Spandau Ballet

[electrofaro]

Just saw this video on VH-1 Classic... 360F? Spandau Ballet?

[Tommy]

Spandau Ballet using a Rickenbacker? Nah.

Those guys were all about the perfect presentation, looking good. So, yeah, they get an exotic looking, gorgeous Rickenbacker and put it in a video. No way were they recording with that guitar or using it live. Pure Fender sound for their brand of funk.

[scotty]

just for the record
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9UgXupz7s8

[Tommy]

just for the record

Top of the Pops?!

Just for the record, that was the most notorious lip-synching program of them all. All style and flash and how you look. I'm not surprised that one of the pretty boy Kemp brothers brought a beautiful Rickenbacker to that show's taping. Had they done the live program 'The Tube", Kemp would have brought his Fender.

There's a good story about how absurd 'Top Of The Pops' was. Both U2 and Echo and the Bunnymen were scheduled to be on the same program. As a goof both bands decided to trade guitarists: Edge would play with The Bunnymen and Will Sergeant would play with U2. The point was that what you saw going on on the 'Top Of The Pops' stage was just a joke, a silly show.

If you believe Spandau Ballet was using a Ric to record and play their scratchy funk, then go ahead. Maybe they were. But I'd say they used that Rickenbacker just as a prop. Something gorgeous enough to match their expensive clothes and hair.

[electrofaro]

Somebody here doesn't know the entire ToTP story, and has a very negative view of a show that's an institution across Europe!

[wim]

I wouldn't say it is impossible they used a Ric in the studio. Sometimes it's indistinguishable.
Not everyone sets his sound to "classic '60s RIc' anyway.
I'm more worried about Werner watching Spandau Ballet.
Are you all right Werner? You know you can get help?

[electrofaro]

I'm more worried about Werner watching Spandau Ballet.

I was watching VH-1 Classic over dinner... I never saw that Spandau Ballet video before. Or never actually bothered to watch, as the band is most definitely something I wouldn;t be connected with even as a kid in the 80s!

As for Tommy's remarks - not always has ToTP been miming, it's been live, miming and live singing over music from tape for all it's history with some years seeing more of one version that the other, but still.

The recently refound footage of Bowie was great (and live):

[Tommy]

Somebody here doesn't know the entire ToTP story, and has a very negative view of a show that's an institution across Europe!

Oh, I know it is an institution. Very influential. My God I am an ugly American (we don't look at anything outside our borders. The Beatles? Oh, yeah they are that Ed Sullivan/Shea Stadium band.), and even I know of 'Top Of The Pops." I do realize it's importance to the British/European pop scene. However, I also do realize it was a show that equated looks and style with sales. Similar to early MTV. You got on it and looked the part, you sold more records.

[fireglo67]

One thing to bear in mind is that during 1981/2, Paul Weller (The Jam) was a big fan of the new 'white boy funk movement' and was a fan of Spandau Ballet in particular. Weller was a regular visitor to the new 'Funk' clubs (Le Beat Route) and would hang out with likes of Gary Kemp, Boy George and Steve Strange.
Weller acquired his 360F around this time, so it wouldn't seem out of the question that at some point they would discuss guitars, and maybe Gary Kemp bought his 360F on the advice of Weller.

[scotty]

Tommy didnt you think of Spandau Ballet when you pimped yer 330......
Gold
Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible.......

Do i personally think he played a 360F on the track maybe he did maybe he didnt who cares its always nice to see a 360F no matter whos playing it.....

[Tommy]

Tommy didnt you think of Spandau Ballet when you pimped yer 330......
Gold

So true, funny how it seems.

Weird thing is it looks like I am slagging Spandau Ballet, but I actually liked them. "Instinction" and that "Chant" song were real great. Even their later stuff where their exquisite suits mattered more than than the music, wasn't bad at all.

[fireglo67]

To cut a long story short It's True that I don't need this pressure on.
I thought you guys would give me a Lifeline but Communication let me down.
It could be because everyone is Highly Strung on here, but that's the Nature Of the beast, and it's also True that we have to Fight For Ourselves most of the time.
So, rather than try to appear Musclebound, I'll use my Instiction as It's only when you leave that you wont Cross The Line and head Through The Barricades.

[wim]

I actually like them them too. It might be more of a nostalgic thing maybe.
I was never really into them or Duran Duran etc.. but was not 'against' 'm either.
Most of the songs from the new romantic era bands actually had pretty nice basslines.

[scotty]

Mr. Jones your ill

[fireglo67]

Mr. Jones your ill

You could be right. I can't believe I spent 10 minutes doing that.