My only problem with Problems is that is so good and already came out quite some time ago; I'd love some new music, even an EP again (Kicker is also some of my favorite material from them)
I feel like Problems got derailed by two things: the band having to part ways with James Dewees in the midst of promoting the record, and Covid If Something To Write Home About and Four Minute Mile are their best two albums, Problems has to be third. I think Guilt Show gets favored, but Problems is so much more well written from top to bottom IMO Kicker is their best EP, better than both Woodson and Red Letter Day. When I read the lyrics, the songs feel like they come from a band that's been through hell and back in staying together and keeping it going.
only because it was my introduction to them, my favourite get up kids record is live @ granada. i didn't like it at first but kept listening and learned every word from a live record.
Also, I've just listened to Red Letter Days - I'm not much into the idea of audiobooks, but there were a couple titles I just couldn't get my hands on; Matt's book being one of them, so I went for a short-lasted subscription on audible, got Geoff Rickly's book as well (it's recorded with a designed soundtrack, so that's actually solid), and bought RLD in that form eventually. I gotta say it benefits a lot from having him read it! What pains me is that I couldn't take a look at the promoted "never-before-seen" photographs. Does anybody know if it's possible to find at least any of it somewhere?
Polyvinyl has the book for sale - Matt Pryor - Red Letter Days There are maybe a couple dozen pictures, if that, and none of them are particularly interesting. Some candids of Matt, some shots from live shows.
Thanks, yeah I did see it out there available to grab, but it's just too expensive along with shipping to Poland and possible tax - that's why I had stayed looking for some sort of a bargain, and eventually bought the audiobook for like 10 pounds
Before it became a Blackpool Lights song, the Get Up Kids recorded Blue Skies for Guilt Show. I lost my subscription to the Get Up Kids Patreon before they had posted this one on there. I just finally heard it today for the first time! I really wish they had put this on Guilt Show just so Jim could have at least one song on the record.
Oh wow, this is strange, I've been somehow conflicted loving Guilt Show so much, but feeling a bit sorry (or... guilty hahh) there's weirdly zero Jim songs on it - I always try to line this album up with BL - it's interesting how there's so many stories about the drama around On a Wire and after, and making of GS must have been tumultuous, too. It could be interesting to hear what's their more grown-up perspective on all those choices and the whole dynamic now. Thanks for sharing this demo!
There is a podcast Jim did a while ago where he talks about the experience in Guilt Show and how he had no songs on it, but the band was making a ton of money at the time so he was sticking it out. I have mentioned it once or twice in this thread before. According to Jim, the band's manager said Blue Skies should have been the first single for Guilt Show. I can only imagine how Jim felt to be first told he was going to have the lead single on an album, to then not having a song on the album at all. Also, I found out today that another Blackpool Lights song, It's Never About What It's About, was originally a Get Up Kids song that was supposed to be on On A Wire
Oh! Sticking it out is probably what it really felt like, and it's still such a great album, can't believe it (or wouldn't believe it). And their manager was obviously not correct to think Blue Skies would have been a better lead single in the year 2004. But I'm also thinking; what was really the right choice there (?) - I think How Long Is Too Long felt like an instant anthem to me
I actually listened to this episode today and I was pretty disappointed in it. I like the show but I don't really like Yasi as a host and this episode is kind of the perfect example as to why. Yasi and the guest's sort of languid, disassociated new york indie sleaze speaking style is really grating to me and in this episode both Yasi and her guest seemed more interested in hearing the sound of their own voice and their clever millennial idioms than they were talking about TGUK.
god damn do I want that hoodie luckily I am fat and my size is sold out because my wallet can't take the hit for that right now
Couldn't agree with those, the book still bordered on being funny to me; I'm kinda glad I just listened to the audiobook this time around, cause hearing it in Matt's tongue-in-cheek tone of voice made me see through the facade. It's good writing, and well, you might recognize Matt Pryor is not a very outgoing/public person and can seem like bit of a prick to some, but he's not a douchebag. The narrative still pertains a lot of good values (and luck), it's just snotty to an extent hahh. That being said, I do understand that sentiment. I had to cool off after listening to a podcast episode with Julio from As Tall As Lions; just didn't do me any favorts to listen to it with somewhat different expectations etc. (I was just thinking how did he not see how weird and unnecessary some of those takes were hahh, and it could be similar here) I'd still recommend the book to TGUK fans ;u (ps. and "it just ends" hmm, yeah - I guess it's due to the fact there's supposed to be another one about their next era or whatever)
I think listening to his old podcast "Nothing To Write Home About" was a good primer on his tone, which helped inform my reading and likely my expectations. I haven't listened to the audio book version yet, I should check it out! I found the book delightful, and I'm excited for the potential follow up.
Exactly! I think listening to that podcast, as well as the Vagrant oral history one, where you could clearly hear the dynamics of his conversations with people that know him, it just makes sense with the sense of humor and all
I don't think it's about whether or not Matt is an asshole or a douchebag, I was just really surprised about how little he had to say about that time in emo music and how uninteresting TGUK journey appeared to be. Maybe when you're in it like Matt was, it doesn't really feel like anything special is happening, idk. Maybe the perspective on that time was different, and maybe a bit more negative, if your band wasn't one of the ones that really blew up. On a recent episode of Bandsplain Yasi argued that all TGUK had to do was put Mass Pike on STWHA and they would have been Death Cab or JEW. She's probably right. For TGUK it was really theirs for the taking and it seemed like they just made all the wrong choices. I liked As Tall As Lions back in the day, what podcast are you talking about?