Probably settled comfortably into proper jobs and playing guitar on weekends.
As to the albums - would you want to keep them?
― Jamie Conway, Wednesday, 30 April 2003 06:37 (twenty-one years ago) link
After an earlier thread on ILM about Birdland, I got emailed by two different guys, who had a bet on as to who could actually track down an ex-member of Birdland. I have no idea what happened about this, but if you could find those guys, you might be able to find out. Could be something on the earlier thread?
― alext (alext), Wednesday, 30 April 2003 08:26 (twenty-one years ago) link
Possibly the most maligned band of the last decade, I actually interviewed them and saw them play. Nice gents for the most part -- although quite full of themselves. Oh, their onstage pogo'ing was thoroughly embarassing as well (how do you get something as remedial as jumping up and down all wrong? They somehow managed it!)
That said, "Hollow Heart" and "Paradise" are great damn tracks.
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 30 April 2003 12:53 (twenty-one years ago) link
one year passes...
REVIVELANDDazed after changing too many diapers, I parted with both sanity and funds yesterday and broke my disc moratorium, picking up compilations from Birdland and the Virgin Prunes and a reunion live album by NYC proto-hardcore band, Kraut....confirming that, YES, I AM OFFICIALLY OLD!
In any case, the Birdland compilation, Paradise: Complete 189-91 initially seemed like the most ludicrous thing in the world (since when does a band who only released a single LP deserve a retrospective?) Suckered in by the inclusion of the original single mix of "Paradise" and its b-side "White," and a ten-song live set, I dubiously sprang for it. Lemme tell ye, you read lots of flowery praise about Birdland as a live act -- sheer, unfettered pogo mania, attacking the audience, rock'n'roll abandon and all that -- but ooof -- ROBERT VINCENT SIMPLY COULD. NOT. SING. PERIOD! I don't even like Patti Smith -- and never have -- and I feel bad for her for what they do on the live butchering of "Rock'n'Roll Nigger" here. Good lord.
Curiosity sated. Don't buy it. The Kraut and Virgin Prunes discs were worth it, though.
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 4 February 2005 08:21 (nineteen years ago) link