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[Music] The The









Herr Tubthumper

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
62,057
The Fatherland
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/
Yes I do have fond memories, it was quite an adventure especially when me and my friend hit LA. Not seen that film but it looks fun.
 




marlowe

Well-known member
Dec 13, 2015
4,200
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
His late brother Andrew "Dog" Johnson did the cover art for most of his records
 




Peacehaven Wild Kids

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2022
3,123
The Avenue then Maloncho
Iā€™ve been a fan for a very long time although I did find Mind Bomb quite a hard listen and never took to it, I think by 1989 my musical tastes had changed having just discovered The Happy Mondays, although the opening track on Dusk, True Happiness This Way Lies, is one of my top 10 The The songs.

Burning Blue Soul is probably my favourite album as I was attracted at that time to Matt Johnsonā€™s very bleak view of Britain at that time (in the same way I loved Boys From The Blackstuff) Hearing Bugle Boy live at The Albert Hall was very emotional for me.

Anyway, Iā€™ll cut it short, despite being obsessed by the band for about 10 years Iā€™m not expecting anything from this album however I do look forward to proving myself wrong.

Finally, this is my all time favourite and it only ever saw release as a bonus track on a cassette.
Edit: I just remembered it was also on the B side of the 12ā€ version of Uncertain Smile

 










jimhigham

Je Suis Rhino
Apr 25, 2009
7,961
Woking
*Howls of despair*

Iā€˜d love to see them but already have a gig for the night of the Ally Pally show and donā€™t expect to be in the country on the night of the Brixton gig.

Magnificent band that Iā€™ll always have a soft spot for. I went to see them in Brixton in December 1993. It was also the night of my office Christmas party in Hayes and Iā€™d just begun something of a courtship dance with a rather lovely woman in the office. What to do? Gig? Party? The gig had been in the calendar for months but young loveā€™s a powerful thing.

In the endā€¦ the compromise. Did the gig but cut and run as soon as the band left the stage, without waiting for an encore. Flagged down the first taxi I could find and coughed up over 40 notes (this was 1993) to cross London in a hurry. Made it to the party just as the DJ broke out the slow numbers. Sheepishly approached said lovely woman and was thrilled when she didnā€™t laugh in my face. Slow dance safely navigated, we agreed on an actual date.

Weā€™ve been married for 28 years.

And as an added note of joy, I remember a wonderful night driving my daughter home after Iā€™d picked her up for the end of her term at Bristol University. I always let her do the honours with the music, as she keeps me up to date with the modern alternative scene. But she blindsided me by not only playing This is the Day but confiding that it was her go to tune whenever she needed a pick me up. I could have cried, I tell you.

And thatā€™s why a great band can really get under the skin. :)
 
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Herr Tubthumper

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
62,057
The Fatherland
*Howls of despair*

Iā€˜d love to see them but already have a gig for the night of the Ally Pally show and donā€™t expect to be in the country on the night of the Brixton gig.

Magnificent band that Iā€™ll always have a soft spot for. I went to see them in Brixton in December 1993. It was also the night of my office Christmas party in Hayes and Iā€™d just begun something of a courtship dance with a rather lovely woman in the office. What to do? Gig? Party? The gig had been in the calendar for months but young loveā€™s a powerful thing.

In the endā€¦ the compromise. Did the gig but cut and run as soon as the band left the stage, without waiting for an encore. Flagged down the first taxi I could find and coughed up over 40 notes (this was 1993) to get the other side of London. Made it to the party just as the DJ broke out the slow numbers. Sheepishly approached said lovely woman and was thrilled when she didnā€™t laugh in my face. Slow dance safely navigated, we agreed on an actual date.

Weā€™ve been married for 28 years.

And as an added note of joy, I remember a wonderful night driving my daughter home after Iā€™d picked her up for the end of her term at Bristol University. I always let her do the honours with the music, as she keeps me up to date with the modern alternative scene. But she blindsided me by not only playing This is the Day but confiding that it was her go to tune whenever she needed a pick me up. I could have cried, I tell you.

And thatā€™s why a great band can really get under the skin. :)
What lovely stories. Music is f***ing brilliant.
 






AIT76

The wisdom of a fool
Jul 29, 2004
461
Two things I like about this one, firstly the lyrics, ā€œup the past, through your heart and out through the holes in your eyesā€ and secondly the way the guitars sound distorted/off key



Are those extra tracks available digitally anywhere? Played the tape to death as a teenager and was miffed to find they weren't on the CD when the time came to upgrade!
 


The Lemming Stomper

Under the flag
Apr 1, 2007
2,706
Saltdean
Are those extra tracks available digitally anywhere? Played the tape to death as a teenager and was miffed to find they weren't on the CD when the time came to upgrade!
Never seen the extra tracks digitally though 3 kisses on the 'Decoder' film soundtrack if that's anywhere...

I picked up the tape off eBay for under a tenner and a cassette to mp3 converter for about Ā£15 and that did the trick
 




atomised

Well-known member
Mar 21, 2013
5,166
Mind Bomb feels very relevant and current in today's world. I went back to it a few weeks ago when I caught the name again
 


Pogue Mahone

Well-known member
Apr 30, 2011
10,904
Huge fan of Soul Mining and Infected, but I sort of stopped there. Iā€™ll listen to the rest soon, I am inspired to by comments on this thread.

I saw The The in the 90s, absolutely brilliant. I wish Matt J was coming to Brighton.
 


hans kraay fan club

The voice of reason.
Helpful Moderator
Mar 16, 2005
62,552
Chandlers Ford
Big interview with Matt Johnson in the Independent:


ā€œI grew up believing that music could change the world,ā€ he says. ā€œI donā€™t have that misconception any more. I think pop culture is the herbs and spices in the dish; the main nutrition is provided by the engineers of the world and the nurses and the people who do the proper jobs. All we do is provide a bit of the flavour.ā€
 


jimhigham

Je Suis Rhino
Apr 25, 2009
7,961
Woking
*Howls of despair*

Iā€˜d love to see them but already have a gig for the night of the Ally Pally show and donā€™t expect to be in the country on the night of the Brixton gig.

Magnificent band that Iā€™ll always have a soft spot for. I went to see them in Brixton in December 1993. It was also the night of my office Christmas party in Hayes and Iā€™d just begun something of a courtship dance with a rather lovely woman in the office. What to do? Gig? Party? The gig had been in the calendar for months but young loveā€™s a powerful thing.

In the endā€¦ the compromise. Did the gig but cut and run as soon as the band left the stage, without waiting for an encore. Flagged down the first taxi I could find and coughed up over 40 notes (this was 1993) to cross London in a hurry. Made it to the party just as the DJ broke out the slow numbers. Sheepishly approached said lovely woman and was thrilled when she didnā€™t laugh in my face. Slow dance safely navigated, we agreed on an actual date.

Weā€™ve been married for 28 years.

And as an added note of joy, I remember a wonderful night driving my daughter home after Iā€™d picked her up for the end of her term at Bristol University. I always let her do the honours with the music, as she keeps me up to date with the modern alternative scene. But she blindsided me by not only playing This is the Day but confiding that it was her go to tune whenever she needed a pick me up. I could have cried, I tell you.

And thatā€™s why a great band can really get under the skin. :)
YEEEEEESSSSS!!!!!

Travel plans have changed. Iā€™m off to the Brixton gig.

Absolutely made up. Really enjoying the new album too. Itā€™s going to be a great night.

And the following week Iā€™ll be off to India for the first time in 19 years and where I spent 4 of the best years of my life.

Happiness abounds! šŸ˜Š
 




marcos3263

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2009
947
Fishersgate and Proud
Cant get into the new album. Listened 3-4 times on repeat as know their show is in two halves with the first being this new album in full.
Prefer it if he played Dusk in full.
Hope the second half is all the bangers.
 


Machiavelli

Well-known member
Oct 11, 2013
17,561
Fiveways
YEEEEEESSSSS!!!!!

Travel plans have changed. Iā€™m off to the Brixton gig.

Absolutely made up. Really enjoying the new album too. Itā€™s going to be a great night.

And the following week Iā€™ll be off to India for the first time in 19 years and where I spent 4 of the best years of my life.

Happiness abounds! šŸ˜Š
You can't beat it when happiness abounds.
 


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