September 1998 - Sinister

Sinister: Ink polaroids and movies - how I found Belle and Sebastian....
by Barney Lewis 22 Sep '98

22 Sep '98

..... or did they find me? <An old photo with a faded, grainy texture> A picture from the dawn of the eighties of a six year old boy with a big grin and unfeasibly large NHS specs on. Not to mention a tres cool (in retrospect) t-shirt with the word 'laser' on it. He has just been told he has to wear glasses forever because he reads too much. Already showing signs of being clever, he is unaware at present that the combination of natural mental and enhanced visual acuity will forever mark him out as a 'swot', a 'brainbox' and immediately mark him out as an easy target in the parks and playgrounds of East London. Indeed, he is far to amazed with his new found ability to see objects more than ten yards away to be concerned with the such future problems.... <Photo dated 'March 89'> A small, unadventurous boy stares out from behind glasses which are still too big for him. He stands in the smart school uniform of a public school to which he gained a scholarship. No-one expected it; no-one in his family has ever got beyond A-levels at school, and most of them were failed. He hates it. He is small, clever, bespectacled and there to boost the grades. The majority of his fellow pupils are large, rich and arrogant. His friends all live far away; he hardly sees them outside of school. It is not a boys-only school, but boys and girls are kept separate until 16. He hasn't spoken to a girl he is not related to for almost three years. He clutches a walkman in his hand; it is the most important thing in his life. Tracking Shot; the camera is following a scruffy young student through the shopping centre of Bristol. It is the middle of January; it is dull, grey and he moves through billowing clouds of his own breath as he walks along. Our hero is now much older; having left school for university, and glasses for contact lenses, he is living in Bristol, where he formerly studied. He is skiving off his dead-end job, trying to cope with the depression that settles as fallout from the festive season. He has a little money left over from Christmas, barely enough to see him through 'til payday, but he knows what he needs. He walks from the shopping centre, up the giant staircase next to John Lewis and then descends the subway into the concrete jungle below; a nightmare of broken benches, urban alienation, tramps and didgeridoo-playing buskers. It's not pleasant, but it's necessary; for on the other side of the subway lies the record shop; not Our Price, or Woolies, but Replay Records - a spiritual haven of recorded music, our heroes gateway into a better world. As he steps inside, he thinks to himself "if I cut down on the cigarettes, I can just afford a new album...". Confronted by the racks he is paralysed by a familiar fear - what if he buys the wrong album? What could he be missing out on? He soon settles, though, and the surroundings soon take on the ambience of a comfortable, favourite room, almost as if a log fire blazes away inside, warming his soul against the greyness outside.... ....the camera follows our hero around as he flips nimbly through the racks. Almost an hour later, he is down to a choice of three, maybe four albums when a red cover, a woman posing langourously depicted on it, catches his eye. The name rings a bell - someone, or something, spoke highly of them somewhere - and he opens the case to find a short story. He stands and reads it, puzzled but with a slow sense of anticipation overtaking him. It's unexpected, but intriguing; he knows he has to buy it. He turns around and walks to the counter with it. The shop assistant carries on filing some records, fully aware of our hero at the counter and then after a short while turns to serve him. Elsewhere, this might have aroused irritation, or anger even, but not here; our hero has been in the same position, done the same job, and done the same thing. He hands the assistant the CD, and waits while a copy is retrieved fr him. Assistant (casually, whilst inserting the CD in the case): "That'll be 11.99, please" Our hero hands over the cash. The assistant hands him back the change. Assistant:"3.01 change. Thanks" Our Hero:"Cheers" As he pushes his way through the door clutching the CD in a small plastic carrier bag, our hero realises that darkness has fallen already, and pulls his coat together as he starts to make his way home through the evening gloom. Fade... Apologies for the length of this introduction, but I had to get it off my chest; I've only had access to the net for the last few weeks and only recently came across the list. It came as quite a surprise to find such a community of B&S fans out there, especially as I'd never meet anyone who liked them until quite recently, despite the above discovery occurring in Jan. '97. I hope I will get the opportunity to contribute more to the current discussions soon, but there is an awful lot of archive to get through.... ps, i've only just come across the ink polaroids site and this is my first attempt - again, apologies if required plus i'd like to know what anyone thinks... Barney. +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list please mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". For list archives and searching, list rules, FAQ, poor jokes etc, see http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +---+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" +---+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0

Sinister: Rather late Leeds gig review...
by Dr C.B.Stride 22 Sep '98

22 Sep '98

...on the Offbeat website, http://www.shef.ac.uk/~offbeat/ in the 'gigs' section. Chris C.B.Stride(a)Sheffield.ac.uk *** daytime: 0114 2223262 *** *** FAX: 0114 2727206 *** *** evening: 0114 2306539 *** "Watford FC Supporters - South Yorkshire branch" +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list please mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". For list archives and searching, list rules, FAQ, poor jokes etc, see http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +---+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" +---+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0

RE: Sinister: feck off with your pesky lists
by John Stuart/mail+schedule 22 Sep '98

22 Sep '98

"JJ" wrote.. > However there is a difference between mentioning one or two bands > who butter your muffin and listing your entire CD collection. > Hmm, Point taken, but my list was of bands I listen to a lot. This thread is about to burst into flames, so lets drop it. John S. +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list please mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". For list archives and searching, list rules, FAQ, poor jokes etc, see http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +---+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" +---+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0

Sinister: Molecule type stuff
by Sarah Wheeler 22 Sep '98

22 Sep '98

I am really sorry to ask this, but can I appeal to any chemists out there (there must be at least one out of the 700 of yous lot)?? I need to know what the collective name for an NH group is.....I know NH2 is an amine (isn't it?)...... If you do, can you e-mail me privately, and let me know? Sorry for abusing the list in this manner........I'll never darken your doorsteps again, I promise. Yours in anticipation Sarah x ======================= Sarah Wheeler Room 106 West Medical Building University of Glasgow GLASGOW G12 8QQ 0141-339 8855 ext.2860 ======================= +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list please mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". For list archives and searching, list rules, FAQ, poor jokes etc, see http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +---+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" +---+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0

RE: Sinister: Those pesky band lists
by John Stuart/mail+schedule 22 Sep '98

22 Sep '98

Neil Dewhurst wrote... > People just love letting complete strangers know what music they like in > the vain hope that when the message is read the recipients will all sit > around cooing and telling themselves how clever and sophisticated the > sender is. Or they might find that they too like the unknown band on > the list and let out squeals of excitement because there's someone else > out there with intellect on a par with theirs. > ....or they might think.."Hey, I like a lot of those bands too, but I've never heard of others. That person seems to have similar taste to me, I think I'll give those other band a listen to". I first heard of Air and TBS on this list. My recommendations might influence others. Just a thought. John S. +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list please mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". For list archives and searching, list rules, FAQ, poor jokes etc, see http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +---+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" +---+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

2 1

Sinister: LONG LIVE SARCASM-
by Simon Ludlam 22 Sep '98

22 Sep '98

most of the bands i'm into are shite, but at least i have the decency not to inflict these onto strangers. Let's hear it for David Hasselhoff and Black Lace. ********************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are released in confidence and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify postmaster(a)pindar.com http://www.pindar.com ********************************************************************** +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list please mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". For list archives and searching, list rules, FAQ, poor jokes etc, see http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +---+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" +---+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0

Sinister: Those pesky band lists
by Neil Dewhurst 22 Sep '98

22 Sep '98

People just love letting complete strangers know what music they like in the vain hope that when the message is read the recipients will all sit around cooing and telling themselves how clever and sophisticated the sender is. Or they might find that they too like the unknown band on the list and let out squeals of excitement because there's someone else out there with intellect on a par with theirs. For the record I like Kid Kranec, Cider Kiss TNT, Bangle Café Tune, Esomo, Erdi, Teen Vamp, Dolores Bay, Toss Notes Here, and erm, and some more but you're probably bored or thinking "God, how depressingly mainstream"... And here's some band content. Sad trivia question 1- (and I apologise if lists start appearing on the list - it's just for fun) what B&S songs have the same name as songs by other people? Sad trivia question 2 - who cares? P.S. When are the band playing live, and how can I get a copy of Tigermilk, and what's wrong with lists, and who are the band members, and what music do they like, and why does everyone keep asking the same questions? "Oh get me away from here it's an emergency, I'm not the same anymore. If you want me you know where I am" +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list please mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". For list archives and searching, list rules, FAQ, poor jokes etc, see http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +---+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" +---+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0

Sinister: Frequently Asked Questions
by Keith Watson 22 Sep '98

22 Sep '98

I'm currently knocking up an FAQ list that we're hopefully planning on mailing to the list reasonably frequently so's that people can read them before firing common questions on to the list. There are numerous problems that need overcome sensibly when dealing with this... We do welcome new people, it's cool seeing loads of people having joined up in the last few weeks, naturally with this we've got a load of questions posted that have been gone through before on the list. One of the problems here is that people use computer speak instead of normal speak. FAQ stands for "Frequently asked questions". This may seem obvious to some, but basically, it isn't. I'm a computer science graduate and have been doing internet stuff since 1990, and it took me till about 1994 to work out what FAQ meant. The other problem is that people don't know how to get to a website to read the list of frequently asked questions... So to address this we'll mail out this list every so often. This is a preliminary draft, which is probably inaccurate in places, but people can take a look and comment on it. Also, if anyone can think of any other questions that appear frequently, then mail me and let me know and I'll add them. Here we go.. Frequently asked questions about B+S. The idea with this is that newcomers to the list can have a read at the file and will hopefully prevent the same questions being asked numerous times on the list. Hope it's of help. 1. What is Tigermilk, where can I get a copy? Tigermilk is the bands first album and was released around about May 1996. It was released as part of a Stow College course whereby Alan Rankine (of the Associates) fronts up the cash to record a single every year, although with Belle and Sebastian they decided that there was enough material for an album, hence Tigermilk. There were only 1000 copies pressed and so the record is worth a lot of money now. The band have always mantained that Tigermilk will be re-released at some point, and this will definitely be the case, currently it's looking like some time in 1999 is likely. 2. Who is the guest singer on Lazy Line Painter Jane? The female singer on Lazy Line Painter Jane is Monica Queen, formerly of countryish Glasgow band Thrum. Thrum released a record a few years ago, about 1994 I think. I can't remember what it's called though, someone else will have to fill me in on that one. Last I heard she was recording with her own band which is called "Monica", or at least that's what it was called in February 1997. 3. What is "Elvis" in A Century of Elvis. No-one knows bar the author really, but it's probably a cat, perhaps a tortoise, maybe actually Elvis, maybe it's Tortelvis from Dread Zeppelin who knows. 4. Who is in the band... Stuart Murdoch - singing guitar Isobel Campbell - singing, cello, various Sarah Martin - violin, weird things Stevie Jackson - Guitar Stuart David - Bass Mick Cooke - Trumpet, various Chris Geddes - keyboards Richard Colburn - Drums Neil Robertson has been known to play bass on Stuart David's "Spaceboy Dream", which brings me on to... 5. What other bands have members of Belle and Sebastian involved in? There's quite a number of things here. I'm sure it's not complete either, it's just what I can remember off hand. Chris Geddes : currently V-Twin and Golden Rodeo (think that's what they're called). Has played on Arab Strap records. Mick Cooke : Used to play with Hardbody, who released two singles on Epic (On your own, Hazel's hob). Now plays with the Karelia and the Amphetameanies. Has also played on releases by Mojave 3, Ex-Cathedra. Probably others too. Stuart Murdoch : Played on releases by Polarbear and Arab Strap. Richard Colburn : Has played with Polarbear/Snowpatrol Isobel Campbell : Has played on Arab Strap records. Stuart David : Stuart David has a side project called "Looper". There has been one single released on Sub-pop singles club called "Impossible things" and there is an album planned. 6. What records have been released? Tigermilk (LP) May 1996 If you're feeling sinister (LP) November 1996 Dog on Wheels (EP) April 1997 Lazy Line Painter Jane (EP) June 1997 3,6,9 Seconds of Light (EP) October 1997 The Boy with the Arab Strap (LP) September 1998 7. What's that song at the end of the 3,6,9 seconds of light EP called. It's called "Songs for Children". 8. What about all these unreleased songs that people keep belting on about in order to make themselves look smart? Pocketbook Angel London has let me down Hurley's having dreams These are little demos of old songs that will as far as we know, never ever be released as Belle and Sebastian. Loneliness of the middle distance runner Modern Rock song Rhoda People around the place have tapes of various different versions of these, they've been kicking around for a while and they may well be released reasonably soon. I Know where the summer goes The Gate These two will probably be a part of the next single 9. What sessions have they done on the radio? The first session was around about September 1996 here Mark Lamarr sat in for Mark and Lard at night... They played Judy and the dream of horses Like Dylan in the movies The State that I am in The stars of track and field The second was about February 1997 on Mark + Lard's program again and they played : I could be dreaming Seeing other people (slow version) We rule the school Modern Rock song The third was on Steve Lamacq's evening session and they played : Lazy Line Painter Jane Sleep the clock around Slow Grafitti Seymour Stein They did one of Stevie Jackson's tracks "Wrong Love" one night when the evening session was live from Glasgow. The fourth less well known session was on Peter Easton's Radio Scotland music program where he played : The Lonliness of the middle distance runner Slow Grafitti Modern Rock song. +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list please mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". For list archives and searching, list rules, FAQ, poor jokes etc, see http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +---+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" +---+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0

Sinister: Sad Little Christmas Pies
by Chris Leonard 22 Sep '98

22 Sep '98

Here is a Christmas story, for some reason I am in a Christmassy mood. As usual it is entirely fictional from my head, and any similarities are unintentional. Oh and there's quite a lot of naughty swearies. You have been warned. Oh and Ronan, thanks for voting me for next weeks poem, but unfortunately I have already been 'it' and I only know one poem. Feel free to choose another more worthy person. Sad Little Christmas Pies =================== Background: Everyone knows that in order to be a proper pop star you have to have your own hall. Our Stuart has his little church hall and Stephen Pastel has a Masonic hall (lodge 710 glasgow north) Story: One frosty Morning in December our Stuart was doing a bit of sweeping up round his hall. "Ow , how I wove Chwistmas, I dwo I dwo I dwo and I wove happy dweams and pwesents and santa clwaus", he sang to himself. "And this Chwistmas will be extwa extwa special, cause on Chwistmas eve evewy young cawol singer in Glasgow will come to my hall for mince pwie. Hooway!!!". Stephen Pastel happened to be walking by and he overheard the excitement. He ran in the hall and pinned our Stuart up right up against the pwaise the lord sign. "Aye, that'll be fuckin right. Everyone's comin to ma lodge, ye daft wee cunt. And I'm gonna charge them a pound a pie. I'll make a fuckin fortune. Am I gonna have to pummel yer heed again? ya wee jobby". "No no Sweven, evwyone pwomised they'd come here after the wovely swinging about the little baby jesus for fwee pies for eveewyone - #away in a wanger no cwip for a beeeeeeed the little lword jeeesu#..ow". Stephen Pastel proceeded to punch our Stuart till he cried. As he left he threatened "you'd better tell them there all comin to ma lodge or else I'll fuckin have you and burn yer hall down, ya useless wee SHITE". Stuart was understandably upset. He knew that if all the carol singers went to Stephen Pastels lodge they'd have a miserable time. Since they were boys Stephen had bullied Stuart, and would definetely burn down the church hall if he didn't get his way. "I have to stwop him", little Stuart decided. "I need a pwan". December the 24th arrived. Stephen turned up at the church hall with a big whip, some petrol and some matches. He stood outside the front door. "ARE YOU THERE? CAN YA HEAR ME YA WEE CUNT? YOU HAVNAE TOLD ANYONE THAT THEY'RE COMIN TO MA LODGE FOR THEIR PIES HAVE YA, YA SELFISH WEE BASTARD. I'M GONNA FUCKIN BURN DOWN YER HALL FOR THAT, YA WEE SHITE." "Oh no youw're not". Stuart jumped down from a twee. "GET HIM, MY WITTLE FWIENDS!". Loads of foxes and sparrows ran out from inside the church hall and proceeded to eat Stephen Pastel. He tried to kung fu them off, but there were just to many. In a matter of minutes, there was nothing but bones which melted into the ground till he was dead. "Thwank you swo swo much, my wittle buddies. Now evewyone can come here for there pwies. Oh I wove chwistmas I dwo I dwo I dwo. And I wove wittle foxes and wittle spawwos and the wittle baby jesus." That night all the carol singers went to the Church hall and ate pies. And they were good. THE END +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list please mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". For list archives and searching, list rules, FAQ, poor jokes etc, see http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +---+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" +---+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0

Sinister: Social Services - Buddle Lane Family Centre
by Adrian Evans 22 Sep '98

22 Sep '98

Here it is...the amazing Spaceboy Confectionary Dream Lyric Theory. These ARE the actual lyrics...none of that dribble you pesky kids have been posting this last week or so. The truth is out...(well, it's out there somewhere)..Stuart David is a chocolate pigging get. NB. I've only got a fifteenth generation TAPE copy of TITWOBBLES so I cannot take any responsibility for errors in spelling, punctuation or downright lies. All I need now is for you kids to let me know why big Stu D isn't a right hefty fat bastard 'n all that. Answers to Gus Honeybun on the back of a Manchester Utd BT Phonecard to the usual address. SPACEBOY DREAM. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I dreamt I had to get a MARS I'm always MILKY BAR KIDDING on about getting a MARS or MILKY WAY But faced with the reality of it in my dream I wanted TERRY'S ALL GOLD And I wasn't going to like a MINI-TWIX There was three of us going (TRIO??) and we couldn't all go in the same ship We had a go at a TIMEOUT with a MILKY WAY between us I had a ROLO first, and it was the thought of passing through all that black space, All the darkness with caramel in it - and then being the first one to land there, all alone I knew it was supposed to be all dark around with just a red surface (Turkish Delight ?) But what if I got there and it was LITE...all KINDER SURPRISE and populated and stuff So I ate a flan. The other 2 ASTROnaughts were to be my dad and my sister And my dad would come first after me and so I decided when I landed that I would just stay in and eat until he got there And then we could both get out together and have a look for a BOUNTY and see what sort of things they were And when I woke up and I was lying on my back in the darkness I thought I had landed and I just lay still for a while eating till my dad got there with some more grub. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ So there you have it...not conclusive I'll admit, but it's there...you listen, and if you put your ear up to the speaker on the bits where it goes quiet, you can hear the song from those classic Finger of Fudge adverts of the seventies and eighties. Ronan on delivering the Monday poem wrote : >eJ8+IhoJAQaQCAAEAAAAAAABAAEAAQeQBgAIAAAA5AQAAAAAAADoAAEIgAcAGAAA >AElQTS5NaWNyb3NvZnQgTWFpbC5Ob3RlADEIAQ2ABAACAAAAAgACAAEEgAEAFwAA >AE1vbmRheSBQb2VtIG9uIFR1ZXNkYXkAFQgBBYADAA4AAADOBwkAFgAKAAwAGAAC >ACQBASCAAwAOAAAAzgcJABYACgAJABsAAgAkAQEJgAEAIQAAADQxNjExQTdCRjM1 >MUQyMTFCQzdDMDA2MEIwNjg2ODc5APEGAQSQBgBoAQAAAQAAABAAAAADAAAwAw >AAAAsADw4AAAAAAgH/DwEAAABEAAAAAAAAAABglGRgQbgBCAArK4opAADLnCEAZAA >AC8AFQAAABQAJ3NpbmlzdGVyJwBzaW5pc3RlckBwaC5lZC5hYy51awAeAAIwAQAA Is it me or is Simon Armitage just taking the piss these days...this is NOT poetry. Later Playmates Adrian...BORED. +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list please mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". For list archives and searching, list rules, FAQ, poor jokes etc, see http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +---+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" +---+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0