From: owner-oppositeview-digest@smoe.org (oppositeview-digest) To: oppositeview-digest@smoe.org Subject: oppositeview-digest V4 #166 Reply-To: oppositeview@smoe.org Sender: owner-oppositeview-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-oppositeview-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk oppositeview-digest Wednesday, June 26 2002 Volume 04 : Number 166 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: OV: Re: Dels - The Future [MinervAthene@aol.com] OV: RE: Re: Dels - The Future ["claire barber (SRI)" ] OV: Re: World Cup & Del Amitri ["the Gardners" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2002 05:22:48 EDT From: MinervAthene@aol.com Subject: Re: OV: Re: Dels - The Future << They rarely do more than ninety minutes, if that. >> I've seen how much Justin sweats in those 90 minutes - perhaps they don't do longer sets for fear of dehydration?! ;) Sarah ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2002 10:37:46 +0100 From: "claire barber (SRI)" Subject: OV: RE: Re: Dels - The Future I did a deal with my partner - I went to see Iron Maiden with them and they came to see the Dels with me. I the short set was one of the comments they made about their first non-metal gig. Tickets were about the same price - but Maiden did 2 1/2 hrs. I have been going to concerts recently with bands doing longer - and although I loved the Oxford gig - I was disappointed with the length. They have the material - why not play it! Claire - -----Original Message----- From: Darren@bendcable.com [mailto:Darren@bendcable.com] Sent: 25 June 2002 00:06 To: oppositeview@smoe.org Subject: OV: Re: Dels - The Future The short shows, I agree with. There's this myth about "leave 'em wanting more". Where the hell did THAT come from? They're not coming back for years, why leave 'em wanting more, if you're not going to GIVE them more? Darren ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2002 11:01:38 +0100 From: "Johnson, Tony D" Subject: OV: RE: oppositeview-digest V4 #165 I read Tony Johnson say Dels shows wouldn't be as good with smaller halls with lesser lights, I couldn't disagree more. Surely the power of Dels live is their music?? Apart from Justin's banter and animated stage performance, they hardly have the most imaginative and mesmerising live show (apart from the appeal of some group members - excuse the pun - to female admirers). As far as I'm concerned, rock music doesn't belong to stadiums, arenas and concert halls anyway. Nigel, I didn't say that at all. I said that I don't think *they* think they would be as good without the trappings of larger venues, and may not want to go back to that. For myself, I agree with you, I reckon they would be excellent in a smaller venue. But there are a lot of logistics involved in getting those kind of gigs (I should know as they are the kind of places my own band is always looking to play). Plus I'm not sure if there would be any money in it for them. Certainly up for a drink next season. Cheers, Tony - ------------------------------------------------------------ The information contained in or attached to this email is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are not authorised to and must not disclose, copy, distribute, or retain this message or any part of it. It may contain information which is confidential and/or covered by legal professional or other privilege (or other rules or laws with similar effect in jurisdictions outside England and Wales). The views expressed in this email are not necessarily the views of Centrica plc, and the company, its directors, officers or employees make no representation or accept any liability for its accuracy or completeness unless expressly stated to the contrary. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2002 11:01:32 -0400 From: SngWrite1@aol.com Subject: OV: The future Here's my ideas for the Dels: 1. Get out. It's time for Mercury to fish or cut bait. If they're not going to bother promoting the record, tell them to have the courtesy to drop you now. That's better than waiting around for a year or two and doing another record and then the label saying, "Oh we're not putting this out." You'll be better served in the long run, because you can find (or form) a new label who will do better for you. 2. Cut back. It's never fun taking a step backwards, especially if it's a down from a comfort level it took you a long time to achieve. But it is better to be a band that travels by van than a band that does not travel. As someone recently reiterated, it's about the music, not the lights (based on some reviews, it seems like it's about Justin's pants!). 3. Give more. 90 minutes is not enough. I don't care if you're sweating away 10 pounds a night. You've got the material, and the fans want to hear it. How many times have you said in the Q&A that "Oh we couldn't play that song that night because I was in the wrong tuning."? Um, why not just re-tune? Can't remember the words? Who cares, give it a go, the crowd knows 'em better than you probably and will help you out. For a band with 6 studio albums (yeah 6, don't forget that debut record - if you're proud of it as you say, play a tune from it now & then!) and several albums worth of b-sides, your minimum set should be 2 hours. We're fans of your music, we want more! 4. Check the books. If you're not making money touring, something is wrong. So many acts say that they survive on touring since there is usually no money coming in from the actual record deal. Find out why you seem to be the exception. 5. Focus. If you weren't in the band what would draw you to it? What are your strengths? There's nothing wrong with playing to your strengths, as long as you don't get stale. Sonic experimentation is all well and good (I for one find the new album sonically refreshing after the claustraphobic mix of SOSP), but don't lose sight of the hook for the band - great songs sung by a great singer backed up with a very powerful band. 6. Come back! America is waiting. Plenty of artists with solid fanbases tour without a record. So what are you waiting for? Hell, do an acoustic club tour (low overhead). ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2002 23:18:25 +0200 From: Dirk v d Heyde Subject: OV: World Cup & Del Amitri I still can not believe that we made it through to the final. This is almost the WORST German side I have seen (in terms of skills). So ... whats the difference to France, England, Argentina or Portugal? It Is probably that our side doesnt contain pop stars but players who dont care about their looks while in the fray. It surely is a bit embarrassing watching the Germans play and I hope others wont copy the style. But at the end of the day I am happy that team spirit wins over stardom, thats something you cant buy. Thinking about Del Amitri I feel utterly disappointed! Lets face it: the new album is, from an artistic point of view, mediocre, far from being a classic. The band doesnt care much about us, compared to the effort of other bands in the same position. there are numerous examples of different approaches but the band still seems to have these strange eighties pop star attitudes. Information policy: nothing! Special gigs (like a three hours set of b-sides): nothing! yes, there are bands doing this sort of stuff! Special releases to the fan base: nothing! If there werent the many of you, whom I traded with and laughed about reading posts (the vomit story for example..), I would have quit. I do confess that I havent bought the new album yet and I am better off hunting the old stuff (btw: where is that rip-off additional live recording copy of Can You do me Good?). I am not going to finance the drug habits of a frustrated middle aged song writer. Dont get me wrong: Del Amitri were the first words I typed into a search engine years ago and it was a revelation! I remember travelling to Bonn, Berlin, Hamburg, Jelling and many other places. Trading tapes was a lot of fun too, finding a copy of Sense Sickness for 30 quid was not too bad either. I will stay on the list till it dies but I somehow get the impression that the fans deserve better treatment by the band! Dirk ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2002 22:34:36 -0400 From: "the Gardners" Subject: OV: Re: World Cup & Del Amitri > Thinking about Del Amitri I feel utterly disappointed! Lets face it: > the new album is, from an artistic point of view, mediocre, far from > being a classic. The band doesnt care much about us, compared to the > effort of other bands in the same position. there are numerous > examples of different approaches but the band still seems to have > these strange eighties pop star attitudes. Au contrare, mon ami!! (but said like a Southerner does: "aww con-trer-ee , mon am-eee!") I've been listening to the new album often these last few weeks, and today nearly all afternoon in the studio and it has really gotten under my skin... Justin's vocals are absolutely wonderful, and there are some gems in the lyrics that keep coming back to my mind long after the song is over. Think of the album as the next logical step after Suckers Parade, and it makes sense in the progression of the band's style. Goodness knows it sounds different from Change Everything (which rarely leaves my cd player) but it shines all on its own. Whether it is a classic or not is sheer opinion, but no one can deny that it is unique and obviously created with a bit of introspective musing, some sincerity and a lot of determined self-expression. I admire the sheer audacity of anyone who sticks to their muse when they probably know their fans expect something else, and would give them a listen just to try to hear what it is that they are so hell-bent on saying. Go out and get the album. Listen, really listen to it - hey, has anyone noticed the references to guns? Wonder what this means... I think while I try to figure it out, I'll go clean my Smith & Wesson 38 ... > Special releases to the fan base: nothing! But what about all that stuff Kevin and Ali have given us, the songs available on the web site before we could get our mittens on the cd? And the band diary has been great, as difficult as it was to fathom if anyone but Iain was writing it. And howsabout the band Q & A and the photos, which are the delight of a visually-oriented obsessive like me. Those are nice extras, imho and intended for diehard fans just like us... > If there werent the many of you, whom I traded with and laughed about > reading posts (the vomit story for example..), I would have quit. I do > confess that I havent bought the new album yet and I am better off hunting the old stuff... May I just say you are the OVer a certain friend of mine holds in very high regard among the longtime regulars, and she would join me in saying we'd miss your presence if you were to depart and I certainly would've never heard Cringe if it weren't for you I think. TTFN Susan ------------------------------ End of oppositeview-digest V4 #166 **********************************