The Sisters - What's the joke?

a.r.kane · 07 Apr 2006, 09:14

Reading quite a few of these topics I often hear mention of the 'humour' or somekind of transient 'joke' that exsists within or around The Sisters. Could anyone enlighten me to what it is that is supposed to be so funny about a band that everyone on this forum seems to take to seriously?

07 Apr 2006, 10:02

as far as i can tell, its a series of jokes elaborately constructed to make us all think that the sisters are a rock and roll band... and its always been that way, if you believe von's self-constructed "sisters mythology".

basically, if you look at the most obvious sisters traits:

the smoke
the lights
the preposterous guitar sounds (from all version of the band)
the drum machine
the silly voice
the writhing, posturing and strutting
the sunglasses
the clothes (silly paisley shirts from way back when and bizarre cycling jerseys from more recent times)
the hats
etc
etc
etc

the sisters are basically a mish-mash of every rock and roll cliche ever - from obvious reference points like the stones, led zepp, the ramones and hawkwind, to lou reed, johnny cash and leonard cohen. from bowie through to suicide, from elvis to gary glitter.

and back again.

the fact that enough people consider the folly that is and always has been "the sisters" to be a serious rawk outfit is the funny bit.

is funny in the same way that its funny when something fluffy and cute has a slight mishap. or when someone you dont like contracts something hideous. you know you shouldnt laugh, but you cant help it... especially when its as fucking groovy as the sisters are.

if you see what i mean

timsinister · 07 Apr 2006, 10:02

If you have to ask the question, you probably won't understand the answer...

Muppet · 07 Apr 2006, 10:08

Can't help noticing a rather telling Typo here, considering the topic!!!!

Quiff Boy wrote:as far as i can tell, its a series of jokes elaborately constructed to make us all think that the sisters are a rock and roll band... and its always been that way, if you believe con's self-constructed "sisters mythology".

Ozpat · 07 Apr 2006, 10:34

a.r.kane wrote:what it is that is supposed to be so funny about a band that everyone on this forum seems to take to seriously?

It's subjective so not everyone.

07 Apr 2006, 10:35

Muppet wrote:Can't help noticing a rather telling Typo here, considering the topic!!!!

Quiff Boy wrote:as far as i can tell, its a series of jokes elaborately constructed to make us all think that the sisters are a rock and roll band... and its always been that way, if you believe con's self-constructed "sisters mythology".

a freudian slip maybe?

07 Apr 2006, 10:42

A good joke is far too important not to be taken seriously.

You have to love the chutzpah, no?

a.r.kane · 07 Apr 2006, 11:30

timsinister wrote:If you have to ask the question, you probably won't understand the answer...

I thought someone or twenty would add that cop-out. Which usually implies, you don't know!!

07 Apr 2006, 11:47

Stoat Grinder · 07 Apr 2006, 12:10

The Sisters Joke is....

My Dogs Got No Nose

How Does It Smell ?

"like a freight train painted in the shiniest yellows and blues"

paint it black · 07 Apr 2006, 12:23

how many von's does it take to change a lightbulb?

none, they're all too small to reach

scotty · 07 Apr 2006, 12:32

Vision Thing

It doesn't sound like Bon Jovi

a.r.kane · 07 Apr 2006, 13:35

Ozpat wrote:
a.r.kane wrote:what it is that is supposed to be so funny about a band that everyone on this forum seems to take to seriously?
It's subjective so not everyone.

Of course it's subjective, everything is subjective: everything you see, hear, touch, smell, sense. That is how we interact with the world, it can't be any other way. So OZPAT do you get the joke?

alice-temple · 07 Apr 2006, 13:40

it isn't funny anymore.

a.r.kane · 07 Apr 2006, 13:42

alice-temple wrote:it isn't funny anymore.

What's not funny anymore? This thread or the SISTERS?

alice-temple · 07 Apr 2006, 13:48

a.r.kane wrote:
alice-temple wrote:it isn't funny anymore.
What's not funny anymore? This thread or the SISTERS?

That joke, and therefore the sisters.
This threads quite amusing.

a.r.kane · 07 Apr 2006, 14:07

paint it black wrote:how many von's does it take to change a lightbulb?

none, they're all too small to reach

If all the vons from other dimensions stand on each other's shoulders do you think he then might be tall enough to actually see the light?
Or maybe one of the vons in another dimension might be a giant of a man.

Ozpat · 07 Apr 2006, 14:10

a.r.kane wrote:
Ozpat wrote:
a.r.kane wrote:what it is that is supposed to be so funny about a band that everyone on this forum seems to take to seriously?
It's subjective so not everyone.
Of course it's subjective, everything is subjective: everything you see, hear, touch, smell, sense. That is how we interact with the world, it can't be any other way. So OZPAT do you get the joke?

Everything is subjective...I see....so objectivity does not exist?

It's not important if I get a joke or not. I did not even read the whole post as I hardly read yours, but noticed the familiair word "everyone". The post is just a comment on the way you state things in different threads you start or posts you make. No problem with that but I sometimes just feel like giving a comment like that.

a.r.kane · 07 Apr 2006, 14:14

Ozpat wrote:
a.r.kane wrote:
Ozpat wrote: It's subjective so not everyone.
Of course it's subjective, everything is subjective: everything you see, hear, touch, smell, sense. That is how we interact with the world, it can't be any other way. So OZPAT do you get the joke?
Everything is subjective...I see....so objectivity does not exist?

It's not important if I get a joke or not. I did not even read the whole post as I hardly read them, but noticed the familiair word "everyone". The post is just a comment on the way you state things in different threads you start or posts you make. No problem with that but I sometimes just feel like giving a comment like that.

So 'inlight' of the whole post, can you as an individual with with an objective point of view, explain the joke to me?

Ozpat · 07 Apr 2006, 15:00

a.r.kane wrote:
Ozpat wrote:
a.r.kane wrote: Of course it's subjective, everything is subjective: everything you see, hear, touch, smell, sense. That is how we interact with the world, it can't be any other way. So OZPAT do you get the joke?
Everything is subjective...I see....so objectivity does not exist?

It's not important if I get a joke or not. I did not even read the whole post as I hardly read them, but noticed the familiair word "everyone". The post is just a comment on the way you state things in different threads you start or posts you make. No problem with that but I sometimes just feel like giving a comment like that.
So 'inlight' of the whole post, can you as an individual with with an objective point of view, explain the joke to me?

Yes I can

I haven't got an objective point of view until I know what the objective criterions are...

Mickpit · 07 Apr 2006, 15:13

@ a.r.kane.

You seem upset that many of us find a form of humour in TSOM, is that correct?
There was an element of humour, even at the start, it's just there! I/we didnt go looking for it. Sure, there's a lot of depth and meaning in Von's output, but looking at it from a non-TSOM fan it must be f**king hilarious, I can see the sisters from that view as well as from a fans view.
These days there's an element of Rock n Roll Swindle too, i.e still no records, still no banter with the crowd (from a man that probably has more put-downs than a gaggle of comedians), Bite the silver bullet ? One for the money?..........but we still go and still we love it.............i think that's kind of funny. I like to think Von does too. Haven't you felt that love/hate thing going on maaaan?

phew, I need a lie-down

p

Electrochrome · 07 Apr 2006, 15:18

If you read interviews from the beginning, Eldritch was saying it's all a "very, very, very dry joke". The looks, the ridiculous space echo on the vocals, etc.

Did Ben Gunn not leave around Temple of Love ('83) as he thought it was being taken too seriously?

Nevertheless...the dry joke is a careful creation...Eldritch has put quite a bit into the songs. There is plenty of silliness...goodness, the vocals on some bootlegs are ridiculous, yet I still enjoy it all.

Perhaps the joke is just still on us, of course, who still go to see the 'band' (and travel far to do so) even though The Sisters exist as Eldo's Saturday job, he's rolled out about 2 'new' songs in five years, no album, etc, etc, etc.....but ****, it's still more interesting, silly, fun, rocking than most other acts going. My humble opinion.

paint it black · 07 Apr 2006, 15:55

a.r.kane wrote:
paint it black wrote:how many von's does it take to change a lightbulb?

none, they're all too small to reach

If all the vons from other dimensions stand on each other's shoulders do you think he then might be tall enough to actually see the light?
Or maybe one of the vons in another dimension might be a giant of a man.

standing on the shoulders of Lilliputian giants you mean, where does that leave my head

BRMC have a great joke. well i like it anyway. listen to as sure as the sun then listen to strauss' sunrise. has me pissing myself every time

a.r.kane · 07 Apr 2006, 16:25

CarpetKisser;-) wrote:@ a.r.kane.

You seem upset that many of us find a form of humour in TSOM, is that correct?

p

Me, upset, Because you find the sisters funny?

Not at all, I just wanted to know HL's opinions on what they found funny, objectively or subjectively Im not perturbed.

There is nothing more to the question than the question - 'What do you find funny/ What is the long running joke?'

I've always found them hilarious ( well

anyway) for subjective reasons which may or may not be the transient joke that seems to exist.

Dark · 07 Apr 2006, 17:36

The Sisters aren't the only band to dislike the way people see them and complain that there's some "joke" that the fans have missed.

And IMHO, The Sisters are no more a rock and roll band than The Assembly.