meeting the band

[fat cherry]

after reading the semi spat thats on the other thread I thought I'd just go right out and ask the question. Why do some people want to meet the band (or any band for that matter), and some dont. Me, I'm in the second group and I dont really get why anyone would want to be in the first. Not that I mind particularly if you do, just dont understand, is it an ego boost? do you just like meeting people? do you really want to be their mate?

Switching into self assessment mode I think there are two reasons for this. The real reason is probably that I cant think of stuff to say at ther best of times (OK waffling on on the internet is a bit different isn't it), but actually speaking to people, well, you should see me trying to chat up women, or do job interviews - "why do you want to work for/ What will you bring to this company/WHere do you see yourself blah blah blah. The answer 'I'll get my coat' is the first one that comes to mind... but I digress. Having said that I dont really have the desire to meet them either, never really occurred to me to try and blag my way into a backstage party - I mean for a start you have to make a tit of yourself begging to some hired twat who has the power just to say no should they want to. Pushing 50 now but even at 20 I had more self respect than that.

The other is that perhaps more of a fanboy than those who seek out the band, believing theres some magic bubble that will go pop if I meet the magician.

Then theres the inbetweenie - the chance enounter. I had a v short one with mr sergeant a few years ago. After a gig I just found myself standing next to him - I htink he'd been signing stuff - and we looked at each other, I'm thinking, say something say something - a bit like chandler when he's talking to women - and he just muttered something about having to go find the missus, and off we went.

So go on then, explain yourself.

C

[moondance]

When Will puts on an aftershow dj gig, I think it's nice to go. I think he does this for the fans, especially when he is on the road. I really enjoyed meeting him. I didn't talk to him for hours or anything, just said hello and pretty much let him do what he was doing and enjoyed the arrangement of songs that he put together. In New York, he did a great job putting together a mix of songs for the American fan. He seems to enjoy making connections with the fans. I think its his way of showing appreciation for fans and allowing them to sort of have a "party" together.

[withahip]

So go on then, explain yourself.

C

Either way, I don't really feel the need to explain myself to you.

No offense.

[guitarplayer on here too]

Personally, I have never gone out purposely to meet the band, but did get the opportunity several years back. It was nice to be able to "talk" to a couple of people that have been an inspiration music-wise. But I was as nervous as shit. I "muttered" a few words to Mac about how good an album Siberia was and hardly said anything to Will and then spent about two minutes browsing CDs near to Will without saying anything again. Quite sad really. Why was I so damn nervous? -- probably because it a realisation that these guys had produced some of the best music that I've ever heard and the Bunnymen's music is really important to me. I'd probably be exactly the same if I met any other musicians that I listen to.

I'm all for the chance encounter. It's nice to speak to somebody beyond listening to their music, seeing them on TV or seeing them on stage. But not that kind of groupie "let's look for the band" thing. Which is quite pointless, but probably inflates the ego of the musician, especially if they are male and the fan is female... and fit...

[JackT]

I've never met either Mac or Will, but I think I would like to. On the other hand, I NEVER know what to say in those situations. I would probably blurt out something like, "I like music", or something.

[fat cherry]

yeah soz JT, no offence taken, but should have said.... if you would like to share your thoughts, I'd be most interested to read them, otherwise, in a totally non-confrontational or demanding way I am totally happy that you wish to remain a private member of the human race etc.

[withahip]

yeah soz JT, no offence taken, but should have said.... if you would like to share your thoughts, I'd be most interested to read them, otherwise, in a totally non-confrontational or demanding way I am totally happy that you wish to remain a private member of the human race etc.

I'll tell you later.

[Mr. Brian]

Whenever I meet a band member I always feel like that skit on SNL when Chris Farley was interviewing Paul McCartney

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[blinkilite]

i think i am still in "fangirl" mode as to meeting mac. i have never met him, and i think some magic bubble might burst if i were to get up the courage to talk to him. and i would say something completely stupid like "your hair is pretty" and giggle and run away... so to be honest, while i would like to meet mac, i am not in a rush to make an ass of myself in front of him.

Will is a different story. i met him in philadelphia last summer, and i was so nervous. i shook his hand and said "hi, i'm lauren" and he said "i know" turns out he recognized me from my myspace, and after that we had a 15 minute conversation about scooters and motorbikes. we didn't have to "make tits of ourselves" to get backstage or anything, a group of us were going to a pub after the gig, and about a half hour later the band (will, ste, gordy, peter allen) showed up at the same pub... we all talked and drank and had a great time. Will is a very nice guy, and he is very accessible to fans, you don't have to make much effort, just go up and talk to him. and he has a great sense of humor.

i also got the chance to chat with him in liverpool, and was impressed that he remembered me from june 2006, i figure he meets so many fans... but he told me "you're the scooter girl from philadelphia" and that just made my night that he remembered me. but i had a great time meeting all the UK bunnymen fans and getting to talk to Will again. i didn't go out of my way to seek out the band or try to "be their mate" or whatever, it just worked out that way. as moondance said, i think Will likes the fans, and likes chatting with us. he even came to our pre-gig meet-up on the sunday night, and we got to walk to the gig with him. the best was when the touts outside trying to sell tickets realized they were trying to sell Will a bunnymen ticket. it was hilarious.

not sure why i am in group 1 (wanting to meet the band) and not in group 2. i think its just that i am a fangirl deep down and it makes me happy to meet my heroes. i've also met neil gaiman (my favourite author) and was in a worse state (nervous as hell) meeting him than i was meeting Will... and Neil just signed my book and shook my hand. but that's just me... the dorky fangirl

[moses (2)]

Then theres the inbetweenie - the chance enounter. I had a v short one with mr sergeant a few years ago. After a gig I just found myself standing next to him - I htink he'd been signing stuff - and we looked at each other, I'm thinking, say something say something - a bit like chandler when he's talking to women - and he just muttered something about having to go find the missus, and off we went.
C

Didn't Mac have a similar experience with Leonard Cohen in Dublin - when he met him and said something really stupid

[withahip]

If an artist's work makes a big impression on a person it just seems natural they would get excited about meeting them. And as we get older, I hear more and more people say they fail to say anything meaningful, coherent or worthwhile when finally meeting an idol.

Add to that I think it does a number on the psyche when you meet somone face to face that one has only seen in pictures.

As far as going through the trouble to meet someone I personally haven't had the desire to do it but to each their own. Tell me if this anecdote makes any sense and explains anything-
I remember thinking Japanese pop was just the worst music on the face of the earth when I was living in Tokyo. Could do nothing but put it down. Then one night at karaoke I see some girls have the best time singing their favorite J-Pop songs. The music didn't hurt anyone ('cept my condescending music standards) and made people incredibly happy. I didn't like it after that, but I no longer loated it. I knew it brought people some joy - especially in the rabbit hutch life of a city of 12 million people.

So little makes people happy in this world and even less offers an escape that doesn't harm the body or society - so if someone wants to wait outside a tour bus I am happy they found something they love enough to stand out in the cold for.

The only reason I hit it off with Primal Scream was because I didn't care. Had I met Harold Budd I would have been praising him high and low till he was running way.

[Seven Seas]

Fat Cherry, to answer your question, I'm definetly in Group 2. I am content doing my own thing & seeing whatever will happen, will happen. I am not a very social person, so, I don't go out of my way to say hey. Plus, I'm shy & reserved as he** so, that really doesn't help too much.

[Dr Cheese]

I once got a programme signed by Tangerine Dream outside the Royal Court in Liverpool, I couldn't understand a word they were saying. Bloody Germans! I also once got to pat Sammy Hagar on the head as he was getting on his tour bus outside the Empire. Oh and I bumped (literally) into Freddie Starr on the North Pier at Blackpool in 1975 - I was a celebrity at school for weeks after that.
And so concludes my flirtation with showbiz. I can't be arsed to be honest

[JackT]

I passed Springsteen on the sidewalk in Southampton (NY) once. I said "Hi" and he said "How are you?"

[black francis]

I generally don't do too well in social situations and don't actively seek to meet new people in person, but for whatever reason I have always wanted to meet Ian, Will, Glenn Danzig, Morrissey and most of all Frank Black. Knowing I'd be completely useless in the situation I've only put myself in a position to meet one of them and it was Mac at the L.A. aftershow party and I never saw him (that was a shit experience that will keep me from trying that again). The only one I've met is Frank Black and it was awful. It was at a record release performance at Amoeba Records and it went from performance to IMMEDIATE signing session and because I was in front for the performance, next thing I know I'm FOURTH in line to meet him. I quickly prepared my "you’re my sun, moon, stars, wind beneath my wings speech" and next thing I know my buddy and I are right there and he was so nice asking about us and I couldn't say a thing. Luckily my friend was cool and was like "yeah this is the 8th time we've seen you, blah, blah" and FB seemed really grateful for our support and thanked us and it was time to move on and I was like "say something!!!!!" so I blurted out in "uh iiiiiiiiitttttt's GREAT STUFF!!! I had no control of the tone or volume of my voice and I half ran/half walked away from the table in abject shame.

What's funny is when I worked a golf shop in L.A. celebrities walked in almost daily but since they meant nothing to me I had no problems when dealing with them but I know if I run into the above mentioned people I will freeze up and blurt out something like "uh my grandma bakes cookies!!!"

Happens with chicks too.