Off the back of two successful & critically acclaimed solo albums in Quarry and Ringleader it would have made commercial sense to strike for a reunion in 2008 while his stock was high for a reunion but not for Moz independence. And it would only have been Moz and Marr – never t’other two
Written by my mate Michael Dwyer. I used to freelance for him 20 years ago when he was the editor of a street paper in Perth. He also writes for Rolling Stone Australia.
In his spare time he’s part of a Melbourne ukulele trio that plays only Bowie songs. Their name? The Thin White Ukes.
Byrne says definitely not. He doesn’t want to play the old stuff, or at least not with the old gang… in fact he hasn’t shown much sign of wanting to play with Frantz and Weymouth since the Stop Making Sense gigs in, er, 1983.
Judging from what she has said in the (fairly) recent past, I’d guess there is zero chance of Tina Weymouth ever appearing in the same room as David Byrne.
Not what she was saying in her 2013 Rolling Stone interview.
“Will there ever be a Talking Heads reunion?
TW: You’ll have to ask David Byrne about that. We never ended Talking Heads ourselves. That’s entirely in his court. We never had a fight. I don’t see why there shouldn’t be a reunion. On the other hand, I’m not going to hold my breath because life goes on. Life is too short to sit around moaning about what could have been or what was. We are in touch with the band and we all would love to do it, but we can’t do it without David.”
In related news, the same article refers to Marr’s successful solo career, referring I imagine to his work with Electronic, Modest Mouse and the Cribs. Others might say that fewer people could name a song he has played on since he was in his early 20s.
Ironically for this thread, his contributions to the last Talking Heads album were excellent!
He’s made/been on a lot of great records since 1987, but it’s a shame that such a fine musician is these days known mainly for ill-advised henna and even-more-ill-advised attempts at singing (see also John Squire and Bernard Butler).
Good point. Played with The The too on Dusk?..but still couldn’t name a track off that. Moz , now his early solo singles were excellent, Suedehead, Last of the international playboys, Everyday is like Sunday, but apart from that diminishing returns etc?
So, they need each other? Or is he schism too deep?
The closest The The ever came to being a Proper Band was on Mind Bomb, Dusk and their accompanying tours. Great albums, great gigs – totally built around Marr’s chops and his commitment.
There’s an absolutely outstanding interview with Matt Johnson by JM somewhere on the TT website – I hope it’s still on there somewhere, as it just comes across as two old compadres having a proper reminisce – though MJ is equally revealing about the debauched Infected period.
DogFacedBoy says
Well he’s got to sell his book somehow
Freddy Steady says
Cynic!!
What was the state of Moz’s career in 2008 I wonder? Well, I wonder.
DogFacedBoy says
Off the back of two successful & critically acclaimed solo albums in Quarry and Ringleader it would have made commercial sense to strike for a reunion in 2008 while his stock was high for a reunion but not for Moz independence. And it would only have been Moz and Marr – never t’other two
Junior Wells says
Moz is on one his rare tours to Australia. Here’s a review of his Melbourne show
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/morrissey-review-a-hairraising-thrill-still-20161021-gs7mhv.html
Johnny Concheroo says
Written by my mate Michael Dwyer. I used to freelance for him 20 years ago when he was the editor of a street paper in Perth. He also writes for Rolling Stone Australia.
In his spare time he’s part of a Melbourne ukulele trio that plays only Bowie songs. Their name? The Thin White Ukes.
Moose the Mooche says
See also the Eric Clapton tribute act ‘Lele Got Me On My Knees.
Johnny Concheroo says
You had me going there for a second
Moose the Mooche says
I sense a puntastic thread on uke tribute bands coming on. Eg.
Uke Ornwell
Corrine ‘Lele Rae
Lowell George Formby (tell me you wouldn’t pay to see that)
Sewer Robot says
Bachman Turned Out Nice Again Overdrive
Rigid Digit says
The Ukes of Stratosphear
Psychadelic Pop under an assumed name, featuring Tessie O’Shea
Johnny Concheroo says
Aunty Maggie May’s Remedy
Why Don’t Women Like Me?
(That’s not a song, it’s just a cry for help.)
Moose the Mooche says
What have I done?
(that is also not a song)
Gary says
Where’d I put me feckin’ keys?
(Ditto)
Johnny Concheroo says
The redneck scallies who enter their car via the window: The Ukes Of Hazzard
Guess what, it already exists.
Vincent says
It’ll happen eventually. As will the Talking Heads. Too lucrative not to.
Moose the Mooche says
Byrne says definitely not. He doesn’t want to play the old stuff, or at least not with the old gang… in fact he hasn’t shown much sign of wanting to play with Frantz and Weymouth since the Stop Making Sense gigs in, er, 1983.
count jim moriarty says
Judging from what she has said in the (fairly) recent past, I’d guess there is zero chance of Tina Weymouth ever appearing in the same room as David Byrne.
Gary says
Not what she was saying in her 2013 Rolling Stone interview.
“Will there ever be a Talking Heads reunion?
TW: You’ll have to ask David Byrne about that. We never ended Talking Heads ourselves. That’s entirely in his court. We never had a fight. I don’t see why there shouldn’t be a reunion. On the other hand, I’m not going to hold my breath because life goes on. Life is too short to sit around moaning about what could have been or what was. We are in touch with the band and we all would love to do it, but we can’t do it without David.”
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/q-a-talking-heads-and-tom-tom-clubs-chris-frantz-and-tina-weymouth-on-their-rock-roll-marriage-20130704
Moose the Mooche says
DB’s fairly emphatic in How Music Works – in fact he seems mystified as to why anybody would want it to happen.
ernietothecentreoftheearth says
In related news, the same article refers to Marr’s successful solo career, referring I imagine to his work with Electronic, Modest Mouse and the Cribs. Others might say that fewer people could name a song he has played on since he was in his early 20s.
Which view is fair ?
Moose the Mooche says
Ironically for this thread, his contributions to the last Talking Heads album were excellent!
He’s made/been on a lot of great records since 1987, but it’s a shame that such a fine musician is these days known mainly for ill-advised henna and even-more-ill-advised attempts at singing (see also John Squire and Bernard Butler).
Freddy Steady says
@ernietothecentreoftheearth
Good point. Played with The The too on Dusk?..but still couldn’t name a track off that. Moz , now his early solo singles were excellent, Suedehead, Last of the international playboys, Everyday is like Sunday, but apart from that diminishing returns etc?
So, they need each other? Or is he schism too deep?
Moose the Mooche says
The closest The The ever came to being a Proper Band was on Mind Bomb, Dusk and their accompanying tours. Great albums, great gigs – totally built around Marr’s chops and his commitment.
There’s an absolutely outstanding interview with Matt Johnson by JM somewhere on the TT website – I hope it’s still on there somewhere, as it just comes across as two old compadres having a proper reminisce – though MJ is equally revealing about the debauched Infected period.
pawsforthought says
I really liked the Modest Mouse album that he co-wrote. A number one in the US, no less.
Not a patch on that song he did with Bryan Ferry, mind.
Freddy Steady says
Never knew Modest Mouse had a number one in America, that’s quite a big thing isn’t it? Thanks Paws.
Still couldn’t name a track off it though!
anton says
Heisenberg with Chris Spedding (ok @Colin H ?) from last year is pretty good – sorry no link you will have to buy it yourself.
deramdaze says
Please tell me that “Smiths’ exhibition” picture is a joke?
So Jose, you think Manchester is a lump of crap? Go to the Smiths exhibition!