Bands That Don't Travel

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This came up in another thread:

Bands or artists that people outside their home country - or even region or city, if you prefer - don't seem to 'get'. Some speculation on as to why would be interesting too.

― Tom, Monday, 19 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Can't believe no one as responded to this thread. One thing that comes to mind for me is Elvis Costello. I've enjoyed his stuff through the years, and I still own a couple of records, but any time he got political ("Green Shirt," "Tramp The Dirt Down") he loses me. I don't think I'll ever understand why someone would want to write a song about The Queen (though I love "The Queen Is Dead," naturally.) I just don't get where those feelings come from. Who cares?

Belle & Sebastian came up somewhere else, and I can see this to a degree. Though I like the records I have by them, I do sometimes feel like I'm missing something, a certain P.O.V

― Mark Richardson, Monday, 19 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

First band that comes to mind would be the Tragically Hip. Living legend status is already concrete here at home, but elsewhere not so much at all. I'd blame it on the, um, local themes? (It sure can't be a lack of live energy) I mean, a show of hands, who here even knows where Bobcaygeon is?

― Kim, Monday, 19 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Dreadzone. I've yet to meet another American, or any non-Brit, who knows about Dreadzone.

― Inukko, Tuesday, 20 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I don't remember EC writing any songs about the Queen but I might be wrong. I agree though that apart from "God Save The Queen" there aren't any good ones. (The Stone Roses "Elizabeth My Dear" is particularly poor, before anyone mentions that).

It's harder to think of American bands who didn't travel. Possibly hardcore. I mean, scenesters here were into it but it never made the kind of impact it did in the USA.

― Tom, Tuesday, 20 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The Jam.

― Dr. C, Tuesday, 20 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Jesus & Mary Chain. As to why? I really don't know. The situation in Holland (always on the fence between American and Britian) is that most British bands are frowned upon as hype, these bands then get a cult following, after 4 albums the press will finally give them props (recent example Primal Scream). Every fart by Elvis Costello and Tragically Hip meanwhile is worshipped without any irony (no really, two good examples of eternal press favorites). And if Motorpsycho per chance had been British they would stand a chance here.

― Omar, Tuesday, 20 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

that must be: Motorpsycho would not stand a chance ;)Manic Street Preachers also don't seem to travel well.

― Omar, Tuesday, 20 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

< Manic Street Preachers also don't seem to travel well.

Well they made it to Cuba, didn't they? :-)

I would pick Modest Mouse. In an interview I did with'em, they even joked that they had no fans at all in Europe.

― nathalie c (nathalie), Tuesday, 20 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I thought "Tramp The Dirt Down" from Spike was about The Queen, but I could be wrong. Actually, it just popped into my head that it was about Thatcher and The Falklands. Either way, it didn't translate!

― Mark Richardson, Tuesday, 20 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Laurie Anderson's work seems, mainly, like it would not travel well -- being largely about America and all.

On Elvis Costello: His record company made him replace "Sunday's Best" on the US release of Armed Forces, coz they thought it was too British. I actually always enjoyed "Tramp The Dirt Down" 'coz it was so bitter.

― Sterling Clover, Wednesday, 21 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Definately Belle and Sebastian

― Michael, Wednesday, 21 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Screeching Fucking Weasel, ya dipshits.

― Jimminy Crewcut, Wednesday, 21 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I do remember reading once about this death metal band who refused to go in aeroplanes because they would be too near the "One"!

― jel, Thursday, 22 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

definitely the smiths. just ask some of my former co-workers.

defending ian curtis's voice (yes, i actually *like* the way he sang) to north americans can be another challenge.

― sundar, listening to _hatful of hollow_ twice a day. life will improve i know i, Thursday, 22 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The Foxgloves. They never go *anywhere*.

― the pinefox, Wednesday, 28 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

three weeks pass...

Smiths. Because there not that good.

― Fid, Sunday, 25 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

one month passes...

Eh?

― the pinefox, Saturday, 28 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

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