Sinister: Songs that make you go silent, sounds so sour and sweet, you could be boring...

[Alasdair Cook MC1996]

I am about to be.

Bloody hell, Carsmile's talked to Tom Paulin! On the list of brilliant
people to talk to, including Woody allen, Mark Cousins, Robert Forster,
Flowella Benjamin et al, he would have to be pretty high up there. As
opposed to talking to members of Tompaulin, which anyone can do and
isn't very exciting really. Well, only a bit.

And someone's grandpa was in a B&S video? Blimey, the things you find
out...

Knightowl:
> There's a world of difference
> between how a band like Oasis functions and a bunch of lads slogging it out
> in a pub somewhere. Where on the scale B&S are at this point I have no idea,
> but I think it likely Stuart rules the roost.

Hmmm. Possibly, but it seems to me that there are a few strong
personalities and very good musicians in B&S who each have a lot to
contribute, and do so. Stuart seems like the kind of guy who's not going
to bully and impose his will on others as well. And hey, they're all
mates, and they all get equal money don't they? It's only a game show,
la la la...

David:
> Is it Hyndland Church Hall that Stuart M lived and the band rehearsed? I saw
> letters about the aforementioned building in the Glasgow Herald the other
> day although no mention of the band.

Yes, it was a meeting of about 50 residents and church-goers who were
trying to decide what to do about raising money for the church I think,
because otherwise it'll have to be sold or demolished or whatever. But
why should B&S be mentioned? The chances of someone getting up in the
middle of the meeting and saying "we can't demolish this church, Belle
and Sebastian used to play here!" are somewhat slim.

Kendra:
> anyone else see *wonderland* and leave feeling like all their nerve
> endings were exposed?

I refer to Papercuts #4, Mr N.Dastoor. It will break your heart.
Incidentally, I managed to pick up the rather wonderful Michael Nyman
soundtrack for 3 quid the other week. Lovely.

Peter:
> I'm thinking of organising a Maryhill
> Dole Office Reunion All-Nighter.

Fantastic! I went to the Maryhill dole office a few times to try and
find a shite job, but they didn't have any. They've re-done the pub
across the road as well, but I think I'd still be too scared to go in.
We could all walk to Calumn Shearer's house instead and sing folk songs
while his dad bangs a drum.

I like the idea of someone throwing a shoe at Lloyd Cole as well. Did he
bring an extra shoe with him, or did he have to walk home with one shoe
on? All lop-sided like a haggis. I once walked home from primary school
still wearing my sannies after gym, and didn't realise until I was
halfway to my house. Crazy days.

A woman who writes for Scotland on Sunday newpaper is going out with
Lawrence Donegan (the Commotions bassist), whom she annoying refers to
constantly as 'The Boyfriend'. Apparently they went to see Lloyd play
and he said that all bass players soak their hands in pish to toughen
the skin. Do any bass players out there use this technique? Does it work
with someone else's pish or does it have to be your own?

Finally, The Pinefox (he is the definitive, for as someone more
intelligent than me remarked, "do we know of any others?"):

> >>it is what it is.
> 
> That clause is below your usual standard, Cook. I mean, can you tell me 
> about anything that is not what it is?

I hate English teachers.

> "The Smiths are a good band for singles. I don´t think that they did a good 
> complete album, but they convinced their fans that they were unforgettable. 
> And they´re not better than the Go-Betweens or Belle and Sebastian".
> 
> Isn´t it cute ?????
> >>>
> 
> No, it's bollox. The last sentence is an outrage. You can be the biggest 
> Go-Betweens fan in the world - and I am, as you know - and still think it's 
> the most flagrant, flatulently implausible bit of self-promotion you've seen 
> since Worksop, pulling themselves up by their bootstraps, sneaked into 
> Division 3 (South. Or North. One or the other).
> 

Hmmm. The statement is, in my opinion, correct. However that's not to
condone it. It shouldn't have been made, there's a fine line between
confidence and arrogance. Still, the phrase "not better" could simply
mean "as good as", or "better" could be in the sense of "more worthy"
although it doesn't seem that way. I'm confusing myself now. I'll stop.

Altogether.

Alasdair xx

PS Deacon Blue's finest moment was undoubtedly the single "I was right
and you were wrong" with the piano version of "Wages Day" on the b-side.
Superb.
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