This week NME cover [Archive] - Forums @ The Digital Fix

LouBarlow

29-05-2007, 22:00

Also she tries way too hard:

Lesbian? Check
Too many pies and proud of it? Check
In a relationship with a transgenered person? Check
Hairy armpits? Check
Radical feminist? Check

'Queen of Cool' 'Indie Queen'? Bull-**** - that's tried and tested, bordering on cliche' not punk.

Oh and The Gossip are ****.

And yes she has 'got my goat' (and probably eaten it)

SIMON ADEBISI

29-05-2007, 22:01

LouBarlow

29-05-2007, 22:09

Ive got this funny inkling that you dont like her. Stop me if im wrong.

It just irks that she is another talentless broad being held up as a role-model to both impressionable musicians, and indeed the wider youth, in a Doherty (Dough-erty? Fnar) stylee, whose entire outlook on both her own talent, and life in general, is a negative, rather than positive, influence.

She's no Natasha Beddingfield that's for sure.

SIMON ADEBISI

29-05-2007, 22:11

NME sucks cock. Who cares who's on the cover. I havent read it in years. Actually stopped reading it when Select died.

kid a

29-05-2007, 22:19

"Queen of cool"...my arse...and her band's ***** ..."standing in the way of control" is quite possibly the the worst song ever. Awful band, awful songs, awful singer. Please make them stop.

Drysolder

29-05-2007, 22:57

That's disgusting - although not quite as disgusting as her 'performance' at the Radio 1 thing - where she was dancing and jumping around with one tit hanging out of her skin tight rubber suit.

Gag!

Jimmyboy

29-05-2007, 23:36

Well, it's not, but neither is being anorexic (as most girls in magazines seem to be). Where's the balance?...

Maybe someone of average weight?

But then we couldn't have that because "normal" isn't pseudo-anarchist enough for the student union.

GProject

30-05-2007, 00:51

I'm disappointed in myself for having the curiosity to click that link. The result taught me a lesson anyway.

Boink!

30-05-2007, 01:25

She's no Natasha Beddingfield that's for sure.Which does happen to be a good thing.

LouBarlow

30-05-2007, 04:12

That's open to much debate.

Fever Dawg

30-05-2007, 06:33

I would.

Kirs-tea

30-05-2007, 07:41

I know she's not bothered about being fat, and good for her I suppose but why does she have to get her kit off all the time?????!!!!!!!!!!

Johnny Vodka

30-05-2007, 08:28

She's no Natasha Beddingfield that's for sure.

:thinking: Surely a good thing. I only know "Standing In The Way of the Control" and I think it's one of the better mainstream indie (?) tunes of the year.

And, to Jimmyboy, if a woman of average weight (what's average these days? size 14?) appeared on a magazine cover, I expect loads of people would still call her fat.

30-05-2007, 09:43

NME sucks cock. Who cares who's on the cover. .

erm :D

GregB

30-05-2007, 11:12

Just to cheer everyone up she has been banging on about her good mate Kate Moss.

http://www.nme.com/news/the-gossip/28605

:gag:

Johnny Vodka

30-05-2007, 11:14

Just to cheer everyone up she has been banging on about her good mate Kate Moss.

http://www.nme.com/news/the-gossip/28605

:gag:

She is a bit annoying in that she tries to make out women have it oh so much harder than men. Men have as much, if not more, to live up to IMO.

Thomasd

30-05-2007, 11:26

I was sick in WH Smiths this morning.

Boink!

30-05-2007, 11:29

That's just because you were huffing the glittery pens in the My Little Pony department, again.

TheoGB

30-05-2007, 11:47

It just irks that she is another talentless broad being held up as a role-model to both impressionable musicians, and indeed the wider youth, in a Doherty (Dough-erty? Fnar) stylee, whose entire outlook on both her own talent, and life in general, is a negative, rather than positive, influence.

She's no Natasha Beddingfield that's for sure.

Yeah, she can probably pronounce 'hyperbole'.

They're a good band, or were when I saw them 'pre-hype' at ATP last year. I think the crowd really got behind it too, so talentless is pretty ridiculous, and unusual for you, Lou.

As to being held up as a role model...well where? I mean, every artist who ever got famous has been responsible for some bad fashions and ideas but the Gossip come from a 'music' background, not an image one (like the Spice Girls, say). I can't see anyone actually fattening themselves up as a result of this but maybe some kids won't feel they have to slim down if they're a bit on the rounder side.

Frankly it's a lot more attractive a cover than back in 1997/1998 when we got Richard Ascroft's ugly mug filling the page...and I'd still rather see that than the posters for Simply Red's new tour.

Less controversial than Marilyn Manson? Very much so, but it's interesting how much disdain an obese lesbian can generate. Maybe old Mazza will change his image soon. :D

LouBarlow

30-05-2007, 11:50

boonspoon

30-05-2007, 11:53

Clicked on the link in the 1st post and it's came up saying "page cannot be displayed".

Why do I get the feeling that's a good thing???

wong fei hong

30-05-2007, 11:59

They're a good band, or were when I saw them 'pre-hype' at ATP last year. I think the crowd really got behind it too...
I concur. Seeing them that evening, with no expectations of what they'd sound like or look like, I found them very entertaining and they got one of the best responses of the weekend.

I'm all for Beth Ditto. She's riding the hype machine like the best, staying on the right side of controversial (ie not really being that controversial) and dropping the right names for the NME. And though ooh! she's a bit fat ooh! lesbian ooh! wears a dress made of curtains + belt sometimes, she's also got the talent and charisma that makes a pop star, and in fact is the only important criteria when judging a pop star's worthiness.

30-05-2007, 12:02

Pre-hype? They were good before they were popular? Is that what that means? ;) I quite like the music but she's a bit annoying.

wong fei hong

30-05-2007, 12:02

TheoGB

30-05-2007, 12:06

Pre-hype? They were good before they were popular? Is that what that means? ;) I quite like the music but she's a bit annoying.

Well I've not seen them post-hype so I have no idea if the live show has become tired and boring. I don't think the music can have got worse, however. :D

TheoGB

30-05-2007, 12:10

I stick behind my talentless remark thanks. :D

I have nothing against Lesbians, or fat people (heck I've been known to have a few LBS over at times :suspect: ) but her attitude and opinion of self-importance, and the medias portrayal of her, as some kind of idol, is wreckless and unwarranted.

*cough*reckless*cough*

In what way 'reckless'? You seriously think the following scenario will happen:

"Oh my god, society hates fat people and all the kids like to point at fat people and say how disgusting they are...but Beth Ditto doesn't care so I think I'll just eat myself enormous"?

Anyone who thinks that somehow one fairly famous fat woman who loves being that size will give us a generation of morbidly obese people is a bit loopy if you ask me.

NicolaUK

30-05-2007, 12:26

Saw them live and thought they a waste of stage time.

Being overweight + lesbian + stripping does not equal talented.

Thomasd

30-05-2007, 12:38

That's just because you were huffing the glittery pens in the My Little Pony department, again.

I was sick twice in WH Smiths this morning.

Johnny Vodka

30-05-2007, 12:45

Anyone who thinks that somehow one fairly famous fat woman who loves being that size will give us a generation of morbidly obese people is a bit loopy if you ask me.

Let's face it - there are a lot of plump people out there already; having Beth Ditto on the front of NME isn't going to make much difference.

I think LB has a secret crush on her. ;)

Anyway, I don't really care - never read the NME...

DjSatansfury

30-05-2007, 12:51

The thing is, she might be fat, fair enough.

But for ***** sakes dont try and squeeze into a dress that makes you look like you're the Mitchilin Mans poorer looking sister.

Kirs-tea

30-05-2007, 12:55

dont try and squeeze into a dress that makes you look like you're the Mitchilin Mans poorer looking sister.

:lol: too right! :thumbs:

LouBarlow

30-05-2007, 12:56

*cough*reckless*cough*

In what way 'reckless'? You seriously think the following scenario will happen:

"Oh my god, society hates fat people and all the kids like to point at fat people and say how disgusting they are...but Beth Ditto doesn't care so I think I'll just eat myself enormous"?

Anyone who thinks that somehow one fairly famous fat woman who loves being that size will give us a generation of morbidly obese people is a bit loopy if you ask me.

Whatever you do don't mock my spelling - I cannae take that! :cry::eek:

If you don't think clinically obese people being classed as popular and appearing on the front of magazines, will influence people. then I'm assuming you think the same of thin women, who are often accused of destroying the health of young impressionable girls? I was merely providing the counter-argument really.

It's more to do with her using the typical cliche' ideals to mask a distinct lack of talent - if she were a size 12 hetereosexual from Hull, the NME wouldn't give a ****, so she, and indeed her band are as manufactured as anything else out there.

P.S your last sentence could use a few commas in there fella ;)

Barney_Tabasco

30-05-2007, 13:02

Pathetic cover. Just utterly pointless and sad.

I'm sick of this 'i'm fat and i'm proud' attitude. She's unhealthy - that ain't cool in anyones book.

I GUARANTEE she'll end up on a diet soon and all the publicity that goes with it. All it takes is for the money to start rolling in and the celebrity friends to move up a notch.

wong fei hong

30-05-2007, 13:03

But there's one fat woman and and a thousand skinny women on magazine covers. Beth Ditto is not representing the dominant ideology, she is it's counter. There are probably only a handful of magazines she's more suited to than NME, few of which most NME readers will be able to buy legally.

Back in 1993, I remember Elastica's Justine Frischmann saying in either NME or Select that she liked the idea of young boys knocking one out over her pictures. I hope Beth has inspired the same response, she's certainly a lot more sexy and vivacious than bony old Justine.

TheoGB

30-05-2007, 13:03

Whatever you do don't mock my spelling - I cannae take that! :cry::eek:

If you don't think clinically obese people being classed as popular and appearing on the front of magazines, will influence people. then I'm assuming you think the same of thin women, who are often accused of destroying the health of young impressionable girls? I was merely providing the counter-argument really.

It's more to do with her using the typical cliche' ideals to mask a distinct lack of talent - if she were a size 12 hetereosexual from Hull, the NME wouldn't give a ****, so she, and indeed her band are as manufactured as anything else out there.

P.S your last sentence could use a few commas in there fella ;)

Probably could.

You're being too simplistic with your comparisons, and so is everyone else suggesting the same thing (I've read it other places so I'm not targetting you as being unusual). The point about 'size 0' models in magazines is that society already reinforces the view that people (particularly girls) should be very thin. So by displaying them in magazines there is photographic evidence for impressionable youngsters to see this is 'how they should be'.

There's nothing like that for obesity. In fact inspite of society's distaste for the state it continues, but I don't think anyone's ever given the impression that it's a 'good idea'. The argument that Beth Ditto is somehow a bad role model because she's fat and loves it just seems ludicrous to me.

Why not just stick to her coming across as a prime **** in interviews? That always worked for Borrell... :D

wong fei hong

30-05-2007, 13:05

I'm sick of this 'i'm fat and i'm proud' attitude. She's unhealthy - that ain't cool in anyones book.
Is she unhealthy? I'm not sure. Sammo Hung is way fatter than Beth and it would be madness to describe him as such. Some people are just fat.

I GUARANTEE she'll end up on a diet soon and all the publicity that goes with it. All it takes is for the money to start rolling in and the celebrity friends to move up a notch.
But then the USP would evaporate!

LouBarlow

30-05-2007, 13:06

Back in 1993, I remember Elastica's Justine Frischmann saying in either NME or Select that she liked the idea of young boys knocking one out over her pictures. I hope Beth has inspired the same response, she's certainly a lot more sexy and vivacious than bony old Justine.

You honestly believe that there are boys flicking one off to this woman?

It takes different strokes, is all I can say...so to speak :suspect::p

Thomasd

30-05-2007, 13:08

Sammo Hungs not as fat!

TheoGB

30-05-2007, 13:09

Saw them live and thought they a waste of stage time.

Yeah but you seem to think Metric are the second coming whereas, decent though the album is, they're pretty much just Foo Fighters without the bandmember history to propel them to OTT stardom. ;)

Being overweight + lesbian + stripping does not equal talented.

I'm not sure anyone ever claimed that, did they? :suspect: The song was wildly popular before anyone knew about the band's makeup. I don't really think her sexuality or size has much to do with that side of things.

They've made it big on their fourth album, IIRC, and to keep going that long at that level of non-fame beforehand isn't the sign of a band without talent in my view. :thinking:

LouBarlow

30-05-2007, 13:13

They made it big on their 'worst' album, which I'm sure is merely concidental considering the timing of their front-woman's rise in the hype stakes...

Johnny Vodka

30-05-2007, 13:17

If you don't think clinically obese people being classed as popular and appearing on the front of magazines, will influence people. then I'm assuming you think the same of thin women, who are often accused of destroying the health of young impressionable girls? I was merely providing the counter-argument really.

That's just one fat woman vs the hoardes of skinny women in magazines and films, modelling clothes, etc.

Ironically, a size 12 woman would probably be considered too fat to adorn most magazines (without significant photoshopping).

NicolaUK

30-05-2007, 13:22

Yeah but you seem to think Metric are the second coming whereas, decent though the album is, they're pretty much just Foo Fighters without the bandmember history to propel them to OTT stardom. ;)

I'm not sure anyone ever claimed that, did they? :suspect: The song was wildly popular before anyone knew about the band's makeup. I don't really think her sexuality or size has much to do with that side of things.

They've made it big on their fourth album, IIRC, and to keep going that long at that level of non-fame beforehand isn't the sign of a band without talent in my view. :thinking:

:lol:

You can't compare Metric with Gossip, the former possess talent on stage which is also apparent in their studio work, the latter are selling records based on the singer being a bit OTT on stage and in the press :nuts: If that's the only way she can sell her band then I think testament to her belief in her own talent.

The song's only popular because of a tv show.

wong fei hong

30-05-2007, 13:31

You honestly believe that there are boys flicking one off to this woman?
I'm convinced of it. Part of what makes people sexy is attitude, and I've heard so many people say that they find Beth sexy that by defenition it must be true. The sheer range of porn on the internet means that everyone can find what they think is attractive - fat, skinny, male, female, big hairy bikers, suspicious anime - and not have to conform to the perceived norm.

The more I think about it, it seems as if it is the sexualised image of a fat woman that people find uncomfortable. Perhaps it's okay if they are 'funny' (Dawn French) or motherly (Fern Britton), but in our pop stars we usually want something we can aspire to... haircuts, clothes, looks, money. Beth Ditto's loudmouth schtick is a done-to-death gimmick that puts me right off, but her body is her. She has a hit record, she looks unusual, ergo she is on the NME. It doesn't mean much - I'm sure there are people masturbating about the Kaiser Chiefs too. But it will happen.

LouBarlow

30-05-2007, 13:33

How many people have said they find her sexy?

I find that hard to believe, and *not* just because of her size.

And looks have nothing to do with it - Sleater Kinney - great band, but looks akin to bulldogs chewing on wasps, so style/image/appearance has nothing to do with it for me. Talent is everything.

Johnny Vodka

30-05-2007, 13:34

The song's only popular because of a tv show.

I don't watch TV and I know the song. I actually first became aware of it through its Soulwax mix.

TheoGB

30-05-2007, 13:37

They made it big on their 'worst' album

Well that's true of the Verve too. Ashcroft writes some awful songs these days but I wouldn't go so far as to call him talentless just because he looks like someone Quasimodo would have chucked out of bed. :D

LouBarlow

30-05-2007, 13:40

Did Ashcroft **** on your cornflakes or something :lol:

Besides 'A Northern Soul' is the album that made them big :suspect:

TheoGB

30-05-2007, 13:41

:lol:

You can't compare Metric with Gossip, the former possess talent on stage which is also apparent in their studio work, the latter are selling records based on the singer being a bit OTT on stage and in the press :nuts: If that's the only way she can sell her band then I think testament to her belief in her own talent.

The song's only popular because of a tv show.

I wasn't comparing Metric with The Gossip: I was comparing different ideas of what makes good music.

The song is only as popular as it is thanks to Channel 4 but it would have made decent headway otherwise, as far as little 'indie' singles go.

MaxNutter

30-05-2007, 13:43

Back in 1993, I remember Elastica's Justine Frischmann saying in either NME or Select that she liked the idea of young boys knocking one out over her pictures. I hope Beth has inspired the same response, she's certainly a lot more sexy and vivacious than bony old Justine.

:gag:

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/1955/1754ii2.jpg
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/1748/00150fdu2.jpg

not saying that the Frisch' is the most gorgeous woman on the planet, but she's more attractive than Beth Weeble ...

TheoGB

30-05-2007, 13:43

Did Ashcroft **** on your cornflakes or something :lol:

Besides 'A Northern Soul' is the album that made them big :suspect:

Oh come on, not in any real sense. :D

Ashcroft was a genius in those early days. But he isn't a looker and his solo stuff (and that big Verve album) stink worse than I imagine Beth's pits do after a gig...

LouBarlow

30-05-2007, 13:44

:lol: Agreed.

Barney_Tabasco

30-05-2007, 13:44

But then the USP would evaporate!

Exactly. I know that and so does everyone else but it WILL happen. Happens all the time. If they start making money the lifestyle will change.

Mr Majestik

30-05-2007, 13:55

The song is only as popular as it is thanks to Channel 4 but it would have made decent headway otherwise, as far as little 'indie' singles go.

It was released as a single two times before the c4 ad and did sweet FA.

I don't mind the band but they really need to stop being this weeks celebrity plaything. It's really turning them into a novelty act.

Janis Joplin and Mamma Cass managed to do allright without getting thier big lady bits out on the NME.

GregB

30-05-2007, 14:01

Keira Knightley thinks Beth has an amazing body

http://arts.independent.co.uk/film/news/article2504634.ece

Utterly ridiculous

LouBarlow

30-05-2007, 14:06

Keira Knightley thinks Beth has an amazing body

http://arts.independent.co.uk/film/news/article2504634.ece

Utterly ridiculous

Amazing: o overwhelm with surprise or sudden wonder; astonish greatly.
2. Obsolete. to bewilder; perplex.
–verb (used without object)
3. to cause amazement: a new art show that delights and amazes.
–noun

Sounds about right tbh.

Mr Majestik

30-05-2007, 14:07

I'm all for curves but that is not an amazing body.

It's an ill, abused body just like a size 0 one is.

God knows how much photoshop work was done on the NME cover to get rid of stretch marks and blue vains...

NicolaUK

30-05-2007, 14:11

I wasn't comparing Metric with The Gossip: I was comparing different ideas of what makes good music.

You saw fit to belittle my taste in music, I just don't think her or her band have any musical talent. I don't like bands for how they look :nuts:

The song is only as popular as it is thanks to Channel 4 but it would have made decent headway otherwise, as far as little 'indie' singles go.

As has already been posted like it did on it's previous releases?

Johnny Vodka

30-05-2007, 14:20

Does anyone actually care whether songs are popular or not, though? (I don't.) Is the popularity of a song a reflection of how good it is? (No.) If people are buying songs off the back of ads rather than paying attention to (for example) decent radio, that says more about the public than it does any band.

Island Swing

30-05-2007, 14:41

Does anyone actually read the NME these days? Pile of ***** as far as I'm concerned. It follows fads more than ******* Heat.

TheoGB

30-05-2007, 14:45

You saw fit to belittle my taste in music, I just don't think her or her band have any musical talent. I don't like bands for how they look :nuts:

I don't like them for how they look either. I don't remember implying I or you did? You were 'belittling my taste in music' as much by your comments on the band. :D

As has already been posted like it did on it's previous releases?

Yeah, I clearly overestimated the taste of my fellow Indie clubbers. I was just thinking it would have got the same sort of play on the dancefloor as many other small tracks, but I don't actually know how well most of these do.

SIMON ADEBISI

30-05-2007, 16:03

Keira Knightley thinks Beth has an amazing body

http://arts.independent.co.uk/film/news/article2504634.ece

Utterly ridiculous

:lol: Overcompensation.

douglasb

30-05-2007, 16:11

Earlier Gossip stuff is much more blues-based and if you look at Ditto as coming from that whole holler/blues shouter thing, her size was clearly an asset. A lot of the classic female blues/gospel artists were big women. Oh, but they were black ...

EVERY artist has an image (even indie boy "no image" is an image). She was big before and she'll almost certainly stay big. It's ridiculous to think she'll be pressured into slimming down because of her success.

And the 'radical feminist' schtick that people are moaning about as being a cliche ... well, mainstream culture is hardly awash with it, is it? The media are happy with a bit of lipstick lesbianism and Madonna kissing Britiney but a fat dyke doing h/c porn with her transgendered partner of six years, whilst on the rag. That's a little bit different, no?

Bet it's one of the best-selling issues NME do this year.

D.

PS. And at least the feature has a little Riot Grrl feature, so maybe a few girls will investigate the scene and pursue it a little further.

GregB

30-05-2007, 16:40

EVERY artist has an image (even indie boy "no image" is an image). She was big before and she'll almost certainly stay big. It's ridiculous to think she'll be pressured into slimming down because of her success.

I wouldn't be so sure. Sophie Dahl is a prime example of someone who was supposed to be a role model for bigger women and just look what happened to her

douglasb

30-05-2007, 17:15

I wouldn't be so sure. Sophie Dahl is a prime example of someone who was supposed to be a role model for bigger women and just look what happened to her

Dahl was in the fashion industry. I don't know enough about her to know if she ever 'came out' as 'big and proud' or whether that was a label foisted on her by the media.

Ditto is a musician with years of experience playing events like Ladyfest and other queer-friendly shows. I don't claim to know much about it, but 'fat' fetish is part-and-parcel of that scene, just like the gay scene has all its stereotypes.

Le Tigre's J D Sampson has a moustache http://www.artloversnewyork.com/zine/wp-content/photos/JD___1.jpg (she's on the left) and does all that ultra-butch thing. Different strokes. It's all rock 'n' roll, eh?

Maybe it's just the whole indie-boy-slightly-queasy-about-the-poofs thing. It's alright for Jake Spears to do his campy, disco thing but lets list the openly gay 'alternative' musicians from recent years...

30-05-2007, 17:28

Looks like she's blaming the gays designers for size 0 now. Why doesn't she just stick to being a musician? :nuts: Way to allianate your fanbase!

http://www.dlisted.com/node/10618

LouBarlow

30-05-2007, 17:28

Maybe it's just the whole indie-boy-slightly-queasy-about-the-poofs thing. It's alright for Jake Spears to do his campy, disco thing but lets list the openly gay 'alternative' musicians from recent years...

What a crock of **** - how ignorant can you be?

My favourite band of all time had 2 gay musicians as part of it's threesome - you do the math :mad:

douglasb

30-05-2007, 18:02

What a crock of **** - how ignorant can you be?

My favourite band of all time had 2 gay musicians as part of it's threesome - you do the math :mad:

I can be as ignorant as you want me to be.

Great: Husker Du. First album came out the same year Beth Ditto was born.

Doesn't explain how her NME cover is causing so much angst/revulsion.

LouBarlow

30-05-2007, 18:10

I can be as ignorant as you want me to be.

Great: Husker Du. First album came out the same year Beth Ditto was born.

Doesn't explain how her NME cover is causing so much angst/revulsion.

Husker Du - excellent example for this thread. Didn't use their sexuality, hairy armpits, periods, or transexual lovers to sell records - just let the music do the talking.

If you still can't get your head around it, tough. But do me the favour of not accusing me of not liking an act because of a bands sexuality, as believe me, you know jack-**** about me or my beliefs pal.

douglasb

30-05-2007, 18:28

I'll happily concede if you can point to where I singled you out, Lou.

Anyway, isn't it good that a punk musician came 'come out' from the offset? If only it was the case thirty years ago...

D.

LouBarlow

30-05-2007, 18:36

Well you seemed to imply that those who objected were 'poof-hating indie-boys' - if that was not your implication, then I apologise.

I AM NOT AN INDIE-BOY!

Johnny Vodka

30-05-2007, 18:38

Husker Du - excellent example for this thread. Didn't use their sexuality, hairy armpits, periods, or transexual lovers to sell records - just let the music do the talking.

The way the media works now is a bit different than from when Husker Du were around, though. Most pop stars are going to be on the front of magazines (hell, even Maximo Park and The View ;)) and be interviewed. Don't really see what Beth is meant to do? Pretend she's not a fat lesbian? :p Should Marilyn Manson take his make-up off? Should Madonna begin dressing like a 50 year old?

It doesn't bother me, as I rarely read music papers now. Few bands have enough "ideas" in their music to drag out a two page interview; hence, the reliance on controversy these days (perhaps provoked by journos?).

LouBarlow

30-05-2007, 18:40

The way the media works now is a bit different than from when Husker Du were around, though. Most pop stars are going to be on the front of magazines (hell, even Maximo Park and The View ;)) and be interviewed. Don't really see what Beth is meant to do? Pretend she's not a fat lesbian? :p Should Marilyn Manson take his make-up off? Should Madonna begin dressing like a 50 year old?

I see perfectly what you are saying JV but there are plenty of plump lesbians in the music industry who don't use said characteristics to sell records. More fool them maybe, but it just seems a massive sell-out to me - as much a cop-out as any of the pop/indie/guitar-bands you despise anyway.

Johnny Vodka

30-05-2007, 18:52

I probably wouldn't even have noticed had it not been for this thread. Like I say, I shut out a lot of what bands say in rags (and even most music vids) and just make a decision on the music alone. Standing In the Way of Control, I think, is a good song, and I like Beth's vocal performance on it - quite different from most other female singers you'll hear on the radio during the day. Hell, if Oasis made good music I could probably forgive half the crap they say in interviews. ;)

douglasb

30-05-2007, 19:20

Och, I was maybe waving the homophobia flag around a little too wildy too. Hoorah for internet discussion!

In many ways the music industry is kinda conservative. Does Ditto *just* have to be a musician? Can't she make music, be political, eat cakes, be gobby, make art installations with her rear end and spread her legs for dyke magazines?

If it was *all* just about the music, we could rely on cover bands and ID-less downloads. Hooray for the lardy arses and the beards.

LouBarlow

30-05-2007, 20:06

Right-on!

30-05-2007, 20:19

DeadYankee

30-05-2007, 23:18

Why would anyone give a tuppeny **** what the NME has to say in 2007?

1987, yeah but nowadays you are better off buying heat magazine - at least you might get a decent **** over charlotte church's tits from that

Jimmyboy

30-05-2007, 23:58

If you don't think clinically obese people being classed as popular and appearing on the front of magazines, will influence people. then I'm assuming you think the same of thin women, who are often accused of destroying the health of young impressionable girls? I was merely providing the counter-argument really.

You're wasting your time going down this road with him. I said something similar when pointing out the negativity in the constant submissive sexualisation of women in music videos to which he basically accused me of being a hysterical Middle Englander (whatever that is). Apparently, media images play no part in social influence - The fact that corporations blew multi-millions competing for giant billboard advertising space is purely coincidental.

TheoGB

31-05-2007, 07:21

You're wasting your time going down this road with him. I said something similar when pointing out the negativity in the constant submissive sexualisation of women in music videos to which he basically accused me of being a hysterical Middle Englander (whatever that is). Apparently, media images play no part in social influence - The fact that corporations blew multi-millions competing for giant billboard advertising space is purely coincidental.

I really rattled your cage somewhere along the line, didn't I? I didn't actually call you a hysterical Middle-Englander, I said a particular post you made was like 'The Voice of Middle England'. I apologise if you felt I was personally insulting you with that comment, it was simply a comment on the post's content.

Anyway, you could read my reply to that point of Lou's and see precisely why the two things can't just be compared in my view (and in fact you could read the other comments on this thread about Sophie Dahl which are making similar points). :D

TheoGB

31-05-2007, 07:22

Well you seemed to imply that those who objected were 'poof-hating indie-boys' - if that was not your implication, then I apologise.

I AM NOT AN INDIE-BOY!

Oh right. So you ARE a poof-hater? ;)

Johnny Vodka

31-05-2007, 08:06

You're wasting your time going down this road with him. I said something similar when pointing out the negativity in the constant submissive sexualisation of women in music videos to which he basically accused me of being a hysterical Middle Englander (whatever that is). Apparently, media images play no part in social influence - The fact that corporations blew multi-millions competing for giant billboard advertising space is purely coincidental.

Sticking to this subject, there's a difference between a fat lesbian appearing on the front cover of one issue of the NME and the bombardment of unhealthily skinny girls we see. I'd wager that the NME is mostly bought by blokes anyway (although I'm willing to proved wrong :p). If we want to deal with obesity, we're better stamping out Maccy D's/Burger King advertising/marketing than complaining about Miss Ditto.

LouBarlow

31-05-2007, 09:02

Oh right. So you ARE a poof-hater? ;)

I thought I left the sarcasm shining through on that post - in case it was missed by some people: I DO NOT HATE THE QUEERS! :p

Johnny Vodka

31-05-2007, 13:35

http://www.guardian.co.uk/gender/story/0,,2091825,00.html

Mr Majestik

31-05-2007, 13:38

I DO NOT HATE THE QUEERS! :p

Protests a bit too much methinks.
;)

Thomasd

31-05-2007, 13:40

Anyone going to apologise to Sammo Hung yet?

http://www.wu-jing.org/News/images/2004/2004_06_07_Sammo_Hung_tkp.jpg

:D

wong fei hong

31-05-2007, 14:01

Look at Sammo in Shanghai Express - at his biggest he was significantly bigger than Ms Ditto. Sammo's pretty happy being fat, but he doesn't think that fat necessarily equals unfit... and he's the living proof, after all.

anephric

31-05-2007, 14:06

Is Sammo a lesbian? Crikey. I'm off to burn my copy of Wheels on Meals or maybe just rub it against an issue of Razzle.

wong fei hong

31-05-2007, 14:36

Is Sammo a lesbian? Crikey.
He's been married to two women, so the answer is a big YES. WHAT IS THIS COUNTRY COMING TO IT'S POLITICAL CORRECTNESS GONE MAD ETC

Mr Majestik

31-05-2007, 16:47

Hold the press Germain Greer likes the cover...

Feminist and writer Germaine Greer has praised Beth Ditto for her nude photoshoot on the cover of this week’s NME.

Writing in today's Guardian, Greer says: "Ditto knows she can knock 'em dead because hers is the kind of body that is supposed to be kept hidden."

Greer goes on to write that she would like to see more: "For a cover girl there are still pretty definite limits. Ditto's breast is not allowed to hang free, but is pushed up in her hand, out of which it rises nippleless, like dough.

“The odd frond of hair peeps from her underarm but there is no hint of anything between her legs. You wouldn't even know she had two legs. I look forward to the day she lets it all hang out."

The feminist icon and ex-Big Brother contestant adds that the photos remind her of an x-rated shoot she did in the ‘60s.

"Her motives are pretty much the same as mine when, nearly 40 years ago, I got a friend to photograph me stripped to the buff, looking at the lens through my thighs," she writes.

"Face, pubes and anus framed by vast buttocks, nothing decorative about it. Nothing sexy about it either. Confrontation was the name of the game. Not so much kiss my arse as kiss my arsehole - a different matter entirely."

Greer actually looked quite fit in the nude pics she did in the 60's...