The Fall...bad joke or infectious rock?

dholliday · March 16, 2014

As mildly surprised as I was not finding a previous thread on Abba the other week, I'm frankly flabbergasted not to find any thread here on The Fall: arguably Britain's most interesting guitar band of the last 35 years.

This was my introduction, perfectly following the pompous synchronised clapping of a formerly-glorious Led Zeppelin frontman:

What? He sounds like your drunk Grandad? Well yeah, that's the point.

That particular song rocks, like.

and another pumping live performance, check out how Mark E Smith reacts to the topless streaker by turning the bass up to 11! Crowd go nuts:

And for variety, here's their take on Berlin's minimal-techno scene:

here's an even better version of the first number, building into a hardcore crescendo:

With over 30 albums of music to choose from, all kind of sounding the same, yet different to anything else out there, this is a band for the long-term, if only occasional, treat.

Brennan · March 16, 2014

Utter, utter garbage.

EFCNIK · March 16, 2014

Some of the worst crap I've heard.

dholliday · March 16, 2014

haha!

heatmeiser · March 16, 2014

Massively important band. Obviously they're pretty abstruse and won't get a second look from many of today's generation because they don't look cool and they write songs about stuff beyond skinny jeans and phoning your mates.

Done some brilliant work over the years, though it has been mainly complete dirge since about 1989, so swerve that.

Albums like Live at the witch trials, Hex Induction Hour, Perverted by Language and The Wonderful and frightening world of... are still ace. They churned out so much stuff that the albums will be peppered with the odd duffer, but they are also smeared with a few beauties too.

More this era than the ones above.

Or this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opt_pu3NVrI

Or this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4dP43KWaSU

dholliday · March 16, 2014

heatmeiser said:
it has been mainly complete dirge since about 1989, so swerve that.

I personally prefer the later stuff, the line-up with his current wife and that pounding bassist. Chunky riffs, synth-stabs and booming drums offset the soapbox tramp routine of Smith. This sound is missing from the earlier recordings.

heatmeiser · March 16, 2014

dholliday said:
I personally prefer the later stuff, the line-up with his current wife and that pounding bassist. Chunky riffs, synth-stabs and booming drums offset the soapbox tramp routine of Smith. This sound is missing from the earlier recordings.

That's part of the problem. The 'current line-up' often changes from gig to gig.

Haven't taken much notice of them recently to be honest. He's sacked and ripped off so many musicians that I don't really have much time left for him. How his bandmates don't smash his face in when he messes with their amps and setups is beyond me.

Actually I'm pretty sure he's got into a few fights with his bandmates in the past, which might explain why he gets through them so quickly.

coollino · March 16, 2014

Never listen to them that much because of the amount of stuff they have but great song structure.

Find it strange how people claim they like 'punk rock' or 'indie' and are then dismissive of bands like this. Even if you don't like them, you should at least be able to acknowledge their influence.

Up there with stuff like this at times, when at their best

Coach · March 16, 2014

The Fall are magic and are the essence of punk.

Fugazi???????? Don't make me laugh.

heatmeiser · March 16, 2014

dholliday said:
I personally prefer the later stuff, the line-up with his current wife and that pounding bassist. Chunky riffs, synth-stabs and booming drums offset the soapbox tramp routine of Smith. This sound is missing from the earlier recordings.

Also Steve Hanley would disagree!

coollino · March 16, 2014

Coach said:
The Fall are magic and are the essence of punk.

Fugazi???????? Don't make me laugh.

Meant Ian MaKaye in general tbh although guessing you're not a fan of him. Why not if so?

dholliday · March 16, 2014

heatmeiser said:
That's part of the problem. The 'current line-up' often changes from gig to gig.

Haven't taken much notice of them recently to be honest. He's sacked and ripped off so many musicians that I don't really have much time left for him. How his bandmates don't smash his face in when he messes with their amps and setups is beyond me.

Actually I'm pretty sure he's got into a few fights with his bandmates in the past, which might explain why he gets through them so quickly.

You're a bit behind, mate. He's had a solid line-up since 2001 or so. Ever since his wife (the keyboard player) joined up. Granted, before that he was known to change the line-up every album, sacking at will.

dholliday · March 16, 2014

dholliday said:
You're a bit behind, mate. He's had a solid line-up since 2001 or so. Ever since his wife (the keyboard player) joined up. Granted, before that he was known to change the line-up every album, sacking at will.

Just to clarify: it's been Smith & Poulou since 2001 plus rotating band members. Since 2007 to the present it's been Smith, Poulou, Spurr, Greenway and Melling, which is the longest time there's been the same line-up since The Fall formed 35 years ago.