evening all, this is my first message to this list, so forgive any screw-ups. I'd just like to add my opinions to the whole issue of bands letting you down or screwing up or whatever. I too have very high hopes for BandS but there is a danger of forgetting that we are the fans and they are the band - let's face it, if they decide they wanna "sell out" that's really up to them. And if they decide they want to do a rock opera about Adolf Hitler (for example) then that's up to them too. Being a fan is great fun but also depressing - I remember being let down by the House of Love (selling out, re-releasing "Shine On"), The Auteurs (turning crap very quickly), and, yes, even The Smiths (signing to a major label - amazing how upsetting that seemed at the time...) But then think about someone like The Wedding Present, who followed their own rules, rather admirably, but still ended up, well, where, exactly? And think about the abominable nightmare that is Chumbawamba - big hit single for their nice new major label, but then let's face it, straight in at number thirty two for the next one, dropped by the label pretty damn sharpish, I would say... Anyway, I'm all in favour of worshipping belle and sebastian, cos I think they're fucking ace, but a little perspective comes in handy too - don't expect them to be perfect and don't be too disappointed when other people like them because of their fluke hit single or whatever else may happen in the future. Watching the progress of a band like this is very interesting, with all the potential pitfalls that lie in their way - how disappointed will we be when there's a TWO CD single, instead of an EP, or they turn up on some godawful kids tv show, or they make lots of money and move to Spain or something...? I hope that BandS are having fun right now, and earning enough to keep them off the streets, and I hope they like having the kind of fans they've got. Finally, apologies if I've rambled or sounded a tad patronising at times, but I'm making this up as I go along. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- . This message was brought to you by the Sinister mailing list. . To send to the list please mail "sinister@majordomo.net". . For subscribing, unsubscribing and other list information please see . http://www.majordomo.net/sinister . For questions about how the list works mail owner-sinister@majordomo.net -----------------------------------------------------------------------