what city in britan has spawned the best bands?

[Dave The Hedgehog]

strong words. i have been to london only the once in all fairness but i really enjoyed it and about the people im from manchester were maybe we are slighty more lade back than the people down south but they seem good people to me.

[joe1990]

When you're on the side of the audience it's difficult to empathise with somebody on the side of the artist. If you went to London as a musician - in fact, come to think of it if you went to London hoping to establish any career, you're f**ked before you even get on the train - especially if you have no clear ambition or direction, which if you're going to London means you probably don't.

There are so many people in London all trying to do the same things with the same dreams that it's like shooting fish in a barrel for the music industry. There are that many bands to choose from that it's impossible for the music industry to sift amongst the good and the bad to find something truly extraordinary, so they don't bother - the same applies to bands on the internet nowadays. In the past, it may have been a good idea but when everybody else has the same idea - well, you know what it's like going to work at the same time as everybody else. You all get stuck in the same traffic jam.

Most artists go to London to become stars because they think it's the land of milk and honey where everything is readily available and resources are at their disposal but it's not; it's full of arseholes looking to exploit you. You lose a lot more money going to London as an artist than you do waiting for London to come to you, and if you really are that good, they will eventually.

Putting what I'm saying into context with this thread: London doesn't tend to produce that many good bands and those they do end up with no personality because they come from London, and the bands that end up there usually lose whatever personality and identity they have. Manchester is a whole different can of worms and a completely different vibe, though I will agree that it's probably the last place in Britain where something interesting actually happened in British music - nothing really has happened here since 'Madchester'.

[Dave The Hedgehog]

No I know Manchester is famous for a lot of other things. We wouldn't be talking to each other if it wasn't for somebody from Manchester. You have every reason to be proud of it. And yes, I do have some experience of London but I won't go into specifics because that'd be tedious as hell. Let's just say that when you're young, you're stupid, and as you get to the age of 26 and still do music as a full-time thing then you learn enough about the city to tell others to avoid it.

I think, deep down, the problem with London is that it's full of w*nkers, and most of the bands that come out of there or evolve out of the 'London Scene' make music for w*nkers to enjoy. What makes matters worse is when bands from different pockets and regions over the country decide that they'll openly try to court this sound and attitude - I'm from deepest darkest Midlands; I don't want bands that I grew up with in school asking me to come to their gigs so that I can listen to their bullshit music that belongs in London. I want to hear the sound of Leeds, I want to hear the sound of Glasgow, I want to hear the sound of Belfast or Llandudno, or f**king Burton On Trent... but I can't because all I ever f**king hear from these places are bands from them play London music.

There may be interesting music around now and there are a lot of good bands but we haven't had anything like Punk or Madchester or Grunge or anything like that in a long time. So if you're in a band and you're reading this, it's up to you to start it. Now. For God's sake. Please f**king start it before we all decide to become serial killers out of boredom.

[sifi]

Tim Berners-Lee is from London,

[Dave The Hedgehog]

Tim Berners-Lee is from London,

[5co77ie]

Muse and Show Of Hands are both from Exeter

[Dave The Hedgehog]

Muse and Show Of Hands are both from Exeter

[sifi]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Small-Scale_Experimental_Machine

I wish I could pointlessly try to correct people on incidentals instead of focusing on the larger points at hand. Life wouldn't be as tedious then.

[Dave The Hedgehog]

That was so long ago in the scheme of things, you might as well give a shout out for the guy who banged the f**king rocks together!

[Vieuphoria]

I knew there was a reason I hated Devon.

[pehaw]

...North or South - a deliberate attempt to start some sort of divide.

[Dave The Hedgehog]

but what about Polly Jean?

[sifi]

I just think it's completely pathetic to note such an incidental piece of information and try to correct it when so much more is being talked about. It doesn't matter if it's a fact or not.

[Dave The Hedgehog]

You were the one so caught up in your ramming of how wonderful Manchester is down people's throats

[sifi]

Actually, the idea of doing such thing pains me because it's such a cliche to say that Manchester is so good for producing music - but then, despite the fact it's a cliche it's also a cold truth. I'm more interested in talking about different bands from different pockets of the country, like Glasgow (Belle and Sebastian, Primal Scream, Jesus and Mary Chain, Mogwai, The Vaselines, etc) because it's in my nature to be contrary.

Who invented the computer or who invented the internet is a completely tangential discussion and bears no real relevance to this thread and the fact you continue to discuss it without even considering to further the real discussion at hand implies just how relevant your place on this thread is. If anything, it's a distraction from the point of this discussion and if you really wish to have a conversation about it then you should perhaps take it up with the University of Manchester instead of on a board typically resigned to discussions about music and festivals.

Either that or perhaps just stop being a pedantic arse.

Edited September 30, 2010 by sifimaster

[jump]

You forgot Madness.

[joe1990]

Hey, you were the one who got on their high horse when it wasn't pointed out to you that you were wrong.

And I've been looking for a while now on the efestivals board - can you point me to the pinned thread which has these Dave the Hedgehog rules on please?

Anyhow, as you wish - back to the original question.

Rolling Stones - formed in London

David Bowie - from London

The Who - from London

Iron Maiden - from London

The Yardbirds - London

The Cream - London

Jimmy Page - London

Jeff Beck - London.

Eric Clapton - about a stones throw from London

Jimi Hendrix Experience - formed in London

The Sex Pistols - London

Pink Floyd - London

Marc Bolan - London

I'll take that little lot over Quoasis and the baggy Mondays, if it's all the same to you.

Best musician to come out of Manchester - Roy Harper.

[Dave The Hedgehog]

Anyhow, as you wish - back to the original question.

[sifi]

baggy mondays take that back take that back right now bez is a true legend. no other man can shake a maraca like him

[Vieuphoria]

Seattle.... yeah not in Britian. But f**k you

[sifi]

Seattle.... yeah not in Britian. But f**k you

[joe1990]

Any claim he had to be a legend was lost when he was jailed for beating his girlfriend up.

[Vieuphoria]

but Bez technically wasn't a part of he band was he. Just a moron who danced So it's fine...

[Dave The Hedgehog]

but Bez technically wasn't a part of he band was he. Just a moron who danced So it's fine...

[Vieuphoria]

this was my point sir