Remember that scene from Monty Python & the Holy Grail, where King Arthur battles the Black Knight? The knight just won't give it up, even when limb after limb falls off him. He probably dies some ignominious death by drowning in that little stream he's guarding.
Well, watching the band disintegrate over the last while has been sort of like that fight scene...everything falling apart, but nobody wanted to be the one to call it quits. Until it totally imploded from the strain and negativity. Last night's CD release should have been triumphant - months of hard work, top ten radio charts, an upcoming tour, all in support of a very fine album. A full house of enthusiastic friends and fans. And instead, it was indeed their swan song.
The weakness of the band has always been the toxic relationship between two of the members in particular, and the tension created by it. Two people who are reasonably functional away from each other, but together are like hydrogen and an open flame. And of course, each one completely denying any responsibility for their own part in the mess, or for the effects of the fallout on their bandmates & the future of the band. (Not that I think it's equally weighted between the two, but I'm really biting my tongue here.)
The irony is that it's this tension which has always come out as electricity onstage. The band never played so well as when these two were pissed at each other. And unsurprisingly, given the all-new-high of animosity between them, last night's show - their last - was probably the best, most compelling performance they've ever given.
They were absolutely fucking brilliant. I'm glad they went out on a high note.
I think I'm more upset today than Mr.Q about the whole thing. He seems lighter than he has in months. He says he's just relieved finally came to a head, and it's done. But me, well...it's a little heartbreaking to see someone I love sooooo close to their dream, to have it jeopardized because of a couple people who couldn't get their collective shit together.
Fortunately, if there's one thing Mr.Q is not lacking, it's other, equally worthy opportunities for creative & musical outlets. He'll just be a little more cautious next time around. In the meantime, we're going to have dinner with some friends (they're making a moose roast, and I've made chocolate mousse for dessert. It seemed appropriate!) And spend the rest of the day thinking not about the interpersonal politics, but about last night's bloody brilliant music.
4 comments:
Ditto eh, just ditto.
I have pictures of their first show ever, and they'd come such a long way.
I think that was the best performance I'd seen by them. Ever.
I'm sorry, sweetie. But maybe it's time to ditch some of the angst ... and find new and different angst!
Uh, I've been around musicians all my life. You can't fool me.
I'm really sorry. Always feels like a divorce to me --or it did, back in the day. Eat some chocolate--it has healing powers. (Or sniff some yarn fumes--that's what I do now.)
Oh, I am so far behind on your blog! How horrible that they are no more. My husband's last band dissolved amicably a couple of years ago and it still makes me sad. I'm glad that it has been a relief for him, though.
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