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(02-12-2014, 05:52 PM)aussiefriend Wrote: haha I just always assumed that Winger was a christian rock band and that's why 'Stewart' from Beavis and Butthead wore the t-shirt and they gave him a hard time. I thought I heard it somewhere, I must have gotten it mixed up with Stryper (who I actually saw in concert in the 80s). I still have the concert stub as proof!
I'm glad you redeemed yourself. I was just about to give you a smack down for not knowing what the hell you were talking about...kinda like you did to someone else in another thread recently.
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I know that if I get my Christian rock bands names mixed up, I always have you there to correct me.
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Two of the most dreaded words in music history made even worse when used together - “Christian Rock”!
Rock is the devils music and always will be.
We need to punish the French, ignore the Germans and forgive the Russians - Condoleezza Rice.
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(02-08-2014, 06:41 PM)aussiefriend Wrote: That's exactly how I feel. You should have heard Nick Rhodes going on and on about their songwriting, blah blah blah. All these years later and Simon Le Bon is STILL in love with himself.
After “Ordinary World” (which is admittedly a great song) they should have packed it in. Watching them onstage playing all the old songs now is just a little bit sad and tragic.
Sit back and collect the royalty cheques for your back catalogue and greatest hits sales Simon. You've earned your retirement.
We need to punish the French, ignore the Germans and forgive the Russians - Condoleezza Rice.
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Simon Le Bon said in this interview "the 80s were out looked down upon for a while there, but now there is a whole generation that are rediscovering it and it's all about the music, and that's all it's ever been about for us, the music". That is the biggest load of crap I have ever heard in my life. They were the most vainest poncey new romantics of their day. Remember when Planet Earth came out? With their dyed hair, make up, and puffy shirts? It was so not about the music. It was image, which is why they had so many screaming girls.
That's like One Direction saying "it's all about the music".
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Duran Duran is a real band with actual musicians.
One Direction is not.
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Yeh but they are pretty boys. Anyone can call themselves musicians. You could still call One Direction musicians and their vocals are their instrument.
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(02-13-2014, 05:40 PM)aussiefriend Wrote: With their dyed hair, make up, and puffy shirts? It was so not about the music. It was image, which is why they had so many screaming girls.
That's like One Direction saying "it's all about the music".
If your argument were true, then The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, KISS, Nazareth, U2, etc...were not so much about the music either. They all had styles/images and I don't doubt that making the girls scream (and other things) was a rush, but I think they are/were very much about the music.
Visual style and stage have gone together forever; "performers". When MTV and music videos exploded and all the world became the stage in the early 80s, image became an even bigger focus for a lot of emerging musical acts, naturally. Better looking bands probably had an advantage breaking through as a result. But, Duran Duran had already been playing the clubs before then. I don't doubt that they were very much about the music (though they were never a favorite of mine). I think the same was true of Van Halen, Motley Crue, Guns N Roses...
Being a "pretty boy" doesn't make someone less of a musician, anymore than it makes him more of one.
Joan Jett is and always has been very sexy to me and she made a lot of girls (and boys) scream, no doubt about it. Doesn't mean she's not passionate about making music, does it?
Why do you discount their passion for the music or their talent if male performers are good looking and they like the girls and sex that go with the territory? It doesn't make sense to me.
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Do you like to do this for arguments sake? You are taking what I am saying out of context.
That is true that there was a hysteria that was surrounded by the Beatles in their hey day. They became more serious about their music eventually with John Lennon even calling it a 'circus' (I will find the interview if you real want). I think he even called it a flea circus.
I don't think Duran Duran have the same longevity and are in the same league as the other artists that you have mentioned. I went to 2 of their concerts. Look, part of the makeup, puffy shirts was what made them, don't try and say 'it was all about the music'. It really wasn't. I followed this band back in the day. I even have a picture of a Simon Le Bon drawing I can drag out for you that was given to me. They were right into the 'video' medium as a means for expression, because ultimately that detracts from the music and is able to enhance their image.
The Beatles music stands it's own. How can you even compare them? I truly love music, I love the Beatles, I have an old Duran Duran cassette tape here.
All I am saying is, let's call a spade a spade and get real. HoTD, don't just argue with me, because Aussie said it.
Addit: I am a musician, I know that presentation is important, I am constantly going to lengths to present myself in the best possible light when I am doing my thing. It's not about looks to some degree, but you still need to put your best foot forward.
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No, aussie, my comments about musicians weren’t concocted in order to disagree with “you”, any more than they were about agreeing with MS that Duran Duran is definitely a group of musicians - whether they’re generally considered pretty or not. And, there’s nothing you said that was taken out of context. Just my thoughts about the discussion and the subject at hand.
I liked Michael Jackson’s videos, and Peter Gabriel’s, and The Talking Heads’, and David Bowie’s… All established and very image-conscious stylish performers who dived into the video scene when it exploded. I liked Marilyn Manson’s and Duran Duran’s videos too - my first exposure to them was through MTV because they were younger and that was part of the music industry at the time and helped put them on the map.
Never said it was “all about the music” for Duran Duran or anyone else; I don’t see many things as absolute. I just don't know the band members personally and therefore am not assuming that they were “so not about the music” simply because they projected/crafted images and may have gotten off on the adoration and sex - like so many before them and since. I think there are a lot of musicians who are/were very much into the music AND the fashion AND the groupies AND the drugs.
Duran Duran wasn’t a Milli Vanilli kinda deal. They all played or sang/composed together before they hit it big via MTV. A decade of touring and record-breaking audiences during a rapidly changing era of technology which gave a boatload of unknown performers immediate global exposure – longevity, to me.
So, different perspectives is all. I'm not a musician. I just appreciate all kinds of music. It wouldn't surprise me if a lot of people (not all) who also like all kinds of music could put on a Duran Duran record today, without knowing what the band looks like and without ever having had sex with any of its members, and really enjoy it. A subjective matter of taste.
Anyway, I don't see anything wrong with an older group of musicians like Duran Duran collaborating with younger musicians. They’re not dead. You don't like them and think they're foolish - that's okay too.
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There were a few lucky/smart performers who turned Mtv into their personal fortunes. Some were more talented than others but you can't begrudge their success. I hated Duran Duran because their music was not my style at all, but compared to the dubstep overproduced electronic auto tuned crap that makes people famous these days I'd take them over any of it.
Thank god I am oblivious to the opinions of others while caught in the blinding splendor of my own cleverness.
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Lyrically, they were not super strong, 'Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand, just like that River twisting through a dusty land', however, they had some catchy hooks and if you YouTube some of their performances from the early 2000's, they still put on a good show.
'Ordinary World' and 'Come Undone' are very well produced tunes.
I think Duran Duran should get credit as being an above average group of musicians.
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I don't know how you'd determine what "average" is, MS. To me, it's all subjective when it comes to music, art, entertainment. Something for everybody.
I just think people can be very passionate and focused on what they've committed their lives to doing, and be image-conscious, and fully enjoy the rewards that come from success...all at the same time. Not mutually exclusive.
I don't own any Duran Duran and was never a fan, but they were definitely musicians and I give them credit for not self-destructing like a lot of bands who soared to the top rather quickly. They stayed together for a long time - no ODs, no major dramatic in-fighting on the public stage AFAIK... They succeeded where many fail.
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(02-14-2014, 10:04 AM)HairOfTheDog Wrote: Anyway, I don't see anything wrong with an older group of musicians like Duran Duran collaborating with younger musicians. They’re not dead. You don't like them and think they're foolish - that's okay too.
More irritating than foolish. I was watching a documentary on one of the music channels here, and had it on in the background whilst I was working. Simon Le Bon still has that arrogance and being very pleased with himself. Don't forget I was a huge fan back in the day so when they are talking about the past, I know exactly what they are talking about. Good luck to them, if they do a comeback. Same with One Direction, all these acts have their place and if they bring a smile or joy to some folk I have nothing against it, even if One Direction is contrived by Simon Cowell.
I personally don't think these talent shows are a good thing, but if some good can come out of it, then go for it.
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Aussie, in all seriousness, what's wrong with Simon LeBon still acting pleased with himself?
He succeeded, as have many others in all walks of life. I mean, I'm not saying I want to see him being an asshole to folks , but if he carries himself with a little arrogance, I can deal with it, as I would with anyone who has made something of their life.
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I understand Noel Gallaghers arrogance, and Noel Gallagher is very very very funny and amusing to listen to. As I said before it was irritating watching Simon Le Bon ponce around. It probably wouldn't annoy you as much as me, but I have insight into their background being that I followed them so closely and I just think that they are full of it. I am not resentful of them, whatever gets you through the night and all that. Whatever floats your boat.
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