The Gaslight Anthem Tweet Claifies Recent Media Coverage (formerly Fans Look Up to Us : Creepy)

steph wrote:

...or maybe Brian meant that he still views himself as a regular guy and it's creepy to be put up on a pedestal like that and to be treated in a certain way, not that the fans are creepy.

but then, that's the less sensational take on it, so i suppose that doesn't make any sense

I was just about to post this thought. I think Brian finds it creepy to be idolized, not necessarily that the fans doing the idolizing are creepy. But that's just my take on it. No one can speak for Brian, and we don't know if his words were taken out of context or how editing was done.

IrishNameAndAnInjury wrote:

steph wrote:

...or maybe Brian meant that he still views himself as a regular guy and it's creepy to be put up on a pedestal like that and to be treated in a certain way, not that the fans are creepy.

but then, that's the less sensational take on it, so i suppose that doesn't make any sense

I was just about to post this thought. I think Brian finds it creepy to be idolized, not necessarily that the fans doing the idolizing are creepy. But that's just my take on it. No one can speak for Brian, and we don't know if his words were taken out of context or how editing was done.

I can see Fallon taking the Vedder route and basically stopping talking to the media on a whole...lets see how people deal with that one...The man is human. End of. How do you take a few columns worth of info, from a 30 minute interview. You can't. It's why I don't bother with printed media. It's all about how the journalist wants to try and sell his product via sales, website hits, whatever. Wouldn't get much attention if it was a boring article.

IrishNameAndAnInjury wrote:

steph wrote:

...or maybe Brian meant that he still views himself as a regular guy and it's creepy to be put up on a pedestal like that and to be treated in a certain way, not that the fans are creepy.

but then, that's the less sensational take on it, so i suppose that doesn't make any sense

I was just about to post this thought. I think Brian finds it creepy to be idolized, not necessarily that the fans doing the idolizing are creepy. But that's just my take on it. No one can speak for Brian, and we don't know if his words were taken out of context or how editing was done.

I totally see that point. And I'm sure that he doesn't mean to be offensive but saying that something someone does is creepy, kind of calls them creepy. Even if it's unintentional. Like if a 40 year old dude hits on a 16 year old, what he's doing is creepy, therefore his actions make him creepy. I'm trying really hard not to overreact and there's always another side so I try to keep that in mind but sometimes it gets frustrating.

saltandburn1967 wrote:

Shelby is the kind of girl I would keep away from when she is mad. I feel like when she is angry.....she turns green.

Shelby is the kind of girl I would never keep away from

steph wrote:

...or maybe Brian meant that he still views himself as a regular guy and it's creepy to be put up on a pedestal like that and to be treated in a certain way, not that the fans are creepy.

but then, that's the less sensational take on it, so i suppose that doesn't make any sense

Exactly! At least that's what I read out of it.

ffs, he said "that's creepy" not "they are creepy", clearly he meant the act of being idolized or put on some kind of pedestal, nothing about the fans.

StitchesOnTheRadio wrote:

IrishNameAndAnInjury wrote:

steph wrote:

...or maybe Brian meant that he still views himself as a regular guy and it's creepy to be put up on a pedestal like that and to be treated in a certain way, not that the fans are creepy.

but then, that's the less sensational take on it, so i suppose that doesn't make any sense

I was just about to post this thought. I think Brian finds it creepy to be idolized, not necessarily that the fans doing the idolizing are creepy. But that's just my take on it. No one can speak for Brian, and we don't know if his words were taken out of context or how editing was done.

I totally see that point. And I'm sure that he doesn't mean to be offensive but saying that something someone does is creepy, kind of calls them creepy. Even if it's unintentional. Like if a 40 year old dude hits on a 16 year old, what he's doing is creepy, therefore his actions make him creepy. I'm trying really hard not to overreact and there's always another side so I try to keep that in mind but sometimes it gets frustrating.

What about a 23 year old guy hitting on a 17 year old girl who looks like 21 but then it turns out they aren't 21?

Harbortown wrote:

saltandburn1967 wrote:

Shelby is the kind of girl I would keep away from when she is mad. I feel like when she is angry.....she turns green.

Shelby is the kind of girl I would never keep away from

You have a great point there John Harbster. Probably the greatest point made in this thread all ay.

saltandburn1967 wrote:

StitchesOnTheRadio wrote:

IrishNameAndAnInjury wrote:

steph wrote:

...or maybe Brian meant that he still views himself as a regular guy and it's creepy to be put up on a pedestal like that and to be treated in a certain way, not that the fans are creepy.

but then, that's the less sensational take on it, so i suppose that doesn't make any sense

I was just about to post this thought. I think Brian finds it creepy to be idolized, not necessarily that the fans doing the idolizing are creepy. But that's just my take on it. No one can speak for Brian, and we don't know if his words were taken out of context or how editing was done.

I totally see that point. And I'm sure that he doesn't mean to be offensive but saying that something someone does is creepy, kind of calls them creepy. Even if it's unintentional. Like if a 40 year old dude hits on a 16 year old, what he's doing is creepy, therefore his actions make him creepy. I'm trying really hard not to overreact and there's always another side so I try to keep that in mind but sometimes it gets frustrating.

What about a 23 year old guy hitting on a 17 year old girl who looks like 21 but then it turns out they aren't 21?

Not creepy

saltandburn1967 wrote:

What about a 23 year old guy hitting on a 17 year old girl who looks like 21 but then it turns out they aren't 21?

We can discuss your problem in the romance thread

saltandburn1967 wrote:

StitchesOnTheRadio wrote:

IrishNameAndAnInjury wrote:

steph wrote:

...or maybe Brian meant that he still views himself as a regular guy and it's creepy to be put up on a pedestal like that and to be treated in a certain way, not that the fans are creepy.

but then, that's the less sensational take on it, so i suppose that doesn't make any sense

I was just about to post this thought. I think Brian finds it creepy to be idolized, not necessarily that the fans doing the idolizing are creepy. But that's just my take on it. No one can speak for Brian, and we don't know if his words were taken out of context or how editing was done.

I totally see that point. And I'm sure that he doesn't mean to be offensive but saying that something someone does is creepy, kind of calls them creepy. Even if it's unintentional. Like if a 40 year old dude hits on a 16 year old, what he's doing is creepy, therefore his actions make him creepy. I'm trying really hard not to overreact and there's always another side so I try to keep that in mind but sometimes it gets frustrating.

What about a 23 year old guy hitting on a 17 year old girl who looks like 21 but then it turns out they aren't 21?

Take it to the romance issues thread, Chris.

saltandburn1967 wrote:

StitchesOnTheRadio wrote:

IrishNameAndAnInjury wrote:

steph wrote:

...or maybe Brian meant that he still views himself as a regular guy and it's creepy to be put up on a pedestal like that and to be treated in a certain way, not that the fans are creepy.

but then, that's the less sensational take on it, so i suppose that doesn't make any sense

I was just about to post this thought. I think Brian finds it creepy to be idolized, not necessarily that the fans doing the idolizing are creepy. But that's just my take on it. No one can speak for Brian, and we don't know if his words were taken out of context or how editing was done.

I totally see that point. And I'm sure that he doesn't mean to be offensive but saying that something someone does is creepy, kind of calls them creepy. Even if it's unintentional. Like if a 40 year old dude hits on a 16 year old, what he's doing is creepy, therefore his actions make him creepy. I'm trying really hard not to overreact and there's always another side so I try to keep that in mind but sometimes it gets frustrating.

What about a 23 year old guy hitting on a 17 year old girl who looks like 21 but then it turns out they aren't 21?

Perfectly natural although illegal in some countries.

saltandburn1967 wrote:

Harbortown wrote:

saltandburn1967 wrote:

Shelby is the kind of girl I would keep away from when she is mad. I feel like when she is angry.....she turns green.

Shelby is the kind of girl I would never keep away from

You have a great point there John Harbster. Probably the greatest point made in this thread all ay.

But really, thanks for breaking up the tension on this thread. Things get too heated on here sometimes!

Dear Shelby,
I'm the writer of the article. I saw your post on the thread beneath it, below is my reply. You were clearly upset enough that I thought it worth seeking you out in case you didn't return to the Guardian thread.
Best,
Michael



Hey, I'm sorry. I was watching the front row all evening; I'm a lot older than 21 and if I got your ages wrong it is not out of malice, it's out of the same impulse that makes me think policemen are getting younger.

I meant no insult at all to any of you. I know what it is to love a band - music writers do; it's why we become music writers. And I find it incredibly moving to see that devotion on display. I don't see anything wrong with that love, and it seemed to me to be very focussed on Brian Fallon. That is all I meant; no insult was intended. Apologies.

Now, as for the creepy bit … The band are obviously torn: a lot of our conversation steered itself - not at my behest - to their desire to remain approachable, but balancing that with the fact they are more and more popular and more and more people want to approach them. It's an almost impossible conundrum. To be an ordinary person you must be available to them; if you are available to them you become, necessarily, a celebrity, and you cease to be an ordinary person. Don't be angry at them for feeling caught.

StitchesOnTheRadio wrote:

saltandburn1967 wrote:

Harbortown wrote:

saltandburn1967 wrote:

Shelby is the kind of girl I would keep away from when she is mad. I feel like when she is angry.....she turns green.

Shelby is the kind of girl I would never keep away from

You have a great point there John Harbster. Probably the greatest point made in this thread all ay.

But really, thanks for breaking up the tension on this thread. Things get too heated on here sometimes!

Now for that other tension...

Michael Hann wrote:

Dear Shelby,
I'm the writer of the article. I saw your post on the thread beneath it, below is my reply. You were clearly upset enough that I thought it worth seeking you out in case you didn't return to the Guardian thread.
Best,
Michael



Hey, I'm sorry. I was watching the front row all evening; I'm a lot older than 21 and if I got your ages wrong it is not out of malice, it's out of the same impulse that makes me think policemen are getting younger.

I meant no insult at all to any of you. I know what it is to love a band - music writers do; it's why we become music writers. And I find it incredibly moving to see that devotion on display. I don't see anything wrong with that love, and it seemed to me to be very focussed on Brian Fallon. That is all I meant; no insult was intended. Apologies.

Now, as for the creepy bit … The band are obviously torn: a lot of our conversation steered itself - not at my behest - to their desire to remain approachable, but balancing that with the fact they are more and more popular and more and more people want to approach them. It's an almost impossible conundrum. To be an ordinary person you must be available to them; if you are available to them you become, necessarily, a celebrity, and you cease to be an ordinary person. Don't be angry at them for feeling caught.

Hey (oh wow am I that easy to find on the internet? scary). I got back to you on there. It's all cool. I appreciate your response as I said on there. And thanks actually for posting this on here. I think your insight from talking to them can maybe help the rest of us get a better perspective on it, myself included.

I thought this was by far the most telling quote of the article:

"If I wrote a book it would be called one of two things: They're Not Your Friends or It's Not Your Band."

StitchesOnTheRadio wrote:

Hey (oh wow am I that easy to find on the internet? scary). I got back to you on there. It's all cool. I appreciate your response as I said on there. And thanks actually for posting this on here. I think your insight from talking to them can maybe help the rest of us get a better perspective on it, myself included.

I thought there was a fighting chance you might be on their forum, and lo!

A couple of other things … Someone upthread suggested it was a standard half-hour interview. I had two and a half hours of recorded interviews.

Also, I've seen either here or on the RS thread some suggestion that they wanted to be huge; they've rowed back a bit from that. I have one quote on that, which it seems reasonable to share. Forgive the typos - it's just copied from my transcript.

"In the beginning of this record, in Maarch time, we were doing a lot of interviews, and people were like: So you guys are on a major label. You guys wanna play arenas? And I was like hell yeah! Arenas! And now I’m like, please God don’t let us get to arenas. I just wanna keep playing normal sizer venues. Because I don’t know what to do. It would be crazy. We’d be hidden, we’d have security guards."

Anyway, goodnight to you all.

and the countdown to people calling them hypocrites begins...now.

but seriously, thanks for sharing, Michael Hann!

Michael Hann wrote:

StitchesOnTheRadio wrote:

Hey (oh wow am I that easy to find on the internet? scary). I got back to you on there. It's all cool. I appreciate your response as I said on there. And thanks actually for posting this on here. I think your insight from talking to them can maybe help the rest of us get a better perspective on it, myself included.

I thought there was a fighting chance you might be on their forum, and lo!

A couple of other things … Someone upthread suggested it was a standard half-hour interview. I had two and a half hours of recorded interviews.

Also, I've seen either here or on the RS thread some suggestion that they wanted to be huge; they've rowed back a bit from that. I have one quote on that, which it seems reasonable to share. Forgive the typos - it's just copied from my transcript.

"In the beginning of this record, in Maarch time, we were doing a lot of interviews, and people were like: So you guys are on a major label. You guys wanna play arenas? And I was like hell yeah! Arenas! And now I’m like, please God don’t let us get to arenas. I just wanna keep playing normal sizer venues. Because I don’t know what to do. It would be crazy. We’d be hidden, we’d have security guards."

Anyway, goodnight to you all.

Haha good call. Thanks for sharing that. I think it's hard when we read these things and don't know the entirety of the conversation (which of course you can't exactly provide if it's 2 and a half hours!). People over-react (I've been trying not to for awhile but obviously I lost that battle for a bit) because we get only a portion of the story and we've been getting the same portion multiple times now.

You've been a lot of help! Thanks!

steph wrote:

and the countdown to people calling them hypocrites begins...now.

but seriously, thanks for sharing, Michael Hann!

See....all it takes is a note from the author to set things right.

Isn't the internet amazing?

So the basic consensus of this thread is that Brian is creeped out by the act of being put on a pedestal and that Shelby's cute?

Matt L wrote:

So the basic consensus of this thread is that Brian is creeped out by the act of being put on a pedestal and that Shelby's cute?

Basically.

I have to say...I'm glad I read this article, because Brian has never voiced his opinion on fan relations.

Seriously, this is the same guy that (before he met Eddie Vedder) said excitedly on a radio interview, "Ohhh and I bet he's a nice guy, too!" That's (generally speaking) all any fan of any band wants. We want to think that the people in the band are generally nice guys. Hey, Brian, you also wrote a love letter to Joe Strummer in the form of a song that some might find "creepy". Relax, dude.

And I know it's not the same thing, but I go outside and talk to audience members after a performance of a play. Every night. I had one off night where I needed to be alone, but even then I sucked it up enough to just say hi to the people that wanted to talk to me. I've had weird dudes follow me around afterward and girls hanging too close for comfort, but it's not a big deal, because MOST PEOPLE AREN'T LIKE THAT. They just want to show appreciation for your art. That's it.

EDIT: Also, am I reading that wrong or did he refer to Hot Water Music as part of the NJ punk scene?

Michael Hann wrote:

Now, as for the creepy bit … The band are obviously torn: a lot of our conversation steered itself - not at my behest - to their desire to remain approachable, but balancing that with the fact they are more and more popular and more and more people want to approach them. It's an almost impossible conundrum. To be an ordinary person you must be available to them; if you are available to them you become, necessarily, a celebrity, and you cease to be an ordinary person. Don't be angry at them for feeling caught.

To me, everyone needs to pay attention to this, it won't sell a paper, or get a hit on a website if it was printed like this. It's a boring headline, that sells more dressed up in more seductive clothing to entice you in and read the rest of the article, but that headline already has it's hook in you and it's in your head for the rest of the article, you then pick out what you want to read and focus on. Some people need to get a bit of perspective in their lives, it's easy to get sucked up in more than the music, I've seen it happen, it's sad, it ruins the music. But, as people are happier to over-react and forget this paragraph that tells the true story of what was said, then what can you do? People fall prey to the media far too easily, here's another example of it.