Spoon Message Board » Spoon News

new band - what the fuck?

(38 posts)
  • Started 11 years ago by badsoundbadbreath
  • Latest reply from Rectoplazm

  1. in my ears this sounds like as if the company i work for tells me: "right, this company is going to be no more, but don't worry..."

    i hate this nonchalant way of saying something that means the end of everything that was before, as if nothing was happening really - and if everything was totally okay that way.

    i'm not going to buy any records of what is happening after spoon. mainly because i dont like to be treated that way. what about you?

    Posted 11 years ago #
  2. User has not uploaded an avatar
    jp
    (106 Posts)

    My first thought was that Spoon is dead as well. A buddy of mine convinced me that this is just a Britt side-project. Who knows? But one thing's for sure. This band and its label have to take the prize for the worst communication with their fans.

    So that announcement was a couple weeks ago, and we still don't know anything more. The Divine Fits website is worse then useless (though there's now some little video clip on there)...and Spoon's website is not much better.

    Britt's going to do whatever Britt is going to do...that's great. I just wish he or the label would pay a little more attention to the people who buy the records and go to the shows.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  3. User has not uploaded an avatar
    bipbopbam
    (1 Posts)

    I mean no disrespect when I say this : calm down. I have been around Britt in the studio and other people that are working with him currently (can't say when or where). I have no idea what the Spoon future plans are but I can say first hand that Britt is a true artist. He isn't giving up on anything any time soon, unless it has totally worn him out. His brain is probably always switched on, always thinking of things that are not quite like what the average person thinks of. That being said, imagine how much pressure there must be to deliver a "hit" record for the label now that Spoon has gotten so much more attention. Imagine the amount of work that he has to put into writing and then the recording process just to come up with a collection for us to spin and groove to. It's a ton of pressure. Jim and Rob contribute, sure, but Britt is the main idea man. I second your statement about poor communication with fans but I think that you are coming off a bit harsh. The man probably just wanted to come up with musical ideas with a group of people who are also songwriters to ease the pressure off of him being the main idea man. He did this before, with other people including Conor Oberst. He probably just wanted to do some new things, sonically and with songwriting that didn't fit into the mold of "Spoon" and what it has become perceived to be.

    I don't think that Spoon is dead just yet... but I DO think that this Divine Fits record will be awesome. They are all amazing musicians.

    Cheers!

    Posted 11 years ago #
  4. User has not uploaded an avatar
    abeatle
    (6 Posts)

    agreed, i wouldn't worry about it. i think the phrase "new band" is in place of "side project," since it doesn't seem like a side project for all involved. the term "supergroup" doesn't really work either.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  5. re: "Britt is a true artist" -- many would argue artist to be a relative term, especially when you throw in the adjective "true"

    Posted 11 years ago #
  6. User has not uploaded an avatar
    jp
    (106 Posts)

    I've got no beef with Britt, really. Like I said, he's going to do whatever he wants to do, and I'm sure I'll always be interested in what he's up to. I'll take whatever he's giving and I'll either buy it or not.

    My complaint is that it's been almost two years with no communication from the band, besides announcements of a couple one-off shows, and now, an announcement of an entirely new band! Is Spoon still active? - that was my first thought. They don't say. Maybe they can't say yet. In that case, it might have been wise to hold off on the DF announcement, but again, that's another example of crappy communications, IMO.

    I have no idea who's responsible for the band's PR. It appears to me that nobody is. That's my complaint. In the last couple months I've gotten, I think, three short emails from Wilco. Quick takes on what they're doing, where they're playing, etc. The difference being, maybe, that Wilco is actually playing.

    How hard would it be for somebody to post a Facebook message, say, once a quarter?

    As to all the struggles, pressure and hard work Britt faces....ok. One of the things I really admire about Britt was how he dealt with that and kept Spoon together while making some of the best albums of the last 8-10 years. He's coming off his best selling album ever. Is that more pressure? Maybe. Beats me. But it seems to me whatever pressure he's under now, he's dealt with worse before. He's been trying to build this band for what, fifteen years?

    And yes, if there needs to be a break, or a side project, or a solo album, or whatever to keep Britt fresh and sane and creatively productive, then by all means, do it.

    All I'm saying is, throw us fans a fricking bone now and then.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  7. 31starbright
    31starbright
    (161 Posts)

    Spoon doesn't have to communicate anything with the fans right now. They haven't released a new album, they don't have a new tour. Sure, they haven't been a band that utilizes Facebook/twitter/social media and etc. all the time, but they're not the only band that's like that and they're certainly not the worst band at communicating with fans. You can't compare them with a band like Wilco because Wilco's still on tour with their latest album.

    I also think it's kinda harsh for you to say "I just wish he or the label would pay a little more attention to the people who buy the records and go to the shows." I've seen a fair share of bands w/lead singers who are total dicks to their fans- Spoon is so far from that and I've always seen them be very appreciative of their fans at their shows.

    I think it's wonderful that Britt's doing something different with Divine Fits. If he spends a year or so working on that- good for him. It's not like Jim, Rob and Eric are just sitting around twiddling their thumbs and waiting for Britt to get his shit together. And I don't think it's bad at all with what Divine Fits is doing with their site- it's a great teaser about whatever's coming up next from them. Sometimes the less you know, the better the surprise will be.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  8. User has not uploaded an avatar
    jp
    (106 Posts)

    I couldn't agree more that Britt is an A+ gentleman when it comes to meeting fans at the show. I've had a couple chats with him and he couldn't have been nicer. And I include the label in my complaint, because it seems to me that part of the label's job would be to communicate with fans on some kind of regular basis. But I have no idea if that's right or not in this case.

    True, Wilco's on tour. But even when they're not, they send out the occasional update, sometimes just to say the band is taking some time off. Frankly, I don't follow that many bands, so maybe I'm just spoiled because Wilco does such a fantastic job of keeping their fan base energized and in the loop. I look forward to their notes.

    Sorry to be the turd in the punchbowl again. I'm not bashing the band, and Britt needs to do whatever it is that keeps him motivated. Like you, I'm excited to hear what the Divine Fits have to offer. I'm just pointing out that, at the height of Spoon's popularity and after essentially a two-year layoff, I think they could and should do a little more to keep their fan base excited. Otherwise you end up with guys like me wondering whatever happened to their favorite band.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  9. User has not uploaded an avatar
    iamthekey
    (81 Posts)

    haha uh. how long have you been a fan of spoon? They have always been a maladroit band. They've never had a gimmick or buzz-band cohesive "brand band" package. They are just Britt Daniel doing his thing. They're PR is terrible. Thats sort of what I like about them... Its like Britt has been like.. fuck advertising, I'm just gonna get out there and make the best damn indie record ever, and eventually people will be into it because of the objective nature of how good this is.

    That said.... not really into this side project but I'll be open to it. I hope its good but I really just want to see britt doing his britt thing. I'd be WAY more into a James Murphy collaborated/produced Spoon album, or Jon Brion. Something under the Spoon moniker.. is important. I thought Britt's production on Glass Tambourine for Wild Flag was pretty awful... and everyone seemed to know it. Britts had the guts to pull off ridiculous Prince-inspired things and make them seem vital. With other people.... it doesn't always work.

    anyway. I hope its good but. not into the idea of it i guess.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  10. User has not uploaded an avatar
    iamthekey
    (81 Posts)

    i guess what i really wanted a wowwee zowee or sandinista esque spoon album that has 80 minutes of wild, barely finished demos but. It doesn't look like thats ever gonna happen at this point.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  11. User has not uploaded an avatar
    jp
    (106 Posts)

    Hey, iamthekey! I think I agree with you on your post number one above. And I'm just speculating, but I think it's possible that the new band is a direct result of the last few albums quasi-mainstream success (such as it is). Not because Britt needs a break or whatever, but because it's starting to get big. It may be that he's perfectly content right where he's at...a proven performer with a core of reliable fans, the ability to do whatever he wants creatively, and now with some money in the bank and a reasonable expectation to maintain that bank account going forward. He's spent virtually his whole adult life building Spoon. Maybe it's more fun to be in a struggling band than a successful one.

    That's a pretty sweet place to be (again, just speculating here). But it sucks for me since I'd like to see Spoon a few more times in the near future. May have to wait for the '16 reunion tour.

    Because you asked, I only caught onto Spoon with Gimme Fiction, but I fell real hard. I've seen them, I think, 12 or 13 times since. So not that long in Spoon-years, but in my mind anyway, I'm a top-tier fan. And man I miss going to the shows.

    Long enough anyway to remember getting occasional emails from Deux Deux.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  12. e
    e
    (5 Posts)

    Sorry to say Deux Deux doesn't work here anymore. I certainly don't like getting laid off from an awesome job any more than you like missing your favorite band. I agree with a lot of the sentiment here. With any luck there will be a wild, barely finished Spoon record in 2014. In the meantime feel free to hit me up:

    ericharvey.com
    twitter.com/ehrvy
    facebook.com/ehrvy

    Posted 11 years ago #
  13. User has not uploaded an avatar
    jp
    (106 Posts)

    Well, now...I believe thats a bit of news...

    Posted 11 years ago #
  14. User has not uploaded an avatar
    iamthekey
    (81 Posts)

    woah. Eric harvey is out of spoon? I guess things are even weirder than I had thought.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  15. e
    e
    (5 Posts)

    I meant a temporary lay off. 5 shows in 2 years ain't exactly working. Looking forward to recording LP8 eventually. In the meantime I'm gonna see about making a website of my Spoon photos. I may have some videos and a live recording or two. I'll post on the msg board when I get them uploaded.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  16. User has not uploaded an avatar
    jp
    (106 Posts)

    Not the news I wanted to hear, but an authoritative update nonetheless. Thanks, e. That means, if Eric's schedule is right, it'll be a four-year Spoon hiatus. Arg. Anyway, the Spoon pic website sounds great and I hope you do it. Also hope the band starts rolling again ahead of schedule.

    As long as you're here, I'm wondering:

    A: does Spoon keep sound board recordings from every show?
    B: if so, is there any way to get a clip from a show, in like, 2008?

    I got a shout out during "beast" and was never able to come up with a recording. Probably impossible, but you don't know unless you try. Thanks again, e, for posting.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  17. e
    e
    (5 Posts)

    No soundboard recordings, sorry to say. Jeff Byrd has too much on his plate to put that on his to do list. What show was it?

    Posted 11 years ago #
  18. User has not uploaded an avatar
    jp
    (106 Posts)

    It was a show in Columbia, MO, on Oct. 2, 2007 at the Blue Note (still have the ticket stub). It was a while ago, and I understand it would be some work for somebody. I'm a web developer. Need help with your photo site? Just a very cool moment. It would be fantastic to be able to prove it when I tell the story to friends! Thanks, in any case.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  19. e
    e
    (5 Posts)

    Not sure I have anything from that show. Thanks for the web help offer. I may take you up on that. Email me: info@ericharvey.com

    Posted 11 years ago #
  20. papavb
    papavb
    (30 Posts)

    Thanks for the update Eric.

    I say take your time fellas, do something else (like that awesome record of yours) and (pleaaaaaaase and sooon) come back with an unimpeachable single for us the way only y'all can deliver.

    jp did you try the internet archive of spoon shows? there's a forum topic I posted a while back on it, most of them I've listened to have a pretty limpid quality.

    Huzzah, I've found the link, sleuth on ... http://www.archive.org/details/Spoon

    Posted 11 years ago #
  21. User has not uploaded an avatar
    jp
    (106 Posts)

    Yeah, for about a year afterward, I checked archive.org...nothing (and still nothing, but thanks anyway). I'd be thrilled with limpid quality. No tapers at that show, I guess.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  22. Tyler Darling
    Tyler Darling
    (706 Posts)

    Man can't believe I missed all this?

    I love how the thread title has the f word in it. Too funny.

    Have we seen this video?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlwFcC4nXKM

    Posted 11 years ago #
  23. Tyler Darling
    Tyler Darling
    (706 Posts)

    Man I see people complained about no Spoon news, then we have Eric release a (really good) solo record, and then he comes on and talks to us.

    That is pretty cool guys.

    I love u all and respect your opinions, but I honestly think Spoon is in a position just like any other musuicinan: if they had good material to make a record they would. They're not a band to force something that isn't there. I believe in quality not quantity. If you want quantity of records, Go buy some Bruno Mars or Lady Gaga. She seems to have a new record out every time I go to Wal Mart.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  24. devilsdishes
    devilsdishes
    (88 Posts)

    1) Eric, you are awesome. Thanks for the honest insight and for jumping into the conversation.

    2) I feel just as starved for new Spoon as the majority of you. I feel like my best friend moved across the globe in 2010 and I haven't heard from her since. It sucks, but the reality is that Spoon is comprised of actual HUMAN BEINGS who need time and space and freedom to break away from a 19 year project in order to work on other things they love. And I respect that.

    3) ...But I've also been hanging on the edge of my seat, waiting for the announcement of another album or set of tour dates. This is really just because there's the occasional one-off show (which are never anywhere near me, of course), and it's like someone tauntingly saying "WAIT FOR IT...". Alas, no dice.

    4) I posed this question in another post, but does ANYONE have the Drake Tungsten "Clocking Out is for Suckers" album in its entirety?

    I digress...

    Posted 11 years ago #
  25. User has not uploaded an avatar
    jp
    (106 Posts)

    I was wondering where you were Tyler. I was starting to worry about you! See, all I really wanted was some sign of life from the band. Instead, what we got was an announcement of a brand new band. A mixed signal, to say the least. Then Eric appeared and actually gave us some real info. That's all I wanted. He threw us a frickin' bone! How about that?

    So I'm done bitching until, let's say....Jan. 1, 2014.

    Also, whoever is clearing the spam off the board, thanks!

    Posted 11 years ago #
  26. Tyler Darling
    Tyler Darling
    (706 Posts)

    @DelvisDishes - I believe I have Clocking Out Is For Suckers. Just MP3s though. I can check and get back to you asap.

    @jp - I understand what you mean......waiting for Spoon news, then you hear about a new band. Could be frustrating. Spoon is definitely a mystery, it's like an intangible folklore associated with them. Where they disappear, come back, and then disappear. I don't even know if they do it? But as fans it can be frustrating, or exciting. Depends on how you look at it.

    I hope by Jan 1 2014 we hear something from them!

    Posted 11 years ago #
  27. Tyler Darling
    Tyler Darling
    (706 Posts)

    Drake Tungsten - Clocking Out Is For Suckers

    http://www.mediafire.com/?whu4vq56n5jm6

    Posted 11 years ago #
  28. TastyPrawn
    TastyPrawn
    (87 Posts)

    @jp - Jan 1 is my birthday, and I usually bitch that day anyway (because everyone is too hung over to want to hang out with me, and all of my favorite restaurants are closed because it's a federal holiday), so let's get together on that day and bitch about Spoon stuff. :)

    Posted 11 years ago #
  29. User has not uploaded an avatar
    jp
    (106 Posts)

    @TastyPrawn: yeah that's a rotten day for a birthday, except it's easy for everybody else to remember to give you presents. Bitch date confirmed.

    Posted 11 years ago #
  30. 31starbright
    31starbright
    (161 Posts)

    I read this yesterday and thought it was good news about Spoon:

    Spoon lives. Spoon frontman Britt Daniel debuts his new band, Divine Fits — which also includes Dan Boeckner of Wolf Parade and Handsome Furs, and Sam Brown of New Bomb Turks — Wednesday at Beerland. From there, the group will kick off a tour in support of their new album, "A Thing Called Divine Fits."

    Spoon fans wondering about the fate of Daniel's other band shouldn't fret.

    In addition to a series of benefit shows for former Austin Chronicle columnist/current Houston Press editor Chris Gray and a festival appearance in Spain this year, Daniel said he's written a couple of new Spoon songs.

    "Everybody wanted to go have fun and do some new things," Daniel said of the band's break. "Not that Spoon wasn't fun, but we were on this schedule where we were recording or touring for 10 years. We wanted to get off of that treadmill a little bit."

    Posted 11 years ago #

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