BOC: Various thoughts of the day

[Ted Jackson jr. EL84]

As usual, John doesn't talk much, but when he does, he says a lot:

> From:          John A Swartz <jswartz at MBUNIX.MITRE.ORG>

>
> Andy says:
>
> >But if there's one reason I'm "negative" about BOC, it's _Cult Classic_ - I
> admit I was a bit dubious about it as I bought it, but I was hoping for
> best-ever versions of classic tunes, revitalised and reinterpreted for the
> nineties.
>
> This may be the single biggest reason for BOC-L's "negative" attitude
> toward BOC these days, even if some of you don't realize it.  I think that
> the tone on BOC-L was much more positive prior to this release.  Back in
> 1993 and early '94, BOC was doing 3 or 4 "new songs" live, and promising
> a "new album" that would include these and others soon.  Of course the date
> kept getting pushed back, and what we got was NOT the new stuff, but a
> re-hash (and in most cases, in most folks opinions, a bad re-hash) of
> past BOC tunes.  True, CC has it's good points (e.g. studio version of
> "Buck's Boogie"), but overall the performances seem somewhat stale (perhaps
> they didn't take enough time off the road to record?), and not terribly
> well-mixed (unfamiliarity with digital recording technology?).  I hadn't
> thought this before, but I think alot of us BOC-L "old timers" became
> most (pick your adjective - cynical, critical, negative, pissed-off, etc.)
> around that time.
>
Funny enough, I've always defended CC, though I'm not a BOC-L
old-timer, but I am a BOC old timer, as well as a just plain old
old-timer [my birthday was last week John!]  I like CC because it
presents many BOC songs as they have evolved.  Granted the production
isn't the greatest, but BD's gtr plying is first-rate.  Since I
joined BOC-L after CC, I can't comment on its being a contentious
issue...


>
>
> There's been a fair amount of mumbling about wishing that the original
> line-up will get together again.  We can all dream, but I HOPE everyone
> here fully understands that 1) it isn't likely to happen, and 2) both
> Al and BOC are happier for it.  Albert has stated here several times
> that he has no intention or desire to re-join a band that he left
> OVER 15 YEARS AGO (Imaginos work and his 2-week "fill-in" work in 1985
> not withstanding).  I'm not as sure as to how Joe feels, but certainly
> he has been out of BOC for over 10 years now, and is doing his own thing.
> Seeing that he's not actively involved in a band, perhaps he has less
> desire to do that sort of thing, and prefers the teaching work he's
> been doing (along with his other projects - like brewing beer?).  I

I confess I speculate about this, but I'm under no illusion of it
ever happening.  Frankly I respect Al a hell of a lot for what he's
doing.  He could probably make an easy life for himself if he tried
to re-join BOC.  And the result would likely be pretty good for all
concerned.  I have no doubt IF Al rejoined BOC their fortunes would
improve, because he'd get them off their collective ass.  Frankly I
don't think they deserve to have him back at this point...


> don't know how Al and 3OC feel about our discussions - maybe Al feels
> a bit flattered that we say that BOC ain't the same without him, but I
> would think he gets tired of answering questions of "why did he leave?"
> and "is he ever coming back?" and would much rather talk about tBS.  As
> far as 3OC goes, they can't be too excited to be spending time talking
> about a guy who hasn't been in the band for 15 years . . .
>
Agreed.  And you can bet that during tBS's swing into Upstate NY this
year, I'll be asking him only about tBS and maybe a little bit of
nostalgia about old gigs I saw.  At this point, it insults tBS to
keep asking Al about re-joining BOC...


> Jack (who doen't add his $0.02 here too often, but should feel free to)
> says:
>
> >Me, I'll just continue enjoying the music I already have,
> continue my praise for band members, both present and past, and of
> course, always hope for new material:)
>
> This is my "philosophy" too -- only problem is, it seems (and perhaps
> more so on BOC-L, although I haven't been on AOL long enough to assess
> this) that people get tired of talking about that.  What I mean is, you
> "typically" see new folks talking about how great the band is, their
> favorite concert experiences, wanting to ask folks what their favorit
> album is, etc., and after awhile, you either post less, or you spend
> more time complaining about the things you don't like.  Not to pick on
> anyone, but Theo has been fairly vocal here recently about his issues
> with the band these days -- you should have heard this guy when he first
> joined BOC-L!  He was always talking (or replying) very upbeat, recounting
> his fond memories, talking excitely about BOC, etc.  He seems a little
> more "restrained" in that regard these days (note: Theo - no offense is
> meant by this observation of mine, and I'm not saying that your are a
> worse person than you used to be or anything like that - and while I
> only know you through your BOC-L posts, I hope I haven't been too
> inaccurate in what I've said here).  Of course, maybe us "old timers"
> have corrupted him to our way of thinking...if so, you could be next
> Jack!  ;-)
>
Wow!  I had no idea I came across like that, and no, of course I take
no offense.  It's always fascinating to get another person's
perceptions.  I didn't know I was becoming more jaded, but I think I
can offer an explanation.  When I joined BOC-L, it was the first list
I was ever on, and I think I was overjoyed to have a forum to discuss
my favorite band.  In time, I became comfortable among everyone else,
and  comfortable expressing tough stances on BOC, knowing that other
people had real concerns about the band.  I also lost my cherry a bit
after finding out about the Imaginos debacle and other assorted
shaftings here and there.  And too, Al's continued hard work with tBS
only illustrates what a highly motivated musician can do with some
hard work and a lot of guts, and BOC doesn't stand too close an
examination in retrospect.  So I guess some of you old-timers did
corrupt me a bit; at least you gave me a forum for grumbling!



> >But if and when, I'll definitely be buying the new album, and I'll do my best
> >to "listen without prejudice".
>
> I think this will be true of most BOC fans here.  Most of us won't believe
> it until we see it perhaps, but I suspect that we'll all buy it when it
> comes out (of course, assuming it's not another compilation!).  I'm
> betting that some of us will think it's the greatest thing since *Box of
> Hammers*, some of us will think it's little improvement over *Club
> Ninja* - but most of us will be happy to have it regardless.  It will be
> discussed EXTENSIVELY here on BOC-L -- we'll pick it apart track by track,
> maybe even note by note.  We will like some of the tunes, dis-like others,
> and probably not come to alot of universal conclusions on it (other than,
> "It's about time!").  When that album does come out - everyone on BOC-L
> can probably expect your e-mail load to double.  Hawkwind-only fans will
> no doubt scream at us when we forget to use the filter headings... ;-)
>
Yes! Yes! Yes!  I will devour that album.  I've prefaced most of my
'negative' remarks with the reminder that my critique arises chiefly
from frustration.  Make no mistake:  I want BOC to bring forth a
kick-ass album, and if what I heard live last month is any
indication, they will do it!


> Carl says:
>
> (in response to one of my posts)
> >       I could have clipped some of that except it all hits it right on
> the head for me!
>
> Well, sometimes I get lucky... ;-)\
>
> >I'm not an "old timer" by any definition,
>
> Carl, I'd qualify you as a "BOC-L old timer"...
>
> >but *I*want*new*BOC* and I'm gonna whinge when I don't get it! :)
>
> See?  We ARE all fans -- we are all bitchin' because WE WANT OUR BOC!!
>

See my previous lines...



>>
> >        It strikes me that if (dream) tBS and BOC ever played a gig
> together, or Al did a guest drums appearance or something (like Lemmy did
> occasionally for HW on bass), the conflict zone would not be Al vs. DR,
> but Deb vs. EB...
>
> LOL - yep, while I think Buck and Al could be onstage together again
> someday, I can't picture Eric and Deb every sharing a stage (except
> maybe for a boxing match or something) ;-)
>

I know Deb's got her reasons, and being the type who's fiercely loyal
to my loved ones, I sort of understand it, but she's unrelentingly
venomous toward EB.  I doubt they could ever be in the same room
together with an eruption...

 Mike suggests:
>
> >The only reason that I can think of for not changing a set is that the
> band do not want to rehearse; either because there are personality or
> logistical problems, or that they simply cannot be bothered.
>
> I'm sure that this is a factor...
>
And the expense of hiring a rehearsal facility...


> >If this new
> album really does come out, I will be disappointed if the touring set does
> not include at least four numbers from it.
>
> They'd be stupid to NOT do a few numbers from it - can't convince fans at
> the shows to pick up their new album if you don't at least let them
> hear a few of the new tunes.  I expect Eric to hype the album when it's
> out (I still recall seeing them in '94 and at least 4 times he said, "O.K.
> we're gonna do another number now from our *Cult Classics* album...").
> Since the band has done 7 of the new tunes at shows (not all at once, but
> in '92 they were doing up to 4 new tunes at a show), so they are certainly
> capable of doing them live.  They've been doing 1 or 2 new ones over the
> past year or 2.  I'm guessing that they'll do 3.
>
Amen, Amen.  The new stuff's boffo.  But will playing too much of it
jeapordize their status as a nostalgia artifact?


> And finally, Adrian wishes:
>
> >May all BOC-l subscribers be in the hall on the night when these bands
> are in the same place and jam together as musicians and friends.
>
> Would be a glorious day indeed.  Tell me when and where, and me and my
> bass will be there. (with a six-pack or 2 of Anchor Steam?) :-)
>
Me too, and then some!


> O.K., I've got to get SOME work done today...;-)
>
> John

Not that!
theo