From: Automatic digest processor To: Recipients of SOMMS digests Subject: SOMMS Digest - 13 Jan 1999 to 14 Jan 1999 Date: Thursday, January 14, 1999 2:01 AM There are 10 messages totalling 497 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. confusing opinion (5) 2. PJ Rumor Pit 3. Soundgarden Auction - only a few days left 4. And the winners are... 5. found one..... 6. Fwd: Little Drummer Boy To UNSUBSCRIBE from SOMMS, send email to LISTSERV@MITVMA.MIT.EDU with the following in the body of your message: SIGNOFF SOMMS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 01:26:00 PST From: The Koggle Subject: confusing opinion Sommsters, I am a tad confused.. >Mainstream music seldom is of very high quality. It happened during the late >60s, early to mid 70s, and the early 90s (when, as we know, Soundgarden had >its day in the sun), and it has the potential to happen again. What confuses me is the word 'quality'. Sound quality? production quality? writing quality? instrumental quality? the list goes on and on.. it is a very broad statement to make and needs to be backed up with a little bit more reasoning. Soundgarden just didn't *happen* to have their 'day in the sun' in the early 90s.. that was when they hit the edge of mainstream (with songs like Jesus Christ Pose and Outshined), by that i mean more people had heard of them than just in Seattle.. So then does popularity really mean lack of musicianship or shoddy production? your logic does not work out. A reason why they gained popularity at that time could be because of the controversial nature of JCP and the buzz surrounding that.. everyone loves the taboo. Anyway my point is that it was the 'mainstream body' that gave SG their moment of glory (as suggested by Craig), not purely their sound.. as much as we would like to think. Sure there are unknown bands that are really good (as i happily watch the Living End stirring up the soundwaves of North America) and there are known bands that are really crap, but not all radio stations/music programs are the same; not everyone's life is run by MTV; not everyone listens to the radio.. the fact is, most awards are about POPULARITY.. and yes, maybe popularity means basic (sometimes shallow) music, but sometimes a good song, good writing, talented musicians can get through. Don't be biased just because something is well-liked.. The record industry is only 'evil' if you let it be. If the awards and the recipients bother you that much, don't watch them and don't concern yourself with the results. I don't. It is not a good measure in my mind because America's music taste does not match this Australian girl's own. my 2 cents! Koggle ps. it's good to be back down under :) ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 09:29:43 EST From: Nick Boos Subject: PJ Rumor Pit >From the newest pw rumor pit.... Q: Who is "Ray" the dedication on the Xmas single? Matt Cameron's new baby? A: Yes. [congratulations to Matt and family! - RP] -Nick ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 13:07:24 -0500 From: Craig Griffith Subject: Re: confusing opinion The Koggle wrote: > Sommsters, I am a tad confused.. > > >Mainstream music seldom is of very high quality. It happened during > the late > >60s, early to mid 70s, and the early 90s (when, as we know, Soundgarden > had > >its day in the sun), and it has the potential to happen again. > > What confuses me is the word 'quality'. Sound quality? production > quality? writing quality? instrumental quality? the list goes on and > on.. it is a very broad statement to make and needs to be backed up with > a little bit more reasoning. Perhaps not reasoning, but a more specific definition may be in order. Basically, I'm using the word quality to mean a combination of writing quality and instrumental quality, something I thought was clear, but apparently wasn't. The quality of the music, the thought it provokes, the avenues of the mind it opens, the *lasting* enjoyment it causes are what I meant. > Soundgarden just didn't *happen* to have > their 'day in the sun' in the early 90s.. that was when they hit the > edge of mainstream (with songs like Jesus Christ Pose and Outshined), by > that i mean more people had heard of them than just in Seattle.. And by what I said I meant just that. The mainstreaming of Soundgarden's music. Badmotorfinger wasn't a huge hit, but certainly enough to put Soundgarden on the map. I was also referring to Superunknown, but I suppose that's mid-90s. > So then does popularity really mean lack of musicianship or shoddy > production? your logic does not work out. It does not necessarily mean that. I pointed out times when, in the general mainstream, musicianship ruled, but also stated that there were times when it didn't. A very famous example of when it didn't: disco, the mass-manufactured dance crap that became popular in the mid to late 70s. It did not represent good musicianship, yet it pushed many bands who did out of the general mind of the people. (though those for whom popularity did not matter still had some very good music, as people do today, and I hope will always have.) > A reason why they gained > popularity at that time could be because of the controversial nature of > JCP and the buzz surrounding that.. everyone loves the taboo. More likely, it was the airplay for Outshined which pushed Soundgarden to the mainstream. Shock value should not be underrated, but it usually takes a bigger shock a la Marilyn Manson (or Insane Clown Posse, for that matter) to make an artist. > Anyway my point is that it was the 'mainstream body' that gave SG their > moment of > glory (as suggested by Craig), not purely their sound.. as much as we > would like to think. But the mainstream body picked up on the "Seattle Sound." It wasn't image; the bands which made "grunge" famous had sort of an "anti-image." Rather, it was, at the time, an alternative to the then decaying corpses of hair-metal and synth-pop, the main trends in commercial music in the 80s. The relative lack of contrivance of the songs and the heavy sound they had created the buzz surrounding these bands. > Sure there are unknown bands that are really good (as i happily watch > the Living End stirring up the soundwaves of North America) and there > are known bands that are really crap, but not all radio stations/music > programs are the same; not everyone's life is run by MTV; not everyone > listens to the radio.. My point exactly. Those of us who search other avenues of music distribution (non-commercial radio and the Internet, for example) will find good music. To hell with the Grammies, we've got good music and always will because we look for it. > the fact is, most awards are about POPULARITY.. > and yes, maybe popularity means basic (sometimes shallow) music, but > sometimes a good song, good writing, talented musicians can get through. > Don't be biased just because something is well-liked.. I am not. In fact, I was pointing out instances where good music has become popular. I am biased against the basic/shallow music because it's that, not because it's popular. Perhaps I have enmity towards that kind of music because it is popular and lots of better music isn't, but the fact remains that it does not please my ears, my heart, or my mind. > The record industry is only 'evil' if you let it be. Yes and no. If you believe what it does is evil, then it is evil to you. However, what it does is objective; what it does during the present and past is unchangeable by belief. I am of the belief that what it does with very many artists is evil. They shuffle them around, add and drop from their rosters as they feel necessary in order to make a profit. As such, they are counter to my passion: music. Industry pressure and exploitation can and has broken people, and made them unable to produce music temporarily or permanently. Something good can come out of it, but that's the artist's responsibility. Example: King's X. Anyone familiar with their story knows they were fucked over by Atlantic/Megaforce Records. However, they persevered and now are putting out quality music on Metal Blade Records. This seems to be the exception rather than the rule, though. > If the awards and > the recipients bother you that much, don't watch them and don't concern > yourself with the results. I don't. It is not a good measure in my mind > because America's music taste does not match this Australian girl's own. Nor mine, either, and I'll be among those who don't watch the Grammies both on a matter of principle and a matter of disinterest in the artists that will win them. p.s. There's a SOMMS profile page, if I recall correctly. What is the URL, if it's still up on the 'net? -- Craig Griffith: High school student, guitar player, King of Craigland http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Dell/8509/ "I may make you feel, but I can't make you think" -Ian Anderson ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 15:47:26 EST From: Mike Liacone Subject: Re: confusing opinion In a message dated 1/13/99 12:32:15 PM Central Standard Time, tarkus@SOFTHOME.NET writes: << > Soundgarden just didn't *happen* to have > their 'day in the sun' in the early 90s.. that was when they hit the > edge of mainstream (with songs like Jesus Christ Pose and Outshined), by > that i mean more people had heard of them than just in Seattle.. >> not that this really means uch, but werent they nominated for a grammy for louder than love???? you would have to have atleast a half a day in the sun to be recognized like that i think. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 16:32:12 EST From: James Connolly Subject: Re: confusing opinion ildfks: <<<< > Soundgarden just didn't *happen* to have > their 'day in the sun' in the early 90s.. that was when they hit the > edge of mainstream (with songs like Jesus Christ Pose and Outshined), by > that i mean more people had heard of them than just in Seattle.. >>>> <> I don't know about Louder Than Love(though it's more plausible than what I'm about to say), but I know Ultramega OK was nominated. I say that it makes more sense for LTL to be nominated only because it was on a major label, and in 1988 it wouldn't be for a year or two that indie labels really got recognized, by which time Soundgarden had left SST see ya, jimi Some SOMMSters(I forget who): Too bad Soundgarden never did a song called "Shut the Fuck Up and Die." ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 16:58:14 EST From: Daniel Bolton Subject: Re: confusing opinion I don't think they got Nominated for "Louder Than Love".. They Got Nominated for Ultramega OK, Badmoterfinger....and.. Uhh.. Superunknown??.. I think I'm right.. maybe not.... -Deek "The Moon Moon is Glued to a Picture of Heaven, and all the Little Pigs have God"---"Burden in My Hand" ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 15:13:42 -0800 From: Jason Thompson Subject: Soundgarden Auction - only a few days left This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0046_01BE3F07.4E8F7CE0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable My Soundgarden auction will end on Friday, Jan 15th at midnight = (California time). go to: http://members.tripod.com/Sgrdn/auction.html There are bootlegs, imports singles, vinyl, and other rarities listed. = Items from Faith No More, Tool, and Alice In Chains are also there. = I've lowered the minimum on a few items that hadn't yet been bid on, so = check it out. Thanks, Jason ------=_NextPart_000_0046_01BE3F07.4E8F7CE0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
My Soundgarden auction will end on Friday, Jan 15th = at=20 midnight (California time).
go to:
http://members.trip= od.com/Sgrdn/auction.html
 
There are bootlegs, imports singles, vinyl, and = other rarities=20 listed.  Items from Faith No More, Tool, and Alice In Chains are = also=20 there.  I've lowered the minimum on a few items that hadn't yet = been bid=20 on, so check it out.
 
Thanks,
Jason
------=_NextPart_000_0046_01BE3F07.4E8F7CE0-- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 21:11:24 -0500 From: Michelle Subject: And the winners are... This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_003F_01BE3F39.46AA3C40 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable OK. So I've drawn the winners of the Screaming Life books. =20 The winners were randomly drawn...even though I did mention bribery and = flattery. Really, I just thought that I might get some laughs out of = it. I guess I did. But some of you people didn't seem to understand = what I was talking about! I got some threats to me any my family (threats do not =3D bribes or = flattery!) I got a promise for everlasting friendship. (Hey, you don't = know what you're saying!) I was told that I was sexy. (Tell me = something I don't know!) And I even got a marriage proposal. (You're = talking to the wrong girl!) And I got some entries from a couple of = list lurkers. Nothing pulls the lurkers out of the net like a freebie! = ;-) Anyway, some of you were very nice. And I wish that I had a copy to = give to you all. (Really!) And some of you sounded really desperate = (like, who isn't desperate for a little SG?) And I feel bad that I = can't give you a copy. But I'm poor and I only have 2 copies. So without further ado.... May I have a drum roll, please? (Sigh, if only Matt were here to do the = honors!) The two winners of the Screaming Life books are: jsimpson@mail03.mitre.org Jeffi29@aol.com So, Jamie and Jeff, send me your addys. You are now the proud owners of = a new Screaming Life! ------=_NextPart_000_003F_01BE3F39.46AA3C40 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
OK.  So I've drawn the winners = of the=20 Screaming Life books. 
 
The winners were randomly drawn...even though I did = mention=20 bribery and flattery.  Really, I just thought that I might get some = laughs=20 out of it.  I guess I did.  But some of you people didn't seem = to=20 understand what I was talking about!
 
I got some threats to me any my family (threats do = not =3D=20 bribes or flattery!)  I got a promise for everlasting = friendship. =20 (Hey, you don't know what you're saying!)  I was told that I was=20 sexy.  (Tell me something I don't know!)  And I even got a = marriage=20 proposal.  (You're talking to the wrong girl!)  And I got some = entries=20 from a couple of list lurkers.  Nothing pulls the lurkers out of = the net=20 like a freebie!  ;-)
 
Anyway, some of you were very nice.  And I wish = that I=20 had a copy to give to you all.  (Really!)  And some of you = sounded=20 really desperate (like, who isn't desperate for a little SG?)  And = I feel=20 bad that I can't give you a copy.  But I'm poor and I only have 2=20 copies.
 
So without further ado....
 
May I have a drum roll, please?  (Sigh, if only = Matt were=20 here to do the honors!)
 
The two winners of the Screaming Life books = are:
jsimpson@mail03.mitre.org
Jeffi29@aol.com
 
So, Jamie and Jeff, send me your addys.  You = are now the=20 proud owners of a new Screaming Life!
 
------=_NextPart_000_003F_01BE3F39.46AA3C40-- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 21:37:01 -0500 From: inri Subject: found one..... got me bmf/somms today........only cost me 25 bucks cdn :) wheres that list at? inri np: barenaked ladies - gordon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 23:29:36 EST From: Maria Joseph Subject: Fwd: Little Drummer Boy In a message dated 1/12/99 1:31:17 PM Eastern Standard Time, Extexn writes: << Well Maria, Since you've kept this secret so well, I thought you'd be the first person I told that Matt & April had a little boy named Ray! On the Pearl Jam Christmas single I just received, it says "Ray: Welcome to the earth's atmosphere". How sweet! Anyway, feel free to post this information to SOMMS if you want. Love, Angela >> I would've done it but I haven't check my mailz since the 6th and I just found out!!! So I'm telling you all! As soon as I get organized enough I'll put it up on my page!! YAAYYYYAAAAA!!! - maria ------------------------------ End of SOMMS Digest - 13 Jan 1999 to 14 Jan 1999 ************************************************