Spoke to John Linnell in Philly
Chris Fabulous
singing along with "Stalk of Wheat" and was curious where I'd heard
it. I said that I wasn't sure, but it must have been a recording of a
show that someone made available on a website. (I've since heard it on
the Jonathan Ross webcast and on the Screen Savers, but I didn't think
I needed to get into that...) John looked down and said, "Oh, that
hurts my feelings," and continued signing my daughter's book. I'm not
sure if he meant that it hurt his feelings that I downloaded it or
that someone made it available on the internet, but I felt about two
inches tall. It was crowded and I didn't want to hold up the line, so
we left, but I wish I could have asked him what he meant. I mean,
anyone that happened to put a tape in the VCR and record Screen Savers
has a copy of the song, and I've heard in the past that TMBG are
pretty hands-off when it comes to bootlegging and trading music and
stuff like that. Flansburgh even took a pro-file-sharing stance on a
TV show a couple of weeks ago, right? It's not like I'm not going to
buy the real deal when it comes out, either. Anyway, does anyone have
any further insight on the way the band feels on this matter? A few
people were even openly videotaping the show.
Chris Fabulous
PS - Before all the business, I also asked them how much work is left
on the new record, and they both looked at each other, paused, and
said "a lot." I guess it might be a while on the new LP.
PPS – My little girl and I both loved the performance. The Herman's
Hermits imitation was so funny! Sooooo funny!
scratch
>
> I spoke to Linnell at the Philadelphia in-store. He noticed that I was
> singing along with "Stalk of Wheat" and was curious where I'd heard
> it. I said that I wasn't sure, but it must have been a recording of a
> show that someone made available on a website. (I've since heard it on
> the Jonathan Ross webcast and on the Screen Savers, but I didn't think
> I needed to get into that...) John looked down and said, "Oh, that
> hurts my feelings," and continued signing my daughter's book. I'm not
> sure if he meant that it hurt his feelings that I downloaded it or
> that someone made it available on the internet, but I felt about two
> inches tall. It was crowded and I didn't want to hold up the line, so
> we left, but I wish I could have asked him what he meant. I mean,
> anyone that happened to put a tape in the VCR and record Screen Savers
> has a copy of the song, and I've heard in the past that TMBG are
> pretty hands-off when it comes to bootlegging and trading music and
> stuff like that. Flansburgh even took a pro-file-sharing stance on a
> TV show a couple of weeks ago, right? It's not like I'm not going to
> buy the real deal when it comes out, either. Anyway, does anyone have
> any further insight on the way the band feels on this matter? A few
> people were even openly videotaping the show.
They don't mind with stuff that's already released, but they apparently
dislike bootlegs of unreleased stuff going around. Especially since the
Mink Car incident. They've made comments to this effect in the past (au
contraire and so loud come to mind). Also, they (well, flans. linnell
hasn't really spoken up on it) aren't pro-filesharing, they just think
that the music industry should embrace internet distribution.
-scratch
Quinn Collard
> I spoke to Linnell at the Philadelphia in-store. He noticed that I was
> singing along with "Stalk of Wheat" and was curious where I'd heard
> it. I said that I wasn't sure, but it must have been a recording of a
> show that someone made available on a website. (I've since heard it on
> the Jonathan Ross webcast and on the Screen Savers, but I didn't think
> I needed to get into that...)
That would be me. And, um, suffice it to say that as bad as this made
you feel, I guarantee that it's making me feel worse. Should I take it down?
--
Quinn * Vice Babe * http://home.houston.rr.com/johnlinnell/index.html
"That's right. I'm a cold-hearted creep." ~John Linnell
Kerry
"Chris Fabulous" <chrisfa...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7533f59d.03111...@posting.google.com...
I was singing along with Stalk of Wheat (well, mumbling at a very low
volume) and I haven't downloaded it off any site. They played it on
so many shows like Screen Savers, Jonathon Ross, and here on my local
NPR station right before the show, I guess it just embedded itself in
my brain. It's a damn catchy song, and I imagine that anyone who
listens to most of their radio appearances has at least part of it
memorized.
Try not to sweat it. It's not like you got the master tape from their
engineer and put it up on Limewire. Surely They must know that if you
care enough to go to the instore, sing along with the songs, and buy
their book, you are more than likely going to be buying their CD's,
concert tickets, and DVD's. (not to imply that it's all about the
money)
-K
Zack
> Hermits imitation was so funny! Sooooo funny!
I don't know, I would just think that admitting that you downloaded a
live bootleg off some website wouldn't be the best thing to talk
about. I still think that was kind of weird that he reacted that way,
and he has made comments at other shows about how people already know
the words to songs they haven't released yet (back in '99 with I've
Got A Fang). It must just be a pet peeve of his, I really wouldn't
take it too seriously, after all, I always thought Linnell was a
pretty weird guy to begin with.
Chris Fabulous
-Chris Fab
Quinn Collard <nightmar...@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<bp4sae$1jtjni$1...@ID-189302.news.uni-berlin.de>...
Shep Hellerman
>
> I don't know, I would just think that admitting that you downloaded a
> live bootleg off some website wouldn't be the best thing to talk
> about.
I agree. Regardless of how you feed about downloading songs on the
net, I wouldn't bring up a topic like that while meeting a recording
artist, even the Johns.
Quinn Collard
> I agree. Regardless of how you feed about downloading songs on the
> net, I wouldn't bring up a topic like that while meeting a recording
> artist, even the Johns.
And I wouldn't then mention it in the band's newsgroup where the girl
who put it up is going to see it and then WANT TO BE DEAD.
Chris Fabulous
-Chris
zack...@comcast.net (Zack) wrote in message news:<739302f6.03111...@posting.google.com>...
Robert Hutchinson
> I spoke to Linnell at the Philadelphia in-store. He noticed that I was
> singing along with "Stalk of Wheat" and was curious where I'd heard
> it. I said that I wasn't sure, but it must have been a recording of a
> show that someone made available on a website. (I've since heard it on
> the Jonathan Ross webcast and on the Screen Savers, but I didn't think
> I needed to get into that...) John looked down and said, "Oh, that
> hurts my feelings," and continued signing my daughter's book. I'm not
> sure if he meant that it hurt his feelings that I downloaded it or
> that someone made it available on the internet, but I felt about two
> inches tall.
Are you sure he didn't mean it tongue-in-cheek? All the comments I've
previously heard them make during live shows regarding singing along to
unreleased songs were simply jokes.
--
Robert Hutchinson | "[Destiny's Child] got booed at the NBA
| playoffs. Even men in plush animal costumes
| don't get booed at the NBA playoffs."
| -- Fametracker.com
Bryce
> Are you sure he didn't mean it tongue-in-cheek?
> All the comments I've previously heard them
> make during live shows regarding singing along
> to unreleased songs were simply jokes.
That's what I was wondering. It sounds a little too coy to be a sincere
reaction. However, that is only my secondhand impression.
Bryce
Robyn Thurston
There is a live music software name further that lists TMBG as a taping
friendly band. this is what they use to decide that. I am not sure how
current it is, or if the links work, but there is a typed out part of an
interview. I tried to tape the Albany in store, but the crowd noise was just
too much in there. Hope thsi helps at all. Have a great night, everybody!!:
Jeff
There is a BTAT entry here:
http://btat.wagnerone.com/search.php?oneClick=3
AND
http://web.archive.org/web/20010821220723/http://www.twec.com/TW/Transcripts
/Linnell.asp
-
Tdk: John, what do you think about MP3s on the net that are of live TMBG
performances?
JOHN LINNELL: As long as they're not being sold, I don't have a problem.
Once
people start to make money with them, we want to know about it. But
otherwise,
it's good promotion.
There is also a pro-taping/trading message in an interview on their official
site:
http://www.tmbg.com/qaMisc.html
"Bryce" <br...@tmbg.or(somethin)g> wrote in message
news:bp6meq$1laa5r$1...@ID-50687.news.uni-berlin.de...
AstralBee
> > All the comments I've previously heard them
> > make during live shows regarding singing along
> > to unreleased songs were simply jokes.
At my first EVER tmbg show in 1992, They opened with 'actual size' which I
had heard on dial-a-song and recorded. A few songs in, Linnell pointed at me
and said "This guys a real fan - he knows the words to songs that arent even
out yet".
I dont see how this is much different.
Dar Dar Binks
Chris Fabulous
comments like that from them before. I probably would never have
downloaded it in the first place if it were some kind of big deal to
do so. It may have been a joke, too. Who knows? He'll live. So will I.
-Chris
"Robyn Thurston" <jsan...@nycap.rr.com> wrote in message news:<QdCtb.112099$ZC4.1...@twister.nyroc.rr.com>...
Quinn Collard
> It may have been a joke, too.
If you think there's any possibility it was a joke I REALLY wish you
hadn't mentioned it.
> Who knows? He'll live. So will I.
What about me?
Chris Fabulous
posted here. To see if anyone had has similar or contrasting
experiences. I really didn't mean to make you feel bad. And, you'll
probably live, too.
-Chris
Quinn Collard <nightmar...@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<bp8871$1kioaq$1...@ID-189302.news.uni-berlin.de>...
AstralBee
Dont let other people pressure you.
Personally, I think you're doing a valuable service to people who didn't
hear the radio broadcast.
Dar
~~
"I liked your song so much, I taped it off the radio"
- Vic Reeves.
"Chris Fabulous" <chrisfa...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7533f59d.03111...@posting.google.com...
Chris Fabulous
online Q+A.
The URL for the transcript of the whole thing is
http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/03/sp_style_flansburgh111803.htm
Chris Fabulous: At your Philadelphia in-store, your partner said it
hurt his feelings that I knew the words to Stalk of Wheat from a
bootleg that I got off the internet. I had previously heard that you
guys are a "taping-friendly" sort of band, but Linnell's response
makes me think otherwise. How do you feel about fans' live bootlegs
going out on the world wide web?
John Flansburgh: This is too complicated to go into here. Its not so
simple as a friendly or unfriendly, and I assume you know the many
many things happening on line that make this a real kooky hornets
nest.
It's not so simple.
So there it is and there you go.
-Chris
Quinn Collard
> John Flansburgh: This is too complicated to go into here. Its not so
> simple as a friendly or unfriendly, and I assume you know the many
> many things happening on line that make this a real kooky hornets
> nest.
> It's not so simple.
Oh, that really clears it up. Thanks so much, Flans.
lawrence solomon
> Here's what Flans had to say about it today on the Washington Post's
> online Q+A.
> The URL for the transcript of the whole thing is
> http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/03/sp_style_flansburgh111803.htm
more distressing, though, is this:
>Waltham, Mass.: For the new album, are you going to have one producer
>working in one album at one time, or is it going to be more like Mink
>Car, with several producers and studios and tracks from different times
>and locations?
>great job in boston last week!
>John Flansburgh: We're going to do it ourselves, mostly with Pat and
>the Elegant Too.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. tell the goddamn Elegant fscking Too that
they're fired. they ruined Mink Car and they'll ruin the next album,
too. they turn otherwise good songs into crappy dance mix garbage and
are the most un-TMBG producers they could have.
well, I guess that's $18 I'll be able to spend on something more worthwhile.
Robert Hutchinson
> Chris Fabulous wrote:
> > John Flansburgh: This is too complicated to go into here. Its not so
> > simple as a friendly or unfriendly, and I assume you know the many
> > many things happening on line that make this a real kooky hornets
> > nest.
> > It's not so simple.
>
> Oh, that really clears it up. Thanks so much, Flans.
My guess is that he was afraid to answer on the spot, as he might be more
lenient about it than intended.
Robert Hutchinson
> Chris Fabulous wrote:
> >John Flansburgh: We're going to do it ourselves, mostly with Pat and
> >the Elegant Too.
>
> NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. tell the goddamn Elegant fscking Too that
> they're fired. they ruined Mink Car and they'll ruin the next album,
> too. they turn otherwise good songs into crappy dance mix garbage and
> are the most un-TMBG producers they could have.
If TMBG want The Elegant Too to help produce some of their songs, I'm
thinking that Elegant Too production is just about as TMBG-like as can
be. What I believe you meant to say was "I really hate what The Elegant
Too have done so far with TMBG songs, and I wish Messrs. Linnell and
Flansburgh would no longer work with them."
> well, I guess that's $18 I'll be able to spend on something more worthwhile.
Can I have it?
--
(You were going to pay full retail price?)
AstralBee
> lenient about it than intended.
Flansburgh HAS to say "the right thing" in any public form. What record
company would take them on if they outwardly condoned piracy? I once got
into a venue before a show and asked Linnell if I could photograph him on
stage setting up. He looked around before he said "no, I cant". 10 minutes
later I found him out the back of the venue, where he was happy to pose with
me for pictures. I suspect 'people' were around when he refused.
Dar
Chris Fabulous
-Chris Fabulous
lawrence solomon
> lawrence solomon says...
>
>>Chris Fabulous wrote:
>>
>>>John Flansburgh: We're going to do it ourselves, mostly with Pat and
>>>the Elegant Too.
>>
>>NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. tell the goddamn Elegant fscking Too that
>>they're fired. they ruined Mink Car and they'll ruin the next album,
>>too. they turn otherwise good songs into crappy dance mix garbage and
>>are the most un-TMBG producers they could have.
>
>
> If TMBG want The Elegant Too to help produce some of their songs, I'm
> thinking that Elegant Too production is just about as TMBG-like as can
> be. What I believe you meant to say was "I really hate what The Elegant
> Too have done so far with TMBG songs, and I wish Messrs. Linnell and
> Flansburgh would no longer work with them."
no, what I meant to say was "the Elegant Too ruined Mink Car and they'll
ruin the next album, too." I'm not going to alter what I wrote or take
any of it back. I detest the Elegant Too and wish TMBG would never let
them play with their otherwise good songs again.
Robert Hutchinson
That's all fine. Has nothing to do with them being "un-TMBG producers".
All I was trying to get at is that The Elegant Too didn't break into the
studio, take several TMBG songs hostage, and crap on them. TMBG keep
using the services of The Elegant Too, so if you think The Elegant Too
sucks, then John and John are the ones making a sucky decision to keep
working with them.
--
David Browne
lawrence solomon <za...@fruhead.com> wrote:
> NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. tell the goddamn Elegant fscking Too that
> they're fired. they ruined Mink Car and they'll ruin the next album,
> too. they turn otherwise good songs into crappy dance mix garbage and
> are the most un-TMBG producers they could have.
WTF. John and John seemed to be happy with the way Mink Car turned
out. I was too. don't state your opinions as if they were facts.
don't be an ass.
lawrence solomon
stating my opinions as if they were facts? hardly. whenever judgements
like that are made in favour of or against the quality of, it's always
opinion. it's not necessary to say "I think that album sucked" when you
can simplify it to "that album sucked" and no one (except maybe you)
will think you're stating it as a fact.
I stand completely by what I said. I DETEST Mink Car, especially the
tracks the the Elegant Too touched.
GoodOmenz
are the most un-TMBG producers they could have.>>
wow, i read that whole thread?
ok elegant too haters, am i the only one who really likes them? i see potential
for great things here. i think what they do with tmbg is really interesting (in
a "this is fun to listen to cuz i always hear something new" way and not a
music snob way.) it doesnt sound vintage Lincoln, but neither does Mink Car the
song, which i despise... anyway, i think the elegant too's mink car wreck
tracks are really cool in the same clanky, funky way that robots and electric
guitars will always be eternally cool... i see potential here for new, clear
sounds and if you can dance while your thinking, is that so awful? surely no
more awful than doing country and a capella (my personal, despised genre)
music.
disclaimer that chris maxwell is one of the best guitarist ive ever had the
honor of seeing and he was in one of my favorite local bands who, in their
time, were absoltely God Like.
liz
DEATH TO FALSE MUSIC
Adam
Yes, I was thinking the same thing. I wouldn't say I loved Mink Car,
but it was exciting to see them doing so much stylistic
experimentation again. I know it's not a popular opinion here, but I
do love the dance version of Man, It's So Loud in Here--it's my
favorite track on the album, in fact. (Not Elegant-Too produced, I
don't think, but still, it probably falls into the basic category of
"crappy dance mix garbage.")
One of my favorite things about TMBG is the way they draw on ideas
from different musical universes--rock, folk, country, polka,
classical, ska, crappy dance mix garbage, whatever. As much as I love
the earlier albums, the great thing about Mink Car was how obvious it
was that they weren't looking back. Personally, I hope they never do.
Adam
Self-pitying, Embittered, Morose Wisconsin Man
Jordan QUSAK
from different musical universes--rock, folk, country, polka,
classical, ska, crappy dance mix garbage, whatever. As much as I love
the earlier albums, the great thing about Mink Car was how obvious it
was that they weren't looking back. Personally, I hope they never do.<<
I ain't taking sides in this because I kind of like Mink Car but also have
problems with it (i'm neutral i guess)
BUT in regards to that comment about TMBG doing other genres--
I think one of the points of early tmbg (and bill kraus said something like
this) is that they would take a genre and totally twist it to an almost
unrecognizeable point, and make it pure TMBG. (like how Lady is a Tramp is
an insane cover of the Frank Sinatra song, or how Flans introduced Piece of
Dirt once as calling it "Roy Orbison meets Hip Hop" or something)
On Mink Car they are taking genres, but not really doing any twisting... they
actually are pulling off dance pop and electronica and etc.
I like most of Mink Car but I do think its a bit off from what they would
normally do with genres. Its maybe a bit too produced and precise.
I love the band of Dans too but sometime it seems that they make TMBG a little
too generic sounding. I will state again I LOVE THEM. And Im not sure if
they just do what TMBG tells them to do or if they try out different things on
their own until TMBG say "thats good" but I have a feeling if like... Dan
Miller played on Dont Lets Start. the guitar wouldnt sound all choppy and
weird cause of how Flans plays it. Sometimes they are too smooth.
But sometimes they rock, cause Im a huge fan of Cyclops Rock on Mink Car
Jordan
Chris Fabulous
The rock version really, really sucks, in my opinion. Wicked Little
Critta is my second favorite. On the other hand, I don't like Mr
Xcitement very much at all, but I think that's Doughty and the Johns
fault more than the Elegant Too. (It's not the production that I don't
like.) Am I Awake is brilliant. The techno/Elegant Too style is fine
by me, although I don't think that should be the sigular style of a
whole album.
Chris
kinto...@hotmail.com (Adam) wrote in message news:<dbe6be49.03112...@posting.google.com>...