Article Response: Stockholm Monsters

That's brilliant, I've never heard the Stockholm Monsters but that's one of the best things I've read in ages.

I wuv Dr C!

Great stuff

Me too. "Militia".

One of this year's best discoveries for me, the whole damn LTM label actually is. "Partytime" really, really connects. Thanks to Dr. C for a new perspective on them for me! :-)

what with this and the pinefox's jubilee pieces, freaky trigger is currently on top form, essential reading.

Can we direct all the people slating music criticism and personal reactions and anecdotes from critics to this?

Fabulous stuff. Not just the subject, but the style and voice reminds me of Alistair Fitchett, a very good thing indeed. And: It’s a contagious piece—it made me want to listen to my SM records—which I’m doing right now.

that last em dash should naturally be a comma. Bah.

Yeah, it was very Tangents-y which is a good thing - nice one Dr C. - and I've never heard Stockholm Monsters either except probably a track or 2 on Palatine.

Two from the Stockholm Monsters -- the more New Orderesque "National Pastime," the song that Dr. C's piece most reminded me of, and the (despite its title) poppy "Terror" -- now on filepile.

With the exception of maybe two songs, I initially thought Stockholm Monsters were atrocious (the vocals: ehghgh!). Dr. C., Mr. Fitchett, and Mr. Darnielle have made me think otherwise. I'm positive I'll never feel as close to those records as they do, and I don't think I'll ever be able to say I love them, but their writings have definitely kept me 'trying'. They must be thanked for that.

I've never heard the Stockholm Monsters. Now I want to.

Well done, C.

Thanks for all the kind words. It's encouraging - I have written elsewhere on the web before, but not drawn attention to it here as, to be honest, I didn't feel it was up to the standards of the more *writerly* stuff around here. That's why it's taken me a good while to submit something to Tom.I can't easily separate music or my reactions to it from personal anecdotes/feelings/incidents - disecting music on the lab bench doesn't work for me - so that's why the piece is like it is.

I'd recommend starting with 'Alma Mater' if you're going to investigate The Stockholm Monsters from scratch. 'Terror', 'Where I Belong', Your Uniform' and 'To Look At Her' are utterly brilliant, and really as good as anything ever. Everything clicks into place here - the sound, the arrangements, the singing, the lyrics... The singles are all monumental too, but maybe not the best place to start for the faint hearted!

Excellent article, really enjoyed that. The Stockholms for me will always be linked to Saturday mornings, sharp fresh air and a great feeling of optimism. I was still at school when I discovered them. Me and a load of mates saw this band playing support to New Order at the Tower Ballroom in Birmingham. Only a small crowd took notice but they were brilliant. I fell in love with them on the spot. The way they kept swapping instruments! TF the singer, really sang with such passion, which wasn't so cool back then. They blew NO away for me that night.

They'll always be linked to football too. You didn't have to be a student to listen to NO or The Stockholms. It felt like it was our music. You could wear your casual gear, go to the match and then looking for girls, if you were lucky enough to find a pub that would serve you. You didn't have to wear an overcoat or have a Cure/Bunnymen haircut, and Tony France definately always had the best haircut. Out side of West Brom at least.

I've spent the last few days endlessly listening to the first 30 secs of Partyline because I'm working on a cover of it, and there's no way for me to get the first words Tony France's singing. I'm french, but I have some mancunian relatives, and none of them could understand what he's actually singing in the fisrt verse... Any idea anyone ?

Just make 'em up, jamie! I'll have a listen and see if I can help anyway.

I've tried to work them out before, Jamie, and it's impossible.

Cover "Militia" instead.

You know, I was sitting in a boozer just off Fleet Street called the Edgar Wallace the other week, reading "La Princesse De Cleves" by Madame Lafayette. It occurred to me that the Monsters may have seeped further into my unconscious than even I had imagined.

How great that this thread was revived, since last night at the final Chameleons show in the area it turns out their sound guy is Shan Hira! I knew he worked on Strip but I hadn't realized he was on the road with them. Spoke to him very briefly about how I had gotten into them via the reissues -- friendly, but definitely a wicked sense of self-deprecating humor!

that article was fantastic Dr. C! Love the last paragraph.

What's all that shouting about in the last couple of minutes of PArtyline? I'm sure he says Phil Silvers, Lisa Stansfield, Kylie Minogue STOCKHOLM MONSTERSSSS!! and it's ace, but what's it all about?

i just got Alma Mater, and even though ive only given it one listen, the article really fits the music well. i was wondering if anyone knew which review on Sr. Darnielle Esq.'s site was about SM.

n/m, i found it
it's http://www.lastplanetojakarta.com/monsters.html if you want to read it.

Just noticed the question about shouting at the end of "Partyline".

This is because it's the last record they made and the band wanted to say thank you and goodnight, or just a big shout, to all their friends and influences - quite why it ends up with Phil Silvers and the like is beyond me. But it's cool to hear them namechecking members of other Factory bands. But who are 'The robbing bastards?'

And it's that part at the end which always brings a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye.

"But it's cool to hear them namechecking members of other Factory bands. But who are 'The robbing bastards?'"

I've always assumed it was referring to the Happy Mondays. Basically along the lines of the Mondays became Wilson's "next big thing" even though they'd been around awhile and things were definitely picking up for them by 87.. maybe? Dunno, seems slightly plausible.

A brilliant band the Monsters were, though. I recently re-dug out my old records and found passion in them unlike what I see these days with new independent acts. Wish I hadn't been just a tyke when they went touring, I certainly would have loved to have seen their shows.