Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Big Roundup

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  • reece palmer,

    not to mention over eager engineers overdriving things, I remember Josh Homme chewing out his tech over that main stage debacle.

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report

  • merc,

    Mat said, "Oh, please don't make me use the Report (Offensive? Report this post to a moderator) function".
    Quote of the year so far, right there. And for me, the so called punk thing was about me playing my music, not dumbly listening and crtiquing others. Borrow an amp, steal a guitar, don't learn notes and get up and do it!
    Pop will eat itself.

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report

  • reece palmer,

    Joanna, just ask Camilla formerly of bfm, c4,etc how nice muse are.

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    And for me, the so called punk thing was about me playing my music, not dumbly listening and crtiquing others. Borrow an amp, steal a guitar, don't learn notes and get up and do it!

    Some of us lacked any talent for music (no, really, I tried). We had to write screeds of dodgy fan journalism to make up for it. That and jump around a lot ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Rickai,

    Was it just me or did the crowds seem a lot larger than last year? And more aggressive? Whilst the vast majority of people were lovely, I experienced three shoulder drops from cud-chewing late teens. I was pretty damn sober and am experienced at working my way through crowds of teens (a skill every secondary school teacher needs to possess) but those three gentlemen seemed to pick me out for attention. Must have been my Pet Sounds T-shirt. I also heard from a few sources that the Tool crowd (with a few notable exceptions) was downright nasty. Why take 2 herbals when 10 will do? Why drink 10 beers over the course of a day when 20 packed into a few short hours will leave you far more munted? I thought Evermore and Muse were great, as was the space in the East stand (not to mention how easy it was getting to the toliets underneath).

    Since Jan 2007 • 47 posts Report

  • Damian Christie,

    >Joanna, just ask Camilla formerly of bfm, c4,etc how nice muse are.

    I'm not sure what Camilla's experience was, but I interviewed them a couple of years back on bFM, didn't have a clue who they were but had heard they were big with the kids etc.

    ...And they were lovely. Perhaps a bit too eager with the whole "we're a funny bunch of lads" kinda schtick, sort of like the Beatles or the Who back in the day, but that's never a bad thing in a radio interview, certainly better than being a bunch of stuck-up wankers who really don't want to talk to you.

    Never quite understood their music though.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1164 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Was it just me or did the crowds seem a lot larger than last year? And more aggressive? Whilst the vast majority of people were lovely, I experienced three shoulder drops from cud-chewing late teens. I was pretty damn sober and am experienced at working my way through crowds of teens (a skill every secondary school teacher needs to possess) but those three gentlemen seemed to pick me out for attention. Must have been my Pet Sounds T-shirt. I also heard from a few sources that the Tool crowd (with a few notable exceptions) was downright nasty.

    Reading the kids' blogs, there seemed to be a lot of the "death circle" stuff going on. There's nothing wrong with people wilfully crashing into each other, but there can be a point where it gets a bit nasty. That's another thing I find odd about Tool. They're all Sacred Geometry and stuff, but some of their fans are just angry munters.

    The nicest heavy rock crowd ever was the one for Metallica - something about that year really seemed to work. Their fans had a fine time and the rest of us entered heaven up at the Flaming Lips show, or grooved at Basement Jaxx. (A friend of mine who used to be a promoter picked it actually: "Metallica fans, they're all bank clerks")

    Why take 2 herbals when 10 will do? Why drink 10 beers over the course of a day when 20 packed into a few short hours will leave you far more munted? I thought Evermore and Muse were great, as was the space in the East stand (not to mention how easy it was getting to the toliets underneath).

    I didn't encounter any of that, but I'm pretty good at dodging it these days. You develop a certain sort of crowd sense when you've been to as many gigs as I have.

    Oh God, listen to me ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Richard Bartlett,

    I know it is early days yet, but this is going to take a bit of beating for biggest 'Fuck Yeah!' line of the year:

    I think there should be a special lounge for everyone who's been to every Big Day Out anyway.

    *love*

    Wellington • Since Dec 2006 • 5 posts Report

  • merc,

    Oh God, listen to me ...

    The reason why we listen to you RB is your such an enthusiastic fan of all things good and you never really moan. Plus, how else can I vicariously go to these concerts and stay true to my 1976 edict upon hearing The New York Dolls...**I want to do that!**
    BTW, have you ever considered music training for your son?

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report

  • reece palmer,

    Some Aussies want to ban the Australian flag at their BDO....

    Not just some Aussies but the promoters Ken West & Vivienne Lees. They seem to have been pushing their own particular barrow with this one. It appears said barrow could have a wonky wheel.


    http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21097432-5005961,00.html

    http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21097419-5006024,00.html

    http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bdo-flag-ban-stupid-says-pm/2007/01/22/1169330795860.html

    and there's a related clip here;

    http://media.smh.com.au/?rid=25163&sy=smh&source=smh.com.au%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fbdo-flag-ban-stupid-says-pm%2F2007%2F01%2F22%2F1169330795860.html

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report

  • reece palmer,

    That's what the Alice program is about bro...

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report

  • Sam,

    Maybe I am getting old too, because I was quite scared even watching the 'death circle' business (from the safety of the East Lounge!)
    I just dont get it. I can understand the mosh pit, but forming a circle and bouncing into each other in the middle of the mosh pit - just plain strange! Through the binoculars (I know - I AM OLD!) I did get to see a few juicy punches being thrown in these 'circles'.
    Can anyone with a teenager (or an insight) explain the thinking behind these?

    Central Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 6 posts Report

  • reece palmer,

    as well as an emphasis on programming too, it works by establishing a reliable structure for the person to use to acquire and use knowledge. I'm sorry Russel but my knowledge of it pretty much begins and ends there but if I hear of anyone who's trained I'll point them your way, besides I'm about to have my hands full with the GI kids again shortly.

    On an entirely different note, how do you think we'd react if the groove in the park peeps said no nz flags on waitangi day? Lead Balloon there I reckon.

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report

  • Simon Grigg,

    Some of us lacked any talent for music (no, really, I tried). We had to write screeds of dodgy fan journalism to make up for it. That and jump around a lot

    Well said RB. Some of us also simply formed bands so we could manage them..that seemed appropriately punk at the time too.

    As Don Letts so aptly put it in his rather special Punk:Attitude doco from a year or two back...punk was simply a raised finger, no matter what your role or style.

    That said, and I don't want to sound like a grumpy old f**ker but I guess I do, Tool have always seemed more in the not so grand US pomp rock tradition of the likes of Rush or Journey, than anything I thought I could identify with.

    But its a joy to behold the reports of BDO. I've missed three now, one of which, sadly, was Kraftwerk (although some person recorded a large slab of trans Europe to my cell ansaphone which I listened to on the other side of he world)...its one of the things I miss about NZ...its a fantastic party and the after parties are often better.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    On an entirely different note, how do you think we'd react if the groove in the park peeps said no nz flags on waitangi day? Lead Balloon there I reckon.

    I think we'd react differently if NZ flags had been used as colours in race riots and there was some hint that people would try the same thing at an event we were responsible for. Clearly, it's blown up in his face, but I can actually see where Ken West was coming from.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    as well as an emphasis on programming too, it works by establishing a reliable structure for the person to use to acquire and use knowledge.

    And holy heck, did my apsie boy react well to that. He was way faster than me.

    I'm sorry Russel but my knowledge of it pretty much begins and ends there but if I hear of anyone who's trained I'll point them your way, besides I'm about to have my hands full with the GI kids again shortly.

    It looks like I've found someone who might fit - bonus being he's an old friend and has teaching experience (although not with Alice itself). But do feel free to let me know if you come across anyone.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • JR,

    That's another thing I find odd about Tool. They're all Sacred Geometry and stuff, but some of their fans are just angry munters.

    Funnily enough, some of the Tool members themselves have the exact same sentiment

    Onion A.V Club interview with Maynard Keenan

    Specifically the question: "Do you feel out of touch with your audience?"

    Also, from the same interview on the subject of that 'sacred geometry' crap.

    "... some of that stuff just might naturally, accidentally come out. But it's not in any way a product of our design."

    I found it an interesting counter to what a lot of Tool fans spout like gospel. I just buy the albums because I like the music.

    Since Jan 2007 • 9 posts Report

  • reece palmer,

    It's loaded with recent stuff for some over there and yes it is a good idea to make the punters safer where you can, but a drunken munter looking for a fight will do so if carrying a flag or not. Still think it was not the best idea anyone's had in recent memory. I think that it's going to be a spur for a LOT of sydney kids to turn up in anything they can with national flag type insignia. Just because they can. Tell an Aussie they cant, or not to do something and you can pretty much expect them to, just to show you up. I wish that would work with our cricket team.

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report

  • Wammo,

    Rather than say "no Australian flags" wouldn't it have been easier to say "no flags" and put it down to a safety issue or to prevent obstructed views of the stage?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 42 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    I just dont get it. I can understand the mosh pit, but forming a circle and bouncing into each other in the middle of the mosh pit - just plain strange! Through the binoculars (I know - I AM OLD!) I did get to see a few juicy punches being thrown in these 'circles'.
    Can anyone with a teenager (or an insight) explain the thinking behind these?

    Urban Dictionary has "death circle" listed but undefined, but "circle pit" sort of gets it:

    http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=circle+pit

    It's interesting (and a couple of the blogs alluded to this) that in the hardcore punk circles where it emerged, there's a understanding that anyone who falls will be helped up, that no one really gets hurt, especially girls, but I wonder if the munter brigade grasps that. There's also the Wall of Death (mosh pit divides into two groups, who run at each other and collide) which is more a metal thing:

    http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Wall+of+Death

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Wammo,

    It's interesting (and a couple of the blogs alluded to this) that in the hardcore punk circles where it emerged, there's a understanding that anyone who falls will be helped up, that no one really gets hurt, especially girls, but I wonder if the munter brigade grasps that. There's also the Wall of Death (mosh pit divides into two groups, who run at each other and collide) which is more a metal thing:

    The "munters" don't get it. One of these silly circles busted out during Hot Chip (indie dancy stuff) in the Boiler Room. Inappropriate, and the girls I saw weren't into it. I was wondering what the heck was going on and half expected the band to stop and say hey settle down! Now if one of these circles opened up and some mariachi dancers strolled in that would be far more entertaining.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 42 posts Report

  • Hamish,

    ...in the hardcore punk circles where it emerged, there's a understanding that anyone who falls will be helped up, that no one really gets hurt.

    Sure sure, back in the good old days right? :P

    The A.K. • Since Nov 2006 • 155 posts Report

  • reece palmer,

    Rather than say "no Australian flags" wouldn't it have been easier to say "no flags" and put it down to a safety issue or to prevent obstructed views of the stage?

    There goes that pesky 20/20 hindsight again. That was the obvious thing to do, combatting the issue without even referencing it.

    As far as the circle of elmo or whatever it is goes, sounds appropriately nutty for the kids...

    the terraces • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Wow. Just heard a bit more about the Sydney BDO flag ban. At last year's event - held not long after the Cronulla riots - there were reported incidents of dusky people being forced to kiss the flag, and beaten up if they refused.

    I know a little of how promoters think, and that's the kind of thing you really don't need when you're responsible for 45,000 intoxicated people on a confined site.

    And of course, there were nationalistic brawls between Serbs and Croats at the tennis last week ...

    It sounds like a blurt from West rather than official policy, but he clearly made a mess of it. It's interesting to see Howard leap on it so quickly and loudly.

    I quite like New Zealand's rather diffident take on nationalism sometimes.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • merc,

    Those bad boys should be kissing each other, that's what a true mate would do.
    As for NZ nationalism, I'd rather love a person than a nationalism.

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report

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