From: john s., sirrcastic@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: soap opera
Date: 2/23/2002 8:45:28 AM
To: Seance List, seance@lists.no-fi.com


Well, i'm still getting the Digest, so might as well weigh in...

Tony Nelson wrote:
> I must say this interview deeply disturbs me. There was a time (after
MATS) that the Church recognized that it was the two online efforts
(Seance and Shadow Cab) that kept them alive as a band. And now we're
being made fun of after being faithful to the band through some very
tough times? F*ck that!

~Don't let it.  Firstly, this was 2+ years ago.  Yes, i was a little
taken aback when Marty said that, but not really a lot.  To be fair,
just a little context may be helpful.  

Please remember that this is just one snippet out of a longer
interview.  Also, much more was said that day that unfortunately either
didn't get recorded or transcribed, so i feel qualified to comment on
what MWP was referring to....

Which was, at a show at the beginning of the tour a week or two
previous, he'd gotten roaring shitfaced, had a bad gig, and made an
arse out of himself in a very ungentlemanly way to a female seancer,
who was of course shocked and upset by his display.

She posted a detailed, seemingly evenhanded account of the events to
Seance, but pulled no punches in describing some disturbing aspects of
what must have been a rather upsetting and disappointing episode.

Of course, some people don't seem ready to read that their 'heroes' are
human and have failings, sometimes big ones, so a lengthy shitstorm
ensued onlist.  And there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth on
whether we need to like our musical faves as people separate from their
art, just what constitutes "fair game" as far as posting topics is
concerned, etc.

Even the accuracy, and need for, the recounting were called into
question, some folks took sides, and my recollection was that of a
generally unpleasant, contentious time to be on Seance, despite the
incredibly exciting and fun time that a concert tour always is.

Well, *of course* it was a legitimate topic, as was much of the
aftermath, which did eventually die down.  It's a discussion group -
that's what we do.  

But, this having been only the second set of shows the band had played
here in several years, and the explosion of the internet coming in the
interim, i believe Marty was a bit wide-eyed at just how quickly and
widely information and conversation spread, and maybe just a bit
dismayed at his own recent starring role's infamy.

Can you imagine the things that have happened on the road and elsewhere
with those guys over the years, and all the stories that could have
been told?

At any rate, Marty was just in afternoon wakeup mode after blowing the
roof off the joint in Providence the night before, and i wouldn't
crucify him because of any random quip he made in a hassling interview.
 Just Marty being Marty.  These guys are sharp - it's one of the
reasons we enjoy their work so much.  But we're not going to like
everthing they say, any more than we would with anyone else.

Anyway, that's the story i'm stickin with.  Thanks for the mention
Tara, and the hosting, Kate.
 
-js
fan of both 24 and Sue C.

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