Paul Weller slams Bowie, Geldof

rekamakovics · In the Long Grass

Paul Weller slams Bowie, Geldof

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Weller, who will take home the Lifetime Achievement Award at this years Brits, said of one time winner Geldof: “Bob Geldof. What’d he win it for? Can’t be for his music, man. I mean, if it’s for his charity work in Africa then you can’t knock it, but Boomtown Rats, **** off.”

And as for Mr.Weller, what has he done? Ripped off the sixties? Start = Taxman, Malice = You Can't Hurry Love, the rest = the Kinks, wel **** off yerself, you psuedo cockney **** from Woking.

Next in the line of fire was Sting, of whom he said: “Fucking horrible man. Not my cup of tea at all. Fucking rubbish. No edge, no attitude, no nothing.”

Ok, I'll give him that one.

Then on U2 front man Bono he fumed: “The whole thing of Bono becoming the Pope - what the ****’s all that about? Pseudo-American rubbish.”

Fair enough!

Weller didn’t have any respect for the dead, blasting Queen legend Freddie Mercury. “He said he wanted to bring ballet to the working classes. What a ****.”

Obviously Weller cannot distingush opera from ballet.

A finally he called the quality of David Bowie’s output into question and his receiving of the Lifetime gong, saying: “Wrong! I like about three records of his. The rest of it’s pish.”

That's three more good records than Weller, The Jam and The Style Council made.

When you think about it what exactly has Weller's legacy been? Dad Rock and The Ordinary Boys. What a wanker! Come on, let's find a Weller forum and have 'em!

Tango · In the Long Grass

I think Freddie Mercury is a complete twat and didn't deserve it and I adore the Jame and the Style Council even more than that. But Bob and Bowie and sting???!!!?!

What were you thinking man!!!!

Bono I really couldn't car less about with regards to the whole pope thing so he can say what he wants. Paul man, dude, mate, get a grip for God's sake

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

So what's the problem with Paul Weller and why is he taking it out on Bob and co. Now I always liked the Jam, but this?

Shall we go in a big group then ArrGee to a Weller forum?

All the bands/singers he mentioned have been hugely successful, so millions of people obviously don't agree with him. Just because he doesn't like them doesn't make them crap!

franna · V Deep

ArrGee wrote:

“The whole thing of Bono becoming the Pope - what the ****’s all that about? Pseudo-American rubbish.”

I love all that pseudo-American rubbish! Bring it on! To hell with the Pope, let's change the goddamned Constitution and make the sucka President! But only if we get the rest of the band as a package deal (I can hear Larry screaming NOOOOO from five time zones away!)

Scottie · Loudmouth

Paul who?

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Jules wrote:

Shall we go in a big group then ArrGee to a Weller forum?

Well, there was only me who went to the Clash forum last time. Are you with me or not? Shall we stay or shall we go?

Weller was always a wanker. Don't know how he could write about being down in a tube station, the suburban twat. He was being ferried around in his Dad's Volvo to his gigs. He'd make sure little Paul didn't get into any trouble. In the City was another fantasy song. Prick.

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

Since I'm a fan of all the bands/artists he's slagged off I'm up for it!! He can't get away with it and as for is fans, they probably need to be told. Where is this website then ArrGee?

Anyone else up for it?

So Paul Weller's doing a tour and he wants publicity? This is his game. Virgin are doing a we love Paul Weller weekend... I'll think I'll give his tour a miss.

Joke · The Dutch One

Why do we even waste our pixels on this guy...?

I guess he's p***** off with Bob and Bono because he wasn't invited for Live8

franna · V Deep

Speaking of which, who IS Paul Weller anyway? Nah, don't tell me, I don't really care.

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

He was the lead singer of the Jam and later the Style Council. Did they not reach America?

kidneybean · House on Fire

I think my husband has a Paul Weller CD somewhere in the darkest recesses of a dimly lit room. Haven't ever listened to it myself. I know we've not a sausage by the Jam or The Style Council.

I guess everyone's entitled to an opinion, and music is something everyone has a differing opinion about. It's a good job there's so many different genres about I always think so that there really is something for everyone!

Well, Paul Weller wherever you are, I hope you enjoy your moment at the Brits. By the sound of it you're far too judgemental and full of your own self-importance though. Yours will probably be the only act you can enjoy.

Wouldn't be arsed looking up his web-site.

rekamakovics · In the Long Grass

http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/search/details_pop.aspx?iid=55889544&cdi=0

franna · V Deep

Jules wrote:

He was the lead singer of the Jam and later the Style Council. Did they not reach America?

From Wikipedia: In 1984, the single "My Ever-Changing Moods" reached #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, to this day Weller's greatest success on the US charts, while the group reached the peak of their success in the U.K. with the 1985 album Our Favourite Shop.

Maybe if I heard the track I'd vaguely remember hearing it before.

Edited to add: I've been listening to the Style Council clips avaiblabe on Amazon from the Greatest Hits Remastered collection. I don't remember hearing any of this before; possibly because if I had, I'd have IMMEDIATELY changed the radio dial.

Now listening to clips of The Jam, which is not as horrible, but I don't feel the need to own any of it.

-- Edited by franna at 19:00, 2006-02-05

franna · V Deep

Jules wrote:

Since I'm a fan of all the bands/artists he's slagged off I'm up for it!! He can't get away with it and as for is fans, they probably need to be told. Where is this website then ArrGee? Anyone else up for it? So Paul Weller's doing a tour and he wants publicity? This is his game. Virgin are doing a we love Paul Weller weekend... I'll think I'll give his tour a miss.

http://www.paulweller.com/board/

C'mon. I can't possibly be the only one capable of using Google!

Katharina · Dave

franna wrote:

Jules wrote: He was the lead singer of the Jam and later the Style Council. Did they not reach America? From Wikipedia: In 1984, the single "My Ever-Changing Moods" reached #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, to this day Weller's greatest success on the US charts, while the group reached the peak of their success in the U.K. with the 1985 album Our Favourite Shop. Maybe if I heard the track I'd vaguely remember hearing it before. Edited to add: I've been listening to the clips avaiblabe on Amazon from the Greatest Hits Remastered collection. I don't remember hearing any of this before; possibly because if I had, I'd have IMMEDIATELY changed the radio dial. -- Edited by franna at 18:52, 2006-02-05

You may rather know "That's entertainment" or "Going underground" by The Jam. I'd say these are the tracks Paul Weller is most famous for. Or maybe "A town called malice"?

Wasn't there some kind of anecdote about rivalry between the Rats and another band in "Is that it?" ? I may be confusing that with The Stranglers - does anyone remember? (Corinna, where are you - she knows ITI by heart...! )

kathp89 · Rat Trap

Wasn't there some kind of anecdote about rivalry between the Rats and another band in "Is that it?" ? I may be confusing that with The Stranglers - does anyone remember? (Corinna, where are you - she knows ITI by heart...! )

i thought that was the clash

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

But don't I remember from LiveAid that Bob didn't get on with Paul Weller and was surprised he got involved? Even though there wasn't specially rivalry between the two bands?

franna · V Deep

Katharina wrote:

You may rather know "That's entertainment" or "Going underground" by The Jam. I'd say these are the tracks Paul Weller is most famous for. Or maybe "A town called malice"?

I've now listened to clips of those three tracks. Nope, never heard them before. Jam is better than Style Council (completely unlistenable), but The Jam's hits compilation seems very uneven - some tracks are good, some are crap. If I bought it, I'd probably never listen to it. It doesn't drag up any nostalgic memories, and the music's not very extraordinary on its own terms. I'll pass.

Isn't Corinna still in Mexico? The suntanned, drunk on tequila Corinna....

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

franna wrote:

http://www.paulweller.com/board/
C'mon. I can't possibly be the only one capable of using Google!

That link produces an error.

franna · V Deep

Jules wrote:

franna wrote: http://www.paulweller.com/board/ C'mon. I can't possibly be the only one capable of using Google! That link produces an error.

Maybe you can't go straight to the board without going through www.paulweller.com first.

kathp89 · Rat Trap

franna wrote:
Maybe you can't go straight to the board without going through www.paulweller.com first.

it still comes up with an error

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

I managed to get to the website. You can't view the forum fully without registering. I tried to register and it came up with an error. Maybe it knows what my intentions are

rekamakovics · In the Long Grass

I didn't even manage to view the website.

Scottie · Loudmouth

Bob has sabotaged it

I am sure at this very moment, he is in a deep depression and can't sleep at nights because of what Weller said.

-- Edited by Scottie at 21:16, 2006-02-05

rekamakovics · In the Long Grass

goldene kamera: charlize theron, bob geldof, pussycat dolls + xavier naidoo: Foto 88

He sure look depressed.

Scottie · Loudmouth

Who will the history books write about, Bob Geldof or "I am the greatest" Paul Weller?-no contest!

To borrow a phrase from Bob, the only thing up his arse is himself.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Having seen the source, Uncut http://www.uncut.co.uk/magazine, it does appear that he was coerced into making those quotes.

Esentially he was asked what he thought of all the previous winners and let rip! Apparently he was second choice (Paul McCartney turned it down).

In the context of the article, where he does come across as self deprecating, the quotes are not as callous as you may think.

Interestingly, the editorial doesn't have much to say about his musical contribution bar him being the last man standing from the punk generation. Though they do have a lot of pages devoted to him!

Still if Weller is happy to be a reserve.....

-- Edited by ArrGee at 13:26, 2006-02-07

joegravellese · Rat Trap

Speaking from a position of Expertise (OK, I own the Live Aid DVD), the Style Council blows.

rekamakovics · In the Long Grass

http://www.cduk.com/news.php?section=2&id=1753

musicmania · A Hold of Me

I think he must be going through a belated midlife crisis. Must say I agreed with his comments on Mr. Blunt but the latest comments are OTT except maybe for Bono being Pope. He obviously is just looking for media attention which he has got....

Katharina · Dave

ArrGee wrote:

Having seen the source, Uncut http://www.uncut.co.uk/magazine, it does appear that he was coerced into making those quotes. Esentially he was asked what he thought of all the previous winners and let rip! Apparently he did turn it down before, and was second choice this time around (Paul McCartney turned it down). In the context of the article, where he does come across as self deprecating, the quotes are not a callous as you may think. Interestingly, the editorial doesn't have much to say about his musical contribution bar him being the last man standing from the punk generation. Though they do have a lot of pages devoted to him! Still if Weller is happy to be a reserve.....

Thanks ArrGee. It's always helpful to read the original source itself... Did you read the interview on paper or is it online somewhere? If I click your link, I only get one paragraph of the interview.

Always remember:

DON'T BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ!!

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Katharina wrote:

It's always helpful to read the original source itself... Did you read the interview on paper or is it online somewhere? If I click your link, I only get one paragraph of the interview. Always remember: DON'T BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ!!

I just read it in the newsagents, unlikely to be online, as they want people to buy it.

I must admit to agreeing with the editorial (by Allan Jones, who wrote the Tonic sleeve notes - http://www.bobgeldof.info/Disc/tonic1978.html ) in that Weller's musical contribution hasn't been that outstanding, but as he is the last of that generation still selling records he must have something.

The only Jam album I bought was Snap (the greatest hits), and likewise with the Style Council.

If Weller had made more songs of the quality of That's Entertainment, Walls Come Tumbling Down, Shout To the Top and Come to Milton Keynes then I would have a lot more respect for him.

He mocked Sham 69 and the Boomtown Rats (for She's So Modern/Clockwork) as cartoon punks, while releasing Eton Rifles, "A" Bomb in Wardour Street, When You're Young, Strange Town and Down In The Tube Station At Midnight among others. You have to laugh.

The Jam's biggest hits (Start/A Town Like Malice) should have Lennon/McCartney and Holland/Dozier/Holland credited as the songwriters.

I find Weller extremely derivative (All Mod Cons is a sub standard Ray Davies effort) and his legacy of Dad Rock & The Ordinary Boys is the sort of music I don't care much for.

That said, it's not a bad issue of Uncut (Squeeze are in it), and the cover mount CD is half decent, so I might buy it and "read all about it!" [Jam fans will know what I mean]

-- Edited by ArrGee at 10:20, 2006-02-08

KOD · Mary of the 4th Form

I actually found the the quotes entertaining - could see Bob going on a bit of a rant like that if he was in such an interview - trying to stir the pot a little.

Not a big fan of Paul Weller but he does have two albums in Q magazine's 100 greated albums ever - Stanley Road - Paul Weller (1995) and Setting Sons - The Jam (1979).

rekamakovics · In the Long Grass

Geldof defends musical legacy:

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1139352619925&call_pageid=968867495754&col=969483191630

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

"The Rats were a great band," he added. "We consistently outsold the Jam, which is probably what irritates him. The Jam were Who copyists. Then came the execrable Style Council, which was just an embarrassment. His solo stuff is better, but it's sort of Stevie Winwood-lite."

Tell it like it is!

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

KOD wrote:

Not a big fan of Paul Weller but he does have two albums in Q magazine's 100 greated albums ever - Stanley Road - Paul Weller (1995) and Setting Sons - The Jam (1979).

Does that make them any good though ? Q magazine is pretty insipid, so I suppose they deserve a place in the list along with U2 and REM.

http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/qlistspage2.html#Best%20Albums%20Ever%202006

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Bob Geldof wrote:

The Jam were Who copyists.

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=48603&subForumID=116247&action=viewTopic&commentID=2284361

ArrGee wrote (a while ago):

The Jam, mod revivalists who thought they were The Who.

Geldof! You are reading this board, aren't you?

[Though the fact the Jam copied to Who is obvious to all, isn't it?]

MJ · Tonight

Jules wrote:

He was the lead singer of the Jam and later the Style Council. Did they not reach America?

Nope.

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

Well there are a considerable number of people on this forum from that side of the pond, so Bob has reached the US in some form or another

Geldof 1 Weller 0

rekamakovics · In the Long Grass

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/09022006/364/wilson-unimpressed-weller-s-moans.html

rekamakovics · In the Long Grass

http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/weller%20slams%20ordinary%20boy_09_02_2006

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

How to win friends and influence people - and all in the name of a publicity stunt! he's just looking like an idiot now!

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Weller says, "I can't believe he did Celebrity Big Brother. I'm really disappointed for him. That show's for losers. I thought he was a lot cooler than that."

ArrGee says, "I can't believe Weller thought Preston was cool. Maybe he only thought that because he ripped off The Jam note for note in the same way Weller did the Who/Kinks/Beatles/Small Faces"

wanker!

-- Edited by ArrGee at 22:44, 2006-02-09

Tango · In the Long Grass

the ordinary boys are really good tho.you can't deny them that.

Mark Boyle · House on Fire

Ah well, time once again for me to say one of my favourite jokes....

I say I say I say I say, what does Paul Weller have in common with scones?

They are both s**t without the Jam!

I thank you!

The man that blatantly plagerised the Electric Light Orchestra's "10538 Overture" - after years of slagging them off for being Tories (actually, only Bev Bevan was the Tory supporter, & wasn't Mr Weller the one telling everyone like the true "socialist" he is to vote for Margaret Thatcher back in 1979?).

The man that looks like the evil twin brother of Geoffrey from "Rainbow" is more to be pitied than scolded...

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

I think you should pay a visit to paulweller.com and put your joke on there

sandyniceta · Lookin' After Number 1

Can't really argue with Mr Weller saying that our Bob has said some really horrible things about other musicians.

Mark Boyle · House on Fire

sandyniceta wrote:

Can't really argue with Mr Weller saying that our Bob has said some really horrible things about other musicians.

Three words for Mr Weller - Pot Kettle & Black - as one of the biggest gobs in the late 70s to early 80s about what constituted "proper" music.

Granted, Geldof's baiting of some like Genesis/Peter Gabriel got up my nose - especially Gabriel, one of the few genuinely nice guys in the music biz, as The Stranglers - who burned even more boats with others than Geldof, Strummer, Rotton & Weller put together - would testify when he casually agreed to do an impromptu "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" with them at Reading one year when they asked him more for a giggle than desire).

But Weller was just a cocky little sod knowing he was protected by his old schoolyard friends in positions of importance in the music press & Polydor records, thus he could vent his spleen at anyone he liked. When Geldof mouthed off, there was nothing to protect him except the words hitting home - he even p*ssed off John Peel when he sneered at "aging hippies" in Radio 1, when the great man ought to have nodded & thought "fair enough comment, even if it's the aging hippies that are the only thing stopping Radio 1 from slipping into the mire (Annie Nightingale by contrast always had a hide like a rhino - which is probably why she was the only other DJ that was ever regarded in almost the same awe)

I seem to remember the Rats trying to be friendly with the Jam (with Geldof & Cott being big The Who fans, hardly surprising) at some festival & Weller being a rude c**t, with Foxton & Butler not having the bottle to tell Paul he was out of line (as the Jam's manager was Paul's dad, hardly surprising).

Weller's problem was largely the same as Strummer's, middle class kids pretending to be working class born & bred to be "cool", feeling threatened by the likes of Hugh Cornwell & Geldof who neither disguised their middle class backgrounds nor apologised for them.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark Boyle wrote:

Weller's problem was largely the same as Strummer's, middle class kids pretending to be working class born & bred to be "cool"

I won't have that! Strummer isn't middle class, pah!

He's too much of a toff to be considered mere middle class.