Questions for Wildhearts fans

[Jason_scorching_past]

1. Do you know anyone who likes rock/metal who doesn't like the Wildhearts? I have come across people like this, who liked say, 3 Colours Red but not the Wildhearts and I find that baffling

2. Do you like any band more than the Wildhearts? I guess some people might not have a "favourite" band but I can safely say The Wildhearts are mine.

3. What do you think of Inner City Overture?

4. Would you rather the band be hugely successful and be selling out arenas/stadiums or stay at the level of success they achieved so far?

5. One thing I have noticed these days is that I am not as "hardcore" as I used to be, for example the DVD that just came out, I haven't even got round to ordering it, and that would never have happened 10 year ago. I sill buy albums as soon as they come out but I don't really go out of my way to get/see/listen to everything WH related now. Is this normal or am I some sort of oddball?

[Chris Norway]

1: Yes. Many people I know like rock music, but cant see the big fuzz about Wildhearts. I find that very, very strange. They like riffs, they like hooks, they like catchy tunes. But still find Wildhearts only OK. Its one of the big mysteries in this world...

2: Wildhearts are my favourite band of the bands playing around now. My big list is Ramones, KISS, Wildhearts, Pistols, Springsteen, Kraftwerk and more. Wildhearts the only band I travel the world to see live. And I do it very often.

3: ICO is a very, very good song. For some reason it´s like the fifth song on the Suckerpunch EP in my ears

4: I wish the band all the fortune, money and success in the world. But, I kinda love the "underground" feel of the whole thing.

5: You´re not an oddball. Just an ignorant stupid wanker

Chris

[Jason_scorching_past]

5: You´re not an oddball. Just an ignorant stupid wanker

Chris

I might re-word that question now

[skychaserhigh]

1. i find anyone who cannot appriciate the wildhearts a complete tosspot

2.Wildhearts are the only band that i collect everything they have done plus bootlegs, clippings, clothing etc... i enjoy loads of other music but none compares to my love of the wildies

3.my 4th favourite trackon the new album

4.i love the fact when you meet another wildie fan you get that connection that you are both part of a secret club that most others don't get... On the other hand i'd love to see the boys get some long deserved wider recognition.

5.Clearly an oddball

[vickyp]

1. Yes, and I find this baffling and frustrating that people can be into 3CR, SS666, Backyard Babies and Silver Ginger 5 and still claim to not like the Wildhearts. I just don't get that. I try to convert these people, even shower them with my spare tickets but as yet this has not worked. I conclude therefore they must just be mentally inferior to me.

2. No. There have been other bands I would class as being among my favourites, and have at times devoted a lot of time and energy to, but no one has ever topped the Wildhearts in my eyes. Like Skychaserhigh says, nothing compares. I have been extremely excited about Eureka Machines this year, and I would say without a doubt that they are my favourite new band, but they're not my new favourite band. I could bang on about what the Wildhearts mean to me, but anyone outside of this board would think I was a nutter...

3. I love Inner City Overture, especially in the context of the rest of the album where it is almost the only positive ray of sunshine on there.

4. This is a difficult one - as much as I wish they had the recognition and rewards that I believe they deserve, I would also miss how accessible they are at this level. I don't have a problem getting tickets, for example, unlike AC/DC. I believe they could have gone the easy route and got themselves massive by compromising what they do, as I'm sure Ginger has said in the past, but I'd rather they stayed the band they are, but had more good years like this one.

5. You're an oddball Nah, I sometimes find with being busy with work and stuff that I might forget that something I've been waiting for has actually been released but that's quickly remedied now thanks to the internet. I have occasionally thought that Ginger might as well have a direct debit set up on my bank account, because I buy everything he does and it doesn't ever disappoint. Just keep sending the CDs and you can have the cash!

Ok I sound like a loony now, that's my 2p worth anyhow.

[inglorious1]

1. It does happen. There are people out there that have heard the band and don't like them. It's one of those strange things in life that makes no sense. I feel sorry for these people and do my best to help them.

2. The Wildhearts (and I include all Ginger solo stuff under that banner) are right at the top for me. There are other bands/solo artists that I also love and am amazed by, but there's something extra with The Wildhearts - possibly because I found them when their music really made a difference to me, and it's been that way ever since. I guess this partly answers question 1 too: people react to music in different ways, and for me the band have always managed to make that connection with me at an emotional level. Good luck to the person/band that can figure out how all that works.

Would you like some ice cream with this waffle?

3. I was initially luke-warm on it - rating it as my 2nd least favourite on the album. However, actually listening to the words helped and I now find it has a vibe along the lines of "Inside Out" or "Bad Time..."...which is clearly no bad thing. Besides, it adds a nice contract to a pretty full-on album (which is probably my 2nd favourite WH album at this point).

4. Similar to others, I want the band to have the financial success and recognition they deserve...whilst still allowing me to be at the front row without paying through the nose for tickets. So I want my cake and eat it (which, now that I think about it, is one of those phrases that makes no sense: what kind of twisted masochist buys cake to look at and never eat??).

5. I don't reckon owning everything the band has ever released makes you a better fan - just a better collector. But the DVD's great. I think with many people there's an initial infatuation where you must have everything which mellows a little. Don't feel guilty about it....even though the band rely on you so that they can earn enough money to be able to eat and get by.

[earthvs]

1. I am the only Wildhearts fan amongst the people I know who claim to like rock music; I too find this baffling, and somewhat frustrating - I share and swap music with a mate at work, and he has liked everything I have introduced him to, all except The Wildhearts. Very odd.

2. The Wildhearts will always be my favourite, but not necessarily the band that I always listen to. Currently, Porcupine Tree and The Bees are receiving the most plays and I haven't listened to The Wildies for months, but whenever I go away, or on holiday, I aways hide my Wildhearts/Ginger-related CDs in case I get broken into - I could not tolerate losing those discs above any in my collection.

3. I.C.O. is a good 'Hearts song - not one of their best, but by no means one of their worst either IMO - and besides, i've always considered that a less-than-good Ginger composition is still usually better than most other bands' best song/s.

4. Massive success has the ability to soften a musician's song-writing prowess, so whilst I think Ginger deserves to be widely recognised and appreciated for his ability - and receive all the financial trappings as a consequence - part of me likes the fact that it seems he is still very much the underdog, swimming against the tide, hungry and angry (apologies for the mixed metaphors).

5. I would consider myself less 'hardcore' now, than I was 10 years ago, but the band is somewhat less prolific now than it has been, so maybe that has something to do with it.

[nuno75]

1. Do you know anyone who likes rock/metal who doesn't like the Wildhearts? I have come across people like this, who liked say, 3 Colours Red but not the Wildhearts and I find that baffling

Of all of the people I've met in real life that I've introduced the band to, the vast majority of people like them. But here in the states those are the only people I know who have even heard of them... so unlike other countries, there's no ongoing discussion, however small, of whether the Wildhearts are good or bad. Sadly, however, on a couple of forums I post at they have gone over surprisingly badly... but I think it's because for a while I pushed too hard and people got sick of hearing them.

2. Do you like any band more than the Wildhearts? I guess some people might not have a "favourite" band but I can safely say The Wildhearts are mine.

The Wildhearts are my favorite band. To me they are better than the Beatles, The Stones, Metallica, Nirvana, etc... though that's based pretty much on the "big three" (EVTW, PHUQ, FFL) which were all perfect. Excluding those albums, they're just very good. Lots of great stuff, but plenty of mediocre stuff that drags it down.

3. What do you think of Inner City Overture?

Not a big fan. Ever since Must Be Destroyed, the Wildhearts have picked up a mildly annoying (to me), "cute" factor. Before, it seemed almost like they were an ugly gritty rock band that threw iin some pop here and there, almost like they were making fun of cute music... but these days it sometimes feels like pop is what they're actually going for.

That being said, there are at least two far worse (in that respect) tracks on the new album.

4. Would you rather the band be hugely successful and be selling out arenas/stadiums or stay at the level of success they achieved so far?

I would rather they become hugely successful so all of my ranting about them to everyone I know is finally validated. Besides, I know that that's what they themselves want.

5. One thing I have noticed these days is that I am not as "hardcore" as I used to be, for example the DVD that just came out, I haven't even got round to ordering it, and that would never have happened 10 year ago. I sill buy albums as soon as they come out but I don't really go out of my way to get/see/listen to everything WH related now. Is this normal or am I some sort of oddball?

Not really. For me, in the states, I have to get everything on import, and my income isn't exactly stable... so I almost always have to pay a lot more and a lot of times I don't have spare cash to throw around.... and then I put off buying the new stuff.

[Cwej]

1. Do you know anyone who likes rock/metal who doesn't like the Wildhearts?

Yes , either they've just not heard the right songs or have a misconception of what they're like , tho i do have one friend who just doesn't like the wildhearts , but really loves ginger .

2. Do you like any band more than the Wildhearts?

I'm total passionate about anything i'm into , but i guess only iron maiden , cecil/voy/fridgemountainfires , rivers edge and cardiacs give them any bother in the first equals spot

3. What do you think of Inner City Overture?

It's a real grower . At first it seems so understated that it kinda slipped by me , but picked up on it a lot more lately . I had thought tey played it at Scotts first gig but that was apparently Zen Requiem . So my memory of its a bit muddled . Got quite into it lately picked up the melody a bit more after it was in the background on Bruces show .

4. Would you rather the band be hugely successful and be selling out arenas/stadiums or stay at the level of success they achieved so far?

Arenas /Stadiums so long as it didn't harm them or put the financial position in someone elses hands to screw up . And they got round regualry enough , but without the cycle hitting releases too . I'd wish them success but not at the expense of happiness , y'kno?

5. One thing I have noticed these days is that I am not as "hardcore" as I used to be, for example the DVD that just came out, I haven't even got round to ordering it, and that would never have happened 10 year ago. I sill buy albums as soon as they come out but I don't really go out of my way to get/see/listen to everything WH related now. Is this normal or am I some sort of oddball?

Credit crunch , reposnibilities etc , also the fact in the 90's WH stuff was available easily , there were more high street independant stores then . Nowadays HMV barely have any singles , the majors stock less independant things as they go over to DVDs as piracy hits music sales ... its harder to find things . I had to wait til i could get to an Independant in Birmingham to pick up the dvd ( its worth it ! ) I wasn't so sure bout Xmas tix just for budgetary reasons but had to in the end .

The New Flesh single was also a horror to track down . No wonder such things cost bands more to put out than they make on them .

[Chris Davies]

1. Alot of the people i've introduced to The Wildhearts has liked them to some degree , no-one has ever said that they think they're shit.

2. The Wildhearts are indeed my favourite all time band , haven't listened to them in months though as I haven't had much of a reason to , not going to see them live anytime soon and they haven't released new material for awhile.

3. Inner City Overture is a good single choice , not my favourite off the album but not my least either.

4. Although I love the intamicy of a Wildhearts/Ginger gig , I would love it if they became the biggest thing on the planet. Ginger deserves it.

5. I'm not as mad as I used to be on collecting Wildhearts stuff , I also haven't got around to ordering the new dvd yet , also I haven't got a cd version of the covers album , as I paid £10 to download I thought i'd wait til its a few pound on ebay or amazon.

I still look often on ebay to see if I can get a vinyl version of Mondo Akimbo , that I would want any day of the week.

[WildCat]

1. I don't know anyone who knows the wildhearts and doesn't like them. but then i don't know many people who know them.

2. the manics have always been my fave band, and i currently adore hard-fi. the wildhearts have always been more of a "band from my teens" as i'm not into rock as much as i used to be.

3. i don't know this song

4. i'd rather they didn't play stadiums, i don't think it would suit their musical style and i can't see their shows translating to such venues. i'd like to see them do brixton academy size venues (~5000) on a regular basis, maybe be the first band to play 6 night residency there?

5. i'm the same with the manics, i used to collect loads of stuff, and rush out to buy releases as soon as they came up, but now i don't do that. i like to think of it like loving people: i love the manics like i love my family - unconditional, deep set but not often gestured. i love new bands like a lover - passionately, irresponsibly and sometimes it doesn't last past the honeymoon period...

4.i love the fact when you meet another wildie fan you get that connection that you are both part of a secret club that most others don't get...

i know what you mean! i love this! a few years ago i worked at the barbican and met a fellow fan, seemed like such an unlikely place to find one, let alone 2 fans

[sonicshake]

1. Do you know anyone who likes rock/metal who doesn't like the Wildhearts?

Yep, I know MANY people who just don't 'get' The Wildhearts. Too poppy for the metallers, to heavy for people who like the softer side of rock. Their loss.

2. Do you like any band more than the Wildhearts?

Nah, The Wildhearts will always be my favourite band.

3. What do you think of Inner City Overture?

I think it's the second worst song on the album (after 'She's All That) and one of the worst songs they've ever recorded.

4. Would you rather the band be hugely successful and be selling out arenas/stadiums or stay at the level of success they achieved so far?

I'd love them to sell out arenas, and anyone who doesn't want the same is an idiot. Ginger's great songwriting deserves to be heard by as many people as possible.

5. One thing I have noticed these days is that I am not as "hardcore" as I used to be, for example the DVD that just came out, I haven't even got round to ordering it, and that would never have happened 10 year ago. I sill buy albums as soon as they come out but I don't really go out of my way to get/see/listen to everything WH related now. Is this normal or am I some sort of oddball?

Not an oddball mate. I've kinda been the same recently but to be honest that's mainly down to a lack of money!

[Jason_scorching_past]

1. I
i know what you mean! i love this! a few years ago i worked at the barbican and met a fellow fan, seemed like such an unlikely place to find one, let alone 2 fans

That would be my sister, Gemma you are referring to.

[WildCat]

That would be my sister, Gemma you are referring to.

yup, that be true. i should have met you at the earth vs gig then (?) but you were upstairs and i was downstairs. we only managed to wave phones at each other....

[Ross]

1. Do you know anyone who likes rock/metal who doesn't like the Wildhearts? I have come across people like this, who liked say, 3 Colours Red but not the Wildhearts and I find that baffling
I find people who like 3 Colours Red baffling... But joking aside, yes, I have lots of mates into rock and metal, and very few of them like the Wildhearts... One calls them "the Mildfarts" which sums up his views on them. Too lightweight and poppy for him.

2. Do you like any band more than the Wildhearts? I guess some people might not have a "favourite" band but I can safely say The Wildhearts are mine.
Yep. Metallica. And Faith no More. And The Twilight Singers. And Queens of the Stone Age. If you've have asked me in 1996, I'd have answered differently.

3. What do you think of Inner City Overture?
S'alright. Not the best song they've ever written, not the worst.

4. Would you rather the band be hugely successful and be selling out arenas/stadiums or stay at the level of success they achieved so far?
Stay where they are to a certain extent, because I like the level of closeness with fans they have, and the autonomy of songwriting Ginger has... And the rate he produces new music. If they were on a major, all that would be compromised.

5. One thing I have noticed these days is that I am not as "hardcore" as I used to be, for example the DVD that just came out, I haven't even got round to ordering it, and that would never have happened 10 year ago. I sill buy albums as soon as they come out but I don't really go out of my way to get/see/listen to everything WH related now. Is this normal or am I some sort of oddball?
Perfectly normal... We all have different priorities... Although I was there at ordering time for Metallica tickets, I'll just buy the albums. I have a house to do up now, and can't afford every single release... I'm still weighing up whether to buy the latest Machine Head album, and I really like them.