Echo & the bunnymen: Classic or Dud?

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Echo & the Bunnymen: classic or Dud?

― Luís Sousa, Saturday, 24 March 2001 01:00 (12 years ago) Permalink

Guilty of a charge levelled at many other bands discussed here (notably Killing Joke), Echo & the Bunnymen are nothing if not completely and utterly pompous. That said, however, you cannot deny the scope and grandeur of some of their work. While it may seem overtly histrionic and pretentious to some, in my mind, the wind-swept "Killing Moon" absolves the band from any of the ego-related shenanigans they can be accused of. Simillarly, that live version of "Do it Clean" from the Royal Albert Hall (I believe..although I could be mistaken) is completely scintillating. Even their "reunion" album, EVERGREEN was credible (not sure about its follow-up, however). I'd tag them a classic. - Alex in NYC

― Alex in NYC, Sunday, 25 March 2001 01:00 (12 years ago) Permalink

classic, at least up until 'echo and the bunnymen'. 'crocodiles' is one of the best debuts ever and really i find few faults with the first four records with 'heaven up here' ranking slightly beneath the rest. no time for the reunion, and electrafixion was godawful.

― keith, Sunday, 25 March 2001 01:00 (12 years ago) Permalink

Never rated them. Sort of grey and average. My indifference makes it dud, although there are no strong feelings of hatred or other nasty things to say. Just another 80s band.

― Omar, Monday, 26 March 2001 00:00 (12 years ago) Permalink

Classic. First 4 albums are all compulsory on the early 80's curriculum.I have always liked the self-titled 5th album too. Heaven Up Here wins by a short head if I have to pick the best. Best track of all - 'Pictures on My Wall' .

It remains a miracle that they managed to do 'epic rock' whilst remaining fresh and without becoming boringly 'political', bloated or pompous. (U2 had failed on all counts by the time they released 'War'.). Sure Mac loves himself, but you can't completely dislike the guy, whereas Bono...

Although they're in no way essential any more , the re-union albums are both very good, but it's perhaps a little disappointing that EATB haven't been influenced by anything 'new' whilst they were away. It seems that Mac's small store of influences (Doors, Cohen, VU, Scott Walker, Iggy) has remained unchanged over the years.

Finally - just think back to some of the singles if you need confirmation : "Rescue", " A Promise" "The Cutter", "Back of Love", "Seven Seas", " The Killing Moon" !! It's a no-brainer - CLASSIC

― Dr. C, Monday, 26 March 2001 00:00 (12 years ago) Permalink

"Songs To Learn And Sing" is one of the classic best-ofs: a superb singles band when they could be arsed. A lot of the album tracks got a bit ponderous, though. The one which went "Zimbo zimbo zimbo" got me all sorts of shite when I tried to play it to my mates.

They've risen vastly in my estimation since reading Bill Drummond's secret theories about them in 45, though.

― Tom, Monday, 26 March 2001 00:00 (12 years ago) Permalink

DR.C I wonder if there is a single 80s guitar band you actually don't like? ;) ;) ;)

― Omar, Monday, 26 March 2001 00:00 (12 years ago) Permalink

Oh Loads! The 80's was actually a terrible decade for guitar music. The late-70's was superior by far (Televison, Ramones, early Talking Heads, Clash, Joy Div, The Only Ones, Buzzcocks.....Pere Ubu, Pistols, Subways Sect...)80/81 was OK - Josef K, Au Pairs, Slits, more Joy Div, EATB. Then, apart from The Smiths you've got a long wait until the Pixies.

I hate with a passion : The Wedding Present, 99% of all C-86 - affiliated bands, Sister of Mercy, Mission, All other Goth, New Model Army, Carter the..., The Cult and many more.

Just to put things straight, Omar! ;)

― Dr. C, Monday, 26 March 2001 00:00 (12 years ago) Permalink

Don't forget the almighty Killing Joke, Doc, you hate them too! Hahaha....=) - Alex in NYC (the unapologetic Killing Joke fan)

― Alex in NYC, Monday, 26 March 2001 00:00 (12 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

Hello,

― Price, Saturday, 14 December 2002 00:31 (10 years ago) Permalink

Dancing Horses

― A Nairn (moretap), Saturday, 14 December 2002 02:14 (10 years ago) Permalink

Some fine singles but with Interpol's stronger rhytm section they may be rendered totally redundant if the new breed make enough albums. Plus when about did Ian's voice turn into William Reid's (or is it Jim Reid's)? That song about how he wanted to be there when you come was quite disturbing.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 14 December 2002 19:44 (10 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

I picked up a coupla these new CD reissues, namely "Ocean Rain", and "Crocodiles", neither of which I've heard for years. Damn, they're fucking great!! The mastering on them is really excellent, proper dynamics, nice transfers, etc, plus there are a load of extra trax, nice packeage etc. The sleevenotes aren't the best, but I suppose that's kind of minor.

Great, great music, though! Really, I was surprised by just how much of it I liked, and how many of the tunes I remembered. I'd forgotten just how nice the "feel" of the band is - crisp, tight, a little bit robotic, just how I like it, plus the guitar playing is excellent. they're a really underrated group of musicians. Most impressive is the way "Ocean Rain" manages to achieve this epic, big music thing, whilst retaining this crisp sound and feel, and w/o sounding flabby & turgid. IIRC there was some bumpf recently in mojo or uncut about the waterboys, and there was a side panel with all the "big music" also-rans (they said) I think "Ocean Rain" is what the should have been writing about, and the waterboys (who = sux0r) should have been in the also-rans side panel.

I'll be buying the rest of these reissues very soon. It occurs to me that Warner (going on the last lot of yes re's as well) are one of the few companies who are not fucking up their back catalogue by overcompressing it at the moment, so 3 cheers for them, or something.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Friday, 19 March 2004 21:12 (9 years ago) Permalink

Yeah, I need to get the rest of the first four albums on reissue, I just have Heaven Up Here so far, and for very good reason in that it's fucking brilliant. But all four are.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 19 March 2004 21:20 (9 years ago) Permalink

At the moment, as well, I think "Killing Moon" might be my favourite ever single. Every damn one of Will Sergeant's guitar breaks on "Ocean Rain" is a little masterpiece!

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Friday, 19 March 2004 21:34 (9 years ago) Permalink

Was the boxed set material remastered? Should I buy the albums if I have the set?

― paul c (paul c), Friday, 19 March 2004 21:37 (9 years ago) Permalink

These threads make me sad because Echo & the Bunnymen are the type of band that by all rights I should absolutely adore, yet for some reason I find it fiendishly difficult to connect with their songs outside of two or three exceptions (and "Killing Moon" isn't one of them).

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:05 (9 years ago) Permalink

Possibly the lyrics, Dan? Ian Mc's Lyrics are generally really bad.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:11 (9 years ago) Permalink

I would have ventured the voice (sez the Cure fan!), but "Moses" is one of my favorite 808 State songs, precisely because of Ian Mc. Also, "Lips Like Sugar" and "Bring On The Dancing Horses" are genius.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:13 (9 years ago) Permalink

Classic. I've been enjoying the reissue of the eponymous album lately, I never liked it much the first time around. You can't go wrong with Crocodiles, Heaven Up Here or Ocean Rain either. Haven't tried Porcupine yet.

The Teardrop Explodes were, of course, superior in every way.

― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:17 (9 years ago) Permalink

I wouldn't call them "superior," just "different".

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:18 (9 years ago) Permalink

That's arguable.

― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:22 (9 years ago) Permalink

Arrgh-uable

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:26 (9 years ago) Permalink

The Teardrop Explodes were, of course, superior in every way.

you know, yesterday I would have agreed w/this 100%. I mean the teardrops were great, cope solo as well, really, one of my favourite bands/artists ever, but to-day, right now, I've got to disagree. "Ocean Rain" beats anything the TDX recorded hands down. Really, it's knocked me flat. I remember "Silver", for example being not-that-good, but when I put it on yesterday, i was like FUCK, THIS = TEH BEST MUSIC EVER!!1 It fucking lifted me up.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:27 (9 years ago) Permalink

er yes, it knocked me flat, then it lifted me up, right? As the leaden albatross of mixed metaphor flew past my head even, or something.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:28 (9 years ago) Permalink

Silver is classic. I like to cue it up so I can hit play first thing waking up.

― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:29 (9 years ago) Permalink

I love the Teardrop Explodes, but I just don't hear a great deal of similarity between them and the Bunnymen. I never saw why there had to be a feud between'em.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:37 (9 years ago) Permalink

Because the lead singers of both bands are very self-centered and extremely competitive. I think of it as an amiable kind of feud... old acquaintances making fun of each other can seem quite cruel to outsiders.

― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:43 (9 years ago) Permalink

oddly enough, i have not yet gotten my hands on the re-issues. hopefully, i will remedy that situation in the near future.

i 2d everything norman said upthread about ocean rain. i would also add that it's the 1 eatb record where i can see the purported doors influence -- in that ocean rain is kinda what the soft parade should have sounded like.

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:48 (9 years ago) Permalink

Was the boxed set material remastered? Should I buy the albums if I have the set?

Yes to both. (The reissues' bonus tracks are by and large not ones from the box set, though there's a small bit of overlap.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 19 March 2004 22:59 (9 years ago) Permalink

I dunno `bout that. Cope isn't so "amiable" toward Mac through much of Head-On and Repossessed. Rivalry does that, i suppose.

That said, I just never though the two bands sounded very similar. I mean, the Bunnymen were much more of a guitar band than the Teardrops.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 19 March 2004 23:53 (9 years ago) Permalink

they did co-write "read it in books." and they both love their sixties psychedelic/velvets stuff. though mr. mccullough hasn't seemed to have lost his marbles quite as spectacularly as mr. cope (whatever mccullough's other faults might be).

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Friday, 19 March 2004 23:58 (9 years ago) Permalink

Ned,

Thanks for the advice. I'll have to sell some stuff on ebay to pay for the reissues!

― paul c (paul c), Saturday, 20 March 2004 22:03 (9 years ago) Permalink

**and the waterboys (who = sux0r)**

Utterly awful band, yr right. Back to EATB - I have just bought the grey 5th album in the reissue series. I like this one greatly, but I realise that no-one else in the world does. Original (non-LP)version of Bedbugs and Ballyhoo is the absolute bizness.

Norm - based on what you've said about Ocean Rain, I reckon you'd really like 'Flowers' the 2001 EATB album. It's not widescreen like OR, but Will's interested again and his guitar work is fantastic in the same way that it's great on Porcupine and Killing Moon. Little details chucked in that no-one else would think of.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 22 March 2004 11:26 (9 years ago) Permalink

Reasons apart from having the complete albums for buying reissues if you've got the box set:

Shine So Hard EP on Crocodiles.
Live tracks from Australia on Heaven Up Here including The Disease - worra knees-up.
Nothing on Porcupine.
Life at Brian's (albeit minus newly topical miners' strike chit-chat) on Ocean Rain, and the non-12" AKA LP versions of Silver and The Killing Moon.
12" version of Bring on the Dancing Horses on the grey one. I quite like Soul Kitchen too.

Also they make the box set look much better than it did before.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Monday, 22 March 2004 16:28 (9 years ago) Permalink

Live tracks from Australia on Heaven Up Here including The Disease - worra knees-up.

Very much so.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 22 March 2004 16:57 (9 years ago) Permalink

2 years pass...

Oh my god people I have become obsessed with this song because Ocean Rain is a classic, an album among albums. I mean oh my fucking god. "THORN OF CROWNS" JUST OH MY FUCKING GOD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEThL6WcgF4

― Lick The Strobelight Lollipops (Bimble...), Sunday, 28 January 2007 21:44 (6 years ago) Permalink

I mean if that isn't the best music you've ever heard in your life then...

― Lick The Strobelight Lollipops (Bimble...), Sunday, 28 January 2007 21:45 (6 years ago) Permalink

Thanks for that vid, Bimble.

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Sunday, 28 January 2007 21:52 (6 years ago) Permalink

I mean you know, speaking as an anglophile, forget it. The Yanks can never do anything even half as good as that. Even though the sound of early REM is in my ears finally and making me very happy because I wanted to pull out the vinyl for awhile there so bad.

― Lick The Strobelight Lollipops (Bimble...), Sunday, 28 January 2007 21:57 (6 years ago) Permalink

Julian Phillips, bassist of Echo and the Bunnymen and Marion (although at times when neither band were remotely successful) stole my pint tonight

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Sunday, 28 January 2007 22:37 (6 years ago) Permalink

TAKE ME INTERNALLY

FOREVER YOURS, NOCTURNAL ME

TAKE ME INTERNALL FOREVER YOURS,
NOCTURNAL ME

― Lick The Strobelight Lollipops (Bimble...), Monday, 29 January 2007 03:43 (6 years ago) Permalink

When I'm on fire my body will be/forever yours/nocturnal me/
an ice kempt fire/and you and me/us realize/our bigger themes of..take me internally, forever yours, nocturnal me

Best o f british music, folks, this is it.

― Lick The Strobelight Lollipops (Bimble...), Monday, 29 January 2007 03:45 (6 years ago) Permalink

HERE AM I/HOME AT LAST WITH A GOLDEN VIEW/PLEASURE AND PAIN..

CRYSTAL VIEWS

PURIFY OUR MISFIT WAYS AND MAGNIFY OUR CRYSTAL DAYS

― Lick The Strobelight Lollipops (Bimble...), Monday, 29 January 2007 03:47 (6 years ago) Permalink

Froze to the bone in my igloo home

you know heaven and hell collide there are no in betweens

― Lick The Strobelight Lollipops (Bimble...), Monday, 29 January 2007 03:49 (6 years ago) Permalink

Flames on your skin of snow turn cold...
Cold is the wind that blows through my headstones...

This is all because Echo & The Bunnymen are...the link at the end of my willly nillly

"I'm the Yo YO Man always up and down /so take me to the end of your tether"

Forget it. Echo & The Bunnymen forever

― Lick The Strobelight Lollipops (Bimble...), Monday, 29 January 2007 03:51 (6 years ago) Permalink

CU CU CUMBERR

CA CA CA CABBAGE

YOU THINK YOURE A VEGETABLE NEVER COME OUT OF THE FRIDGE

YOU SET MY TEETH ON EDGE
CCAAA CA AULIFLOWER MEMOIRS APRIL SHOWERS

YOU ARE A DYING BREED! ooooooo

cucumber cabBAGE CAULIFLOWER AAAAAAAAAAH@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

wait for me on a new horizon new horIzON FOR EVERYONE

o deCIDED TO WEAR MY THORN OF CROWNS

ALLTHE WAY ROUND....

insideout!

uPSIDE DOWN!

bACK TO FRONT!

aLL THE WAY ROUND!

dOWNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

― Lick The Strobelight Lollipops (Bimble...), Monday, 29 January 2007 03:56 (6 years ago) Permalink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEThL6WcgF4

fate up againST YOUR WILL THROUGH THE THICK AND THIN
HE WILL WAIT UNTIL YOU GIVE YOURSELF TO HIM

― Lick The Strobelight Lollipops (Bimble...), Monday, 29 January 2007 03:59 (6 years ago) Permalink

YOU GIVE YOURSELF TO HIM/FATE UP AGAINST YOUR WILL/THROUGH THE THICK AND THIN/HE WILL WAIT UNTIL/YOU GIVE YOURSELF TO HIM

― Lick The Strobelight Lollipops (Bimble...), Monday, 29 January 2007 04:01 (6 years ago) Permalink

shut up

― slackety yax (H2-H4), Monday, 29 January 2007 04:01 (6 years ago) Permalink

Skipping 56 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

I like Porcupine just fine, but it's probably my least favorite of the five, original 1980s albums. Still a good one, though.

Really? God, that's such great news to hear. I've only heard Songs to Learn and Sing and Porcupine, and I couldn't be more instantly obsessed. I've had so many experiences with being introduced to bands with the best possible entry point (aka, Jesus and Mary Chain, Psychocandy)) and being disappointed afterwards with further exploration.

― Z S, Wednesday, 20 February 2008 04:53 (5 years ago) Permalink

What the fuck HAPPENS in "Porcupine" about 1/2 way through?

The drugs kick in.

ah ... so THAT'S what the "pork of the porcupine" was really all about then!

― Eisbaer, Wednesday, 20 February 2008 06:02 (5 years ago) Permalink

> I like Porcupine just fine, but it's probably my least favorite of the five, original 1980s albums.

there's not a lot to dislike about those first 4.

very cheap double cd best of just released
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Killing-Moon-Best-Echo-Bunnymen/dp/B000WTNDQ2

but buy the original lps anyway.

― koogs, Wednesday, 20 February 2008 10:18 (5 years ago) Permalink

3 months pass...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/musicclub/doc_ericsliverpoolclub.shtml

"Steve Lamacq presents a celebration of Eric's, the Liverpool club that helped establish Merseyside as the UK's musical epicentre at the end of the 1970s.

During a brief period of time in the late seventies, the club witnessed the birth of a whole new Liverpool music scene, one that would travel far and beyond the city.

With Echo and the Bunnymen playing their first ever gig at the club as support to the Teardrop Explodes in November 1978, Eric's has earnt its place in rock 'n' roll history as the angsty younger brother to the Cavern."

(this was over the weekend but is listenagainable)

also, this friday on bbc4, 2 liverpudlian Rock Family Trees, the merseybeat years and the early eighties. "Contains some strong language."

recently went to liverpool for the first time in search of eric's and brian's and the like. and found nothing. eric's is now vivian westwood's (was slap bang next to the old (and new) cavern in matthew street. was all knocked down and rebuilt as appartments & shops. only mention i saw of E&tB was at a poster of liverpudlian bands in hmv...)

― koogs, Monday, 2 June 2008 09:02 (5 years ago) Permalink

4 months pass...

I'm in NYC now, having flown here to catch the Bunnymen doing the entirety of the Ocean Rain album with a ten-piece "orchestra". They also did an earlier set of stuff from across their career.

Anyway, I want to give thanks to the wonderful European man at the gig who spontaneously and rather passionately hugged me in the middle of "Thorn of Crowns" and said "this song is amazing isn't it?"

Also want to give a shoutout to Deeznuts, for even though I was at my worst drunkenness-wise when I last posted that "Thorn of Crowns" You Tube clip here, he remembered it and said he really liked that song, too.

I'm playing Killing Moon on my iPod now.

― The More You Live The Faster You Will Die (Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You), Friday, 3 October 2008 05:57 (4 years ago) Permalink

The SOUND OF THE GUITAR.

― The More You Live The Faster You Will Die (Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You), Friday, 3 October 2008 05:58 (4 years ago) Permalink

I really think Silver is their finest ever moment. Those strings! that will sergeant guitar! the 'did he
slip in a rude word there?' bit
so much mightier than the cutter, good as that is, but it's really just a good riff and some choppy guitar
but not much melody. even killing moon can't top silver.
never stop is another overlooked single, the best thing on porcupine

― Dr X O'Skeleton, Saturday, 4 October 2008 11:37 (4 years ago) Permalink

"Boney Maroney??"

― The More You Live The Faster You Will Die (Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You), Saturday, 4 October 2008 12:00 (4 years ago) Permalink

Go to sleep.

― Matt P, Saturday, 4 October 2008 12:12 (4 years ago) Permalink

Yes, I shall soon, indeed. But what business is it of yours?

― The More You Live The Faster You Will Die (Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You), Saturday, 4 October 2008 12:17 (4 years ago) Permalink

i was just watching this before i posted earlier. mac for home secretary, circa 83

― Dr X O'Skeleton, Saturday, 4 October 2008 12:59 (4 years ago) Permalink

> never stop is another overlooked single, the best thing on porcupine

except it isn't. was only added to the re-releases.

― koogs, Saturday, 4 October 2008 14:23 (4 years ago) Permalink

Yeah I was gonna say...Never Stop wasn't on a regular LP of theirs...

To me that's when the Bunnymen started really getting good was when that song came out.

But it's possible I have my timelines a bit skewed. Anyway, I found the Radio City Music Hall NYC performance on You Tube of Thorn of Crowns...it's not quite as energetic or animated as you might imagine (was Mac just extremely pissed?) but if you were there at the venue to shout and jump around like I was, you wouldn't care:

― The More You Live The Faster You Will Die (Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You), Saturday, 4 October 2008 14:42 (4 years ago) Permalink

Nice performance! It looks to me like Ian is doing his best Jim Reid impersonation, though.

― ilxor, Saturday, 4 October 2008 15:58 (4 years ago) Permalink

...Never Stop wasn't on a regular LP of theirs...

forgot that, have just dug out my copy to remind myself. the other side of that single, heads will roll, is
on the album. i always felt never stop should have been. i agree it was their first stunning record, much
as i like the first 2 albums and songs like Over the Wall

― Dr X O'Skeleton, Saturday, 4 October 2008 19:36 (4 years ago) Permalink

"looks to me like Ian is doing his best Jim Reid impersonation"

Jim Reid started out as a McCulloch impersonation.

― Soukesian, Saturday, 4 October 2008 19:41 (4 years ago) Permalink

LOL

― The More You Live The Faster You Will Die (Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You), Saturday, 4 October 2008 20:07 (4 years ago) Permalink

Okay, get ready folks, new dbl CD reissue of Ocean Rain due Oct 21st has a gig from 1983 as the second disc.

― The More You Live The Faster You Will Die (Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You), Saturday, 4 October 2008 21:06 (4 years ago) Permalink

"Some fine singles but with Interpol's stronger rhytm section they may be rendered totally redundant if the new breed make enough albums."

Oh boy.

― Hazy, Sunday, 5 October 2008 00:31 (4 years ago) Permalink

Wait, so.. Bimble, did Echo actually play "Never Stop" at the RCMH show? I love that song too & always thought it would sound absolutely fanfuckingtastic played live with string section.

― Pillbox, Sunday, 5 October 2008 01:09 (4 years ago) Permalink

No, they didn't play Never Stop at the gig I attended, but it is on the '83 gig that comes with the new Ocean Rain reissue.

― The More You Live The Faster You Will Die (Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You), Sunday, 5 October 2008 03:44 (4 years ago) Permalink

I love Ocean Rain and all that sails in her.
But it has to be said that reciting a list of vegetables bears as much relation to psychedelia
as sticking pencils up your nose and placing yer underpants on yer head bears to madness

― Dr X O'Skeleton, Sunday, 5 October 2008 14:15 (4 years ago) Permalink

4 months pass...

I've got the Peel Sessions and presumably, you don't.

― think you're a fookin' bat, eh? (Bimble), Saturday, 7 February 2009 11:15 (4 years ago) Permalink

Definitely more goth than you lot.

― think you're a fookin' bat, eh? (Bimble), Saturday, 7 February 2009 11:18 (4 years ago) Permalink

Go fuck a giraffe in the sunlight of the desert, folks. You don't get any more goth than Echo & Bunnymen Peel Sessions.

OVER THE WALL

― think you're a fookin' bat, eh? (Bimble), Saturday, 7 February 2009 11:25 (4 years ago) Permalink

Oddly enough, I don't. But I soon will.

― Millsner, Saturday, 7 February 2009 11:52 (4 years ago) Permalink

I can't help it, that Peel Session song "No Hands" is the gothiest thing ever. Beautiful and amen. Listen to the bass. I'll never recover. That is absolutely the most beautifully goth thing I've ever heard. Oh my god, make it stop. That is going to fuck with my head all night.
Too much goth. Too much.

― think you're a fookin' bat, eh? (Bimble), Saturday, 7 February 2009 12:25 (4 years ago) Permalink

2 weeks pass...

Echo & Bunnymen Peel Sessions, people. This is where the living is. Breathe the fresh air.

― All Night Party Of Goth (Bimble), Sunday, 22 February 2009 21:22 (4 years ago) Permalink

4 months pass...

Do you know why I'm cooler than you? Because I have them doing New Order/Joy Division's "Ceremony", that's why. Out cooled you all, too late.

― Buckets of Rong (Bimble), Sunday, 28 June 2009 21:20 (3 years ago) Permalink

I've got McCulloch joining NO for 'Ceremony' at the Festival of the Tenth Summer, 1986. That's got to count for something!

― Millsner, Monday, 29 June 2009 10:46 (3 years ago) Permalink

Last time I saw Ian Mac, was at an 808 state gig where he was featured vocalist.

― Mark G, Monday, 29 June 2009 13:05 (3 years ago) Permalink

haha that track ("Moses") is probably my favorite thing he's done

― get money fuck witches (HI DERE), Monday, 29 June 2009 13:47 (3 years ago) Permalink

last time i saw IM he was singing Pale Blue Eyes with edwyn collins (and A N Other?) as one of a few support acts for the cocteau twins (which also include jim and william reid doing acoustic songs) (brixton academy, er, nov 1990)

― koogs, Monday, 29 June 2009 18:32 (3 years ago) Permalink

Last time I saw him was Electrafixion. D'oh!

― Keith, Monday, 29 June 2009 18:33 (3 years ago) Permalink

he was singing Pale Blue Eyes with edwyn collins (and A N Other?)

Roddy Frame, I believe.

― Ned Raggett, Monday, 29 June 2009 18:37 (3 years ago) Permalink

you are right. who else played, do you know? google got me lots of links to that same cocteau's gigography but no details.

― koogs, Monday, 29 June 2009 20:29 (3 years ago) Permalink

I like how you're asking Ned, Deano.... I mean, you were there. I suppose if you remembered maybe you weren't.

― Keith, Monday, 29 June 2009 23:16 (3 years ago) Permalink

2 months pass...

Anyone have the "Baseball Bill" 7" that was Electrafixion's last release? It was later included on Echo's "Avalanche" but to my ears the two versions are labeled backwards:
"Baseball Bill (Electrafixion version)" - 4:44
"Baseball Bill (Sgt Fuzz remix)" - 4:35

The first track sounds fuzzy, the second less so. Can anyone check?

― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Tuesday, 8 September 2009 15:12 (3 years ago) Permalink

1 month passes...

Moment from Simon Reynold's "Rip It Up..." book that made me laugh:

Ian McCulloch started to make bitchy comments about U2, describing their anthemic songs as "music for plumbers and bricklayers" while boasting that the Bunnymen were "an oceans and mountains band."

― Cunga, Friday, 16 October 2009 04:46 (3 years ago) Permalink

3 weeks pass...

lol @ these guys blaming the IRS for them fucking up their tour

― I'm gonna put on an iron burt, and chase stanton out of urt (Curt1s Stephens), Monday, 9 November 2009 15:53 (3 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

Just been speaking to my brother in law who went to see them last night in Glasgow. Sounds interesting, as Mac was totally hammered, was abusing the road crew, ranting at the audience and walked off before the end. Though my brother in law had left before then.

― The multi-talented F.R. David (Billy Dods), Thursday, 29 September 2011 19:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

Skip to 2'30 for Mac meltdown.

― The multi-talented F.R. David (Billy Dods), Thursday, 29 September 2011 19:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

absolutely no idea what he's saying. made out 'shut up' and 'fucking bastard'.

― brotherlovesdub, Thursday, 29 September 2011 19:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

Sadly it wasn't “I will knee-cap yer fuckin’ head off”

http://wandywatson.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/all-at-sea-again-%e2%80%93-echo-and-the-bunnymen-at-the-royal-concert-hall-glasgow-28-september-2011/

― The multi-talented F.R. David (Billy Dods), Thursday, 29 September 2011 20:58 (1 year ago) Permalink

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearls_Before_Swine

― meisenfek, Thursday, 29 September 2011 22:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

7 months pass...

So yesterday friend Stripey and I got to chat for a while with Will Sergeant about his art at his gallery showing in LA. Very cool guy. Artwork's excellent as well, BTW; showing only started on Friday and half the pieces were sold!

Also he has a new solo album out, Things Inside, which is acoustic and not limited to guitar either -- enjoyable and will have to give it a couple more listens here for sure. Les Pattinson also plays bass on four tracks!

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 20 May 2012 13:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

i once briefly lived in a car (a friends) and killed their battery listening to 'the cutter' over and over and over for about three or four days.
obsessed with that song.
can do no wrong. (just got lent that julian cope 'double' book about that whole thing... which one should i read first?)

― dextor ellis bextor, Sunday, 20 May 2012 13:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

I really like Echo & the Bunnymen, but I've never gotten Sergeant's guitar hero status. It's amazing, in fact, how little the guitar plays a role in much of their best stuff, aside from a few little simple but not terribly inspired licks (compare to Pete, who is one of my favorite, and a wildly creative, drummer). Though I admit, knowing what not to play, or when not to play, is often gift enough.

― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 20 May 2012 13:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

1 month passes...

Meantime, other Will-related stuff. First, a new project, Polter-Geist, with Les Pattinson.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Polter-Geist/412308438805076

Separately and a couple of years old, the Metronome.

http://www.myspace.com/themetronome

― Ned Raggett, Monday, 9 July 2012 18:52 (11 months ago) Permalink

Are they any cop? It's been years since anything from a Bunnyman interested me, sadly.

― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Tuesday, 10 July 2012 04:27 (11 months ago) Permalink

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