostly great output. But for now, don’t rush things. I’m here to help walk you through this. Lean on me, big guy.
P.S. to recently reconsidered — Wilco’s A.M. — why I didn’t like this when it came out is lost in the mystery of the period that was 1995. I’ve been rocking to it for a couple weeks.
Awesome description.
Not sure where to post this, we had some Tom Jones discussion lately….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=861eDchFJxQ
What’s your favorite song of your least-favorite genre? For instance, Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me Baby” is probably my favorite ’80s synth-pop song from a genre I couldn’t avoid in its time that I never liked.
Stars Are Blind is Paris Hilton’s single from a few years ago. It rules. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icpqB22c4G8
the genre is Heiress Pop.
Second to Converse Chuck Taylor model sneakers, what are the next-most rocking sneaks?
those kmart jawns The Ramones wore.
Do you have an “All-or-Nothing Artist,” that is, an artist whose songs you either love or do not enjoy at all? (For instance, if you’re used to my tastes, The Byrds would be my answer. They have maybe 10 songs I like a lot, but after that they typically don’t have songs I like even a little bit.)
Motley Crue. I love their first 2 albums tremendously. I hate all of the rest of it. Same with GnR.
What artist whose music you have little to no interest in do you nevertheless most enjoy as an interview subject?
ZAPPA!
Conversely, what artist whose music you love do you nevertheless steer clear of as an interview subject?
Lindsey Buckingham