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Underground > Radio & Music >

'Guilty Pleasure' Pimpin' [Song Pimpin' Club Special Edition]

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STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

09:29 / 26.04.06

I was gonna bring all that stuff up, but I figured Fly'd do it so much better.

In that same interview didn't he say something about wanting to perform in front of a giant swastika? Or was that a different interview? Something to do with the symbol's origins, mixed up with a misguided attempt to "piss people off" (so you see, they'd THINK they were being offended by RAPE, but actually they'd be being offended by APE...)

Regrettable Juvenilia

09:56 / 26.04.06

Well, the Swastika thing had it been said on its own would have just been very, very misguided and naive - yes, the symbol does have more than one historical use/meaning; no, that doesn't mean that performing on stage in front of giant flaming Swastikas is anything other than incredibly dumb idea - but add up the other stuff, and it's hard to feel so... indulgent.

I won't comment on the idea that A recommendation from George is surely more than enough other than to point you to Grant Morrison's own response when 'someone' mentioned Kula Shaker in a letter to his website:

Kula Shaker - I can't believe I'm defending Kula Shaker in the year 2001 - were somehow perfect for their brief appearance in my own life. It became very fashionable, very quickly, to hate them, mostly because they came in on the fag-end of the Britpop wave and because Crispian Mills made a few spaced-out analogies some tightass students went predictably gaga over. Big deal. I probably couldn't listen to them now without feeling my teeth rot but at the time it suited my psychedelic '60s is 90s' overload vibe better than the increasingly diffused ambient albums and Goa trance dancers I'd been listening to for the first half of the decade. King Mob would have loved Kula Shaker at that point in the story and I should know so there it was. AND the lads got together after seeing their name in the comic and sent me a book about UFOs in ancient India. Phil Jimenez drew the sleeve for one of their singles too. All so typical of those marvellous, marvellous times.

Some of this has clues as to why (apart from idol worship being a bit unwise anyway) although he writes exceedingly good comics, GM is not treated as flawless in word and deed by everyone on Barbelith (I read "tightass students" = humourless PC etc etc); however, the sentence I've bolded is perfectly valid - having a character listen to something does not automatically make it a recommendation.

11:09 / 26.04.06

No, indeed, fair point. Mills is undeniably a twat and an endorsement from George, even one long-since negated, is not to be read as gospel.

This would all seem to lead us back to the Lovecraft debate over in books a few months back: i.e. should the views of an artist, implicit or otherwise, cause us to enjoy their work less? Bowie fooled around ('fool' being the accurate term here) with Nazi iconography, as does ol' Lemmy periodically (Mark Manning wonderfully dubbed "that demented old Sven Hassell fan").

So does inflamatory behaviour negate the quality of an artist's work? Would one disregard the Beatles' entire back catalogue because of the hurt caused when they claimed to be "bigger than God"? Which sides of the spectrum are less tolerable? For example, why is a band like Skrewdriver censored in the public sphere whilst Rage against the machine, a band ultimately advocating a political philosophy which claimed far more lives than the Nazis ever did, are given mainstream coverage?

Boboss, I totally understand the association issues. One of the most vicious, cruel and self-absorbed people I have ever had the mis-fortune to cross is an obsessive Dylan fan. He can talk of nothing else.

For this reason I can never, never listen to the old whinger without it conjuring images of this most horrible person. Some people tell me I'm missing out.
Ho-hum.

Regrettable Juvenilia

11:34 / 26.04.06

So does inflamatory behaviour negate the quality of an artist's work?

Well, in this case the quality of the artist's work negates the quality of the artist's work. The rest of it is just the icing on the cake. And that's pretty much how it goes - I tend to judge aesthetically first, morally/politically second, but when one compliments the other it always increases the effect, whether for better or for worse. When the two clash, things get complicated (there've been several threads about this, and in the end I tend to think it's a call everyone has to make individually).

Would one disregard the Beatles' entire back catalogue because of the hurt caused when they claimed to be "bigger than God"?

Um, I think everyone apart from the original media pundits keen to create a scandal is aware that Lennon's "bigger than Jesus" comment was a reference to the Beatles' astonishing popularity at the time - he later painstakingly spelt out that he hadn't meant that they were better, etc. I'd be very surprised if there was any evidence that his original comment had caused anything worth calling "hurt". Even if I did believe in disregarding back catalogues on the basis of one political statement, I'd be more likely to disregard the Beatles on the basis of the lyrics to 'Taxman', to be honest.

Which sides of the spectrum are less tolerable? For example, why is a band like Skrewdriver censored in the public sphere whilst Rage against the machine, a band ultimately advocating a political philosophy which claimed far more lives than the Nazis ever did, are given mainstream coverage?

And here we go off into the exciting realms of dodginess. Which political philosophy would that be, then?

14:28 / 26.04.06

So, to clarify, you believe that Lennon in no way sought to stir up controversy by describing his band in what many would see as blasphemous terms- in particular, the multitude of American fans who were certainly 'upset' enough to publicly burn their beatles records? Uhm, ok...

As for RATM, the abundance of red stars and use of the hammer and sickle in their stage wear, alongside reproduced images of Che and Tom Morello's patented guitar slogan of the week ("arm the homeless" etc) would seem to suggest a far-left agenda and a willingness to be associated with the Soviet and Cuban regimes. As far as their specific agenda goes, they were always rather vague- though I know they didn't want to do as they were told. They were fairly clear on that.

The thing is, I don't feel strongly enough about Kula Shaker to make a fool of myself. This is clearly an argument that will go nowhere- as you say, "I tend to think it's a call everyone has to make individually".

I merely object to sarcasm and the clear presence of a hot/not attitude to music in what is apparently a "guilty pleasure" topic.

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

14:56 / 26.04.06

Oh, just to clarify my own statements- I've forgiven bands far worse in my time... I just always thought KS were balls. So yes, a guilty pleasure and as such well within the remit of the thread.

It doesn't say anywhere that I can't snigger, though.

17:00 / 26.04.06

It doesn't say anywhere that I can't snigger, though.

Maybe it should be added in the thread summary

On the subject of Kula Shaker - you should check out BUCKY- the drummer is brothers with the Kula Shaker drummer- and as far as i can tell no dodgy politics in their manifesto.

They sound like Jonathan Richman meets Elvis Costello in a Billy Childish kind of way, (ie nothing like the shaker) which should appease your garage rock sensabilities Mick- they also have a sense of humour - which was lacking somewhat in the Kula Camp.

Very very funny live too!

Sorry threadrot- but couldn't resist the plug.

on with the guilty stuff.

I often get the impression that Dexy's Midnight Runners should be a guilty pleasure- however I fucking love them and you will find no guilt here, no siree.

(Although i may turn the volume down a touch in my office when 'Come on Eileen' comes on...)

08:42 / 27.04.06

I really don't think an album like Searching for the Young Soul Rebel qualifies.

08:51 / 27.04.06

Exactly Boboss- I know that they are fucking amazing- 'Too Rye Aye' and 'Don't Stand Me Down' are also equally great- The problem with Dexy's is that 'Come on Eileen' is so burnt into the national psyche (via school discos and weddings) a lot of people think of them as a bit shit- that and they did the theme to brushstrokes- and they wore dungerees and funny hats and didn't shave.

They are certainly a band that draw strange looks when you admit to liking them.

09:14 / 27.04.06

Yeah, but that's only 'cause people don't know. People like me before you and the Gumbitch pushed 'em on me.

11:27 / 28.04.06

My guilty pleasure songs are by a german Heavy Metal band, Blind Guardian.

Most of their lyrics are fantasy themed, and they sing with such conviction! For example, in Lord of the Rings, the lyrics are Frodo´s thoughts about his mission to destroy the ring, and I can imagine how silly and cheesy the song must be for most music connoisseurs, but I always turn the volume up even more.

They have such naïvety and innocence, like Ringo singing Octopus´s Garden. There is zero irony in the singer´s voice.

Some songs you might enjoy for a first taste are:

Lord of the Rings
The Bard´s Song
Mirror Mirror
Imaginations From The Other Side
A Past And Future Secret

They are the perfect soundtrack for a night of intense D&D.

Haus of Mystery

12:47 / 28.04.06

'Come on Eileen', like the rest of 'Too-Rye-Aye', is fantastic. If you treat it as the triumphant final track of a beautiful flawless album, rather than the Wedding-disco fave it became, it's perfect.

Guilty pleasures?

Christ...

Okay. First of all, I want it to be known I hate this song, I hate the man responsible, and i especially hate the smug detestable video...but

The New Radicals 'You got the Music in You' somehow manages to make my heart stir every time I hear it. I guess it might be because it's usually on the radio in between even worse music when I'm in some mind-numbing place (ie the Cash'n'Carry), or maybe because it reminds me of a certain period of my life when it was everywhere, or maybe it's because deep down I'm a twat, but for some reason it does a number on me. Sort of gives me the same feeling that Simple Minds' 'Don't you Forget about me' does...

God.
Sorry.

lord nuneaton savage

13:41 / 28.04.06

Christ almighty, I cannot believe I am about to type this;

I like the new Will Young single.

I think it's a genuinely moving ballad, sung beautifully, with a strangely affecting video (Will as seventies Blue Peter presenter, basically).
It doesn't fall into the trap that so many ballads fall into, that of embarrasing faux-motional peaks (aaaaaaaannd KEY CHANGE!!!!).

It's just really pretty.

Kali, Queen of Kitteh

18:57 / 28.04.06

Today's aural guilty pleasure: "Life in A Northern Town," by Dream Syndicate.

Oh jeez...

21:14 / 28.04.06

Dream Academy, innit? Is it the one Dario G sampled for Sunchyme?

21:27 / 28.04.06

Punce getting down with the Hate and Anger

THE NOW NEAR LEGENDARY 'ROCK BEAUTS'.

If any of you happen to pass by the Amex building in Brighton sometime soon, don't forget to drop in and maim the guys in the money counting dept. - a punishment far better than they deserve for throwing up this monstrosity, believe you me. Aaah, 'Rock Beauts'..... Originally conceived as a greatest hits of 80's soft rock compilation - a silly little CD to be knocked up and shared amoungst a small group of friends - 'Rock Beauts' has begun devouring taste Brightonwide at an alarming rate.

Last Saturday at the Fraelyman's, pleasantly pissed and enjoying delicious dinnerani, when suddenly, quite out of the blue, the first strains of Toto's moody synth-fest 'Africa' (or whatever it's called) waft like a warm carribean breeze out of the speakers and into my booze-befuddles head. "No! Bad!!!! BAAAAAD!!!!" I try in vain to resist but soon find myself caught up in a whirl of blessing rain down in Africa, Poison! and cities built on rock and roll!

No! Noooooo!

We've all done this before a trinbillion times - everyone here must know what it is to do the post-ironic "We love Starship!" thing. It's so tired and old and boring, but, under the influence of the dreaded 'Rock Beauts', I find that stuff impossible to resist.... I start thinking about FREEDOM! FREEDOM and the USA! And Radio Africa!

'Rock Beauts' has to stop. We can stop it together.

Aaah, rock beauts. So much guilty pleasure, so little time.

There's a voice, try and understand it!
Make a noise and make it clear...

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

21:53 / 28.04.06

FOOTLOOSE.

I always found the movie ace, after watching it tripping once. Yesterday the song came on in the shoppping centre, and I knew how a cat feels when ze's presented with a ball of string.

KICK OFF YOUR SUNDAY SHOES, MOTHERFUCKERS!!!

22:56 / 28.04.06

I don't think I feel guilty about anything I listen to, really. The closest to 'guilty pleasure' is probably when I find myself liking (usually one of the poppier of) the songs of an artist reckoned a bit Q magazine muso-ey - and the guilt arises from the fact that I have little or no knowledge of or interest in the 'craftsmanship' involved, but just quite like the sound. An example would be Van Morrison's Brown-Eyed Girl, which I quite like to sing along to, despite finding the man himself tremendously dull and his appeal inexplicable. I feel faintly guilty because, on one level, I feel I ought to care more about how the music is made. That sort of thing.

Even then, it's 'guilt' at one remove, and feels a tad inauthentic.

10:46 / 29.04.06

Yes, Ganesh, I agree. I feel fine listening to music I like, having no bad conscience either. Maybe there could be a naughty feeling, listening to songs we know, the hip cats wouldn´t approve?

For example, a couple of months ago, I discovered Natasha Bedingfield, and I really like her voice and her straightforward pop sound.

And Van Morrison! His record Astral Weeks is amazing! That music is like listening to a dream.

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

12:21 / 29.04.06

Actually, going back to the Kula Shaker/Nazi thing, and my comments about having forgiven bands far worse... usually I only really feel guilty for liking a band if I find them ideologically unacceptable. Boyd Rice/NON- I'm looking at YOU here.

Kali, Queen of Kitteh

16:35 / 29.04.06

Sorry, 'Nesh, you're right. Dream Academy.

Today's cheesy soundtrack: Abba. And lots of it.

19:35 / 29.04.06

Liking Abba's nothing to be ashamed of, kali.

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

20:12 / 29.04.06

Unless they were Nazis. Obviously.

21:41 / 29.04.06

Annafrid's father was a Nazi. Does that count?

Kali, Queen of Kitteh

13:52 / 30.04.06

Abba for me is a lot like the soundtrack to Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Yeah, it's a bit cheesy, but seriously, there's nothing better to pysch yourself up with for a night on the town.

21:16 / 08.05.06

I suppose after the Kula Shaker consternation I should really just give up posting on here, but here goes. One more for the road.

Uriah Heep

Yup, cheesiest of all 70s bands. Shame. Shame on me. Doubly tragic is that I only remembered my adolescent love for the Heep when I asked a friend if he thought my love of Circulus was a little dubious -"but weren't you into that horrible Heep band?" he asked. Bastard.

The Return Of Rothkoid

23:03 / 08.05.06

FOOTLOOSE.

I always found the movie ace, after watching it tripping once. Yesterday the song came on in the shoppping centre, and I knew how a cat feels when ze's presented with a ball of string.

KICK OFF YOUR SUNDAY SHOES, MOTHERFUCKERS!!!

I can share, and top that. Last Friday night, I was staying in to prepare for a ruinous Saturday when I discovered what the double-feature on free-to-air TV was: Flashdance and Footloose.

YEAH.

I'd never realised how shit Laura Branigan's voice was, though I still have to admit to singing along to Gloria. (And Footloose, yes. Though I wasn't as impressed with the big dance off scene as I used to be. Now, I dig the "I'm gonna work out my frustrations on this shitty, small, no-fun town through dance!" scene much more.

Also, I'd never fully appreciated how ugly Chris Penn was, before. Woah.

SO yeah. Gloria and Footloose. And, as of last night (once more), the soundtrack to Cabaret. There's something so deliciously nasty about Joel Grey, even though most people I know blanch at showtunes, the ingrates.

Kali, Queen of Kitteh

16:50 / 09.05.06

Okay, I'm really really embarrassed but I do like that one Fall Out Boy song, "A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More Touch Me."

Please, please, please forgive me. I know not what I do.

Dark side of the Moonfrog1

13:52 / 26.10.07

Due to Amazon's 4 CDs for 3 offer (and the fact that i can't say no to a bargain), I recenlty bought...
...
...
...
Bat Out Of Hell.

And I can't. Stop. Listening. To. It.

I just love the mix of cheesy big guitar rock and Phil Spector-style Wall of sound production, wrapped up in a big old bow of raging teenage hormones.

Help me Barbelith...

Janean Patience

14:27 / 26.10.07

You need to get Objects In The Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are. Meatloaf's finest moment, a ballad that rocks out so epically it's exhausted itself by the end. Just typing the title honestly made me shiver at coming so close to greatness. You won't regret it.

"He was dangerous and drunk and defeated and corroded by failure and envy and hate..."

Dark side of the Moonfrog1

15:00 / 26.10.07

Oh stop it, now you're making me want to buy Bat out of Hell II... And that's just all kinds of wrong....

Actually, i'm sure I used to have that album on tape... I may have to hunt it out when i get home...

Mon Oncle Ignatius

10:27 / 27.10.07

I'll join in with guiltily enjoying Bat Out of Hell, though I don't own it (unless there's a tape lurking from a few decades back somewhere) - Jim Steinman's production is amazing, and I have to then less-guiltily point to his work with the Sisters Of Mercy. Oh, hold on...

The video for Meatloaf's "I'd Do Anything For Love" is really quite awesomely over the top too, but I kind of enjoy that song as well ("I'd do anything for love/I'd take the bathroom sealant back").

Thankfully, if I feel like listening to things which I could possibly feel guilty about liking, there's usually a Laibach version (see "The Final Countdown", "War", "Life Is Life", etc) to make it all OK, and very funny indeed. You even get the debate about whether they have dodgy politics thrown in for free (they don't, as such).

Glenn Close But No Cigar

10:57 / 27.10.07

Meatloaf, prince of parantheses!

-"You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)"
- "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)"
- "Good Girls Go to Heaven (Bad Girls Go Everywhere)"
- "I'd Lie For You (And That's the Truth)"

Many of my guilty pleasure are, as a committed cyclist, surprisingly Drive Time.
Manfred Mann's Earth Band's Blinded By the Light and Don Henley's Boys of Summer are both fine examples of the genre. Make me want to gun a Ford Granada towards Heston Services. See also Stan Bush's You Got the Touch, surely the greatest Drive Time song ever.

Not Drive Time, but I love Karel Fialka's supremely weird Hey Matthew, a song about what his son watches on TV. "The A-Team, The A-Team... I see... The A-Team".

I still have no idea what Manfredd Mann's Earth Band mean by 'revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night'.

Janean Patience

12:18 / 27.10.07

I can tell you that Manfred Mann made a pass at my father once, but that doesn't explain the lyric.

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

13:32 / 27.10.07

Jim Steinman is an absolute fucking genius, and I'll fight anyone who claims otherwise.

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