Life without Life Without Buildings

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From http://www.lifewithoutbuildings.com/

It's kinda bad because though they can be dismissed as one of those revival post-punk band that will be a mere footnote in history, I actually, well, liked them. Beyond the novelty of the very distinctive vocal style of Sue Tompkins, the rest of the band were very solid and provided them with a probably longer repeated listening value once that novelty wore off. While I'll probably forget the likes of Erase Errata, the Liars and Radio 4 in a year (in some cases, it has already happened), I can still listen to "Any Other City" EVERY day and stay in love with it.

For me, they weren't just great sonically, but they struck an emotional chord that few of the newer bands are capable of in this era of posturing and too-coolness. More than any bands I've discovered in the past two years, they sounded like they LOVED doing music and I found that passion contagious. It's really too bad that we might not be able to ever hear any new material from a band that I was looking forward to follow throughout their career.

RIP LWB...

― alex in montreal, Thursday, 26 September 2002 14:05 (twenty-three years ago)

So...where can I go from here? Any band suggestions?

― alex in montreal, Thursday, 26 September 2002 14:06 (twenty-three years ago)

i heard life without buildings. I didn't like what i heard (aparft from her voice there wasn't much there as i recall).

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 26 September 2002 14:15 (twenty-three years ago)

I can't say I expected them to follow that record up very surprisingly, so I'm not too saddened -- and possibly whatever projects they splinter off to will have a slightly better chance for development than what they were doing. But still, that's odd to have called it quits so soon. I quite liked Any Other City.

― nabisco (nabisco), Thursday, 26 September 2002 15:01 (twenty-three years ago)

sheeit, that album was one of the best of the last 3 years, at least. Fuck. I guess you could try Desert Hearts.

― Queen G (Queeng), Thursday, 26 September 2002 15:14 (twenty-three years ago)

hmmm, annoyingly bad news. as mr Ewing has previously written the band could be a bit too indie-by-numbers but when they gelled it was excellent. they came here (australia) this year to play but i didn't get the chance to see them - tale of my life. anyone know the reasons for the split?

― phil turnbull (philT), Thursday, 26 September 2002 20:23 (twenty-three years ago)

Another reason why the split is disappointing is that I'll never get to see them live. Anyone know where I can download a video clip or something like that?

― alex in montreal, Thursday, 26 September 2002 20:33 (twenty-three years ago)

I emailed them earlier today. If I hear back from them, I'll post their reply.

― Yancey (ystrickler), Thursday, 26 September 2002 20:35 (twenty-three years ago)

basically I think sue wanted to concentrate on art and wasn't as into touring. judging from some of the poundings she got from various audiences I can understand why. damn shame as her vocals were one of the best things about music in glasgow...
one of my favourite bands from round this way, and lovely people to boot.

― simon 803 (simon 803), Thursday, 26 September 2002 22:37 (twenty-three years ago)

it is hard to picture another album because the vocals were so distinctive. i think it might be for the best. those of us who liked the band can have our pleasant memories, and the rest will not be subjected to it again.

― ron (ron), Thursday, 26 September 2002 23:45 (twenty-three years ago)

I haven't been this cut about a band breaking up in absolutely years. I'm really sad. Their last single, "Love Trinity" was fantastic and made me really look forward to what their follow-up would have been like. *sigh*

*sigh*

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Thursday, 26 September 2002 23:54 (twenty-three years ago)

two years pass...

Over two years have passed. Are any of the members doing anything new?

I just fell in love with Any Other City (along with the b-sides) all over again tonight.

: (

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Monday, 3 January 2005 09:48 (twenty years ago)

I became very frustrated about this on another thread. This time I think it's best if I just not get started.

― Bimble..., Monday, 3 January 2005 10:15 (twenty years ago)

"New Town" just came up on my iTunes earlier today.
"You do whut yuh haf tuh do, do whut ya haf tuh, do it! Do it!"

Sue could be the next Mark E. Smith if she really wanted.

― Steely Zan (AaronHz), Monday, 3 January 2005 10:41 (twenty years ago)

I feel the same pain, Bimble.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Monday, 3 January 2005 11:45 (twenty years ago)

sue tompkins is now an artist, she does live spoken word things just like LWB but without the instruments. (is hayley her sister?)
http://www.themoderninstitute.com/artists/s_tompkins/index.shtml

― zappi (joni), Monday, 3 January 2005 12:21 (twenty years ago)

I think two of them are in another band now, but I can't remember what it's called. It says in the liner notes of the Rough Trade Postpunk comp somewhere.

― Ferg, Ah (Ferg), Monday, 3 January 2005 12:55 (twenty years ago)

Sue could be the next Mark E. Smith if she really wanted.

But this implies that she actually has further to go, that she could possibly get any better and I can't accept that. She IS the female version of Mark E. Smith and at the same time, I don't wish to insult the fact that in many ways she isn't like him at all. Whatever it is, she can't get any better. That much I know.

― Bimble..., Monday, 3 January 2005 18:56 (twenty years ago)

Now I'll have to look up the Rough Trade comp. notes. I don't even have this comp. because I have most of the tracks already elsewhere so I didn't bother. Grr...

― Bimble..., Monday, 3 January 2005 19:53 (twenty years ago)

three years pass...

those missing LWB may dig the new Thomas Tantrum single 'shake it shake it' - it's the closest thing i've yet heard to sue tompkins' lot..

― electricsound, Saturday, 1 March 2008 00:15 (seventeen years ago)

http://www.myspace.com/thomastantrum

― electricsound, Saturday, 1 March 2008 00:15 (seventeen years ago)

ha yes, I get the LWB familiarity.. Shake It Shake It has that Tomkins cuteness!

― mmmm, Saturday, 1 March 2008 00:38 (seventeen years ago)

Better Than Better Than Ezra.

― xhuxk, Saturday, 1 March 2008 03:13 (seventeen years ago)

Good find! 'Shake it Shake it' might even be a little TOO much like Life Without Buildings, hmm.

― Johnny Fever, Saturday, 1 March 2008 04:07 (seventeen years ago)

Yeah I can see the similarity. Not bad, but definitely not the genuine article.

― Bimble, Saturday, 1 March 2008 05:48 (seventeen years ago)

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