Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊

[Music] The The



Herr Tubthumper

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
62,057
The Fatherland
I bought some tickets to see them next month and have started listening to their back catalogue again. I have discussed a few specific songs on this site, @Weststander may remember, but thought I'd broaden this out. I have been concentrating on Soul Mining, Infected, Mind Bomb and Dusk.....and in short I had forgotten what a great band (if they can be called a band as it's mainly one guy Matt Johnson) they were/are. One of the those rare bands where their albums lack any filler, cross a few musical boundaries, push a few others and do not always follow standards yet are still hook laden. They also still sound vitally fresh 40 to 30 years on.

I was late to this party, and only heard Soul Mining for the first time in 1990 when I was driving across the US as a backpacking student and a girl I shared the car with had this on cassette.


 




Cheeky Monkey

Well-known member
Jul 17, 2003
23,734
Didn't realise they were touring. Soul Mining is a classic, the Infected film fantastic. A friend who saw them back in the late 90s said Matt Johnson's voice wasn't great live, but here's hoping.
 


Guinness Boy

Tofu eating wokerati
Helpful Moderator
NSC Patron
Jul 23, 2003
36,831
Up and Coming Sunny Portslade
Simply one of my favourite acts ever. Ever.

Listen to Mindbomb and he could be talking about today. It was recorded 35 years ago. Or take Jools' piano solo on Uncertain Smile. One of the greatest parts of a piece of music I know.

My greatest achievement is to get my son into them just from playing some tracks on Sunday cooking playlists. He actually interrupted me to ask who they were. After I told him I described them as 'meaningful and depressing lyrics with a tune that the postman can whistle'.

 




Herr Tubthumper

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
62,057
The Fatherland
Simply one of my favourite acts ever. Ever.

Listen to Mindbomb and he could be talking about today. It was recorded 35 years ago. Or take Jools' piano solo on Uncertain Smile. One of the greatest parts of a piece of music I know.

My greatest achievement is to get my son into them just from playing some tracks on Sunday cooking playlists. He actually interrupted me to ask who they were. After I told him I described them as 'meaningful and depressing lyrics with a tune that the postman can whistle'.


This is a great way of putting it.
 




Herr Tubthumper

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
62,057
The Fatherland
Didn't realise they were touring. Soul Mining is a classic, the Infected film fantastic. A friend who saw them back in the late 90s said Matt Johnson's voice wasn't great live, but here's hoping.
His voice has had a long rest so hopefully it's a bit better, I'll report back.
 


GrossTurn

Well-known member
Jun 20, 2020
352
For ages I only really knew Soul Mining but then gave Infected a go (incidentally while on holiday in Seville, so it immediately takes me back there whenever I listen), and realised it features as many belting tracks as the former, if not more.

This being my favourite:

 


hans kraay fan club

The voice of reason.
Helpful Moderator
Mar 16, 2005
62,552
Chandlers Ford
Listen to Mindbomb and he could be talking about today. It was recorded 35 years ago.
Really?

You think referring to TODAY's youth as being "reared on a diet, of prejudice and misinformation" would be valid?

Surely not!
 




Weststander

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Aug 25, 2011
68,179
Withdean area
I'll never forget first hearing Uncertain Smile, an older brother introduced me to it. Magical, very unique vocals and lyrics. Matt Johnson's a creative genius.

Hope you have a great night.

@Herr Tubthumper ... fond memories of the US trip? You mentioning that reminded me of this quality movie :smile: :
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090103/
 


AIT76

The wisdom of a fool
Jul 29, 2004
461
The ten minute 12" version of Uncertain Smile is outstanding.

the-the-uncertain-smile-uk-12-inch-vinyl-single-maxi-epca13-2787-45941_1280x1257.jpg
 


herecomesaregular

We're in the pipe, 5 by 5
Oct 27, 2008
4,580
Still in Brighton
Bought Mindbomb as a 16 yo on vinyl and haven't listened to it since I got rid of my vinyl, urghh, in the 2000s. Might have a relisten again to see if I had great taste at 16...
 




DJ NOBO

Well-known member
Jul 18, 2004
6,756
Wiltshire
She was lying on her back
With her lips parted.
Squealing like a stuffed pig
I was going through the motions
Faking the emotions,
And wriggling around like lizard in a tin.
Trying so hard to cleanse myself,
I was turning into somebody else.

:clap2:
 
Last edited:










Si Gull

Way Down South
Mar 18, 2008
4,587
On top of the world
'Discovered' him/them when Infected was released, Soul Mining slipped by me, despite my younger sister being a fan😊 Infected is an absolutely brilliant album and I played it nonstop for months, especially in the car, at full volume. Thought Mindbomb a little weaker, despite JM's input.

Going to listen to Infected tonight for the first time in many years!
 


Sorrel

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2003
2,906
Back in East Sussex
I liked them a lot as a teenager - played them an awful lot in the mid-1980s, so I can do most of the lyrics without trying. In the 1980s when we had "bring a tape into work" day in the place I worked, I brought in a tape of them, forcing everyone to listen to Uncertain Smile and This is the day. The infected album was my favourite, though.

You can see old Eastbourne (where I was at the time) in this (really bad) video:

I'm not so interested in them now, though; I think because I listened to them so much then it feels a bit awkward and teenage. Not their fault, of course, but no longer my thing...
 


Rowdey

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2003
2,578
Herne Hill
Like others, got really into Infected, and went back to Soul Mining, but that was it - Saw they were at Ally Pally and got tix ages ago - Wish i'd waited for Brixton as only live couple miles away.
 






Harry Wilson's tackle

Harry Wilson's Tackle
NSC Patron
Oct 8, 2003
55,070
Faversham
I have the first 3 on CD. Very good.
 


Albion and Premier League latest from Sky Sports


Top
Link Here