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Post by oliver wendell ramone on Jul 9, 2015 10:52:14 GMT -5
Solid interview with Craig.Ends with a potentially troubling quote on the future of The Hold Steady: "It’s my expectation that we will fire it up, again, but I don’t know. I can’t guarantee it."
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Post by delboydrums on Jul 9, 2015 12:08:35 GMT -5
I have faith in the future of THS.
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Post by nardling on Jul 9, 2015 12:23:52 GMT -5
That is troubling. He said earlier in the interview that he had taken his solo stuff to the band and they weren't into it. So maybe he's just frustrated right now, or maybe he's realized that he, personally, has gone in a different direction than the other 4 guys. Or, really, the other guy who matters a lot. Either way, this quote sucks a lot more than "Yeah, we're doing solo stuff right now, but we'll be back in 2016 to record some new material".
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john k
Midnight Hauler
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Post by john k on Jul 9, 2015 12:33:54 GMT -5
like i said in another post THS no longer a fully functioning band
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Post by dealwiththedealers on Jul 9, 2015 13:05:39 GMT -5
like i said in another post THS no longer a fully functioning band Eh, I think there is a difference between uncertainty surrounding the future and the band being dysfunctional. THS has been together for 6 albums and personally I'm glad they are not on autopilot. I would prefer they feel sufficiently inspired and motivated to go thru a new album cycle than to just do it for the sake of doing it. So I have trouble saying they are not fully functioning just because they're taking a break and not making promises about an uncertain future. Bands who have been together awhile do this sort of thing sometimes. |
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Post by buddymo on Jul 9, 2015 13:49:58 GMT -5
This is troubling indeed. I'd actually been thinking about it after seeing the photos from the Lifter Puller show. We've known that these guys aren't super rich - they have to work to make a living. And we've known that Craig and Tad are still willing to make a living by going on the road and playing music. And I think we can assume the best way for these guys to make a living playing music is by playing THS shows (I'm assuming, but admittedly I don't know what Courtney Love pays her touring guitarists). And now we know that Craig wanted to continue, but some folks didn't want to do anything with THS for all of 2015. The only reason a rational person in the band decides not to play THS shows for an entire year is if he dislikes the material or the people enough to forego the financial opportunity.
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Post by jz on Jul 9, 2015 14:00:38 GMT -5
The only reason a rational person in the band decides not to play THS shows for an entire year is if he dislikes the material or the people enough to forego the financial opportunity. That's a pretty bold conclusion to jump to. |
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Post by spencerm on Jul 9, 2015 15:39:45 GMT -5
"22-year-olds have their own bands. They don’t need the Hold Steady."
Ok, I'm not 22, but I'm not far off and I still need THS.
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Post by delboydrums on Jul 9, 2015 15:43:07 GMT -5
Patience, people. Early days yet.
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john k
Midnight Hauler
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Post by john k on Jul 9, 2015 17:28:33 GMT -5
Patience, people. Early days yet. Early days ? Bands been going 10+ years. Finn said in an interview last year that he has a couple of projects in the works. The first of those is the new solo album. A band is not fully functional if it's members are off doing other things |
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Post by delboydrums on Jul 9, 2015 17:47:50 GMT -5
Patience, people. Early days yet. Early days ? Bands been going 10+ years. Finn said in an interview last year that he has a couple of projects in the works. The first of those is the new solo album. A band is not fully functional if it's members are off doing other things Yeah right - so no other band has remained functional after its members went off to do solo projects? I meant that it's early days since Teeth Dreams and then Tad / CF's solo stuff to be worrying about THS future. Give it time. |
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bigontheinside
Midnight Hauler
If you don't know the words, don't sing along
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Post by bigontheinside on Jul 9, 2015 17:52:21 GMT -5
I have no doubt that THS will be back. Just watch any live video of them. I can't believe that any of the band could turn their back to that energy for good.
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bigontheinside
Midnight Hauler
If you don't know the words, don't sing along
Posts: 1,478
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Post by bigontheinside on Jul 9, 2015 17:52:52 GMT -5
Patience, people. Early days yet. Early days ? Bands been going 10+ years. Finn said in an interview last year that he has a couple of projects in the works. The first of those is the new solo album. A band is not fully functional if it's members are off doing other things Doubting Thomas over heeere |
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Post by Rich Tarbell on Jul 9, 2015 18:56:06 GMT -5
I have no grand insight to offer but I do think about how few jobs I chose to hold onto for 10 straight years and how few close friendships I have maintained for 10 straight years let alone friendships tested by spending 200-some odd days (and the better part of 12-18 waking hours a day in close quarters) per year for 10 straight years.
But I will offer that 41 is substantially different than 31 years of age. Life responsibilities, family commitments, future planning, health evaluations and financial repercussions and/or opportunities are all significantly different at 41 vs. 31. At 41 it's a little harder to get inspired to grab 4 buds and a roadie and head out in the Econoline to play shows. Besides that, people grow and hopefully evolve, develop other artistic interests, and find other outlets for their creative energy.
Looking back at my last decade, I can't say I'd blame anyone or any particular circumstance if the band never got back to the 120-150 dates per year annual cycle. But I think there is too much on the table and too much in the tank to simply walk away entirely anytime soon.
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Post by doctoracula on Jul 9, 2015 19:08:53 GMT -5
the uncertainty is fine with me. i'd rather read "i don't know" than "we're done." maybe they'll all get super inspired in a few years and churn out another amazing record. maybe they won't ever release anything again. they've had a better track record than a LOT of bands, and a band ending isn't the worst thing in the world. i'd rather see them slow down or stop than beat it into the ground. we'll hear more from craig and tad either way.
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Post by jz on Jul 9, 2015 20:06:27 GMT -5
Patience, people. Early days yet. Early days ? Bands been going 10+ years. Finn said in an interview last year that he has a couple of projects in the works. The first of those is the new solo album. A band is not fully functional if it's members are off doing other things Huh? What does "fully functional" mean to you? I don't get how side projects or solo albums affect that. |
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charlie
Sniffling Indie Kid
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Post by charlie on Jul 10, 2015 8:31:13 GMT -5
I think this is natural. 12ish years and five records is a long time to consistently go for a band that hasn't hit that upper tier of luxury on the road, and it's a long time to consistently collaborate considering how people and tastes change over time. It has to be psychologically tiring to put the energy these guys do into a show, hit the road after, pretend to care about a promotional obligation that pretends to care about you, rinse, and repeat.
Like Rich said, ones priorities change significantly from decade to decade, and it has to be a little harder to find motivation to make this a full time gig when your audience has passed the growth part of the curve -- the influx of new fans has slowed, the "tastemakers" have moved on, and the faithful are still fervent, but maybe finding it a little harder to have a massive night on a Tuesday.
I don't think this is the end, though. Teeth Dreams made me think they've potentially got a lot left. I think it's fine if they don't tell us anything and just go dormant as THS for a while, do other things, and reconvene for another record or more live dates if and when the spirit moves them to. I still want a full album Craig/Tad writing collab of Sweet Part/Lord, I'm Discouraged/Cheyenne Sunrise-style twangy slow jams, so they'd better.
When it does eventually end, I
a.) will always be grateful to them for the songs and the concert experiences, many of which will remain very, very significant to me
b.) won't begrudge them their right to call it a day. they don't owe me anything
c.) will rue never seeing the full five piece touring behind Teeth Dreams
and
d.) will follow the dudes' future endeavors (though you won't see me at a Courtney Love show anytime soon)
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charlie
Sniffling Indie Kid
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Post by charlie on Jul 10, 2015 8:33:40 GMT -5
Early days ? Bands been going 10+ years. Finn said in an interview last year that he has a couple of projects in the works. The first of those is the new solo album. A band is not fully functional if it's members are off doing other things Huh? What does "fully functional" mean to you? I don't get how side projects or solo albums affect that. Yeah, I think bands are, if anything, better off when members take time to do other things. The experiences acquired playing with other people and/or indulging other creative pursuits mean there's more to bring to the table when back with the band, and there's less friction from members wanting to pursue other interests. |
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Post by dealwiththedealers on Jul 10, 2015 9:15:37 GMT -5
The only reason a rational person in the band decides not to play THS shows for an entire year is if he dislikes the material or the people enough to forego the financial opportunity. That's a pretty bold conclusion to jump to. Yeah, that's ridiculous buddymo. Purely speculative and also just not true. Craig said it himself during the last THS break - going off and doing other things helps inspire everyone and probably makes for a better creative process when the band reunites. In an extreme case, what if THS played shows every day of the year? Their music and performances would suffer and no one would go see them anymore except the diehards. I think those who are panicking need to chill a bit and let the band live and breathe a little. Oh, and Amen to everything Rich said. |
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john k
Midnight Hauler
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Post by john k on Jul 11, 2015 12:10:04 GMT -5
i dont recall saying the band is finished. loads of bands have side projects and long periods of down time.when they do this the band is not fully functioning. band members need another outlet/income. the crew have to get work with other bands. no biggie
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tbob
True Scene Leader
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Post by tbob on Jul 11, 2015 18:27:19 GMT -5
I read the interview and it didn't seem all doom and gloom to me. Just seems like they're at the stage in their career where we're gonna get an album every 5 years not every other. It happens. Plus I can't imagine band relations have broken down irreparably because Craig and Tad look pretty happy on the footage from the Lifter Puller reunion.
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tbob
True Scene Leader
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Post by tbob on Jul 11, 2015 19:05:11 GMT -5
In other news The Rolling Stones play their last scheduled tour date in Quebec on Wednesday and Keef has his first solo album since 1992 coming out in September.
I hope The Stones haven't called it a day as well.
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Post by mtruslow on Jul 12, 2015 10:40:39 GMT -5
I wish the guys well whatever they decide to do. I'm looking forward to the new CF album so I'll be getting the ep today to hold me over until the cd comes out. On another note, getting older is hard to do without being in a touring tock band for 100 to 120 dates a year.
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Post by jwd on Jul 13, 2015 19:24:02 GMT -5
I wish the guys well whatever they decide to do. I'm looking forward to the new CF album so I'll be getting the ep today to hold me over until the cd comes out. On another note, getting older is hard to do without being in a touring tock band for 100 to 120 dates a year. Getting older makes it harder to remember. We are our only saviors.... |
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Post by muzzleofbees on Jul 21, 2015 5:21:30 GMT -5
People read way to much into these things. I think wheter Hold Steady will keep going or not is always up in the air, as with every band who hasn't reached the stage where they make a comfortable amount of money (and as others have pointed out, especially with the band members being in their 40s rather than their 30s or 20s). But it seems like they were much closer to falling apart between HiW and TD than they are right now.
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