I’m not happy, not happy at all. Heart-broken is an understatement. For the past 2 and a half years I have frequently mentioned Doll And The Kicks on my site. I’ve been a massive fan for so long, I just loved everything about them. They had this amazing raw vibe to their music that was lacking in so many artists. The band had been together around 7 years and were never signed. It was announced a few days ago that they had split up. I am now going to unapologetically rant about this.
What occurs every weekend on television for a few weeks this time of year? X-Factor. A show where people all over the country watch this utter bullshit. People are placed on a stage to prance around and sing OTHER PEOPLE’S SONGS and told if they are good or bad. They don’t work themselves stupid or play show after show for 7 years in order to just get signed. They just go on a television show where a bunch of fuckwits tell them if they are good or not. Don’t get me started on the twits of social networking sites who bang on about this over the weekend. Oh it’s unfair that so and so got kicked out? FUCK OFF. Unfair is working hard at something for 7 years, touring the world with one of the world’s greatest singers (Morrissey), self-funding your LPss/EPs because you don’t haver a record deal- then splitting up because you just can’t get signed. THAT IS FUCKING UNFAIR.
Doll And The Kicks blew me away when I first saw them live in May 2009. Doll/Hannah performed a song that broke my broken heart even more so but also healed it slightly. I remember hearing If You Care live then and just being reduced to tears. It was too raw to listen to, it ripped right through me. I saw them support Morrissey again in October that year. I was lucky enough to meet the band both times. I had a conversation with Hannah the first time I met them, you could easily tell that this band were everything to her and how happy they were to be on tour with Morrissey. Imagine that! They have achieved more than most, it is just a shame it had to end.
DATK were easily one of the best band’s that has come out of this country. With all my heart I wanted them to get signed and blow people away with their music. They deserve to be heard by so many. They had this sound that was like no one else around. I remember how I felt when The Long Blondes split up. I was gutted. I cried, actual tears fell from my eyes as I found out they were no more.
It’s just a shame that untalented twats are handed out record deals and last about 2 years because nobody cares about them anymore. DATK were around for 7 years and had a solid fanbase. It’s not fair, nothing in life is. It’s about time that record companies stopped seeing pound signs and making gimmicks out of wankers and paid attention to the real, raw talent is around.
Oh and DATK are the only band to have ever covered Morrissey and not fucked it up. I think that alone proves how amazing and talented they are/were.
Part of me is reluctant to write this, but then the intelligent part of me realised I shouldn’t care if anyone agrees or not. I’m fully aware no one will- good job I write for me and not to please other people. If it offends, I’m not sorry.
It’s that vile time of year again where the TV is polluted with talentless folks clinging onto their sob stories in hope of becoming a signed recording artist. Little do they know that their shelf life will be at least 2 years, then its someone else’s turn. How can people watch this show and think, “THIS IS GOING TO CHANGE MY LIFE! MY DOG HAS DIED! I MUST ACT LIKE I CAN SING!” Oh just fuck off. For the love of something, just take yourself away. Far far far AWAY.
These reality shows make me angry at the best of times, but after reading an article written by someone who I regard as a highly influential musician and person; my level of angst reserved for these talentless shows proceeded to rise.
A lot of music I listen to comes from artists that are either on a small label or unsigned. I don’t listen to them because I want to be different. I listen to them because they have heart, passion and meaning. These artists have worked themselves to the bone to put a single out. They will play bus shelters just to make a few pounds so they can eat. They work 2 jobs just to pay for studio time- but do you know who they are? No you don’t. But you could probably list the last 5 winners of X-Factor couldn’t you? How can a 13 year old declare “I’VE WANTED THIS MY WHOLE LIFE.” Child please, you’ve not gone through puberty yet and your mum still dresses you. Your only struggle in life was choosing what cereal to have.
I read JD Samson’s article last night, and I couldn’t believe what I was reading. How can someone, who was part of a band that was a huge part of my life for so long, be so utterly broke? I completely sympathise with JD about being broke. I currently can’t afford to buy a loaf of bread. Although, I guess cutting it out of my diet will cause me to stop being chubby. But seriously, how can an artist so talented and inspirational- have nothing at all? This isn’t right. It’s beyond disgusting that someone with so much talent has nothing to show for it. Yet these fools that prance around every weekend on stage and get praised or shot down by people who claim to have some kind of talent/knowledge of something musically related will end up making millions.
Why does someone get excited every weekend to watch this shit? Go on, go read a book- I dare you. I dare you to listen to something with heart such as Clara Engel or Doll And The Kicks. Go on, fuck what you are told to listen to and consume. For once, think for yourself.
The thing is, with me feeling this way I’m probably going to be labelled as wrong, a pretentious piece of shit who has no idea what they are on about. Truth be told, I’m just someone who is beyond passionate about music and it kills me to think that people regard what they see on X-Factor as “good.” When it really isn’t. Good music will outlive you. When you die, your grandkids and their grandkids will not be talking about who won X-Factor in 2010. They will still be talking about how influential the Rolling Stones are. They’ve been going for fucking decades. Their energy is inspiring; they have more energy and charisma than those who twat about on stage for their 15 minutes of fame.
When you see something you adore just fall to pieces, you feel compiled to pour your heart out expressing your worries and frustrations.
It’s basically a cattle market. They are lined up, told to sing. They then break down on stage. Told they aren’t good enough. Told they are good enough. Told to go away. Start crying. Tell a story about a dead gerbil. It’s the same old dire sequence every single time. You know what’s worse? When people who more than likely have a mental health problem go on stage and are just mocked by those who watch it.
How would YOU feel if you stood on a stage and everyone just laughed at you? How would YOU feel if a relative of yours was being exploited like this?
A lot of the people that appear on this awful show look like they’ve just stepped out of Topshop, stand as if they have shit themselves and warble for two minutes. There is NO personality. There is NO depth to them. Come on people, wise up to this shit. You do not have to buy into it. Save yourselves, save music. Believe in GOOD music from the heart.
A band that I’ve adored for years, Doll And The Kicks have toured with Morrissey and put out an (self funded I must add) album. They’re not signed, but they are so fucking talented. They could easily be this country’s biggest and best band. As they are not signed, nobody pays them any attention. It’s heartbreaking and it is so wrong. Their music is different from anything else around. They have something so bloody good to offer- but does anyone care? No. Because if they did, they would be signed by now. However, I guess they’ve done something an X-Factor contestant will never do. Support the greatest male singer of all time, Morrissey.
I’ve frequently had emails from artists that are unsigned email me and ask if I would write about them here, I always do. Last night after hearing Clara Engel’s voice whilst reading JD Samson’s article, I knew that I was listening to something so precious. I was listening to someone who may never be as “famous” as the idiots on these reality shows, but its okay. It’s okay because I felt something in her music that just left me in awe. It made me believe again. When you can find an artist that makes you feel that way, you can shut off all the shit around you that you are apparently supposed to enjoy.
When these contestants put their music out, they are depriving real musicians of being recognised. I urge you to find an artist that is not signed or not well known and just promote the shit out of them. Start a blog about them, bombarded radio stations with their songs, make a Facebook page about them, write to magazines about them- help them out. We need them; we do not need manufactured drivel that has no worth.
I know that there’s a recession going on and all that shit, but if you could please stop promoting bands that are actually wank and start paying attention to bands that are actually AMAZING and worthy of supporting, I, and others would very much appreciate it. For the past 2 years I’ve fallen in love with a band called Doll And The Kicks. I’ve seen them live (they’ve supported Morrisey you know) and soon they’ll be touring the UK on their own..funding it themselves as they don’t have a record deal. I must say that they are the hardest working band and will blow your mind when you see them live. I don’t ask for much, infact, I never ask for anything. I’m making an exception right now. I’m asking you to listen to Doll And The Kicks and to then go see them at one of these dates :
Also, if you go on their MySpace page you will hear some lovely songs and their beautiful faces. They are a well loved band and it is easy to see why. I firmly believe, hand on heart, that Doll And The Kicks will be a credit to any label that signs them. They already have a strong, loyal fanbase and we all want them to be signed so everybody can see just how good this band are.
Thank you for reading and I will be making another post like this soon. Oh, andin 2008 I made a post about how Florence + The Machine needed to be signed. A few months later she was and now look at her. Please listen to me, I do know what I’m on about 🙂
I saw Morrissey in May in Stirling and I was left feeling as if I had to see him again. And again. You know how it is. So, last night I saw him in Sheffield.
Doll And The Kicks were the support act again, and I can honestly say that they are the best support act I’ve ever seen. Doll manages to control the crowd with her ridiculously powerful voice, even if the venue has not filled up yet. Although, not everyone can be pleased. Some drunken trollop decided to heckle them. So what did Doll do? She dedicated the next song to the fool, which was aptly titled What Goes Around,Comes Around. I bet the woman feels stupid now, or she’ll have a sickening hangover, either is good.
Playing a few new songs and most of their debut album (which you can get off iTunes and their website, I highly recommend that you do!) I fail to see why they have not been signed. They are a brilliant band both live and on record, so why aren’t they signed? There is enough awful music polluting the airwaves, it’s about time something different and decent was being exposed.
If You Care is one track I was partly hoping they wouldn’t play as it just reduced me to tears. My hope was killed. They played it, and Doll dedicated it to those who had gone through a “bad break-up” but I didn’t cry, I just sang and was rather happy to be watching one of the best bands Britain has to offer us right now. Plus they all signed my Morrissey ticket!
After various music videos being shown to us, chosen by Morrissey on a projector screen, the screen dropped. The crowd went mental and our hero took to the stage. Clutching the microphone, he said “Can you handle it?!” The response was a mixture of cheers and a chorus of “YES!” Daft question Moz, but thanks for asking!
Opening with This Charming Man then into Black Cloud, I felt like an excited child at Christmas. As soon as he walked on stage I started to cry. Throughout the evening all I kept thinking was, “How can one person make you cry without saying or doing anything?” Then as he started singing I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris, I realised it is because he is one of a kind. His lyrics, his stage presence and his humour are just beautiful. At one point, one of the spotlights was on him and the way he was standing was just so perfect. He was just standing still, not singing and it was just a beautiful moment. I could go on about how he is a legend and how nobody will be able to write lyrics as clever, dark, and witty as him. But if you’re a Moz fan you will know this already. It’s not just in his songs he is a sarcastic fellow, “I hear the shops are now much better in Sheffield.” Was just one of the many witty comments he made throughout the gig.
The set list consisted mainly of b-sides from Swords, which he thanked the “seven people that bought it.”
How Soon Is Now, Cemetry Gates, Irish Blood English Heart and The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores saw the Sheffield crowd go rather ape shit which was a delight to watch. I didn’t know if to watch Moz or the crowd!
Closing with First Of The Gang To Die, it wouldn’t be a Morrissey gig if people in the crowd didn’t try to get on stage with Morrissey. A few did manage to get on stage, but bloody hell the security were rough with them. One woman was dragged, yet she carried on singing and smiling. You can’t keep a Morrissey fan down.
Who knows if he will be touring the UK again anytime soon, either way I am happy and grateful to have seen my hero twice in the space of 5 months.
I couldn’t think of a decent title for this post, so “Albums” will just have to do!
So, I’m going to assume that most of you have had your heart metaphorially broken and also again, metaphorically, had your worl come to an end. You know the feeling. You do dumb shit to adjust to the changes. You have a messed up sleep patterns nd food, amongst other things repulses you.
To adjust to all this, this year I went to a stupid amount of gigs and bought a load of albums that quite possible, saved my ass.
So these albums came out this year and were a bit of a crutch to me:
La Roux- La Roux. This album is about one person, said Elly Jackson. Pretty obvious too. Every song pretty much sums everything up. I don’t need to say anymore.
Florence + The Machine- Lungs. I don’t need to tell you just how much this album means to me. You already know. When I went to see her live in May, she said Hurricane Drunk is about an ex and other stuff. Pretty much hit me. Hard. As did Cosmic Love, that breaks me every time. Beautiful song.
Spinnerette-Spinnerette. Not the whole album, but just two songs- Driving Song and Baptized By Fire. ’nuff said.
Golden Silvers-True Romance. Amazing album. Makes all the crap seem insignificant..even if it isn’t. Beautiful album. Brilliant live.
The Dead Weather-Horehound. Agressive and sexy. No more to say!
Metric-Fantasies. I think Blindness changed everything. I spoke to Emily about this one track. I cannot put it into words. Excellent album.
Camera Obscura-My Maudlin Career. This album is seriously underrated. Album of the year? Top 5 place!
The Horrors-Primary Colours. Better than Strange House. Fascinating band.
Morrissey-Years Of Refusal. I do not need to tell you just how extrodinary Morrissey is.
Doll & The Kicks-Doll & The Kicks. Again, another brilliant live band. If You Care made me cry when I saw them live. Can easily see why Moz loves them.
The Enemy-Music For The People. Astoundingly good.
Finally…this one album came out a long long time ago. This album is one album I listen to every day. I’ve never got bored of it. It is…..
Is This It by The Strokes. And tomorrow, I shall be getting “Is This It” tattooed on my wrist. I love this album so much! Timeless. Utterly timeless.
I suppose there was no real point to this post and I’ve probably missed out a few albums. My memory is not my strongest point 😉
Probably one of the best bands in the UK right now. Even the legend that is, Morrissey loves them. One of the best support acts I’ve ever seen. Just amazing stage presence and energy.
This song makes me cry, yet I love it. So I can usually listen to it out of love for the song rather than wanting to cry.
Apart from being angry at the elections (the anger will never go), I am also a bit pissed off that the amazing Doll And The Kicks have not been signed.
Bands like Millionaires have a record deal (3 sluts singing about money…toss!) and have ZERO talent.
Is it because they’re American, and Americans will buy anything?! Who knows.
Anyway.
I have decided that if Doll And The Kicks do not get signed by the end of the year, I am going to start my own lable up and sign them myself. Fuck..I said this about Florence And The Machine, and she got signed a few months later (someone give me a job,thanks!)
Morrissey is never wrong, and he currently has the greatest support band on tour with them. Oh fuck that, he has the greatest band in Britain on tour with him.
I saw them in Stirling and I can honestly say that EVERYONE loved them, and everyone that’s been to one of Moz’s recent dates has fallen in love with Doll And The Kicks.
Doll(she’s beautiful and lovely and has an amazing stage presence. Fabolous mover) signed my copy of the album, and I reckon in a few years time it’ll be worth more than £8 (best £8 I have ever spent! I sacrificed buying TWO Morrissey t-shirts for that CD…totally worth it!)
So yes…if they don’t get signed- I am starting my own label. I don’t care if I have to sell my stuff or make my friends become prostitutes(I will…oh I will! ;])
They NEED to be signed.
Beat In My Bones. 