View Full Version : Becoming a grumpy old sod
I have tried to resist the fact I am becoming a grumpy old sod but heck I admit it
I just been watching the highlights of Glastonbury and apart from a few artists I mostly skipped through the music Most bands were playing music I found hard to relate to
I see this as suddenly finding a lot of todays music makes little sense and I have become to narrow in my music appreciation
Should I celebrate this or should I keep fighting :eek:
Rare Bird
06-07-2010, 16:00
Welcome John ;)
It's not necessarily a narrowing of your musical appreciation as much as the growing realisation that actually contemporary pop/rock music is in itself quite a narrow selection of the entirety of music out there.
Know what you mean about Glastonbury, been thinking along those lines for years, as for that Florence woman am I the only one who thinks she just can't sing?
Stratmangler
06-07-2010, 16:03
... as for that Florence woman am I the only one who thinks she just can't sing?
I can't stand the sound of her voice - it's awful !!!
On top of that she can't hold pitch either.
Ralph welcome to the club:lolsign:
Spectral Morn
06-07-2010, 16:20
she does have poor diction.
My biggest disappointment was that Empire of The Sun who played did not get a look in. I would love to see what they are like live as I love their album.
Regards Neil
The Vinyl Adventure
06-07-2010, 17:15
You can pretty much count me in and I'm 27 ... I haven't been able to tell most bands from the last 5 years apart!
I think I joined last year once I turned the big 4 - 0. Woke up one morning, decided Chris Moyles was a tw@t and I was done with Radio 1. All that Dizzee Parcel, Tichie Plonker cr@p was getting on my nerves, and even the new Indie stuff wasn't cutting it. I've bought very little completely new Chart stuff since, only new releases from existing artists I like, or non commercial stuff.
It's funny on Florence - I thought she was tripe live, but I like the album - (which if I recall from another thread is directly contradictory to Barry's view, at least.)
I'm torn between fighting and embracing it too, but I find that as there are so many artists and albums I love that I don't have time to listen too, I probably shouldn't spend too much time listening to drivel I will never want to hear again.
Yours grumpily,
Techno Commander
06-07-2010, 17:33
as for that Florence woman am I the only one who thinks she just can't sing?
I'd rather listen to this Florence. :)
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00448/news-graphics-2007-_448276a.jpg
quadsugdenman
06-07-2010, 17:45
I'd rather listen to this Florence. :)
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00448/news-graphics-2007-_448276a.jpg
Put me down for that!!!
I'd rather listen to the REAL Florence (+Dougal + Zebedee).:lol:
I am glad I am not alone at not 'getting' some of the current crop of musicians. According to my son and daughters I have graduated with honours as an 'old fart'. As much as I resented it initially, :( the more I hear the crap that passes for so called serious modern musicianship, the more I want to wear the teeshirt.
Disgusted of Lincolnshire. :lolsign:
Techno Commander
06-07-2010, 18:03
Its not that I dislike modern music. I just dislike the popular music. :)
I think I joined last year once I turned the big 4 - 0. Woke up one morning, decided Chris Moyles was a tw@t and I was done with Radio 1. All that Dizzee Parcel, Tichie Plonker cr@p was getting on my nerves, and even the new Indie stuff wasn't cutting it. I've bought very little completely new Chart stuff since, only new releases from existing artists I like, or non commercial stuff.
It's funny on Florence - I thought she was tripe live, but I like the album - (which if I recall from another thread is directly contradictory to Barry's view, at least.)
I'm torn between fighting and embracing it too, but I find that as there are so many artists and albums I love that I don't have time to listen too, I probably shouldn't spend too much time listening to drivel I will never want to hear again.
Yours grumpily,
Actually what I said was, I was impressed by her originality at last year's Glastonbury. I'm still disappointed by her debut recording but will keep a eye on her career.
I quite enjoyed her performance this year, but would agree that she does not have a great voice.
Regarding GOMs, I think I was a founder member. Don't worry everybody - it's great fun!
Regards
I think I joined last year once I turned the big 4 - 0. Woke up one morning, decided Chris Moyles was a tw@t
You don't need to be over 40 to realise that, surely?
In terms of DJs (late John Peel aside, who was almost a God), Steve Wright is the man. I've been an avid listener to his afternoon show since it started (on Radio 1) in the 80s - in fact, everything about it reminds me fondly of my teenage years! :)
Respect goes to Bob Harris, too, for his superb wide and varied taste in music!
Marco.
I just been watching the highlights of Glastonbury and apart from a few artists I mostly skipped through the music Most bands were playing music I found hard to relate to
You call Glastonbury 'Glasto'
You'd like to go there one day
(After they put up the gun towers
To keep the hippies away)
HMHB 'CORGI Registered Friends'
Talking to younger (ie 30-something) friends who regard themselves as Glastonbury veterans, 'It's just not the same any more'. Mind you, I expect there are 60-somethings who think the festival went downhill once they started charging for admissions.
Techno Commander
06-07-2010, 19:46
In terms of DJs (late John Peel aside, who was almost a God), Steve Wright is the man. I've been an avid listener to his afternoon show since it started (on Radio 1) in the 80s - in fact, everything about it reminds me fondly of my teenage years! :)
Respect goes to Bob Harris, too, for his superb wide and varied taste in music!
Marco.
I would have to add Tommy Vance to your list as well. :)
For the Top 40 show on a Sunday evening?
Yup, damn tootin'! I have fond memories of recording it, religiously, every week and playing the tapes back in my dad's car when we were going out places, doing his (and mum's) head in, in the process! :eyebrows:
Marco.
Techno Commander
06-07-2010, 21:01
For the Top 40 show on a Sunday evening?
Marco.
Top 40!!!:eek:
The Friday Rock Show Sir!:guitar:
she does have poor diction.
Regards Neil
LOL - Neil, I remember my dad saying the same to me when he heard me playing Blondie's Parallel Lines.
Face it - when diction becomes an issue, you have probably outgrown pop.
Having said that, I do remember making a similar comment to my dad regarding his Joan Sutherland obsession (fabulous voice, but not the best linguist...). He didn't get it at all. Oh well.
:)
Martin
I've been a grumpy shit for years and will remain so until my 6 numbers come up providing me with the lifestyle i deserve
Top 40!!!:eek:
The Friday Rock Show Sir!:guitar:
Lol - I wasn't into that kind of stuff much then.... I liked my 80s chart music too much! :o
Marco.
Rare Bird
06-07-2010, 21:27
i thought this was about being a general grumpy sod, i think i got the wrong end of the stick..
:o
Mark E Smith sets the bar for grumpy old sod-ness, closely followed by Uncle Mort:
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http://undeleted.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/interview-mark-e-smith-2/
Smith has a history of liking black music, and, whatever R&B’s flaws, it’s resurgence has been one of the most vital and interesting things in music over the last decade. There’s lots of polished, banal crap about but surely there’s also stuff that presses his buttons the way that Northern Soul once did? And you haven’t done a cover version in ages. Is there nothing in today’s pop you’d want to cover?
“I’ve got me ideas, actually, I’ve got a few ideas. There’s a lot of fucking groups in Britain, all the groups you see on telly, on Jools Holland for instance, you’ve got to have various ingredients of music in your group, and that’s the qualifying thing for you to get on. It’s like Pop Idol, except a bit more middle class. D’you not reckon?”
I don’t know. I’d not really thought about it.
“Well you’d better have a think about it then, hadn’t you? You’re a journalist. It’s your fucking job. If I had three trombonists in, I could be on 30 grand a year.”
But you can usually hear more Can or Velvet Underground than Sister Sledge or Prince Buster in your stuff.
“Exactly, they’re not going to have anyone on who was, y’know, brought up with Prince Buster, it’s just bits and bits, bit of jazz, bit of reggae, bit of this, bit of rock’n’roll, bit of fucking heavy metal, what kind of group’s that? At least with someone like McFly, you can see that their fathers’ have been into the Jam or the Who, it’s obvious.”
http://undeleted.wordpress.com/2008/04/15/interview-mark-e-smith-1/
It transpires that Smith is being a little coy and can in fact hold his own on bass and guitar and has even been known to tickle the ivories when the occasion demands it. Doesn’t he want to play on Fall records?
“No. The whole point of the thing is that it’s rock ‘n’ roll. That’s what people seem to forget.” He looks at me accusingly. “Working with American producers on the new album was very interesting, because they get a sound that makes people listen to the songs. It’s like a subliminal tone.”
What are you on about?
“Take a heavy metal hit – the song’s crap, what the guy’s saying is shit, what the group is playing is rudimentary heavy metal crap, but what they do is put a little thing in the middle of the sound, like a little click, so you can’t forget it. It used to be illegal. The Ministry of Defence invented it.”
Are you making this up?
The poker face relaxes into a smile.
“No, I’m not making it up. Why do you think people buy Def Leppard records then? They’re from your way aren’t they?”
Rare Bird
06-07-2010, 22:38
Top 40!!!:eek:
The Friday Rock Show Sir!:guitar:
WWcJ7WeAK78
Mark E Smith sets the bar for grumpy old sod-ness, closely followed by Uncle Mort:
Smith has a history of liking black music, and, whatever R&B’s flaws, it’s resurgence has been one of the most vital and interesting things in music over the last decade. There’s lots of polished, banal crap about but surely there’s also stuff that presses his buttons the way that Northern Soul once did? And you haven’t done a cover version in ages. Is there nothing in today’s pop you’d want to cover?
“I’ve got me ideas, actually, I’ve got a few ideas. There’s a lot of fucking groups in Britain, all the groups you see on telly, on Jools Holland for instance, you’ve got to have various ingredients of music in your group, and that’s the qualifying thing for you to get on. It’s like Pop Idol, except a bit more middle class. D’you not reckon?”
I don’t know. I’d not really thought about it.
“Well you’d better have a think about it then, hadn’t you? You’re a journalist. It’s your fucking job. If I had three trombonists in, I could be on 30 grand a year.”
But you can usually hear more Can or Velvet Underground than Sister Sledge or Prince Buster in your stuff.
“Exactly, they’re not going to have anyone on who was, y’know, brought up with Prince Buster, it’s just bits and bits, bit of jazz, bit of reggae, bit of this, bit of rock’n’roll, bit of fucking heavy metal, what kind of group’s that? At least with someone like McFly, you can see that their fathers’ have been into the Jam or the Who, it’s obvious.”
http://undeleted.wordpress.com/2008/04/15/interview-mark-e-smith-1/
It transpires that Smith is being a little coy and can in fact hold his own on bass and guitar and has even been known to tickle the ivories when the occasion demands it. Doesn’t he want to play on Fall records?
“No. The whole point of the thing is that it’s rock ‘n’ roll. That’s what people seem to forget.” He looks at me accusingly. “Working with American producers on the new album was very interesting, because they get a sound that makes people listen to the songs. It’s like a subliminal tone.”
What are you on about?
“Take a heavy metal hit – the song’s crap, what the guy’s saying is shit, what the group is playing is rudimentary heavy metal crap, but what they do is put a little thing in the middle of the sound, like a little click, so you can’t forget it. It used to be illegal. The Ministry of Defence invented it.”
Are you making this up?
The poker face relaxes into a smile.
“No, I’m not making it up. Why do you think people buy Def Leppard records then? They’re from your way aren’t they?”
Quality:)
Techno Commander
06-07-2010, 23:53
Lol - I wasn't into that kind of stuff much then.... I liked my 80s chart music too much! :o
Marco.
I seem to recall it was either headbangers, punks, mods or new romantics.
The latter 2 groups were routinely "duffed up".:)
Lol - yeah, but I was a funny bastard because I also liked *some* heavy metal music too, and hippy shit like Gong, so you couldn't 'peg' me in any specific category.
I also used to ride a motorbike to school and wear a leather jacket and 18-hole Docs, and even then was over 6ft, so trust me I never got "duffed up" ;)
We used to "duff up" the mods, though, in their silly little scooters and Parkas with targets on - just right for a swift boot, as I flew past them (usually with a nice wee girly on the back) :eyebrows:
Ah, those were the days!
Marco.
Techno Commander
07-07-2010, 12:17
Gong were "interesting". Anyone who releases an album called "Squeezing Sponges Over A Policemans Head" gets a few brownie points in my book.
The best thing to do with the Mods on the scooters was to grab the whippy antennas they all had fitted and slow down a little before releasing it. Whereupon it would swiftly whack them on the back of the head. :)
Hahaha... There speaks a man of experience! :lol:
Apart from some of the music, I hated the whole mod thing with a vengeance. They just looked so bloody ridiculous.
Marco.
Gong were "interesting". Anyone who releases an album called "Squeezing Sponges Over A Policemans Head" gets a few brownie points in my book.
The best thing to do with the Mods on the scooters was to grab the whippy antennas they all had fitted and slow down a little before releasing it. Whereupon it would swiftly whack them on the back of the head. :)
And for those Mods who rode scooters fitted with an absurdly large number of wing mirrors - well you got behind them and switched on your headlights 'full beam' to dazzle them! (Only briefly - otherwise you might cause them to have an accident.)
Techno Commander
07-07-2010, 13:02
Hahaha... There speaks a man of experience! :lol:
Apart from some of the music, I hated the whole mod thing with a vengeance. They just looked so bloody ridiculous.
Marco.
Indeed, I really like The Who now.
And for those Mods who rode scooters fitted with an absurdly large number of wing mirrors - well you got behind them and switched on your headlights 'full beam' to dazzle them! (Only briefly - otherwise you might cause them to have an accident.)
Yep. Did that.:)
Techno Commander
07-07-2010, 14:02
Oops, just realised that "Squeezing Sponges Over A Policemans Head" was the name of a track, rather than an album. The album was called "Camembert Electrique".
Apologies for any confusion caused to old hippies. :)
Oops, just realised that "Squeezing Sponges Over A Policemans Head" was the name of a track, rather than an album. The album was called "Camembert Electrique".
Apologies for any confusion caused to old hippies. :)
Apology accepted:lol:
The Grand Wazoo
07-07-2010, 22:21
I don't think it confused any old hippies - they will have known you were very, very wrong!
Thing is, GOMness is a default setting, like the horrible blue of Windows. It can be changed. This doesn't change the quality of popular (chart?) music. Maybe, with the explosion of popular media, we have run out of tunes?
New bands carry a cultural freight for younger people. It doesn't matter to them that they sound like a band from a previous generation. What baffled me was all that Arctic Chiefs, Snow Monkeys stuff. Cross-generational mediocrity.
I blame that Simon Cowell, culture's grinning assassin.
The Grand Wazoo
08-07-2010, 07:10
It doesn't matter to them that they sound like a band from a previous generation.
This has always been the way, with every generation hasn't it?
This has always been the way, with every generation hasn't it?
Popular Music is only just old enough that we can now start asking that question.
For me I grew up getting into late sixties and seventies music, that was what I listened to in the 80s which was my teenage years, so I appreciated the music of a previous generation more than the music of my generation. I wasn't the only one then and I'm not the only one now I suspect.
To illustrate that a bit further I'm 41 I used to work with a bloke who was 52 and was into his music. He really knew his music and liked a lot of the old stuff he had grown up with But he also thought Franz Ferdinand were the best thing he had heard in years. I never got that.
I think the genuinely new has the power to shock and move things along. An example was The Sex Pistols; 'Anarchy in the UK' really split the generations, and it didn't sound like anything that had made prime time radio previously.
I think the genuinely new has the power to shock and move things along. An example was The Sex Pistols; 'Anarchy in the UK' really split the generations, and it didn't sound like anything that had made prime time radio previously.
I loved the whole thing that happened about 1987 when the dance and rock (and whole lot of other influences) came together and we got a whole new sound going widespread and producing the Stone Roses and the Happy Mondays on the way. After that was the much less exciting but still musically interesting Grunge period, and then.... well, nothing so far cause I'm not counting Britpop:lol:
I loved the whole thing that happened about 1987 when the dance and rock (and whole lot of other influences) came together and we got a whole new sound going widespread and producing the Stone Roses and the Happy Mondays on the way. After that was the much less exciting but still musically interesting Grunge period, and then.... well, nothing so far cause I'm not counting Britpop:lol:
I still recall my daughter's shock when I played her the Killing Joke track that Nirvana ripped off so thoroughly for 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. After that she became a nu-punk/nu metal fan.
Haselsh1
09-07-2010, 07:59
It's way far too late for me to become a grumpy old git, I've been one for around the last ten years. And, whilst we're on the subject, what is it about modern music that makes the whole thing so artificial and disposable...? Do you remember Thin Lizzy and Free and Bad Company...? Long lasting, classic British rock...!!! Ian Van Dahl...! Who...?
Haselsh1
09-07-2010, 08:01
I've been a grumpy shit for years and will remain so until my 6 numbers come up providing me with the lifestyle i deserve
What a classic quote... I love it...!
Why do you believe money will degrumpify you? It will open up whole new areas to grump about. "Accountant fellow! Why haven't you made me richer today?"
Steve
Rare Bird
12-07-2010, 18:20
Agree money isnt everything & money is the route of all evil (well most). but money is also the key that unlocks a lot of chains.
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