Blog

Explanatory note - this personal chart is based on the Official UK Top 40.

Top 10 Singles
L T
01 01 Haven't Met You Yet - Michael Bublé
NE 02 I Want To Know What Love Is - Peter Kay's Animated All Stars
02 03 Million Dollar Bill - Whitney Houston
08 04 The Official BBC Children In Need Medley - Peter Kay's Animated All Stars
NE 05 Wild Horses - Susan Boyle
06 06 Bad Boys - Alexandra Burke
07 07 You've Got The Love - Florence and the Machine
09 08 What About Now - Westlife
10 09 You Know Me - Robbie Williams
NE 10 Sweet Child O' Mine - Taken By Trees

Top 5 Albums
L T
01 01 Crazy Love - Michael Bublé
02 02 This Is It - Michael Jackson
NE 03 Memoirs of an imperfect Angel - Mariah Carey
NE 04 I Am...Sasha Fierce - Beyoncé
NE 05 The Best - Janet Jackson

HOT 'Coming Soon' Singles... (X) denotes download only release*
Basshunter - I Promised Myself (30/11) *STEAM!* (X)
The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die / Thunder (30/11) ~Water~
Ricky Tomlinson - Calm Down (07/12) *STEAM!* (X)
Robbie Williams - You Know Me (07/12) *STEAM!*
Frankie Goes To Hollywood - The Power Of Love (07/12) *STEAM!*
The Soldiers - A Soldier's Christmas Letter (07/12) *STEAM!*
Shooting Stars - My Christmas Card To You (07/12) *STEAM!*
Sharon Corr - Me and My Teddy Bear (07/12) *STEAM!*
BWO - Right Here Right Now (07/12) *STEAM!*
Depeche Mode - Fragile Tension/Hole To Feed (07/12) *STEAM!*
Mini Viva - I Wish (07/12) ~Water~
Sir Terry Wogan & Aled Jones / Sharon Corr – Silver Bells / Me & My Teddy Bear (07/12) ~Water~
Pet Shop Boys - It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas (14/12) *STEAM!*
Whitney Houston - I Look To You (14/12) *STEAM!*
George Michael - December Song (14/12) *STEAM!*
Basement Jaxx - My Turn (14/12) *STEAM!*
Michael Bublé - Hold On (14/12) *STEAM!*
Fron Male Voice Choir & Vera Lynn – We’ll Meet Again (14/12) *STEAM!*
Medina - You and I (14/12) *STEAM!* (X)
Madonna - Revolver (14/12) ~Water~
Shakira - Did It Again (14/12) ~Water~
Julian Casablancas - I Wish It Was Christmas Today (21/12) ~Water~
Cascada - Fever (21/12) ~Water~
Cheryl Cole - 3 Words (21/12) ~Water~
Kaskade vs Deadmau5 – Move For Me (04/01) *STEAM!*
The Saturdays - Ego (04/01) ~Water~
Alexandra Burke - Broken Heels (11/01) ~Water~

HOT 'Coming Soon' Albums...
Bette Midler - The Best Bette [Deluxe CD+DVD Edition] (30/11) *STEAM!*
Barry Manilow - The Swing Of Christmas (30/11) *STEAM!*
Dannii Minogue - The 1995 Sessions (07/12) *STEAM!*
Dannii Minogue - Love and Kisses (Deluxe Edition) (07/12) *STEAM!*
Dannii Minogue - Get Into You (Deluxe Edition) (07/12) *STEAM!*
Samantha Fox - Nothings Gonna Stop Me Know: Greatest Hits (14/12) *STEAM!*
Black Box – Greatest Hits (01/02) *STEAM!*

Before I begin, this is for my own fun and because I'm extremely bored with nothing to do. I'm sick. Even if I say I don't like a certain band or say negative things about a certain band, I have mad respect for anyone that listens to them. Everyone's music taste is their own, and no one has the right to tell you that your taste in music is bad. If anyone does, make them go away.

1. Muse - I, for one, don't like Muse. I feel like they have become the new Radiohead. I really enjoy a select few songs, particularly Assassin. This song is just great and full of some really intense energy. Also, Plug-In Baby is really great. I find everything else... rather bland. I really dislike their new album and have heard from other people that it was disappointing. Also, I find Knights of Cydonia really annoying. Don't ask me why. Most of you probably think it's like the best song ever made, so props to you. Just not for me.

2. The Beatles - I don't want to go ranting about them, and I know people will just absolutely hate me because I don't like their music. However, John Lennon is a big influence on me and I did a pretty damn big project on him in 8th grade. I also think they have really shaped music and pretty much paved the road for music. I'm just not into THEIR music. I know, I'm bad.

3. Radiohead - I think this is the one band on here that I really hate. I have respect for you if you listen to them, that's cool, but this is just definitely not my thing. I think it's more backround music, to be honest, as a friend of mine once said. It could be good for long car rides or something, or maybe falling asleep to. I've only discovered one song I really have enjoyed by them, Weird Fishes/Arpeggi.

4. Coldplay - I like their music, but I personally think they are annoying. Their music is pretty good and catchy, I like their energy as well. I really enjoyed Shiver when I first heard it, and their newest album isn't bad at all. I just find the band as a whole kind of annoying, I'm not sure why.

5. Lady GaGa - No surprise this lady is that high up on the list. Teens are going crazy over her. A lot of people think she's just downright freaky for her obscure and bizzare fashion sense. Some of her music is very catchy and danceable, however, this is NOT my style of music. As a person, I do have respect for her as an individual. She definitely is not afraid to go out there and be the person she is, even if it's just... weird. I'll admit, whenever one of her songs come on the radio, me and my friends are definitely singing and dancing along. But once again, not my style.

6. The Killers - I don't like them and I especially don't like Brandon Flowers. Their style of music kind of freaks me out. Also, I met them because my friend was in one of their music videos, and they are douche bags. Maybe that's why I feel so negatively about them. I mean, Mr. Brightside was pretty decent and all, but I think it's the way they represent themselves and what they represent are the things that bug me.

7. Red Hot Chili Peppers - These guys obviously rock. I get all pumped up and excited whenever I hear By the Way or Can't Stop come on the radio. I don't listen to them that much at home at all, but my view of them is pretty positive. I like pretty much all of their work with the exception of their newest album, which was decent at best. I respect them for sticking it through this long and still releasing good quality albums.

8. Metallica - I'm all about metal. I love metal. I just hate thrash metal. These guys are one of the pioneers of thrash metal, or so I'm told, and I really just don't like the genre that much as a whole. I heard their new album was kind of absolute shit, which left me kind of disappointed. They have some seriously epic songs obviously, and I do respect them. It's just not my preferred subgenre of metal. I also find their singer a little weird and annoying.

9. Michael Jackson - I don't listen to him, first off. And I think it's kind of sad that his song count went absolutely sky rocketing since his recent death (R.I.P.), I really wish he was here to see everyone adore him as they do now. It would have made him happy. I believe he was a genuinely good person, and just horribly misunderstood. It's not really my style of music, but he's just such a huge part of music, and I have deep deep respect for what he's done.

10. Kings of Leon - I definitely don't like these guys. I read their interview in the Rolling Stone and they seem kind of off. They most definitely sold out with Sex On Fire, and then somehow sold out once again with Use Somebody. I actually did like some of their songs at first listen when they were on the radio 24/7, but they just got so overhyped, it ruined them for me. They are okay though.

11. Nirvana - I love Nirvana. I absolutely love them. I love Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl a disgusting amount. I really like their music. I'm really sad that Kurt is gone now (R.I.P.). I totally think Courtney Love did it, somehow. I don't really have anything else to say but positive things about these pioneers of grudge, so I'll leave it at that.

12. Linkin Park - I used to love, love, love Linkin Park in middle school. They were my obsession. They went to the same high school as I did, and I had teachers who had Mike Shinoda that talked very highly of him. Hybrid Theory and Meteora were so good. They made up my middle school and 9th grade career. I think I know every word to every song on both of those albums. But when they released Minutes To Midnight, I was SO disappointed. I feel like they took a whole new different direction. That album blows.

13. Green Day - Well, I have mixed opinions about them. Obviously, as most people will agree, their old stuff was the shit. It was amazing. I feel like they didn't really care what people thought of them back then and went all out in a punk-ish sort of way, which I love. But once American Idiot hit, I feel like their popularity or something went straight to their heads. They are definitely not like they used to. I still have some deep respect for them, they are still a good band releasing albums that most people still seem to like, although I didn't enjoy their newest album too much.

14. Pink Floyd - I'm not sure I can really talk about these guys because I don't know much about them. Everyone loves them though, and the songs that I have heard are groundbreaking. They made some good music, at least from what I have heard so far. I'm pretty sure they had a role in shaping rock just as The Beatles did. However, I won't go on because I just don't know anymore.

15. Arctic Monkeys - I'm a little surprised to see these guys so high up on the list. I had no idea they were this popular. I really, really liked I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor, but once again, really not my style of music altogether. I've heard some other stuff, and it was just pretty average to me. I'm not sure I really dig what they represent either. They are okay, though.

16. Foo Fighters - I love Foo Fighters. I have so much respect for Dave Grohl, I really do. He is a great musician, absolutely fantastic. I love their drummer too, but I forgot his name. I wasn't the biggest fan of their latest release, but The Pretender was awesome. They released probably one of my favorite albums of all time, The shape and the colour. I think that album is flawless, or pretty close to it. I love their energy, especially Dave's at live shows. I love a band who can stick through it and can keep releasing good albums.

17. Black Eyed Peas - Not a big fan of Fergie or Will.I.Am. Definitely not. I think I know every single word to Fergalicious, though, just because it was on the radio so much back in the day. They obviously have some catchy music, and I also know all the words to Boom Boom Pow because of how much it was on the radio. Some of their songs are good and catchy, and like I said before, I'm not afraid to admit that me and my friends dance and sing when some of their stuff comes on in the car. I don't have a big general liking for them though, and I most definitely don't keep up with them. Not my style.

18. Death Cab for Cutie - YES! I absolutely love this band. So much. Probably my favorite indie band of all time. I really don't listen to indie, but when I do, it's usually these guys. I like how pretty much every single album they released has been epic and great, not a single bad album. Photobooth is my most played song on iTunes, and probably one of my favorite songs of all time. I only listen to a few other indie bands, like Tegan and Sara, Broken Social Scene, Bloc Party, and maybe some others. But these guys are my favorites.

19. Placebo - Also surprised to see this band so high up on the list. I had no idea they were this popular. However, I literally know diddly squat about them and have heard absolutely any of their music. If you guys want to suggest me some songs to listen to, go for it and I'll check them out.

20. Paramore - Say what you want, I really like them and I respect them. Even the song they did for the dreaded Twilight movie was pretty good (Decode). I like Hayley Williams, she's definitely a cutie. I think I have a ton of plays of this band. I really like them and their music. Sadly, I still haven't checked out their newest album, so if anyone wants to tell me their review on it, you totally should. While this isn't completely my style of music, I like it quite a bit. I also screamed like a little schoolgirl when I heard Hayley randomly come in on the Set Your Goals song The Few That Remain on their album (which I suggest all you pop-punk/hardcore fans go check out right now!)

21. Queen - I have always thought they were kind of overrated, but people absolutely love them. I know they have released a few groundbreaking epic songs, but I don't really like their music at all. I definitely respect them and what they have done for music. Unfortunately, I don't know anymore about these guys so I can't go on.

22. U2 - This is one of the few bands that I will actually say I hate. I don't hate their fans at all or anything like that, I just selectively hate Bono and his band. I hate what they represent. I also hate how Bono dresses. But this has nothing to do with their music, which I also have never been a fan of. I really just hate all of their songs and I think this band is just kind of icky. They rub me the wrong way, if you get my drift.

23. Led Zeppelin - Absolutely love Led Zeppelin. I only have their greatest hits albums because I'm not that much into classic rock, but every song on their is just so fucking awesome. They pretty much shaped rock-n-roll, or at least most of it. I don't know a lot about them, but the songs I have heard are amazing. I don't listen to them near enough, though.

24. System of a Down - Yes, yes, yes, yes. Used to be one of my favorite bands ever, and they still kind of are. I don't listen to them as much as I used to, but I can say with confidence that I have liked every album they released. I'm pretty upset that I didn't get to see them live before they broke up, and I just oh so desperately want to get them back together. I really don't like Scars on Broadway or Serj Tankian doing it solo. I actually don't find that music at all. They need to get back together, who's with me?!

25. Oasis - I always see this band getting so much hate. I actually like them, not all of their stuff but definitely a few songs are really, really great. I still find myself listening to Champagne Supernove, Wonderwall, and Don't Go Away sometimes. I definitely don't like all of their stuff or their newest stuff, but a few songs have some great memories attached to them, and I'm always thankful for songs like that.

26. David Bowie - I hope I don't get flamed, but I really know absolutely nothing about him. I heard he's made some pretty epic and groundbreaking stuff, so if anyone here wants to suggest me some songs, I'll go and listen to them. Unfortunately, I can't review him anymore because I simply don't know anymore.

27. MGMT - Meh, meh, meh. It's the perfect word to describe this band, in my opinion. Not too great, not too bad. I really like Electric Feel (which I heard at a party and started dancing to) and Time to Pretend, but not really anything else. Keep in mind, this isn't really my style of music, but I imagine people who like this weird electronic kind of indie stuff like them a lot. I also read an interview about them in the Rolling Stone and they didn't sound like great people. But they are okay, I respect them.

28. The Rolling Stones - Once again, I really don't know much about them to give a review on them. I know that Gimme Shelter is an amazing song, but I haven't heard really anything else. I know that they're in the Hall of Fame and they shaped rock-n-roll somewhat, so mad props for that.

29. The Cure - I never got into The Cure, I just never could. Some of their music is decent, in my opinion, but it's just really not my thing. I have respect for them though and I know people absolutely love them. As the list keeps going down, I know less and less about bands, so bear with me!

30. Bob Dylan - I think Tangled Up in Blue is such an annoying song. I don't know why, I just do. I know I'd probably get super mega flamed if I insulted Bob Dylan anymore than I just did, so I'll refrain. I guess he's cool though, and he definitely has some good songs. But I don't know anything about him or his music, so I'll stop here.

31. Rammstein - Hm, German metal? Sounds alright to me. I obviously, like most of you guys, enjoyed Du Hast quite a bit. The guitar work in that song is so awesome and catchy. I believe it led me to get their discography, and I was definitely impressed with some of their work, but nothing matches up to Du Hast. I'm not a huge fan because I don't understand German, and I usually like to understand what they're saying.

32. Daft Punk - I got some serious respect for Daft Punk and I was really happy to see them in DJ Hero. I have quite a few songs by them, including One More Time, Aerodynamic, Around the World, and several others, and I have to say, I still listen to the songs I have by them often. I definitely enjoy them, but at the same time, I'm not in on the whole techno or whatever scene. It's not my thing. But these guys are an exception, and they create some great beats and catchy music.

33. blink-182 - Finally. My music taste has long since expanded since these guys were at the peak, and I'm not totally into this genre that much anymore, but they have remained my favorite band of all time ever since I was a child. I have so many songs by them that have memories attached to them, and I am thankful for that. I love Mark, Tom, and Travis with the fire of a thousand suns. I literally cried when they broke up, cried when they got back together, and started screaming insanity when I heard about Travis Barker's plane crash, and cried some more when I heard DJ AM died. Anyways, I love What's My Age Again? more than most people. I also saw them live twice, the first and last shows of their tour. Greatness!

34. Depeche Mode - I know like diddly squat by these guys. I'm not sure what type of music they play. Someone should enlighten me and throw some songs my way so I can expand my musical horizons!

35. Beyonce - I find her so annoying. I'm sorry, I just do. I know that everything she represents is so good and positive, but I just find her to be a really annoying human being. No disrespect to her fans, but her music is definitely not my thing either. Once again, I'm not afraid to admit that I dance and sing along to Single Ladies and Halo whenever it comes on in the car. Yes, I know the words.

36. Franz Ferdinand - I really don't know much except Take Me Out friggin' ruled. I've heard some of their other stuff and it doesn't really compare. I have mixed opinions on them, but once again, the respect is definitely there. Unfortunately, I don't know anymore about them, so let's move on.

37. The White Stripes - I really only like the song Icky Thump. I think that song is just so epic, so epic. I love it. I actually ended up getting that whole album (whatever it's called, I forgot), and I've listened through it a couple of times. I really don't like any of their other songs by Icky Thump. But I definitely think they are a talented group of fellows, and lady (if I recall, their drummer is a chick-a-dee).

38. Bloc Party - YES! I love Bloc Party, so much. Silent Alarm is one of my favorite albums of all time. I love this album so much and have so much respect for this band, it's insane. It's probably one of the few indie bands I listened to, as mentioned before. Some of my favorite songs of all time belong to them, such as Banquet and Like Eating Glass. I really didn't like their new album, Intimacy, all that much. They kind of took a different direction and I didn't like it, but One Month Off is great.

39. Eminem - I have respect for him since I know some details about his personal life, as I'm sure some of you do. It seems like he's battled some really hard times and had the courage and strength to write about his difficulties and show them to the world through music. I really didn't like his new album, Relapse, but some people really enjoyed it, and that's good. I am definitely a fan of his older stuff when he was a goof ball and didn't give a fuck.

40. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - I think this is one of the indie bands that kind of annoys me, but I still respect them and Karen O. at the same time. (What is her last name?) Of course, I gotta have respect for them since Maps was the first song I ever learned on drums, but this kind of indie isn't really my style. I guess they're okay, but definitely not my thing.

41. Britney Spears - No, no, no. I really don't like her. Yeah, I know all of the words to Toxic, but who doesn't? Her new album(s) have kind of blown, but I do have respect for her. She shaved her and went through a bad downward spiral, but it seems she came out on top. So congratulations on that. Now let's all go kill K-Fed. Who's down?

42. Guns N' Roses - My mom used to dream about having the sexy times with Axl Rose. (I don't know how to spell his name, my apologies). I don't really like all of their music that much, but I know they recently released Chinese Democracy. I've been hearing mixed reviews about it. I remember there was one song on there that I really really liked, but I can't remember. Some of their old stuff like Paradise City was obviously just great and epic.

43. Weezer - I like them a lot. Not a lot a lot, but just a lot. They recently released a new song that's been gaining mad popularity that I've really enjoyed, but I forgot the name. I bought the album Make Believe sometime ago and I still listen to it from time to time. I'm not a big enough fan to go get some of their more better albums, but they have some absolutely great songs that I love.

44. Kanye West - I'm a huge fan of rap or the hip-hop genre as a whole. However, Kanye had a lot of respect from me and I really enjoyed pretty much all of his older stuff. You could tell on Graduation he started going downhill as he started getting depressed, and then when 808s & Heartbreaks came out, he hit rock bottom. I think he should have just stuck with his not auto-tuned good rapping like All Falls Down and some other stuff. I liked him back then. And then that whole Taylor Swift thing? Yeah, respect lost, Kanye!

45. AC/DC - I think I have a lot of plays by them. I used to listen to them a lot, and I definitely like some of their songs. They fucking rock out. I don't know that much about them and I don't even know what albums I have by them, I know that they're pretty good though. I don't listen to them anymore, though, and I definitely don't plan on it.

46. Jay-Z - I think he's okay (with the exception of looking like a monkey). I think he's a really great rapper, but as I have said earlier, I'm definitely not down with hip-hop or rap, so I can't really judge. I actually have been really recently enjoying Empire State of Mind, though. That song is really great. If all of his other stuff sounds like that, then I'm down.

47. The Strokes - Once again, I don't know diddly squat by this band, but I absolutely love the song Reptilia. I know every word to that song and I eventually learned the drums to it, it's great stuff. I think somewhere down the line, I liked that song so much I decided to check out some of their other stuff and I think I remember being really disappointed.

48. The Prodigy - I'm not sure I've even heard of these guys, anyone care to enlighten me?

49. Pearl Jam - I find these guys SO annoying! Some of their songs are okay, but I get them confused with other bands a lot, and I don't know, I just really don't like them. I don't remember ever liking them. I know they were huge in the 90's, though. I actually hear The Fixer sometimes on the radio, and I really like it, so maybe I'll go buy that one song. But everything else is just so meh.

50. The Offspring - I love The Offspring, absolutely love them. These old guys keep rocking out and releasing good quality stuff, that's just fine by me. Hammerhead is such an awesome song, and I think The Kids Aren't Alright is probably one of my favorite songs ever made. I got some mad respect and I hope they keep releasing some groovy stuff.

Anyways, there it is. I'm not even sure why I just did that, but I had the time, so I did it. I think I started at about 12:43 AM and I ended just now at 2:04, so that was a good hour of my time.

There's no need to flame here, guys. I respect your taste in music, so please respect mine. If you disagree with something, right on, bro. I expect that most of you will disagree, which is 100% good. Opinions are important. Comment, flame, +1 to your post count, pee yourselves, or all of the above.

This is a full blown assault!

Today, I reached 10,000 scrobbled tracks in last.fm. It took me almost 2 years since creating my account to reach this.

My Overall chart (top 15 only) as of today is:
1 Michael Jackson 1,336
2 Jack Johnson 415
3 Jason Mraz 332
4 Dishwalla 260
5 The Beatles 206
6 Regina Spektor 188
7 Lifehouse 186
8 Beyoncé155
9 Alanis Morissette 150
10 Silverchair 147
11 The String Quartet 146
12 Paramore 142
13 Lenka 140
13 The Jackson 5 140
15 Eraserheads 105

THE BATES AUS ESCHWEGE
- Kompakte Biografie dieser Kumpeltruppe, die eine meiner Lieblingsbands ist, und jene, die mir am nächsten stand -



Klube: „Steckt kein großer Background dahinter oder so was. [...] Wir machen ziemlich billige Songs eigentlich. Das is' alles sehr, sehr leicht nachvollziehbar. Auch für ... auch für den letzten unmusikalischen Deppen!“ (BRAVO-TV, RTL 2, 1995)

Die nach Norman Bates aus dem Film Psycho von Alfred Hitchcock aus dem Jahr 1960 benannte deutsche Rockband (sie wurde meist dem Punkrock zugeordnet, meinte jedoch selbst häufig, Zitat Klube bei NBC Giga 2000: "...im weitesten Sinne Rock 'n' Roll!") machte unter diesem Bandnamen zwischen ca. 1986 * und Ende 2000 zusammen Musik. Die Band bezeichnete ihre sehr eingängige, rockende und melodische Musik lange Zeit als Bubblegum Trash.

Die Kumpeltruppe aus Eschwege bei Kassel (Hessen) wurde von den meisten Journalisten der Musik-Zeitschriften auf ihre Cover-Versionen fremder Stücke minimiert und als einfallslose Cover-Könige bezeichnet. Ihre zahllosen (oft wesentlich besseren) Eigenkompositionen wurden von diesen Kritikern häufig unter den Tisch gekehrt.

Bekannt waren die Bates nicht nur für ihre sehr eingängige Musik und die sich im Ohr festfressenden Refrains, welche man oft bereits beim erstmaligen Hören mitsingen konnte und ihre (tatsächlich) zahlreichen Coverversionen: die Band setzte Abend für Abend viele Bekannte auf die Gästeliste und es dürfte nicht ein Konzert gegeben haben, bei welchem den Fans der ersten Reihe nicht Dutzende Becher Bier gereicht worden sind.

Jedes Album der Bates enthält mindestens 2 Coverversionen von Liedern anderer Künstler oder Musikgruppen. Auch jede Single-Veröffentlichung enthält mindestens eine Coverversion. Die Band betonte immer wieder, dass sie als Hommage an die Originalinterpreten, nicht aufgrund fehlender eigener Kreativität Coverversionen einspiele.

Unter den bekannteste Liedern der Band findet man auch etliche Fremdkompositionen: BILLIE JEAN (Michael Jackson), HELLO (Shakespear's Sister, "Hello (Turn Your Radio on"), RUNAWAY (Del Shannon), INDEPENDENT LOVE SONG (Scarlet), LITTLE DINOSAUR (Jonathan Richman, "I'm a little Dinosaur"), JAPANESE GIRL (Aneka), AS TEARS GO BY (The Rolling Stones), HELTER SKELTER (The Beatles), POOR BOY (The Lords), IT'S MY PARTY (Lesley Gore), DER EINSAME (Text: Heinz Erhardt), THE SOUND OF SILENCE (Simon & Garfunkel, "Sound of Silence"), LEUCHTTURM (Nena), YESTERDAY (The Beatles) oder OUT OF TIME (The Rolling Stones).

Zu den bei vielen Fans beliebtesten Songs zählten neben einigen der genannten Cover-Versionen Lieder wie SONG FOR MICHAEL, WITCHES, DER EINSAME, IT'S GETTING DARK, LOVE IS DEAD oder SAY IT ISN'T SO, WHO'S THAT GIRL? und THE LIPS OF JAYNE MANSFIELD.

Einzelne Bandmitglieder hatten bereits vor Gründung der Bates (ca. 1986 * ) in Schülerbands zusammen musiziert. Die Bates entstanden aus der Vorgängerband NUCLEAR GRAFFITY (bzw. NUCLEAR GRAFFITI), die zwischen ca. 1983 und 1986 bestanden hatte.
Diese Band wiederum war hervorgegangen aus der ersten Schülerband namens STICKY FINGERS (Gründung ca. 1979, von den Brian Jones-Bewunderern Zimbl, Armin und Heinz nach einem Album der Band The Rolling Stones benannt, bei welchen Jones Gründungsmitglied gewesen war).

STICKY FINGERS
(ca. 1979 - ca. 1983)
Gründungsmitglieder der Band waren: Zimbl (zunächst Gitarre) und Heinz (Schlagzeug), die sich zur Gründung Armin Beck (Gitarre) in die Band holten. Nach kurzer Zeit tauschte Zimbl die Gitarre gegen den Bass aus und übernahm den Gesang. An den Drums gab es sehr bald ebenfalls einen Wechsel: Klube (zuvor in der Jazz-Band Paradox) ersetzte Heinz. Spielte die Band zunächst vor allem alte Rolling Stones-Nummern, veränderte sich der Stil der Musik durch die Punkrock-Szene 1977/1978 (Sex Pistols, The Ramones) deutlich in eine schroffere und punkrockigere Richtung, ehe Bandmitglieder ein Konzert der Chameleons besuchten. Inspiriert dadurch wurden die Texte psychedelischer. Die Band wollte sich umbenennen...

NUCLEAR GRAFFITY
NUCLEAR GRAFFITI
(ca. 1983 - ca. 1986 * )
Bandmitglieder waren: Zimbl (Gesang und Bass), Armin (Gitarre) und Klube (Schlagzeug), die nun etwas düsterere, psychedelischere Musik machten. Da durch den Sound der Chameleons inspiriert der Gedanke an eine zweite Gitarre im Sound der Band reifte, dauerte es nicht lange, bis Pogo (zuvor The Difference) in die Band einstieg und die Rhythmus-Gitarre spielte. Fortan war Armin Beck für die Solo- bzw. Lead-Gitarre verantwortlich.

Inspiriert durch das schizophrene, verklemmte Muttersöhnchen Norman Bates - in Kleidung der eigenen Mutter mit scharfem Messer auf duschende weibliche Motelgäste einstechend - Titelheld des Alfred-Hitchcock-Thrillers Psycho von 1960 (erfunden von Robert Bloch), benannte sich die Band um. Jenen Film sahen Bandmitglieder von Nuclear Graffity / Nuclear Graffiti während einer Party an einem Sommerabend. Zimbl kam, als sich Norman Bates im Film an der Rezeption vorstellte, auf den (ohnehin gesuchten) neuen Bandnamen.

Zimbl: „Gute Musik ist gute Musik, egal aus welchem Genre. Zur Not muss man halt ein bisschen schneller spielen!“ (Karstadt Music News 3/94)


THE BATES
(ca. 1986 * - 7. Oktober 2000, offiziell aufgelöst im Mai 2001)
Gründungsmitglieder der Band: Zimbl (Gesang und Bass), Armin Beck (Lead-Gitarre), Klube (Schlagzeug) sowie Pogo (Rhythmus-Gitarre).
1988 nahm die Band im Studio das Lied "Wet Look" auf, welches seinen Platz auf dem regionalen Sampler Not great for great Men fand. Ebenfalls 1988 folgten erste weitere im Studio aufgenommene Lieder: "The Sun ain't gonna shine anymore" (eine Cover-Version des Songs der Walker Brothers), "I heard the Wind", "Baby (Take 1)", "Song for Drinkers" sowie "Seemannsgrab". Diese Lieder fanden ihren Platz auf einer später veröffentlichten Bonustrack-Version ihres Debüt-Albums.
Die Band nahm Demotapes auf, unter anderem das "Blood in the Shower"- Tape, dessen beide Auflagen von 50 Exemplaren schnell ausverkauft waren. Ein anderes Tape wurde mit "Same" betitelt und enthielt u.a. die sehr psychedelische Nummer "Banshee Calling".

1989 spielten die Bates das Lied "As Tears go by" von den Rolling Stones ein, welches am 1. August 1989 auf dem Sampler "The Ghost of Brian - The Brian Jones Memorial Album" bei Black Fantasy Records erschien. Auf dem Sampler "Rock around Kassel" - ebenfalls 1989 veröffentlicht - waren die Bates auf Grund eines (mit-)gewonnenen Live-Wettbewerbes mit frühen Versionen von "Who's that Girl?" sowie "I want You back again" vertreten. Beide Lieder kamen in überarbeiteten Versionen auf die zweite CD der Bates namens Shake!.
1989 kamen die Bates bei dem Independent-Label Black Fantasy Records aus Kassel unter. Im selben Jahr erschien ihr in 2 1/2 Tagen aufgenommenes Debüt-Album No Name for the Baby.

Nach Veröffentlichung der Bonustracks-Version von No Name for the Baby und den Aufnahmen einer zweiten Platte bei diesem Label namens Shake! stieg (vor deren Veröffentlichung) Armin aus der Band aus, um sich auf sein Theologie-Studium zu konzentrieren. Er wurde später Pfarrer. Ersetzt wurde er durch Reb im Herbst 1990. Dieser hatte zuvor in einer Band namens Rotten Message gespielt und auch eine andere Band namens Crazy Babies gehabt. Der Shake!-Herbsttour folgte die Support-Weihnachts-Tour für die englische Punkrockband Peter and the Test Tube Babies. In den ersten Jahren spielten die Bates auch des Öfteren als Support für die Toy Dolls oder Dog Food Five.

Beim Konzert am 27.12.1990 im Spot in Kassel stand plötzlich für einen Auftritt wieder Armin Beck statt Reb als Solo-Gitarrist auf der Bühne. Doch sein Wiedereinstieg beschränkte sich auf einen Gig. Die Band bestand nach dem Auftritt nur noch aus Zimbl, Klube und Pogo. Nachdem wenige Konzerte zu dritt stattgefunden, lag die Band The Bates mehr oder weniger auf Eis.

Pogo gründete die Grindcore-Band Underdog, Klube und Zimbl formierten die Band The Suzies und spielten neben alten Bates-Songs vor allem Hits der 60er und 70er, schrieben aber auch neue Songs. Klube saß auch hier hinter dem Schlagzeug, Zimbl spielte Gitarre und sang. Dabei wurde er von Klube durch dessen Backgroundgesang unterstützt.

Im Frühherbst 1991 gab es die Bates wieder. Reb wurde erneut als Lead-Gitarrist in die Band aufgenommen. The Bates bestanden zu diesem Zeitpunkt aus Zimbl (Gesang und Bass), Klube (Schlagzeug), Pogo (Rhythmus-Gitarre) und Armin Beck (Lead-Gitarre). Am 31.10.1991 fand das erste Konzert in Eschwege in der Fabrik seit Jahren statt, am 23.1.1992 folgte ein grandioser Auftritt in der Outpost in Göttingen. Bei dieser Gelegenheit wurde ein Live-Video gedreht- Außerdem entstand der erste wirkliche Videoclip ("The Lips of Jayne Mansfield "), welcher aus Szenen des Konzertes sowie gestellten Bühnenperformances, ebenfalls gedreht in Göttingen von Andreas Vedder, bestand.

Die Bates kehrten nach der zweiten Platte Black Fantasy Records (aufgrund des schlechten Vertriebes der ersten beiden Alben der Band) den Rücken zu und fand durch glückliche Umstände - dank des "Hähnchenmannes" mit einem bereits finanzierten kommenden Album - in Snoop Records aus Salzgitter sehr bald ein neues Plattenlabel.
Im Sommer 1992 wurde - erstmals in der Großstadt, in Berlin in den Vielklang-Studios - das Album Psycho Junior eingespielt. Einige der Songs von Zimbls und Klubes Band The Suzies bildeten den Grundstock dieses Albums - Rebs Tonträger-Debüt überhaupt. Für Armin Beck spielte die Band die knapp 30-Sekunden-Arie "Bibleman" ein.
Das Album wurde im Oktober 1992 veröffentlicht, erhielt in den Musikmagazinen sehr gute Kritiken und wurde zum Geheimtipp.

1993 kamen die Bates an einen Major-Deal bei Virgin Records (durch eine Empfehlung des Schlagzeugers von Die Ärzte, Bela B., welcher diese Band Patrick Orth, damals A&R-Mann von Virgin, vorgeschlagen hatte). Nach einem besuchten Bates-Konzert stand für Orth fest, die Bates für Virgin unter Vertrag nehmen zu wollen.
Um das Plattenlabel wecheln zu können, mussten The Bates bei Snoop Records ein zweites Album veröffentlichen. Die Band entschied sich für den Release einer Live-Platte namens Unfucked. Mit ihrer bei Virgin im Herbst 1993 eingespielten und Anfang 1994 veröffentlichten Platte The Bates und der ersten Single-Auskopplung überhaupt, der Cover-Version "Hello" (ein Lied der britischen Band Shakespear's Sister, welches 1992 unter dem vollen Namen "Hello (Turn your Radio on)" ein riesengroßer Hit geworden war) zogen die Bates erstmals bundesweite Beachtung auf sich. Ihr erster nennenswerter TV-Auftritt fand bei RTL Samstag Nacht statt, wo die Gruppe ihre Coverversion von "Hello" live spielte.

Einer erfolgreichen Tour und nahezu 100 Konzerten im Jahr 1994 folgten im Herbst desselben Jahres die Aufnahmen für den zweiten Longplayer bei Virgin: Pleasure + Pain. Dieses Album wurde im Februar 1995 veröffentlicht. Enthalten waren erneut 2 Cover-Versionen: zum einen "Donna Clara" von den Comedian Harmonists, bei welchem in der Bates-Fassung Farin Urlaub (als Kill Kill Gaskrieg) und Bela B. im Hintergrund mitträllerten.
Zum anderen Billie Jean, im Original von Michael Jackson. Dieses Lied wurde die 4. Single-Auskopplung überhaupt bzw. die zweite zum Album Pleasure + Pain. Zum Jacko-Remake im Bates-Gewand wurde in den Vereinigten Staaten nahe Los Angeles mit den DoRo-Musik-Regisseuren Dirk Meints und Toni Weiss ein 4 Minuten-20-Remake von "Psycho" in Schwarz-Weiss gedreht. Der Clip geriet im Sommer bei VIVA und MTV in die Heavy Rotation.

1 1/2 Jahre schwammen die Bates bis Anfang 1997 auf einer Erfolgswelle und waren in Deutschland außerordentlich beliebt und häufig in der BRAVO und vergleichbaren Jugend-Zeitschriften vorzufinden.

Auch das im Sommer 1996 veröffentlichte Album Kicks 'N' Chicks wurde ein großer Erfolg. Es wurde das am höchsten in den Mediacontrol-Alben-Charts platzierte Album der Band (nach Platz 94 in der 1. Woche Platz 10 (!) in der 2. Woche), konnte jedoch nicht so lange in den Alben-Charts verweilen wie das Vorgänger-Album Pleasure + Pain.

Einen dem Jackson-Cover vergleichbaren neuen (Cover-)Hit suchte man auf der Platte allerdings vergebens, auch wenn es eine ausgezeichnete Cover-Version des Abwärts-Liedes "Der Westen ist einsam" und die Bates-Neuinterpretation von "Poor Boy" von den Lords enthielt.

Nahezu 100 Konzerte bis Anfang März 1997 folgten, dann mussten die Bates eine mehr als einjährige Live-Pause einlegen. Die Fans konnten sich mit der zweiten Live-Platte What a beautiful Noise, veröffentlicht Anfang 1997, trösten. An einem neuen Longplayer, intra Venus, wurde ab Spätherbst 1997 gearbeitet, veröffentlicht wurde das Album im März 1998.

Das Interesse der Medien hatte in Folge der langen Bandpause und des Fehlens eines Hits der Marke "Billie Jean" extrem stark nachgelassen. Intra Venus stieg nur kurzzeitig wenige Wochen in die Albencharts ein und enthielt mit "Independent Love Song" (vorab im Herbst 1997 mit "Das Schweigen der Lämmer"-Videoclip-Remake als "Hallo, es gibt und trotz Pause noch!"-Zeichen veröffentlicht) ein Lied, welches durchaus zu einem Hit hätte werden können.

Einer im Herbst 1998 eingespielten EP namens Punk? folgte die Veröffentlichung des Band-Comics THE DEVIL'S PONK BAND (gezeichnet von Klaus Cornfield - auch im Bundle mit der EP). Pogo spielte sein letztes Konzert mit The Bates am 28.12.1998 in der Batschkapp in Frankfurt.

Ende Januar 1999 trennte sich die Band von Pogo. Zu dritt spielte sie das Album Right here! Right now! (veröffentlicht im Sommer 1999) ein. Zur Tour wurde der neue Rhythmusgitarrist Dully (zuvor Schüssler Dü) präsentiert. Mit ihm wurde nicht nur die Herbst- und Wintertour 1999 gespielt sondern im Frühjahr 2000 auch das allerletzte Bates-Album, bestehend aus 100% Coverversionen, veröffentlicht am 5. Juni 2000 und betitelt mit 2nd Skin, eingespielt wurde.

Nach dem Konzert am 7. Oktober 2000 in Neunburg vorm Wald in der Stadthalle löste sich die Band The Bates auf. Das letzte live gespielte Lied war das The Cure-Cover "Wailing Wall". Offiziell verkündet wurde dieser Bandsplit jedoch erst im Mai 2001.

Zimbl: „'Grob gesagt ist unsere Musik eine Mischung aus Beatles und Sex Pistols, aus Sixties und Punk, eine dreiste Mixtur aus allem, was Spaß macht.“ (METAL STAR, 1995, Achim Schütz)


THE BATES - BANDMITGLIEDER

Markus „Zimbl“ Zimmer
Gesang und Bass
(1986 – 2001)

Frank „Klube“ Klubescheidt
Schlagzeug und Gesang
(1986 – 2001)

Thomas „Pogo“ Möller
Rhythmus-Gitarre und Gesang
(1986 – 1998)

Armin „Becks“ Beck
Solo-Gitarre und Gesang
(1986 – 1990)

Michael „Reb“ Rebbig
Solo-Gitarre und Gesang
(1990 – 2001)

Tilmann „Dully“ Schüssler
Rhythmus-Gitarre und Gesang
(1999 – 2001)


Zimbl über den Bandnamen The Bates: „Er hat alle wesentlichen Eigenschaften: er klingt zwar blöde, aber man gruselt sich davor, und er fängt mit B an wie unsere musikalischen Vorbilder auch: Bamoes und Sex Bistols.“ - Pogo: „Außerdem hat uns die Vorstellung gefallen, dass es von diesem Psychopathen noch mehr geben könnte.“ (COCKTAIL, 1998, im Gespräch mit Thomas Kielhorn)


Alben

1989 No Name for the Baby (1989)


Shake! (1990)


Psycho Junior (1992)


Unfucked (live) (1993)


The Bates (1994)


Pleasure + Pain (1995)


Kicks 'N' Chicks (1996)


What a Beautiful Noise (live) (1997)


intra Venus (1998)


Punk? (1998)


Right here! Right now! (1999)


2nd Skin (2000)




Singles

Hello (1993/1994)


I'm alright (1994)


Say it isn't so (1995)


Billie Jean (1995)


A real cool Time (1995)


It's getting dark (1996)


Poor Boy (1996)


Independent Love Song (1997)


Be my Baby (1998)


Bitter End (1999)


Japanese Girl (2000)




Internet-Seiten rund um The Bates
www.the-bates.de
www.thebates.2see.de
http://members.internettrash.com/bates/

Internet-Seiten rund um Zimbl
www.zimbl.com
www.arealcooltime.de

Band-Internet-Seiten von Ex-Bates
www.grafzwirni.com
www.graf-zwirni.de
www.bunchofrags.com
www.moribundthirteen-a-d.com
www.thefloat.de

MySpace-Accounts
www.myspace.com/thebatesrdead
www.myspace.com/nonameforthebaby
www.myspace.com/batesroomno1
www.myspace.com/hearitloveit
www.myspace.com/zimbl
www.myspace.com/zimblunofficial
www.myspace.com/zimbl_tribut
www.myspace.com/batesandsuzies
www.myspace.com/grafzwirni

Sonstige Links
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bates
www.laut.de/wortlaut/artists/b/bates/
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.Channel&ChannelID=90495967
www.youtube.com/user/Norman7283

* Zu dem Jahr der Gründung der Band The Bates (bzw. die Namensumbenennung) gibt es diverse verschiedene Angaben. Mal ist von 1988 die Rede, dann heißt es, die Bates gäbe es seit 1987. Auch verschiedene Bandmitglieder machen hierzu unterschiedliche Angaben. Das Jahr 1986 wird als Entstehungsjahr der Bates sehr häufig erwähnt, weswegen diese Jahreszahl hier zu lesen ist.

Und das noch: die Fakten habe ich zwar so sorgfältig zusammengetragen, wie mir das möglich war, ich übernehme jedoch keinerlei Garantie für Vollständigkeit oder Korrektheit sämtlicher Infos. Das Copyright des Textes und der Fotos liegt bei Linus Lumpitzsch, bei Zitaten sind alle Quellen angegeben.

The Bates
Zimbl
Nuclear Graffity
Suziz
Suzies
Nadja feat. Zimbl
Wonder 99
Graf Zwirni
Die Ärzte
Abwärts
Michael Jackson
Scarlet
Shakespear's Sister
The Rolling Stones
Ramones
Sex Pistols
The Chameleons
The Cure
Wailing Wall

drum and bass / funky / bassline / rave / hardcore

1 Watching You Instra:mental
2 Original Sin feat. Teure Sabre
3 Organiser Spectrasoul
4 Clear Skyz (Break Remix) Die
5 Long Long Time Marcus Visionary
6 Chemical Imbalance (DJ Die Mix) Karime Kendra
7 9 by 9 (M.I.S.T. Full Vocal Mix) 4 Hero Feat Imani Uzuri
8 Make It Tonight High Contrast
9 Proof Positive Calibre
10 Whale Dance Electrosoul System
11 A Thousand Beautiful Things (Blu Mar Ten Remix) Annie Lennox
12 Can't Get Over You Calibre
13 Wonder Where d bridge
14 Hyph Mngo Joy Orbison
15 Just For You (Roska Remix) Untold
16 Glitch Dub Emvee
17 Pull It (Ill Blu Funky Mix) Shystie
18 Pon de floor' feat. Vybz Kartel Major Lazer
19 Bad (Mowgli is Bad Remix) Michael Jackson
20 Hot City Bass Hot City
21 The Change Up Rob Threezy
22 Jump Bounce Wayne P
23 Re-Rewind (The Crowd Say Bo Selectah) Artful Dodger feat. Craig David
24 Renegade Master '98 (Fatboy Slim Remix) Wildchild
25 Just Be Mowgli
26 Burnin Daft Punk
27 Sugar Is Sweeter (Armand's Drum & Bass Remix) CJ Bolland
28 Color Correction (Jimmy Edgar LTNT Remix) X-District
29 Growls Garden Clark
30 Freaky Bitches Andrea Parker feat. DJ Assault
31 Mega (Dub Version) The Count And Sinden
32 Moombah (Afrojack mix) Silvio Ecomo / Chuckie
33 Hey ! (Foamo Remix) Diplo &Laidback Luke
34 War (Blatta & Inesha Go To Luanda Remix) Rampage
35 Keep On Dancin' (Let's Go) Perpetual Motion
36 Yeke Yeke (Hardfloor Mix) Mory Kante
37 Higher State Of Consciousness Wink
38 Another Wedged Chicken (Martyn's 131mix) Shed
39 Aztec Spor
40 Hubble Raiden
41 Hotness Dynamite MC feat. Origin Unknonwn
42 Pacman [RAM Trilogy Remix] Ed Rush & Optical
43 Go Away Audio & Mackie
44 Smack My Bitch Up (Sub Focus Rmx) Prodigy
45 Crime Side Black Sun Empire, Concord Dawn
46 Bang Bang Unknown
47 Pulp Fiction Jade
48 Dub Dread Serum
49 RM Bleeps Raiden, Current Value
50 I Am A Star! Chrissy Murderbot
51 Silke Ilsa Gold
52 Religion Members of Mayday
53 Madness Revisited Search & Destroy
54 Madonna Bio Phobith Feat. Search & Destroy
55 Drunken Piece Of Shit 6-pack
56 Hard Attack [Original] D&F
57 4 x Funk (Bass in ya face) Evil Maniax
58 Pump This Party DJ Paul Elstak
59 Riot In N.Y. Rob Gee & Repete-Charly Lownoise & Mental Theo
60 First Rebirth Jones & Stephenson
61 Rave City Yves Deruyter
62 Y.R.S Stomp TechnoTrance
63 In My Electric House feat. Yves Deruyter Cherrymoon Trax
64 Somewhere Over the Rainbow Marusha
65 Weather Experience The Prodigy
66 In The Groove Enzyme, Malice
67 In for the Kill [Skream's Let's Get Ravey Mix] La Roux
68 Has it Come to This (Starkey rmx) The Streets
69 Blinded By The Lights (Nero Remix) The Streets
70 Rain Breakage
71 Kid For Today Boards of Canada
72 Donnie Darko Soundtrack - Mad World
73 hurt Johnny Cash

(..)However, upon abandoning this sweet piece of quality journalism I have been completely out of touch with what is going on (and hear about gigs I would've attended two minutes before they sell out or start), I haven't been on top of my game the way I used to be. Sometimes I accidentally discover a band by accident but when I do it feels fucking great and it's much more exciting than overdosing myself with dozens of bands a week. Therefore I will now enlighten you with a civilized list of only three bands that were exciting to me and hopefully you'll like them as well.

Read the full article of my hatred towards NME, and my love for Tame Impala, Blackhole and Yes Giantess here: http://saintsdontcry.blogspot.com/2009/11/its-like-zac-efron-singing.html.

Artists mentioned/spoken about in blog post:
Blackhole
Tame Impala
Yes Giantess
The Doors
MGMT
Michael Jackson
The Tough Alliance
Gallows
The Ghost of a Thousand
The Plight