ATP Nightmare before Christmas

[aldofarian]

ATP's success have been to allow the curators to pick the line-up they want, regardless of the shape or size of the event.

I think it is fair to criticise ATP for not inviting more UK curators but I dont think you can suggest the curators should pick any acts they are not familiar with.

Off the top of my head the UK curators of ATP have been: Mogwai, Belle & Sebastian, Autechre, Portishead, the Chapman Brothers and the Fans.

[mattgringo]

ATP have picked some of the line ups themselves, don't forget!

[Surfrider]

I agree with most of what you are all saying in that context. Perhaps my perspective is a bit skewed because I already seek out and attend a shitload of interesting gigs and fests in the UK. Also, I didn't mention that I also stopped going to atp (save for the Jesus Lizard/Sleep one, and any time that Boredoms play), and I suppose I am just excited to be going back to the smaller venue and have Shellac in charge. But either way, I still stand my previous post on a personal level.


*edited for clarity

[A Landing Craft]

Dear Shellac,

Book Joy Sarney.

Thank you.

[honeyisfunny]

Dear Shellac,

Book Complete.

Thank you.

[A Landing Craft]

Complete on the main stage, please.

Seriously, ATP (sorry, Wilwall) are always big on reunions. If we can get Joy to reunite with the bloke who did Punch's voice then I think we're onto a winner. Actually, how about Mud reuniting? I know Les Gray popped his clogs a while ago, but I'm sure David Yow would be a fine replacement.

[MrFood]

I heard the Queen Vic isn't there anymore though? Say it ain't so...

It ain't so. A guy I work with was down there for the 'Rockabilly Rave' (...) a couple weeks ago and said it's still there. Basically he says the place has had a lick of paint and not much else.

<edit> not sure why I PMd that to you. Hit the wrong button and didn't notice.

[MrFood]

I'm Being Good

Good suggestion. That was a suggestion right?

[ImDADA]

Kong.

[holmes]

America, in general, has much better drummers these days. I can't stand shit drummers, I hate them beyond words. Mind you, off of the top of my head, drum-wise Gary from shapes is fucking amazing, one of the best drummers I have ever seen in fact, and he is english. I dislike most guitarists I see, to be honest, but we have some very good ones in amongst all the shitty pedal-tap-dancers. I tend to think that american groups generally play to a higher standard, and less like pussies. I think in a live situation (where heavy noise rock really comes into its own), the drummer is vital to the band going over well in front of a crowd that is unfamiliar with their work. We have many good groups, some excellent psych bands, and some excellent unclassifiable oddball groups, but the standard of our riff based music is lower than it should be.

If England had better groups, I'm sure there would be more English groups playing atp. It's quite simple really. I regularly attend DIY shows and show my support, but I'm often left a bit dissapointed. Obviously, there are about 20 really good recent groups (I'm being a bit generous there, actually) but still, I rarely want to listen to them, and they all have a fair amount of recognition in 'the underground' anyway. Write some planet smashing riffs, like all your favourite american groups did, and everything will be much better. I mean, fair play for trying, (I don't) but why should they then get picked for atp just because it's being held in their country? I don't understand. The English groups listed previously in this thread by other posters, are great, but there aren't really many others rasing the bar. There are groups that people rant and rave about over here who are fucking shit in the grand scheme of things. It's sad but true, I'm not trying to wind people up or to alienate myself even further, but there is a lower standard than there should be in this country, and that is all that I'm trying to get across.

Mind you, I actually realised the other day that the only 'noise groups' I really like are shorty, shellac, and the jesus lizard, all of whom have certain shared charasterics - memorable hooky riffs, excellent drummers, and massive grooves. I hate most math rock, it's bollocks really. Memorable hooks always ultimately win - maybe there is something in it...don't get me wrong, I like other groups but they are the only ones from the whole heavy 'noise' thing that I listen to regularly. I'm aware that I might be coming across as a prick, but it's something I think about a lot - the standard of interesting riff based rock music in the uk is quite low.

Maybe I'm just very jealous that I'm not in a band.

[Sebastian J.]

I saw I'm Being Good in a small and sweaty basement in Dalston and they fuckin' ripped!

gee, how I'd like to come back for this festival, if anyone has a spare flying ticket (or spare 600 quid) to bring this dude all the way from the jungles of south america to Camber Sands, well, all is welcome!

[honeyisfunny]

I'm aware that I might be coming across as a prick, but it's something I think about a lot - the standard of interesting riff based rock music in the uk is quite low.

Far from it - at least you're out watching bands outside of large events. I would probably say that you're going to the wrong gigs though, by the sound of it.

Also, if you're going to use bands from 20 years ago as a yardstick for your own tastes then why not go back further? This Heat, Joy Division, The Pop Group, The Fall maybe? See what I'm saying?

[Damnably]

Shannon Wright announced she was playing and MeShuggy is DJ'ing too. I'm excited that Shellac are unlikley to pick any UK bands to be honest.
Acts such as Shannon Wright, Bottomless Pit, Bellini are just on a different level to anyone I've seen or heard in the UK for years. It's song writing/song concept as well as structure originality and musicianship. I'd love to see a reformed Harry Pussy, Man or Astro Man or some early Smog at this one, maybe Zeni Geva/Stinking Lizaveta too.

[holmes]

I'm aware that I might be coming across as a prick, but it's something I think about a lot - the standard of interesting riff based rock music in the uk is quite low.

Far from it - at least you're out watching bands outside of large events. I would probably say that you're going to the wrong gigs though, by the sound of it.

Also, if you're going to use bands from 20 years ago as a yardstick for your own tastes then why not go back further? This Heat, Joy Division, The Pop Group, The Fall maybe? See what I'm saying?

Oh, I love all those groups, I was talking about the state of noise rock riff based music in this country specifically. It's a shame.

[Isabelle Gall]

If you think ATP have got problems wait until you read about the clusterfuck of fail that was BLOC 2012.

[jongoodwin]

Acts such as Shannon Wright, Bottomless Pit, Bellini are just on a different level to anyone I've seen or heard in the UK for years. It's song writing/song concept as well as structure originality and musicianship.

I love Bottomless Pit and Bellini, but (for example) Shield Your Eyes, Trencher, Bilge Pump and the Unit Ama are all at least their equals in terms of songwriting / concept, structure, originality and musicianship!

[Surfrider]

America, in general, has much better drummers these days.

This tells me you haven't seen our drummer.

I dislike most guitarists I see, to be honest

This tells me you haven't seen our guitarist.



Also, I'm just busting your chops.

[honeyisfunny]

Shannon Wright announced she was playing and MeShuggy is DJ'ing too. I'm excited that Shellac are unlikley to pick any UK bands to be honest.
Acts such as Shannon Wright, Bottomless Pit, Bellini are just on a different level to anyone I've seen or heard in the UK for years. It's song writing/song concept as well as structure originality and musicianship. I'd love to see a reformed Harry Pussy, Man or Astro Man or some early Smog at this one, maybe Zeni Geva/Stinking Lizaveta too.

This is fucking mindblowing. You put shows on for fuck's sake! Remind me to play for you again sometime.

[Damnably]

Yes we do, and just bands we like which is most often non-UK acts and that Peel day was a 20+ promoter thing, so not our gig or choice of acts bar a couple.

I'd love a UK band off our label to play ATP or your band but seriously, who wants to pay such a lot of money to see UK bands you can see every month or so in most cities and at some big mid sized festivals now. I want to see the amazing bands that can't usually afford to make it over here. ATP is the only way it's viable and that is a beautiful thing.
It's not news that the US has a lot of more interesting scenes, Peel banged on about that for years.

[mattgringo]

It's not news that the US has a lot of more interesting scenes, Peel banged on about that for years.

Utter nonsense.