From: owner-oppositeview-digest@smoe.org (oppositeview-digest) To: oppositeview-digest@smoe.org Subject: oppositeview-digest V2 #146 Reply-To: oppositeview@smoe.org Sender: owner-oppositeview-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-oppositeview-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk oppositeview-digest Tuesday, October 31 2000 Volume 02 : Number 146 Today's Subjects: ----------------- RE: OV: Nothing Ever Happens unless you listen? ["Kevin Cawthorne - www.d] Re: OV: ...listen? ["Jane Armstrong" ] Re: OV: Blast from the past ["Jane Armstrong" ] OV: OT Let's hear it for.... ["Jane Armstrong" ] Re: OV: OT Let's hear it for.... [Alison Bellach ] OV: Re: Dela Who cares? [Melissa Wiechmann ] Re: OV: OT Let's hear it for.... ["Susan & C. Reid Gardner" ] OV: Re: OT Let's hear it for.... ["Hilary Gray" ] Re: OV: Re: OT Let's hear it for.... [Alison Bellach Subject: RE: OV: Nothing Ever Happens unless you listen? Well - guess it's time for my two pence! JPR - no email from JPR for over a month. I did speak to John Reid last week, and he said "ooh I'm very busy, why not pop up one day and we'll go through everything." Iain- Iain is on constant answering machine, but I know he's spent a lot of time away with Kris in the studio. I do get email from him but nothing at the moment. Mercury records - FORGET IT - about as much feedback as a dead mouse's vocal box! I wish it was still A&M - at least they called me once a week just to tell me nothing is going on _and_ put the TV companies in touch when they needed an audience or help with research(them were the days - TFI, Pepsi charts, National Lottery, Stars In their Eyes, Top Of The Pops). Nottingham (which was the last gig I went to) seems such a long time ago.... It seems as I can actually get to talk to these guys, I can help. So tell me what you want me to do! Kevin Cawthorne www.delamitri.co.uk - -----Original Message----- From: owner-oppositeview@smoe.org [mailto:owner-oppositeview@smoe.org]On Behalf Of Alison Bellach Sent: 29 October 2000 19:51 To: Michael Lee Newman Cc: oppositeview@smoe.org Subject: Re: OV: Nothing Ever Happens unless you listen? > tracks you may not have. We are not without enough Del music to keep > all of us chatting about them all the time. The Difference Is that > between a true Dels fan and a whiner, the true Dels fan will keep > listening to what they've got and find new continued interest in it > through repeated listening. I hope that you are not calling those of us (like myself) who are complaining about a lack of info (but still listening to the old stuff) whiners. I take exception to that. I am one of the web masters, and I expect (rightfully) to be kept informed of what's been going on, so I can pass it on to this list -- a list of die-hards and newbies who just want to be kept informed. I don't think that saying "Wow, there's still lots of old stuff!!!" solves the problem of seeing NOTHING from the band. My desire to see them do something != my not liking their old stuff. I don't think that anyone here is saying that there isn't a wealth of Del material out there. But, the truth is, this band needs some success, and that isn't going to happen because I put "Change Everything" on repeat. Dels always! A (Wow, I've written almost as much as Doug at this point) - ------------------------------------------------------------------- Alison Bellach: alibee@delamitri.com http://alibee.linex.com http://www.delamitri.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 12:28:48 -0000 From: "Jane Armstrong" Subject: Re: OV: ...listen? I feel the same as Mike and Lynne, Alison and Taire and others on this list that it's been far too long - and I am also concerned that the public as a whole have forgotten their existence. I think maybe the band have underestimated their staying power too. What if they release the album and the only people who buy it are on this list or I&PII subscribers? They'd be pretty shocked. I can't see a CD by a band in their mid/late 30's being played on Radio 1 (apart from U2) - and Radio 2 listeners don't buy a lot of CD's by comparison. However, I also agree with Mr Newman in part - not about stopping whingeing - I think we have a right to whinge - but about digging out the old stuff. I was in Germany last week with a group of young people and whilst waiting for them to go to bed (invariably between 3.30 and 5.30 am!!!) I listened to 3 mini disc's worth of B Sides (and that was without the ones on vinyl - I didn't have a deck when I recorded them). I've not listened to these for a couple of years - and it was like listening to some of them for the first time. Jane (in a bad mood because Clapton tickets went on sale last Friday when I was away and have now sold out!) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 13:28:25 -0000 From: "Jane Armstrong" Subject: Re: OV: Blast from the past Well if THEY all said it, then it must be true. But as usual, I am the last to know..... > Well Hilary told Libby told Kevin told Andrew told > Sherri told Russell told Mike told Karen told Alison > told Lori told Diana Gabaldon told me that it was > about Jane Armstrong and to this day Justin runs when > he sees an orange coat. > > a girl called Alena who was the > > inspiration behind the song Always The last To Know. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 16:35:19 -0000 From: "Jane Armstrong" Subject: OV: OT Let's hear it for.... ......OV'er Lori Royal-Gordon! Her second book was recently published and is available on Amazon.com. It's published under the name Lauren Royal and is called Emerald. If you like a good historical bodice ripper this is just the book for you. I took it to Germany with me and read it when I wasn't listening to the Dels B'sides. And you might find a few familiar names on the acknowledgements page too! What lot of talent we have on this list. Jane ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 08:52:30 -0800 (PST) From: Alison Bellach Subject: Re: OV: OT Let's hear it for.... Wait a second, I thought Caithren went WITHOUT a bodice in this one... ;) YAY LORI! Make sure to request her books (Amethyst and Emerald) in your local bookseller if they don't already carry it. :) On Mon, 30 Oct 2000, Jane Armstrong wrote: > ......OV'er Lori Royal-Gordon! Her second book was recently published and > is available on Amazon.com. It's published under the name Lauren Royal and > is called Emerald. If you like a good historical bodice ripper this is just > the book for you. I took it to Germany with me and read it when I wasn't > listening to the Dels B'sides. > > And you might find a few familiar names on the acknowledgements page too! > > What lot of talent we have on this list. > > Jane > > - ------------------------------------------------------------------- Alison Bellach: alibee@delamitri.com http://alibee.linex.com http://www.delamitri.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 11:02:47 -0800 From: Melissa Wiechmann Subject: OV: Re: Dela Who cares? I have to agree with all of you guys in complaining about the lack of fan loyalty from the band to the fans. I saw the guys at nine shows in 1997 and I have to admit that when they do tour, they are very accessible to the fans after the shows (they do play smaller venues) and many other groups are not. But that was 3 1/2 years ago. It quite obvious that the Dels couldn't give a fig about the fans. They've always been ones to put their lives before the fans which was ok when they were actually touring and putting out albums every once in awhile. I guess they'll see the level of apathy this policy awards them when they make it back to the states. They'll be lucky to fill the Viper Room. Of course they'll probably have another "Roll to Me" and they'll be playing the Wiltern! The only people who are even interested in this apathetic group anymore are the die hard fans. I have to admit they've moved very far down on my list of favorites. Anyone who knew me in '97 would be amazed by this. But you can only listen to an album so many times. Take a look at Neil Finn's website (nilfun.net) and see how a musician who cares about his many fans acts. He's very involved with the site and always putting up new unheard stuff as well old videos, music, etc. He also writes in every few days to talk to the fans about what's going on in his life. I don't think we'll ever see anything like this from Justin Curry. This said, please nobody block me from my place up front at the next Dels show :) Melissa ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 14:45:39 -0500 From: "Susan & C. Reid Gardner" Subject: Re: OV: OT Let's hear it for.... Jane Armstrong wrote: > ......OV'er Lori Royal-Gordon! Her second book was recently published and > is available on Amazon.com. It's published under the name Lauren Royal and > is called Emerald. If you like a good historical bodice ripper this is just > the book for you. I took it to Germany with me and read it when I wasn't > listening to the Dels B'sides. > And you might find a few familiar names on the acknowledgements page too! > What lot of talent we have on this list. So true. When the first book was published, I remember going to a local Barnes & Noble bookstore to look for it, and just as I spotted it on the shelf, about 4 copies fell off onto the floor right at my feet. The couple standing not far from me looked to see what happened, and I mumbled "Here's my friend Lori's book! Guess all these copies want to go home with me..." I get such a kick out of seeing folks like Lori do well, and I really do hope it is a best seller! Good luck. I'll go get my copy soon. TTFN Susan who had to get a pair of truly naff reading glasses to discern the teeny tiny print in those paperbacks... ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 15:52:04 -0500 From: "Susan & C. Reid Gardner" Subject: Re: OV: Nothing Ever Happens unless you listen? "Kevin Cawthorne - www.delamitri.co.uk" wrote: > Well - guess it's time for my two pence! > > JPR - no email from JPR for over a month. I did speak to John Reid last > week, and he said "ooh I'm very busy, why not pop up one day and we'll go > through everything." > > Iain- Iain is on constant answering machine, but I know he's spent a lot of > time away with Kris in the studio. Keep up the good work, Kev my dear. Bug 'em to death. Just out of curiosity: what does Iain's answering machine say? A clever message perhaps? T, S ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 21:39:45 -0000 From: "Hilary Gray" Subject: OV: Re: Dela who? Given that exactly two years ago tonight I was at Manchester Apollo with my brother seeing them on the first night (for me!) of the last UK tour, I feel like having a damn good whinge :o) I think most people on this list have at some time made tapes, played CDs and dragged friends and family along to Dels gigs in the cause of conversion, and for what? To have them turn around and say 'Del Amitri? Haven't they split up?' Aarrrgh. We've rung up radio stations, bored work colleagues, travelled across continents and oceans to see them play live. And we haven't had a new album for four years. A lot of people haven't seen them live for over five years. The fact that we are still here talking about them shows we have some kind of loyalty. Granted, we on this list are a small minority of Del Amitri fans (I hope. Seriously. We're just the technologically enabled obsessives.). But I do think that our loyalty is somewhat taken for granted. Kevin, you asked what we wanted. Well given that there is no fan club, and the mailing list seems long dead, I don't think it's much to ask that Alison and yourself are kept informed of what's going on. Whether it's Iain, JPR, Mercury or the cat telling you that there is no new news. You two are the only 'official' sources of info out there for the fans and you need something to go on the sites. When you read what other acts (e.g. Blur, Bowie, Robbie Williams) are doing for publicity on the net, it's *really* frustrating. You have both done absolutely tremendous jobs over the past few years and long may it continue. But I'm starting to believe they are really taking the p*** - they are relying on your goodwill, enthusiasm and ability to dedicate your time and resources to continue the job. Given the huge surge in net growth since the last album (!) they need to seriously look at their online presence - are the two of you going to get the support you need, particularly Alison who seems to have been left out on a limb. You need to tell us what you need *us* to do to get the message across to the band/JPR/Mercury/whoever. Letters, emails, phone calls - what? Rant over, sorry, just another frustrated fan! Hilary ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 21:50:21 -0000 From: "Hilary Gray" Subject: OV: Re: OT Let's hear it for.... - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jane Armstrong" >......OV'er Lori Royal-Gordon! Her second book was recently published and >is available on Amazon.com. It's published under the name Lauren Royal and >is called Emerald. If you like a good historical bodice ripper this is just >the book for you. and - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alison Bellach" >Wait a second, I thought Caithren went WITHOUT a bodice in this one... ;) >YAY LORI! Hear Hear! Go Lori! I took Amethyst on holiday with me too - the only time I get to read a book properly! I thoroughly enjoyed it whilst relaxing on a Greek island and wishing I knew a real Colin. ;o) I didn't realise Emerald was already out, must hop over to Amazon. Well done Lori, looking forward to reading Emerald. And Alison - hope that comment about Caithren wasn't a spoiler!! :o)) Hilary ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 14:05:14 -0800 (PST) From: Alison Bellach Subject: Re: OV: Re: OT Let's hear it for.... > Well done Lori, looking forward to reading Emerald. And Alison - hope that > comment about Caithren wasn't a spoiler!! :o)) Hey now, it's on the back of the book and on her website. I'm evil (muhahhaaaaaaa), but not THAT evil. Okay, maybe I *am* that evil. - ------------------------------------------------------------------- Alison Bellach: alibee@delamitri.com http://alibee.linex.com http://www.delamitri.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 15:45:48 -0800 (PST) From: Alison Bellach Subject: RE: OV: Nothing Ever Happens unless you listen? > JPR - no email from JPR for over a month. I did speak to John Reid last > week, and he said "ooh I'm very busy, why not pop up one day and we'll go > through everything." See, this is what kills me. How the hell am *I* supposed to pop by and go through stuff with John Reid? Now I feel like chopped liver. ::sniff:: That should be the Dels next song: "And we make our fans feel like chopped liver when they see us in concert, their lips quiver Alison might throw herself in a river no ray of hope for them only a sliver" Thank you, my fans. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 20:20:19 -0600 From: "Jen Woyan" Subject: Re: OV: Nothing Ever Happens unless you listen? > It seems as I can actually get to talk to these guys, I can help. So tell me > what you want me to do! A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, a snarky Justin was heard to say, (something to the effect of...) "all the fans ever do is say how great we are - we do better to hear that we're shite..." So, no, they're NOT shite, but as we've all mentioned as nauseum the past 2 (3, 4, 5...) years, their management/label representation SUCKS! And we are always almost too polite to state the obvious to them.... So, Kevin, if you're serious and wanna know what to do, forward this entire thread (and I've saved others in a similar vein over the past year if ya want them...) to Iain, John, your old contacts - whomever. 'Cuz even if the CD is 6-9 months away, they should be hitting the pavement/cyberwires NOW! I've felt like a fool with friends at WXRT - they've been heearing a new CD's on the way for over a year now... People want to hear it and they want to know what's what - just where did the brain trust at JPR go to promotion & marketing school, a Belgian Congo monastery?! AARRGGHH!!! Here's an example (below) of what another UK band is doing by exploiting their fanbase for a release. Okay, they gots a little more money than the Dels, but what they're doing is not that terribly expensive (and less expensive than the usual promote single/do chat show/tour UK-US-EC groove...) and it's reaching people at all corners of the globe... We love our boys, but this is just getting waaay too frustrating - even for the true-believers amongst us... Cheers, Jen in Chicago Blur have teamed up with iobox, Europe's leading mobile portal to bring fans a very special new version of their new single Music Is My Radar. Dave Rowntree has personally programmed a ringtone of Music Is My Radar, as well as a special blur logo, which can be downloaded by clicking on the iobox logo. e think this is the first time a band have given their fans their own version of a hit song to download to their mobile phone (for free)! To celebrate the release of blur: the best of, there are a series of special launch events happening on Monday 30th October at internet cafes across the land where you can check the new websites out for free (!) as well as win a host of lovely new blur: the best of swag. The venues are as follows:  Web 13, 13 Bread Street, EDINBURGH, EH3 9AL  CyberCafe, 9 Duke Street, CARDIFF CF10 1AY  NetAdventure, 68-70 Dalton Street, Dale End, BIRMINGHAM B4 7LX  onCoffee.net, 11 Christmas Steps, BRISTOL BS1 5BS  Planet Electra, 36 London Road, LIVERPOOL L3 5NF November 13th sees the release of blur: the best of on VHS and DVD. All 22 blur singles' videos from the 90's are contained here in chronological order starting with She's So High (those haircuts, those T-shirts) to the beautifully-shot "No Distance Left To Run" along with artwork and sleevenotes. You don't have to wait until the 13th Nov to watch all 22 videos back-to-back, however there are a series of screenings happening next week to celebrate the release of the best of. Here too you can win a whole load of blur posters and exclusive merchandise as well as pre-release copies of the album. The dates times and venues are: 1. Sunderland University - The Manouquay @ 9pm Sat 21st Oct 2. Heriot Watt University - Zero Degrees @ 8pm Tues 24th Oct 3. Sheffield Hallam University - The Hub @ 8pm Wed 25th Oct 4. Liverpool John Moores University - The Cooler @ 8pm Thurs 26th Oct 5. Leeds University - The Old Bar @8.30pm Thurs 26th Oct 6. UEA - The Hive Bar @ 7.30pm Fri 27th Oct 7. Bath University - The Plug Bar @ 9pm Fri 27th Oct 8. Newcastle University - Global Warming @ 5pm Fri 27th Oct 9. Manchester Met University - The Shebang @ 7.30pm Sat 28th Oct 10. Edinburgh University - The Potter Row @ 7pm Thurs 2nd Nov The Zodiac at Oxford are hosting a blur evening on 28th Oct, from 7-10. Tickets are free, and available from the following places: Modern Music, Abingdon, Music Box, Wallingford, Polar Bear, Oxford, HMV, Oxford, The Zodiac, Oxford. MELTDOWN FESTIVAL Blur's performance at this year's Meltdown festival was captured on film and can be seen right here from Thursday 5th October at 5pm (GMT) for a limited time only. This is the band's only live gig of the year and one which is essential viewing for fans old and new. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- BLUR RADIO To coincide with the release of 'blur: the best of' on 30th October, blur are launching their very own radio station on the internet! From Mid October, highlights of blur-radio will be available online through a select few sites (and www.blur-radio.com of course!) By October 28th, the full 12 hour schedule will be available online  Blur: the best of - a documentary presented by Stuart Maconie where the band talk about their career to date  Blur's Singles night show, recorded at Wembley Arena last year  Blur's B Sides Show, recorded at Camden Electric Ballroom last year  Blur at Alexandra Palace, recorded in 1994 at the height of the Brit-pop era  Blur's only show of 2000 - live at the Royal Festival Hall as part of Scott Walker's Meltdown  The Weird And Wonderful World Of Blur (Alex) - Alex James takes a sideways look at the band's career, with an assortment of Blur classics, along with b-sides, rarities, collaborations, solo tracks, remixes, and for the first time, previously unheard demo's from the archive!  The Weird And Wonderful World Of Blur (Graham) - Graham Coxon does similar!  Blur @ The Beeb - Steve Lamacq takes a trawl through the BBC's Blur archive and revisits some classic session tracks as well as unearthing some vintage interviews with Blur! Further details will be unveiled following Blur's appearance on Top Of The Pops + on Sunday 8th October 12 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- MUSIC IS MY RADAR Click below to see the new blur music video "Music is my Radar" - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- Blur will release their best of collection on October 30th. The album - blur: the best of - will feature 17 classic tracks, and one brand new song Music Is My Radar. Full track listing is as follows: Beetlebum // Song 2 // There's No Other Way // The Universal // Coffee & TV // Parklife // End Of A Century // No Distance Left To Run // Tender // Girls & Boys // Charmless Man // She's So High // Country House // To The End // On Your Own // This Is A Low // For Tomorrow (Primrose Hill version) // Music Is My Radar The album will be released on CD, cassette double vinyl, and minidisc formats. A limited edition of the CD will feature a bonus live CD, recorded at London's Wembley Arena in December 1999 during blur's 10th Anniversary Singles Night Tour. The full track listing of the live bonus CD is: She's So High // Girls & Boys // To The End // End Of A Century // Stereotypes // Charmless Man // Beetlebum // M.O.R. // Tender // No Distance Left To Run WEB GIG ARCHIVE Blur's B-Sides gig from the Electric Ballroom in Camden on September 6th (Monday) is now available in archive form, at both 28k and 56K Real Video format, from the blur:x website. ------------------------------ End of oppositeview-digest V2 #146 **********************************