Radiohead: Now That's What I Call Music! (Vol. I)
Posted Aug. 19, 2008 at 5:39 pm by Chris Kornelis
Radiohead plays Auburn's White River Amphitheater on Wednesday, Aug. 20.
I want to say three things about Radiohead. But, I only have time for two. So, here goes.
1. Radiohead played Bremerton (EndFest) in August, 1997, alongside Matchbox 20 (yes, that's pre-Twenty), Foo Fighters and, headliners The Offspring. The Offspring were better.
2. Before Radiohead became the sweet-stinkin' shit that they are today — SKIPPING Bremerton? WTF? — they were scratchin' by trying to make it just like everybody else. And what's this? They're so HUGE now they've headlined almost every one of this summer's concert shindigs. AND, they're giving their album away for free (right, pay what you want. I don't "buy" that. And I didn't. Till it came out on vinyl. But I digress.)
What I'm trying to say is that the pre-Kid-A Radiohead wasn't so arrogant. Before Thom Yorke started spending his Sunday afternoons with his kids at the Oxford University's Museum of Natural History, he spent his waking hours, as our colleague John Roderick calls it, "dancing like a red-assed monkey," trying to get people to hear his records. Yorke and co. event went so far as to cast their lot in with BACKSTREET BOYS, HANSON, and SPICE GIRLS by landing "Karma Police" on the teenie-bop compilationNOW That's What I Call Music, Vol. 1.
Guys, that's so indie. That's so hip. That's so torn-black t-shirt, I can't even stand it. Do me a favor. Tomorrow night, throw some of your less-fortunate colleagues from the old days a bone. Maybe play Brian McNight's "Anytime," Cherry Poppin' Daddies' "Zoot Suit Riot," or K-Ci & JoJo's "All My Life." That's my favorite.
Just, don't forget where you came from!!!
Comments
dude. don't hate the player, hate the game.
do you seriously think the band sought out inclusion on such a comp? are you lacking a basic understanding of how record label promo machines work?
thom yorke is one of modern music's most important songwriters, and radiohead is still relevant. if wanting to do things right is "arrogant," sign me up.
and, btw, they killed it at endfest in '97.
Posted Aug. 20, 2008 at 12:23 pm by kerri harropI'm actually 100-percent convinced that Thom made a personal call to Janet, leaving a voice mail that went something like this: "Hey, Lady! I hear y'all are putting a mix together for the kids! How can I get in on that!!!! Mmmmm, Bop. Love, Thom."
Posted Aug. 20, 2008 at 12:30 pm by Chris K