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Sprite
* Dog in the Sand *
1328 Posts |
 Posted - 05/28/2004 : 02:29:57
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Here's a 'staggaringly' useless contribution from a UK paper that regards itself as the hippest and baddest when it comes to all things cultural. However reading it I can only conclude that the writer's ego has been bruised by failing to secure an interview with the Pixies AND having no ticket to the Brixton shows. I bleed 
More seriously though I am starting to wonder why racial, sexist and homophobic comments are beyond the pale in modern media (and rightly so) but its OK to make a critical remark based on someone's weight.
Anwyay - read it and get annoyed
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,11710,1217053,00.html
Piqued by the Pixies
John Robinson digs deep into pockets for an explanation for the band's reunion
Their "musicians wanted" ad requested people interested in joining a group that wanted to be a cross "between Husker Du and Peter Paul And Mary". As it turned out, however, the Pixies (to quickly recap: incest, UFOs, occasional lapses into Spanish, the last actual point at which rock music was alternative before just being labelled as such) ended up a product far stranger than even these co-ordinates for their inception might have suggested.
Their music, we've been reminded in the past couple of weeks, came from another place, and to peer into their world was a kind of cathartic X-Files type experience. As nerdy as it could be frightening, it has appealed to Thom Yorke (liked the violence), to Chris Morris, who parodied the group on a magazine flexidisc, to the next generation of 1990s rockers, who would hope to master the group's explosive energy. And, of course, to Kurt Cobain, who didn't just hope to, but did.
So it is, then, that the fact of the Pixies' reformation - could just be for these gigs, some have suggested it could even be for an album - has become alike a hot ticket and a hot topic. Should they have done it, punk rock style, to wreck the mystery? Or should they have remained that very rare breed (the Beatles, the Clash, even the aforementioned Husker Du) of influential groups who refrained from reforming, even before death prevented them from doing so, the better to keep faith with their younger selves?
Whichever, to read between the lines of available accounts, this is a group whose return has so far proved staggeringly ordinary. It has, inevitably, been accompanied by an almost completely superfluous compilation of their finest, incest-filled and intermittently Spanish moments, and has been apparently punctuated, live, with the kind of fluffs and blunders that one might reasonably expect from a group that hasn't played together for 10 years.
What it has not been accompanied by, however, (and this is where the group win really, really big) is much of an explanation. One would not have to be a genius, of course, to suggest that perhaps a considerable financial incentive has been offered to the group, and to speculate upon what they might have spent their wealth down the years. In the case of the group's singer, Black Francis, this would seem to be food. Yet there has been nothing, and this alt-rock omerta is undoubtedly the best policy.
Nothing about their apparently argumentative break-up. Nothing about their influence. Nothing about the drugs, the receding hairlines or the money. Not even anything to confirm or deny what perhaps audiences that have seen them so far are beginning to suspect: that influence and brilliance or not, this is not a superhuman group and, in fact, maybe never was.
To retain that, even if only for the time being, is priceless. Partly for the sake of the legend. Partly, though, because in an odd way it leaves the group now where they were at their peak: holding the initiative, their next move entirely unpredictable.
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Kingnickmalt
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
23 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2004 : 02:44:44
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Ill informed.
"staggeringly ordinary" - As far as returns go I would suggest it has been at least very well recieved, at best a truimph. What was this guy expecting? pyrotechnic extravaganzas? on stage bestiality? spontaneous human combustion?
They are touring, playing the songs a lot of people would like to hear and people are enjoying. The fact that they will get a load of cash is of course a great incentive.
"Explanation" not needed.
The fact that he gets under my skin, gets under my skin. I really shouldn't get riled.
What is a signature???? |
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Peter Walker
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
189 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2004 : 03:16:43
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Typical journalistic trick; to present a personal opinion as fact.
I do love his describing his having "read between the lines" of the "available accounts" to deduce the comeback has been "staggeringly ordinary".
Which is more likely? That the vast majority of onlookers who have committed so positively to print about this are all lying? Are they all part of the biggest mass delusion the planet has ever known?
Or maybe he's the kind of silly buying-into-the-mythology-of-rock-'n'-roll fantasist who believes it's impossible to come back and not suck, and hates it when somebody proves him wrong. |
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the thing
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
313 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2004 : 04:31:49
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Utter drivel, I wouldn't expect a review as weak as this from the Daily Mail, let alone the Guardian.
My head was feeling scared, but my heart was feeling free |
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PixieSteve
> Teenager of the Year <
Poland
4698 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2004 : 04:33:33
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| hey, i actually read this first time round, and i really didn't see it as that much of a negative report as you guys are making it out. there are few things which might piss you off, but only if you take it to heart. |
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bumblebeeboy2
> Teenager of the Year <
United Kingdom
2638 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2004 : 05:42:31
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"In the case of the group's singer, Black Francis, this would seem to be food."
What a jack-ass. lousy journalism. fucking pathetic attempt at an article.
I am my only god, ha ha ha ha ha ha |
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Ziggy
* Dog in the Sand *
United Kingdom
2461 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2004 : 05:45:28
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Has the writer actually seen a Pixies show?
"Me and the chickens running in the street" |
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Mad Lucas
- FB Fan -
Australia
144 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2004 : 06:52:35
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This John Robinson guy is just like some of my friends. They see me enjoying the Pixies so much, while they listen to bands like Metallica and the like and feel angry after listening, Pixies just makes me feel good inside. These people like John Robinson still struggle to understand how music can do that, especially Pixies music, and this argravates them. The fact that the Pixies look so 'everyday looking' just adds to their angers.
Those of us who have been 'enlightened' by Pixies music can only look down onto these people, and be amused by their antics.
Jesus was a sailor, when we walked upon the water. |
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Adam
= Cult of Ray =
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2004 : 07:26:26
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| Preach on, Mad Lucus. I think you hit the nail on the head with that one. People hate seeing other people happy, especially over something they don't get. |
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The New Bolero
= Cult of Ray =
394 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2004 : 08:04:38
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| The final sentance isn't bad. |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2004 : 09:06:08
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| 'Nothing about the drugs'....what, drugs somehow figured in the bands break-up? It's just journalistic shit-talk. |
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n/a
deleted
4109 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2004 : 10:15:04
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quote:
Originally posted by Mad Lucas
This John Robinson guy is just like some of my friends. They see me enjoying the Pixies so much, while they listen to bands like Metallica and the like and feel angry after listening, Pixies just makes me feel good inside. These people like John Robinson still struggle to understand how music can do that, especially Pixies music, and this argravates them. The fact that the Pixies look so 'everyday looking' just adds to their angers.
Those of us who have been 'enlightened' by Pixies music can only look down onto these people, and be amused by their antics.
I total agree!
Listening to the Pixies makes me feel so good/happy inside!
People that donīt like them, will never understand! Better for us!
Jesus was a sailor, when we walked upon the water.
rita.r |
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Mad Lucas
- FB Fan -
Australia
144 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2004 : 05:33:19
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ROCK ON PIXIES FANS!!
Jesus was a sailor, when we walked upon the water. |
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TheCroutonFuton
- Mr. Setlists -
USA
1728 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2004 : 09:47:28
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I think he just wants attention. Guess who's giving it to him...
"Freedom is a state of mind and the condition and position of your ass. Free your mind and your ass will follow." - Funkadelic |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2004 : 10:46:47
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Didn't the Beatles reform a few years ago?
 "Everywhere I go I want to travel by Maglev" |
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Sprite
* Dog in the Sand *
1328 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2004 : 05:42:16
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quote:
I think he just wants attention. Guess who's giving it to him...
CroutonFruton you are right. I was in two minds whether to post this story at all but the food comment really wound me up and I just wanted to dissipate some of my anger.
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Nightsoil
- FB Fan -
46 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2004 : 06:40:56
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A semi-review based "between the lines of available accounts"? hmmm.
Trawling the internet for your work? Who cares what he writes?
The Pixies, like any band, have always had a section of the press who
resent them for not being the ****ing Clash, or something.
The fun will be watching them play the 'who can be the most diffident, the
least impressed and disapproving of the event.'
Moments, even, after a total eclipse you'll hear '...that was shit.' from someone.
Funny, but we sleep easier.
The only pain is that he gets relatively well paid for lazy-arsed toss.
Anyone who knows the Pixies and has already heard about the reformation
will have pretty set opinions anyway. |
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hybrid
- FB Fan -
Ireland
42 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2004 : 10:21:59
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Why the hell were you reading the GUARDIAN anyway?
Read a real paper, man.
(The Sun? Lolapocse) |
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woodworm
- FB Fan -
USA
94 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2004 : 13:00:17
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good for a laugh, nothing more
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whoreatthedoor
> Teenager of the Year <
Spain
2873 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2004 : 00:45:31
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Better for us if press is blaming on them. This Pixies cult must be a Subbacultcha.
 "Join the Cult of the whore at the door / And You'll find no answers, but real fun" |
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otisredding
- FB Fan -
11 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2004 : 04:14:29
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quote:
Originally posted by bflat
The only people who get good reviews in the Guardian are Carl Marx and Leon Trotsky.
Karl Marx rocks, he looks like Sam Philips... |
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whoreatthedoor
> Teenager of the Year <
Spain
2873 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2004 : 04:22:35
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quote:
Originally posted by otisredding
quote:
Originally posted by bflat
The only people who get good reviews in the Guardian are Carl Marx and Leon Trotsky.
Karl Marx rocks, he looks like Sam Philips...
HEY!, Trotsky rules too!!!
"Join the Cult of the whore at the door / And You'll find no answers, but real fun" |
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unchienandalou
- FB Fan -
11 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2004 : 05:13:16
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I don't think the article is that negative either - a bit sarcastic and post-modern - but more off-centre than negative.....
A few factual inaccuracies - i.e. the return has been anything but ordinary.
....and hate to burst your bubble but Frank is a little portly...
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ractrader
- FB Fan -
Argentina
18 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2004 : 11:28:28
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| Just a fact: The Clash were about to reform for some special dates with Gary Mani Mounfield on bass, but then Joe Strummer passed away. And please don't tell me The Beatles aren't interested in money... What if Frank is fat? He still howls like no one, his songs are far more interesting than a lot of new artists and all the disclive shows I heard are great. If some journalist thinks of the Pixies as a super human group, well, send him the dvd. I am a journalist and, living in Argentina, never could see the Pixies. But, hell, I listen to the recorded shows and they are better than some of the ones from the "superhuman" era (especially 1991). |
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Sad Guardian Article
