Underneathica Hates the Kids
Does Tim Rogers sound a bit curmudgeonly on the latest You Am I album? Like his hero Paul Westerberg (circa "Sixteen Blue"), Tim has the ability to get inside the teenage head on songs like "Purple Sneakers" and "Fifteen". Unlike Westerberg, Rogers has continued to make great records. But on the new You Am I record, Convicts, Mr. Rogers' lyrics take a dangerous detour into grumpy old fart territory on songs like "By My Own Hand" and "Nervous Kid". Does the world need another GrandpaBoy?Tim Rogers has a new album coming out this fall, a collaboration with Australian singer Tex Perkins (former frontman of the Beasts of Bourbon and The Cruel Sea). The duo, called TnT, are actually planning a few US dates (NYC, Austin, LA, and Seattle) at the end of August after they tour Europe. Details (and a picture of the creepy album cover) are here. You can read my last post about You Am I if you are unfamiliar with Tim Rogers' main band.
You Am I: Nervous Kid
SOA: I Hate the Kids
Christmas: Stupid Kids
12 Comments:
all I have to say is kudos for posting a Christmas song!
Oh man, me love Christmas, especially the Ultraprophets album. Saw them twice live. Did you know that Michael Cudahy unsuccessfully challenged the Mormon dude on Jeopardy?
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I think maybe Tim is a little grumpy, but not because he's getting old, but just because of his take on the state of the world. Having been dropped by their record label because they weren't 'cool' (and yet manufactured pop icons were being signed left, right and centre) I think some of the vitriol is directed squarely at those who actively or passively tried to keep them down. As one would expect in glorious You Am I style, they replied in a way only they knew how. Caught them live a month or so ago and they've lost nothing, nay gained much, from their experiences. TnT should be excellent.
That helps me understand the new record a little better! Since I worship You Am I from afar, I don't have a real strong sense of their place in the Australian music industry, other than noticing that less deserving bands (Jet, Silverchair and now Wolfmother) get more attention and are more successful here. It's ironic that half of You Am I will be in the USA this month (Rusty with Radio Birdman, and Tim with Tex). I don't think there will ever be another US tour by You Am I, and I am very jealous of anyone who's seen them live.
The band nearly broke up after a shambolic performance at last years falls festival in Tasmania, Tim got so drunk he couldn't finish the set and took a swing at the guitarist, Davey Lane. Plus he also divorced his wife and his baby daughter lives in Spain with her, so he has a lot to be unhappy about.
The new album is great though and they are the best live band I have ever seen.
Another Australian reader tells me how great You Am I are live. Thanks, you bastards! (I read once that "bastard" is a term of endearment Down Under.) I heard about that bad gig last year, but didn't know Tim was divorced already. Ouch. Doesn't "Last Gunslinger in Town" sound like the Strokes?
Latest in an apparent series of stomach-churning TnT cover images is this.
Yes, while Tim still seems to enjoy a drink, he seems to have it under control these days, at least, he takes his anger out on the crowd. One delightful chap was yelling 'fix your fucking sound' etc and throwing things on stage. At the end, Tim said, much to the joy of the crowd that the guy 'better knock me out if you hit me, or I'll be down to clobber you'. Probably highlight of their most recent performances for me, at least, was Tim playing acoustic with a single spotlight and doing Purple Sneakers, followed by a belting rendition of Handwasher. Just his voice delivering the line carrying out "There's a poison in my drink/
It's gonna take each good thought I could think!", will stay with me in a spine tingle that will take a long time to forget. Berlin Chair, of course being iconic, simply is breathtaking live.
Their ability to carry pop sensibilities to perfection, though, will one day see them remembered as a band that did great thing for the thing we call 'Aussie music'.
And yes, we're all happy to be called bastards (you can pretty much get away with any insult as long as you add 'mate' or 'it's a term of endearment!' to the end of the insult...)
It's great to see them being recognised elsewhere in the world, they surely deserve it.
Have you heard much of Tim's solo work?
I have the first and second of Tim's solo records, but didn't buy the most recent one. I loved "What Rhymes with Cars & Girls" but was disappointed with the Temperance Union material, and I didn't care much for the bonus disc that came with "Damage". I am still curious to hear TnT.
Hi,
Just passing by here...
You Am I will play shows in the States in October. see: www.youami.net/forums.php
WOW! I had assumed that it wouldn't happen. I may need to visit NYC in October if there aren't any other dates announced between the East and West coasts.
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