The Automatik

2.27.05

Hi,

I feel sort of weird writing this, since I never even met you. And what should I say? That like thousands of others, I listened to your music for comfort when I felt like shit, like when yet another relationship failed miserably? That I knew it was the only thing that could make me feel better?
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New Door Records, 2004

In May of 2004, Q Magazine printed a “Cash For Questions” column featuring Tears For Fears. Despite the magazine’s editorial flourishes, it was clear that members Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith aren’t exactly friends. When asked which of them is the best singer, each one unequivocally responded, “I am.” Orzabal went on to defend his past pretentiousness by saying that they are now “both humorous and pretentious, pretentious and middle aged. We’re both 42, after all.”

“But I look younger,” interrupts Smith. “Cunt,” retorts Orzabal.

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Would you still like The Beatles as much if they had been called, say, Lubricated Goat?* Probably not. One could argue that a name is almost as important to a band’s appeal as having a hot shot lead guitarist (that is, if you’re into that sort of thing). Here are ten of my personal favorite band names and why.
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Epic Records, 2004

Eighties nostalgia is practically a cottage industry now. Eighty percent of it is revisionist crap. Then there’s Duran Duran. Let me confess, I was a teenaged Duranie and except for a brief spell of cooler-than-thou shame, I never stopped being a fan.
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