Young Gods: Classic or Dud

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Young Gods: Zee Swish meisters, classique oder dud?

My take on the band after just seeing them play live. Classic. I forgot how good they could be, for my money the best live rock band around. Amazing also how they still have a unique way of sampling (esp. the rotating guitars). My favourite records are still the French ones esp. "l'Eau Rouge" and the l'Amourir single. The concert was like a timewarp because these guys haven't aged in 6 years and Al still wears the same sweater ;) Anyone out there still rate The Gods?

― Omar, Sunday, 4 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Classic...My first exposure to them was the "Live sky tour" album and I couldnt believe that they used samplers...it just sounded so immense....Franz's voice, the robotik riffs, the gothic vibe they have...its all good

I havent heard their new album "Second Nature". Is it any good?

― Michael Bourke, Sunday, 4 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Completely fucking goddamn classic. If I may say. Taking something Tim pointed out a little while back about Disco Inferno elsewhere -- even if you *weren't* aware they sampled rather than conventionally played most of their riffs, it still sounds awesome and worthy of listening. Being able to balance the shock of the new (at least at the time they came together) in terms of making music and making good music in the first place isn't always easy!

Founded the fan mailing list for them in 1995, finally saw them that year, own every album except the new one, which I really need to order...great band. And Franz Treichler's a friendly guy!

I should note that they're not the only Swiss meisters, though. There's also Yello. ;-)

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 4 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The only other Swiss meisters, or strictly meistresses (?) that I can think of are Kleenex/Lilliput. There's a retrospective out soon. Fine late 70's/early 80's fem-punk buzz.

― Dr. C, Sunday, 4 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Quite right, and I just picked up that Liliput comp yesterday. If those are all the bands they ever had, then that makes for a great quality ratio, but I suspect there must be others. ;-)

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 4 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Of course there are others. Haven't you been keeping up with Atavistic's "Unheard Masters of Swiss Electroacoustic Improv" series?

― Otis Wheeler, Monday, 5 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Funnily enough, no I haven't. But I bet Ned has.

On the subject of the Young Gods - I have only owned 'L'Eau Rouge' which I used to like and grew tired of. That was 10 years ago. Vitually everything else I've heard has been good, but not great. I suspect that's not the way to listen to them, though, and that if I spent time with any of their later albums, given time I'd grow to love 'em. What's a good place to start?

― Dr. C, Monday, 5 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I must admit that I still don't have the 1st album, which I gather is really good. Also haven't heard the new one, although the new songs the played live were very good, bit more space, some tiny prog elements creeping in (but good). The new drummer by the way is excellent.

― Omar, Monday, 5 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

recently saw second nature - only knew it was the gods as i had seen the website. the sound is more electronic than their stomping classic tv sky - which is a must have industrial epic. its amazing mix of ambient/electronic with a dark twist. newsgroup in action : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/young_gods management provide info as and when. thankyou. http://www.ireallylovemusic.co.uk

― mark emsley, Tuesday, 13 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

three months pass...

Shit, have I missed the Cyber-Stooges playing in Holland. Classic. Unsung heros.

'The Young Gods'- Sounded like nothing on earth. Even that Gary Glitter cover sounded evil long before... well you know. 'L'eau Rouge' + 'L'Amourir/Pas Mal' - their peak. 'TV Sky' - disappointing, - 'The Kurt Weil' album - wonderful curiosity, - 'live sky tour' packs a mean punch. 'Only Heaven' return to form, techno/ambient influences fusing well with the headbanger in Franz. Since then, completely lost track of them, wondered if they'd split....any know whats happened, future releases etc ..cousin Omar?

― Stevo, Tuesday, 19 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

two years pass...

What are they like live?

― Ralf, Wednesday, 16 June 2004 15:56 (twenty years ago)

Back in 1995, they were monstrously great. Nowadays, dunno.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 16 June 2004 16:08 (twenty years ago)

Anyone see them on l'eau rouge or tv sky tours?

― Ralf, Wednesday, 16 June 2004 16:26 (twenty years ago)

They are even better than Treponem Pal or Pankow in my book!!

― chuck, Wednesday, 16 June 2004 16:29 (twenty years ago)

Since I've not actually heard this band, what recommendations can be given for best to worst in order?

― Eve Atley (Kilbey1), Wednesday, 16 June 2004 16:40 (twenty years ago)

I'd say L'eau Rouge is the best album. But if you want an english language album check out Only Heaven on TV Sky.

― Ralf, Wednesday, 16 June 2004 16:46 (twenty years ago)

Also The Young Gods Play Kurt Weill is one fine album, although a little short. It has the best cover of Alabama Song anyone's ever
done.

― mzui, Wednesday, 16 June 2004 17:05 (twenty years ago)

Envoyé!

― stirmonster, Wednesday, 16 June 2004 17:38 (twenty years ago)

Ralf sorta summed it up, so I won't add further -- but the Kurt Weill album is a monumental headfuck and a half. And "L'Amourir" is still for me their best single song.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 16 June 2004 17:39 (twenty years ago)

Awesome, awesome band. My favorite album is the first (s/t), but I think you should grab any you can find -- they're getting harder and harder to come by these days, from what I can tell. I'm lucky to have the ones I do, but I'm still waiting to stumble on a copy of Only Heaven! They're still a headfuck, and not much else really sounds like them.

― Clarke B. (Clarke B.), Wednesday, 16 June 2004 18:14 (twenty years ago)

when ever they did 'l'amourir' live, i used to think i was going to explode.

― stirmonster, Wednesday, 16 June 2004 18:18 (twenty years ago)

i saw the TV Sky tour .. was wonderful. the sight of all the Rock fans - their faces when the stage set was revealed with just one monster keyboard/computer set up. i have to say though the last album Second Nature was very different .. electronica .. but with a subtle YG element to it. and last time i looked the webiste had these gorgeous loops that you can play with ..

― mark e (mark e), Wednesday, 16 June 2004 19:33 (twenty years ago)

Has Anyone Heard The New Instrumental Solo Album?

― ralf, Wednesday, 16 June 2004 19:42 (twenty years ago)

I saw the Young Gods playing a quite a small, very crowded, very sweaty venue (the Manchester Boardwalk) on the L'Eau Rouge tour (with Treponem Pal I think perhaps?), which was pretty stupendous. Also caught them on the tour after that with Cranes supporting them. I've got a rotten memory, but I do remember that they were were crushingly loud and they really knew how to work the crowd too. They had this absolute control of tension, knowing when to rein it in and let it build, and when to just let chaos rip through the walls.

― NickB (NickB), Wednesday, 16 June 2004 20:14 (twenty years ago)

The Young Gods/Cranes tour I remember reading about and being spectacularly jealous of. It would have been a marvellous show.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 16 June 2004 20:15 (twenty years ago)

Man, I need to open some wine and put 'Charlotte' on, right about now.

― NickB (NickB), Wednesday, 16 June 2004 20:17 (twenty years ago)

"Envoye" makes me happier than virtually anything I can name.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 16 June 2004 20:20 (twenty years ago)

I also saw them on the "L'Eau Rouge" tour and they were such a great live act.

― Jay Vee (Manon_70), Wednesday, 16 June 2004 21:22 (twenty years ago)

I am SO jealous of you old-ass freaks who got to see them live!

― Clarke B. (Clarke B.), Thursday, 17 June 2004 01:14 (twenty years ago)

YEAH WORSHIP US BECAUSE WE ARE OLD. Infant.

(BTW, Clarke, we ended up choosing a Cotes-du-Rhone from 2000 and it went down a treat!)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 17 June 2004 01:14 (twenty years ago)

Nice to hear, Ned -- I might have a future in this beverage consultant thing just yet! I put on the s/t Young Gods today and marveled at its genius -- "Jimmy" and "Feu" = unstoppable greatness.

― Clarke B. (Clarke B.), Thursday, 17 June 2004 01:24 (twenty years ago)

Ah good. :-) And yes, there's a third meal planned and your expertise will again be drawn upon...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 17 June 2004 01:26 (twenty years ago)

one year passes...

Only Heaven is fucking MONSTROUS. What's this new comp? What else do i need?

― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Monday, 10 October 2005 15:01 (nineteen years ago)

Probbaly every album prior to that with the exception of the live Tv Sky tour one, seek out The Young Gods Play Kurt Weill which is a tremendous mini album.

The new comp is just a best of although there is an extra CD of remixes, they are also playing the Barfly in London on Nov 25th.

― mzui (mzui), Monday, 10 October 2005 15:11 (nineteen years ago)

Should I get into Rammstein?

― Tom (Groke), Monday, 10 October 2005 15:13 (nineteen years ago)

Yes! Or at least see one of their video collections. They're, um, impressive if nothing else.

― RickyT (RickyT), Monday, 10 October 2005 15:15 (nineteen years ago)

Oh my. This is not going to be in any way objective because I write this two floors above their studio. The Young Gods are indeed with Yello our finest exports !

"Envoyé" is THE tune that smacked us all in the head (and the everything else) back in 1987 (!) and their 1st album remains a classic light years ahead of its time. Their late 80's live shows were awesome and I think I owe Franz a lifetime investment in music somehow. When you're not from a huge town and witness a local band with such a novel approach, you believe you too can do anything - or that at least the possibility exists.

Not content to do "just" shows these days, they're on a string of elaborate productions, most recently a live soundtracking of the "Woodstock" movie, and they pulled it off in style.

― blunt (blunt), Monday, 10 October 2005 17:54 (nineteen years ago)

Only Heaven is fucking MONSTROUS

That it is. And yes you should get into Rammstein, Tom.

Blunt, that's a great post and summary! And I didn't realize you were Swiss, now there's that. Please pass my regards onto them when you run into them next, as I guess you sometimes do; just tell them I was that crazy Californian who started up that net mailing list ten years back...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 10 October 2005 17:58 (nineteen years ago)

Thanks, I certainly will Ned. I'm Swiss-American.

― blunt (blunt), Monday, 10 October 2005 18:03 (nineteen years ago)

1st gig i ever saw was The Young Gods with support from laika at the OLD Glasgow Cathouse in 1995.
It was the only heaven tour. What a fantastic gig that was.
All the albums up until (and including) Only heaven are essential. The last 2 were a bit disappointing.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Monday, 10 October 2005 18:28 (nineteen years ago)

one year passes...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdhHMXTGCC8

a friend and I videotaped their NYC gig on the l'eau rouge tour, unfortunately that one's lost to the sands of time...

― Edward III, Thursday, 12 April 2007 17:35 (eighteen years ago)

gee, wonder if trent reznor ever watched that "envoye" video...

― Edward III, Thursday, 12 April 2007 17:39 (eighteen years ago)

I saw that L'Eau Rouge tour, they were fucking incredible. The only band I can think of where the guitars sound real (but aren't) and the drums sound like a machine (but are real).

― sleeve, Thursday, 12 April 2007 19:03 (eighteen years ago)

seven months pass...

any of their stuff after 'only heaven' any good?

― Michael B, Sunday, 18 November 2007 20:09 (seventeen years ago)

New album is very good.

― Herman G. Neuname, Sunday, 18 November 2007 20:19 (seventeen years ago)

yes! So was the last one!

― sleeve, Sunday, 18 November 2007 20:53 (seventeen years ago)

"I'm The Drug" is one of the best album-openers of the year, if not THE best.

― Just got offed, Sunday, 18 November 2007 21:00 (seventeen years ago)

five months pass...

So........ there's an acoustic album of old songs coming out

http://www.younggods.com/cms/front_content.php?idart=240

cd & dvd by the looks of things

― Herman G. Neuname, Saturday, 19 April 2008 00:10 (seventeen years ago)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knock_on_Wood_(Young_Gods_album)

― Herman G. Neuname, Saturday, 19 April 2008 00:12 (seventeen years ago)

I saw that L'Eau Rouge tour, they were fucking incredible. The only band I can think of where the guitars sound real (but aren't) and the drums sound like a machine (but are real).

-- sleeve

OTM. Had a long chat w/them back in... whenever that was. I think the key to their live "goodness" was, there was no sequencer, so there was a really "live" feel to them. Interesting how they managed to sound more sequenced than they were, whereas Minstry/Rev Co, who played w/backing tracks managed to sound more "live" than they were.

― factcheckr, Saturday, 19 April 2008 19:00 (seventeen years ago)

one year passes...

― pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Sunday, 19 April 2009 16:04 (sixteen years ago)

Saw them live during the TV Sky tour. Absolutely fucking classic.

― Duke, Sunday, 19 April 2009 18:17 (sixteen years ago)

i saw them the only heaven tour.

― pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Sunday, 19 April 2009 18:18 (sixteen years ago)

six years pass...

My latest for the Quietus -- looking back at Only Heaven:

http://thequietus.com/articles/18973-young-gods-only-heaven-review-anniversary

― Ned Raggett, Friday, 16 October 2015 14:46 (nine years ago)

three years pass...

Not listened to it yet but *sampled fanfare* - new album!

The Young Gods - Data Image Tangram
https://theyounggods.bandcamp.com/album/data-mirage-tangram

― kolarov spring (NickB), Saturday, 2 March 2019 11:49 (six years ago)

Listening now. It's sounding quite cool in a nice chilled-out-yet-still-threatening way

― imago, Saturday, 2 March 2019 12:32 (six years ago)

four months pass...

Man, this is a good record, they really have evolved into some sort of 21st-century version of the Doors.

― MaresNest, Sunday, 7 July 2019 20:31 (five years ago)

it's really good

― Thus Spoke Darraghustra (Oor Neechy), Sunday, 7 July 2019 21:03 (five years ago)

Really? I must give it a go, then.

I saw them twice in the early 90s and emerged from the gig thinking, "best gig I've ever seen". Always a good sign!

I've not paid attention since TV Sky, I think.

― Duke, Sunday, 7 July 2019 21:24 (five years ago)

oh man ya gotta hear Super Ready/Fragmente at the very least, Second Nature is great as well, I have not heard the new one but their output over the last 20 years has been very very solid

― sleeve, Sunday, 7 July 2019 21:26 (five years ago)

Ok. I'll take a look. I sort of forgot they existed..

― Duke, Sunday, 7 July 2019 21:29 (five years ago)

only heaven is amazing. i saw them on that tour

― Thus Spoke Darraghustra (Oor Neechy), Sunday, 7 July 2019 21:55 (five years ago)

one year passes...

http://theyounggods.bandcamp.com/album/john-peel-session-1988

Nice if you love the early YG sound.

― Shaidar Logoff (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday, 21 April 2021 07:29 (four years ago)

fuckin' RAD, thanks! I love "Irrtum Boys" and "L"Amourir"

― "Gaspar? No way." (sleeve), Wednesday, 21 April 2021 14:41 (four years ago)

eight months pass...

https://hummusrecords.bandcamp.com/album/a

/A\ = Emilie Zoé (Swiss singer songwriter), Franz Treichler (guitar & vocals) and Nicolas Pittet (drums).

― StanM, Wednesday, 22 December 2021 17:23 (three years ago)

ten months pass...

WAHT

https://theyounggods.bandcamp.com/album/the-young-gods-play-terry-riley-in-c

― sleeve, Tuesday, 8 November 2022 20:53 (two years ago)

yeah I revived the wrong one last month I guess :-(

Anybody heard anything about the new The Young Gods album?

― StanM, Tuesday, 8 November 2022 21:00 (two years ago)

There's a doc and performance video too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8c6xwINo7Q

― MaresNest, Tuesday, 8 November 2022 23:12 (two years ago)

one year passes...

really digging Data Mirage Tangram this morning, hope they do a new one soon

― dead precedents (sleeve), Thursday, 25 January 2024 16:16 (one year ago)

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