Let me preface my post by saying that I hope I’m not beating a dead horse, and I thank you all in advance for reading what I hope is more constructive than a “rant.”
What I want to talk about today is the sneers and jeers that fans of The Pogues, Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys etc. have to endure from the “trads” and purists.
I realize that popular and commercially successful music will always get slammed by certain people, no matter the genre. However, why is it necessary to make snide remarks and look at someone like a 3 year old who needs their nose wiped?
Ironically, some of the big mouths were undoubtedly exposed to traditional music by a burgeoning interest in bands like The Pogues. Then, when these folks have ascended to bigger and better things, they want to denigrate their first love.
I understand that tastes change and differ, but why is it necessary to poo poo what someone else likes?
Everyone I’ve met and played with has been exceptionally nice and understanding. This post is not directed at anyone I know personally; however, I’ve read and heard things which compelled me to say something.
Thank you for your time, and I hope you all have a wonderful day.
I think that in order to fully understand your criticism and offer any useful insight we might need some more context. Are you talking about just music tastes in general being slammed or are you coming from the perspective of a musician who faces ridicule for choosing to aim playing goals at the likes of Flogging Molly, Pogues, etc.
If you’ve heard these things in this ITM forum, please note that it was
first created in order to give people a place to be all purist-y outside
of the Whistle forum (this is before the Pub existed…)
Hehe, you’re relatively right. When I started playing, I was listening to Solas and other similar bands. Today, I have to admit I kind of look down people who primarily learn from these bands. I think it takes some maturity and wisdom to fully understand that beginners and others need to go through some phases, etc, and to remember that you did yourself… clearly, I’m not there yet
I know i learn from the Pogues because, well, they’re really fun to play along to. I feel like i’m learning decent breath control and getting some dexterity down.
that all being said, I love trad and am working that angle as well.
I think if someone came on a trad-centric forum and insisted on discussing fusion and irish-punk and modern irish influenced music, it would go over like a fart in church. vice versa.
I’m conscious not to push my Pogues on anyone nor do I talk down to other types of music in which the whistle is played.
That’s pretty much it in a nutshell. “Irish Traditional Music Forum”: what’s to be confused about?
If someone wants to discuss whistleplaying of the Pogues or suchlike in the Whistle Forum, or their music in general in The Pub, of course that’s perfectly fine. Here, though, you are going to get, “Well, look. It’s not traditional.” Or something like that. That’s fair.
So really, you’d probably get more mileage out of your thread, Slanj, if it had been in The Pub. Your thread title hasn’t helped one jot, either. Have you noticed the rather deafening silence here?
Ironically, some of the big mouths were undoubtedly exposed to traditional music by a burgeoning interest in bands like The Pogues. Then, when these folks have ascended to bigger and better things, they want to denigrate their first love.
Don’t clump all of us bigmouths up in one bunch now! I for one, have not, nor ever will denigrate my first love. Being, Pogues, Flogging Molly, Shane MacGowan & The Popes or etc. In fact it’s quite the opposite. Although I may not look to those references for studying Irish Traditional Music, I still enjoy popping in the ol’ cd, and listening, remembering my roots, how I got started in this mess in the first place. It’s also interesting to hear how much Trad was really used in those bands-Everytime I put in one of those Pogues cd’s or Flogging Molly cds, I recognize another trad tune that was incorporated into their material, where as when I had first started off, I just thought it was Flogging Molly music, or The Pogues music, not ITM…
I think it’s a personality aspect, each person is different. I like to remember where I came from musically, (that goes for other matters of life too) so when I put in “Rum, Sodomy, & The Lash” for the first time in God knows how long, I smile, then pick up my whistle, or nowadays, uilleann pipes too.
However I can’t argue with Nano’s response, in that this forum is Irish Traditional Music, and the likes of Pogues, Flogging Molly, DKM, aren’t exactly ITM. DKM being probably the furthest from ITM… The Pub would likely have yielded better responses for ye.
I look down on those that think Irish Trad needs chordal accompaniment or that it is bettered by it or that they are the custodian of it all the while being chordal accompanists. Unfortunately for me a lot these guys are taller than me so I can only look down on them when I am standing on a stool.
I for one, have not, nor ever will denigrate my first love. Being, Pogues, Flogging Molly, Shane MacGowan & The Popes or etc. In fact it’s quite the opposite. Although I may not look to those references for studying Irish Traditional Music, I still enjoy popping in the ol’ cd, and listening, remembering my roots, how I got started in this mess in the first place. It’s also interesting to hear how much Trad was really used in those bands-Everytime I put in one of those Pogues cd’s or Flogging Molly cds, I recognize another trad tune that was incorporated into their material, where as when I had first started off, I just thought it was Flogging Molly music, or The Pogues music, not ITM…