We are not.
During the reunion in 2005 it was good to play with these guys again - though we had changed a lot in a decade. We made a great record - still we didn’t have a Bruce Kaphan or a Tom Mallon to keep the music focused and cohesive (I’m certainly not the one to do that when my own songs are involved.) We toured a bit, played one show in 2006 (at a Gap store) then I wanted to work more with Vudi and we put together a band in Los Angeles.
Fans want to see a band frozen in that time when the music meant something to them. A particular record, or a particular show that really knocked them out at the time. I do it too. I knew during the reunion AMC would not be the same group we were in 1991 - and that was tough. You want to give fans what they want (or at least I do) and its a bitch when things aren't the same. You just keep going - you just move on.
During the reunion in 2005 it was good to play with these guys again - though we had changed a lot in a decade. We made a great record - still we didn’t have a Bruce Kaphan or a Tom Mallon to keep the music focused and cohesive (I’m certainly not the one to do that when my own songs are involved.) We toured a bit, played one show in 2006 (at a Gap store) then I wanted to work more with Vudi and we put together a band in Los Angeles.
Fans want to see a band frozen in that time when the music meant something to them. A particular record, or a particular show that really knocked them out at the time. I do it too. I knew during the reunion AMC would not be the same group we were in 1991 - and that was tough. You want to give fans what they want (or at least I do) and its a bitch when things aren't the same. You just keep going - you just move on.
Whats in a name? Well I came up with AMC in the eighties and used it for 2 completely different bands before I decided that Vudi and Danny and Sluggo were finally it. We changed drummers and bass players quite a bit - and after a lot of work had some success. It was surprising - Especially for us. We were a dysfunctional democracy and a moody lot (yes even me). We never had that "triumph of the will" impulse that so many successful artists have. When we broke up it was about money and ego and an inability to agree on anything. I look back and regret that maybe I wasn't the leader I should have been - though if I had tried to lead the band it would have broken up much much sooner.
The name is a brand and people remember AMC in a certain way - but only Vudi and I are left. We never wanted to use the name. When we split from Tim and Danny I think we were going to call it: The MacArthur Park Music Club but no one would give us money to make a record or tour unless it was AMC. Actually it's still that way - and I would have an easier time if I continued using it for all my projects (never say never) but - for now - no. If Vudi still wants to do AMC I would be on board but part of what makes him great is a disinclination to repeat himself.
About the crooner act I do with Marc Capelle: honestly its the best I can do at this point. I want to have live shows that are at least emotive representations of the songs. The wall of sound (e.g. AMC) is fun but touring is expensive and I don't sell out stadiums (yet).
16 comments:
Mark, I keep trying to write something worthwhile here, but it all comes out sounding like bullshit. I want to say just one thing and have it marked here (and especially for your post about visiting the ballet from a couple of years ago): We love you.
I think The Golden Age is my favorite album under the American Music Club name and if you could make anything else remotely like it and slap on your own name or any other name I will gladly purchase it. It enriches my life and the lives of others.
Personally I can't wait to see the 'Crooner' act. As I get a little older my music tastes are changing
and more as time goes by I like to listen to this kind of stuff. Talking 1991 I was thirteen years of age
and all that existed to me was Nirvana(and Megadeth, Metallica, Iron Maiden ETC) Ask me then what I thought
of American Music Club and the answer would be...well unkind would probably describe it. Ask me what I would
of thought of Sinatra singing 'I left my heart in San Francisco' Billie Holiday singing 'Solitude' or Ella Fitzgerald
singing 'Misty'... The same.
Music really does mirror where you are in life and you have to do what you have to do, you can't force yourself to try and relive
what was in the past and pretend its fresh and great when/if in back of your mind you feel it may be a little phony or fake or its really
not what you want to to doing. Fans should no way forcefully influence musical direction. To make music simply to try and please the masses; your band would be
named Oasis.
With all the bootlegs I collect(a hobby of mine with music in general not just with your music) I know that you mostly give
more than 100% when you perform, or at least it would appear to me. That's more than what we can ask for as fans as we have already had
our lives blessed with your music.
More about the piano and vocals act: Ella Fitzgerald's album 'Intimate Ella' is my favourite album at the moment. That is just
piano and vocals too. I am really looking forward to seeing you perform this way. I hope Marc is with you. He is such a great musician. I am
looking forward to the possibility of hearing him play piano(hopefully a grand). Saw AMC in Brighton at the Concorde 2, both shows. Marc impressed me then but those shows
rocked and he didn't really stand out.(was it Marc or was it Jason ?)
man, I am blabbering on. Whisky and Blogs.....
Simply as Bill said(and I have a blog of bollocks so if it sounds like bullshit im used to writing it). We love you
I'll second what R says. I think you might have over-emphasised to yourself that people want a band to stay recogniseable from their gig-going and record-buying youth. Imagine being Robert Smith. No cruelty intended, because I remember him talking sincerely about wanting to disappear and work with the mentally ill in the mid-80s, which he should have. As it is he's out in the spider hair and lipstick again next month - smaller venues than 1988, no need for the money, and he might find he feels the song he's doing for five minutes of the three hours The Cure are on.
What you said about Jimmy Scott and your direction was encouraging I think. I've had about enough of screechy guitars I think, and though we'd all like to remain intense, a bit of understanding and experience does disperse a bit of the steam. Hope this hasn't come out wrong or offended, but there is plenty of music for kids and people in their early 20s, plenty for the prematurely senile and over-comfortable, but not a lot for people who like their music like they like their books and films.
Looking forward to the next record. Cheers.
Mark
I've been a fan since about 92; was once introduced to you by a mate working at a Virgin Megastore in Oxford St where you were doing a PA - and clammed up, as many of us do when meeting somebody we admire. I last saw you about 200 yards from where I live, performing as part of the cast in the play in the Old Market in Brighton. As the others said, we love you.
You're absolutely right that people try to relive the past through a band/artist - that's fine, but you as an artist shouldn't feel bad about that. I agree with Vudi (I've been playing with the same - very unpopular! - band for about 13 years, and we very rarely drag up songs that we used to do - not that anybody asks - because we can't find anything in them, or 'feel' them enough to make it worthwhile).
I'd love to see you play with Vudi again - but I saw you with Marc a year or so back in Brighton and loved that too.
Whatever you do, enjoy it. I probably will.
John
To me, LSfP and The Golden Age carried the potent impulse of AMC's earlier work into the 2000's - confidently establishing the band as a vital and relevant force in this day and age.
Somehow it seems that releasing AMC work any later than the 10 years that you did, would've presented greater challenges in drawing a thread from 1994 AMC to weave into modern day AMC. LSfP was timely - an important message in the context of world events in that moment as well as now.
I caught the crooning show at The Lizard Lounge in Boston and thoroughly enjoyed it. (Do you remember the guy who offered you $200 to play a couple of extra songs? He actually passed away recently... was somewhat of a Boston legend. http://vimeo.com/18938739)
Anyways - I'd shell out deniros and brave the cold to hear you croon more for sure! Would be nice to see you challenge yourself a bit in terms of your delivery. I found myself at the last show feeling like you tend to rely and get comfy on those long single note oceans that you can easily pull out of the middle of your range. The recent Patriot's Heart vid from SXSW feels like you were pushing yourself into some new territory... stark and biting and visiting some of the tip-top notes of your range.
Granted none of this feedback was solicited or invited...
but, I love you! Thanks for the update.
I guess it is easy to want to freeze time to see a band / artist / show as we remember them years ago. Interestingly, the All Tomorrow's Parties circuit, which can easily boast being a format to promote great new music, (arguably) introduced us to the "revival" album tours, from Sonic Youth's Daydream Nation to Iggy's Raw Power to numerous in between.
Personally, I've hit a point where I would rather fall out of touch with a band who tries new things than one who keeps feeding off twenty year old copies of them selves. Some continue to impress me with their evolution (Sonic Youth, Boredoms, Tommy Stinson), some have lost me over time (R.E.M., Paul Westerberg), and a few have pulled off the revival very well (Archers of Loaf, and maybe even Devo).
OTOH, if somebody dragged me to an arena to see Styx rattle off Paradise Theater or the Stones play "Satisfaction" for the eight-millionth time, I could only hope they sold razor blades with an accompanying chart of the body's major arteries next to the Depends at the concession stand.
All I can say is, I've seen a number of your shows over the years (well, a number-minus-one; lousy snow storm), and have never been disappointed. Yet, for some reason, all of this has inspired me to yell out "Freebird" the next time I see you. You brought it on yourself, really.
Mark, the 'crooner act' with Marc Capelle is, to this day, the best gig I have ever seen.
I love the old American Music Club but you, sir, are great all by yourself.
Can't wait to see you in Cardiff again next month. Very best wishes to you.
I have always enjoyed the ever-shifting lineup, as well as your different approaches to shows. I saw your crooning at Le Poussin Rouge, and it was like I was seeing you live for the first time... but I always feel that way when I hear your voice live.
Just don't stop making records. I hope to be buying your Rick Rubin-produced covers records in 35 years or so... start a short list of good tunes now :)
One last thing - feel free to book another show in NYC sometime around Dec. 10th (but not the 10th!), specifically because my wife and I will be up from Virginia, and I like to make unreasonable demands.
Thanks! :)
I thought the reunion was 2003 ! LOVE SONGS FOR PATRIOT'S 2004, not that it matters I guess. I like the modern day AMC albums ok, but they seem to pale to your solo work. LSFP - the songs you were doing live solo first just sounded way better to me than when they finally appeared on LSFP. Maybe too much time in the interim and less urgency about them? I am sure though i'm in the minority on that. Regardless, as everyone here has said we adore your work the lyrics and voice keep us with you
I found the show you did with Marc Chapelle in Galway profoundly moving and is one of the most affecting concerts I've ever attended.
Dear Mark,
If you didn't have much occasions to smile or laugh these days, i'll think you do with it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEIVtSJ8SAc
All the best
Paris, FR.
Yeah it's nice when we see our favorite musicians perform the songs of old, reminds us of certain times in our lives that have passed but times change, people change, and we can't expect everything will stay the same. It just can't.
You're doing just fine! Your solo work is terrific. Keep up the great work!
As a fan since The Restless Stranger, I think The Golden Age and Kalmath are two of my favorite projects you have been associated with. I'd be sad if AMC were gone. Any new music, be it AMC or under your own name is ok by me.
I need fresh slide guitar and spacey riffs. There's a bit in 'sick of food' - you know the bit I'm talking about - which sums it up. Just do an Eno-esque 90minute continuous slide guitar and spacey riffs CD.
Post a Comment