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" Are you sick of always reading reviews of the same bands at the newsstand? There is so much music out there, oftentimes we find ourselves simply perched at the tip of the iceberg. Here is your pick-axe. Break through to the other 90% of the music realm..." |
m i n i o n s unxmaal |
2001-07-28
- 8:55 p.m. Okay, so I just received this Durannie survey from a friend and, after painstakingly filling it out for the last hour or so, I decided, in true musicgeek fashion, to post it here. _________ OUT OF THE DURANNERD CLOSET: NAME: Nicole Mazza a.k.a RadiantBaby BIRTHDATE: April 6, 1973 LOCATION: Atlanta, GA WHAT IS CURRENTLY IN YOUR VCR?: "Duran Duran Live In Milan, 1988" (*sigh* yes, i am fueling my rabid Big Thing era obsession) WHAT IS CURRENTLY IN YOUR CD OR TAPE PLAYER?: Well, let's see, I have a five-disc changer, so currently cued is: Weezer -- "The Green Album" Nick Drake -- "Five Leaves Left" John Taylor -- "Feeling Are Good" (it permanently resides there, actually) Duran Duran -- "Rio" (remastered...though sadly, *still* not the recording many of us Americans grew up on -- *that*, my friends, is on the turntable) Radiohead -- "Amnesiac" The tape player has (yes, I am thorough): John Taylor's tape that he sent me of answers to a zine questionnaire (circa 1999). Not to gloat, just there as I had recently dubbed it for someone. WHAT IS CURRENTLY IN YOUR CAR CD OR TAPE PLAYER?: Seely -- "Winter Birds" WHAT WAS THE LAST MOVIE YOU SAW AT THE THEATER?: Hmmm, it was either "The Filth and The Fury" or "Memento" (I believe it was the latter, I saw them very close together). I rarely go to the cinema these days. WHAT DID YOU THINK OF IT?: Both were amazing. :) WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?: I just finished eating Beef and Broccoli at the Ho Ho Chinese restaurant. Oh, and a piece of Japanese gummy candy I grabbed from the Asian supermarket. FAVORITE DURAN MEMBER: John Taylor, hands down FAVORITE QUOTE BY YOUR FAVORITE MEMBER: Erm, when he actually remembered me from the website (geeky fangrrl moment) and we were speaking (albeit only moments) at my first meet-and-greet with him, I could probably claim that whole conversation as a favorite. As for technically on the record, I have to say I love in the German special "A Matter of Taste" when upon discussing the Power Station's remake of "Bang A Gong", he exclaimed "...But I am a *puritan*, I prefer the original." That one always gives me a good giggle. Mental note: Send John a dictionary. FAVORITE HAIR ERA OF YOUR FAVORITE MEMBER: Hmm, believe it or not, it is the often criticized greasy-punk-boy longish locks of 1995. That or when his hair was just growing back in around the time he did the "Feelings Are Good" video (the short, spiky look). WHY IS HE YOUR FAVORITE MEMBER?: Integrity tops the list in most instances. That and I just found that after years of denial (I only really converted to Johnness around 1996 or so), he is the member that holds most of my respect. I think that he has taken a lot of chances and is very real to his audience and finally to his own self. He has went through hardships and came out stronger. Besides, on a smaller level, I suppose, I think that he has great taste (most times) in music, film, and art -- I think he would be the one with whom that I would most enjoy a lazy Sunday conversation at a cafe. And honestly, I also prefer his music to Duran's. *ducks* WHAT, IF ANY, IS YOUR FAVORITE PICTURE OR POSE OF HIM?: There is this great black and white photograph of him in the "World" book (circa 1987) where he is sitting pensively with his arms crossed over his chest and his legs crossed. Beside him is two girls (one on the other's lap), though he seems oblivious to them, lost in his own thoughts. I find that this picture just conveys so much emotion, yet so much simplicity. I think it really encapsulates a strong element of John's personality that we rarely see in the public eye -- shy, introverted, pensive, and distracted. I just really like the mood, it was a great snapshot of a moment in time from Virginia Liberatore (the photographer). WHAT'S THE SEXIEST THING HE'S EVER DONE?: Switched his wardrobe from unattainably elegant and pretentious to a more down-to-earth street style. That was when he started to become most attractive to me, before he was hard to relate to in his thousand dollar suits. It was when I saw him in a simple ringer, some subdued black leathers, and Doc Martins that he seemed like the little punk boy next door. *sigh* WHAT'S THE DUMBEST THING HE'S EVER DONE?: Sorry, but right now I would have to say when he just rejoined Duran Duran. I am still dealing with this one. It just seems like he is stepping backwards instead of forwards. WHO IS THE SEXIEST MEMBER OF DURAN?: Classically, I would say my old favorite Simon, but I am drawn to the exquisite geeky awkwardness of John more than anyone (especially if you put him in glasses *swoon*). WHO IS THE CUTEST MEMBER OF DURAN?: Nick is probably the cutest in an elfin, fey, artschoolboy sort of way. WHO IS THE LEAST SEXIEST MEMBER OF DURAN?: Before, I would have certainly not hesitated to say Warren, but I am not sure if he still counts. I cannot fathom the appeal of grotesquely exaggerated rippling muscles. I much prefer skinny, bird-chested, or only slightly muscled men. Of the current members, I would have to say that Nick has the least sex appeal to me personally. Perhaps its his androgyny, but he just seems asexual to me in many ways. I know that warrants a good pop from my friends that are Nick fans, but I am trying to be honest. FAVORITE DURAN VIDEO(S): Do You Believe In Shame?, All She Wants Is, Serious, Femme Fatale, Lonely In Your Nightmare, and White Lines. FAVORITE DURAN SONG(S): The Sound of Thunder (usually my favorite), To The Shore, Hold Back The Rain, Careless Memories, and The Chauffeur. FAVORITE LINE FROM A DURAN SONG(S): "I'm moving Chrissie pretty flowers in the shutter maze, haul up all your petty desires" -- To The Shore WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE DURAN VIDEO(S)?: Come Undone, Ordinary World, and Electric Barberella. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE DURAN SONG(S)?: Save A Prayer, Is There Something I Should Know?, and most of "Poop Trash" and "MedazzaBland" WHAT DURAN SONG CAN YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?: A Matter of Feeling WHAT DURAN SONG CONFUSES THE HELL OUT OF YOU?: Save A Prayer -- why on Earth do people find this song romantic? Yes, musically it *sounds* lovely, but lyrically, it is far from anything *I* would ever want played at my wedding. When people coo over it, it makes me want to vomit. FAVORITE DURAN ALBUM: Big Thing, with Liberty as a close second LEAST FAVORITE DURAN ALBUM: The Wedding Album FAVORITE SONG FROM THE 1ST ALBUM: Does "To The Shore" count? If not, "Careless Memories." LEAST FAVORITE SONG FROM THE 1ST ALBUM: "Is There Something I Should Know?" FAVORITE SONG FROM RIO: "The Chauffeur" LEAST FAVORITE SONG FROM RIO: "Save A Prayer" FAVORITE SONG FROM SEVEN AND THE RAGGED TIGER: "Of Crime And Passion" LEAST FAVORITE SONG FROM SEVEN AND THE RAGGED TIGER: The album version of "The Reflex." It sounds so flat to me. FAVORITE SONG FROM NOTORIOUS: "American Science" LEAST FAVORITE SONG FROM NOTORIOUS: "Proposition" FAVORITE SONG FROM BIG THING: "Land" LEAST FAVORITE SONG FROM BIG THING: "Lake Shore Driving" (a.k.a. Warren posturing) FAVORITE SONG FROM LIBERTY: "Downtown" LEAST FAVORITE SONG FROM LIBERTY: "Hot Head" FAVORITE SONG FROM THE WEDDING ALBUM: "Sin of the City"/"Shelter" (tied) LEAST FAVORITE SONG FROM THE WEDDING ALBUM: "Ordinary World"/"Come Undone" (tied) FAVORITE SONG FROM THANK YOU: "White Lines"/"Drive By" (tied) LEAST FAVORITE SONG FROM THANK YOU: "Success" (prefer the original) FAVORITE SONG FROM MEDAZZALAND: "Midnight Sun" LEAST FAVORITE SONG FROM MEDAZZALAND: "Silva Halo" FAVORITE SONG FROM POP TRASH: "Playing With Uranium" LEAST FAVORITE SONG FROM POP TRASH: "Lava Lamp" ABOUT HOW MANY DURAN CONCERTS HAVE YOU ATTENDED SO FAR?: Duran: 9 (including the short set of the "Breakfast with Duran" in Atlanta); John Taylor: 9 (including a Neurotic Outsiders show). WHEN DID YOU START LIKING DURAN?: 1982, I believe, perhaps late 1981. I don't have a clear memory of it. I remember getting off on a promo of the "Rio" album (my dad worked for Crapitol at the time) with a friend of mine before they broke in America, so that was pretty long ago. WHY DID YOU START LIKING THEM?: Erm, well, because they had good songs... ABOUT HOW OLD WERE YOU?: 8 years old. WHAT IS THE FIRST MEMORY YOU HAVE THAT IS DURAN RELATED?: I always have trouble with this one, I had a lot of family problems at the time, so I think that I blocked that time period from my mind! I believe, and I am grasping here, that it was when I was living with my friend Melanie (who had been a hardcore fan since the beginning and then promptly left Durannie-hood around 1984 for punk believing Duran to have "sold out"). I know that she was always playing the first album and "Rio" when they first came out (her mother worked with my dad, so we had early promos). We just thought it was cool to like this great band that no one in school had heard of...yet. I remember coming upon her doing homework and that she was writing a biographical essay on the band for school. I remember devouring it, trying to learn everything I could about the seductive mystery band that was, unbeknownst to me at that time, going to be a big part of my future. I remember learning the Taylors weren't related *laughs*. I think that is my most clear, early memory. That and soon after seeing Simon in the "Hungry Like The Wolf" video and promptly proclaiming my love for him (I think even a staticky television-kiss ensued). HAVE YOU EVER MET ANY OF THE BAND MEMBERS?: Yes WHERE DID YOU MEET THEM?: Several places, actually, before and after various shows in US. WHEN DID YOU MEET THEM?: Andy: hmmm, late 1997, before a Power Station gig. John: twice in March of 1997 (San Diego, Santa Barbara), November 1998 (Atlanta), April 1999 (Hollywood), and May 2000 (Hollywood). I almost met John in Scottsdale back in 1998 as well, but my friends and I were too chickenshite to go up to him. He was only about 10 feet away as well! Oh well, the man just intimidates the hell out of me... WHICH ONE(S) DID YOU MEET?: John and Andy, still holding out for meeting Nick and Simon and, hell, Roger if he's willing. WHAT, IF ANY, IS YOUR FAVORITE PICTURE OR POSE OF DURAN?: I really have a soft-spot for the military gear shots of the early days. I think my favorite is probably the one where, if I remember correctly, they are all standing in front of the mirrored walls of the Rum Runner all glammed up and pouty in their military garb. There is a sweet innocence in their eyes, lost to time and experience. WHAT SONG, BY ANY ARTIST, MAKES YOU THINK OF YOUR FAVORITE MEMBER?: Hmmm, probably "Is it Luck?" by Primus for John. I always think of him when I hear that song. "I could play my bass for you, is it luck? Some girls like to kiss my face, is it luck?..." WHICH, IF ANY, OF THE DURAN WIVES PAST OR PRESENT DO YOU LIKE?: Yasmin (certainly the one that is the most vocal of the current spouses) has a great spunky attitude that I admire. I think that Giovanna and Gela seem like very supportive wives and very positive, though they stay more in the background. Tracey needs to get a lot of credit for helping create the image of the 80s glamorous Duran. She always seemed really cool. WHY DO YOU LIKE THEM?: see above WHICH, IF ANY, OF THE DURAN WIVES PAST OR PRESENT DO YOU DISLIKE?: I think the inevitable answer is Julie-Anne, but then she always gets a bad rap, doesn't she? I go back and forth with Amanda. Some days I cannot stand her, others I think she is pretty cool. I think, overall, she was much too young when she married John and, despite all the bullshit and games, really they just grew apart. I cannot blame her for that as the same thing happened to me once. No one is to blame but time. WHY DO YOU DISLIKE THEM?: again, see above. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN MOST ON THIS REUNION TOUR?: Well, I could say a positive, pat answer like: the early B-sides live (I am completely bidding on my favorite Duran song ever performed live, "Faster Than Light")! Seriously though, what I really want to see is John not backslide into his old ways with Duran (be it as simple as Duran-rampant-ego, to a full-on relapse) and for Roger see that *most* of us fans are harmless. Oh, and better tour merchandise, thankyouverymuch -- the last few tours have been a sad, sad disappointment. WHAT WAS THE LAST DURAN THING YOU SAW ON VIDEO?: Last night, my friend and I watched the BBC documentary from last year ("The Wild Boys: The Story of Duran Duran"). I have "Duran Duran Live in Milan 1988" cued up for later today. HOW MANY DURAN VIDEOTAPES DO YOU OWN?: Egads, I have no clue. Probably around 40 or more. *blushes* HOW MUCH HAVE YOU SPENT ON DURAN MEMORABILIA OVER THE YEARS?: Enough to have put myself through college...a private school...in Paris...several times over... HOW MANY DIFFERENT DURANIES HAVE YOU MET OVER THE YEARS?: In person, I have met many. Anywhere from the times of Durandemonium as a child of the 80s, to all the hardcores I have met at concerts and around town over the years. As a teen, I had no life, so I had about 150 Durannie pen pals from all over the world. I think that has progressed to all the online Durannies I have also "met" in recent years. WHERE DO THESE DURANIES LIVE?: As for the ones I have met over the years, well, er, everywhere...US, Canada, Europe, Asia...I still know fans from all over, just not as many, I suppose. DO YOU CONSIDER THEM TO BE GOOD FRIENDS OF YOURS?: Some of them, yes. Others, moreso acquaintances.
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