In bored conversation / In recalcitrant silence
I have just returned from a once-in-a-life-time-but-never-again-thanks experience: Mark E Smith ‘In Conversation’ at the London Literature Festival at the South Bank Centre.
It was exactly as I expected. A brilliant train wreck of an event which only Mark E Smith could possibly get away with. He ambled on stage clutching a bottle of lager, promptly managed to break the microphone then spent 30 minutes varyingly tussling with/ignoring/attempting to wind up interviewer and co-author of his biography Austin Collings.
In between recalcitrant silences, random Smith ‘facts’ emerged:
- The Fall are not a Manchester band. Manchester bands are embarrassing.
- He likes the Searchers. He does not like The Buzzcocks.
- Shiftwork is one of his favourite Fall albums.
- British journalists are selling themselves short and letting the internet take over their jobs. Soon they will be like American journalists who just re-write press releases and have no objectivity.
- There is no difference between him now and him in 1979.
- He doesn’t like to think about the past.
- He’s been trying to get a pot belly for 30 years.
- He’s never writing a book again.
- This one (biography Renegade) is a pack of lies anyway.
After a while Smith just got bored and left the stage. He was reluctantly coaxed back to alternately answer/ignore a handful of questions from the audience. Not for long though - we were all back out in the foyer within the hour.
None of this suprised me. What did take me back was that Smith and Austin Collings were flanked by two silent blokes, one with a beer, the other supping a bottle of red, who just sitting there. I don’t mind Mark E Smith being difficult, random or belligerent, I expected it, but I never thought that he would be the kind of person who needs to have his hand held by a posse of lackeys, Elvis or Beyonce style. Disappointing.
Tags: music = opinions
July 17th, 2008 at 11:51 am
It was worth a try I suppose, one fears the chances of him changing were lost in oh 1980, good records though.
July 17th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
It was an experience I’ll say that - very Mark E. Smith.
Apparently he’s done quite a few of these events to promote his biog. But if he hates doing them that much, why does he put himself through it? Most of the people in the audience were fans who would have bought the book anyway…
July 18th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Ah - I NEARLY got tickets for this, but a friend who had been to the one in Brighton said it was a waste of time. Plus I read the book and found it quite dull (there I’ve said it!!).
Best to stick to the music where he’s concerned, I think.
July 19th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Yes, I read a review of the Brighton gig on Guardian Unlimited yesterday and it seems much the same as the London one. Just wish I’d seen it first. No, it was an experience, it was…
July 20th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Wha……..? The Japanese Prison Camp, the tarot readings for dope? All lies? Should have known…
July 21st, 2008 at 12:29 pm
RE, So you’ve read it then? I haven’t but have promised to buy one for my ’significant others’ bithday. He hasn’t been put off yet…
July 21st, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Actually, it’s a great read, especially the childhood japes section. The more prosaic bits, well, just stream of consciousness ramblings really, are crap, but his opinions on most things are really interesting, I recommend.
July 25th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Good write up, but it wasn’t Austin Collings asking the questions - it was Ian Harrison from Mojo. Who deserves a medal.
July 26th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Yarbles, really?! Thanks, I missed the intro due to the mic. issues and tiresome screeching neighbours. But this explains a few things. And yes, he Ian Harrison does deserve a medal.