Neal Weiss wrote:
> << Other tv note -- Blondie was pretty great on Leno last night. Debbie
> sounded good, but (drummer)
> Clem Burke was awesome. >>
>
> You know, I can't stand Clem Burke. When he joined the Plimsouls a few years
> back, he annoyed the hell out of me during live performances, playing with an
> over-the-top presence that just pleaded "look at me, look at me." A complete
> distraction, antics I hadn't seen since the stick-twirlers of Sunset Strip
> circa late-80s. Yuck.
He was a big part of the show when the Plimsouls played here in 1996, more out
front than any other drummer I remember.I pretty much enjoyed it. Junior?
> Plus, I think he's just overrated as a drummer. Of
> course, I am biased. As the story goes, a buddy of mine was supposed to get
> the gig. He was even told by Case and all that he was the better of the
> drummers, but that Clem had the star power. Sad when the Plimsouls, one of my
> favorite bands of the 80s, are stooping to that.
I don't think "stooping" is the best choice of words, and it could have been
"Citizen X" behind the kit and I doubt the crowd would have been either smaller or
much less affected by the killer show I saw. Peter Case's call I guess...
> Besides, I still think Case should stick to his wonderful solo career. When he
> goes back to the Plimsouls, I can't help but feel that his best talents are
> being compromised in order to dabble and rekindle his past.
I hope The Plimsouls continue making a record just as often as Case puts out solo
stuff. KOOL TRASH was recorded concurrent with FULL SERVICE, and I know which
*I've* listened to more. <g>Regarding *his* feelings about the split musical
personalities, he addresses that pretty directly in the new issue of Amplifier,
which I just skimmed last night and wish I had with me to quote. My impression is
that he loves doing both types of music, butthat his singer-songwriter stuff is
where his creative muse lies. The Plimsouls are for fun, which as constant P2
readers know, is "overrated." <g>
> Of course, I'll still see the Plimsouls, with or without Burke, any day of the
> week.
And twice on Sunday.
b.s.
>
