Conference marvin::uk_music

    >>Their new album is out soon, so you'll probably see some publicity 
    >>around.  It's  called.....(and this is great!)......

				   PHUQ

    >>I'd love to hear the radio presenters trying to say it without it sounding 
    >>like the word it is obviously supposed to sound like!
    
    Hilarious. I wonder if they've ever HEARD of the Sex Pistols? Bill
    Grundy would have been proud of `em.
    
    Phil Gill.

    Oh dear, I entered .1 BEFORE I read the `exchange' in 18.*
    
    For the avoidance of doubt: Matt, I was joking when I wrote `Hilarious'
    in my previous note. I was being sarcastic. This is not an attack on
    your favourite band, I am merely pointing out that using risqu� words
    on album covers is not an original idea, some may even say it is rather
    tedious in its unoriginality.
    
    There, that should just about get me out of that one.
    
    Phil Gill.
    
    P.S. Didn't we go through this exercise with one Gary Salisbury a few
    months ago? He was sacked three weeks ago incidentally. You listening
    Matt? :-)

Yawn..

   >> Yawn..
    
    A reference to the album title? Precisely, that's what I thought when I 
    read your note about it.
    
    Glad that you have found at least one thing to agree with one person
    about in here.
    
    Phil Gill.

I refuse to take any blame, whatsoever, for the argument you are attempting to 
stir up.  I do not intend on receiving more of the abuse that I received earlier 
on.  I have now judged the level at which this conference operates, and will 
respond to notes accordingly.  This does not include rising to 
bait/bate/whatever from people who think it's funny to drag things on for as 
long as they can.

Forget it.,.If you have something constructive to say about the WiLDHEARTS, then 
say it.  If not, don't.

From,
A sincere and amazed (at the cheek of it) Matt.

even though I'm clearly the only person in here to have heard of the 
WiLDHEARTS, they're releasing a mail-order only "EP" of 7 tracks and 44 
minutes.  It is 8 pounds and has already received what can only be described as 
rapturous reviews in the rock press.  Kerrang magazine gave it a maximum 5/5 
and hailed it as one of the greatest records ever.  I'm looking forward to 
getting my grubby mitts on a copy, but production is limited and priority goes 
to people on the WiLDHEARTS mailing list (i.e. me).  Tracks include "Fishing 
for Luckies" and the wonderously titled "If life is a lovebank, I want an 
overdraft".

You can continue scoffing at this band, but when they achieve the noteriety 
they are gradually reaching, you'll all be going "Oh yeah.  The WiLDHEARTS.  
That loony in UK_MUSIC was always going on about them"

Watch out, here they come, and they clearly mean business this time (even if 
they don't want to sell any records).

    You expect us to take seriously any band that Kerrang gave 5 stars
    to...;-)
    
    Mikef

Well, I'm going to continue with this stuff, because in a few months, or after 
I've gone, people are going to be in this conf. asking "Anyone know anything 
about the Wildhearts?", to which you may reply "Why, yes!  There is a 
comprehensive discography and history of said band in topic 1243"

Anyway, Three bits of info.  Firstly, 
This week saw the release of the double A sided single "If life is like a 
lovebank, I want an overdraft/Geordie in Wonderland".  Two other tracks (on all 
formats) are "Hate the world day" and "Fired up".  "..overdraft.." is far too 
heavy for radio stations to play, but the other songs are perfect slices of 70s 
inspired pop/punk/metal  (yeuch.  I said metal! <slap>).  Influences in there 
include Slade, T-Rex and even the Quo, but it's all heavied up and given a 
little more integrity.

2
==

The video for "...overdraft.." has been banned by everyone, including the 
record company, now, for being too sexually explicit.

3
==
3 members of the WiLDHEARTS allegedly burst into the offices of Kerrang 
magazine, and proceeded to trash it, causing 2000 quidsworth of damage.  
Apparently, it was because the previous week, Kerrang had rumoured of strife 
within the band, and suggested that the recently departed guitarist, CJ. had 
got a major record deal, and was set to eclipse the WiLDHEARTS.

    Sigh, boys will be boys, eh?
    
    Matt, are you sure you're not getting this lot mixed up with those
    naughty Sex Pistols chaps?
    
    Phil Gill.

    Gosh, I'm really impressed by this band. Wow their antics have made me
    decide that they are the next best thing...
    
    

    
    So they are influenced by Status Quo, have sexually explicit lyrics
    and have a member called CJ.
    
    Watch out world.
    
    Andy
    
                    
    
    

...pah!  Nice to see you let the music speak for itself then.

The band are one of those "legalise everything, stop controlling our lives" 
type bands, and everyone who knows them or knows of them realises that it isn't 
a publicity stunt.  The "explicit" video (I've seen it, and it's nothing that 
Madonna wouldn't put out) is relavant to the song, and if they want to put some 
women in bondage gear in it, then that's fine by me %-)  Kerrang have been 
desperately trying to screw up the Wildhearts for a while, although they 
mysteriously keep giving them 5/5 in their reviews, and the wildhearts decided 
they'd go round and sort it out.  They were probably all pissed at the time, 
and I neglected to mention that Ginger, the singer.songwriter.guitarist shares 
a flat with a Kerrang journalist - hence, it was possibly in good humour (?)

I don't think anyone's impressed with it all, and it annoys me that it could 
have a detrimental effect on a burgeoning career. It's obviously put you lot 
off (even more), but frankly, if you were going to like them, you would've 
heard/read about them anyway, by now.

BTW, no-one was so cynical when the Who, Hendrix etc. were going round trashing 
things on stage, and everywhere else, it's just that it's seen as a cliche.  
However, it obviously still happens.  

Don't speculate on the calibre of this band until you've heard a couple of 
their tracks.

And the Wildhearts aren't?  From where do you make this assumption/judgement?

BTW, a lot of what the Who did was utter crap.  Some of it was superb, but some 
of it was dross.

    >From where do you make this assumption/judgement?
    
    My terminal in DEC Park
    
    Stuart

...surpassing even your own usual standards of wit, today, Stuart.

Hope you cynical chaps noticed that on last night's TOTP, they "predicted" that 
Wildhearts would enter the chart on Sunday (this invariably means that they 
will, as the "predictions" are taken from the midweek chart).  This isn't bad 
showing, considering no-one plays them on the radio.

    Matt
    
    Presumably we'll be able to judge your "wunderband" on next weeks' TOTP
    then

Yeah, highly likely.

    The charts are rigged.

Oh dear.  What brought that on?

    
>>>  The charts are rigged.
    
    errr, would you like to expand on this a bit ? Not that I'm disagreeing
    with you at all, in fact I wholeheartedly agree - but there may well be
    a few readers out there who think that the records they buy have an impact
    on the chart positions....
    
    Graham 

    You're suggesting that people actually buy the tosh that is in
    the charts?

    JMO of course.

    
 >>   You're suggesting that people actually buy the tosh that is in
 >>   the charts?
    
    ...just read some of the notes in here ! not only do people buy them,
    they apparently listen to them and want to know what the lyrics are...
    
    G.

Who else does?  Independant record companies can't afford to fiddle the charts, 
so quite a lot of records are only bought by the fans.  Agreed, East17 must 
have rather light pockets after buying loads of copies of their Xmas single, in 
order to keep Oasis off no.1

>    You're suggesting that people actually buy the tosh that is in
>    the charts?

yeah.  My sister, for a start.

Chris.

Sorry, saw this lot on TOTP 2 on Saturday; something about Love/Bank/Overdraft.
Much as I'd like to have liked it I wasn't impressed; it was all pretty
derivative stuff.

Was this the one with the "explicit" video?

Guy

         <<< Note 1243.23 by ARRODS::WHITEHEADJ "Shades of Scarlett" >>>

>    You're suggesting that people actually buy the tosh that is in
>    the charts?

     Jane,

     There is no accounting for taste. Some people like Goth and would you
     believe it , but some people even like the Eurovision stuff.

     Funny old world, innit?

     Stuart

    >    You're suggesting that people actually buy the tosh that is in
    >    the charts?
     
    > My sister, for a start.
    
    >Chris.
    
     Oh yeah...'Its for my sister, honest...'
    
    Mikef

Ahem!  Number 30 in Sunday's chart.  It's a shame that BBC chose to play 
If....Overdraft, and not "Geordie in Wonderland" which, IMO, is a far better 
song.  However, ..overdraft is a great energetic song, which I can see being 
very popular in the student clubs etc.

Also saw the "explicit" version of the video on Sunday (MTV), and quite 
frankly, I thought it was fine.  The pictures were the same as the edited 
version, only there were comments written on the screen, some of which had 
innuendos.  I wish they'd stop censoring stuff like this.  I bet they had to 
edit the song before they'd play it on TV/Radio.

>     Oh yeah...'Its for my sister, honest...'
>    
>    Mikef

yeah, it gets a bit embarrasing when her birthday comes around again and
she insists that I get her a CD by some particularly loathsome band.  I
have to go to the record shop in disguise.  Still, I admit to having some
horrible mistakes in my record collection.

Chris.

Maybe it's time for a "Crap records in my collection"-type topic?

I can think of quite a few, unfortunately.

    I saw their '...Overdraft' video yesterday on MTV's Headbangers Ball -
    where else can you get these exquisite Sepultura or Carcass videos - and
    quite liked it. The video wasn't really offensive, either.
    
    But then later on the show, I thought, hey, here they are again, God, these
    guys are popular - but it was in fact another band called The Almighty.
    Exact same style. Liked it too.  

The almighty are fronted by Ricky Warwick - the husband of Vannessa Warwick 
(Headbangers ball presenter).  Their albums are "Blood Fire and Love", "Blood 
Fire and Live", "Soul Destruction", "Powertrippin" and "Crank".  I once saw The 
almighty, the Wildhearts and Kerbdog at a gig.  Super!  Wildhearts are the best 
of them though, hence the current hype.

Matt$TriviaRus

You cynics will be glad to hear that you've got one last chance to see the 
WiLDHEARTS on TOTP tomorrow night.  I assume they'll be playing the rather 
TOTP-unfriendly "If life....overdraft".  

Got hold of "Fishing for Luckies" (the mail-order only EP) today.  I'm now 
convinced that this band are the real thing.  It's remarkable.  For the record, 
the tracks are :

Inglorious  (7.47)
If life is like a lovebank, I want an overdraft  (3.51)
Schizophonic  (8.27)
Do the channel bop  (7.40)
Geordie in Wonderland  (2.49)
Sky Babies (11.24)

I'm not surprised it's mail-order only, as I reckon the style of this album 
would go completely over your average metal/indie/punk's head.

    
    Matt, from experience Bands that sell records mail-order do it because
    they can't get a deal with a record company.
    
    Read into that what you will.... %^)
    
    Graham

From observation, the WiLDHEARTS have a healthy record deal with the Warner 
Bros. subsidiary, EastWest records.  There is a full album due out in March, 
and this one was intended as a "fan-club" only release.  The reasoning behind 
it was that the band were fed up of fans writing to them and complaining that 
HMV were charging 14.99 for the album.  "Fishing for Luckies" cost 8.00 inc. 
p&p, whereas HMV and their ilk would've attempted to charge at least 12.49.  
Also, I would've thought it clear that they have a record deal, as they are on 
TOTP tomorrow!

Matt$settingtherecordstraight.

Re back-a-few

For a punk/HM/three-chord band most of those tracks are remarkably long
(7/8 mins).  Do we get extended intro, extended outro, excruciating drum
solo or what?

(or are the tracks really worth 7/8 minutes?)

Interested,

Guy

They tend to pack a lot into their songs, usually, which makes them a bit 
frantic.  Many bands, of this ilk, have song structures like :

Verse
Verse
Bridge
Chorus
Verse
Bridge 
Chorus
Solo
Chorus
...and stuff like that - The only remotely tuneful bit being the Chorus.  The 
Wildhearts, however, appear to write tuneful verses, then a different tune for 
the bridge, then a different for the chorus.  It's hard to explain, but there's 
a lot of good music in there.  The approach on this album has been to seperate 
these bits, making it more listenable, IMO.

On a couple of the songs, there's a nice anthemic pop melody, with driven 
guitars etc., and to break the song up, there's a 2 minute instrumental 
grooving bit, before the singing comes back and lifts it back up into singalong 
mode.  It's really hard to describe, as you can probably tell.  The only way is 
to hear a couple of select tracks.  

If anyone wants to send me a blank tape for a taste of what this band are like, 
they're welcome.  Obviously, I'm not condoning piracy etc... ;-)

    Glad to see that I wasn't disappointed with The Wildhearts on TOTP last
    night. They were absolute tosh. A talentless version of the Toy
    Dolls...
    
    Stuart

Rather odd that they chose what was effectively the B-side, but amusing 
nevertheless.  A mail they sent out recently said that if they got on TOTP they 
would enlist the help of Kevin Keegan and try and stir the crowd into a 
singalong.  Didn't work, but lifted TOTP out from the depths of the trite they 
usually play.  Apart from the Wildhearts and Green Day, I can't remember what 
any of the other faceless bands were.

    TOTP effectively sent me to sleep last night. I remember the tv being
    on but even Green Day couldn't rouse me from my slumbers. I was
    tired...
    
    
    Rod

    
    I find it helps if you have the subtitles on teletext switched on when
    trying to watch TOTP.  Half an hour of mindlessly hilarious viewing.
    
    C.

    re-1
    
    You're over a year late with that suggestion...but it is very funny! 
    Especially if the Orb are playing:
    
    <bleeping noise here>
    <sort of shooom sound>
    <clanging type thing>
    
    Mikef

Wildhearts, eh?  Who was that prat in the Newcastle strip and the Paul
Stanley make up?  Whoever he was he should do the world a favour and
kill himself.  Their only saving grace was that the singer appears to
have developed a sartorial clue since the lovebank/overdraft video.

And who the hell were that lot with the butch singer and failed Prodigy
wannabe dancer?  The blurb said they'd sold 250,000 copies of that derivative
tosh (hell, they even nicked the main riff from the Prodigy).

You may get the impression that I wasn't impressed with last night's fayre.

Guy

p.s. was it just me or did "Geordie in Wonderland" remind anybody else
of "Fairytale of New York" ?

Yeah, it reminded me of that, first time I heard it too.  Obviously you're all 
entitles to slate it on last night's showing, and I can't be bothered to 
convince anyone that it wasn't typical of the band.  Before I close the matter, 
I'll say the following :

a) It's their only "ballad", and was written as a joke.

b) It was written when Newcastle were flying high in the premiership, and the 
   band were chuffed.  According to NME, Kevin Keegan appreciated it! 

c) If you can't be arsed to sample more typical Wildhearts fayre, then so be it, 
   it's you who've missed out, according to me and the music press, not the 
   band.

   >>> it's you who've missed out, according to me and the music press, not the 
                                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    
    ...hey, careful there Matt, what I think of the music press probably
    doesn't apply to you...%^)
    
    G.
            

<sigh>

Q, Select and Vox (the 3 "rock/pop" mags) gave the band good reviews.  As did 
NME or MM, as I remember.  The "rock/metal" press were ecstatic, with 
Kerrang/Blammo/Thwack/whatever giving it full marks, RAW and Metal Hammer 
giving it good marks too.  Whatever you think of the music press, when they all 
agree something's good, it quite often is.  If you look at the aforementioned 
publications' bestof94 type efforts, they all include albums which very few 
people dispute were rather good e.g.Portishead, Oasis....  I would guess that 
you're not the intended market for the Wildhearts anyway, so I'm not 
particularly surprised or concerned at your cynicism.  I don't go blurting out 
about how crap bands like Killing Joke are, as I've only heard a couple of 
their songs.  I don't think that you really qualify to criticise, considering 
your limited "experience" of the band's output.  If you'd heard their album, 
and thought it was crap, then that's fine.  But, you haven't, and I assume that 
you haven't read their press either, as you appear to be above the UK music 
press.

er...I hope that didn't sound like a personal attack, it's just that it bothers 
me when people attack things before they've even heard them - which, after all, 
is the point of music - to listen to it, and not to pre-judge on the strength 
of publicity stunts and novelty/joke records.

Sorry, I guess that was a bit nasty.

8-)

    So, what you're telling us, Matt, is that the Wildhearts are good but
    they blew their TOTP appearance?
    
    
    Rod

No, I just think that a) it wasn't understood as it was intended i.e. a kind of 
jokey "we love Newcastle, toon army etc." sort of lament, and that b) it's not 
a good song to play on Telly.  Mind you, none of their songs are.  I thought it 
was quite amusing, actually, but it seems that some people thought it was 
serious, thus missing the point somewhat.  For those of you who can stoop low 
enough to thumb this week's NME, see the article on the inside front page.

So what would be a good introduction to the band as they should be seen
(without breaking the bank - like I'm not looking for the triple CD
live rareties collection)?

Thx,

Guy

    
    Matt, not sure where you got the idea that they're 'not my sort of
    music' from ! I *think* I've heard the Wildhearts once, they obviously
    didn't leave a great impression but few bands do, the first time you
    hear them (The Stone Roses being a notable exception %^;) however I
    wouldn't comment on their ability without further listens.
    
    As for my taste in music - and therefore, my 'type' of music - I
    realise I risk all sorts of comment but here's a few...
    
    Aaron Lee, Allman Bros, All aboyut Eve, AC-DC, Beatiful People, Be-Bop
    Deluxe, Byrds, Badfinger, Beatiful South, Boston, Church, Creeps, Clash,  
    Cheap Trick, Eric Clapton, Candlemass, Alice Cooper, Crystal Set, Demon,
    Damned, Dylan, Doors, ELP, ELO, ELOY, Flock Of Seagulls, Farenheit,
    Fleur, Flaming groovies, Flash_&_The_Pan, flasher, John Foxx, Grateful
    Dead,  Genesis, Godflesh, God Machine, Galaxy 500, Hawkwind, Hendrix,
    Happy Mondays....
    
    sorry, but my fingers are getting tired, and I've got code to fix - 
    I'm sure you get the picture.... the only categories I put music into
    is that which I like and that which I don't like - if I haven't heard
    it then it isn't in a category yet.
     
    By all means disagree with peoples views, but don't assume you know
    where they're coming from - it's always possible you don't %^)
    
    Graham
    

er...you could try the "Suckerpunch" CD single, if you don't want to spend much 
(I dunno, 1.99? 2.99? you can't really go wrong, if you manage to find it.  
It's got 4 songs on it, I seem to remember).  The title track borrows in style 
from Ace of Spades, but there's a healthy spread of their different approaches 
on it.  The problem with the wildhearts is that they have developed with every 
record they've made.  

I think Suckerpunch would give the best idea.  Mind you, there's always the 
blank tape etc. option, though of course I wouldn't want to sound as if I'm 
condoning piracy....

Yeah, Nuff's a fairy, Graham.  I got a few different responses mixed up in my 
head, and slagged them all in one reply 8-)

BTW, Candlemass?

Q magazine likened the WH to Metallica crossed with the Beach boys.  Fairly 
accurate, I suppose.

Speaking as a Geordie, if I find someone coming up to me with a "You must be a 
Wildhearts fan then" sort of look, I'll run a mile! God, that was embarrassing 
last night - bring back Lindisfarne.

And yes, Matt, you're absolutely right, I shouldn't judge the band on the 
strngth of one "b-side".

grahame

    
    Matt, I did wonder if you had your notes a bit mixed up, after all I
    haven't really commented on The Wildhearts music (yet), just on your
    'enthusiastic' approach to it !
    
    I should also have pointed out that I don't actually like all of the
    records I own... I've purchased a few 'job lots' over the years, and
    the Candlemass LP was one of 350+ I bought from a friend who thinks
    CD's are better %^) ... I listened to it once, its awful - but the
    covers okay.
    
    BTW, it wasn't intended to be a complete list, in fact I missed off the
    all important "Amon Duhl II" from the 'A's, If you want to find out
    where some of the so called 'new wave of whateva...' bands get their
    ideas from (altho' I'm sure they'd deny it) you should try listening to
    bands like ADII, Gong, Can, Hawkwind, Pink Fairies etc... most of this
    stuff's been done before, the difference is it used to be played rather
    than sampled with any electronic bits being done on 'home made' kit;
    Del Detmar & Dik Mik being the main musicians/engineers for Hawkwind in
    the electronics dept....
    
    Anyway, back to the Wildhearts...
    
    Graham
    

You'll be surprised to hear that I've got some stuff by Gong and the pink 
Fairies.  Blimey, they must've been on some good stuff!

Re being a Geordie,

I also get tired of people saying `you must like Sting/Dire Straits (the
Knoplers are Scots, aren't they?)/Toy Dolls/etc', which is a bit dull.

Re Amon Duul,

I keep hearing people talking about this lot, especially from other
HawkFans... what're they like then?

Chris.

>I also get tired of people saying `you must like Sting/Dire Straits (the
>Knoplers are Scots, aren't they?)/Toy Dolls/etc', which is a bit dull.

Apropos of nothing, I understand that the Toy Dolls are still very popular
in Japan.

Guy

p.s. however in the same article it said that (whatever happened to) Helloween
are "gods" in Japan; this might say a lot for Japanese popular taste.

<sings> " Doctor Stein makes funny creatures, lets them run into the 
	  Niiiiiigght!"

ahem.

BTW, it appears that I know have an ally in matters relating to the WiLDHEARTS.  
I'll leave it for him to own up to it, but suffice it to say that everyone who 
I've given/leant/played tapes to have liked them.

If you're sad enough to purchase VOX magazine, you'll find a live version of 
"Greetings from $h!tsville" on it, as well as tracks by Dodgy and The Wedding 
Present - so I should be well happy.

    I'm sad enough - and you get some colour pics of Tanyyaaaaaaaaaa.
    
    sorry
    
    mikef

BTW, the "know" in the 1st line of my note should've been a "now"!!!


...and Mike, don't worry, I was sad enough too.  Bit of a weird picture of 
Paula Yates in there, too.  Freaky!  Never seen her "sans kit" before!

Everybody's favourite band (Yes, that's right, the WiLDHEARTS), have a page 
feature in MM this week.  Maybe the fact that MM and NME have dedicated a few 
pages to them may convince some cynics that this band aren't your average metal 
band, but appeal to a far wider audience, even encompassing - it appears - the 
inkies.

heheheheh.  Just found a "Wildhearts" topic in the zitmungous Heavy_metal conf.  
Somebody else out there likes them!!!

New Wildhearts single out on April 8th.  "I wanna go where the people go".
Perfect slice of punk-pop for the summer.  Very catchy "chorus", which is 
entrenched in my head already.  "PHUQ" will be out at the beginning of May.

    Wot no update on attempted suicide by singer 'Ginge'?

really?  blimey.  Last thing I heard, they were holed out in New York, or 
somewhere, filming the new video.  Where d'you hear this then?

Matt$stopped_reading_the_mags.

    This weeks NME.  They relocated to New York to chill out for a while
    after the lead singer came close/tried to commit suicide.  
    
    mikef

    This weeks NME. Geordie frontman tried to top himself after he
    suffered "an emotional breakdown". Goes onto say something about
    him not liking London much.
    
    Andy 
                                                     
    

    re last. Sorry bit late with mail there!
    
    Andy

    Obviously he is trying to create a bit of attention for the band. On
    the subject of those who wish to top themselves, any news on the
    missing Manic Street Preacher?

Mr. Cynicism returns.

    The Manics guy is still missing.  No news at all.  Both of this weeks
    music papers devote a lot of time to the subject, and a lot of letters
    from peeps about it also.
    
    mikef

He's probably lying on a beach in Barbados...

Stuart, FYI, Ginger has a history of depression (as some people do, out here in 
the real world), and has used it in his songs on a number of occasions; notably 
"Greetings from S**tsville <NW3>", and "Down on London".  I haven't seen 
anything about it, but I would venture that people don't tend to have 
breakdowns voluntarily.

1243.45 (me)

> Whoever he was he should do the world a favour and kill himself

1243.70 (mike)

>They relocated to New York to chill out for a while
>after the lead singer came close/tried to commit suicide.

OK, so I was talking about the guitarist, not the singist, but that was
too close for comfort.  I'll just shut up in future.

Guy

Guy, that "prat" was a stand in, as the guitarist had been kicked out of the 
band a few weeks before the appearance.

hth

err...in fact, it was the bloke out of the Senseless Things, if I remember 
correctly.

... prat, senseless thing, same thing really.

I reckon this is all just a big put on - Matt was getting worried that
the Take That note (huge, ever expanding, ultraverse etc) was soon
going to be bigger than the WiLDHEARTS note, so he's been putting
scurrilous rumours about to generate more replies.

Guy

it weren't me that started it, matey!

    No, it was going to be bigger than the Weddoes note.

    What Weddoes note?

"I wanna go where the people go" finally got released today.  Comes in various 
formats, but all containing the 4 previously unreleased tracks (including the 
cassette version, which is only 99p in Our Price).

If anyone is still mildly interested in getting in on the WiLDHEARTS action, 
I'd suggest you gather up your small change, and at least go for the tape 
(let's face it, there's nothing to lose for 99p is there?).

CD comes in 2 formats, one of which is the special "passport pack", which is 
only 1.99 in Our Price.  Green River had the cheek of asking for 4.49 for the 
passport pack, so I told them where to shove it (politely, obviously).

    Didnt the lp get a good review in Vox last week?
    
    Mikef (still trying to tune in)

Haven't been able to get hold of Vox, Mike.  Is that the blue one with the book 
on it?  No-one's got it round here.

    Yeah - came out last week.  I thkn its gone bi-monthly, which is
    usually a bad sign.  Has some pics of Julianna Hatfield in it tho!
    
    mikef

I wondered where it had got to!  It'd be a shame if it went under, it's
one of about only 3 monthlies which I think are worth reading.

Chris.

    I thought they'd just delayed this issue by a couple of weeks so that
    they didn't compete head-to-head with Q every month. They both used to
    come out around the first of the month. I'd buy both, but as they both
    used to contain the same stuff, only read half of each.

I heard the end of a plug Chris Evans was doing on r1 this morn.  He said 
something about Oasis and the WiLDHEARTS being on some show (tonight, I think).  
This is probably the evening session, unless Collins & Marconie are on, or 
summat.  Anyway, he said that they'd been flown in from NY to play live.  
Should be err....interesting.

    
    Chris Evans is presenting TOTP on Thursday, Which is being recorded
    tonight...
    
    Neil..

Well I even listened to 15 minutes of that irritating pillock's breakfast
show just to hear the new Wildhearts single - which is his record of the
week.  In at number 16 in the chart, and Mr Evans assured us that it was
going to go "aaaaaallll the way folks".  Anyway, now I've heard a
Wildhearts record.


Guy

p.s. picture this - Guy with SO in trendy reccid shop

SO - "Oooh look!  It's the new Wildhearts single for 99p"
G  - "Eh? What?"
SO - "The Wildhearts!  They were on TOTP, they're great!"
G  - "Oh God.  I give up"

Guy,

I heard the Wildhearts record as well.

That Charlie Chuckles is a card ain't he?

> That Charlie Chuckles is a card ain't he?

I think that should read "needs a card" like "You have been visited
by the Crewe Inter City Firm", or possibly the ones that Robert Duval
was handing out in Apocalypse Now.

Guy

Charlie Chuckles?  Utter tripe IMO.  Mind you, that's just asking for similar 
comments regarding the Wildhearts.  What did you reckon then, chaps?


<prepares for backlash>

SNARF!

I quite enjoyed the Wildhearts in a sort of jump-around-drink-lots-of-lager-and
vomit kind of way.  I don't think it suits 8.20 am really tho.  Why did
the beginning remind of  Kiss' "Detroit, Rock City"?  Is my brain toast
or is there a genuine similarity?  (and I'm not being critical, all "pop"
music is the sum of its predecessors in one way and another)

Guy

    
>>> Why did the beginning remind of  Kiss' "Detroit, Rock City"?
    
    ...Yeah, sort of Kiss meets the Ramones, not that this really matters -
    it's not a bad record. In recent interviews I've heard the
    ex-Wildhearts guys say they liked to take the best of every kind of
    music.....
    
    Graham

The current Wildhearts guys (particularly the frontman, Ginger) admit to taking 
their influences and bringing them into the 90s.  The last album included bits 
of everything; reggae bits, beach boys p*** takes etc.  It's rare that they 
pinch an actual tune though.  About a year ago, I wondered how long they could 
continue to be so prolificly creative (They tend to include 3 new songs on each 
single along with the title track), and so consistent.  I expect that we'll 
hear a fair few "familiar" riffs appearing on the next record, but they won't 
be as blatant as Elastica.  

Anyway, glad you (kindof) liked it.  

Never did.  There are a lot of us out here...

    Theres a lot of him too...
    
    mikef

    Kiss? Good Lord, there will be a Uriah Heep/Nazareth topic before you know 
    it. 
      
    barry.

re .106

Cheeky b**t*rd!

    >Kiss? Good Lord, there will be a Uriah Heep/Nazareth topic before you know 
    >it. 
    >  
    >barry.
    
    
    See 704.*, Uriah Heep - 20 years of rock, in this conference.
    
    Helpfully
    
    Balders

    
    re:.109
    
    Oh bugger, I've probably got 'bout ten notes in there...I'm off to
    start the deletions!
    
    Chris.

    re .110
    
    Don't you mean "Eric the pot plant aged 5 and a half (alias Chris)."
    
    Oh how we change over 5 years, eh?
    
    Balders

    
    I don't think I've changed much, just that my comments don't reflect
    what's going on inside me head!!!
    
    Chris.

I suspect you've "grown", Chris.  

    
    Not as much as you have allegedly, Matt.
    
    C.

Yup, well there's normally a bit of a difference between the size of a 15 year 
old and a 20 year old...

    Don't be disgusting !!!!!
    
    Ian
    

err....I'm not talking about *that*!

Last night, Bruce Dickinson played 3 songs off the new album, together with an 
interview with Ginger.  The rather excellent songs were "Just in Lust", "V-Day" 
and summat else that I didn't hear the title of (it was a 2 minute job, anyway)

Album release has been put back another week, as is usual for WH releases, so 
I've got another week of torturous anticipation to look forward to.

Well they played the single again on the Radio this AM.
Horror of horrors I caught myself humming it a while later.
Think I'll just amble off and kill myself now.

Guy

'Don't be happy, just worry' is in some Virgin cheapo CD promotion at the
minute - I think it was �6.99.

Guy

Bloody Cheek!  It's a double EP and should only be sold for 7.99 anyway!  I got 
it for 5.99 when it was released!

Today's the day......"p.h.u.q." is upon us....I shall be speeding into town to 
pick up the special "purple velour-covered" edition!




Matt$excited...

*impressed*

    Matt,
    
    Would this be a good time to send you a blank tape or do you expect me
    to invest my own money in this 'ere band of yours ?
    
    Dave

Dave, I would (honestly) suggest that you send me a tape.  I suspect that if 
you were to buy it without hearing it, you'd think you'd been conned.  A couple 
of the tracks are very disjointed (reminiscent of Mondo-a-kimbo-a-gogo), and 
take a few listens to get into.  Mind you, some of the others are obvious hit 
singles - "Just in Lust", "V-day" and the highly amusing "Getting it" (which 
ends with the lyric..."it goes on and on and on and on and on...etc., finally 
being stopped by a woman screaming "SHUT UP!".  Then, there's a funny little 
bonus thing which had me and my housemate laughing rather loudly).

I'll do you a crap copy, so that if you like it you'll have to buy it, in order 
to get a decent recording.  How does that sound?


p.s. got my autochanger inc. Shed 7 stuff back...will try and remember 
tomorrow.

    
    re:.125
    
    Dave, why bother, you know that every time you send someone a tape you
    end up with mindless never-ending drivel on both sides of it once
    returned!
    
    Chris.

Nah, that's just if he sends them to you, Chris.  Maybe it's a Northern thing..

    
    >>Maybe it's a Northern thing..
    
    Perhaps...then again I hear Dave drinks Boddingtons that pathetically
    coloured and insipid tasting stuff from Manchester, nowhere near as
    good as a good pint of Tetley.
    
    Chris$in_Northern_*******_mode.

Well, just for the benefit of those who have a compulsive urge to ignore 
anything I say (hmmm....there's still a fair few of you out there, I know), the 
NME have added to the list of excellent reviews of PHUQ.

NME 	- 8/10
VOX 	- 7/10
Q   	- 5/5 (I think....might be 4)
Select 	- 4/5
Kerrang - 5/5
RAW 	- 4/5

I think that those mags cover enough musical bases to confirm that it really is 
better than the average pop/metal/rock album.

nuff said.

Also in't reccid shop today I saw PHUQ, as a special "Wildhearts strictly
limited edition".  Apart from coming in a rather tasteful purple box, is
there anything special about this, or should I just wait until the album
hits the bargain bin (dig, dig :-)

Guy

careful...

The limited edition thing is a purple crushed velvet box.  There's a proper CD 
box inside it, though.  You may as well buy it in the fancy box, IMO.  It's 
terribly dapper.  I doubt whether this one'll hit the bargain bins, judging by 
the press' reaction and the sales....mind you....

There is a kindof bonus track on it, but I don't know whether this'll be 
included on the non-special-edition copies.  It's nothing really special 
anyway; just amusing.

> The limited edition thing is a purple crushed velvet box.

Yowza!  Evidently a must-have.  At least it sounds less awkward than the
Nine Inch Nails or FSOL TurdoPak (tm) guaranteed to be impervious to all
attempts to get at the CD, or if you do get at the CD, the TurdoPak will
self destruct.

Guy

It's easily the best special edition box-thing thatI've ever seen.  It's pretty 
well put together too!  8-)  They're normally covered in glue etc., but this 
one's rather fine and dandy in a seventies kinda way.

I think my fave box thingys are the Cocteau Twins EPs, and ZZ-Top's
`Pincushion' in its funny can.  The least impressive was Floyd's
21st anniversary DSOTM, which was a nasty cardboard affair, pretty
much on a par with the Sex Pistols' `Kiss This'.  And at least the
latter came with a free live CD (even if it was crap)

Chris.

London's Time Out magazine was somewhat less than complimentary about PHUQ,
which appears to be at odds with what other magazine's have said.

Stuart

> I think my fave box thingys are the Cocteau Twins EPs

Yar, I brought one back from the States for the SO, very nice.  Did
serious damage to my arm carrying around 30 CDs through customs in my
hand luggage and trying to make it look like it didn't weigh a ton.

Guy

WiLDHEARTS made it into the MM this week, with a fair sized 3 page feature.
Also, Q still have it as one of their recommended albums, last month describing 
it as "possibly perfect".

Matt$WH_publicity_manager.

Mark Keds (Senseless things and temporary Wildhearts guitarist) has been 
causing a bit of a stir.  He was supposed to play with both bands at Phoenix, 
but actually stayed in Japan, without telling either band.  It was to be the 
STs' last ever performance, and he buggered it up.  Also, the Wildies were a 
bit peeved (spot the understatement), as they had arranged for all manner of 
celebrities to join them on stage, including members of the Sex Pistols, the 
Damned, Spike from the Queerboys, Tyla from the Dogs d'Amour etc.

Their new single is out this week; Just in Lust.  It features 3 splendid bonus 
tracks; Mindslide, Friend for 5 minutes and S.I.N.  All 3 are err...familiar, 
but instantly accessible as a result.  Another (nearly) faultless release from 
the chaps.  Unfortunately, Chris Evans doesn't appear to have been quite so 
friendly to this song so far, so chart action is questionable.  Big choruses 
abound, and I would suggest that those considering a cheap taster of the band 
might head out and get this cd single.  (It's 2.99 in RPM in Wokingham).

been meaning to mention this for a while:

The WiLDHEARTS (is that right?) will also apparently be playing on the
saturday of T in the Park in a couple of weeks' time (presumably as long
as they've found a guitarist by then).

Should be interesting, although judging by reviews of Glastonbury they may
have a bit of trouble out-rocking the Prodigy, especially That Mental One
With The Eye Make Up.

/g

re .140

They've pulled out of the T in the park.  They are currently negotiating with 
promoters to give some fans some money back, as many of their loyal fans 
(virtually) only went to Phoenix (and bought TitP tix) to see the band.  I was 
seconds away from buying 2 tickets for the T in the park fest, partly on the 
basis that the chaps were due to play (plus it's an excellent line-up, and I'd 
get to perve at Kylie).  I'm fairly glad I didn't book, now, as it would be 
pretty disappointing if they didn't play.

    
    A couple of weeks back on Monday 7th of August, I was dragged kicking
    and screaming to Stoke-on-Trent to drink beer and celebrate a Birthday.
    Around 9pm we're all sitting in a Pub called the Stage Door, with a
    particularly horrendous noise 'playing' on the Juke box, when my SO (to
    use one of Mike's terms) comes back from the loo and says the sound
    coming through the wall is a lot better. So, I trot round to 'The
    Stage' next door to see what's happening...
    
    There's a band soundchecking and the place is empty (coz it's not open
    yet), they're just unpacking some flyers to be hurredly distributred
    around the local pubs and the band is TheWildhearts, doors don't open 'til
    9.45, and entry is free !!
    
    So needless to say, we had a couple more beers and then spent an enjoyable
    evening watching the WildHearts with around 40-50 other people...
    apparently someone had turned up at the place a couple of hours earlier
    and asked if a band who were "...good mates of the WildHearts..." could
    open for the local band playing there that night !
    
    It was a pretty good gig, I thought - they are loads better live than
    on record/Cd whateva - although the sound was crap which isn't unusual
    for The Stage.
    
    Anyway, I managed to get a setlist (autographed), a drumstick and pack of
    Bass strings (also autographed) some or all of which will be finding their
    way to Matt shortly...
    
    Graham
    

>>>some or all of which will be finding their way to Matt shortly...

Are you serious?

Matt$excited

btw,  the gig was on my 21st birthday!

    
    Yeah Matt, I'm serious - I only climbed on the stage and hung around
    after the gig to get a few bits'n'bobs for you and a mate who's
    also a fan. He was seriously pissed off that he missed the gig, I
    phoned him ( he lives in Leek, 12 miles away) as soon as I found out what
    was going on but he was unfortunately incapable of driving by then &^/
    
    Anyway, I'll let him have first pick then you can have the rest... I've
    got more than enough drum-sticks to build a scale model of the Forth
    road bridge and I've lost track of who some of them belonged to coz the
    sticky labels have fallen off.
    
    G.

Got the "package" this morning.  Many thanks for that.  That's one pretty 
battered drumstick...  A nice leaving present!

Was home this weekend and looked for the RCD, but couldn't find it.  I know 
it's there somewhere though.  Like I said, I'm not sure which issue it is 
though.

m.

    
    glad you liked it Matt, sorry the set list is only a photocopy - my
    mate 'Emmings has the original.
    
    Graham
    
    BTW I've now got the RCD 13 disc, I'm just missing the magazine that
    went with it !
    

What's on the disc?  If you tell me a few of the songs I may be able to 
remember whether it's the one I've got.

    
    Not the right note I know, but it's somehow appropriate for Matt %^)
    
    G.
    

Cheers!  Many thanks to the well wishers who've voiced themselves in the 
conferences and through mail.  I appreciate it, and I've enjoyed noting with 
you.

Best wishes to you all, except Stuart Panes of course 8-),

Matt$off_in_just_over_an_hour,_hopefully

    
    As Matt is no longer around to keep us all 'up-to-date', I thought it
    worth mentioning that 'The WildHearts' have announced that they will
    split up after their current tour. They apparently owe the record
    company �750k and although the label want them to do another album,
    Ginge claims they don't get enough support from the label who won't
    relase as many singles as he would like.
    
    They're touring from October 21st thru to November 6th, so if you've
    never seen them before try and check them out - it's your last chance !
    - they're pretty good, depsite being Matt's fave band %^)
    
    Graham.