Conference marvin::uk_music

BACKGROUND

"They're Britain's best kept secret...", "...A group set to be one of the most 
successful rock bands in Britain..." (Hit CD) 

"WE'RE GOING TO SAVE POP MUSIC". 
Conflicting comparisons have described Radiohead, a five-headed-rock-eccentric; 
(Nirvana, Stone Roses, Smiths, U2, Beatles, Pixies, Jam, Clash, Sonic Youth, 
Neil Young, REM, Smashing Pumpkins - among MANY others). Unclassifiable, 
because they each have COMPLETELY DIFFERENT tastes/influences, the songs are 
written from a state of conflict. Intense, driven music which swings between 
uneasy calm and desperation. A volatile sound which refuses to coast on any 
kind of 'scene',  and tries constantly to tear itself apart. Peerless and 
unique, this isn't 'the new anybody', this is the first and last RADIOHEAD... 

 "OUR DAY WILL COME. IT MAY TAKE SOME TIME BUT IT WILL. FOR NOW, IT'S OTHER 
PEOPLE'S LOSS"...

THOM YORKE lead vox/guitar, COLIN GREENWOOD bass, ED O'BRIEN 
"polite" guitar/ backing vox, PHIL SELWAY drums and JON GREENWOOD 
"abusive"guitar - met at Abingdon School, Oxford. In reaction to 
summer-of-acid-house-'Thames-Valley'- apathy groups, playing to half empty 
venues in the city, they first formed the band, THEN learnt how to play, with 
no second thoughts about image or musical style. 

They were away at various colleges, only meeting up in Oxford during Summer
holidays. Thom was at Exeter University, where he was reckoned to have been one 
of the best DJs at the Lemon Grove club. In Summer 1991 he got back together 
with Phil, Ed and brothers Colin and Jonny. On the strength of their demos 
(some tracks were released as "Drill"), and following a signing frenzy 
involving around 20 A&R people, they were signed within only three weeks to 
Parlophone, the original Beatles label, by the end of 1991. The "Drill" EP 
released May 1992, was acclaimed for all four tracks and "Prove Yourself" 
received a day time play on Radio 1's Gary Davies show. Radiohead's following 
began on the UK's underground scene. 

"SELF LOATHING IS SOMETHING WE CAN ALL RELATE TO" 
While recording the next EP, they warmed up with a song they'd been playing 
about with in rehearsal not realising the tape was running. That song was 
"Creep", recorded spontaneously, in one take and became the lead track (Later 
described as "one of the best pieces of rock since Everest"). The infamous 
guitar-crack before the chorus is Jonny G trying to spoil a song he originally 
didn't like. A positive song, not a term of abuse, about getting creativity 
from self-hate it caused no fuss when released, but became 92's anthem of 
self-loathing. 'Creep' fell foul of radio's "No depressing songs in a 
depression", was never heard on day time radio and originally failed to
make the UK top 75. 

(Select) 

One day Radiohead will rule the world and Oxford will be famous for something
other than Inspector Morse" (Whats On) 

"LIKE THE STONES, WHEN WE PLAY IT FEELS LIKE IT COULD FALL APART ANY SECOND - 
OUR MUSIC IS A KIND OF EXORCISM".

Radiohead's legendary live shows are an unpredictable, tense experience. The 
music takes control. Thom's so wired up he once broke a toe repeatedly kicking 
his guitar.  Jonny, who likes to feel nervous on stage often cuts his hands 
creating loud noise with a small practise amp. 

"JUST CARRY ON DOING YOUR OWN THING AND COME AND SEE US DOING OURS ON STAGE. 
DON'T BELIEVE OTHER PEOPLE, GO AND FIND OUT FOR YOURSELVES". 

Over 100 gigs (mainly support to every/anybody) in '92, continually won/stole 
new fans and earned poetic reviews. 
"ONLY MONTHS AWAY FROM WIRED, WEIRD BRILLIANCE" (NME) 

Their rising popularity was reflected in '92 End Of Year polls. 'Creep' was one 
of NME's "Essential Ten Indie 45's of 92" and No.4 in "NME Critics Top 50 
Singles Of The Year". Radiohead were tipped a "Band For'93" by Melody Maker and 
voted No.9 in "Top Ten New Bands For 1993" by NME readers. They certainly lived 
up to expectations. 

At first, they were underestimated and the general public were unaware of them. 
Being unlike any favoured 'scene' of the time, they were deemed 'unfashionable' 
by national UK media (though rated "best new band" by many regional and 
independent press). So, TO THE BAND'S PREFERENCE, their following grew mainly 
by word of mouth, from their music and from the power and audience 
communication of live shows. Public, if not critical acclaim. 

"TO SAY THAT RADIOHEAD SHOW PROMISE IS TO SAY THAT HENDRIX PLAYED GUITAR". 

New Year 1993, at their first UK headline tour, the potential for being the 
next band with a religiously loyal following, was spotted by Melody Maker at 
only the second date (packed with besotted, singing admirers). Reminded by the 
buzzy atmosphere of early Stone Roses and Suede gigs, they noted that 
"RADIOHEAD WERE PERFECT". Most gigs sold out, often in advance, to fanatical 
crowds EVERY night. Tickets ex-changed hands for up to 50.00 despite the small 
capacity of the venues. Radiohead were the biggest underground rock band in 
Britain. 

"THE AUDIENCE ALSO SENSES THE TAUT CONFLICT, WITH HALF OF THEM WATCHING 
WORSHIPFULLY AND THE OTHER HALF TRYING TO KILL EACH OTHER I SERIOUSLY DIDN'T 
THINK A BRITISH CROWD COULD GET THAT CRAZY ABOUT A MERE GUITAR BAND. WRONG!" 
(B-Side) 

"IT'S PREMATURE TO VIEW THE OXFORD QUINTET AS SOMETHING OF A UK ANSWER TO REM, 
BUT THE POTENTIAL IS DEFINITELY THERE"

Feb '93: Another positive anthem (about enjoying being in a band), "Any-one Can
Play Guitar" - again acclaimed for all tracks - got their first Single Of The 
Week (Melody Maker) was a Music Week Pick Of The Week and their first Top 40 
hit storming into the UK singles chart at 32 (and straight out again, with not 
one day time radio play). It was followed by the album, "Pablo Honey", a Top 30 
UK hit recorded in only three weeks of Summer '92, which was generally 
appraised as 'flawed perfection', proved Radiohead one of the UK's brightest 
new hopes in their own right and eventually achieved 'silver' sales (still 
selling and heading for gold) in the UK.

"THE IMPRESSION CREATED WITH COMPLETE INGENUOUSNESS IS OF A COMPLETE AND 
MATURING BAND WITH SOME GREAT SONGS BESIDES 'CREEP' AND ON THEIR WAY TO 
BECOMING HUGE" (Volume) 

Next single, "Pop Is Dead", NOT on an album, was released May '93 to 
unfavourable national press but ecstatic regional/independent press. 
Disappointingly, it peaked at 42. A live favourite, "Pop Is Dead" became a 
slogan of 1993 (along with "So F***ing Special" - of course). The "Pop Is Dead" 
tour was a mixture of high but even more low points. Unnoticed, Radiohead left 
Britain in Summer 1993 under a cloud. 

"SOMEBODY had to come along and remind us what greatness looks like. So thank
God it's Radiohead." (NME) 

"Suede aside, this is the group being tipped for great things" (Sunday Express) 

"BRITISH POP UNKNOWNS STORM USA" (Evening Standard) 

Plunged from UK obscurity to US stardom, Radiohead became the new darlings of 
an American public, often reminded of early U2. 

A radio station played an import of "Creep", it's request lines rang off the 
hook, the import sold out in a week. Alternative and college radio soon picked 
up on it, before long "Creep" was No.1 on KROQ, L.A, possibly USA's most 
influential alternative station. It spent 18 weeks on Billboard's Top 20 Modern 
Rock Chart, was the USA's most requested alternative track for 5 weeks and the 
video received heavy MTV play all Summer. Due to the loud buzz on Radiohead, 
Capitol Records rush released "Pablo Honey" and "Creep". Having crossed over to 
Commercial Hit Radio, "Creep" was constantly on the USA's airwaves. 

June '93, Radiohead played their first live U.S. dates. Although offered great
supports from major bands, in true Radiohead style they preferred to headline 
their own club gigs. Some shows sold out before the band even finished the 
European tour and reached America. (L.A.'s legendary Whiskey A Go Go, in 20 
minutes flat!). Radiohead played America and America experienced screaming, 
pantie-throwing HEADMANIA! 

Radiohead achieved the rare distinction of a UK "alternative" band genuinely 
crossing over in the States as both album and single soared up the Billboard 
charts and spent over a month in both album and single Top 40. This was the 
first mainstream acceptance of a new UK act since EMF and Jesus Jones success a 
few years earlier. "Pablo Honey" has since gone gold in USA. Radiohead's 
success 'across the pond' was followed by The Cranberries. 

Due ONLY to it's USA success and demand from their fans, "Creep" was
re-released in the UK and freakishly stormed into the chart at No.7, surprising
Britain, earning an acclaimed appearance on Top Of The Pops, spending a month 
in the Top 20 and proving the Stateside success was no fluke. With a top ten 
hit solely on merit, The Times proclaimed them "Britain's answer to the 
American grunge band Nirvana". Jon Bon Jovi would later cite "Creep" as the 
song that he wished he'd written. 

Though now in demand, Radiohead didn't hang around to promote "Creep", but 
returned to America for a sell-out co-headline tour with Belly. They also made 
a live TV appearance on the very first "Late Night Show" hosted by Conan 
O'Brien. Again, the live performances were greeted more than ecstatically. 
Melody Maker were there to witness the phenomenon of a Radiohead live show 
first hand and reported that they'd "NEVER SEEN FIVE UNDERNOURISHED EX-COLLEGE 
BOYS FROM THE HOME COUNTIES INSPIRE SUCH RECKLESS ENTHUSIASM, SUCH DEVOTION, 
SUCH LOVE" 

Following the USA, Radiohead toured Canada (where "Pablo Honey" had also gone
gold). They supported Tears For Fears (who then went on to play a cover of 
"Creep" on the rest of their own tour). 

In December, Radiohead joined James as special guests on their European and UK
tours - widely regarded as one of the double bills of the year - and received
extremely warm welcomes for a support band. 

"Here is the pop band we've really been waiting for" (The List) 

"Radiohead are the way forward. Follow the signs" (Metal Hammer) 

Honey" (An NME critics album of '93) and "Creep" had scored hits WORLDWIDE,
"Creep" was Billboard's No.4 Modern Rock Track and a Rolling Stone critics' top
single of the year plus many UK polls for a second year running and tho they 
topped none of the UK critics polls (Creep was No.2 M.M. critics single of the 
year), UK music fans voted "Creep" Single Of The Year in both Melody Maker and 
NME (for which they picked up a Brat Award). It also tied with Suede's "Animal 
Nitrate" to top Select's readers polls and was beaten only (just!) by Take 
That's "Pray" as Radio 1 Listeners Single Of The Year at The Brits. Radiohead 
ended 1993 having earned planet-wide acclaim through sheer hard work (including 
around 120 live shows), and talent. 

In 1994 they recorded a second LP with producer John Leckie (Magazine, Ride, 
Stone Roses etc) and started a World Tour in May, the USA pattern (public then 
media acclaim) repeated itself planet-wide. Word was spreading. In Hong Kong 
MTV Asia gave them more air time than ANY alternative rock band previously. 
They played to capacity crowds in Spain and Italy while tickets for their 
Japanese tour in June sold out well in advance (Tokyo, in one day). 

At their first UK headline dates in a year - screaming fans and sprained 
ankles, in Thom's case, aside - it was if Radiohead ("The baby U2 it's credible 
to like - NME") had never been away. As a review in The Guardian observed "It 
was probably 'Creep' that had drawn most of the packed audience to the gig but, 
by the end, the band had shown that one-hit wonders they are not. On the 
contrary, they are arguably the best live act currently stomping a crowded 
circuit." The gigs started to become epic rock events and early in '94, Radio 
listeners polled "Creep" No.39 in the Top 100 Fave Singles Of All Time 

Radiohead spent most of 1994 working on the album but took time off over the
Summer to play at this year's Glastonbury and Reading Festivals. 

"THIS IS OUR NEW SONG, JUST LIKE THE LAST ONE, A TOTAL WASTE OF TIME" Phase Two 
of Radiohead began with their first EP in a year, "My Iron Lung" (deemed "too 
raucous" for Radio 1, usual flippant reviews etc etc - but a Top 30 hit anyway) 
followed by a spectacularly received U.K. tour. Radiohead's army of fans had 
remained loyal. 

"...these skinny boys stir loins with their confidence and tweak heart strings 
with their honesty" (Melody Maker) 

Radiohead played to packed, chanting and screaming crowds worldwide in 1994,
ending with tours of Thailand and Mexico, although outsiders to the Britpop 
revival.

In short, becoming a force to be reckoned with. The release of Radiohead's 
second album "THE BENDS" will show why Oxford's Fab Five are becoming massive
using only musical skills, to the disdain of everybody except their quickly 
growing army of fans. 

"...Radiohead probably have the greatest songwriter in Britain in their ranks" 
(NME) 

RADIOHEAD RELEASE A NEW SINGLE ("PLANET TELEX"/"HIGH AND DRY") IN FEBRUARY. 
"THE BENDS" AND THE FIRST RADIOHEAD VIDEO WILL BE RELEASED IN MARCH WHEN THE 
BAND WILL ALSO PLAY A FULL U.K. TOUR. 

..THE PASSWORD FOR 1995 IS RADIOHEAD 

"You know YOU are listening to something very special indeed" (Indiecator) 

    Well at the age of a mere 23 you've made me feel really old,cause I
    didn't have a clue who Radiohead were, let alone what they played.
    Thanks for the insight, I'll  certainly  listen out for them (although
    I'm more a Take That person myself!!)
    
    Just out of interest, they're playing at the Forun in Highgate on the
    24th of March supported by "ubiquitous Mancunian rockers-Marion"
    
    I'll just have to start reading NME (as opposed to Smash Hits!!)
    
    Andrea (a very sad 'youth')

I'm sure you would've heard "Creep", if your a TT fan, cos they played it a 
lot on Radio 1.  You'd recognise it.

<Relight my fire....etc>

    A flash in the pba band . They had on single in the top ten
    " Creep " which is really a remake of the Hollies song
    " The air that I breath " and the little guitar noise that
    the guitar player does just before the powerchords come in .\
    
    JMHO FYI
    
     Gonzo          
                         iib nf

    re-1
    
    You obviously haven't heard the new album, or seen the reaction its
    been getting all over the place.  I somehow doubt that they will fade
    soon...even an old cynic like me is impressed.  
    
    mikef 

Is -2 American or something?  He/She surely can't be from the UK, or he/she 
would've seen the popularity the band have gained, and the success of their 
tours.

    
    re:last
    
    He must be, he started up a note about Aerosmith...Nuff said...
    
    Neil..

Exactly what I thought!  8-)

    Over the pond , we don't get exited over marginal artists.
    Terence trent D'arby for exemple or Adan Ant or . . . You get the
    idea .
    
     Ps. "Nuff said" . . . .What an interesting reply .
    
    
    :*)

I thought that Americans prided themselves on giving marginal artists
a chance, rather than just selling out to mainstream stuff.  That's
the usual basis of the US argument to slag off the British music
situation, anyway.

Chris.

re -2
What's a marginal artist?  Anyhow, it's nice to see that you are sustaining 
that image of America, where Michael Jackson and Madonna somehow made their 
(US) billions.

    It just seems to me that artist are forever being touted in England
    as the next big thing , only to fissle out on the 2nd album .
    Jacko and Madonna have made billions here in the states ,
    they have in common that they have made several albums . Not the
    flash in the band sort . There may well be a note in here that
    suggests that Haircut 100 (anyone remember them ?) a fantastic .
    
    
    Jon

    
    re:.-1
    
    >>    flash in the band sort . There may well be a note in here that
    >>    suggests that Haircut 100 (anyone remember them ?) a fantastic .
    
    Perhaps they were (ahem).
    
    The "next big thing" issue probably comes from the music press wanting
    something to write about and gush ('scuse the phrase) superlatives over.
    
    Certainly in Radiohead's case they got the earlier album right, then
    got even more exposure they deserved with the next.  Whether they go
    on to be huge for the next few years I'm not particularly bothered
    about.  The fact that they have a great new-ish album out that most
    people still seem to be listening to a few months after release (rather
    than it being thrown on the back seat of the car and forgotten about)
    must say something about 'em...
    
    Chris.

    From what I remember of the US press, they are just as guilty as any
    other of searching for 'the next big thing'.  Just before Xmas they
    seemed to have lots of 'this is the new Nirvana' stories.  
    
    Haircut 100?  I was listening to them just last night!  
    
    Mikef

Nothing wrong with Haircut 100!  Wasn't too keen on Nick Heyward's solo
stuff, though...

Chris.

    re-1
    
    Most of it was dross, but 'Blue Hat' and 'Whistle down the Wind' were 
    wonderful IMHO.  I listened to those last night also.
    
    Mikef
    

Jon, a band is not necessarily crap just because they don't sell 20 million 
records.  Arguably, some of the dullest bands around sell that many records 
(err...see Def Leppard.  Thanks, America! they were unheard of until you got 
hold of them!  We do Jimi Hendrix for you, and you do Def Leppard for us).  A 
lot of good bands only make a couple of albums, as the tension in bands can 
lead to them self-destructing.  Longevity is not a sign of greatness.  If an 
album stands alone as a great piece of music, then I'll buy it.  It's not 
right to criticise it solely its likely lifespan.  I criticise a number of 
current "bands" for being flash in the pans, but this is mainly because they're 
crap, IMO.

    
    re: Def Leppard
    
    Don't remind me.  The further insult is that they hail from Sheffield
    and every geezer up there with a Ride The Lightening jacket, white socks 
    and half-mast keks thinks the sun shines out of their collective arse.
    (I know I overuse the cliche of a rock bloke, but what the hell!).
    
    Chris.

    re Nick Heyward
    
    The only decent thing I recall NH doing was a cover of The Jam's
    "Sounds from the Street" on Bob Mills "In Bed With MeDinner" a while
    ago. Hairut 100 were awful. More jumpers than Marks & Sparks.
    
    Stuart

    re-1
    
    I guess you won't want to borrow my new 'best of Haircut 100 and Nick
    Heyward' cd then?
    
    mikef

The new video from Radiohead ("Just") is excellent, IMO.  It's got a story to 
it that the chart show and the like cut off before the end, but if you watch it 
on MTV, you get the whole gubbins.  Excellent.

    re-1
    how does it end?  I've seen up to where the cop arrives twice, and its
    driving me potty!
    
    Why are you doing this
    
    you really don't want to know
    
    m

Along the lines of;

"Well, I could tell you, but I can't be responsible for what happens"
"WHAT!?!"
"I can tell you, but god help us.  God help us all"
"YES!?!"
"Do you really want to know!?!"     - music building up
"YES!"
"Really?"
"YES!"

then...cuts to band looking down from window, and cuts back to man mouthing 
something that you can't understand.  Cuts back to band for a split second, and 
then cuts back to the pavement.  All the people are lying on the pavement, 
totally still.  No explanation.

Personally, I prefer it like this.  It's cryptic.

    cool.  I like em vague.  
    
    m

>>>I like em vague.

Would that be the American soul divas?


Pathetically misreadingly yours,
Matt

    those crazy kids...
    
    going to the Weddoes this weekend?  I'm away up on saturday, visiting
    the Theakstons brewery, catching the Wedds, then visiting Balders on
    sunday.  what more could you ask from a weekend?
    
    mikef

Can't make the Weddoes/Gorkys/EMF/PWEI, thanks to college work.

8-(

    RE: .29
    
    Don't you wish you could lip-read !  I'm sure someone ought to be able
    to make something out of the snippet of moving lips that you do get to
    see.  It detracted totally from the song (I can't remember it at all)
    but it was a good video, it kept me watching till the end :-)
    
    tmp

(Are we allowed to mention Radiohead in this topic?!!)

Yes, as up to date as ever, I finally caught up with the bends last week - and 
jolly fine it is too. Also saw the excellent video for Street Spirit (how do 
they do that slow-motion stuff?) Is this a current single?

grahame

    Grahame,
    
    	Yeah, Street Spirit (Fade Out) was released over here about 3 weeks
    ago. I'm not sure but I think it's still in the Top 10. 
    
    
    	Ian.

    Confession time, I've been converted to Radiohead, excellent CD.  Top
    band, (what would Mark Owen ,make of this)
    
    Andrea

    New Radiohead single out 26th May called Paranoid Android, from the
    album Me Computer.
    
    dickie.