the Virgin Prunes, Gavin Friday - classic or dud

Message Bookmarked
Bookmark Removed
every so often american U2 fans run out of U2 records to buy, and so start buying records by Gavin Friday, professional mate o' Bongo.

At least that's the way it looks to me.

Does Gavin Friday and his former band, the Virgin Prunes, have any redeeming features?

DV (dirtyvicar), Tuesday, 14 January 2003 17:55 (twenty-one years ago) link

I had "If I Die, I Die" way back in the day. I kinda forget what it was like; "Baby Turns Blue" was a good song if I recall.

Sean (Sean), Tuesday, 14 January 2003 18:03 (twenty-one years ago) link

IF I DIE, I DIE is a fuckin' classic for the very reason Sean pointed out ("Baby Turns Blue"), but if you're going to seek it out on disc, make sure you get the New Rose re-release and not the Rough Trade US re-release, as the version of "BTB" on the latter is a truly awful 'remix.'

The rest of the Virgin Prunes output is pretty patchy (as they were really more of a 'performance art' troop than a real band.) Gavin Friday's solo material (well, with Maurice Seezer) is pretty brilliant, if you ask me, the best probably being his debut, EACH MAN KILLS THE THING HE LOVES, which dips handily into the darl cabaret bag ala Edith Piaf/Jacques Brel (whom he covers here), but often ends up sounding like a slightly campier Nick Cave. Some great moments overall, though.

ADAM & EVE (his second) had some worrying Europop moments (notably the dancey single, "I Want to Live," later covered worryingly by irritating supermodel and one-time Adam Clayton wife, Naomi Campbell). There are some nice tracks, but not his finest hour.

SHAG TOBACCO (the third and last, not counting Friday & Seezer's score to "The Boxer") is a deft meshing of his histrionic cabaret stylings mixed with elements of glam stomp and svelte pop. Not quite as cohesive as EACH MAN..., but a fine album.

Onstage, Gavin Friday is both compelling and hilarious (sometimes unintentionally). He is also guilty of encouraging his ol' buddy Bono into all that cringe-worthy MacPhisto shtick (which Friday probably could've pulled off with style and aplomb, but at Bono's hands just turned into an embarassing display of ludicrousness).

Anyone who picks up either a Virgin Prunes disc or a Gavin Friday disc hoping to hear something simillar to U2 will be sorely mistaken and surprised.....and probably not pleasantly.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 14 January 2003 18:14 (twenty-one years ago) link

That should be "dark cabaret bag," by the way, not darl.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 14 January 2003 18:15 (twenty-one years ago) link

I agree with everything Alex said about Gavin's solo material. I haven't heard enough of the Virgin Prunes to comment on that album, but I think I'll put it on my list of albums to buy.
I also agree that Gavin is quite a character live, and I was amazed when I saw him (Shag Tobacco tour) at how he completely captivated the audience, and for that two hours, he was the coolest guy on earth. Just little things he did on stage like inhaling quite a bit from his cigarette then blowing smoke all around his face and then popping his head out of the cloud of smoke, it was weird, but it really worked with the music and show. My description may sound a little lame, but it was a really entertaining show. The fact that he jumped into the audience and danced around for the last song only made the show better (which I doubt I'd say for many acts).

Also, for anyone who is already a Gavin fan, I would recommend you seek out The Boxer for the opening track, which is one of two vocal tracks on the soundtrack. It's really great.

I always loved the title track from the In The Name Of the Father soundtrack (duet with Bono), but only for Gavin's part.

Jonathan, Tuesday, 14 January 2003 18:33 (twenty-one years ago) link

Jonathan's dead right about the "In the Name of the Father" bits. Gavin also co-wrote "You Made Me the Thief of Your Heart" on that soundtrack, only the vox are handled by Sinead O'Connor.

Never heard "the Boxer." Must seek that out.

He's not been up to too much lately, has he.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 14 January 2003 18:42 (twenty-one years ago) link

His official site,

http://www.gavinfriday.com/

seems pretty up to date on his career. I don't know that there is a new solo album in the works, but the recent news mentions, among other things, a collaboration with Bono on a song for the movie In America, and something about Gavin covering Coldplay's Yellow.

Jonathan, Tuesday, 14 January 2003 18:54 (twenty-one years ago) link

Don't even mention in the same breath as bongo or wedge, no matter whom is whose cousin... If I Die, I Die is fucking BRILLIANT. There's a video thingey as well, which is endlessly entertaining, drunk Irish goffs rolling all over each other. Genuinely, wonderfully FUCKED UP. Urgent and key is the scene with Gavin and..,. what was the other bloke's name? Googie? Sitting on each others' laps singing bizarre drunken Irish songs about killing wives and some such things...

kate, Tuesday, 14 January 2003 19:13 (twenty-one years ago) link

You're thinking of SONS FIND DEVILS, and it is pretty funny....though I'm not sure it was intended to be.

Yeah, Googie (Guggi?) was the other one. He's a painter now.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 14 January 2003 19:56 (twenty-one years ago) link

EACH MAN KILLS THE THING HE LOVES, which dips handily into the darl cabaret bag ala Edith Piaf/Jacques Brel (whom he covers here), but often ends up sounding like a slightly campier Nick Cave

In theory I should hate this...ex performance trouper does campier Nick Cave with Wilde pretensions...but its a record I played over and over when it came out and still really like (first side especially) I think the reason is: Its. got. tunes. Nagging memorable ones at that.

gaz (gaz), Tuesday, 14 January 2003 22:08 (twenty-one years ago) link

Second side doesn't match the first side, Gaz, you're completely spot-on there.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 14 January 2003 22:08 (twenty-one years ago) link

http://virginprunes.com/gfx/heads_icon.jpg

Gav & Guggi (vassifer), Tuesday, 14 January 2003 23:41 (twenty-one years ago) link

something about Gavin covering Coldplay's Yellow

IS THERE NO BALM IN GILEAD?

This sad monstrosity aside, an absolute genius in and out of the Prunes. Recently saw a videotape of the VPs -- Sons Find Devils -- and I was happy indeed.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 15 January 2003 00:02 (twenty-one years ago) link

alex in nyc's post made me dig out my prunes / friday records for the first time in over a decade. i enjoyed them too, esp each man kills the thing he loves. thanks alex!

stirmonster, Wednesday, 15 January 2003 01:51 (twenty-one years ago) link

Mmm, maybe I am wrong in my irrational dislike of the Virgin Prunes and Gavin Friday. Perhaps I should listen to some of their music.

DV (dirtyvicar), Wednesday, 15 January 2003 18:47 (twenty-one years ago) link

Virgin Prunes - Baby turns blue sounded really great when i was a goth....

It´s pretty OK now, a lot better than most of the music i listened too.

Jens (brighter), Wednesday, 15 January 2003 19:34 (twenty-one years ago) link

one year passes...
Virgin Prunes Remastered Reissues

Mute records report: in Mute News that Virgin Prunes reissues are on the way, in September.

<em>The Grey Area of Mute is pleased to announce the release of 5 remastered CD albums by the truly inspirational and often controversial Virgin Prunes on September 27th. This will be the first time most of the Virgin Prunes catalogue has been officially available on CD.</em>

The official Virgin Prunes website will be previewing the new front cover artwork over the next few weeks.

DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 21 June 2004 11:19 (twenty years ago) link

I saw him live at the Bottom Line (with The Big No No) in the summer of '93, and it was really fantastic. He was hanging out with Allen Ginsberg that week.

shookout (shookout), Monday, 21 June 2004 11:49 (twenty years ago) link

weren't they on Touch & Go for like five minutes?

J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Monday, 21 June 2004 11:52 (twenty years ago) link

three months pass...
I have decided that I like *If I Die I Die and *Heresie, but not *The Moon Looked Down and Laughed or *Another Form of Beauty. *Over the Rainbow is somewhere on the cusp. Am I totally wrong? (Actually, I just printed out this thread, so maybe that will answer my question.)

chuck, Thursday, 23 September 2004 20:25 (twenty years ago) link

I saw him live at the Bottom Line (with The Big No No) in the summer of '93, and it was really fantastic. He was hanging out with Allen Ginsberg that week.

-- shookout (shookou...), June 21st, 2004.

heh. i was at that show.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 23 September 2004 20:32 (twenty years ago) link

three months pass...
REVIVE

So, I was forced out of the apartment today for the very last visit from our nanny (she got a full-time job). I ran out of practical errands, so found myself needlessly visiting disc shops (though I'm currently on a self-imposed quasi-moratorium, being that I'm trying to get rid of discs instead of acquiring more. Despite this, I spotted the Virgin Prunes re-releases (overseen by Gavin Friday this time). While I surprisingly wasn't tempted to buy If I Die I Die for the third time (I have both the Rough Trade edition and the New Rose edition...do I really need a third?), I was sorely tempted to pick up the 2-disc unreleased/rareity compilation, Over the Rainbow. Then I thought, do I need more music from this band? I mean, there are a clutch of intensely great tracks on If I Die.., but a lot of grating chaff as well (by design, I'd imagine). Do I need to purchase yet another disc that I'll only give the odd cursory spin?

I left it there, but someone convince me that I made the right/wrong choice. And cite reasons.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 13 January 2005 00:12 (nineteen years ago) link

what did you think of that Bottom Line show?

shookout (shookout), Thursday, 13 January 2005 01:26 (nineteen years ago) link

It was great, of course. Lots of dancing on tables and whatnot. I also saw him at CBGB's (circa Each Man..), Sine (circa Adam'n'Eve) and at the late, lamented Westbeth (circa Shag Tobacco). The man is a master showman and always put on a memorable performance.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 13 January 2005 04:04 (nineteen years ago) link

WAH. In that I have not even seen him once. :-(

Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 13 January 2005 04:06 (nineteen years ago) link

I gave the 'Prunes a listen two or three times eons ago and it didn't do much for me. Don't know that I've ever actually heard any Friday solo. Seems like it might be worth a try.

As far as the CD, I don't know what to tell you. Usually when I'm in this situation I end up going back to the store the next day. But I think you made the right decision because you can already forsee ahead of time that it's basically going to just sit there once you have it. I tend to see that as a good (and unusual!) omen that you're (I'm) on the right track in avoiding it.

But I also think it's likely that if anyone tries to talk you into going one way, you'll naturally want to go the other!

Bimble... (Bimble...), Thursday, 13 January 2005 05:59 (nineteen years ago) link

Yeah, I really dug it too. Bought "Adam & Eve" the next day and was really disappointed with it.

shookout (shookout), Thursday, 13 January 2005 14:18 (nineteen years ago) link

If you like Gavin Friday solo you should check out the re-issue of 'The Moon Looked Down And Laughed' if you haven't. It's the last official VP release, originally just with Gavin's vocals, (the re-issue restores Guggi's as well), and is somewhat overlooked, though it's definitely a bridge between the Prunes and Gavin's solo material. 'Over the Rainbow' - ugh - it's the more off the wall, experimental side of the Prunes, it's a good collection, but I don't know whether you will play it more than a few times.

thomas, Thursday, 13 January 2005 15:36 (nineteen years ago) link

There are some great tracks on Adam'n'Eve, notably "Wind & Rain" and "Where in the World" ("Eden"'s not bad either). It just doesn't have the panache of the first record. Shag Tobacco, I find, hasn't aged as well, but I still love the title track, "Angel" and the amazing "Caruso" (probably my fave track on the album).

Probably won't be going back for the `Prunes reissues. There's just no need, really. I dialed up "Pagan Love Song" and "Baby Turns Blue" and was satiated. By the time I got to the purposely cloying "Down Memory Lane," both my ears and my wallet thanked me profusely for not buying them.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 13 January 2005 17:57 (nineteen years ago) link

"angel" is a gorgeous song.

weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 13 January 2005 18:01 (nineteen years ago) link

They don't do much for me EXCEPT their early classic "Come To Daddy" is a pretty great piece of music.

Scott McFarland (Scott McFarland), Thursday, 13 January 2005 20:27 (nineteen years ago) link

hi Scott! now we know that Aphex, Nitzer Ebb, Clive Barker and, er, Tyrone Davis got all their ideas from 'em!

Paul (scifisoul), Thursday, 13 January 2005 20:47 (nineteen years ago) link

three weeks pass...
http://www.virginprunes.com/archives/otr-artwork-large.jpg

I succumbed. I caved in and bought the above `Prunes "rareities" compilation (after reading interviews with Gavin at www.virginprunes.com, I couldn't resist). Am happily not disapointed. Instant indication of quality: whilst blasting "Moments'n'Mine" here at work -- and mistakenly thinking everyone else had left -- a researcher from down the hall came in with a look of abject disgust and said: "What on earth are you listening to?" Heh!

Supposedly, all the re-issues have been sonically "baked," and the sound quality is light years better than the New Rose releases of a few years back. I was even tempted to buy If I Die, I Die.. for a third time. But wisely demured. Over the Rainbow is also appended with some archival photos, which is nice (if you care about such things). Hard to believe from listening to these recordings that they were so buddy-buddy with U2.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 4 February 2005 07:16 (nineteen years ago) link

caucasian walk keeps them out of the dud column, among other things, i'm sure

tremendoid (tremendoid), Friday, 4 February 2005 09:27 (nineteen years ago) link

I saw them get canned off at Stafford Futurama in 1981. They deserved it really.

Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 4 February 2005 09:32 (nineteen years ago) link

Hahahaha

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 4 February 2005 15:33 (nineteen years ago) link

two months pass...
After much delay, snagged Heresie, The Moon Looked Down and A New Form of Beauty yesterday via credit at Amoeba -- and yes, it was the Mute reissues, I'm no fool. Not got If I Die or Over the Rainbow yet (because they were not in stock at Amoeba) but looking forward to them, and I have the CD release of Sons Find Devils around.

Hadn't realized Gavin had spinal surgery a couple of years back! My slight petulance over his seeming musical disappearance is now disspelled.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 1 May 2005 16:44 (nineteen years ago) link

A tall, long-haired chap named NED walks down a path in a park. He stops in front of a dapper-looking fellow wearing eyeliner, sitting on a park bench. This is GAVIN FRIDAY.

NED: Where the hell have you been? Sorry, but I need new music, and I need it now. I'm tired of waiting.

GAVIN: I can't feel me legs.

NED: Fair enough.

FADE TO BLACK.

Gear! (can Jung shill it, Mu?) (Gear!), Sunday, 1 May 2005 17:43 (nineteen years ago) link

Hadn't realized Gavin had spinal surgery a couple of years back! My slight petulance over his seeming musical disappearance is now disspelled.

Wow. I didn't know that either. Certainly explains a lot.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 1 May 2005 20:36 (nineteen years ago) link

I haven't heard Virgin Punes in about 20 years, but I can replay most of "Come to Daddy" in my head, so I'll say Classic.

todd (todd), Sunday, 1 May 2005 21:41 (nineteen years ago) link

He stops in front of a dapper-looking fellow wearing eyeliner

Well, yes and no:

http://www.virginprunes.com/archives/20040929sisterrayfans01.html

Yes, that's Gavin with the massive muttonchops -- and yes, that's Guggi next to him.

The three part interview on the virginprunes.com site starting here, which talks about the remastering/rerelease deal and so forth, is well worth a read.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 1 May 2005 22:00 (nineteen years ago) link

I want an If I Die, I Die shirt. To my knowledge, they don't exist. But I want one.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 1 May 2005 22:01 (nineteen years ago) link

I saw him on the street in Dublin last week.

He looks like a Rock Star out of a movie.

The way rock Stars should look.

David N (David N.), Sunday, 1 May 2005 23:18 (nineteen years ago) link

He is a Rock Star.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 1 May 2005 23:23 (nineteen years ago) link

three weeks pass...
Got me If I Die and Over the Rainbow today = the circle is now complete (for now).

Also, much to my amusement, trawling around the main fan site turned up this news item from last June:

http://www.virginprunes.com/news/prunes_at_i_love_music.html

!

Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 22 May 2005 00:40 (nineteen years ago) link

I hope they don't punish me for scoving at them.

DV (dirtyvicar), Friday, 3 June 2005 21:43 (nineteen years ago) link

Scoving?

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 3 June 2005 21:47 (nineteen years ago) link

it's a Dublin expression, Gavin will understand.

DV (dirtyvicar), Monday, 6 June 2005 18:52 (nineteen years ago) link

Translation?

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 6 June 2005 18:54 (nineteen years ago) link

you know, scoffing.

DV (dirtyvicar), Monday, 6 June 2005 19:00 (nineteen years ago) link

Dude, the live album (The Hidden Lie, I think it's called) is my favorite thing by them. Got it in the cut-out bin years ago, was totally blown away. Lost my records in a devastating home situation and I truly miss this.

Seething, Pathological Hatred of Oldies Radio (I M Losted), Saturday, 24 August 2019 20:18 (five years ago) link

Have to admit I was getting nervous at remembering the song titles "Caucasian Walk" and "White History Book" but the former seems to be a dystopia in which black slavery is allowed and there isn't much I can read into the latter song.

There's a quote here that suggests the former song doesn't really mean much at all...
https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858552956/

Robert Adam Gilmour, Saturday, 24 August 2019 20:19 (five years ago) link

i played "Caucasian Walk" in a disco last week for the first time since the 80s. it sounded incredible. i have never understood the lyrics so figured it was ok to play.

stirmonster, Sunday, 25 August 2019 04:17 (five years ago) link

three weeks pass...

Some amazing stuff on Over The Rainbow (2 disc version). Gavin's voice in "King Of Junk" is hilarious, "Greylight" is beautiful, "Revenge" is a great horrory track.

But what on earth is that secret track after "Love Lasts Forever"? Cant find anything about that. Gorgeous song that must have been from Moon Looked Down And Laughed era.

Robert Adam Gilmour, Saturday, 21 September 2019 13:41 (five years ago) link

Some real surprises in Gavin's discography
https://gavinfriday.com/discography/score-get-rich-or-die-tryin/

Robert Adam Gilmour, Saturday, 21 September 2019 13:42 (five years ago) link

two weeks pass...

Classic. This almost went in The Irish thread.

https://www.rte.ie/archives/2019/0916/1076206-virgin-prunes-theme-for-thought/

Let them eat Pfifferlinge an Schneckensauce (Tom D.), Sunday, 6 October 2019 15:26 (five years ago) link

Nice

Robert Adam Gilmour, Sunday, 6 October 2019 16:23 (five years ago) link

their glory days, it just wasn't the same without Guggi :(

eons ago in college a friend had a bootleg cassette tape of a show where they did "Moon Looked Down And Laughed" tracks but with the 5-piece (6 if you count Dav-Id) lineup, wish I could find that somewhere

sleeve, Monday, 7 October 2019 20:47 (five years ago) link

one year passes...

(sorry for revive, no news) How is there so much 1983 live footage from them on Youtube? Not complaining though, amazing

StanM, Wednesday, 12 May 2021 17:36 (three years ago) link

one year passes...

Ohohoh! Seen an expanded remaster of If I Die, I Die today! I think that's the only album reissue so far, some vinyl single reissues, and seemingly everything is available digitally.

Lots of new stuff on youtube, mini podcasts and video projects
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdvpXJq5vis

Robert Adam Gilmour, Saturday, 12 November 2022 20:27 (one year ago) link

thanks!

sleeve, Saturday, 12 November 2022 20:34 (one year ago) link

"2022 remaster" - I have no problems with the 2004 remaster?

StanM, Sunday, 13 November 2022 00:02 (one year ago) link

I liked it too, but it was very clipped and Sleeve didn't like it, so I'm curious about what people say and if the extras are noteworthy

Robert Adam Gilmour, Sunday, 13 November 2022 02:08 (one year ago) link

lol yeah don't get me started on those botched Mute CDs, more clipping than I have ever seen anywhere else ever

sleeve, Sunday, 13 November 2022 15:03 (one year ago) link

oh I see - yeah, the new remaster fixes that.

StanM, Sunday, 13 November 2022 15:26 (one year ago) link

two weeks pass...

yeah this new LP remaster sounds great, can confirm

it's such a bummer that all the original artwork from this era seems to be lost, but there are tons of super cool new photos from the era that are used here to great effect, I'm still keeping the 1982 Italian Base pressing that I've had for decades because the art is all different but this is a worthy reissue and highly recommended

this is also available as a double CD with bonus tracks on the 2nd disc, I can't comment on the mastering here but I assume it's better than previous CD iterations
https://www.discogs.com/release/25162990-Virgin-Prunes-If-I-Die-I-Die

sleeve, Monday, 28 November 2022 23:35 (one year ago) link

I can really hear the remastering details on "Bau-Dachong" which is my fave, I am thrilled

sleeve, Monday, 28 November 2022 23:37 (one year ago) link

It would appear that "Fádo" from the 2004 reissue is different than "Fado (rough mix)" on the new release. The piano-driven second half of the former in particular doesn't appear in the latter.

Gerald McBoing-Boing, Thursday, 8 December 2022 03:50 (one year ago) link

two weeks pass...

Enjoyed that youtube series. I learned there's another 2 parts of A New Form Of Beauty that might yet be released (Gavin wouldn't tease us without delivering would he?), I was surprised that his favorite release was Heresie

Robert Adam Gilmour, Saturday, 24 December 2022 17:16 (one year ago) link

If you can, find "The Hidden Lie".

It's a live album that I picked up at the old cut-out store in Old Town in Chicago.

It's my personal favorite Prunes album. Beautiful sound quality.

Picture of Chairman Mao (I M Losted), Tuesday, 27 December 2022 03:03 (one year ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU9s85pTlz0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEbSSn2meuM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujlhMEHLrsE
4 part doc, on a channel with a treasure trove of Prunes/Gavin Guggi videos

Robert Adam Gilmour, Tuesday, 27 December 2022 22:47 (one year ago) link

thank you! gee I'd love to hear those other New Form parts before I die, or Gavin dies...

sleeve, Tuesday, 27 December 2022 23:19 (one year ago) link

but hey, if I die, I die, right?

sleeve, Tuesday, 27 December 2022 23:19 (one year ago) link

Okay, that documentary is badly cropped so I can't see the names of some of the speakers and there's more parts that I can't find, it obviously had longer to go

Robert Adam Gilmour, Wednesday, 28 December 2022 01:15 (one year ago) link

one year passes...

Revive! what I’ve heard from his upcoming album sounds devastatingly excellent.

omar little, Tuesday, 22 October 2024 15:30 (one week ago) link

thanks, Alex in NYC

the talented mr pimply (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 22 October 2024 15:33 (one week ago) link

the album, Ecce Homo, is out this Friday - I was just coming here to post this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqmKmCIvSZU

StanM, Tuesday, 22 October 2024 15:37 (one week ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F68NB7LIRTw

StanM, Tuesday, 22 October 2024 15:38 (one week ago) link

Ecco Homo—Lyrics are great, the music is kinda ehhhh…

Booger Swamp Road (Boring, Maryland), Tuesday, 22 October 2024 15:42 (one week ago) link

How dare you

Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 22 October 2024 16:03 (one week ago) link

could never ever connect with this guy solo, what a great band they were though. pretty much my same take on Marc Almond (sorry Ned), great guest spots with Coil but the solo stuff is way too cabaret/arch for me

go polish your nose ring (sleeve), Tuesday, 22 October 2024 16:06 (one week ago) link

Ecco Homo—Lyrics are great, the music is kinda ehhhh…

― Booger Swamp Road (Boring, Maryland), Tuesday, October 22, 2024

The beats are the best part!

the talented mr pimply (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 22 October 2024 16:11 (one week ago) link

Oh shit

DJP, Tuesday, 22 October 2024 16:13 (one week ago) link

I always come back to this live footage - totally unhinged - smoking ciggs, drinking wine and being FABULOUS all in the daylight!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXn4zwsrGhg

kurt schwitterz, Tuesday, 22 October 2024 16:35 (one week ago) link

yeah that's the stuff

go polish your nose ring (sleeve), Tuesday, 22 October 2024 17:05 (one week ago) link

pretty much my same take on Marc Almond (sorry Ned)

TSK, etc. Anyway you will all come around on Gavin, so.

Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 22 October 2024 17:11 (one week ago) link

I don't hold his bestie relationship with Bono against him.

the talented mr pimply (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 22 October 2024 17:15 (one week ago) link

I really liked hearing about that whole group of friends, especially the way they could get together after a long absence and make art in a room together

Robert Adam Gilmour, Tuesday, 22 October 2024 17:37 (one week ago) link

Eno said once that Bono's secret sharer isn't Edge or the other U2ers, it's Gavin Friday.

the talented mr pimply (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 22 October 2024 17:39 (one week ago) link

Once I heard Gavin Friday, Bono’s entire vocal style shift in the 1990s made perfect sense. Hearing next to them on the title track to In the Name of the Father was a bit uncanny.

omar little, Tuesday, 22 October 2024 17:45 (one week ago) link

*them next to each other!

I know how to construct sentences, but my faulty voice text does not…

omar little, Tuesday, 22 October 2024 17:46 (one week ago) link

The beats sound totally 1997

Booger Swamp Road (Boring, Maryland), Tuesday, 22 October 2024 19:31 (one week ago) link

That is why they rule

DJP, Tuesday, 22 October 2024 19:31 (one week ago) link

Yeah I'm gonna say, as someone who loved the Tim Simenon-produced Shag Tobacco out of the gate almost thirty years back, play to strengths here.

Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 22 October 2024 20:21 (one week ago) link

lol I knew DJP would dig this b/c of that sound and the retro beats

go polish your nose ring (sleeve), Tuesday, 22 October 2024 20:25 (one week ago) link

this honestly sounds quite like the time i asked an ai to make an electroclash track about the ulster unionist terrorist turned artist named michael stone.

the combination of the sort of vaguely portentous lyrics and the not really here nor there beats have a definite ai feeling.

other than that not bad tho.

LocalGarda, Tuesday, 22 October 2024 20:33 (one week ago) link

heh, Gavin Friday is never vaguely portentous, he's unabashedly so.

the talented mr pimply (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 22 October 2024 20:34 (one week ago) link

I like Shag Tobacco. I love the Prines though, but you can’t go back.

Booger Swamp Road (Boring, Maryland), Tuesday, 22 October 2024 20:37 (one week ago) link

Prunes

Booger Swamp Road (Boring, Maryland), Tuesday, 22 October 2024 20:38 (one week ago) link

The new GF album is entirely excellent from start to finish. Go get it.

Alex in NYC, Wednesday, 30 October 2024 17:42 (three days ago) link


You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.