Which bands/artists seem to have the least fun doing what they do?

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maybe some goth bands or political emo bands?

― A Nairn (moretap), Saturday, 8 March 2003 03:31 (twenty-three years ago)

Korn?

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 8 March 2003 03:32 (twenty-three years ago)

From the live shows, Super Furry Animals.

― donut bitch (donut), Saturday, 8 March 2003 03:34 (twenty-three years ago)

yeah super furry animals seem to think they're important now, it's a shame.

― keith (keithmcl), Saturday, 8 March 2003 03:38 (twenty-three years ago)

all bands on Kranky. aptly titled label name.

Last year, The Blood Group. Now we actually look forward to playing gigs.

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Saturday, 8 March 2003 03:59 (twenty-three years ago)

GYBE in particular, Roger. I think they even hate themselves more than they hate their fans. It's the only explanation.

GYBE labelmates Windy and Carl are much more cheerful about their live shows.

I could make an argument for Kendra Smith and Hope Sandoval in the various incarnations of Opal, too.

― Matt Maxwell (Matt M.), Saturday, 8 March 2003 05:44 (twenty-three years ago)

yes matt but that was Roback's "thing"

as for GYBE (or is it GY!BE now??), i never liked 'em. that first record and the ep (the slow riot for zero kanada or whatever) was okay, but live, they were a one trick pony, and 'quiet then loud; repeat ad nauseum' is not much of a trick to begin with

on the bright side, i've never seen them live, but always really, really liked Stars of the Lid

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Saturday, 8 March 2003 06:17 (twenty-three years ago)

As of the last tour, Sleater-Kinney. Somebody's been reading their own press.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Saturday, 8 March 2003 06:26 (twenty-three years ago)

Kenan - I heard that exactly from a friend who just saw them. Fuck them anyway. Useless.

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Saturday, 8 March 2003 06:28 (twenty-three years ago)

Well, let's never forget thet Dig Me Out and All Hands on the Bad One are brilliant.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Saturday, 8 March 2003 06:33 (twenty-three years ago)

I disagree. the only one i even liked a little was the second one Call the Doctor. Really liked Heavens to Betsy though. Still one of my favorite 7"s ever (These Monsters Are Real)

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Saturday, 8 March 2003 06:48 (twenty-three years ago)

We differ. But I wonder (and perhaps this is another thread entirely) do you not like them because you find them "pretentious"? Cause that's what a lot of my friends who don't like them say. Then again, those are the same friends who are likely to describe anything that's not patently ironic as "pretentious."

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Saturday, 8 March 2003 06:50 (twenty-three years ago)

Like Roback ever looked as if he was having any fun...

― Matt Maxwell (Matt M.), Saturday, 8 March 2003 06:50 (twenty-three years ago)

yeah super furry animals seem to think they're important now, it's a shame.

Well, I didn't mean to imply that. They seem pretty humble enough to me seeing them talk to my friends after their Seattle show. It's just that they seem to have a blast in studio, but really tired live.

― donut bitch (donut), Saturday, 8 March 2003 07:54 (twenty-three years ago)

And I totally disagree about S-K, speaking as someone who's slightly less than a casual fan. The last time I saw Sleater Kinney play live last summer (at the Capitol Hill Block Party), they seemed to be having a blast. One of the band member's 5-year-old nieces got on stage during some stongs and just showered the audience with awkward and extremely cut rock dances. Also, some of the young punk crusty street kid girls outside the barriers who didn't pay to get into the partition climbed the nearby street lights to get a better view, and this just shocked the band who mockingly admonished the punk girls for almost hurting themselves.

Generally in fact, they seem to enjoy themselves more and more every time I see them.

― donut bitch (donut), Saturday, 8 March 2003 07:59 (twenty-three years ago)

sigh.

nieces = niece
stongs = songs
cut = cute

― donut bitch (donut), Saturday, 8 March 2003 07:59 (twenty-three years ago)

'Stongs' is a great word!

― Andrew L (Andrew L), Saturday, 8 March 2003 08:19 (twenty-three years ago)

Pretentious? not really (though i hate bands who feel the need to spread leftist propaganda) - I just think they're kinda boring. and I hate that vibrato thing Corrinne does with her voice.

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Saturday, 8 March 2003 08:40 (twenty-three years ago)

Stars of the Lid are a great live band, as are Labradford.

― hstencil, Saturday, 8 March 2003 08:41 (twenty-three years ago)

Stereolab seem to be having less and less fun. I mean, they were never a particularly joyous full-on rock band, they always just kinda stood there with this look like they were classical musicians producing art. But lately they don't even have that kinda look, they just look *bored*. The worst thing you can possibly look onstage is bored: see Ladytron for proof.

― kate (suzy), Saturday, 8 March 2003 08:42 (twenty-three years ago)

Stereolab are gonna look like they're having even less fun now that the best thing about their band got hit by a truck last month

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Saturday, 8 March 2003 08:44 (twenty-three years ago)

that's for sure. Poor Mary.

― hstencil, Saturday, 8 March 2003 08:50 (twenty-three years ago)

from what i've heard, cat power. and i have the least fun hearing her.

― your null fame (yournullfame), Saturday, 8 March 2003 09:32 (twenty-three years ago)

Stars of the Lid are a great live band...

Austin's own! I love their records, and while I have had plenty of opportunities to see them live, I have always passed, fearing that they might ruin the records for me in some way. Since you've seen them, I'll ask you -- how do you do 15 minutes drones live and make them interesting? Cause, you know, after two valiums, lying on the foot of the bed on a summer afternoon... perfect. But standing? How can it work on you properly if you're standing?

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Saturday, 8 March 2003 09:37 (twenty-three years ago)

radiohead

― Evan (Evan), Saturday, 8 March 2003 15:18 (twenty-three years ago)

The Delgados sure seem like a miserable lot.

― David Beckhouse (David Beckhouse), Saturday, 8 March 2003 16:14 (twenty-three years ago)

Ian Curtis didn't exactly look like he was having fun at stage during Joy Division's heyday..

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Saturday, 8 March 2003 16:16 (twenty-three years ago)

Elliot Smith!

― matt riedl (veal), Saturday, 8 March 2003 16:29 (twenty-three years ago)

Jim Morrison?

― Siegbran (eofor), Saturday, 8 March 2003 18:27 (twenty-three years ago)

cul de sac.
cat power.
oasis.

― john fail (cenotaph), Saturday, 8 March 2003 19:08 (twenty-three years ago)

dude, radiohead always have huge smiles on their faces on stage like "wow we're really just happy to be here" cuz they should be

― chaki (chaki), Saturday, 8 March 2003 19:53 (twenty-three years ago)

Eminem started off his major label career by doing 20 minute long shows, and now turns up at awards ceremonies looking like he's just been called to the headmaster's office.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 8 March 2003 20:01 (twenty-three years ago)

Robert Fripp rules this thread.

― Squirrel_Police (Squirrel_Police), Saturday, 8 March 2003 22:20 (twenty-three years ago)

Kenan, I wasn't standing.

― hstencil, Saturday, 8 March 2003 22:57 (twenty-three years ago)

The Delgados? They were fucking loving it the last time I saw them, particularly when they started fiddling about with their vocal modifying jobby. Perhaps they were sober when you saw them.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 8 March 2003 23:06 (twenty-three years ago)

Robert Fripp shows no emotion, positive or negative. I'm voting for GYBE

― Chris Barrus (xibalba), Saturday, 8 March 2003 23:35 (twenty-three years ago)

anytime ive seen the super furries they've been a laugh

― robin (robin), Sunday, 9 March 2003 00:13 (twenty-three years ago)

i've never seen her, but from what i've read about her shows, cat power maybe?

― Mil, Sunday, 9 March 2003 00:45 (twenty-three years ago)

Bob Mould

― Mean Guy, Sunday, 9 March 2003 00:53 (twenty-three years ago)

He's probably still trying to get over WCW going out of business.

― Nate Patrin (Nate Patrin), Sunday, 9 March 2003 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

dude, radiohead always have huge smiles on their faces on stage like "wow we're really just happy to be here" cuz they should be
This is true. All 14 times that I've seen them they have been smiling through the whole gig.

― Melissa W (Melissa W), Sunday, 9 March 2003 01:27 (twenty-three years ago)

I've never had any fun ever

― dave q, Sunday, 9 March 2003 12:24 (twenty-three years ago)

radiohead (actually just thom) come across as really moody in interviews.

Bob mould was always bitching on records. but he made it sound like fun (his solo stuff wasn't fun, or what i've heard of it anyway, so i don't listen to it).

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 9 March 2003 12:40 (twenty-three years ago)

In contrast to the rest of Sonic Youth, Kim Gordon sometimes looks pretty bored onstage.

― J-rock (Julien Sandiford), Monday, 10 March 2003 05:26 (twenty-three years ago)

'Kim Gordon sometimes looks pretty bored onstage'

she's human too

― dave q, Monday, 10 March 2003 11:45 (twenty-three years ago)

Kim Gordon sometimes looks pretty bored onstage

Well, wouldn't yoube bored playing that stuff?

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 10 March 2003 14:54 (twenty-three years ago)

Miles Davis turned his back to the audience for ENTIRE CONCERTS.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 10 March 2003 15:09 (twenty-three years ago)

I imagine it must suck to be any member of a Billy Corgan-led band.

― My name is Kenny (My name is Kenny), Monday, 10 March 2003 15:25 (twenty-three years ago)

Fiona Apple drunkenly told her audience (90% 12-15 year old girls who were all speaking in Valley-isms quite loudly and ignoring Fiona) to "shut the fuck up" (I applauded), as well as commenting on the fact that her band was a bunch of hired old guys that kept "ruining her songs". She drank a lot, cussed a lot, fell down once, and smiled NEVER.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 10 March 2003 15:32 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm glad a lot of people have mentioned Godspeed You Black Emperor and their Kranky ilk, they were the first thing that came to my mind upon reading the thread title too.

I've seen Kim Gordon seem positively joyous on stage. I'm sure she has her on and off days like anyone else.

The Sleater-Kinney thing must be a joke, they always seem happy onstage. Cracking jokes, dancing, having a good time.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Monday, 10 March 2003 15:36 (twenty-three years ago)

Pearl Jam.

― mike a (mike a), Monday, 10 March 2003 15:57 (twenty-three years ago)

Ah yes - Isobel Campbell on the last B&S tour before she left.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 10 March 2003 16:20 (twenty-three years ago)

stereolab seemed to be having great fun last time i saw them.
and the sleater-kinney show i saw a couple of years ago was the most fun i've ever had at a gig.

elliott smith, on the other hand, is a boring motherfucker.
cat power made a joke last time i saw her so things are getting better.
dj shadow spent half the show bragging about what a great dj he is (shame about the last LP and that cut chemist blows you off both your mix albums, mate).
el-p, from what i'm told, isn't much of a blast, either.

― Simon Huxtable (Simon Huxtable), Monday, 10 March 2003 16:29 (twenty-three years ago)

Jason Pierce. Always. But especially after his honey broke up with him and he had to tour "Ladies and Gentlemen..." all by his lonely.

― cybele, Monday, 10 March 2003 16:38 (twenty-three years ago)

The percussionist from the Feelies looked like he despised his instruments, and the only reason he was willing to play on stage was to hit them and therefore take revenge on them for destroying his life.

― Douglas (Douglas), Monday, 10 March 2003 17:08 (twenty-three years ago)

I once saw this pre-Swans Michael Gira band called Circus Mort at Max's. They were pretty stiff. Then this hippy girl started shimmying at the front of the stage and hooting and hollering. "Yeah! Shake it don't break it!" It was funny, Gira didn't know quite how to react.

― Arthur (Arthur), Monday, 10 March 2003 17:12 (twenty-three years ago)

that's a funny Gira story.

El-P is pretty fun live, makes jokes, seems to enjoy himself. Then, I've only seen him here in NY...

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Monday, 10 March 2003 17:59 (twenty-three years ago)

Television

― zaxxon25 (zaxxon25), Monday, 10 March 2003 19:24 (twenty-three years ago)

Dr.Know of the Bad Brains -- always smiling broadly when playing.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 10 March 2003 20:55 (twenty-three years ago)

I imagine it must suck to be any member of a Billy Corgan-led band.

Dave Pajo definitely seemed about to sulk off the stage when I saw Zwan. (How long will he last?) But Matt Sweeney, Paz the bassist (and Corgan himself) were grinning and yukking it up in a three-way love fest.

― Sam Jeffries (samjeff), Monday, 10 March 2003 23:49 (twenty-three years ago)

he still seems ill-suited for that band.

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Tuesday, 11 March 2003 00:30 (twenty-three years ago)

one year passes...

I would go with Cursive
being as they produced an entire album (The Ugly Organ) about how he hates being a musician and being put on display/ revealing himself etc...

― Timko, Sunday, 14 March 2004 06:05 (twenty-two years ago)

As this is not just about bands but artists, I'd say Johnny Vegas, judging by the attempted gig I saw him do.

I heard Avril lavigne live on the radio and she was hating it. Cat Power, too, when she appeared at John Peel's house and couldn't get hold of the idea that when he introduces her, it's no good leaving a silence.

― Bunged Up. (Jake Proudlock), Sunday, 14 March 2004 11:36 (twenty-two years ago)

What about Dave from Pere Ubu? I've never scene him live, but in interviews he's a pill-and-a-half and often mentions how making music is his job and he wouldn't do it otherwise...

As for Mould, I think it kinda of depends. He's capable of going into sort of "professional" mode--a bit like autopilot--where it's all business, and you don't see that he's enjoying himself. But that's if he really doesn't want to be there that night. Other times, though, he's into it, improvising, wowing the audience, etc. And the more electronic/techno/disco the stuff he's doing is, well, you can see that he's into THAT...

― John 2, Sunday, 14 March 2004 15:08 (twenty-two years ago)

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