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Wake up: A Busted tribute
Standing in the fields of a stately home in the middle of Hampshire, the sun has been on the back of my neck all day and I've been bombarded by every pop group that could fit onto the array outdoor staging in front of me. As the sun begins to go down though, there's an indescribable atmosphere around me. Surrounded by families, 5-year-olds, pentioners and indie kids trying to be ironically clever, the reason for all this begins to make itself clear. I'm here for Busted. Everyone is here for Busted and Busted want us here, make us feel welcome - and for 90 minutes, draw us in to their world of unashamed pop glory. Melodies, hooks, harmony and remarkably sexy band members - this is what Summer days are made for and it's memories like this that will enable me to hold back my tears, as the news of Busted's demise spreads.
Busted were a group, in fact Busted were a BAND who made simple, effective pop music that changed many peoples' lives for the better - mine included. There are few things that compare to the feeling inside as the uncontrollable hook of 'Crashed the Wedding' pounds through your body, forcing you to jump and smile as if you were on-stage, performing it yourself. This is a band who were able to consistently sell-out 10,000 capacity venues all over the country, last year they equalled the record for the most number of sold out shows at Wembley Arena - 11, and in total filled more than fifty arenas in little over two years. There really has been no other act to compare to this kind of live popularity for quite a while now and the chances are, we will have to wait another 5 years for something to even come half as close.
Quite possibly the last band to sell singles in any great quantity as well, Busted were an industry sensation with a diverse and exciting fanbase. I have nothing but respect for three lads who put a pretty face on the front of some fantastically written tunes. Each of Busted's albums selling in excess of 1 million copies, 8 top ten hits and a host of awards and shockingly, critical acclaim. For a period, they were essentially the biggest band in the UK.
This isn't the point though, it's not the reason I'm writing the retrospective. The fact is, there is a hideous mentality amongst the most elite of music fans, a mentality that prevents them from being able to like anything that it isn't prescribed as 'cool'. Admit it or not, Busted had a true talent of writing a catchy melody, performing these songs and making people happy. THIS is the point of music, to entertain and enthrall. I completely appreciate that some of the people who claim to dislike Busted actually do not enjoy their music, but many did. Just because they aren't 22 and living in Shoreditch, it does not make their opinion any less valid.
If the elitist indie snob-set were to use its energy in a positive fashion, ranting about a fantastic band whom they saw playing last night or the new record they just bought that few have heard, maybe the industry would slowly sway in their favour, but the negativity prevails. It seems to be a lot easier to knock music than to get excited about it. To complain about the industry is to further the supposed destruction of our passion, music.
It's time to wake up, to direct our energy into the bands that we feel can make a difference in a way that we like, rather than knocking something that is not only successful in a commercial sense, but on a level that has made millions of people across the world happy.
Busted, rest in peace.
DiScuss: Leave your messages for Busted here, it's quite obvious with Charlie being so very cool now, that he'll have to read DiS.
Words: Colin Roberts
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Wake up: A Busted tribute
Haha awesome, that actually seems to be about most of the people on here. I have to say i wasnt well into them but i did enjoy some of the stuff they did, shame they broke up. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
Many people seem to think that people that dislike Busted are music snobs. I don't care much about where music comes from, as long as it's good. Even if it comes of the back of a lorry, which has just made its 1000th trip to the money- centric music factory- if it's good then its good. Sadly, with highly manufactured music of any kind, this is very rarely the case.
But Busted, writing their own songs and playing their own instruments were heralded by many to be more talented, more real and therefore better than other pop acts. I admit that these qualities needed talent and Busted did indeed have some talent. Why then did they make such god-awful and cheesy pop songs?
Their lyrics, albeit written by their fair and youthful hands, were terrible. It's not the fact, as some argue that they tried to be something else and kept it 'unreal'. It's not the fact that they appeared in Smash Hits magazine. They were simply, in my opinion, no disrespect, terrible. Their videos were horrendous and “Crashed the Wedding” was an over produced slice of hell. I didn’t think that lines such as “I messed my pants, when we flew over France” were witty. I thought they were cringe worthy.
I don’t like Mc Fly either, but I promise to try and give Fightstar a chance. I also honestly wish them luck- but do I need to? They must be quite rich.
Sorry for writing so much, I didn’t mean to. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
I can see your point, but I was at pains to state that some didn't like Busted because of their music - just like any other band.
You appear to have ignored that part of the article though. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
I reckon Busted were great. It's only since Christmas I've come to appreciate 'em. I wouldn't go out and buy an album or go see 'em live, but I liked to hear them on the radio on the way to school in the morning. I have respect for these guys. They had an idea and exploited a big void in the market. Now, they're a shit load of money better off for it.. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Yeah, that pretty much sums up how I feel about them too. My tastes are pretty damn indie but you can never be too cool for a great pop song. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
How can you talk about Busted like that when here are millions of fans all over the world grieving their split! you should be ashamed of yourselves! I admit that I am Very angry, and upset at Charlie, but i love them as Busted and always will, i wish i could wish Charlie the best, but i really couldn't care less, he broke his fans trust, and i will never support fightstar, he squashed James' and Matts dreams, just so he could be into "hard rock" as people call it, instead of staying loyal. I must admit that i know extremely dislike Charlie, but that doesnt mean i no longer like busted. i am warning u, DO NO MOCK BUSTED! -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Sorry- I had also read the BBC News website comments which. So my statement was more of a general one. But, your article is very good, balanced and honest- which I like. I want to see more like it in the future. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Thank you, I suppose I was a little weary of a backlash and thusly tried to balance it as much as possible.
But then good journalism should be balanced anyway I suppose. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
I don't remember mocking Busted.... -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
thatll be the red rag then.... -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
hmmm, i think charlie has the right to do what he wants, her doesnt really owe busted fans anything. You cant be angry at someone for doing what they want. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
I completely agree Danjp. I can understand why people liked them, but I just didn't.
Also, this was a great article. There have been two well- written Busted articles recently and I have lapped them both up.
Well done Colin! -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
i did not like busted one bit was not my type of music, but i think charlie all the best in fightstar but i think some people wont be able to respect him for a while or 2 because of who he was, but mayb people will tho. ive been wanting to listen to fightstar for a while now to see if ill like them or not -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
'If the elitist indie snob-set were to use its energy in a positive fashion, ranting about a fantastic band whom they saw playing last night or the new record they just bought that few have heard, maybe the industry would slowly sway in their favour, but the negativity prevails. It seems to be a lot easier to knock music than to get excited about it. To complain about the industry is to further the supposed destruction of our passion, music.'
A great point and a pleasant contrast to the What Not To Watch article. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
theyre right, i am a totally devoted fan, the whole over 150 posters thing and stuff....yep! and yeah im devastated about the split-its gonna get a name soon, 'THE split'- and i have been crying for like 3 hours, but you cant be angry at charlie no way. He hasnt broken anyones trust, as he said, it was a hard descion for him to make, and he hopes that us fans understand. I totally respect his choice, Fightstar is the music he loves and wants to move forward with, Busted isnt. But isnt hating him and throwing him deathwishes a bit harsh? He hasnt done anything wrong but be true to himself, and in a way, thats us breaking his trust, or disrespecting him aswell. I cant belive that such an amazing 3 years is already over, its gonna be hard to get over, but all i can do is wish all three of the guys the best of luck for the future. Matt, James, Charlie, you guys are legends. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
suppose their will be a reunion in the year 3000.........? -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Yeah... to be honest I'm a bit disappointed we never heard their seventh album. Apparently it was going to be great and everyone in the world was going to buy it! -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
It's not just music-cool types who don't like music. I hate Busted and I couldn't give two shits what's cool. I like music I find good, and Busted have produced some of the most one-dimensional shite of recent years. Great, you can sing along to their songs! You can sing along to football chants at matches, it doesn't mean they're good. Sure they give people pleasure, millions of people pleasure. But when you start giving credit or making allowances for success, do you not then kowtow to a certain type of cool. If it's just about the music, level of success should not be taken into account. And I think a lot of music fans and 'indie snobs' do write very enthusiastically about music they like, hence why you get fansites, fanzines, street teams, all that. That's enthusiasm about a great band, or great music or something like that. So your article, while very passionately written and to an obviously quite thought out, is flawed in much of its content. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
I'm sorry everyone - they were my mistake. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
It's a sad day for pop music. Busted weren't orginal. They weren't musically very talented. Their lyrics were pretty dire. But, and it's a big but, they wrote a lot of great songs. Songs to put a smile on your face. I can appreciate how people think they are one dimensional, immature crap, but if you look around the charts, they were the best mainstream band going. RIP, the greatest pop act since S Club 7. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
Bellend. anybody prepared to write atribute to Busted is a complete bellend. This site is becoming a travesty. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
^^^^
grow up. seriously. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
I probably stopped 5 seconds to listen to them because I met them (before the fame), n they all seemed like "top-notch blokes". There is a point in the tribute though. Us as Music lovers do seem to knock to bands or music overall that makes us wanna "bop about" or "shake that thing". I only use " coz these are words not normally in my vocab, but are when they make me feel better than average. I know Busted weren't a Nirvana or a The Who, but they made people happy n joyous... isn't that all that matters? -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
yes, wise people once said "pop isn't a dirty word", it really isn't, it's one of the hardest tasks in music to pull of successfully and when it's done right it's some of the best music there is.
Great piece. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
i am a huge busted fan, and am gutted that they have anounced their split, i get why people dont like their music but busted got me into different music that i had never really listened to before and i am very thankfull for that -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
OH CHRIST! Read it back to yourself. I was at pains to state that many people can dislike music regardless of their status on the cool ladder.
All I'm saying is, there's a lot of negative energy that could be redirected to make a difference. It just seems like you skimmed the article. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
i dont get why everyone hated them so much ... they were a pop band who played guitars and had some really good pop songs.
yknow it wont ruin you uber-cool reputation to admit that some pop acts write/perform good catchy tunes like mcfly, busted and even natasha bedingfield.
they werent going to reinvent music as we know it or have ultra-integrity like fugazi or someone like that - but thats not the point is it.
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Wake up: A Busted tribute
mcfly, busted and even natasha bedingfield may be catchy, but so is aids -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
you are a cunt. get off the site and never come back. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
You're a funny boy. FUNNY BOY.
Shoo. C'mon, off you go now. You've made your point, and probably felt clever for a few minutes, so please be gone with you. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
'It's time to wake up, to direct our energy into the bands that we feel can make a difference in a way that we like, rather than knocking something that is not only successful in a commercial sense, but on a level that has made millions of people across the world happy.'
OK - Everyone go out and buy 'The Meadowlands' by the Wrens NOW!! That record deserves to be #1. Go on - BUY IT!!! It too should make millions of people across the world happy. Ignore the fact that you have to get it on import from a small indie label - persevere I ORDER you to. If you all buy this record, I promise never to slag off any band that I don't like for the sake of creating bad vibes maaaaan.
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Wake up: A Busted tribute
Thank you, Mr Roberts, for actually writing something balanced about this group. I don't necessarily agree with the detail of what you say but you make a very worthy point.
And this from someone who found Busted like nails down a blackboard... -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
and...............then god lifted his eyes and saw that man had done away with evil. The rolling hills and fragrent pastures would once again echo with the soundof childrens laughter and the animals would be one with their surroundings. The sky would be forever blue and darkness would be no more. Man proclaimed Busted would be vanquished to the fiery pit of hell where there incessant dirge would forever torment the braindead for eternity...........and God closed his eyes and said it was good. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
Dear Charlie,
You have broken up my current favourite band, which puts you on par with Damon Albarn. Therefore right now you are on my Shit List.
One day when you're older/more jaded (pick one) you'll realise the only cred that counts is being true to yourself.
Stay in school, etc.
Hearts,
Cat Conway -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
and while at school buy the newest dave house, arcade fire and good life, all of which were on my best of 04 list -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
My love for you, Cat, grows by the day. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
As I said in my comment on the other article, I was never much of a Busted fan, but this tribute/rant against elitist cunts is quality. Top man. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
it was gonna out-sell Michael Jackson, too.
Although I each of their albums outsold the last Michael Jackson record. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Pfft. Sure, like you even exist.
And if you do, Dude, you've got real mistakes to apologise for. let's start with Bucks Fizz and work our way foreward... -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
And there's Colin's point proved.... -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
No, really. Go. Now. You asshat. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
As does my love for you. Together we could RULE THE WORLD!
This article is beyootiful. It kicks the shit out of TOTPSaturday's eulogy.
Thank you for writing a tribute to Busted. Thank you for being one of the few (other) people in music journalism that took this band seriously. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
I'm glad Busted split they were crap!! They should've jumped off a multi-storey ages ago!!!! -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Proves nothing.
I was under the impression that this site was a forum for journalists and music fans to get excited about new music. That's what goes on on the site every day, whilst Colin nurtures some weird fetish for a bunch of stage school brats doing a tightly choreoraphed 'job', singing the songs the Man wants very young children to like (lest we forget - they have already started to turn school children into their very own mini marketing whores - read http://drownedinsound.com/articles/10921.html).
Busted = corporate product of the sort that does not need to be discussed on a new music website. It is not new music, it is the most naked of pop exploitation exercises. (Directly marketed at minors - that shit ought to be getting banned, what with it being ethically disgusting.) This is why we indie snobs consider them to be evil scum. Obviously it is 'commercially successful', shifts units. That does not make it good. What the fuck does that have to do with this website and its mission statement of uncovering stuff that is new, exciting and different? Christ, you'll be telling me that Keane are good next. Or Coldplay.
Colin's point - 'This is very commercially successful and therefore very good.' Isn't that the sort of equation that DiS exists to challenge? Fucking cosying up to the man. What happened to the PUNK spirit?
So, to reiterate, bollocks to Colin and bollocks to his point. He is a corporate beeyatch and the Man loves his cute little butt!
Sometimes, a bit of bile can be just as conducive to creativity as a barrel of enthusiasm. (Point - counter point - debate)
xxx -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
now its the noise next doors time to shine.................. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Please spare me your ridiculously subjective fascist "indie" rhetoric -- "indie" is the most pointless set of undefined principles in popular music history and the sooner you realise that the sooner you'll stop pissing on everyone else's parade with your judgemental bullshit.
The fact that some of us like Busted, and some of us are writers for DiS who wrote articles in Busted's defence, subverts the dominant DiS paradigm and therefore makes us more "punk" than you and your hive mentality.
(and while we're on the subject, let's talk about punk: The Sex Pistols = manufactured boy band. But you probably fucking love them, don't you.)
Besides, Busted broke up. Your whole fucking point is moot; you got your wish. We heard you and we disagree. Give it a fucking rest already. Your continued shouting isn't going to change anyone's mind. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
good lord -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
*rolls eyes*
I read the article, I read it back to myself. I still disagree. Do you not realise that by attacking 'music cool' types you're showing negative energy yourself. I know that's pedantic, but I'm just pointing out the, ehm, contradiction in everything. Cope. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
While it's a shame that they've split - blah de blah de blah - you have to ask yourself, what more could they have done musically? Yes I admit that for a period, Busted was a breath of fresh air and cutting edge and "just a bit of fun" and while I wasn't a fan, I kind of respected them when all my counterparts went skitzo over "defacing the guitarists image".
But maybe it's best they just left it at that. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
A bad band have split up guys. Cope. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
I was at pains to point out that I and many others of my ilk enjoy Busted because their music made me smile, dance and sing.
You see what YOU'RE doing is giving me this smug feeling inside, almost a superiority complex. I know that I can enjoy Busted as much as the cavalcade of indie/rock/alt/grime/WHATEVER nights I go to in a week.
Oh, and if 'cosying up to the man' means giving up three days a week to go and work at the DiS office UNPAID to make a difference, get people excited about music, put gigs on and throw a positive seed into the air, then I'm guilty.
I also do harbour a mild grin for your promotion of 'punk spirit', while still proclaiming that certain types of music should be banned in some manic censorship spree. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
I wasn't directly 'attacking' these types, more explaining how this ideal is flawed and pitching my idea. I didn't slag anyone directly and went to great lengths to avoid contradiction. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Well, you know how I felt about your America or Busted article.
cd:uk did a good retrospective of performances. Did I cry? Maybe... Just a tiny bit. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
the noise next door are far worse than busted or mcfly (because at least these two had good pop songs)
shame fightstar arent anything special...as a friend of mine said...nothing you can't find down the local pub -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
I think that the fact that Busted can warrant such attention and strong opinions on here must count for something.
Personally, when it comes to Busted's music, I've got to say that all I really feel is ambivalence. I think that What I Go To School For and Sleeping With The Lights On are pretty decent pop songs ... nothing more really. I don't care that they've split up really because it doesn't affect me in the slightest. If you don't like them, don't listen to them. Simple.
One thing that slightly annoys me is that the article seems to make out that it's now almost cool and "indie" and ironic to like Busted. Saying that, I don't have anything against the genuinel Busted fans among you (even though I'm not one of them!). -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
is this a joke? please answer me. have i almost totally missed the entire point of this website? -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Good lad. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Brilliant, Catwank. Not only do I have the temerity to hold an opinion on a SUBJECT (what, so you deal in 'objective' truths, do you? Your going to have to be a lot tighter than that, mate), but holding that opinion makes me a - that's right, kids - a fascist!
Pissing on 'everyone else's parade' - because obviously, everybody agrees with you (and I notice you retreat to the position of 'we', rather than sticking your neck out and saying what you (singular) think. Safety in mumbers - back to the herd).
The dominant DiS paradigm - OK, what is the dominant DiS paradigm? I'd like to talk about that.
>>>>But then good journalism should be balanced >>>anyway I suppose. (Colin)
Agreed, in terms of NEWS journalism, but cultural criticism of the nature of DiS cannot be balanced, because it is impossible to hold a balanced opinion about a piece of art. The very act of writing about music is setting down an opinion. You should just say exactly what you think and if people disagree, great! That leads to debate, which is a good thing - and frowned upon in fascist and other totalitarian states, incidentally.
>>>'If the elitist indie snob-set were to use its energy in a positive fashion, ranting about a fantastic band whom they saw playing last night or the new record they just bought >>>that few have heard, >>>maybe the industry would slowly sway in their favour, but the negativity prevails. It seems to be a lot easier to knock music than to get excited about >>>it. To complain >>>>about the industry is to further the supposed destruction of our passion, music.' (Colin)
Two points here. a)I just don't see the problem with a bit of negativity! It's fun and funny to slag off bands that you think are shite. People do it to help identify who they are - that's like that and I HATE it - in the same way as people identify themselves with things that they like. There is nothing wrong with being bitchy. It's often hilarious. Anyway, the elitist indie snob set, whoever they are - kind of establish their identities by going to gigs, buying and advocating records, wearing badges, t-shrts, slogans, using themselves to promote things that they enjoy! The indie kids I know and love are always telling me about this band or that band who they like.
b)So what, the industry = music? Boy, are we fucked, then. Of course, a lot of people who start bands have the dream of signing a recording contract with a big label and making big money - but that's not what it's all about, is it? It's about getting up there and expressing yourself, your unique worldview, yr ability to turn thought into sound - what could be more special than that? it's magic, alchemy. Music was here before record labels. Music does not equal the industry. The industry looks to exploit our love of music for cash. The odd kid gets very rich for doing exactly what he wants to do, a lot more hearts get broken.
'Indie', in my subjective opinion (sorry about that - unlike some, far wiser people, I speak for myself, not the entire human race) is simply an abbreviation of 'independent'. As a concept, 'indie' was bought by the majors in the mid '90s and all of a sudden, loads of 'indie' kids were being handed recording contracts - mostly, their groups were ghastly. All that happened because of one band - Oasis - who made an LP that millions of people got into. The industry, great lumbering dinosaur that it is, reacted. "They want guitar bands with bad hair - we'll give them guitar bands with bad hair." Missing the obvious point that it was THAT band that people loved and you can't just substitute in any old generic replacement and say 'Will they do?' That's what the industry does. Some band comes along and creates something magical, they try to produce loads of clones of it, in an attempt to cash in on the zeitgeist. So yeah, maybe you're right. Indie has been rendered pretty meanngless by the industry, I think.
I perceive that about the music industry and I dislike it.
My hive mentality - wow! I wish. I have a hive mentality..... No, I speak for myself. I don't really care if other people disagree, but if they talk to me sensibly, they might just change my way of thinking. Which would be to do me a real favour. That's the good thing about posting on forums.
And I don't really give a flying fuck about Busted - so, they split up. It's hardly a victory for the 'elite indie crack anti-industry corps'. The industry already has their replacement lined up. They had a limited shelf-life - one of them's moved onto another 'band', with a slightly older sounding name, so he can keep his career going (If he writes some good music, he could have a long career. He has an opportunity to say anything he likes, theoretically).
Busted were just there to be bought by a certain group of kids and fashions change. The new generation, looking to establish itself, will obviously react against their older siblings and reject the product which they hoovered up. The Man is preparing the ultimate band for this new generation - and, until the lid got lifted by the NUT, they would have been repeating the trick that they pulled whilst marketing Busted and McFly - bribing 12 year old kids to go round the classroom recruiting new fans for them. That is despicable.
OK, yeah, let's talk about punk. No, I don't particularly like The Sex Pistols, although they're a fascinating part of English cultural history which I must look into further. I much prefer The Buzzcocks (Manchester's finest, IM(subjective)O) - Pete Shelley's a genius. I like The Buzzcocks and see them as an exemplary punk band because they were really themselves and they spoke up. They were noting to do with the silly, oi, thing which a lot of punk seems to be. They were brave enough to be emotional and sing about love in a really macho, testosterone filled arena. I see punk as just having the spirit, the audacity, if you like, to be yourself and be original - and never to compromise. And if that means shouting up against something you despise, then to have the guts to do that. If you say it well enough, people might agree with you. Then, you've made a positive out of a negative and effected change. Which is pretty radical.
Well, one drunken email getting back from the pub late turns into a thesis. That'll learn me! No, I've actually really enjoyed stating a position and thinking through what I said - I still think that DiS writers shouldn't bother concerning themselves with mass marketed merch and should be out there, championing the stuff that they love THAT ISN'T GETTING BLANKET COVERAGE ON EVERY NATIONWIDE TV CHANNEL AND RADIO PROGRAM AT PEAK TIMES. This was why I reacted strongly to there being a massive front page article on this particular band.
Absolutely fascinating that Catwank barely, barely, stops short of slagging me off personally because of the antithetical nature of MY cultural position. And I have to accept that I did overstep the mark in that way myself. I was drunk when I did the original email and would like to apologise to Colin for calling him a bellend. That was unacceptable and childish. But I've learned from it, so it wasn't such a bad thing, in the end.
So, you tried to shut me up by calling me a fascist and accusing me of being subjective - and to intimidate me by using big words - woo, paradigm! The effect of that was actually to get me thinking and help me to develop my ideas. So thanks very much. Free speech is great.
I would very much encourage a continuation of this debate and it'd be cool if you emailed back. Fee free to send me a personal note if you'd rather. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Dear Colin,
I am glad that you enjoy the music of Busted and that it makes you smile, dance and sing. That is beautiful. Now explain to me how that makes YOU superior to ME.
I apologise for calling you a bellend. That was pretty childish. But for having the temerity to disagree with you, I have been called a fascist and characterised as inferior - you have adopted an incredibly patronising tone and misquoted me to suggest that I advocate censorship. I resent this.
I am glad that you contribute a lot of your time and energy to the upkeep of the site. It's a cool thing to do. If I didn't have to work full-time and if I lived in London, I'd love to do something similar. My contribution is to play my own music, write for DiS and Plan B as and when I can, put on gigs... So hey, I guess I do my bit too! I find it a bit odd that you come onto DiS to promote Busted, but if that's what floats yr boat, then so be it. I just hope that you can see my point - that Busted represent a reallly, really bad thing to me.
When you say "to complain about the industry is to further the supposed destruction of our passion, music.", I cannot help but react. That is so wrong. Please explain your position further, I would like to have the debate.
I wasn't saying that Busted should be censored - I was saying that an element of the marketing technique applied to Busted by the corporation who pull their strings was grossly immoral and should not be allowed to continue. I would like to thik that there could be some more discussion about this point too. Before we're old enough to shave, we're being bombarded with product, be it Busted, Barbie dolls, or Bob The Builder - this is the nature of the society we live in. Should we permit labels to recruit little Busted team leaders to go around plugging their products in schools? Surely not. I think that it's stunningly exploitative of the instinct of children to look up to their peers and to want to be a part of the social group. These are the means by which Busted product was so widely sold.
There's a wider debate to be had about marketing here. I made this point in my previous email. You chose to ignore it, so I assume that you are not interested in the devious means by which the product you defend is marketed.
I would like to think that this wipes the smug grin off your face and provokes some much needed thought about your position.
Ollie -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
i'm hoping the news of the ikara colt split causes this sort of reaction... -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
Fuckin get over it they aint comin bck u cant change it!! It's as tho u ave lost a member of your family!!!!!! Face it...THEY GONE!!!!!! -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
the truth is.......is god damn hard.but anyway i must respect charlie's yor decision even if i don't like it.i don't know what i'm gonna miss more........busted like group or them songs.all what i want it was to see them,...they made impression on me.i don't know why this hurt so much.when dad saw me crying he said:'don't cry becouse of them,groups like them never stay together for long.''and he's right.why on the eath must so good groups split up?
i won't forget when i started to listem them.it was all becouse of the song 'you said no'.then i got CD and they are my fave group.even if they split on i'm gonna stay them fan.like my mate...even if Nirvana don't exsist anymore she is still them bigest fan.she was so jealous on matt and charlie coz' they were in seatle.my mate said to me that i drift to my heart to much but i can't help myself.i'm sure james will go on,but i don't know anything for matt.he is so cool and i like him very much.he's my idol man.in school last year i made a little story from matt.about his life and what he likes and what not.everything was in english coz' it was english hour and teacher gave me 5 for that.everything about busted i've done the best.
but all i want to say is.......thanks busted that they made me them fan.you so rock!! -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
I completely agree. Great article. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
Oh for fuck's sake. Some of us hate Busted for more than their horrendous (or otherwise) catawauling. For me its more about what they represent - a manufactured band who play music so "nice" and catchy it makes you want to die, plucked from a comfortable middle class background and forced down the throats of impressionable children who will listen to anything as long as its all over Smash Hits magazine or CD:UK or whatever. Yes, to the ear they are an improvement on the Westlifes of this world, but they are still taking up airspace that musicians with talent and integrity deserve a lot more. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
The site, by the way, is not a promotion tool. It's not here to promote new music. It's not here to promote the Man. This site was set up by Sean for people to express their love for music. Nobody gets paid for this privilege. It's all for passion. Colin's (very good) article goes by those guidelines. Ultimately, this truth makes your entire argument invalid and actually just makes you look a bit silly. Especially as it is you who are sadly missing the point.
Child exploitation? Come on now, Ollie. Surely your efforts are better off being used at the sweatshops or something else that is *actually* terrible. Kids with stickers + kids getting stuck in sewing machines = perspective? If you're going to start on erosion of culture and how terrible the Man is, then why don't you just go all out shebang and attack the television. Or Communism. I assure you it will prove equally fruitless.
This is the music industry and you know how it works. Everybody does. Surely any band who have released an album for sale - the ultimate promotional tool, by the way - are therefore products of the Man and I'm sure you own a CD or 2. You think all your favourite bands grew to the size they are by pure hard work and independent ethic? Without the Man or their marketing ploys? Do not reveal your naivete by saying yes. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
I think your idea of punk is very flawed and contradictory.
I totally agree with how you described the Buzzcocks in terms of punk but then the bit you tack onto the end is certainly not punk. That is just being instructions of being inflammatory and antagonistic. Which is a stereotype. And stereotypes are definitely not punk.
I thought the idea of being punk was ultimately *being* satisified enough with yourself that what other people think doesn't matter so you can do what you do without anybody else influencing you. You'll find that people that are in this frame of mind are rarely angry. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
"I just don't see the problem with a bit of negativity! It's fun and funny to slag off bands that you think are shite."
Yeah, but the point is as big as the Busted fan bandwagon is, the country is overrun by boring Strokes fans who slag off Busted because they can't admit to liking anything with a tune. Slagging off a band that are as EASY a target as Busted may be fun to you, but I can tell you it's boring as fuck to everyone else. It's the equivalent of bragging about beating up a coma patient. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
But not everyone wants to listen to aural shite like Placebo just because they wear dresses and are apparently "alternative". Popular bands are always going to have to have mass appeal. Get used to it. Pop is a wonderful thing when it's done right. How many fucking Longview/Haven/Travis/ad infinitum tracks were better than "Milkshake" or "Hey Ya!" or "5 Colours In Her Hair" on sheer brilliance factor? Answer: none.
Busted and McFly are no more boybands than Duran Duran or The Beach Boys were boybands. No, they're just pop bands. They never pretended to be anything else. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Can we please have a notice up saying that only DiS writers are allowed to make AIDS related jokes on here, ie, Andy Bells new album/Raz ?, how people may catch HIV if they buy it ?.
No, that's right, it was explained to us that was how his sense of humour operates. Maybe TheBoyDeadly has a similar one, but his is in bad taste ?
Clarification, please. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
Busted were great when i had the privilage of seeing them before they got signed - the infectious trills of 'what i go to school for' stuck in my head and i was hooked - sure as they became household name with the under 12's they lost some credability but they were always pumping out enjoyable tunes - I mean if they can get my hardcore 2pac friend to become a devout fan then more credit to em!
Busted Rock - hope they all do well! -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Ah yes. Let's listen to shit with no melody or thought and sounds just like every other band in the alternative scene. Music is not just about being "so fucking cool it hurts" but about originality. Busted really don't sound like anything else out.
For your information, Busted where not manufactured. Two of their members held auditions for a third member, wrote songs, got signed.
And I don't listen to whatever teeny bopper magazines tell me because for one, I live in the states. And secondly I didn't like Busted when I first looked at them. They were on TV, clearly miming and not playing their instruments. And I don't think that's their fault because industry people relate pop music to fakeness and "performance" and not how good it sounds.
I then got a chance to see them play live on TV, where they were actually singing and playing. They play their own instruments. They sing songs they wrote.
And I am NOT an impressionable child.
I'm not saying you should like their music, or cry over them splitting...but get of your high horse. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
No, but at the end of the day, you're still 16 and still like Blink 182.
However hard Busted worked to get their success it doesn't change the fact that they had awful lyrics ("I messed my pants when we flew over France", anyone?) played over generic boring punk riffs. And their Teenage Kicks was shite. And one of them looked like a pig. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Yea. I am 16. And I listen to Blink 182. So what? What the hell does that have to do with Busted? You like country. HAHA! That makes me laugh.
And I will admit, as an Irish person, Teenage Kicks hurt. Physically. I can't listen to it. Ouch.
I didn't say you had to like them. Yet you're trying to justify why you don't. Personally I don't give a shit. I know what's bad about them. But you were claiming they were manufactured like The Spice Girls. And they were not. That's all.
No need to attack another band I like in your sarcastic fashion. YEA I LIKE THEM! I have since I was 7 years old. They're a lot like an old baby blanket. -
Wake up: A Busted tribute
busted changed the music i listen to - i used to be into dance music for gods sake! i owe them a lot.i cant believe charlie did what he did, he completely betrayed the fans and matt and james. they picked him from the auditions and he screwed them over.
BUSTED
4
EVA -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Quite frankly, I'd rather not continue this debate. You showed up on this thread to be a troll. There's nothing wrong with being *critical* but there is something wrong with being pointlessly negative. You insulted the writer, you insulted all the people who posted here to comment on the demise of something that had meaning for them (hence my use of "we") and then you got pissed off because I called your position of authority/moral high ground a load of pointless crap and therefore "insulted" you instead of responding with a well thought-out, respectful response. What the hell did you expect?! Your behaviour didn't earn you the respect to be engaged in a thoughtful debate.
Indie is subjective -- there is no set critiera, just what the masses consider to be "credible". God forbid anyone be an individual. So excuse me for feeling quite disparaging towards that kind of bullshit thinking right now because it just pointlessly destroyed one of my favorite bands. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Oh my. I have now seen the error of my ways. Thank you for taking the time out of what must be an incredibly busy day to point out the hopelessness of the situation.
I shall now go listened to the pre-approved Proper Indie Band of the Moment and begin my acts of atonement for daring to give a shit. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
Yeah, and at the end of the day you're 21 and like the same old indie shit that everybody likes. Who the hell are you to judge? If they're not your thing, they're not your thing -- why do you have to attack others for liking things you don't like? -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
good point but there are subtle differences in the posts if you care to note them
it's the difference between flippantly comparing someone to hitler and stating that killing jews is cool with the assumption that people understand sarcasm and thus can tell that I do not actually believe it in real life
only 1 person didn't get it, i thought. and that was because a) she was American and b) she was a girl. 2 notoriously stupid sections of the world's demographic -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
I'm saving up for a week and buying DiS so I can sack you all and turn it into a workshop for traumatised fruitarian Busted fans.
Only those who eat nothing but windfallen fruit will be welcome, none of the haters who sustain economies which tear screaming pieces of fruit from their homes and deport them. -
Re: Wake up: A Busted tribute
I was in bad taste, by the way. But erm yeah. My ideas of social acceptability are ultimately flawed to the point where I don't really care any more. And that final para was another joke for any other American women (<--same joke there).
What is bad taste though. Ultimately. It's all a social construct. Spitting and pissing on the road is quite acceptable in some places. But here it can be seen to be worse than being racist etc.
Personally I don't think theboydeadly should fuck off. He maybe stepped over a line or something but it doesn't affect me, nor does it affect anyone who has AIDS. Not really. A couple of high horses get new riders though. but they always do. It's the internet.
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