The Arcade Fire (sorta) slams U2, The Stones, and Oasis

aspoonfulweighsaton · February 2007

http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/40135592

I find this ironic since Bono is a huge fan and was trying to shove The Arcade Fire down everyone's throat during the last tour by playing their song before hitting the stage. Maybe that's what instigated these feelings.

Whatever the case, I don't disagree with their comments one bit.

pjrvm · February 2007

his comments are slightly off-base I think. maybe it is different in the UK. In terms of marketing, I'm not sure I could tell you the name of the most recent Oasis album (and I'm a fan of the band). I'm also not sure what he is referring to with the Stones.
U2 however is more of Bono marketing Bono, and not the band marketing themselves. in the last ten or more years U2 has become less about the music and much more about Bono "saving humanity"
As for Arcade Fire, never got that into them (mostly for lack of trying). Have heard they are tremendous live though.

intodeep · February 2007

Hmm. Well hind sight is 20/20 but maybe he could have made his point with out name dropping bands.

I agree with the idea that it is more bono marketing bono not U2. I guess Bono does it becasue he feels he uses that leverage to help causes he believes in which i don't have a problem with.

From a marketing standpoint Win kind of helped himself out by name dropping right before his album comes out. I know he did not mean to, but if he just made a statement and left the band names out no one except those who read pitchfork and who visit the band website would have heard about it.

This does not change my opinion of them being one of the best bands i've heard in a long time

and it won't stop me from gettin tickets to see them again at 10 am on the dot tomorrow

and i'll be there on the 6th to pick up neon bible

Stelly · February 2007

So, bands with no ambition should be rewarded?!

That doesn't make much sense.

hendrix78 · February 2007

Disclaimer: I haven't really listened to the Arcade Fire, so I can't really comment on their music. That said,

When they write a song half as good as Gimme Shelter or Sunday Bloody Sunday, then they can talk shit. I don't see it happening. The Stones and U2 may do a lot of marketing, but they are where they are today because they have made classic music.

trappedinmyradio · February 2007

well, AF can deal with their music the way they choose, and u2, the rolling stones, and oasis can deal with their music the way they see fit...why talk shit about that? i think that's ridiculous.

Zoso · February 2007

As far as I'm concerned AF can say what they like Funeral and Neon Bible are absolutely stunning pieces of work. U2 suck anyway hehe

bharQ · February 2007

Can't say I disagree with him... their new album kicks ass btw..

A Surprise Left · February 2007

I don't think Oasis market themselves to a massive degree, they do think they are the best band around but so does everyone else. Those three bands market themselves to a greater degree than the Arcade Fire but their "product" is also the type of music that appeals to a wider range of people. The Arcade Fire are band with some good tunes but they'll never write songs that will have the lasting impact that "Sunday Bloody Sunday", "Wonderwall", or "Satisfication" have had. How many people would know of the Arcade Fire if it wasen't for U2 playing "Wake Up" before each show? Show some gratitude.....

facepollution · February 2007

A Surprise Left wrote:

I don't think Oasis market themselves to a massive degree, they do think they are the best band around but so does everyone else. Those three bands market themselves to a greater degree than the Arcade Fire but their "product" is also the type of music that appeals to a wider range of people. The Arcade Fire are band with some good tunes but they'll never write songs that will have the lasting impact that "Sunday Bloody Sunday", "Wonderwall", or "Satisfication" have had. How many people would know of the Arcade Fire if it wasen't for U2 playing "Wake Up" before each show? Show some gratitude.....

Yeah, but I guess it's a case of integrity. I totally see where the guy is coming from, particularly with U2. A new U2 record is always advertised by Bono doing as much charity arse-licking as possible. I mean I like U2 as much as the next person, but I find these days I can't think of a U2 song without thinking of Bono protesting against something or the other. Sometimes it would be nice to just enjoy the music.

The thing is, these bands were originally known for writing quality music, now it just seems to be about who can play the biggest show rather than who can contribute something meaningful to music.

boroff89 · February 2007

hendrix78 wrote:

Disclaimer: I haven't really listened to the Arcade Fire, so I can't really comment on their music. That said,

When they write a song half as good as Gimme Shelter or Sunday Bloody Sunday, then they can talk shit. I don't see it happening. The Stones and U2 may do a lot of marketing, but they are where they are today because they have made classic music.

I'd take half of the songs from Funeral and half of the songs from Neon Bible over just about anything U2 has ever done. I love U2's earlier music but hate what they've now become. However, none of that earlier music can hold a candle to the originality, emotion, and musical brilliance that the Arcade Fire puts forth. They really are one of the most important bands making music right now.

boroff89 · February 2007

And by the way, I agree with him to an extent about the over-commericialization of music. It's great to be successful, but when that involves ramming your music down people's throats on a continual basis, when it involves charging outrageous fees for tickets, when it involves plastering your face all over the media, I think you've gone too far.

A Surprise Left · February 2007

I do agree that Bono can become annoying and it is hard to seperate his charity work from the music. However how many people will remember The Aracade Fire in 20 years time? The other three bands however will go down in history......

facepollution · February 2007

A Surprise Left wrote:

I do agree that Bono can become annoying and it is hard to seperate his charity work from the music. However how many people will remember The Aracade Fire in 20 years time? The other three bands however will go down in history......

who knows. I agree Arcade Fire will have to come out with something pretty commercial to be remembered by, I guess time will tell.

A Surprise Left · February 2007

I just find it a bit perplexing as to why he would be slagging off Bono. U2 pushing them at their concerts was the best promotion that The Arcade Fire could ever dream of. What does U2 get in return? They are slagged off as a bunch of sell-outs who market their music too aggressively. It doesn't matter how hard you market your music, you still have to have the type of music that will appeal to a wide range of people.

catefrances · February 2007

A Surprise Left wrote:

I don't think Oasis market themselves to a massive degree, they do think they are the best band around but so does everyone else. Those three bands market themselves to a greater degree than the Arcade Fire but their "product" is also the type of music that appeals to a wider range of people. The Arcade Fire are band with some good tunes but they'll never write songs that will have the lasting impact that "Sunday Bloody Sunday", "Wonderwall", or "Satisfication" have had. How many people would know of the Arcade Fire if it wasen't for U2 playing "Wake Up" before each show? Show some gratitude.....

i'd know who they are. thanks JJJ.

i can't even remember what U2 songs U2 played and i was at their concert. let alone what uppity indie band they chose to promote.

and what does he call what he's doing then. he's trying to convince the indie kids that promotion is the devil's tool. and that promtotion negates talent. admittedly it sometimes does, but not always.win butler just sounds like a whiney boy. you sure he's not emo?

soulsinging · February 2007

intodeep wrote:

From a marketing standpoint Win kind of helped himself out by name dropping right before his album comes out. I know he did not mean to, but if he just made a statement and left the band names out no one except those who read pitchfork and who visit the band website would have heard about it.

kinda what i thought

trappedinmyradio · February 2007

soulsinging wrote:

kinda what i thought

marketing?

since when does a band carry around a cello, violin, and megaphone...in a fucking lobby?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=G8QYnxIjHWg

convenient

and, i LOVE arcade fire...LOVE THEM!

Jammin909 · February 2007

trappedinmyradio wrote:

marketing?

since when does a band carry around a cello, violin, and megaphone...in a fucking lobby?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=G8QYnxIjHWg

convenient

and, i LOVE arcade fire...LOVE THEM!

What a great video!

Tickets for the DC show go onsale this weekend!

pjrvm · February 2007

Maybe this article was Arcade Fire's attempt at marketing Arcade Fire. or maybe I just blew your mind?

whatever their intention, it got us.... all 15 of us.... talking about them

catefrances · February 2007

pjrvm wrote:

Maybe this article was Arcade Fire's attempt at marketing Arcade Fire. or maybe I just blew your mind?

whatever their intention, it got us.... all 15 of us.... talking about them

yeah but they've been on my mind since i woke up cuase my radio station is playing their new album as their album of the week. and tomorrow they're playing it in its entirety.
so if i hadn't have listened to the radio this morning i wouldn't have bothered to reply to this thread.

The Arcade Fire (sorta) slams U2, The Stones, and Oasis

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