I have many thoughts! First though (over coffee waiting for my Medicare Advantage insurance broker/guide) is that there’s clearly a zeitgeist in the air right now. I was having a discussion about Meg White yesterday. Thoroughly enjoyed this read. For many reasons- for one, I am friends with Stan Lynch and certain parts of his career path had an impact on me in ways I did not expect.
Secondly, your post pulls on my heartstrings- I have fond memories of Paul Kolderie and Sean who were so helpful to a young band I worked with- fond memories of being part of a struggling indie label and Fort Apache made it easy - by being in an urban setting that wasn’t NYC and having its own storied history.
I quite enjoy reading your posts and this in particular, where you touch on the reading of memoirs is not only enjoyable but helps me as I am writing my own. I enjoy your slightly younger than me POV - gives me perspective. More later… I gotta go be an Old now.
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed this. Fort Apache really changed my life, gave my friends and me a clubhouse and hub of creativity. We can feel proud of our recorded legacy largely BECAUSE of the Fort, so far ahead of its time.
I just chatted about this post with my friend Tim, who unlike me is a seasoned musician but like me is a massive 90s music fan. My reaction to "the biz" disrupting bands for anti-artistic means was wildly different from his.
I come away even more appreciative of the bands who stick with it even when the industry seems to be against them. Thank you for sharing, and also I borrowed Schemel's book per your recommendation. Can't wait to dive in.
Thanks for reading! See, I’m by no means certain that this is an example of disrupting for anti-artistic means. Hole is a band, but it’s Courtney’s band. She wanted to have a massive record so she made certain creative choices. Patti was in active addiction so who knows the reasoning, and they achieved their goal of making a massive record that broke on radio. There’s a moral ambiguity here, different perspectives. In the end it’s a creative choice and a business decision by Courtney, with whom the buck clearly stops.
Oh, absolutely! I was referring more to the story of the Blake Babies & the meddlesome producer, not as much about Hole, because in that instance I do get it – even while knowing I am too diplomatic to be able to make those kinds of calls. I always considered Courtney in touch with trends and would expect nothing less...even if the necessary steps to get where you need to be are harsh.
I agree that it was probably the right call, because that album sounds incredible. I recall a similar issue on The Colour and the Shape when Dave Grohl re-recorded William Goldsmith's parts. As you said, whoever's band it is has the final say. Thanks again for the glimpse inside!
Great article. I love that you give the different sides and perspectives, and acknowledge the human costs involved when commerce trumps band history, relationships, and fairness and sometimes even betrays the music itself.
I tend to prefer the early rough albums over the slick productions that come later, want the human foibles and explorations, but there is a lot to be said for high production values as well.
Rock memoirs and documentaries are my addiction. Find them endlessly unique and fascinating.
I have many thoughts! First though (over coffee waiting for my Medicare Advantage insurance broker/guide) is that there’s clearly a zeitgeist in the air right now. I was having a discussion about Meg White yesterday. Thoroughly enjoyed this read. For many reasons- for one, I am friends with Stan Lynch and certain parts of his career path had an impact on me in ways I did not expect.
Secondly, your post pulls on my heartstrings- I have fond memories of Paul Kolderie and Sean who were so helpful to a young band I worked with- fond memories of being part of a struggling indie label and Fort Apache made it easy - by being in an urban setting that wasn’t NYC and having its own storied history.
I quite enjoy reading your posts and this in particular, where you touch on the reading of memoirs is not only enjoyable but helps me as I am writing my own. I enjoy your slightly younger than me POV - gives me perspective. More later… I gotta go be an Old now.
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed this. Fort Apache really changed my life, gave my friends and me a clubhouse and hub of creativity. We can feel proud of our recorded legacy largely BECAUSE of the Fort, so far ahead of its time.
I just chatted about this post with my friend Tim, who unlike me is a seasoned musician but like me is a massive 90s music fan. My reaction to "the biz" disrupting bands for anti-artistic means was wildly different from his.
I come away even more appreciative of the bands who stick with it even when the industry seems to be against them. Thank you for sharing, and also I borrowed Schemel's book per your recommendation. Can't wait to dive in.
Thanks for reading! See, I’m by no means certain that this is an example of disrupting for anti-artistic means. Hole is a band, but it’s Courtney’s band. She wanted to have a massive record so she made certain creative choices. Patti was in active addiction so who knows the reasoning, and they achieved their goal of making a massive record that broke on radio. There’s a moral ambiguity here, different perspectives. In the end it’s a creative choice and a business decision by Courtney, with whom the buck clearly stops.
Oh, absolutely! I was referring more to the story of the Blake Babies & the meddlesome producer, not as much about Hole, because in that instance I do get it – even while knowing I am too diplomatic to be able to make those kinds of calls. I always considered Courtney in touch with trends and would expect nothing less...even if the necessary steps to get where you need to be are harsh.
I agree that it was probably the right call, because that album sounds incredible. I recall a similar issue on The Colour and the Shape when Dave Grohl re-recorded William Goldsmith's parts. As you said, whoever's band it is has the final say. Thanks again for the glimpse inside!
John, I burned through most of Patty’s book on a flight yesterday. It’s incredible! Hard to put down. Thank you for recommending!
Great article. I love that you give the different sides and perspectives, and acknowledge the human costs involved when commerce trumps band history, relationships, and fairness and sometimes even betrays the music itself.
I tend to prefer the early rough albums over the slick productions that come later, want the human foibles and explorations, but there is a lot to be said for high production values as well.
Rock memoirs and documentaries are my addiction. Find them endlessly unique and fascinating.
Thank you. A delicate balance to be sure.