BOC-L Digest - 30 Dec 1996 to 31 Dec 1996

[Ted Jackson jr. EL84]

> From:          Stephen Swann <swann at MINDVOX.COM>
>
> Well, I gather from listening to Albert and from reading the Goldmine
> article and such, that the band has never been much for hanging around
> together, except when working on an album.  Apparently, even in the
> "old days", they used to only get together to do concerts and to
> record.  These days, with all of them having family lives and such,
> that seems to be even more true.

Right!  Commencing with Spectres, I believe, the band used to write
songs individually, demo them alone, and bring them to the group to
see which ones they'd use.  Apparently there was a good bit of
internecine squabbling from that time also.  Egos, wives/girlfriends
clashing, etc...
>
> In light of this, it seems logical that the reason the setlist stays
> constant is because all the band members can play that standard set on
> a moment's notice - all they have to do is show up the night of the

True.  It appears as though they accept many gigs on relatively short
notice.

> concert, and play the same tunes that they've always played.  Working
> up new tunes to do in concert would mean getting together to practice
> them in their "spare time", i.e. interfering with family life and
> private time, etc.
>

Yeah, and also having to pay for rehearsal time, equipment rental
etc.  I think BOC could give Led Wallet Page a run for his money...

> Frankly, I'm guessing that at this stage in their lives and careers,
> their family lives are more important to them than the continued
> "progress" of the band, and I'll be damned if I'll blame them for
> that...  I'm not saying that they don't want to do new tunes or put
> out that new album, but that there are obvious limits on their desire
> to do so, and other matters that clearly take greater precedence.
>
I wouldn't blame them either, but it's bad business to put out a new
record and not be prepared to promote the hell out of it, esp. given
the long space between records.  Get out there and do something with
the records and then if it flies, you might have some time to relax.
Who knows how many more chances they'll get to do this right?


> I'm speculating here, of course, but I think there's visible evidence
> that this is the case.  (i.e. if any of them really had a burning
> desire to have that new album out, it would be out by now).
>
> Steve
> swann at panix.com

Well, shit or get off the pot!
theo