The Stone Roses Of Techno

[big screen satellite]

...and other names / quotes about Underworld in the press...(old and new)

i'll list any i find here:

'Underworld: Line Up Includes Darren Emerson, a shit-hot DJ since the age of 15. Big Ice Hockey Fans.'

'Underworld: Spoonman - Progessive is not the word.'

'Ok, so Underworld are the greatest thing since slip on shoes, I agree...' (letter, to NME).

'Tucked up in the Indie Ambient bag are the throbbing Underworld...' - Dubno review.

'Underworld weren't always the hip, happening techno hope of The Future.' - on Underworld Mark I & Freur

'the most important album since the Stone Roses' - Dubno review.

'The First LP from the modish trancebeat trio may not be 'the most important album since the Stone Roses' as the music press swoon, but it has its moments'.

'band of the moment Underworld...'

'Underworld the grateful dead of house plan to play forever...'

'Underworld - The sound of now: this is techno as rock 'n' roll experience.'

'If this album doesn't win the Mercury Music Prize then the judging committee should be given lobotomies and retrained as lavatory attendants in a large pig farm.' - STITI review, it didn't win the Prize....

'Techno Wizard Darren Emerson...'

'...the three-strong Essex Techno Poets...'

'In the world of live techno Underworld are basically the biz.'

'who's the Oasis of Brit dance? Underworld? or Orbital?'

...

other old, but interesting things i've discovered too:

Leftfield are planning to Remix Underworld's next single Dark & Long.
Underworld are set to Remix The Drum Club's Follow the Sun.
Underworld have said collaborations with Michael Stipe and U2 are highly unlikely to be released.



feel free to add any you remember or find on your travels and discuss any of the above...

Matt

[jose m]

underworld to record with steve reich and david hassellhoff for the opening of the olympics........

[negative1]

if you put sources to the other quotes,
we can add it to the wiki.

later
-1

[big screen satellite]

Originally Posted by negative1

if you put sources to the other quotes,
we can add it to the wiki.

later
-1

i'll go back and revist them...although some are simply just clippings with no references sadly...

i'll dig out a few more too...

[votingfloater]

Slightly OT, but I've just had a couple of days with mates from when I was a kid at school - people I haven't seen for 7-13 yrs- and I was shocked at how many UW-tinged memories they had. They're really not that into this stuff either (some of them used to like Runrig ffs) but they all had memories associated with Dark & Long, Cowgirl and BS Nuxx. Must be an age thing.

[Icke]

Interview with Dave Clarke (in Dutch, by 3VOOR12)

WAT IS ER DE AFGELOPEN VIJF JAAR VERANDERD IN DE SCENE?

"Nieuwkomers krijgen te weinig ruimte. Er zijn steeds minder boekers en promotors die nieuw talenten een kans durven te geven. Ze spelen heel erg op safe. Maar wie zit er nu nog te wachten op weer Underworld, en Faithless? Ssssssssssssaaaaaaaaaai!!! Ik vind Firestarter van The Prodigy ook geniaal, maar moeten ze daarom nu weer overal opduiken? Waarom niet eens The Detroit Grand Puba's? Of Antony Rother? Die moet echt doorbreken."

Translation;

What has changed in the scene in the last 5 years?

"Newcomers get less chances. There are less bookers and promotors that dare to give new talent an oppertunity. They play it safe. Who still wants to see Underworld, and Faithless? Booooooooooooooooring!!!! I think The Prodigy's Firestarter is genius, but do they really have to perform everywhere now for that? Why not The Detroit Grand Pubas? Or Anthony Rother? He really has to have a breakthrough."

methinks that all that traveling has hurt his head a bit.

[jose m]

dave clark(e) is a tit

[Dirty0900]

I'd agree with him, there is to much reliance imo on the acts that dominated the 90's.

[BeautifulBurnout]

The man's a fool. You only have to go to Fabric on a Friday Night to see all the cutting edge bands/DJs that are "given a chance". Or any given festival in the summer. If bands like UW, the Prodg and Faithless are still up there filling the huge venues, it isn't because people think "oh, nothing else to go and see tonight so I think I will do this instead". It is because they WANT TO SEE THE BEST BANDS.

It's about talent, showmanship, charisma and crowd pulling-power. It doesn't matter how young, innovative or cutting-edge you think you might be, if you haven't got those 4 elements as well, you will have trouble filling a phone box with enough fans.

[big screen satellite]

Originally Posted by Dirty0900

I'd agree with him, there is to much reliance imo on the acts that dominated the 90's.

Partially its true, but its not the fault of the bands that carry on making good music and performing good shows... and UW have hardly been that prolific in the UK in recent years... the real problem is that decent new talent is few and far between... and also that the times have changed in the dance music scene...

Its really only the big acts that can still fill these concerts and venues... and at least Underworld are still breaking new grounds with their shows, and taking them to different audiences around the world...

Name me a big new dance act or DJ that could attract crowds in the way UW / Faithless / Prodidgy or for that matter people like Oakenfold, Tiesto and the biggest name dj's do...

People don't seem to mind the bands like the Stones & U2 keep going... or the fact that T in the park needed to attract the RHCP to their roster to attract the crowds...

Dave Clarke should stick to what he knows... rather than slagging off the scene he is part of... sounds like he played one too many festivals to a tent of about 10 people, while everyone else was off watching a better act like the Prodigy or something.

I've never heard of the Detroit Grand Pubas, and until they really breakthrough they won't be headlining any festivals because people do wanna see what they know, but i'm sure they will get their slots and dues when they make some decent stuff that the masses like... plenty of smaller bands play the tiny tents and venues to create a following... and it leads onwards and upwards...

Underworld played at clubs like the Zap in Brighton in the early years - and they are still going - that was over 14 years ago... if the bands and artists Dave wants to see on the rostas are doing small venues now then if they are still going in 14 years time i'd like to think that they deserve a higher billing...

you have to a) work to get your fan base, and b) produce some decent stuff

its nothing about promoters not putting these people on... its all about the work the acts do themselves to get a higher billing... if you are good enough you will get the slots.