Heartland

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.

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.

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.

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?

Why doesn't Von write songs anymore?

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.

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.

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...

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!


Oh, and Electrochrome, I love your avatar.
Cropsy is definately an underrated horror movie villain.

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.

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?

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.

ah...that'll be why he wont sign to Sanctuary then...

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

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....

'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?

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

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