It List: Thursday 5/4/06
1. The Fall/ The Talk (Gypsy Tea Room): If there are indeed 50,000 Fall fans all over the world, I'm going to guess that about 800 of them read this blog. Thats like 1 1/2% of all Fall fans in the world, right here in Dallas. For those that don't know much about the Fall and are trying to decide whether or not to go see them tonight, you should read this. Then you should go ahead and download "The Classical" by clicking on the link below. It is one of our favorite Fall songs on one of our favorite Fall albums, Hex Enduction Hour. Which leads us to our question for all the hardcore fans out there. What is YOUR favorite Fall album? We are partial to Hex Enduction Hour, like we said, but everyone at WSJR headquarters also really enjoys The Wonderful and Frightening World of the Fall and This Nation's Saving Grace. But whatever your favorite might be, I can't think of many bands, maybe not any bands, that have continued to release good records as consistently as the Fall while maintaining such a high level of artistic value and integrity. And Mark E. Smith is great fun to watch live. Hope to see you there, even though I don't know who you people are.
"The Classical" Mp3
And Just for fun, another Fall song from The Wonderful and Frightening World of the Fall:
"Copped it" Mp3
posted by stonedranger at 3:49 PM
55 Comments:
Their "Rough Trade Singles Collection" is nothing short of fucking amazing... I think it's only available on vinyl...
Can't wait for this show!
Best album? Can't pick one. Grotesque and Slates.
I hope they play longer and with a little more effort than the 40 minutes in Austin.
Wow... I've never actually heard these guys before and Its great.. I now know where Art brut comes from... cool
yeah, good call.
Yeah... art brut TOTALLY rips these guys off (i'm not saying they are horrible... but PLEASE)
"If you don't know who the Fall are- you're listening to too much hip-hop and heavy metal!"
-Cedric Belixer
I remember when the edge (when it was 94.5) broadcast a whole live concert of the fall, I'm gonna have to see if I can find that cassette. oh shit, my age is showing. that show is going to kick ass.
repetition repetition
a-we dig-a repitition
I remember when I first heard Cyndi Lauper on Y95. I had to be 4 or 5. That's one of my first musical memories. Oh, and The Fall is gonna freakin' rule tonight. I saw Secret Machines with Blonde Redhead a little while ago, and then freakin' the Fall added on to the bill at the last minute. It was one of the best experiences of my life.
ah, i'm looking forward to this one. although, how's mark e. smith's health these days? i heard the last time the fall played dallas he was in a wheel chair? that could be a bit depressing.
dragnet
too bad mark e. smith doesn't remember anything before country on the click, or if you're lucky, marshall suite.
Perverted By Language aint bad...
the fall was horrible at the blond redhead show.. sorry he's old and cashin in on suckers.. that show he read all the lyrics from a piece of paper.. and he read them in a speaking voice.. while sitting on a chair at a table.. i think he was actually sick.. but who knows.. the band was way off, and frankly.. some should know when to just cancel a show.. this being said secret machines also sucked that night.. but i think they have sucked everytime i'v seen them.. and i think the're music in general just sucks.. and anyone who disagrees.. probably sucks.. so suck you very much..
however this being said.. maybe the fall won't suck.. maybe he won't be sitting in a chair reading from a piece of paper this time.. but i'm not payin 20 to find out.. and technically this isn't even the fall.. the lineup has changed 20 million times.. and the people in his band are a bunch of 20/30 somethings..
this being said.. there is nothing in dallas to do on a thursday night that hasn't been done 100000 times before.. so maybe spend the 20+ to see him and spend the 5+ per drink at the venue.. o well..
this being said.. the yellow house is a bummer.. only if there wore a bunch of narly educated rich dooods who could take it over..
*sigh*
"Fall Heads Roll" rules. just as enjoyable as any record they have ever released. Their past 3 albums have had roughly the same lineup since "The Unuttereable" which unfortunately gets way over looked. "This Nation's Saving Grace", "The Unutterable", and " Hex enduction Hour" are my 3 favorite. I have been a FALLNATIC since I bought Extricate in High school(16 years ago). You either love or you hate 'em. They are an aquired taste. Not for everyone, but the past few albums really kick ass and not many bands that have been around as long as Mark E. Smith can say that. I list The Fall 6 or 7 times on our myspace page for a damn good reason. He's a kranky old fuck who loves Northern Soul, The Monks and Can. I am a younger old fuck who loves Northern Soul, The Monks and Can..........and THE FALL.
I'm an old fan of the Fall and even got to open for them last time around here and well, I was a bit disappointed...the way you are when you find out a band you like are a bunch of assholes, well- one asshole thats so big he acts like five assholes rolled into one. Big Asshole Mark E. is. Granted, thats his big persona and he lives up to it. Asshole lead singers who berate their newly hired band members and don't deliver on a show because they're only keeping it alive for $ leave me empty. A lot of their stuff is great but Mr. Smith needs some humbling. Beware any band that has to open up for The Fall- they wont even let you into the backroom where you're entitled to be!
this CD is at the half price books in lewisville
Sounds Like you like The Fall for all the wrong reasons. He is an asshole. Everyone knows he is a drunk asshole, I opened that same show which was actually two tours ago. They sucked that night. It was the last night of their tour and they were playing to 75 people in Dallas after playing to 700 people the night before in Austin where they played a better set list of material and 3 encores. I know people that went to both shows and said The Austin show was way better. The next time I saw them they fucking ruled. Real deal post punk. All piss and vinegar. I know it's not Indie PC to be a pissed off, moody, asshole, but the man has built a 30 year career out of it......and the new album is really good. I talked to his guitarist for awhile and he affirmed that his band know that it is his band and they do it the way he wants it. His current band is so good though that he rarely corrects them. Easily the best Fall line up since the "this nation's saving grace" days. If you want humble go see another happy happy joy joy indie pop band. If you want some grit. Go see The Fall.
And if you think your band is entitled to share a dressing room with The Fall then it sounds like you may have an ego problem. Mark E. Smith 50 plus albums(more good than bad)and still going strong 30 years later. Your band: broke up within 6 months of the show you played with themafter not being around even a year. This is not a diss. I dig ya tigerbee, but I don't like my heroes to be humble. I like em to be heroes on a pedestal............or maybe I should go ask Diamanda Galas, Ian Mcullough, PJ Harvey, Nick Cave or Nina Simone to go get some Ice Cream with me and be my best buddies. Just imagine how much better the world would be with a humble Nina Simone ...........Nah!!!!!
First of all, (as he's already told ya) if it's Mark E. and yer granny on bongos, it's a Fall gig. Secondly, With regard to "If you want humble go see another happy happy joy joy indie pop band," well that's just idiotic, soft-headed fanboy raving. But I sort of expect that here sometimes. If you wanna indulge your teenage, woship-your-idol fantasies, then be my guest. But it's embarrassing. Being an asshole isn't a virue whether you're Lou Reed, Mark E. Smith, or f'ing Justin Timberlake. It's stupid and insulting. And part of what makes the comments section of this site feel so claustrophobic sometimes.
I dig Mark E. Smith just the way he is and I still love all of his newer records as much as his older. And yeah they are one of the few bands I geek out on really hard. I dig a lot of stuff, but They are truly one of my faves. Unfortunately I am broke and can not go to the show. I may be a little harsh in my defense of the old bastard,but...........I am a fanboy when it comes to them. You are right. There is nothing cool about being an asshole. With the lyrical content of his music about avant blue collar blues, marxist and socialist philosphy and pissed off beat poetry he would have to be somewhat of a poseur to get onstage and rant that hard and then turn out to be a well composed nice guy rather than a hellbent drunken political philospher. He is not a poseur. He is the The real deal of '76 uk punk. Blue collar punk blues pissed at a bankrupt social structure.
Like I said before. Either you dig em and accept what He is all about or you don't. Everytime someone tells me The Fall sux(which is often)I completely understand. It's not nice music. He is not a nice man, but I would be real curious for someone to name another band with as many albums and a 3 decade career that is still putting out strong material...
Really I'm curious?
what an over rated band!
Mwanz- I've been listening to The Fall for ever. Since I never listed the reasons why I liked the Fall then how can you say I like them for the wrong reasons? Let me tell you why I like The Fall- the music. Let me tell you what I don't like about the Fall- Mark E. Smiths shitty attitude. And it's my right not to like the asshole but still like the music. I didn't say they sucked though if I had so what? I LIKE The Fall and it wasn't the "dressing room" it was where all the beer for all the bands were. Being an asshole is not a virtue as someone so eloquently stated above and I was only stating that he is an asshole- well, because HE IS. Sorry I can't feel the sting of the "Your band: broke up within 6 months of the show you played with themafter not being around even a year." comment, diss or not because frankly I wasn't comparing us to The Fall (how ludicrous is that?) Funny you should throw that in there, very telling if not pointless. Most of the comment was irrelevant. I don't idol worship musicians so I don't really get why people idolize musicians and think because they're famous they're entitled to be dicks and hell, even praise em for it. Thats kinda like saying you like your musicians to act like stupid morons- but hey,to each his own. I like you too Mwanz but sometimes your comments come out of left field and are lacking in insight. SOmehow you manage to turn a thing about The Fall who we both like as a band into another here's an attack on Mwanza comment. But it's not an attack just my opinion, which we're all entitled to. It's OK if someone doesn't like a band you adore- you can still go hang out and get some icecream with them.
Aww, the blixaboy just wanted to get up on his stepladder and tell you all how much more he knows about The Fall than you do. You will never understand as he does, you just don't have enough records or Nina Simones autograph on your bum. I saw some cheap shots in his post, ramblings that made it appear he didn't even read the post he was replying to. And if anyone can talk about bands breaking up, potshots and etcetera-it is certainly not blixaboy-or wait, he is the more experienced one in this field, forgive me.
chairman mao liked repetition
sorry. I'm just being a prick. You do have a right to your opinion. I did not mean for you to feel any sting. I personally barely feel like I'm worthy to even be in the same room as the guy. I never tried to talk to him, because I know what to expect. I do hero worship my favorite musicians. I do not expect them to be equals. That kind of blows the myth for me. That maybe left field, but that is one man I try to stick up for. Once again there were about 70 people at the show. They cut 4 songs from the set
The show was fucking awesome. He was an asshole as usual, but they played an awesome, but brief show. They cut 3 songs from the set. Some guys were screaming for him to play "Mr. Pharmacist". He got pissed an walked off the stage. The band played a kiler instrumental and left. They came back and played Mr. pharmacist anyways and then he left the stage again in total disgust. Much better than the last 2 times they came to Dallas.
Hey Tiger bee. If you are gonna diss on The Fall on this thread you should almost expect for someone to say something.
I still don't get the whole expecting him not to be an asshole when he has built a 30 year career on being a drunk prick. I Guess I just accepted that about mr.smith a long time ago.
1st comment: The Talk BLOW!
2nd: What Johnny Rotten tried so hard to be w/ the Sex Pistols, Mark E. Smith is by virtue of nature.
(**This isn't a sex pistols diss, i'm just saying that Rotten was obviously TRYING to play the role of antagonist/asshole, Mark E. Smith is just an antagonistic asshole, but i could see it in his eyes @ the show... he's not faking it...for better or worse)
#3: The show was pretty rad. I, unfortunately haven't heard much of their most recent albums, so i was mostly unaware of what they played... but it was good regardless, and i recognised the formula well.
#4: Where the hell did he run to before that instrumental? the bathroom?.... i'll bet he had to wee.
#5: If anyone wants to talk about the fall i suggest speaking to Chuck from the shapes.... he was at the show and mentioned to me that he'd been seeing The Fall since '80 or '81 (that's fuckin' old school)
A Rausch! A Rumble!
I do expect to write something on here and "get shit" for it, it's no skin off my nose. People are so reactionary on here it doesn't even appear they've read the last period of the post before they start firing ignorant torpedoes. Heres what's funny though- I highly doubt Mark E. needs anyone to stick up for him especially since all I said was he's an asshole, then you said he's an asshole and kinda tried to berate me cause I said he's an asshole???? It was a simple observation, an anecdote of my live experience with The Fall, nothing more nothing less. If I had been saying he kidnaps and eats small kittens and children then you would have grounds to um, save his "honor" or whatever. Glad the show was good, sorry I missed it, like I said I like The Fall. Ok, new day can we go get icecream now?
djtigerbee, Aunt Stelle's snow cone stand is open for business. Can we go there? It's in my 'hood, I'll meet you there in 2 shakes of a lamb's tale.
Snocone breakfast at my fave snocone stand?! Sounds yummy! I didnt know they were open already. You just made my weekend!
I want ice cream!!!
please?
Oh wow that place is still there?! Those snow cones rule. Do they still have Pink Lady?
Yeah He is an asshole. And you are right again he could probably care less if I defend him. Knee jerk reaction on my part. I admit it.
To mr anon above comment #4. Some guy was yelling for them to play Mr Pharmacist and Mr. Smith got pissed walked off the stage and went to the bathroom and then went backstage. He sent the roadie to tell the band to quit playing. The band left the stage. Then a few minutes later is when they all came back out and played Mr. Pharmacist instead. The rhythm section started playing Blindess(my favorite song on the new record) and Mark just walked off and signaled the rest of the band to stop. The house music came up. There were about 3 or 4 songs on the setlist that they just did not play. Yep.......That's The Fall.
Sorry Trish. I am a fanboy for this band. I have about somewhere around 40 of their albums. They may be overrated, but for anyone who wants to know more about them they are the Primer in this month's issue of The Wire. It is a really good article. I was gonna skip this show due to finances, but since Dallas usually has the worst turnoput on their tours who knows when they are gonna decide to stop coming here. I talked to atleast 2 people that thought they sucked and bunch more that thought they ruled. They are a hard pill to swallow. I just choose to swallow it.
It's all good Mwanz- just as Im entitled to my opinion you're entitled to yours. I know you're passionate about the stuff you're into and that's good. It is less of an argument and more of a sharing of ideas and we both agree that he's an asshole- you can just appreciate that side of Mark whereas I don't. I don't think I've ever typed the word "asshole" so much in one place. Ha!
The show was rockin good. Mark seemed just fine and into it until the one problem late. The movie intro was the one low point for me.
This being said to the Anon soapboxer. Music is Mark's job. He is most assuredly not cashing in with 100 people in Dallas. I assume he loves to perform or needs the food money. No problem with that. So, you didn't want to spend the $20? Too bad. Did you waste you money on more important things like the indie of the month cd or a video game? Oooooo, $5 a drink...I want it free...because I am a poor schlep. Yep, those poor uneducated ones really keep it real.
that place still has pink lady and a bunch more flavors mmmmmmmmm
Absolutely my last say on the matter: when people indulge that behaviour and give the person a positive reaction to it then they keep doing it and feel it is an acceptable way to be. I personally get no satisfaction watching bullies pick on people whether they agree to let themselves be bullied or not. I believe that all people are equal whether you're a musician or not you're still just a person. I'm all for the music and the antics and tantrums are just distracting.
bottom line: Aunt Stella's sno cones rock!
Strawberry and raspberry, can't go wrong!
I think it's lame to put on a B-grade show just cuz there's a smaller audience than you'd like, whether you're Jim Morrison's ghost or whomever. I was at that Blonde Redhead/Fall show ... went there mainly to see the Fall, dealt with Deep Ellum BS, swam thru torrential rain with a grocery bag on my head, paid my $, etc. I couldn't believe how approx 80% of the crowd left right before the Fall ... and he may've been ill ... but that's no excuse to play a crappy show.
And he should've let the bands in the beer room, dangit. I love him, but that seems a little "don't get too close to my genius, you might get it dirty." Ick. I like nice heroes, of whom I've met a few.
yeah, i have to say if i find out that a performer is a jerk, they instantly lose credibility with me. even someone who is "punk" and fights "the man" should know enough to realize that if i am at his show, that i am not a representative of "the man" otherwise its "me against the world," and how lame is that? If it were really you against the world, why would you bother to try to communicate via music, art, whatever?
even dead guys personalities color my enjoyment of their art. I dunno, i only idolize people based on their capacity for love and joy and kindness, true insight, creativity... technical ability, musicianship or whatever is really far down the list. I just think that learning to be better people, and fighting for justice, love, peace, are the only worthwhile goals, and that art is a medium for communication of what we have each learned individually. AND if all you have learned is to be an asshole then your learning is messed up... so what is there to idolize? ghandhi, MLK, Rosa parks, mother theresa, jesus, all fought for change without being assholes. so i cant believe assholishness to be a requirement for justice... thats where the punks had it wrong.
Hey streisand I actually was talking about John Lydon trying out for can after the Sex Pistols split. They snubbed him so he went and started P.I.L. instead. The Fall still play to huge Audiences most places to go in the states and even bigger crowds in Europe and Japan.
I do not believe all musicians are equal.Iggy Pop is not my equal(for example). I know it's not so hip around these parts to respect people that came before you, but when I was standing in front of Branca I definately did not get the vibe that he was my "equal". To even think that seems like a bit of an ego issue to me. I know a lot(way too much) about Mr Smith. He has plenty to be pissed about. Granite most of his misfortune has been his own fault. I don't really admire the fact that he is an asshole(and a wife beater.....see Brix Smith). I do admire that he keeps on going despite all of the adversity. Considering the amount of shit I get sometimes I am sure you can see where I might be sympathetic to that.
Go buy the last few albums. The music speaks for itself. If you like the fall you will like the records. If you don't like the fall your opinion will not change. Check out the newest issue of The WQire though it is a very comprehensive article on them covering most of their essentyial recordings(minus the 10 million bootlegs).
I have to agree with Lisa about the smaller crowd does not entitle you to put on a crappy show statement. Every performance you give is you giving yourself because supposedly that is what you love to do, make music, give yourself and give your all no matter if there is one person in the room or 500. I think about it like this- would I let the person in question treat my mother like that? No. Then why would I let them treat me like that? That equals no self respect. It's annoying to me that people let people get away with behaviour like that just because of their name and history. In the same respect that I think it's lame to show up to a Brian Jonestown Massacre show and wonder if they're even going to play after I've paid my money to see them ( I have been ripped off by this band and I even like their music)- it is just strange to hold these people to other standards that we don't even hold our good friends to. Makes no sense to me really. I met Johnny Lydon and he was just peachy and I didn't feel ripped off because he didn't spit at me and call me a cunt. I felt thrilled he acted like a human being.
Mark was not an asshole to the audience. He just did not feel like playing anymore. It sounds to me like The fall is just not forsome of you. The very same guys who bugged him to play Mr Pharmacist and annoyed him were also tickled pink by his whole reaction. I like nice people too. I also dig it when my heroes turn out to be cool people, but we are talking about Mark E. Smith. He ahs been the same for 30 years. After he played Gypsy a few years a huge crowd of fans surrounded him and sang an accapella version of "Frenz". He looked truly touched almost like he was gonna tear up. That was the same show that you say he was being a prick. It was a very moving experience and he hung out and talk to his fans and signed autographs. If you want peace and love go see The Polyphonic Spree. If you have a bitter and Jaded side to you(as I supect a lot of people that frequent this page do) The Fall is just what the doctor ordered...........
The Fall-Frenz
My friends
Gonna tell you about my friends:
My friends aint enough for one hand,
My friends aint enough for one hand,
My friends dont amount to one hand,
One hand.
My friends dont add up to one hand,
My friends dont amount to one hand,
One hand.
Tell ya bout my friends. (why do you count them? )
My friends dont count up to one hand,
My friends cannot count on one hand.
My friends dont amount to one hand.
Tell ya bout my friends.
My friends dont add up to one hand,
My friends dont count up to hand.
Tell ya bout my friends.
My friends dont amount to one hand,
My friends dont count up to one hand,
One hand.
Tell ya bout my friends.
(do you count them? )
(how many are there? )
I agree about BJM. They have fucking ripped me off twice, and that has caused me to see Anton's antics as less funny and more, well, annoying. Not to mention immature. I think I will give them one more chance, because I really want to see a real BJM set (and because their tickets are usually pretty cheap anyway.) If they fuck me over again, thats it. of course, I guess I've downloaded pretty much all of their albums without paying for it, so maybe we're even.
And the Fall show ruled last night. We should have a review later today. We were going to take pictures, but apparently the Fall doesn't allow that kind of goings on.
Being nice I bought tickets for two to Brian Jonestown Massacre a few ago...they were supposed to play at Trees. Get to Trees, nothing and no one not even a sign saying cancelled. I heard later there was a sign saying cancelled but it was taped to the inside of the door and the door was closed. Brainiacs. Try to get a refund on my ticket from CD World- no such luck...you gotta send em into Austin to get a refund. Sent em in to Austin- kissed $30 goodbye. Thanks Anton. I love song lyrics heres some more
Pablo Piccasso
(The Modern Lovers)
Well some people try to pick up girls
And get called assholes
This never happened to Pablo Picasso
He could walk down your street
And girls could not resist his stare and
So Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole
Well the girls would turn the color
Of the avacado when he would drive
Down their street in his El Dorado
He could walk down your street
And girls could not resist his stare
Pablo Picasso never got called an asshole
Not like you
Alright
Well he was only 5'3"
But girls could not resist his stare
Pablo Picasso never got called an asshole
Not in New York
Oh well be not schmuck, be not obnoxious,
Be not bellbottom bummer or asshole
Remember the story of Pablo Picasso
He could walk down your street
And girls could not resist his stare
Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole
Alright this is it
Some people try to pick up girls
And they get called an asshole
This never happened to Pablo Picasso
He could walk down your street
And girls could not resist his stare and so
Pablo Picasso was never called...
awesomeness
Sure, its up to you to let it cloud your judgement on their music or not. I don't usually tend to which is why I never said The Fall or BJM sucked- it's all seperate but it does leave an impression on whether or not you want to catch them live or not. No one has to be nice to people in order to create good art.
yeah, I like a lot of bands whose members I probably wouldn't get along with ... I don't let it cloud my judgment regarding the music. I wouldn't exactly say the Fall "isn't for me" (after liking em for a long time) just because Mark E's attitude/ego made for a subpar show.
I understand how surly attitude often creates legend. I love surly unless it's being surly to me. But famous/nice musicians are refreshing. Years ago I drove to Austin to see Blonde Redhead, told 'em I drove 200 miles to see em, and they gave us their drink tickets for our trouble. Cool.
ODETTA RULES! She's got a fierce growl- I would really like to lay my hands on some more live footage of her than what I've seen. She barks, growls and gives it- what a woman! Didn't know that was you Shawn, hope alls well with ya.
depends on what your criteria is for "Good Art"
ooo,
last nights show was simply terrible...
i was standing next to stuart sikes
at one point, and had to agree with his finger in the air and his shout of "fuck you"
i have never been to a show where the reviews were so polar and mixed
some of my other friends loved it!
some people were dancing, some were just listening quietly
i do love snow cones!!!
Why do people feel the need to antagonize the guy? Is that punk rock or something? I saw the cup of ice to the stage and heard the fuck you's. I wonder if that caused him to cut it short?
Man get the Can Anthology DVD. Fucken mind-blowing!!!!
that is a cool ass dvd
...i think i got it at barnes and noble, of all places.
Can Rules!!!!!
oops....does that count aas me being on a pedestal again.
to merren up above. Yeah I am an expert. I went through almost 32 members in The The Falcon Project/The Falkon. Contrary to popular belief it was not because I was a jerk to my bandmates. I am still great friends with 95% of the people I have played with but The Fall line up change analogy used to be a running gag amongst me and my friends.
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