The band broke up in 2002, and I don't know if there have ever been any other side projects or anything like that. Does anyone have any idea what anyone in the band, particularly Sue Tompkins, is up to now?
pppp
― pppp, Sunday, 7 August 2005 00:09 (eighteen years ago) link
the australian only single is great as well http://www.trifekta.com.au/artists/artist.asp?id=3
― zappi (joni), Sunday, 7 August 2005 00:16 (eighteen years ago) link
will and robert were briefly also in proforma but will left to concentrate on writing and robert left soon after to focus on his graphic design business. none of them are involved with music any more.
― stirmonster (stirmonster), Sunday, 7 August 2005 01:00 (eighteen years ago) link
No matter how many times I read this line, my brain just won't process it. Maybe if I read it one more time, word by word, very slowly...
― The Spiderwebbed Wilderness (Bimble...), Sunday, 7 August 2005 01:06 (eighteen years ago) link
― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Sunday, 7 August 2005 03:43 (eighteen years ago) link
― gem (trisk), Sunday, 7 August 2005 03:48 (eighteen years ago) link
― simon 803 (simon 803), Sunday, 7 August 2005 09:07 (eighteen years ago) link
― Michael Lambert (Michael Lambert), Sunday, 7 August 2005 20:55 (eighteen years ago) link
― nicholas de jong (nicholas de jong), Monday, 8 August 2005 00:34 (eighteen years ago) link
― my favorite cover band, crystal shit (Jody Beth Rosen), Monday, 8 August 2005 00:37 (eighteen years ago) link
As it stands, my favorite thing by them is an admittedly straightforward but still fun cover of Prince's "Pop Life."
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 8 August 2005 00:42 (eighteen years ago) link
― jed_ (jed), Monday, 8 August 2005 00:47 (eighteen years ago) link
― jed_ (jed), Monday, 8 August 2005 00:49 (eighteen years ago) link
― shine headlights on me (electricsound), Monday, 8 August 2005 00:51 (eighteen years ago) link
― my favorite cover band, crystal shit (Jody Beth Rosen), Monday, 8 August 2005 01:08 (eighteen years ago) link
― my favorite cover band, crystal shit (Jody Beth Rosen), Monday, 8 August 2005 01:12 (eighteen years ago) link
― Pharmaceutical Executive, Monday, 8 August 2005 16:11 (eighteen years ago) link
― Garrett Martin (Garrett Martin), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 18:48 (eighteen years ago) link
― Sterling Clover (s_clover), Saturday, 8 October 2005 05:01 (eighteen years ago) link
Jesus H.
This album is just...the best goddamn thing of the last 10 years. Did I say that already?
THE RIGHT STUFF
― Bimble, Tuesday, 25 December 2007 07:30 (sixteen years ago) link
LOOK BACK AND SAY THAT I DIDN'T
― Bimble, Tuesday, 25 December 2007 07:32 (sixteen years ago) link
There was a Magnet article in 2001 on the five bands that represent Nu No Wave:
Liars, Ex-Models, Life Without Buildings, Seconds and _______?
― Whiney G. Weingarten, Tuesday, 25 December 2007 09:02 (sixteen years ago) link
...erase errata, if i remember correctly.
― spastic heritage, Tuesday, 25 December 2007 14:13 (sixteen years ago) link
Goddammit, for a split-second I thought the thread was revived for a new album. It seems like the only real reason I check ILM these days.
Did anyone get that live album that came out this year?
― alex in montreal, Tuesday, 25 December 2007 15:06 (sixteen years ago) link
i did, and it's terrifically fun. and since i can't currently find my copy of "any other city" that's all i have to listen to right now.
they were always my secret band that i sprang on anyone who liked the fall or the pixies or post-punk in general. such a shame. but it's kind of nice in some ways that it is what it is, and we just have the one great album to love.
― Emily Bjurnhjam, Tuesday, 25 December 2007 16:44 (sixteen years ago) link
The one new/unreleased song on the live album, "Liberty Feelup," is as wonderful as anything on Any Other City, too.
― maciej recognizing trill, Tuesday, 25 December 2007 17:11 (sixteen years ago) link
I can't believe how long it took me to notice how much this band takes after Sonic Youth! The guitar playing is a whole lot like how Thurston plays rhythm, just cleaner and low-gain and pretty (e.g., "Young Offenders"); he even likes to throw in ringy harmonics in a Thurstony way; and the vocals are really not unlike something Thurston or Kim might sing, only higher and a rate of about 5x as many more words per minute.
Which isn't weird, since probably most indie guitar stuff could be compared to Sonic Youth in some way or other -- I just can't believe this never even crossed my mind before, and then suddenly I'm listening through the record and it's, like ... the distance between some of these things and a poppy SY track is surprisingly short!
― nabisco, Friday, 22 May 2009 19:04 (fourteen years ago) link
(Ha, googling around suggest I might just have been slow on this point -- I guess a decent number of reviews at the time identified that template under there)
― nabisco, Friday, 22 May 2009 19:08 (fourteen years ago) link
Huh, I'm not sure that would've crossed my mind, but I like both Life Without Buildings and pop-oriented Sonic Youth enormously, so I wouldn't be surprised if there is indeed a connection.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Friday, 22 May 2009 19:10 (fourteen years ago) link
What has crossed my mind is how well the music would work without vocals as just a nice breezy post-rock record, like Tristeza or something.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Friday, 22 May 2009 19:12 (fourteen years ago) link
Heartbeat always skitters across a couple of grooves seeing a LWB thread get revived.
― Enemy Insects (NickB), Friday, 22 May 2009 19:15 (fourteen years ago) link
^^^ Such a wonderful track.
― Enemy Insects (NickB), Friday, 22 May 2009 19:17 (fourteen years ago) link
xxp Which maybe has to do with a tendency to play little melodic riffs and arpeggios as much, if not more so, than outright chords -- which I do think is true of Sonic Youth and also, incidentally, Sleater-Kinney's The Hot Rock.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Friday, 22 May 2009 19:18 (fourteen years ago) link
thx for the video link. I'd stopped looking for videos a while ago.
― Johnny Fever, Friday, 22 May 2009 19:18 (fourteen years ago) link
Not a video I'm afraid, just audio :(
― Enemy Insects (NickB), Friday, 22 May 2009 19:19 (fourteen years ago) link
:(
― Johnny Fever, Friday, 22 May 2009 19:20 (fourteen years ago) link
Also: a friend introduced LWB to me as "the Sugarcubes meets Pavement" for whatever that's worth.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Friday, 22 May 2009 19:26 (fourteen years ago) link
!
That's bizarre.
When I first heard the album, the combo I made in my mind immediately was Altered Images vs. Sleater-Kinney.
― Johnny Fever, Friday, 22 May 2009 19:29 (fourteen years ago) link
my realization was based on watching SY play a thing all morning, then having "Young Offenders" pop up on shuffle on the way home; if you can engineer a similar situation of being SY-sensitized and then hearing that track, it might have the same head-slapping quality
― nabisco, Friday, 22 May 2009 19:30 (fourteen years ago) link
That Love Trinity track is really good. Haven't heard it before. Can someone up it?
― van smack, Saturday, 23 May 2009 00:03 (fourteen years ago) link
gimme 1 sec
― jump in the looool (electricsound), Saturday, 23 May 2009 01:26 (fourteen years ago) link
oh thanks
― van smack, Saturday, 23 May 2009 01:39 (fourteen years ago) link
http://rapidshare.com/files/236160811/01_Love_Trinity.mp3.html
― jump in the looool (electricsound), Saturday, 23 May 2009 01:41 (fourteen years ago) link
Oh wow we're turning people on to LWB songs here they haven't heard before! Nice work, ILM!
― Sacriligiously Dead (Bimble), Sunday, 24 May 2009 10:35 (fourteen years ago) link
Alas, limit reached. Re up please?
― phantompenguin, Sunday, 24 May 2009 14:19 (fourteen years ago) link
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Friday, 22 May 2009 19:12 (2 days ago)
^^^ this. it's the vocals that really push the songs over the edge. case in point: http://www.imeem.com/people/wgMI9AD/music/0B6wbnjb/life-without-buildings-daylighting/
― a somnambulist in an ambulance (r1o natsume), Sunday, 24 May 2009 14:43 (fourteen years ago) link
don't know if this has been mentioned already but seeing as we're talking about soundalikes, thomas tantrum sound very very much like LWB:
― NI, Sunday, 24 May 2009 16:26 (fourteen years ago) link
i mentioned that somewhere, and i agree, sadly their album was v disappointing
― jump in the looool (electricsound), Sunday, 24 May 2009 23:54 (fourteen years ago) link
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-City-Life-Without-Buildings/dp/B00005AKO2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1243287289&sr=8-1
This is insane, the LWB studio album listed at £83.52 - 2 copies, one of the sellers admitting that the digipak is pretty worn. My first copy was £2, and was given to a friend when I found another copy recently in better condition for a whole 10p. Spotted "Is Is & the IRS" cd single for 1p on Amazon, so have broken my self imposed "no CD purchases in May" rule to get it.
Does anyone have an MP3 of "Daylighting" they'd be willing to provide me with? Or know where I can get a legit download of it, I don't fancy paying the £66 someone wants for a copy of "Young Offenders" to complete the collection.
― MichaelJLambert, Monday, 25 May 2009 21:46 (fourteen years ago) link
i have it, i'll dig it out when i get home tonight
― jump in the looool (electricsound), Tuesday, 26 May 2009 00:08 (fourteen years ago) link
i will also search for their prince cover too, i have the cd somewhere
Just buy it from Amazon US and not UK, it is only 10.50 on there.
― svend, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 00:10 (fourteen years ago) link
BTW Daylighting is a bonus track on the US pressing.
― svend, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 00:12 (fourteen years ago) link
Daylighting: http://rapidshare.com/files/237239605/11_Daylighting.mp3.html
― phantompenguin, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 00:16 (fourteen years ago) link
Thanks very much for that! One day I hope to find a copy of the "Love Trinity" CD single for a reasonable price.
― MichaelJLambert, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 00:27 (fourteen years ago) link
Just buy it from Amazon US and not UK, it is only 10.50 on there.― svend, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 01:10 (17 minutes ago) Bookmark
― svend, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 01:10 (17 minutes ago) Bookmark
Thanks, but I've already got the UK pressing of the 'Any Other City', was just surprised that someone thought they'd get anywhere listing at that price - I know it's the EIL approach, hope someone's desperate enough. Someone on Amazon UK was after £66 for the "Young Offenders" CD single, which is "only" $19 on Amazon US.
― MichaelJLambert, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 00:31 (fourteen years ago) link
And I'm also a muppet - 10.50 for US pressing which includes "Daylighting" rather than $19 or £66 for the single. Duh.
― MichaelJLambert, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 00:32 (fourteen years ago) link
Plus the US one is in a jewel case, I have both as well and the LP :).
― svend, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 00:33 (fourteen years ago) link
At least it's a small discography to be trying to hoover up!
― MichaelJLambert, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 00:37 (fourteen years ago) link
i was going to suggest getting in contact with trifekta as they may still have stock but they seem to have fallen off the face of the earth
― jump in the looool (electricsound), Tuesday, 26 May 2009 00:43 (fourteen years ago) link
http://chaos.com/product/love_trinity_380323_18294.html
― jump in the looool (electricsound), Tuesday, 26 May 2009 00:44 (fourteen years ago) link
The Trifekta website has disappeared but found a myspace, will give them a shout.
I also found that listing on chaos.com, but the 14-20 day wait for dispatch wasn't promising - that would imply they don't have it in stock and would be ordering it in themselves. May as well try and cut out the middleman.
― MichaelJLambert, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 11:58 (fourteen years ago) link
back in the day their website had a free download of a live acoustic take of the leanover that was really good. i last had it in like 2006 - does anyone have that now? i can't find it anywhere!
― phantompenguin, Monday, 22 February 2010 03:41 (fourteen years ago) link
interesting - a recently conducted "follow up" interview with the drummer and guitarist of lwb: http://musosguide.com/life-without-buildings-the-catch-up-interview/8990
― phantompenguin, Monday, 22 February 2010 03:49 (fourteen years ago) link
I would love to know if anyone had a .rar of "Love Trinity." The single, not the live one since thats easier to come by.
― Evan, Monday, 22 February 2010 04:58 (fourteen years ago) link
yeah, i have it. are you looking specifically for the song, or the whole single, which features two other songs?
― phantompenguin, Monday, 22 February 2010 05:21 (fourteen years ago) link
If the other two are good I'll take them! Thanks!
― Evan, Monday, 22 February 2010 05:56 (fourteen years ago) link
https://www.yousendit.com/download/RmNBK3BDd0k5RlpjR0E9PQ
there you go!
― phantompenguin, Monday, 22 February 2010 06:56 (fourteen years ago) link
Saw Life Without Buildings years ago supporting Hefner and thought they were terrible. It wasn't until a few years later when I picked up 'Any other City' and realised how wrong I had been. I was pretty young when I saw them and I guess I didn't have the listening background in post-punk I have now which makes them more understandable. Still, missed opportunity.
― AnotherDeadHero, Monday, 22 February 2010 16:16 (fourteen years ago) link
Yeah, I'm still cursing myself for missing them the one time they played here (supporting Piano Magic circa Low Birth Weight!). Why the fuck did I miss that?
― We should have called Suzie and Bobby (NickB), Monday, 22 February 2010 16:29 (fourteen years ago) link
Catch-up interview with Robert and Will: http://musosguide.com/life-without-buildings-the-catch-up-interview/8990
"We broke up because Sue didn’t want to do it anymore. She wanted to focus on visual art, and had never really bargained on being the singer in a band. To put that in perspective, when the band began of course none of us really thought anyone would be interested, so there wasn’t anything at stake. As things went on, it started to feel a bit more pressurised, so we did some daft things like taking support gigs with larger bands because it would be ‘good for us’ and generally treating it more like a job than like fun (I take a large part of the responsibility for this!). If we had been a bit smarter about it we could probably have carried on a bit longer and tried to plough our own path rather than do things the way we thought they were ‘meant’ to be done. For Sue i think it turned from a laugh into being a commitment she’d never signed up for."
― Johnny Fever, Sunday, 7 March 2010 07:04 (fourteen years ago) link
Oh, haha... I guess I should've spotted that seven posts above.
― Johnny Fever, Sunday, 7 March 2010 07:07 (fourteen years ago) link
I'm fifteen and just discovered them. I'm glad I don't just sit around being sad they broke up and instead just jam their jams.
― thistle supporter (mcoll), Tuesday, 16 November 2010 07:25 (thirteen years ago) link
JAMzzzzzzzzz
was hoping this thread revival meant they were reuiniting
― akm, Tuesday, 16 November 2010 21:00 (thirteen years ago) link
SEE
― thistle supporter (mcoll), Wednesday, 17 November 2010 03:55 (thirteen years ago) link
So I only got round to getting this album about a month ago and I am completely in love with it. I cannot believe I left it so long to check them out. I'm sure they used to get played on Radio 1's Evening Session back in the day but i was probably too busy obsessing over Mansun to really notice them, even though I'm a huge Japan fan and remember being impressed with their name.
14 Days is probably my favourite track, the chorus is just heartbreaking.
Should I be picking up that live album that came out?
― Kitchen Person, Wednesday, 23 March 2011 20:06 (thirteen years ago) link
Sure. It's got at least one unique track on it. Be sure to round up the singles tracks, too.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Wednesday, 23 March 2011 21:52 (thirteen years ago) link
'liberty feelup' is the exclusive on the live record and it is worth having
― ˆ°ᴥ°ˆ (electricsound), Wednesday, 23 March 2011 22:35 (thirteen years ago) link
You get 'Love Trinity' too, which isn't on Any Other City and is pretty much the definition of a must-have.
― ka£ka (NickB), Wednesday, 23 March 2011 22:39 (thirteen years ago) link
yeah love trinity is essential. i reckon a second album would have been wonderful, but what are you gonna do
― ˆ°ᴥ°ˆ (electricsound), Wednesday, 23 March 2011 22:42 (thirteen years ago) link
Be sure to round up the singles tracks, too.
yeah, the single versions of "New Town", "The Leanover", and "Let's Get Out" are appreciably different from the later album versions. they're rougher and more shoddily recorded, like demos almost. I prefer the better sound quality of the re-recordings, but the singles are worth hearing if you're a completist like I am.
"Love Trinity" and "Pop Life" are essential, as is "Is Is and the IRS". the latter was recorded twice; the earlier single version (b/w "Let's Get Out") is slightly better than the re-recording on the b-side of "Love Trinity".
"Daylighting" (another "Love Trinity" b-side, which resurfaced as bonus track on the American release of Any Other City) is one of the few songs of theirs where the vocals really grate on me. no, Sue, I will not take you to the kino.
I wish they'd recorded a second album too, electricsound. I feel like a follow-up album where they tried to match the spastic energy of the singles and most of Any Other City would've inevitably disappointed people. but if they went in a prettier, slower, more polished direction in the vein of "Sorrow" and "Love Trinity", I think they could've come up with something as fresh and compelling as their debut.
― administratieve blunder (unregistered), Wednesday, 23 March 2011 23:32 (thirteen years ago) link
those guys doing some insane altered images kinda pop record would have been amazing
― ˆ°ᴥ°ˆ (electricsound), Wednesday, 23 March 2011 23:35 (thirteen years ago) link
they could have done a very credible cover of "Pink Blue", imho.
― administratieve blunder (unregistered), Wednesday, 23 March 2011 23:43 (thirteen years ago) link
er, "Pinky Blue"
The band essentially broke up because Sue didn't want to be a singer anymore iirc, so the rest of them should've just called Clare Grogan and said "hey, let's do something."
― Johnny Fever, Wednesday, 23 March 2011 23:48 (thirteen years ago) link
^^
― ˆ°ᴥ°ˆ (electricsound), Wednesday, 23 March 2011 23:48 (thirteen years ago) link
the single versions of "New Town", "The Leanover"
This is the sort of tidbit I love ILX for. I had no idea the single versions were different, thanks!
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Thursday, 24 March 2011 00:42 (thirteen years ago) link
Of course, if anyone can point to a source for these versions... ;-)
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Thursday, 24 March 2011 00:46 (thirteen years ago) link
i actually like the 45 version of the leanover way more than the re-recorded version.
if i find a source i will let you know!
― ˆ°ᴥ°ˆ (electricsound), Thursday, 24 March 2011 00:48 (thirteen years ago) link
I can webmail those track to you if you'd like, gerald.
― administratieve blunder (unregistered), Thursday, 24 March 2011 01:32 (thirteen years ago) link
How is this stuff still out of print?! It's not even available digitally. So many indie nerds go on and on about these records; I find it hard to believe some label couldn't do an all-tracks re-issue that would get some buzz (a'la that Sub Pop Vaselines comp).
― She Got the Shakes, Thursday, 24 March 2011 11:14 (thirteen years ago) link
if you haven't heard it you should track down their cover of Princes 'Pop Life', Sue trying to rein in her vocal tics and sing it straight is fun to listen to
― zappi, Thursday, 24 March 2011 11:44 (thirteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7Pvu3r5_xg
― ka£ka (NickB), Thursday, 24 March 2011 11:58 (thirteen years ago) link
the live album is on spotify if you have access to that. love the version of New Town on there. I love the way she introduces it with "this is new town! this is australia!" she seems so excited/happy to be there.
― i love it when a suggest ban comes together (cajunsunday), Thursday, 24 March 2011 12:07 (thirteen years ago) link
they were a total blast live
― ˆ°ᴥ°ˆ (electricsound), Thursday, 24 March 2011 21:54 (thirteen years ago) link
love the version of New Town on there.
Just been listening to this and my god, I had forgotten how good it was. Totally fierce!
― ridic beau (NickB), Thursday, 21 April 2011 12:48 (twelve years ago) link
Meanwhile Spotify says...
Users who listen to Life Without Buildings also listen to:
David Cronenberg's WifeA Grave With No NameInternet ForeverShragYoung British ArtistsHymie's BasementOrphan's & Vandalsvolcano!Marble ValleyTeeth of the SeaBell OrchestreBearsuitEffi BriestTen In The Swear JarSimon BookishRemember RememberLift To ExperienceForest FireMechanical Bride
Would any of these be of any use to me as a surrogate LWB?
― ridic beau (NickB), Thursday, 21 April 2011 12:55 (twelve years ago) link
oh shit, stray apostrophe in there somewhere
― ridic beau (NickB), Thursday, 21 April 2011 12:56 (twelve years ago) link
i've never heard of a single one of those bands, except for bell orchestre. weird.
― akm, Thursday, 21 April 2011 20:22 (twelve years ago) link
What a weird collection of bands. To answer your question: not really.Ten inthe Swear Jar is what became Xiu Xiu. They're more poppy.Effie Briest is probably the closest, but they're punkier and less tuneful.I refuse to believe there is a bad called "Internet Forever."
― Walter Galt, Thursday, 21 April 2011 20:30 (twelve years ago) link
Effi Briest is pretty good, but not at all similar to LWB. Likewise, Ten in the Swear Jar was good too (Jamie Stewart's pre-Xiu Xiu band), but nothing at all like LWB.
― Johnny Fever, Thursday, 21 April 2011 20:31 (twelve years ago) link
xp oof
― Johnny Fever, Thursday, 21 April 2011 20:32 (twelve years ago) link
Ha - I guess "quirkily female fronted indie" is all they've got in common...I really liked Ten in the Swear Jar (and IBOPA, which had one awesome 7")
― Walter Galt, Thursday, 21 April 2011 21:07 (twelve years ago) link
I need to go and find other ways to acquire this, huh? I'm never going to just "come across" a real copy out there.
― 'what are you, the Hymen Protection League of America?' (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Thursday, 21 April 2011 21:09 (twelve years ago) link
LWB?
I bought my copy at Tower for $1.99 back in 2001(ish) because someone there had mistakenly put it in the discount import singles section. STEAL OF ALL TIME!
― Johnny Fever, Thursday, 21 April 2011 21:10 (twelve years ago) link
Sorry, yeah, the LWB album I meant. Its been on my "to buy" list for years, but I've yet to come across a copy of it or the live disc.
― 'what are you, the Hymen Protection League of America?' (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Thursday, 21 April 2011 21:16 (twelve years ago) link
Well, I'll rep for Simon Bookish as being awesome but nothing like Life Without BuildingsIf I'm craving more Life Without Buildings I'll listen to "The Power Out" and/or Altered Images and that usually does it
― THE Alan Moulder?!? (Ówen P.), Friday, 22 April 2011 05:56 (twelve years ago) link
dunno! Art Brut might appeal to you though.
"There Goes Concorde Again" by ...And The Native Hipsters also comes to mind. but it resembles LWOB on such a shallow level that it seems almost insulting to bring it up.
― administratieve blunder (unregistered), Friday, 22 April 2011 13:40 (twelve years ago) link
The earlier stuff by Thomas Tantrum is a bit LWB-ish (the newer stuff isn't, as they likely got harassed for it and decided to cut it out)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RioZmv1lmVU
― Johnny Fever, Friday, 22 April 2011 13:47 (twelve years ago) link
My problem with The Power Out is even though I do like it, whenever I put it on I just immediately skip to the glorious & transcendent 3rd track and listen to it on repeat. Life has programmed me to do that.
― We make bouquets that fade immediately. (Turangalila), Saturday, 23 April 2011 18:01 (twelve years ago) link
oh man i used to listen to any other city a lot
― fauxmarc, Saturday, 23 April 2011 18:01 (twelve years ago) link
that Thomas Tantrum clip is pretty good & I can definitely hear the resemblance. thx.
― administratieve blunder (unregistered), Saturday, 23 April 2011 18:15 (twelve years ago) link
How did you guys find out about this band?Me, it was a Little Darla compilation, loaned by a friend. "Envoys" was on it.
― THE Alan Moulder?!? (Ówen P.), Sunday, 24 April 2011 08:13 (twelve years ago) link
I bought everything tugboat records put out so I discovered them that way. I fell in love with the leanover immediately..
― Pavlova und Obstquark (electricsound), Sunday, 24 April 2011 09:34 (twelve years ago) link
this thread
― Spikey, Sunday, 24 April 2011 10:38 (twelve years ago) link
My friend Martin mentioned something about them, so I went to their website (pre-Myspace/Facebook/etc when everyone still had an individual site and most of them were shit-tay) and streamed some RealAudio.
― Johnny Fever, Sunday, 24 April 2011 15:56 (twelve years ago) link
Anybody I ever show this to in real life is either indifferent or horribly annoyed by her vocal stlye/delivery.
― Wacky Way Lounge (Evan), Sunday, 24 April 2011 16:00 (twelve years ago) link
Fuck the real life.
― We make bouquets that fade immediately. (Turangalila), Sunday, 24 April 2011 20:23 (twelve years ago) link
Oh Sal, my e-friend, Life Without Buildings would be nothing without real life!
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Sunday, 24 April 2011 21:26 (twelve years ago) link
Seriously love it though. Mostly has to do with the melodic sensibilities of the guitar parts.
― Wacky Way Lounge (Evan), Tuesday, 26 April 2011 04:41 (twelve years ago) link
Ok, so I'm slow on the uptake sometimes - I happened to hear that Thomas Tantrum song on my local cool college radio station and was quite smitten. Anyone know if any of their albums are of similar quality?
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Tuesday, 5 July 2011 23:40 (twelve years ago) link
which TT song?
i liked their first bunch of singles a lot, but the debut was patchy at best. the new album is a considerable step forward.
― thee o shi (electricsound), Tuesday, 5 July 2011 23:44 (twelve years ago) link
Oops, the one upthread, "Shake It".
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 00:54 (twelve years ago) link
the new one is really good, and a lot more dreampop than the LWB-lite of earlier efforts
― thee o shi (electricsound), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 01:08 (twelve years ago) link
Embarrassed at myself for my use of the term "real life" in here.
Was re-listening and enjoying this again very much. These guitar parts are something to strive for when I play.
― Evan, Thursday, 1 March 2012 04:25 (twelve years ago) link
thanks for bumping this thread and getting my hopes up...
― snack, Thursday, 1 March 2012 04:56 (twelve years ago) link
Ha, I knew someone would say that! Sorry.
― Evan, Thursday, 1 March 2012 05:48 (twelve years ago) link
Whenever this thread gets bumped, I just concede before clicking that someone has pulled the album out again and was overcome with joy. Because...how could it not have that effect?
― Johnny Fever, Thursday, 1 March 2012 06:30 (twelve years ago) link
i was also punk'd
― fauxmarc, Thursday, 1 March 2012 15:43 (twelve years ago) link
Anyone ever found any video footage of these folks?
― Feebs K-Tel (NickB), Thursday, 1 March 2012 15:53 (twelve years ago) link
No, they haven't gotten back together.
But there's this. Oy Gevalt.
― kornrulez6969, Friday, 14 June 2013 17:46 (ten years ago) link
I'm glad she's happy, but that is so not my scene.
― Ⓓⓡ. (Johnny Fever), Friday, 14 June 2013 17:53 (ten years ago) link
One of the more inexplicable band breakups of recent years. Everybody loved them, they had instant success, and now she's hopping around talking about black holes.
― kornrulez6969, Friday, 14 June 2013 17:57 (ten years ago) link
It's the pee-dance
― Evan, Friday, 14 June 2013 18:14 (ten years ago) link
the history of half past ten
― space bl00ps (NickB), Tuesday, 26 November 2013 10:00 (ten years ago) link
interesting interview:http://musosguide.com/life-without-buildings-the-catch-up-interview/8990
We also got a lot from the post-rock and post-hardcore sounds of the Glasgow scene at the time, and from Sue’s fantastic refusal to be interested in anything other than the most mainstream music and the most esoteric literature.
― space bl00ps (NickB), Tuesday, 26 November 2013 10:03 (ten years ago) link
Frustratingly, this has no sound:
Sue Tompkins - Be My Wife, Live At The Modern Institute
― space bl00ps (NickB), Tuesday, 26 November 2013 10:17 (ten years ago) link
I can hear it!
― Michael Jones, Tuesday, 26 November 2013 10:36 (ten years ago) link
damn! any good?
― space bl00ps (NickB), Tuesday, 26 November 2013 10:37 (ten years ago) link
Yeah, pretty sweet actually!
― Michael Jones, Tuesday, 26 November 2013 10:49 (ten years ago) link
she does look like she's having fun
― space bl00ps (NickB), Tuesday, 26 November 2013 10:56 (ten years ago) link
there is also a new-ish video on youtube called "sue tompkins - captain beefheart tribute", which looks like another poetry reading but i couldn't get the sound to work on that either
― space bl00ps (NickB), Tuesday, 26 November 2013 11:07 (ten years ago) link
If you're in Newcastle tonight why not drop by and catch this...http://www.thenortherncharter.org/errorshitorient
― ringworm, Friday, 29 November 2013 17:34 (ten years ago) link
Sue Tompkins is playing in NYC on Saturday. Does anybody know what this is going to be like, or anything about it?
http://www.themoderninstitute.com/media/images/large/11938.jpg
― DonkeyTeeth, Tuesday, 4 March 2014 00:34 (ten years ago) link
It'll most likely be Sue performing her poems straight, ie with no music. She's been doing this a while (I feel like maybe before LWB) and i've been lucky enough to see her a few times and it's always been brilliant. Very similar to how she was onstage with LWB — skipping about and tentative but totally in the moment.
Totally go!
― Priory, Tuesday, 4 March 2014 03:48 (ten years ago) link
link to event listing?
― eric banana (s.clover), Tuesday, 4 March 2014 03:52 (ten years ago) link
if its what its titled, it looks to be this:
https://vimeo.com/74618301
― eric banana (s.clover), Tuesday, 4 March 2014 03:54 (ten years ago) link
That flyer is the only thing I've seen about it. It's at White Columns at 8 on Saturday.
I'm going for sure! Very excited.
― DonkeyTeeth, Tuesday, 4 March 2014 05:40 (ten years ago) link
Any Other City getting a vinyl reissue for Record Store Day.
http://pitchfork.com/news/54418-life-without-buildings-any-other-city-being-reissued-for-record-store-day/
Really hope I can hold of a copy.
― Kitchen Person, Sunday, 23 March 2014 22:13 (ten years ago) link
Yeah me too!
― Evan, Sunday, 23 March 2014 22:15 (ten years ago) link
Looking at this list it's not listed as limited edition so hopefully it'll be easy to get.
http://new-vinyl.blogspot.com/2014/01/record-store-day-2014rsd-7-april-19.html
I don't really know how Record Store Day works, I've never gotten involved with it before. The thought of trying to fight for the records I want stresses me out but I'd do it for this reissue.
― Kitchen Person, Sunday, 23 March 2014 22:22 (ten years ago) link
It doesn't seem to me like the release that you have to fight for. I'm optimistically suspecting it'll be the kind of RSD release that lingers in stores after the frenzy.
― Evan, Sunday, 23 March 2014 22:34 (ten years ago) link
First editions of the LP come with a 7” that contains alternate recordings of album cuts “The Leanover” and “New Town.”
― sktsh, Sunday, 23 March 2014 22:41 (ten years ago) link
That 7" originally came out before the LP iirc and I prefer those versions, though the LP versions kill too
― FUCK BINGO LET'S COMPASSION (stevie), Sunday, 23 March 2014 23:16 (ten years ago) link
Would be nice to get the version with the single but think I'll just take the easier option and aim for the album on its own.
― Kitchen Person, Sunday, 23 March 2014 23:20 (ten years ago) link
The best thing about this review is the link it provides for the original NME review back in 2001. Had forgotten just how long the NME have been making absolutely no effort into writing actual reviews.
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19181-life-without-buildings-any-other-city/
― Kitchen Person, Friday, 18 April 2014 15:53 (nine years ago) link
Never heard this album but all the re-release hype has made me super excited to hear it (it's not available on Spotify or anything like that). So this will be one of those increasingly rare albums I purchase without hearing first. I do miss that experience.
― Evan R, Friday, 18 April 2014 15:59 (nine years ago) link
This album and Since I Left You volley back and forth as my favorite albums of the 00s, but this one's on top most of the time. I sincerely hope you find you love it.
― Johnny Fever, Friday, 18 April 2014 16:09 (nine years ago) link
Not sure how I missed it the first time, b/c it sounds right in my sweet spot and I was devouring this kind of stuff at the time.
But in the years since I've been burned by so many NME-ish bands that I stopped checking most of them out—"RIYL The Fall" is no longer the catnip it once was for me—so I do fear sometimes that I'm missing out on at least a few awesome UK bands I'd love if I gave them the chance
― Evan R, Friday, 18 April 2014 16:12 (nine years ago) link
Yeah, I picked it as my favorite album of the 00s for the Stylus Decade.
― jaymc, Friday, 18 April 2014 16:13 (nine years ago) link
I'm pretty sure I wrote a glowing review of their last London live show, supporting The Strokes (who were playing their first London live show) at the Barfly, but I can't find it on the NME website.
― it definitely wasn't designed to be a pants pocket player (stevie), Friday, 18 April 2014 16:37 (nine years ago) link
Funny that I don't love this album the way I did in 2002, but I do love it for killing post-rock dead
― "got ye!" (flamboyant goon tie included), Friday, 18 April 2014 16:52 (nine years ago) link
So I wasn't able to find this on Record Store Day. Do we know if this was a RSD-only re-release? I'm not finding any place online that's selling it, even Rough Trade's web store isn't
― Evan R, Sunday, 20 April 2014 15:19 (nine years ago) link
I knew an mp3 version is being released on iTunes and Amazon next week (or the week after, I can't recall) but don't know about the vinyl.
― Insane Prince of False Binaries (Gukbe), Sunday, 20 April 2014 15:28 (nine years ago) link
idgi, how did LWOB "kill post-rock dead"?
― tao lin wolf (unregistered), Sunday, 20 April 2014 15:43 (nine years ago) link
i heard this for the first time yesterday
it rules
― emo canon in twee major (BradNelson), Sunday, 20 April 2014 16:12 (nine years ago) link
they didn't kill post-rock in the UK, most UK post-rock probably came after they split up - or at least it was in the early 00s that it scene-ified over here (outside London and maybe Glasgow and a few other places, anyway)
and they probably did get knocked down the bill from headlining to supporting the Strokes on their first UK tour at the last minute (a story one of the articles upthread mentions and then calls "possibly apocryphal"), but so did the local support here, who were no Life Without Buildings - the Strokes were basically unheard of one week, NME single of the week two days before their UK tour started, and bills were rearranged all over the country
anyway all of that is beside the point, as this is a great album. how does the reissue sound?
― the ghosts of dead pom-bears (a passing spacecadet), Sunday, 20 April 2014 16:32 (nine years ago) link
i can easily imagine this. buzz about the strokes from the Modern Age single was massive, and definitely the anticipation at the London show was for the strokes, who were excellent - indeed, I never saw them play better. but life without buildings were better still.
― it definitely wasn't designed to be a pants pocket player (stevie), Sunday, 20 April 2014 16:55 (nine years ago) link
FWIW I bought the re-issue at Rough Trade East towards the end of the day yesterday, and they still had at least a dozen copies left. They're going to sell their unsold stock next Saturday online, so maybe look for it there.
The only downers are that it was £29.99, which is fucking insane, and that I forgot that the album doesn't actually include my favorite song of theirs (Love Trinity) which I now realize I had on a CD single which Discogs tells me goes for over £50 and which I'm sure I gave to a charity shop a decade ago after ripping it, like an idiot!
Sounds great, anyway, and comes with a bonus 7" with a couple of demos which I haven't played yet.
― Walter Galt, Sunday, 20 April 2014 17:33 (nine years ago) link
Just picked it up at Saki in Chicago, $23, they still had a few.
― Torei, Sunday, 20 April 2014 20:04 (nine years ago) link
the right stuff, the rightthe right stuff
― It's Pablum Time with (NickB), Sunday, 20 April 2014 20:33 (nine years ago) link
Does the remaster sound any different? I'm thrilled this is getting a reissue but it never sounded like it was missing anything in the first place..
― sktsh, Sunday, 20 April 2014 23:13 (nine years ago) link
someone should write up an alt-canon that has this at one end and sonny sharrock's 'black woman' at the other
― j., Friday, 25 April 2014 20:00 (nine years ago) link
Anyone still looking for a copy of this. I ordered it from the website two weeks ago thinking I'd probably get told it was out of stock or something. It just turned up today and is the version with the single. I'm delighted.
http://whatsyourrupture.bigcartel.com/product/life-without-buildings-any-other-city
$29 with shipping which seems like a great deal.
― Kitchen Person, Saturday, 3 May 2014 19:29 (nine years ago) link
I just ordered it and it seemed to go through, so I hope I'm successful as well.
― Johnny Fever, Saturday, 3 May 2014 22:17 (nine years ago) link
After a few days of not hearing anything I did email them to check they had it in stock. They got back to me within minutes saying "Yes, we have a copy for you. Enjoy your record" It took another ten days to arrive and they didn't send a confirmation email but here it is. It looks great but haven't played it yet.
I feel bad for the people who have paid over a hundred dollars on eBay for a copy.
― Kitchen Person, Sunday, 4 May 2014 01:33 (nine years ago) link
I just got my copy in the mail yesterday. IIRC, my shipment confirmation came from USPS or some third-party mail forwarder, not from WYR, so maybe it got flagged as spam? I don't get the impression that this was a terribly limited release, or if it was, maybe most shops just didn't get it. WYR in the states and Rough Trade for Britishers seem to have plenty.
― You guys are caterpillar (Telephone thing), Sunday, 4 May 2014 22:31 (nine years ago) link
Mine just came today. I just emailed WYR yesterday to see why it was taking so long and he said they'd just received the re-pressed stock but that he'd found some leftover RSD stock there at the office and sent it out last week. I wonder if the re-pressed albums include the 7".
― Johnny Fever, Tuesday, 3 June 2014 22:41 (nine years ago) link
They are full of shit. I ordered them on May 4th and I mailed them last week and this is what they said.
"If you read teh description it says
"Reissue of Life Without Buildings LP. These copies do not includethe 7". Stock will arrive around May 30th and will ship out after."
BUT! I ended up finding a few extra LP+7" versions and sent one ofthose your way yesterday. Expect the record next week.
Kevin"
My email still has the link to the one I ordered
"Life Without Buildings - Any Other City$24.99"
If it would have been the normal version then it would have been 19.99. I haven't checked my mail box yet.
― svend, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 01:26 (nine years ago) link
Amazing how they found some......
― svend, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 01:27 (nine years ago) link
He can lie to me all he wants as long as he holds up his end of the bargain. Now that the (RSD version of the) record is in my possession, I no longer care.
― Johnny Fever, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 01:35 (nine years ago) link
this thread just reminded me of the existence of erase errata
― socki (s1ocki), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 03:05 (nine years ago) link
nightlife was an astonishing record
― it definitely wasn't designed to be a pants pocket player (stevie), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 07:09 (nine years ago) link
classic review:http://www.nme.com/reviews/4076
― sosmix klopp (NickB), Tuesday, 2 December 2014 20:44 (nine years ago) link
classic indeed!
― mmmm, Tuesday, 2 December 2014 22:21 (nine years ago) link
yeah this album is incredible. total magic eye thing.
― imago, Friday, 27 September 2019 15:02 (four years ago) link
and while the vocalist is undeniably the star, i am not sure this would have worked with a more vigorous or in-any-way-pointed musical backdrop, nor a more ambient one - it's pretty perfect autumn music
― imago, Friday, 27 September 2019 15:07 (four years ago) link
ting ting!
― the creator has a mazda van (NickB), Friday, 27 September 2019 15:53 (four years ago) link
love some of the mini crescendos in these songs, those still kill me after all this time- look back and say that i didn't!- my lips are sealed (mad as a seal?)- looookin in your eeeeeyyyyeeessss! looookin in your eeeeeyyyyeeessss! looookin in your eeeeeyyyyeeessss!
― the creator has a mazda van (NickB), Friday, 27 September 2019 16:06 (four years ago) link
Agreed but it's funny how the vocals put most people off. I think it's all the repetition.
― Evan, Friday, 27 September 2019 16:28 (four years ago) link
imago so otm.
all time album!
I'm hoping Sue did something with Underworld.... she is mentioned in the liner notes of Drift episode 2. One of the guys recently discovered the album and met with her.
― maffew12, Friday, 27 September 2019 16:48 (four years ago) link
did a dj set a few months ago during a happy hour thing I was doing and played Life Without Buildings in a set with Anne Clark, Leslie Winer and Algebra Suicide. One young woman in the audience lost her shit. It was a good set.
― dan selzer, Friday, 27 September 2019 17:05 (four years ago) link
looookin in your eeeeeyyyyeeessss! looookin in your eeeeeyyyyeeessss! looookin in your eeeeeyyyyeeessss!
impossible for me not to hear this as "lookin in your arse", but that somehow doesn't distract from the power of the song.
"if i lose you if i lose you if i lose you, to her to her to her" is a thrilling in media res opening too
― flopsy bird (voodoo chili), Friday, 27 September 2019 17:08 (four years ago) link
in the loosin the loosin the loos("leaves", really, i guess)
if i lose you *to her*? I only hear "uh huh" -- same on lyrics sites. She then goes on to elaborate, "in the street".
― maffew12, Friday, 27 September 2019 17:14 (four years ago) link
that live album too, right? goddam
― maffew12, Friday, 27 September 2019 17:15 (four years ago) link
i always heard "to her," or i guess in her accent "to huh"
― flopsy bird (voodoo chili), Friday, 27 September 2019 17:16 (four years ago) link
ooh ooo
― maffew12, Friday, 27 September 2019 17:18 (four years ago) link
Love this album and it makes me so happy how it has a mini fan-club on here.
I go back to their Pop Life cover a lot.
― kitchen person, Friday, 27 September 2019 17:19 (four years ago) link
The music is so lush too. Sometimes I want an instrumental version of the album so I can also use it as background jam mood music.
― Evan, Friday, 27 September 2019 17:28 (four years ago) link
it's 'the huh, the huh, the huh', you can hear it pretty clearly here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY5G_jvyDo8
― the creator has a mazda van (NickB), Friday, 27 September 2019 18:56 (four years ago) link
clearly "uh huh" to my ears from that
― Evan, Friday, 27 September 2019 19:05 (four years ago) link
uh huh? nuh uh
― the creator has a mazda van (NickB), Friday, 27 September 2019 19:07 (four years ago) link
Oh weird, now I hear "the huh, uh huh, uh huh" each time she repeats that part.
― Evan, Friday, 27 September 2019 19:07 (four years ago) link
yuh huh
my favorite is the one about Laurel
― maffew12, Friday, 27 September 2019 19:14 (four years ago) link
ok but she's definitely saying, "looking in your arse," right?
― flopsy bird (voodoo chili), Friday, 27 September 2019 19:15 (four years ago) link
i always hear arse too tbh, but that's cos i want to
back at 'the leanover', it took me ages to work out where i'd heard the phrase 'i like you mostly late at night' before ('sea song' by robert wyatt obv)
― the creator has a mazda van (NickB), Friday, 27 September 2019 19:17 (four years ago) link
mbv mbv mbv mbv mbv more mbv hi fi.
Have embarrassed myself on a least a couple of occasions by drunkenly telling the guitarist of this group how great they were.
― Stevie T, Friday, 27 September 2019 19:17 (four years ago) link
correct protocol imo
― the creator has a mazda van (NickB), Friday, 27 September 2019 19:21 (four years ago) link
if i lose you *to her*? I only hear "uh huh"
Am I missing something here? It's clearly "if I lose, If I lose, If I lose you in the street"
― What a ridiculous clusterfuck of totally uncool jokers (jed_), Friday, 27 September 2019 19:48 (four years ago) link
yeah "if I lose"
― Evan, Friday, 27 September 2019 19:55 (four years ago) link
the many ways the many w-w-ways
― hot dog go to bathroom (cajunsunday), Friday, 27 September 2019 21:06 (four years ago) link
dddddddays like television
― flopson, Friday, 27 September 2019 21:55 (four years ago) link
'leanover' lyrics would be a good poll
― flopson, Friday, 27 September 2019 21:56 (four years ago) link
guys ffs it's "a Fallujan street". it takes place in Iraq.
― maffew12, Friday, 27 September 2019 23:10 (four years ago) link
the album was released two years before the war in Iraq started
― Clay, Friday, 27 September 2019 23:54 (four years ago) link
I..um..... think about that and post back?
― maffew12, Saturday, 28 September 2019 01:26 (four years ago) link
Haven't listened to this stuff yet but just found a yt user who's uploaded an australian radio session...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnZItwxx_jg
(that's track 1 of 5)
― Defund the indefensible (NickB), Tuesday, 11 August 2020 11:12 (three years ago) link
...and also a live show at the cavern in exeter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fyeX1vAQOU
(track 1 of 9)
― Defund the indefensible (NickB), Tuesday, 11 August 2020 11:13 (three years ago) link
i <3 lwb
― Defund the indefensible (NickB), Tuesday, 11 August 2020 11:15 (three years ago) link
We don't drive. We walk everywhere,
― krankymusic (cajunsunday), Tuesday, 11 August 2020 12:22 (three years ago) link
'Liberty Feel-Up' always reminds me of the Blue Aeroplanes circa 1986 when they really had that beatnik poetry meets Tom Verlaine guitar thing dialled like a fine-tuned engine. '14 Days' hits that spot too
― Defund the indefensible (NickB), Tuesday, 11 August 2020 12:38 (three years ago) link
not sure about this new direction
Presidential spiritual adviser Paula White is currently leading an impassioned prayer service in an effort to secure Trump's reelection. pic.twitter.com/hCSRh84d6g— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) November 5, 2020
― ||||||||, Thursday, 5 November 2020 10:14 (three years ago) link
Bwahahaha
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Thursday, 5 November 2020 10:31 (three years ago) link
Trump is the shaky baby amirite
― imago, Thursday, 5 November 2020 10:33 (three years ago) link
https://crossfade.io/#!/5lpkxvpdnk
― ufo, Thursday, 5 November 2020 10:54 (three years ago) link
yesssss
― imago, Thursday, 5 November 2020 12:26 (three years ago) link
this kind of thing has a 100% success rate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSIrQBGfUtw
― kiss some penis reference (breastcrawl), Thursday, 5 November 2020 18:59 (three years ago) link
they're coming herethey're coming herethey're coming herefrom africa right nowfrom south americaangelic reinforcementangelic reinforcementi hear the sound of victoryi hear the sound of victoryi hear the sound of victory
― cajunsunday, Thursday, 5 November 2020 20:13 (three years ago) link
I see they're a meme now
― marg bar āmrikā (||||||||), Monday, 11 January 2021 13:35 (three years ago) link
no fucking way is life without buildings being used on 19k tiktok’s like this hahahaha pic.twitter.com/BqeWFY5zuu— LaurenN🦷 (@1aurenmoose) January 11, 2021
― kites aren't fun (NickB), Monday, 11 January 2021 13:38 (three years ago) link
Wow! Its so cool to see a new generation discovering them.
― cajunsunday, Monday, 11 January 2021 13:46 (three years ago) link
It's weird how seeing someone else copy something can make it diminish or disappear; with Tompkins, it somehow makes her more unique.
― Vanishing Point (Chinaski), Monday, 11 January 2021 13:55 (three years ago) link
this is amazing
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Monday, 11 January 2021 14:15 (three years ago) link
that compilation definitely peaks with the hair dyeing one though
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Monday, 11 January 2021 14:23 (three years ago) link
life without buildings has gone from 30k monthly listeners on spotify to 210k lol— basic charnel 2021 (@basic_charnel) January 10, 2021
― cajunsunday, Monday, 11 January 2021 14:25 (three years ago) link
a lot of that does seem to be going to "The Leanover" but I'm sure some people are exploring
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Monday, 11 January 2021 14:27 (three years ago) link
lots of sue tompkins activity recently. have seen her twice in the last week in my neighbourhood and she followed me on twitter today. must be preparing for a comeback. ;-)
― stirmonster, Monday, 11 January 2021 18:32 (three years ago) link
hope she knows about the uptick in young fans!
― kites aren't fun (NickB), Monday, 11 January 2021 18:37 (three years ago) link
squeeeeeeee
― maf you one two (maffew12), Monday, 11 January 2021 18:38 (three years ago) link
She will surely notice the massive surge in streaming revenue. I bet next time i spot her she is being chauffered around.
― stirmonster, Monday, 11 January 2021 18:45 (three years ago) link
From 12 cents to $1.28! Good for them!
― soaring skrrrtpeggios (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Monday, 11 January 2021 18:49 (three years ago) link
ker-ching!
― stirmonster, Monday, 11 January 2021 19:01 (three years ago) link
Getting ready for their performance on Top of the Pops.
― cajunsunday, Monday, 11 January 2021 19:01 (three years ago) link
This is awesome. Kinda warms my heart. I actually first heard about LWB from this board about 16 years ago thanks to an early 00's album poll at the time.
― gman59, Monday, 11 January 2021 19:35 (three years ago) link
sea shanties also v big on tiktok right now pmsl
2021 is the year of the sea shanty pic.twitter.com/ohOAGvkbtC— Tim - Poster of Hugo Pics (@Beertheist) January 11, 2021
― marg bar āmrikā (||||||||), Tuesday, 12 January 2021 18:32 (three years ago) link
here's what Sue and Robert from the band think about all of this
― charlie brown from outta town (GM), Friday, 15 January 2021 19:21 (three years ago) link
Aw. I'm hoping Sue did or will do something with Underworld... In some notes to do with their year long "Drift" series one of the guys talks about discovering the album and meeting with Sue. There's apparently more Drift coming sometime.
― maf you one two (maffew12), Friday, 15 January 2021 19:32 (three years ago) link
Aw bless! Is that your piece GM?
― kieth chagrin (NickB), Friday, 15 January 2021 19:33 (three years ago) link
Interesting (though not shocking) detail about not seeing a dime from the original US release of the CD. They must've gotten a little from the 2014 vinyl release? Should be able to do another run now.
― maf you one two (maffew12), Friday, 15 January 2021 19:35 (three years ago) link
Yes! Sorry for the self-promotion!
― charlie brown from outta town (GM), Friday, 15 January 2021 19:43 (three years ago) link
Not at all - good job getting in touch with them and thanks for sharing! <3
― kieth chagrin (NickB), Friday, 15 January 2021 19:45 (three years ago) link
From the Guardian:
Life Without Buildings: in praise of the cult Glasgow band revived on TikTokhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jan/19/life-without-buildings-cult-glasgow-band-revived-on-tiktok-sue-tompkins
― kieth chagrin (NickB), Tuesday, 19 January 2021 14:31 (three years ago) link
i have no idea why that piece mentions math rock and post hardcore. i don't see them in that lineage at all?
― kieth chagrin (NickB), Tuesday, 19 January 2021 14:40 (three years ago) link
I always thought there was something mathy about LWB, FWIW (NB: not W very much), if I think about the airy chug of, say, "Daylighting" it's a comparison that makes sense to me. I don't think I know what "post-hardcore" is so I can't really comment on that but I do know that Jennifer Hodgson knows what's what.
― Tim, Tuesday, 19 January 2021 14:52 (three years ago) link
Rhythmically I always heard some post-rock and math-y stuff in there.
― Ray Cooney as "Crotch" (stevie), Tuesday, 19 January 2021 14:55 (three years ago) link
Indeed. when they formed, Glasgow was overflowing with post / math rock bands. It was hard to walk down the street without seeing someone carrying a Slint album under their arm. LWB were a hugely refreshing breath of fresh air at that time.
I'm not sure what post hardcore is either.
― stirmonster, Tuesday, 19 January 2021 14:56 (three years ago) link
As she mentions the 80s specifically, I'm guessing it's a reference to groups like Rites Of Spring and Shudder To Think? Again, I can hear parallels.
― Ray Cooney as "Crotch" (stevie), Tuesday, 19 January 2021 14:57 (three years ago) link
Glasgow was big on midwest style indie back then, some of which , eg music of the kinsellas,slint could be considered post hardcore
― Fenners' Pen (jim in vancouver), Tuesday, 19 January 2021 15:01 (three years ago) link
Rodan would be another post hardcore example
Ah, i see. Yes, of course; i had completely forgotten about all those bands. All were hugely popular in Glasgow around that time and it is of course very possible that their influence rubbed off on them.
I also know Robert Johnston was a big Joy Division and post-punk fan back then.
― stirmonster, Tuesday, 19 January 2021 15:08 (three years ago) link
Glasgow was big on midwest style indie back then, some of which , eg music of the kinsellas,slint could be considered post hardcore― Fenners' Pen (jim in vancouver), Tuesday, January 19, 2021 9:01 AM (one hour ago) bookmarkflaglink
― Fenners' Pen (jim in vancouver), Tuesday, January 19, 2021 9:01 AM (one hour ago) bookmarkflaglink
Yeah, I can hear some shared musical DNA between Any Other City and, for instance, the American Football debut that came out a year earlier. Just thinking of like the guitar tones and interplay.
― jaymc, Tuesday, 19 January 2021 16:15 (three years ago) link
Both Life Without Buildings and the first American Football album were a big influence on a friend and I and the music we were making in the mid-2000s. Both separate but satisfying in a similar way - the cleanliness and deftness of the music. I love that Sue’s voice is an instrument; the words aren’t just there as words.
― hamicle, Tuesday, 19 January 2021 16:25 (three years ago) link
New and quite in depth interview with sue here:
https://toneglow.substack.com/p/050-sue-tompkins-life-without-buildings
― would a nit be nice? (NickB), Thursday, 4 February 2021 07:59 (three years ago) link
I can't get over her magnificent hair.
― Heavy Messages (jed_), Thursday, 4 February 2021 16:00 (three years ago) link
Looks like Any Other City is being reissued again:
https://www.resident-music.com/productdetails&product_id=76644
― would a nit be nice? (NickB), Monday, 15 March 2021 08:23 (three years ago) link
(^ that's just a link to my local record shop btw, you might want to order it from elsewhere if you live in any other city. in any other city in the world)
― would a nit be nice? (NickB), Monday, 15 March 2021 08:24 (three years ago) link
This is cool. Live footage has emerged!
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1805059259694167&id=703119639888140
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxJaXEHtqso
― cajunsunday, Thursday, 1 April 2021 10:41 (two years ago) link
Just saw someone post this on Facebook. I felt emotional watching it.
― kitchen person, Thursday, 1 April 2021 23:59 (two years ago) link
been a fan of this band for nearly 20 years and that's the first i've ever seen of them, astonishing
― Clay, Friday, 2 April 2021 02:19 (two years ago) link
Yeah, I'd seen the same 4 or 5 photos over the years, but never actual moving footage of them performing. Did Sue always sing from notes?
― Johnny Fever, Friday, 2 April 2021 02:24 (two years ago) link
I'm finally seeing visual footage of my life's soundtrack
― flamboyant goon tie included, Friday, 2 April 2021 02:48 (two years ago) link
Stuart Murdoch in the audience at the end stops clapping way too early IMO.
― kitchen person, Friday, 2 April 2021 04:47 (two years ago) link
xxp She uses notes in a lot of her spoken word performances.This was so great to see
― maf you one two (maffew12), Sunday, 11 April 2021 05:39 (two years ago) link
of COURSE she's jumping around everywhere :D
― imago, Sunday, 11 April 2021 08:42 (two years ago) link
When I saw them there were notes for only 2 songs I think, maybe The Leanover & New Town? Even then it seemed more of an affectation or a comfort, rather than actually relying on them for a memory aide. The band were really tight but visually static, and then this whirling dervish monopolising the full stage space
― Jonathan Hellion Mumble, Sunday, 11 April 2021 15:36 (two years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3atVbiV_Ow
― Clay, Thursday, 22 April 2021 05:46 (two years ago) link
totally missed that last lot of thread updates. amazing!!
― o shit the sheriff (NickB), Monday, 13 December 2021 21:15 (two years ago) link
so i searched and these were also on youtube...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxIbwsauQMkNew Town
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uOHEueVGdgJuno
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWJW5-26IXgLet's Get Out
― o shit the sheriff (NickB), Monday, 13 December 2021 21:17 (two years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MySIwLnSQUYoung Offenders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5uICT2o5MELive in Paris
― o shit the sheriff (NickB), Monday, 13 December 2021 21:18 (two years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7n9ELcXnJ8Life Without Buildings Live at Transmission Gallery, Glasgow
― o shit the sheriff (NickB), Monday, 13 December 2021 21:19 (two years ago) link
am i tripping or something? are all these videos actually really real? i'm flipping out here
― o shit the sheriff (NickB), Monday, 13 December 2021 21:22 (two years ago) link
Was only (only!) coming here to post this, a recent interview here with Robert Dallas Gray (formerly Robert Johnston):https://arcane-delights.com/2021/11/21/robert-dallas-gray-life-without-buildings-interview/
― o shit the sheriff (NickB), Monday, 13 December 2021 21:23 (two years ago) link
also an AG Cook remix of The Leanover which tbh i'm not totally sure about:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSv6MzFVzc0
― o shit the sheriff (NickB), Monday, 13 December 2021 21:25 (two years ago) link
and i don't think i ever heard this before...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qkkbGMGYgUDaylighting (b-side of Young Offenders)
― o shit the sheriff (NickB), Monday, 13 December 2021 21:26 (two years ago) link
Fuck I missed the earlier revive too!
Was already in bits by three quarters of the way through the Leanover
― hiroyoshi tins in (Sgt. Biscuits), Monday, 13 December 2021 21:31 (two years ago) link
last thing: never knew sue was from leighton buzzard, she would've been in the year above my sister at school there. wonder if she remembers her at all? will find out at christmas
anyhow, leighton buzzard: the baron knights, kajagoogoo, silver bullet, and now sue tompkins. talk about punching above your weight :)
xp: aww! amazing isn't it?
― o shit the sheriff (NickB), Monday, 13 December 2021 21:33 (two years ago) link
final post i swear: sue did a track with el hombre trajeado in 2016!! how the heck did i not know this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bY8RiDuqTI
― o shit the sheriff (NickB), Monday, 13 December 2021 21:41 (two years ago) link
my god that live Juno is beautiful
― o shit the sheriff (NickB), Monday, 13 December 2021 21:49 (two years ago) link
also hayley tompkins
https://www.themoderninstitute.com/artists/hayley-tompkins
― stirmonster, Monday, 13 December 2021 21:54 (two years ago) link
okay this killed me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKkpuLYlcF4
― o shit the sheriff (NickB), Monday, 13 December 2021 22:10 (two years ago) link
I was at this
― Qamon (||||||||), Monday, 13 December 2021 22:26 (two years ago) link
|||||||| !!!!!!!!
― o shit the sheriff (NickB), Monday, 13 December 2021 22:28 (two years ago) link
I was at the Transmission Gallery one.
― stirmonster, Monday, 13 December 2021 23:02 (two years ago) link
thanks so much for the new links
― maf you one two (maffew12), Tuesday, 14 December 2021 12:29 (two years ago) link
bagsie first dibs on stirmonster's memories if the component parts of his brain ever come up for auction.
btw optimo is given the love in that Robert Dallas Gray interview i linked to above :)
― o shit the sheriff (NickB), Tuesday, 14 December 2021 19:14 (two years ago) link
i just read that! robert and his friends were the very first regulars the club had and came almost religiously for the first year or so when not so many people attended. i'm not sure why LWB never performed there. memory is an interesting thing as i am 99.9% sure that television song he recalls hearing wasn't ever played.
― stirmonster, Tuesday, 14 December 2021 20:01 (two years ago) link
Nick's Youtube link got me curious and it looks like Sue has done a number of solo/guest vocals:- "Country Grammer", a 2004 solo track- "Raid" / "Turnover", a 2015 solo 7"- "Do It Puritan!" with El Hombre Trajeado in 2016- "Special Long Version (Demo)" with Russell Haswell in 2018- 5 tracks with TSX on recur³ followed by 4 tracks with TSX on recur² in 2019/2020
Given her slow build-up of work the last 5 years, I wonder if she's planning a proper solo or new band LP.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Tuesday, 14 December 2021 20:43 (two years ago) link
time for a comeback to show these Wet Dry Leg Cleaning posers how real random talk songs should be performed
― akm, Tuesday, 14 December 2021 21:46 (two years ago) link
Tompkins and Haswell have performed as a duo a few times now. I once saw them browsing DVDs in the Fopp on Union Street in Glasgow.
― Ward Fowler, Tuesday, 14 December 2021 22:18 (two years ago) link
I saw LWB in London one time, with Piano Magic I think. In Highbury, just near the Garage, can't remember the venue name. No trace of it online. Maybe I dreamed it?
― Position Position, Wednesday, 15 December 2021 02:19 (two years ago) link
I saw the same bill but it was in Camden in a basement. Right after Artists Rifles
― akm, Wednesday, 15 December 2021 02:40 (two years ago) link
yep, they played in brighton with piano magic too, round about the time of 'low birth weight' but i didn't go for some idiotic reason, genius that i am
― o shit the sheriff (NickB), Wednesday, 15 December 2021 06:05 (two years ago) link
I think Michael Jones of this parish and I saw the mystery Highbury venue Piano Magic support slot too - iirc it felt like a theatre space? A few actor friends of mine were there and seemed to be friends with Sue, which made me think they were some kind of improv/performance art thing, which slightly put me off. Saw them again a few months later, on some random NME bill with a friend's band at the LA2 and they completely won me over - so much so that by the time they played the Spitz a few months after that, they were pretty much my favourite band. And they split up :(
― Piedie Gimbel, Wednesday, 15 December 2021 07:27 (two years ago) link
I've doubtless mentioned this numerous times in this thread, but I saw them support The Strokes at the latter's debut headline show at the Barfly, and the Strokes were amazing - much better than I ever saw them again - but there was an unlikely magic to LWB that was sublime, and it felt like the indie scene was swapping this weird sublime music for stuff aimed squarely at the cash register. I guess it was similar to when Britpop began to coalesce and flex its commercial muscle.
― Enjoy the brighter sounds of Analog on CD (stevie), Wednesday, 15 December 2021 10:27 (two years ago) link
boops!
― dark end of the st. maud (sic), Wednesday, 15 December 2021 20:01 (two years ago) link
guess there's a repress of 'any other city' in the works...
hmm how interesting. wonder who else is in this series https://t.co/A9ctd3KxCD— Robert Dallas Gray (@rdg_music) July 26, 2023
― NickB, Thursday, 27 July 2023 16:08 (eight months ago) link
Only 500 of that first one? Maybe there'll be nice liners.
The previous represses look to be still around... e.g., Rough Trade website
― maf you one two (maffew12), Thursday, 27 July 2023 16:11 (eight months ago) link
kinda of hoping for some added extras tbh, 'love trinity' on vinyl would be an absolute dream
― NickB, Thursday, 27 July 2023 16:15 (eight months ago) link
btw if you're into solo guitar stuff, you might be interested in rdg's forthcoming solo album. sounding very lovely to me...
https://robertdallasgray.bandcamp.com/track/stolen-moments
― NickB, Thursday, 27 July 2023 16:16 (eight months ago) link
Yeah, I'm happy with my WYR pressing from 2014, but I might replace it if a new one comes with the Love Trinity tracks.
― ⓓⓡ (Johnny Fever), Thursday, 27 July 2023 21:18 (eight months ago) link
I did the artwork for the WYR pressing. Meaning I put the existing artwork in a new templates, shuffled around a few logos and dates etc. Was an honor.
― dan selzer, Thursday, 27 July 2023 22:12 (eight months ago) link
I would be happy if it was the live album on vinyl.
― kitchen person, Friday, 28 July 2023 00:26 (eight months ago) link
I guess something is happening today
Huge news coming this afternoon.Sign up to our mailout for first dibsHead here: https://t.co/KD1VvQUxOD pic.twitter.com/c8gmSVL2c0— monorail music (@Monorail_Music) August 21, 2023
― ⓓⓡ (Johnny Fever), Monday, 21 August 2023 13:11 (seven months ago) link
nice thanks. i'd probably down with international shipping just for a lyric sheet lol
― maf you one two (maffew12), Monday, 21 August 2023 13:29 (seven months ago) link
So it's a slightly deluxe version of the regular tracklist of the album.
LIFE WITHOUT BUILDINGS: Any Other CityThe Glasgow School 02Monorail Edition: 250 on colour vinyl Handstamped+numbered folder with Sue Tompkins Lyric book, flyers, final gig ticket + 2 badgeshttps://t.co/F5f5NxMkn6The most special of groups,So much love for this LP pic.twitter.com/s4tqSPUqCT— monorail music (@Monorail_Music) August 21, 2023
― ⓓⓡ (Johnny Fever), Monday, 21 August 2023 16:16 (seven months ago) link
one for the guit nerds:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyGpOt0Kb3T/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
― blazin' squab (NickB), Saturday, 7 October 2023 21:30 (five months ago) link
In EADGAE btw
― blazin' squab (NickB), Saturday, 7 October 2023 21:32 (five months ago) link
awesome. always wondered what tuning he used, so simple once you know
― ( X '____' )/ (zappi), Saturday, 7 October 2023 21:59 (five months ago) link
Good to see albums being reissued 'From Glasgow' not from complete and utter cunts
― PaulTMA, Saturday, 7 October 2023 22:10 (five months ago) link
gorgeous, ty for posting
― call all destroyer, Saturday, 7 October 2023 22:11 (five months ago) link