[peel] Re: My Peel tapes

[markbursa@...]

>>I'd say it's ok for bands to tour as long as they're  able (for 
example I put on a punk concert earlier this year with the UK  Subs 
headlining. Charlie Harper is in his 60's now but they were great),  
just think bands should stop recording any new material after the age  
of about 40 or earlier? I was going to say 35, but look at Radiohead  
all in their late 30's but In Rainbows is far better than most of the  
albums by younger indie bands this year.<<


 
So you've just destroyed your own daft  argument! ;-)
 
Why should "rock" music be any different from  any other art form? Take jazz, 
or blues, or classical music - age confers  wisdom on the players; they get 
better as they get older. 
 
The same applies to photography, or  painting, or just about any other art 
form you choose. Age is no barrrier  - many of the leading figures continue to 
produce exceptional work until they  die.
 
In your world we'd be stuck with "quality" work by 20somethings like the  
Kooks, Razorlight and the Pigeon Detectives, none of whom should be allowed  
within a mile of a recording studio!
 
Age is not a factor in any art. For every duff  old cabaret punk band you 
could name I could show you a contemporary that's  still vital - Wire, for 
example, still making exceptional music in their 50s  and 60s. 
 
 
They're the same people, just a little older. And there  are generations of 
gig-goers who never saw them first time round. 
 
I've seen stunning 21st century gigs from Wire, The Gang  of Four, 
Television, the Nightingales, The Magic Band, Section 25, Biting  Tongues, ACR, Richard 
H Kirk, Pixies, The Only Ones. Mission of Burma and  many others.
 
Wire and the Nightingales have produced new albums that  stand up to anything 
they produced in their "heyday". The fact that the Go4 were older seemed to 
add to their potency  live too - every bit as impressive as in 1981. And now 
working on new stuff  too. Not to mention bands like The Fall and The Cure  who 
never went away and are still stunning live bands. Some ofthe Fall's 21st  
century output ranks as their best. But Mark E Smith is 10 years past your  
compulsory retirement date, of course...
 
I rest my case!
 
Mark