Why doesn't Von write songs on his own anymore?

THE place for your Sisters-related comments, questions and snippets of Sisters information. For those who do not know, The Sisters of Mercy are a rock'n'roll band. And a pop band. And an industrial groove machine. Or so they say. They make records. Lots of records, apparently. But not in your galaxy. They play concerts. Lots of concerts, actually. But you still cannot see them. So what's it all about, Alfie? This is one of the few tightly-moderated forums on Heartland, so please keep on-topic. All off-topic posts will either be moved or deleted. Chairman Bux is the editor and the editor's decision is final. Danke.
Post Reply
User avatar
Black Shuck
Utterly Bastard Groovy Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 848
Joined: 05 Feb 2003, 14:02
Location: Sitting in a sleazy snack bar, sucking sickly sausage rolls
Contact:
Contact Black Shuck

Image
Black Horizon's topic about the divine 'We are the Same, Suzanne' got me thinking.
Instead of co-writing songs with Mike or Chris or Adam, why doesn't Von write some songs on his own, like he used to?

I mean, from 1986-87, he single handedly wrote the 5 songs on 'Gift', the 8 on 'Floodland' and a few top B-sides.

So why, in the eleven years since 'Under the Gun', has he only been able to come up with about ten sets of lyrics? No disrespect to Von, but ANYONE could come up with one decent lyric a year.

This is surely further proof that the whole Sisters Shebang has become a part-time hobby for Von. Which is fair enough.
Perhaps the fella just finds it hard to interest himself in the Sisters project anymore? Maybe a new side or solo project, or a whole new collaboration with someone completely unexpected would invigorate him musically?
How about Tricky? or Marc Almond? or Lulu?

discuss.
Last edited by Black Shuck on 12 Mar 2004, 15:25, edited 1 time in total.
Gazza for England manager
Top
User avatar
MrChris
Slight Overbomber
Posts: 1413
Joined: 21 May 2003, 11:34
Location: A Forest

I agree with you. I always preferred the songs Von wrote the music as well as the lyrics to. They have a much more distinctive sound. Von's confidence in tune-writing seems to go up and down, though. Sometimes he seems to prefer getting other people in, even though the songs they produce (especially on VT, I won't get into the FALAA debate as it would annoy too many codgers) are often not as good... I can't believe it's just because it's easier.
Chris

---------------------------------------------
Again and again and again...
Top
User avatar
Padstar
Utterly Bastard Smurph
Posts: 1800
Joined: 26 Jan 2002, 00:00
Location: Purplerainsville, UK
Contact:
Contact Padstar

Perhaps he genuinly isnt that bothered and its merely the spurring of live gigs that make his cohorts write stuff that he then contributes to so they can be played live as "Sisters" songs...

Paddy.
Still playing guitar - sometimes weird shaped ones.
Top
User avatar
reverberater
Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 137
Joined: 13 Aug 2002, 01:00
Location: manchester victoria

See what you mean.

Seems to me that he just wants to bob his head round the corner when he's a bit skint just to make a few quid. Take a look at what he wants for puttin those tracks together for an lp.

He knows his fans love him but i don't think he cares too much about them.

Now where's that paranoid icon? :innocent:
Guided by the light and by the catholic monochrome
Top
User avatar
Dan
Overbomber
Posts: 2014
Joined: 25 Sep 2002, 01:00
Location: Leeds

Why doesn't Von write songs anymore?
Top
User avatar
Silver_Owl
The Don
Posts: 7498
Joined: 27 Sep 2003, 18:52

Myself and Sunsonic were having a bit of a discussion last night; Are the royalties Von gets enough to live on? If not how does he pay the rent?

I think maybe he's just washed up quiet frankly.
We forgive as we forget
As the day is long.
Top
User avatar
shivarising
Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 205
Joined: 13 Sep 2003, 05:37
Location: Bangkok, TH
Contact:
Contact shivarising

Because, as I've explained before, Von has had a bit of writer's block the last decade or so. He is almost 45 now, folks. And he knows that without something at least on par with This Corrosion or More, commercial appeal-wise, he could only find himself a record contract on Cleopatra or Sanctuary Records. And while I'm sure he feels he's f*cked the record industry, in actuality he has f*cked his fans and, ultimately, himself. I just wanna know what his day job is gonna be. :innocent:
Top
User avatar
The Green Lantern
Gonzoid Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 372
Joined: 07 Jan 2003, 10:47
Location: Matt's house boat

Steve303 wrote:Myself and Sunsonic were having a bit of a discussion last night; Are the royalties Von gets enough to live on? If not how does he pay the rent?
I believe there's some sort of trust fund arrangement that pays the rent and a little pocket change on a monthly basis.
Top
User avatar
Electrochrome
Gonzoid Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 471
Joined: 12 Sep 2002, 01:00
Location: FL

I think that Von probably makes enough from royalities and touring to live the way he wants. In many interviews he's indicated he doesn't really need the money.

Each Sisters album (including the two collections) sold more than a million copies, so the royalties are probably okay. The touring takes in some more cash, and a few bucks from t-shirts, and there you go.

The impression I really get is that Von has little motivation to bend over backwards anymore and launch more singels and albums.

And, as someone said, he's 45 already--I don't think there's a drive to prove anything anymore. He's done well in rock, has a small and dedicated fanbase, and is clearly not driven by money.

It's a shame though, because he's talented, is differen than what is out there, and so, as someone noted--we lose, and ultimately he loses. It's no accident that no major label wants to touch him, let alone pay him $3 million for a new album. And he'd never sign with Cleopatra, though I did once hear of a Metropolis Records rumor. That would be more up their alley. I mean, honestly, it's not impossible to release a friggin' album for them. It's just about 'being exploited competently' as he says, which means getting paying enough to make the hassle worthwhile.

Very disheartening for us lowly fans...
Top
User avatar
Black Shuck
Utterly Bastard Groovy Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 848
Joined: 05 Feb 2003, 14:02
Location: Sitting in a sleazy snack bar, sucking sickly sausage rolls
Contact:
Contact Black Shuck

It's very cruel I know, but a plan is forming in my head...
If we all boycott his next tour, he'll be FORCED to make a new record!

Or, if that fails, we could hold Doktor Avalanche hostage instead...

Mwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! :twisted:


Oh, and Electrochrome, I love your avatar.
Cropsy is definately an underrated horror movie villain.
Gazza for England manager
Top
User avatar
JonnyDelphium
Road Kill
Posts: 93
Joined: 28 Nov 2003, 01:25
Location: Surrey, UK
Contact:
Contact JonnyDelphium

shivarising wrote:Because, as I've explained before, Von has had a bit of writer's block the last decade or so. He is almost 45 now, folks. And he knows that without something at least on par with This Corrosion or More, commercial appeal-wise, he could only find himself a record contract on Cleopatra or Sanctuary Records. And while I'm sure he feels he's f*cked the record industry, in actuality he has f*cked his fans and, ultimately, himself. I just wanna know what his day job is gonna be. :innocent:
Maybe, but didnt Sanctuary have the xmas no.1 record(for what its worth)? Isn't ozzy ozbourne and crap kelly osbourne on that label now?
Top
User avatar
Black Shuck
Utterly Bastard Groovy Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 848
Joined: 05 Feb 2003, 14:02
Location: Sitting in a sleazy snack bar, sucking sickly sausage rolls
Contact:
Contact Black Shuck

JonnyDelphium wrote:
Maybe, but didnt Sanctuary have the xmas no.1 record(for what its worth)? Isn't ozzy ozbourne and **** kelly osbourne on that label now?
So's Morrissey, and his new album's a dead cert to get to number one.
Gazza for England manager
Top
User avatar
JonnyDelphium
Road Kill
Posts: 93
Joined: 28 Nov 2003, 01:25
Location: Surrey, UK
Contact:
Contact JonnyDelphium

ah...that'll be why he wont sign to Sanctuary then...
Top
User avatar
F*ck*As*Goth
Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 140
Joined: 14 Nov 2003, 19:30

My 2 cents.... after spending 20 years on drugs and "sharewater"and indulging in people telling you that you are God's greatest gift... not only to goth chicks... but but about the entire mankind... one might get a bit troubled.... and speaking from personal experience...... too many drugs don't work kids... Von has kinda lost his hunger to be there at the top.... settle down... have his tea in his armchair and watch Eastenders.. as the bills are going to be paid by royalties and the occasional gig for the hardcore fan community.... put out a bootleg every now and then.... and hey presto.... so why bother? There's always the same 1000 suckers out there that are going to but everything/anything....World Domination is a lost cause...... why not get comfy in your cardy at let the suckers out there pay your bills? And by the way.... the world's greatest songwriter.... nor for the past 10 years........


Cheers,

Paul
Top
User avatar
F*ck*As*Goth
Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 140
Joined: 14 Nov 2003, 19:30

At least we as a frigging new band TRY....... and this is not envy.... as unfortunately both the songwriters in our band are Sisters nutters....
Top
User avatar
Electrochrome
Gonzoid Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 471
Joined: 12 Sep 2002, 01:00
Location: FL

'Von has kinda lost his hunger to be there at the top.... settle down... have his tea in his armchair and watch Eastenders.. as the bills are going to be paid by royalties and the occasional gig for the hardcore fan community.... put out a bootleg every now and then.... and hey presto.... so why bother? There's always the same 1000 suckers out there that are going to but everything/anything....World Domination is a lost cause...... why not get comfy in your cardy at let the suckers out there pay your bills? And by the way.... the world's greatest songwriter.... nor for the past 10 years........'

Yep, this is the impression he gives. I guess we're just united in thinking it's a stinking shame.

Basically, if you know anyone with millions at a major labor, convince them the Sisters might be worth it. But who knows by now? I mean, the longer it goes on, the less chance they'll ever get a new album out. Why would anyone invest in them? But then again, every time I see some washed up band from God knows where put out another CD, I think, hey, could the Sisters make a stinking effort for the people that pay them?

Given that there isn't much Sisters action to manage (no Reptile website, an offical website that gets updated only when there are tickets to sell, no new product, no promotion, less interviews (in English at least), less interest, perhaps Von is just doign other things. He's certainly intelligent enough to take up other endeavors, writing being the one that comes to mind.

Oh well. One can bitch, right?
Top
User avatar
markfiend
goriller of form 3b
Posts: 21181
Joined: 11 Nov 2003, 10:55
Location: st custards
Contact:
Contact markfiend

Electrochrome wrote:perhaps Von is just doign other things.
Just what does he do? Sit around doing whizz and watching telly?

Mind, if I didn't have to work, that's probably pretty close to what I'd be doing Image
The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.
—Bertrand Russell
Top
User avatar
Gary
Utterly Bastard Groovy Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 519
Joined: 28 Mar 2002, 00:00
Location: Manchester

Perhaps he is living life, entertaining friends and women. And having a good time.

OR

He is slaving away in the studio working on a masterpeice to blow away all competition...


I think the former is most likley ;)
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Sisters Chat”