April 1999 - Sinister - missprint.org

Sinister: The girls and the horses
by Nick Dastoor 01 Apr '99

01 Apr '99

Well this is all very exciting. Not just another picnic to look foward to, where Big Stu reckons I can meet girls, but a pre-Camber meetup opposite my office, half an hour after I finish work. How convenient. Just as well it's the Betsey, as the Coach and Horses has been boycotted by the NUJ chapel here on account of the publican's racist views. How interesting this must be to all of you. I used to be interesting. But then everyone caught up and I got lost in the following pack. What's all this in Time Out about Isobel being Stuart's ex-girlfriend? I thought they were caught 'holding hands' in America recently. What other bands have survived this sort of crisis? Bis, and they got better. Rod's been quiet lately, but I've been tracking his movements - have a look at what he's been up to. Busy boy! http://x7.dejanews.com/[ST_rn=qs]/getdoc.xp?AN=461049635&CONTEXT=92298 8937.1990525082&hitnum=7 Buy a minidisc machine. They're great. Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the reborn Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". WWW: http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "tech-heads and students" +-+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +-+ "nambling pambling rice pudding & crochet holiday camp +-+ +-+ gangwanking whimsy-thon" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0

Sinister: Cinerama here?
by Arantxa Sanz 01 Apr '99

01 Apr '99

Sorry because of using the list to do this,sorry Mummy I won't spread Nutella all around my tee shirt again, I promise, but if anyone knows if Cineraman are really adn truly playing tonite in Nottingham ,could that someone mail me privately about it? Cheers Arantxa +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the reborn Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". WWW: http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "tech-heads and students" +-+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +-+ "nambling pambling rice pudding & crochet holiday camp +-+ +-+ gangwanking whimsy-thon" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0

Sinister: Re: sinister-digest V3 #102
by OLDSCHREC＠aol.com 01 Apr '99

01 Apr '99

That last digest I received with one e-mail message in it was the shortest sinister digest version I've seen yet. Pete End of sinister-digest V3 #103 ****************************** +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the reborn Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". WWW: http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "tech-heads and students" +-+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +-+ "nambling pambling rice pudding & crochet holiday camp +-+ +-+ gangwanking whimsy-thon" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0

Sinister: Australian B&S Distributor
by Chris Tunnock 01 Apr '99

01 Apr '99

Dear Australian sinsterines (and g'day to you gentiles) Modular is now distributing B&S locally, in the wake of the Brits. I have not yet been able to ascertain if the date of Tigermilk's rerelease will be the same as the international release but let us cross our collective dirty colonial fingers... and say goodbye to import prices. The source of this info was a favourable TBWTAS review in Inpress, a Melbourne music paper. It ended on a finale of "A victory for substance over style." Before one takes this in a disparaging context, it referred to B&S self-promotion and their integrity in letting their music speak for itself. I will end in pseudo "Romperoom" style by saying a big hello to all my Australian friends out there in Sinisterland... Hello Craig, Erin (you ex-pat, you), Jacki, Jacqui, and Kin. Bye Chris N.B previous post's answer was 2! +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the reborn Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". WWW: http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "tech-heads and students" +-+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +-+ "nambling pambling rice pudding & crochet holiday camp +-+ +-+ gangwanking whimsy-thon" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0

Sinister: Divine Music before the Bowlie fest?
by Aileen Hammond 01 Apr '99

01 Apr '99

Hello Sinister Bunnies, IŽll get straight to the point: As I will be MISSING(!) B&S on the Sunday at Bowlie I wanted to find something that could ease my suffering a little bit..In the NME I saw there was an Elliott Smith gig April 22nd(the day before Bowlie) in Manchester University.. I am thinking of going :) Are any of you people going? I will be arriving to London-Stanstead Airport around noon on the 22nd..do you tink itŽs worth it to go all the way to Manchester for the night? Do you know if itŽs expensive to travel to Manchester from London? And another thing..If anyone really IS going, it would be nice to go together :) - I have never been to Manchester, and I wouldnŽt want to be lost and found before Bowlie do I? ..thanks again for listening to my raindrop cries :) Giita @->-- Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the reborn Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". WWW: http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "tech-heads and students" +-+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +-+ "nambling pambling rice pudding & crochet holiday camp +-+ +-+ gangwanking whimsy-thon" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0

Sinister: Select article
by poetryplace2 01 Apr '99

01 Apr '99

Well the Select article some of us have been dreading for a while has finally hit the newstands, and.... well, it's not as bad as you would've thought. Certainly better than the usual bollocks in this month's Q . Highlights of the article include a smashing pic of steadymike, pam and the divine jenn around a glockenspiel. Lowlights include a display quote in big bold letters misquoting somebody called Honey. It's quite lengthy, but I thought you'd want to have a gander. I couldnt scan the first 200 words or so, because they were reversed out of a picture, and my poor scanner cant deal with it... legendary camera-shy natures; he was, after all, in a band with Stuart Murdoch called Deadly Geometry, a bizarre project whose self- proclaimed mission - oh, the killing irony - was to achieve as much publicity as possible without actually creating any music. The forth- coming programme, Duglas also reveals, could well include a cartoon of the band illustrated in the style of an early '70s Bunty annual. Pete Waterman was apparently invited to provide the narration. Again, sadly, he declined. When this backwards-in-coming- forwards Scottish indie-folk combo won their Brit in February it was one of those great happening-without-per- mission moments that helps make pop seem like an interesting way of spending your time: the blank industry stares on the night, Pete Waterman's tabloid- backed vote-rigging allegations, the tri- partite aggression that's recently broken out from the pop world with Another Level and Sive coming out on the side of Steps. The meek, it seemed, were ready to claim back at least part of that long- promised inheritance. It all amounted to a hilarious, momentous, unexpectedly visible demonstration of power from a group and fanbase that had previously appeared content to inhabit the margins of the musical world. THAT THIS VICTORY OVER PETE Waterman and the ruffled pop darlings was achieved largely via the Internet is only fitting. Cyberspace has always appealed to those with dispositions of a closeted, furtive nature: the trademark of Stuart Murdoch's lyrical drift. So, if Belle And Sebastian really are to the '90s what The Smiths were to the '80s, this Net connection testifies to how society has become a rather different place in the interim. Where Smiths fans came together in solidarity with some oppositional, confronta- tional idea of changing the world, Belle And Sebastian fans - as perfect emblems of the downsizing generation - are simply seeking a little piece of independent space that they can call their own. That space usually turns out to be the Sinister Mailing List - and it is a strange place to be. Become one of its 900 subscribers and you're let- ting yourself in for a daily torrent of e-mail mis- sives that, on any given day, could include every- thing from earnest discussions on lyrics to fictional messages from Stuart's mum. Votes can be cast on your favourite on-line people. Virtual kisses are exchanged. It's involved stuff, and the official Belle And Sebastian/Jeepster Records site gets between 160,000 and 200,000 hits a week. "People become mates because they've got one thing in common," says Papercuts fanzine editor Stephen Trouss6 of the on-line community. "But they don't just talk about that, they chat about any- thing. It's like being down the pub - except you're in three dif- ferent continents." So what kind of talk usually occurs in the average BELLE & SEBASTIAN ~ Belle And Sebastian chatroom? "Smut. There's always a lot 01 smut Like Stephen, who also organises regular B&S meetings at Covent Garden's Poetry Caf~, many admirers seem unwilling to stop at mere hero worshipping indulgence, preferring instead to use the music as a jumping-off point for creativ- ity. Alistair Fitchett, aka The Duke Of Harringay, has written a series of booklets called Belles Lettres (in part as homage to the similar Stuart David booklet Ink Polaroids Of Belle And Sebastian) in which he's attempted to capture the spirit of their songs. "I made about 50 or so of those and sold them at the Manchester shows. They sold out really quickly, actually," says Alistair, a Tiverton art teacher who forced his reluctant pupils ("They were all going, 'Oh, who's this, it's rubbish!"') to design alternative album covers for 'The Boy With The Arab Strap'. "I have met Stuart and Isobel and... it was nice, but what I really hate about pop music generally is this idea that the people who make the music are somehow differ- ent. I've met a lot of interesting people through the fanclub, but I prefer appreciating pop music as an I individual, not being part of some clique or gang. The hardcore people who I feel most in common with are those who are doing things themselves - not just consuming, not just buying the records and talking endlessly about what Stuart meant by this or that." Following in this vein is one Sean Fleming who has been partly inspired by Belle And Sebastian ("everything now is more like a show and this isn't a show") to become an expression- ist painter and musician. "You'll probably hear about me this time next year," he confidently assures. Is it possible, then, that a-burgeoning Belle And Sebastian-inspired arty-literary-boho scene is in waiting, ready to sweep away Cool Britannia's over-hyped chancers? TALK TO THE GROUP'S CHIEF FEMALE FIGURE, Isobel Campbell, and it becomes clear that the band are, rather than true icons in the Morrissey mould, simply gifted extensions of the same quietly non-comformist world their fans occupy. Softly spoken - at times faltering, at times chatty - she's obviously strn new to the world of inter- views. And having only just finished college, she's no doubt rather taken aback at finding her- self something of a style guru. Like the rest of the group, she's really neither a complete wide-eyed ingenue nor an utterly knowing ironist - goes some way to supporting me idea that their - non-image's absurd success falls somewhere between happy accident ~~~and media literate mas- "I just thought that when I went to university to study music... All my friends were signing on, and they were all lovely and things... I just thought that would happen to me," she recalls. "Then I joined the band and we were just suddenly getting all these phone calls and people asking us would you like to play here, blah blah blah. It's great and it's not to be knocked at all but even just the general business of it all is something to get used to." So does it feel odd to be the subject of a cult? "I suppose it is a bit strange. They all sort of meet and chat to each other... People do write to us as well, and we always try and reply. We get quite general ones just to Belle And Sebastian and a few others to each of us individually, say- ing things like, you know, how they've been quite fed up recently, things like that. I suppose it is quite odd that people write in to people they don't know. Sometimes people come up to you and talk to you and you don't think they know who you are and it turns out they're Belle And Sebastian fans." There's also plenty of unusual - if sort of appropriate - freebies flying their way "People send us lots of drawings. There was one time I got some silver angel wings. That was nice. And just lots of little gifts. Oh, and I got a dress sent to me and it fitted me perfectiy. Actually, I don't even know if it was for me, it just sort of emerged. There was a note attached saying, 'I wonder if someone in Belle And Sebastian would like this?' It was blue velvet, sort of a pinafore thing.. So are you all quite excited after the Brits? "I think our families are a lot more than us. Everything kind of exploded when it happened. It was quite touching because of how obviously all the fans on the Internet had got together and initiated it all. And it was good to see Mick and Richard on the telly" So are you all getting something of a taste for the limelight now? "I don't know... We're all really, really busy and we're doing as much as we can manage. Probably not. Some bands get so over-exposed because you see their faces on the cover of everything and you end up quite sick of it really. You're not going to see our faces splashed all over the billboards or anything." BACK IN NEW CROSS, the mood of enchant- ment is escalating fast, thanks in large part to the airing of huge chunks from Belle And Sebastian's canon. Conversation at the bar revolves around such top- ics as whether switching from four to three-track singles to become eligible for charts (as B&S appear likely to do) constitutes selling out'. And whether it's shameful to own up to only having 'Tigermilk' on tape. At one point im- moderate excitement runs through the assem- bly at the rumour that Jo, the cover star of 'Tigermilk' (and Stuart's ex), is about to appear in person. She doesn't. The question for the uninitiated remains, though: just what is this group's particular appeal? "It's because they're difficult to find out about in the conventional way," reckons 18-year-old Andrew Farley. "You hear the name mentioned around quite a lot and it stands out as being unusual. And you think, 'That's strange, I've heard the name but not their songs on the radio, why is that?' You can't just pick up The Sun or The Mirror and find out what's going on. Well, before the Brits, this is..." David and Katrina, now of the group's record label Jeepster, but for- merly humble shop assistants at Vinyl Experience in London's Hanway Street, testify to the musics strange incubatory effects. "We got given the '...Sinister' album by a rep and filled in the feedback ques- tionnaire giving it about five out often," confess- es Katrina. "But then we kept going back toil and playing it again and again until we had it on practically all the time. We kept ordering loads of copies to foist on as many people as possible. And loads of tourists who came in would go home with copies. "Then we went to their Borderline gig and David, who'd been doing the Elastica fanclub, went up to Stuart Murdoch and asked him if he could do their fanclub. He said fine, so we start- ed that - organising the picnics and stuff - and eventually we joined Jeepster as it grew." So, now that you're part of the Jeepster family, are you still fans? "Well, Stuart and Isobel come to the office and afterwards we're going, 'Ooh, wow! They were here! We spoke to them!' [laughs] Like on a real high..." Such enthusiasm isn't rare. In fact it's com- mon to find even more extreme reactions on the Net. Here's 'Guy': "i just want to say how much i love Belle And Sebastian, and how they possibly saved my life. At the time when i dis- covered them, i was going through a hard time in life, having quite a few problems with nobody to turn to. The beautiful and meaningful music they produce is a great antidote to the world we live in, with its vulgarity and falseness. Belle And Sebastian have shown me that life can be colour- ful and beautiful. They give me hope and belief that things will get better. God bless you Belle And Sebastian!!!!!!!" As it edges towards midnight in New Cross surprising scenes are taking place on the dance- floor. The dander B&S tracks (meaning, er, 'Dirty Dream Number Two', basically) segue into a rock-out section (including the likes of T Rex's 'Jeepster') which causes what appears to be red- hot boogie action among the supposedly shrink- ing violet twee-kids. As the throng starts sweating with communal joy, it's clear that other factors over and above the love of the band itself bind this clan together. One unifying characteristic, of course, is a shared feeling of shyness. "Everyone is always rather reticent," says the evening's organiser and DJ, Joe Egg. "I felt rather shy handing out the flyers for tonight. And a big city - whether it's London or LA - can be a very lonely place, it's really hard to meet peo- ple who think like you. So if you're a young person who's predisposed to the Internet and likes the band, it's a good way of getting to actually meet like- minded people face-to-face." "It's really about people from all over the world who trust each other," adds Katrina. "If you say, 'I want to come over to stay', you'll be put up. It's a friends for life thing. If you say you're a Belle And Sebastian fan, people presume that everything else is similar too." "We're all very sad," adds David. "But we don't care!" THE BAND'S FAMOUSLY TACI- TURN habits do appear to have rubbed off onto their fans. There's anything but unanimity even over the wisdom of tonight's fan convention, with some Net postings fearing wallflowers-look- ing-lost scenes reminiscent of '80s Smiths nights. Alistair, meanwhile, is not attend- ing the Bowlie Weekender. "I just don't like the idea of festivals," he says. "I'm not very social.' And, in connection with this article, the Sinister mailing list founder, Honey, says he's "not sure whether I want it publicised so much as we're a very special tidy little community!" Such awkwardness hints at the whole cult's current precarious position. According to Andy Parley, "It is a contradiction. You feel like you're part of a really select, minority thing. But at the same time there's a lot of us now. It's like any. thing, really, when it turns big." Maybe this bubble-like community ha~ become about as big as it can get withoul bursting. There's already signs that a breakawa~ 'knew them in the beginning/prefer their old stuff' movement is rearing its head and, assum- ing that the group carries on widening it~ musical remit, those who think of Belle And Sebastian as Their Group could feel increasingl~ marginalised by any forthcoming Brits~ enhanced success. Which, of course, only adds fittingly melancholic edge to the night's valedictory celebrations. That said, the cult's highpoint is still to arrive The Bowlie Weekender promises to be a feast oi chalet-based frolics. That is if everyone behave~ themselves and follows such tips as these fron the official website: "Bring some pyjamas - aftei all, most of you are sharing your chalet witi? people you only loosely know," and "If you'n driving, check the weather before you leave ant make sure that you stop off for short break~ during your journey." Above all, however, yoi. should, "Make sure you've booked the Monda) off work so you won't get into trouble when yol. don't turn up." It would, after all, be the nice and thoughtfu thing to do. ^Õ 3d SELECT +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the reborn Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". WWW: http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "tech-heads and students" +-+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +-+ "nambling pambling rice pudding & crochet holiday camp +-+ +-+ gangwanking whimsy-thon" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

2 1

Sinister: Weathershow
by Simon Ludlam 01 Apr '99

01 Apr '99

Does anyone know if the Weathershow 7" will be available at the forthcoming gigs?? I haven't been released into the public for some time, so while I'm out I have to get everything I can... Simon xxx ********************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. The views expressed in the EMail and files transmitted with it are those of the individual not the company. If you have recieved this EMail in error please notify. postmaster(a)pindar.com http://www.pindar.com ********************************************************************** +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the reborn Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". WWW: http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "tech-heads and students" +-+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +-+ "nambling pambling rice pudding & crochet holiday camp +-+ +-+ gangwanking whimsy-thon" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

2 1

Sinister: Edinburgh
by Marianne Bratlie 01 Apr '99

01 Apr '99

hello sinisters.. I`m spending some time in Edinburgh (possible also going to Glasgow for one day) before the bowlie festival, (I`m from Norway)-and I`m wondering if someone could tell me what`s worth seeing, any gigs..belle and sebastian related places...etc? I`m arriving Newcastle the 16.th, will probarbly be in Edinburgh from saturday (17\4)..and leave friday morning (23\4) (going to the bowlinger..) Hope i`ll meet some of you people on the festival...and thanks to anyone who replyes on my questions.. Cheers! Marianne Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the reborn Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". WWW: http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "tech-heads and students" +-+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +-+ "nambling pambling rice pudding & crochet holiday camp +-+ +-+ gangwanking whimsy-thon" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0

Sinister: Twang me gently
by Honey 01 Apr '99

01 Apr '99

Sorry to poke my nose in the swingy sinister door yet again. Just to say for anyone who's been waiting for guitar tabs for TBWTAS, MRS and any other acronym you can think of, they're now at the Sinister WWW site at: http://www.majordomo.net/sinister/chords.html These were submitted ages ago by loads of people, but me and my consultant chordologist, Lulu, took ages trying to sort them all out. I've pulled my finger out today in response for a request for them "In Another Place" as those of us who work in the House of Commons say. Sorry for the long delay, and sorry for anyone who sent chords and I haven't put them up - it's very hard to choose between them and I've tried to be fair - I don't think we want 99 versions of each song online. But I'll add what I've said on the WWW page, even though I sound a bit like PC Plod: "It's always hard choosing between different people's versions, and we get sent lots, so apologies to anyone who sent in chords and they're not here: in some cases it's first come first served, in others I arbitrarily pick whatever looks more complete. And yes I understand this is open to interpretation, and mine is often wrong: if you have an alternate version, I suggest you mail the person whose name is on the version below and see if you can both agree on a new set of chords, then send them back to me together. Then you both get your names in lights :) It's quite hard to manage this so please don't mail me and say "these chords are better" - I can't decide for you and I'll end up crying in the corner." Finally for anyone who hasn't got WWW access (I know of at least one poor listee who doesn't), never fear! My little robot, the sweet Miss HoneyBot who some will remember as a silent but very sexy presence in the chatrooms, has been instructed to serve your every wish. Just send a flattering message to her at: honeybot(a)majordomo.net (not me), and she will send you back all the chords in the twinkling of an eye. Actually it needn't be flattering, she's desperate for attention. honey xxx +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the reborn Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". WWW: http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "tech-heads and students" +-+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +-+ "nambling pambling rice pudding & crochet holiday camp +-+ +-+ gangwanking whimsy-thon" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0

Sinister: Re: sinister-digest V3 #102
by Paul Clarke 01 Apr '99

01 Apr '99

> The NME online seem to have beaten our own esteemed newslists to the following confirmed line-up, so for those of you interested, point yourselves to: > http://www.nme.com/newsdesk/19990231123814news.html The editor of nme.com (Anthony Thornton) is a big B&S fan, he'll be at Camber Sands. He claims to have done the first B&S feature in a national newspaper, when he worked for the Guardian I think. Pauly popExchange: http://www.popex.com +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the reborn Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail "sinister(a)majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo(a)majordomo.net". WWW: http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "tech-heads and students" +-+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +-+ "nambling pambling rice pudding & crochet holiday camp +-+ +-+ gangwanking whimsy-thon" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1 0