Video interview with that guy I can't like cos of his haircut John Harris

[Takk]

Originally Posted by Porco

Many of you clamour for them to do something different but then they mention an idea that would materially change how they sound and you all freak out. Make your minds up!

Well first, not all of us want something 'differen't', and secondly wanting something different doesn't mean wanting everything or anything different.

I love JDB's voice as much as the next fan, but I don't see the problem with getting some different vocalists, in theory at least (it depends who they get). I can't imagine James would to the extreme of stopping singing altogether, or not for very long at least.

It's their trademark thing, it's the one thing I see going for them when the song has rubbish lyrics or poor music - the voice carries it. I very rarely like the things they give other people to sing, because the voice is one of the key things for me.

[Takk]

Originally Posted by NasalScarecrow

I reckon there'll still be ambitious rock and roll bands. They mention bands not being social commentators or kicking against something, but given the right scenario and people, that could still happen.

It still does happen....and will happen, nicky just isn't aware of it or recognise it I believe. But really, what have the manics kicked against since the very first album...it's all fairly abstract, it's not like very often comment on contemporary social issues in an obvious way...it's more nicky picks some historical event and writes a song which you often only know it's about if you read more into. It's political and it's great, but it's hardly meaningful criticism of the current government (beyond some drunken rants on stage). Their twitter is almost completely silent when any big world events happen for example.

[Scarecrow]

Pretty much agree, and it's one of the reasons I think Nicky is a bit of an idiot.

[Takk]

I think he definitely sounds like one, as well as being kinda out of touch, when he does an interview where he talks bullshit like this.

[Mr Richey]

Originally Posted by Dancing Kirby

In theory getting John Lydon and Morrissey on a Manics album would be quite a coup.

Replacing Bradders' voice with Animal and Kermit The Frog does not sound like a coup to me.

Originally Posted by Takk

I think he definitely sounds like one, as well as being kinda out of touch, when he does an interview where he talks bullshit like this.

He sounds like a right cock when he goes on about the internet being a bad thing for giving people the chance to make music and share it with the world. It's almost elitist the way he says "Anyone thinks they can be a rock star now" or words to that effect.

[Blixa]

Originally Posted by Mr Richey

He sounds like a right cock when he goes on about the internet being a bad thing for giving people the chance to make music and share it with the world. It's almost elitist the way he says "Anyone thinks they can be a rock star now" or words to that effect.

It is quite sad he's turned into the kind of elitist prick he would've once slagged off. So much for the punk ethic, eh? The tragedy isn't that the Manics care, it's that they seem (as a band) to care about the wrong things -pandering to your audience is bad enough, a lot of the time now they seem to be pandering to an audience they haven't actually had in years.

As for guest vocalists, am I the only one who thinks some good could come of this if they actually seemed like a collaboration and didn't submerge the guest's personality? On Postcards, not only did they drown McCulloch out with a gospel choir, they mixed Duff's part way down (and he was only in a band they go on about at any opportunity) and most criminally had John Cale's contributions insignificant and relatively inaudible. You can't have an icon and one of the greatest living Welshmen work with you and then ignore his contributions. This now has to happen to make up for that, let's have a Cale sung track or duet!

[Porco]

Originally Posted by Takk

Well first, not all of us want something 'differen't', and secondly wanting something different doesn't mean wanting everything or anything different.

It's their trademark thing, it's the one thing I see going for them when the song has rubbish lyrics or poor music - the voice carries it. I very rarely like the things they give other people to sing, because the voice is one of the key things for me.

Are you sure Chord 'x'sus4 followed by Chord 'x' Major isn't their trademark thing?

No, I get what you mean, I just think if they're going to cut back on the singles and do an album of 70 songs it really wouldn't a big deal to have at least half of that have a different singer.

And sure, wanting something different doesn't mean 'anything at all different!', and that comment by me was meant to be tongue-in-cheek with only a hint of seriousness, but in all seriousness I do think whatever they did there would be posts on here from people not happy they didn't do the opposite. I think the band just attracts other contrarians, maybe it's an occupational hazard. I know I can be a right old spikey, contrary so-and-so, even if I'm a softie really, and it's probably part of why I've always liked the Manics since I did, even when I think they are talking utter (and often later self-confessed) claptrap.

[Radiomanic]

If this is true, then the Manics as far as i am concerned are over. It's just a shame they didn't bow out with JFPL instead of PFAYM. I'll be at the 02 for old times sake, and then that is it by the sounds of it. I will wipe my hands clean of them, and remember them for their mid 90s-mid 00s glory days like the Clash before they limped on and released 'Cut the Crap'. New singer? Fuck that, there are other bands out there to listen to with great singers so why don't we just listen to them instead? James gives the band a voice, a reason to exist because he is a unique talent.


...or it could just be Nicky saying the opposite of what is actually going to happen as usual. In which case we don't need to worry about anything. But for now, i feel like i'm witnessing the slow painful death of a band i once loved.

[Midlands_Junk]

Originally Posted by Blixa

It is quite sad he's turned into the kind of elitist prick he would've once slagged off. So much for the punk ethic, eh?

^This. Very disappointing words to come from the mouth of an allegedly intelligent man.
If the Manics had been a new band today and still went for the gun-ho propaganda approach that they did back in 1990 then they would have benefitted massively. A modern day Manics could have been a viral phenomenon.
But no. The Internet is dangerous and evil and all of its equality and liberating uses should be ignored. Right Nicky?

[Porco]

Originally Posted by Mr Richey

Replacing Bradders' voice with Animal and Kermit The Frog does not sound like a coup to me.

lol


('Manics')
It's time to play the music
It's time to light the lights
It's time to meet the Manics on the Manics Show tonight.

It's time put on makeup
It's time to dress up right
It's time to raise the curtain on the Manics Show tonight

(FD Forumers)
Why do we always come here?
I guess we'll never know
Its like a kind of torture
To have to watch the show

('Manics')
But now it's getting started
Why don't you get things started?
It's time to get things started
On the most sensantional
Inspirational
Celebrational
Manics-ational
This is what we call The Manics Show!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q5ui...eature=related

[2004567]

If James leaves the Manics, that'll be the day I stop listening to them. He's the only Manic I really admire.

[Radiomanic]

Originally Posted by postcardsfromayoungman

If James leaves the Manics, that'll be the day I stop listening to them. He's the only Manics I really admire.

+1


Obviously he isn't going to leave them, but if he stops singing fuck it i'm off.

[Europa Gluten Free]

God talk about a complete over reaction by the hardcore contingent on here.

You guys really think he won't ever sing a note again? You really think they'll turn their backs on the lucrative (European) festival circuit?

If, and it's an if, they do decide to do something new, it'll be songs in the vain on YLAINE, i.e. duets with hot singers (predominantly female I'd guess).

They see YLAINE as their key moment in recent history and so are probably looking to harness a bit of that energy again.

No offence, but people who say its the end of the Manics, fuck the Manics, that's the end of my relationship with the Manics - get over yourself. The great thing about the band is that their legacy will be their different incarnations and eras. And thats the beauty of the band - we all identify with different moments, some like Lifeblood, some hate it, and some (pointing no elbows) even defend Autumnsong. Don't worry yourselves about it. We all know how much shite Wire spurts - especially when he has something to sell.

[Parma Violets]

Originally Posted by Mr Richey

He sounds like a right cock when he goes on about the internet being a bad thing for giving people the chance to make music and share it with the world. It's almost elitist the way he says "Anyone thinks they can be a rock star now" or words to that effect.

The two tracks on PFAYM about this are two of my favourite tracks on the album, but it is a bizarre sentiment, isn't it? For a self-proclaimed socialist to be complaining that things become worthless once they're shared among everybody... I don't know, it seems very ill-thought-through.

[Takk]

It is bizarre....People get big because either they have talent, or they appeal to a fanbase...the internet doesn't change that, just means that people who don't have the resources or record company backing can get a break....it smacks of being out of touch/too old that he slags the internet so much when it offers so much...is it jealousy that other bands find it easier or what? It strikes me that a lot of shit bands get around these days because of reality tv, not the internet.

It just seems to come across as being a bit snobbish or spoilt - that he thinks because he is successful it gives him the right to judge who else deserves to be successful and what routes they should be to get there. I would guess if he's actually looking for political or relevant bands he should get out to some local gigs, or surf the internet and stop expecting people to rehash the bands he loved twenty years ago or just find them in NME? I mean after all when people try to emulate nicky wire, they and he are both really emulating the GT era nicky, and nothing since, it's not like he's widely known as a credible historian or political commentator - when he had that interview with Tony Benn, all the insightful stuff came from TB.