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| Taranis |
 Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 12:39 pm |
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Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 993
Location: Cambridge, UK
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This is something I have been mulling over for a while, but it seems to be true as regards how we judge Irish bands, going right back. I've even done it myself, and even used it as an excuse. How many times have a band released a rubbish demo, done a rubbish gig or put a rubbish track up on Myspace, only to be defended by someone or other with reference to the fact that they are Irish. Does this mean that it is an excuse? Surely all Irish material should be judged on the same critical level as material from elsewhere. I'm all for national solidarity etc., but it is counterproductive in the end, as it encourages mediocrity or worse. Is it a case of band-in-a-small-town phenomenon on a larger scale? Should we really give that second listed to some pile of cack just because we happen to share a geographical region of origin with it?
Discuss.
also, I can provide examples and quotations and whatever to do with specific instances, but I would prefer to have a more general discussion without offending anyone |
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| Padre Pio |
| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 12:43 pm |
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Joined: 25 May 2007
Posts: 4608
Location: Morning Won't Bring A Twinkling Star
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I think that's largely true. Often bands get big backslapping threads on here and I sit thinking to myself "why???".
Basically for me it's not important if a band is Irish or Iranian - if I hear something I like I'll try to pick it up, but I'm not going to give a sympathy purchase to a band just cos they're from down the road.
However, I may not slag an Irish band off in the same way I would slag off a band from the other side of the world as I just think to myself "let them get on with their own thing and I'll just ignore". |
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| Eoin McLove |
| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 12:46 pm |
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Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 12204
Location: In the village by the hangman's bay.
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| I know that you have somehow misinterpreted what I have said and which band it is about but I explained that in the other thread. I fully agree with what you say above though. There is a lot of leeway given to mediocrity here because bands are local or mates or whatever. I think there is a difference though between supporting a young band that has potential and might need to work a bit on their tunes and just supporting any old shit because it is local. Too many bands here get all wound up over criticism too which doesn't help. Utter faggotry. |
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| The Fires of Hell |
| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 12:47 pm |
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Metalireland
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Posts: 5922
Location: between the hammer and the anvil
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Well, all I can say on MI's part is that that was part of the reason I set it up in the first place.
It's never been a factor in assessing any band's worth here. |
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| Taranis |
| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 12:49 pm |
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Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 993
Location: Cambridge, UK
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| Exactly lads. Andy, it was less a misinterpretation than it just brought something else to mind I had been thinking of for a while, which was this. I was more thinking about instances where I myself had done it when listening to demos, albums etc. over the years, or seen it happening on a much bigger scale with attendant backslapping, not just on here, but at gigs as well. |
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| General Lee |
| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 12:49 pm |
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Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 393
Location: Standing in Blood
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| If a band is shit , then by that reasoning they are shit and location should not come in to it. And I hate all the backslapping nonsense that goes on. Either way, I'll keep my opinion (and cash) to myself and let them off on their way but if a band asked me for their opinion I'd be straight up about it. But I agree with Taranis that there is so much of the "ah sure let em off, they're sound lads from down the road" mentality with regards to awful Irish acts. |
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| Eoin McLove |
| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:04 pm |
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Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 12204
Location: In the village by the hangman's bay.
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| Maybe we should turn this into a list thread. Or a lists thread even. We could have a shit list and a good list and everyone can file all the local bands accordingly. |
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| All I Had I Gave |
| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:04 pm |
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Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 3561
Location: Ireland
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 I have been saying this for years and everyone thinks I'm a loon or not supporting Irish bands????
Fuck right off I say, If a band is good I'll support them, not just cause my mates in them!!! Cant stand that shite! |
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| Nerd |
| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:13 pm |
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Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 2387
Location: Laboratory of Nightmares
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i think the closer you are to a "scene" the more likely you are to grow familiar with a band and they could grow on you. You are more likely to get a feel for the bands passion and dedication if you see them locally so maybe thats one of the reasons a band that would otherwise be branded as pure bollox gets away with it.
I for one think there is a terrible number of god awful bands in ireland and more often than not its the ones that have very high opinions of themselves that are the worst offenders.
For me i just ignore what i think is shite |
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| pentagrimes |
| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:15 pm |
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Joined: 27 Aug 2005
Posts: 3300
Location: as far away from you as humanly possible
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All this "elitism" bullshit that goes onhere, I've noticed, tends to relate to people not automatically liking every local band going. In those terms then, I'm a proud elitist.
I can seperate people from the music they make most of the time, and I won't pretend that I like something if I don't, but I definitely won't be as..ehh..forthright I suppose in my dislike of certain local bands, for the simple reason that it makes my life easier than getting into rows with people I don't give a fuck about over something as trivial as wether their music appeals to me or not.
There are definitely a couple of local bands regularly championed on MI whose music I would rather eat nails than listen to, but I don't necessarily think it would serve any purpose for me to post "this band sucks" in their threads. The "ignore it and let them get on with it" approach works for me.
And the flip side of that is that I think it's important to be vocal in supporting bands I do think are worthwhile. I guess if you're only seen to be posting good stuff about bands instead of posting negative stuff for others, people think you're backslapping, which for me is certainly not the case. |
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| Robbo |
| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:22 pm |
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Joined: 25 Aug 2009
Posts: 330
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i've heard this argument before but i can't honestly say that i've witnessed many instances of this backslapping phenomena that everyone hates so much. who cares anyways, if you like something then listen to it, if you don't like it, then don't listen to it.  |
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| pentagrimes |
| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:24 pm |
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Joined: 27 Aug 2005
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Location: as far away from you as humanly possible
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| This is going to be one of those threads where everyone says the same thing. Apart from Chris of course. |
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| Padre Pio |
| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:29 pm |
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Joined: 25 May 2007
Posts: 4608
Location: Morning Won't Bring A Twinkling Star
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pentagrimes wrote: This is going to be one of those threads where everyone says the same thing. Apart from Chris of course.
The "contrary just for the sake of it" argument is being written as we speak. I predict Foucault and economics will get a mention.
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| FERGLOR |
| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:38 pm |
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Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 4309
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| seems to be ok to be a prick if your Irish though. how about some constructive criticisms... seeing the merit in people getting out and doing something and contributing even though it's not your preference... etc etc. |
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| pentagrimes |
| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:40 pm |
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Joined: 27 Aug 2005
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Location: as far away from you as humanly possible
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FERGLOR wrote: seems to be ok to be a prick if your Irish though. how about some constructive criticisms... seeing the merit in people getting out and doing something and contributing even though it's not your preference... etc etc.
Sure, but I do get the feeling some bands see any kind of criticism as a slag. Particularly ones who ask for feedback, funnily enough. |
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