Jim Stax Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 I thouhgt I would put this up as there is a local interest and it's also an interesting read with sections a lot of bands should stick on the rehearsal door.Subject: [nemis] T Break the bands I voted for and why? Date: Tue, 16 May 2006 11:38:40 +0100 (Alec says) Hi,Before I start this is not the T-Break bands just the bands I personallyvoted for during the 7 or the 8 T-Break Nights I attended and knowing howmuch some of the judges disagreed over all the bands I would expect to see a different top 12 announced on Vic Galloway next week.So what made me pick X over Y and leave out a few bands I love so without going into massive detail:a. Class & Accessibility: Artists like Billy Bates, 3 Style, Endor and Foundhad a smoothness and professional sensibility that made them stand out fromthe pack and the music was accessible to a wide audience without the need to over-power.b. Songs: The biggest reason I left people out was not performance but thefact I could not remember a song as soon as I left. In at least two cases I saw bands I already admire pick the wrong songs for their 20 minutes andthere were a number of amazing performances that were left unmemorable bythe lack of a great song so my advice to those/most bands, write more andspend less time focusing on chasing gigs or deals as it will be a great songnot a great gig that changes your life.c. Originality: I was asked to describe Project Ven Hell and the onlyanalogy I could think of was "someone driving a truck through a guitar shop" and Some Young Pedro proved you can take the influences of your musicalidols and distil them down into something unique and fresh. Far too many ofthe bands left of the list were too close to their influences and have notfound that sense of self that makes them unique in their own right. To getto this point again takes a mixture of honesty, gigging/rehearsing, bags ofwriting, listening to the opinions of others (not friends & family),listening to other bands and artists and a ton of inward looking evaluationand self criticism. It is a fact that within 30 seconds of coming on heradio you can instantly recognise the most successful bands in the historylike Nine Inch Nails, The Beatles, The Cure, Dylan, Bowie etc not justbecause the song is good but because of their uniqueness and sense of self.d. Passion: There is no doubt that everyone of the 48 bands were passionateand committed to their music, however it was those artists that were able toproject this passion and commitment from the stage to me as an audiencemember that I connected with on a more personal level.e. Diversity: The T-Break Stage should celebrate the diversity of Scottishmusic as much as it does the hype of the it bands and I personally wouldlike to see and eclectic mix of artist grace that stage.f. Entertainment & Fun: I was really fortunate to grow up in the Glam Rock -Punk era and it worries me that many young artists often forget that it isOK to get lost in the moment and just have fun and that audiences at timessimply want to be entertained and because of my youth I remain a sucker fora bit of eyeliner, cock-rock poses and glitter.1. Billy Bates www.myspace.com/iooi Glasgow2. 3 Style www.myspace.com/3styleuk Edinburgh3. Found www.myspace.com/foundtheband Edinburgh4. Project Ven Hell www.myspace.com/projectvenhell Aberdeen5. Some Young Pedro www.myspace.com/someyoungpedro Glasgow6. Endor www.myspace.com/endor Glasgow7. O.B.E. www.myspace.com/obeonline Edinburgh8. Scunner www.myspace.com/scunnerscotland Glasgow9. Futuro www.myspace.com/wearefuturo10. Attic Lights www.myspace.com/thoseatticlights Glasgow11. The Acute www.myspace.com/acute Edinburgh12. Exit Pilot www.myspace.com/exitpilotmusicNow this is a very personal thing and on different nights and in differentmoods I might have swapped a few around so special mentions go out to a fewlike Magdalen Green, How to Swim & The Lords of Bastard etc who made my lifedifficult in leaving them out.I would also expect that the other judges will come up with somethingdifferent, normally I would offer to sit down with people and discuss theirindividual performance but I have not been paid by NEMIS since September2005 so if you want feedback buy me a pint the next time you see me inSleazy, The Liquid Room or TutsLuv to all!Aye YoursAlec Downie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biz Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 He he he what a great description... c. Originality: I was asked to describe Project Ven Hell and the onlyanalogy I could think of was "someone driving a truck through a guitar shop" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cloud Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 Is it just me, or is there something very uncomfortable about the way that he mentions not being paid by NEMIS since September 2005? I can't quite put my finger on what it is, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camie Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 That was quite a good read. Kudos for him mentioning that bands should learn how to have some fun and enjoy themselves.There are too many bands who try and take themselves too seriously and it shows in their performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Stax Posted May 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 Is it just me' date=' or is there something very uncomfortable about the way that he mentions not being paid by NEMIS since September 2005? I can't quite put my finger on what it is, though.[/quote']I would suggest that since he is no longer recieving a wage for doing his thang that he is no longer willing to devote as much time as he once would have. Maybe he is just a little disgruntled at having to get another job. Anyway, its not about him its about what he wrote!(Between this and some other posts elsewhere you are fast becoming the token 'boards' conspiricist. You pissed at the world or something?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_matter Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 that's quite honest what he wrote there. The bands should take good notice its good criticism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeinzHines Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 I now am confused about the judging process! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester1470 Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Is it just me' date=' or is there something very uncomfortable about the way that he mentions not being paid by NEMIS since September 2005? I can't quite put my finger on what it is, though.[/quote']Actually I took it to mean that because he was no longer getting paid he didnt feel he had to sit down with everyone and justify his decisions. I think its highlighting why he may have done it in the past but wont now.CheersStuart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammer Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Seems common sense but why is he going public with his choices? Is that fair on the rest of the judges and indeed do TBreak as an organisation know about and agree to this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartmaxwell Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 he got in trouble form tbreak and stuff and was told to remove them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammer Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 he got in trouble form tbreak and stuff and was told to remove themWith all his experience you'd think he would have been a bit more sussed with things like that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Stax Posted May 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 With all his experience you'd think he would have been a bit more sussed with things like that...D'ye think he gives a fuck anymore? Leading from that d'ye think he'll be a judge next year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartmaxwell Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 i was pretty sure he wasnt judging this year??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkaline Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 i was pretty sure he wasnt judging this year???Finger. Pulse. Don't think so 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammer Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 D'ye think he gives a fuck anymore? Leading from that d'ye think he'll be a judge next year?Well his judgement to publish that was off... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael MacLennan Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Well his judgement to publish that was off...I can kind of understand his reasons for the post, but he probably didn't need to name any bands specifically, I don't see what it adds to the piece. Gives the recommended bands a bit of publicity I guess, but nothing they wouldn't get anyway if they are chosen, and it will raise expectations among some bands... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammer Posted May 18, 2006 Report Share Posted May 18, 2006 I can kind of understand his reasons for the post' date=' but he probably didn't need to name any bands specifically, I don't see what it adds to the piece. Gives the recommended bands a bit of publicity I guess, but nothing they wouldn't get anyway if they are chosen, and it will raise expectations among some bands...[/quote']As I said earlier the reasons for choosing his selections are sound but I agree it was the naming of the bands which is odd and indeed naive.Well it done now and it's raised another TBreak discussion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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