…although not all of the band have quite reached the grand old age of 21 (Mark’s the baby), I have noticed that we have done an awful lot of growing up in the last few years.
I feels as though I only started uni last week when in actual fact I’m now in my fourth year. The sheer horror of this only hit home when I saw how wee the new intake of student teachers were! There were hundreds of them! Our year has been dramatically reduced due to breakdowns, relationship crises, uncertainty and plain laziness.
I also remember San Sebastian’s first ever gig (our first and last gig under the name “Loose Women”). As we approach the 2nd anniversary of this, I have begun to think about how music has changed.
It felt quite nice back then, telling people you were in a band. Now it seems as though everyone has done it! We’ve seen the emergence of new-rave, indie discos, emo and eejits who think wearing sunglasses in the ABC is cool. It’s all a bit much. A bit too new for me.
Or is it?
My brother’s always made sure that I’ve listened to good music. He nearly killed me when I bought a DumDums cd (remember them?) and nearly exploded with joy as I purchased my first ever album - Liquid Skin by Gomez. Thanks to him and my Dad, I’ve always had the opinion that no music is new. It really has been done before! Look at the Divine Comedy - Scott Walker with more obvious humour. The View - The Jam. Oasis - The Kinks, The Who, The Beatles etc etc. If you watch Sounds of the Sixties, or the Old Grey Whistle Test, you will see an ancestor of just about any band you could think of. I’d like to think that these new bands admit that they idolise their influences and take inspiration from their music. A lot of them don’t and insist that they have a brand new sound.
When it comes to your influences, you should take inspiration from them and play about with it - don’t just copy it. Chances are that you will not be remembered as easily as they are.
My advice, for what it’s worth, would be to explore your favourite bands’ influences. Discover what they are inspired by.
Remember - it’s ok to like music, no matter when it is from. Music is there to bring happiness, allow you to feel miserable, or take you to the far reaches of darkness. Don’t just like a song because the dj tells you to. Hang him. Like whatever you want. Music exists because humans want to feel. Not so that people can become rich.
Vinny
Posted: October 3rd, 2007 under NEWS.
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