The Wildhearts

Not sure if it was the latest Kerrang! I was browsing through in the shop today, I assume it was, but they had a 1k review of the Forum show; the gist being Tragedy were ok-ish, 'A' were a pointless waste of time and finally Ginger was given a right slating for his 'no soundcheck then complaining about the sound' thing. It was one of those mini reviews.

Seems a bit late in the day to be reviewing that show, unless this was an old mag and is old news that I have somehow missed.

i wasn't at the show and therefore can't comment, but speaking in general here, FUCK KERRANG IN THE ARSE. WITH A SPADE. SIDEWAYS.

I guess we could hardly have expected a 5K review for that particular show, but I enjoyed 'A' so much that night, so that's a bit annoying.

I hope the review pointed out that this was an aberration rather than typical, given that the last two live shows they reviewed both got the full 5...

I've been reading Kerrang for nearly 20 years, and this isn't untypical of the mag - or the writer. Ian Winwood is renowned as a very forthright, dismissive type of journo, quick to criticise heavily.

I do believe he is a fan of the band, but I think we've all been to gigs where we thought 'shut the f up and play the songs i paid to see performed' - and Ginger unfortunately falls into that category -

he has tested even his own loyal supporters with his on-stage antics, prolonged banter, and complaints. That sort of thing is a bit inexcusable, not soundchecking and then having a moan about it later.

On the upside, Ian Winwood may have endured a bad night, but most of us didn't - it was fantastic - again!

Tragedy were glammed-up, tongue-in-cheek, knowingly retro, and above all fun. They did a good job of being a joke band really well!

It was ace to see 'A' again after a few years. They were perennial support acts at so many gigs I've been to, I grew to quite like them. Again, they were energetic, excited to be there, and good quality entertainment.

Despite the well documented problems, the actual sound in the front row, the set list, and the pure joy of seeing your fave band for the 3rd time in '08 was enough for me to go apoplectic with joy!

Let that be your review, as it's actually closer to the truth from a fans point of view, rather than some jaded journalist.

Take what you read with a pinch of salt - if you were there, you'd form your own opinion, and it would have been, Great, I get to see The Wildhearts! What else would you rather do on a cold night in December?!!

I'm getting annoyed with the constant misreporting of the sound check issue...I'm sure what Ginger said on the night was that they had jinxed the sound by actually turning up for sound check. This fits with what he said in Wolverhampton, the gig before (which had great sound) that they would have to start turning up to sound checks as they were missing the crew's in jokes, i.e they did sound check in London and the sound was crap, they left it to the crew in Wolves and the sound was good, so all accusations of their laziness causing their sound problems are redundant. Unless I completely misheard and misinterpreted several things. Can someone who's listened to the recording of the gig set this straight?

Other than that, I completely disagree with the reviewers opinions of the night, but that's life. I didn't really agree with the 5K Download review either, so it evens itself out.

Jason_scorching_past wrote:Ginger was given a right slating for his 'no soundcheck then complaining about the sound' thing.

Too right... I said elsewhere Ginger should be embarrassed that they get crap sound.. he has been in the biz for 20 + years... only an idiot would fail to get it in that time... well an idiot or someone that does not give a fuck about the paying fans...

anyone getting a bit of deja vu with this thread?

IT WAS ONE GIG. whether it was great or shite, MOVE ON. there's already been a thread locked for this hasn't there?

spoon_of_grimbo wrote:anyone getting a bit of deja vu with this thread?

Funnily enough I was thinking exactly the same!!!

I feel my vagina getting sandy

Moving back to the topic in hand, does this mean we're going to get a rerun of the Kerrapp!! offices being trashed, ha ha ha.

Chris DLS wrote:Moving back to the topic in hand, does this mean we're going to get a rerun of the Kerrapp!! offices being trashed, ha ha ha.

It could work out even better. Last time they got a crap review, it resulted in the remix of the Mondo tracks that ended up as the far superior Don't Be Happy... versions. So, a remix of the live sound then?

Ean wrote:

Chris DLS wrote:Moving back to the topic in hand, does this mean we're going to get a rerun of the Kerrapp!! offices being trashed, ha ha ha.

It could work out even better. Last time they got a crap review, it resulted in the remix of the Mondo tracks that ended up as the far superior Don't Be Happy... versions. So, a remix of the live sound then?

I've got the Mondo Cd but have never played it, was the mix a lot worse?

Regarding the review I was more suprised that 'A' got such a pasting too, the reviewer made some comment like " 'A' for Antiquated" and that "nobody cared they were back". But as has been mentioned in this thread the reviewer seems a bit of a moody old sod.

I don't think A's music sounds dated personally, they have a quite a unique sound, apart form "Nothing" which does sound a bit "Nu-Metal" I guess.

Jason_scorching_past wrote:

Ean wrote:

Chris DLS wrote:Moving back to the topic in hand, does this mean we're going to get a rerun of the Kerrapp!! offices being trashed, ha ha ha.

It could work out even better. Last time they got a crap review, it resulted in the remix of the Mondo tracks that ended up as the far superior Don't Be Happy... versions. So, a remix of the live sound then?

I've got the Mondo Cd but have never played it, was the mix a lot worse?

You should dig it out - unless you've got a sealed one?

It was, erm, different. The vocals and drums are very high in the mix (I have to say I wish they'd left the vocals alone, because it's a lot easier to make out the lyrics and the different voices), and Bam sounds like he's playing in a cave some of the time - he's joined in there by Ginger a few times too. The guitars and bass have disappeared off somewhere (although this does allow some of the more intricate parts, that the remix swallowed up, to shine through) and the whole thing just lacks the Wildhearts edge.

The 3K! review was pretty accurate:

That was awesome reading!

Ean wrote:[You should dig it out - unless you've got a sealed one?

It was, erm, different. The vocals and drums are very high in the mix (I have to say I wish they'd left the vocals alone, because it's a lot easier to make out the lyrics and the different voices), and Bam sounds like he's playing in a cave some of the time - he's joined in there by Ginger a few times too. The guitars and bass have disappeared off somewhere (although this does allow some of the more intricate parts, that the remix swallowed up, to shine through) and the whole thing just lacks the Wildhearts edge.

Nah, mine isn't sealed I have never played it though as I have Dont Be Happy..(natch) and given Mondo's relative rarity thought I would try keep it in as good condition as possible. I guess one upload into itunes won't hurt though will it.........**Awaits pc drive flipping out and scratching the disk**

That Kerrang! review you posted is probably the best negative review you could get, laying the blame squarely on the mix.

The B-sides to Suckerpunch didn't get the greatest mix either did they, especially on Two Way Idiot Mirror.