Tale of Two Trendsetters
Smiths vs. Pixies Controversy Created, and Then Solved
Few bands from the 80's have endured like the Smiths and The Pixies. Kids who were born in the 80's, and even 90's often listen to both bands, along with the likes of the Cure, while skipping over mainstream 80's acts like Van Halen, Bon Jovi, or Duran Duran. People came their senses, and allowed the 80's underground to live on, while the garbage that ruled the airwaves was banished to trailer parks and the backwater dwellings of the world where curly cue perms and acid wash still thrive, probably along with the Camaro driving jocks from my high school.
I have a feeling most music fans of all ages lean towards the Pixies over the Smiths. At this point I must disagree. While I had my Pixies phase in the late 80's early 90's, seeing them open for Love and Rockets on their Doolittle tour, and several more times headlining, I reached overload, and have never been able to get out of it.
Someone who knew me only from high school would think I was thrilled that every bar I go to plays the Pixies at least once while I am there. This is not the case, I would rather hear Bon Jovi now, a sad bi-product of the ever rising popularity of the Pixies among youngsters. Sure they were original, and put out some great music, I'm just not sure if I will ever be able to enjoy it again.
When the money came calling for, in my opinion, an ill advised reunion, Frank Black (Black Francis of the Pixies) was quoted as saying "There's a lot of mystery around the band, so we've been getting really high offers. I could use the money right now. I know the other guys could use the money." Guess what, one lackluster reunion tour and Austin City Limits appearance later, and all that mystery surrounding the band is dead forever.
The Smiths are a band I never get sick of. I'm not always in the mood for them, but I know times will keep arising when they are perfect again. Many people are annoyed by Morrissey. I suppose I can see why, but will never be a part of it. Beyond him is an incredible group of musicians that are often overlooked, led by Johnny Marr, one of the more unique guitarists to walk the planet. Perhaps no defunct band from this time period would be more welcomed back than the Smiths. They left it off at a good point, their albums hadn't been getting worse and worse like the aforementioned Pixies. Another plus, they still look relatively healthy, unlike the gigantic Frank Black, and the rather cracked out looking Kim Deal.
When the money came the Smith's way, 5 million dollars just to play the Coachella festival in California this year, the offer was turned down. When journalist David Fricke asked if he had considered it, Morrissey answered, "No, because money doesn't come into it," a response that drew applause from the crowd. When asked about the Smiths he replied "It was a fantastic journey. And then it ended. I didn't feel we should have ended. I wanted to continue. (Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr) wanted to end it. And that was that." Mystery intact. I guess Coachella fans will have to be happy with other 80's notables Depeche Mode and Madonna, safe to say Night Planet will not be in attendance.
Smiths win, Pixies please don't come back again and pass it on to Metallica if you would, although it far far too late for them (did I mention its too late for Metallica? Mystery way dead)
Few bands from the 80's have endured like the Smiths and The Pixies. Kids who were born in the 80's, and even 90's often listen to both bands, along with the likes of the Cure, while skipping over mainstream 80's acts like Van Halen, Bon Jovi, or Duran Duran. People came their senses, and allowed the 80's underground to live on, while the garbage that ruled the airwaves was banished to trailer parks and the backwater dwellings of the world where curly cue perms and acid wash still thrive, probably along with the Camaro driving jocks from my high school.
I have a feeling most music fans of all ages lean towards the Pixies over the Smiths. At this point I must disagree. While I had my Pixies phase in the late 80's early 90's, seeing them open for Love and Rockets on their Doolittle tour, and several more times headlining, I reached overload, and have never been able to get out of it.
Someone who knew me only from high school would think I was thrilled that every bar I go to plays the Pixies at least once while I am there. This is not the case, I would rather hear Bon Jovi now, a sad bi-product of the ever rising popularity of the Pixies among youngsters. Sure they were original, and put out some great music, I'm just not sure if I will ever be able to enjoy it again.
When the money came calling for, in my opinion, an ill advised reunion, Frank Black (Black Francis of the Pixies) was quoted as saying "There's a lot of mystery around the band, so we've been getting really high offers. I could use the money right now. I know the other guys could use the money." Guess what, one lackluster reunion tour and Austin City Limits appearance later, and all that mystery surrounding the band is dead forever.The Smiths are a band I never get sick of. I'm not always in the mood for them, but I know times will keep arising when they are perfect again. Many people are annoyed by Morrissey. I suppose I can see why, but will never be a part of it. Beyond him is an incredible group of musicians that are often overlooked, led by Johnny Marr, one of the more unique guitarists to walk the planet. Perhaps no defunct band from this time period would be more welcomed back than the Smiths. They left it off at a good point, their albums hadn't been getting worse and worse like the aforementioned Pixies. Another plus, they still look relatively healthy, unlike the gigantic Frank Black, and the rather cracked out looking Kim Deal.
When the money came the Smith's way, 5 million dollars just to play the Coachella festival in California this year, the offer was turned down. When journalist David Fricke asked if he had considered it, Morrissey answered, "No, because money doesn't come into it," a response that drew applause from the crowd. When asked about the Smiths he replied "It was a fantastic journey. And then it ended. I didn't feel we should have ended. I wanted to continue. (Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr) wanted to end it. And that was that." Mystery intact. I guess Coachella fans will have to be happy with other 80's notables Depeche Mode and Madonna, safe to say Night Planet will not be in attendance.
Smiths win, Pixies please don't come back again and pass it on to Metallica if you would, although it far far too late for them (did I mention its too late for Metallica? Mystery way dead)
posted by Gary at 4:19 PM
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haha
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