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Radiohead’s Thom Yorke in 1993: Bowie and Queen’s ‘Under Pressure’ is ‘the perfect pop song’
02.22.2017
12:08 pm
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One of the more startling musical transformations in our era was the one that Radiohead pulled off between their 1993 debut album Pablo Honey and their 1995 follow-up The Bends.

It wasn’t just Thom Yorke’s blond locks that cause quite a few critics to liken Pablo Honey to watered-down Nirvana. Pablo Honey got generally lukewarm-to-good reviews at the time—3 stars out of 5 from Rolling Stone, which is the same rating it currently receives at Allmusic.com (it must be admitted that Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s brief review is far more charitable than that rating suggests). And Radiohead’s later successes haven’t shielded the album from vitriol. At Pitchfork, notoriously one of Radiohead’s most unshakable defenders, Scott Plagenhoef gave it a piddling 5.4 out of 10 as late as 2009.

Even that tepid Rolling Stone review ended with the words “Radiohead warrant watching,” but if you had said in 1993 that in less than a decade, Radiohead would be doing arenas with a highly worshipful following and the most ironclad critical reputation in all of rock music, that possibility would have seemed remote indeed. The Bends and OK Computer in 1997 were the astounding one-two punch that few saw coming and set Radiohead up to be the top rock band of the 2000s.

So when I come across a piece of Radiohead press from 1993, I’m inclined to pay attention. I was at the Library and Archives of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland recently, thumbing through a stack of old copies of Ray Gun magazine from the 1990s, something you can only do at a place like that. One of the 1993 issues had a little piece on Radiohead that was inexplicably formatted in an actually readable typeface (rare for that magazine). Here it is (if you click on it, the image will get quite large):
 

 
The last bit of the piece reports Yorke’s feelings on whether Radiohead qualifies as “pop” thus:
 

“Yesss,” he says slowly. “My definition of pop is tapping into something…. my ideal pop song is one that says something people want to hear lyrically and that grabs them by the neck musically. And one that has some sort of depth that moves it beyond a happy tune that you whistle at work. Songs like ‘Under Pressure,’ something that makes you want to fall down on your knees. That to me is the perfect pop song.”

 
More after the jump…

READ ON
Posted by Martin Schneider
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02.22.2017
12:08 pm
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Christian fundamentalist group reveals what we already knew: Thom Yorke of Radiohead is EVIL!
08.08.2016
08:34 am
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Thom Yorke is EVIL! (not really).
 
My DM colleague Tara McGinley posted about the unexplainable image of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke on the cover of an Iranian sex manual called Marital and Sexual Problems in Men back in 2015. And since McGinley and I share many of the same curious interests, today I’d like to share another instance of Yorke’s visage being utilized to disseminate religious propaganda, this time by a Christian fundamentalist group called Generation for God. For some reason the group somehow wants us to believe that vices such as drug use, atheism, witchcraft and of course pornography have manifested themselves on Yorke’s mug. 

Because Radiohead is about as Satanic as ABBA I found the claim that Yorkes’ face was a conduit for all things Satanic rather amusing to say the least. Generation of God sent the strange image out via their page on Twitter which depicted Yorke’s face as possessing (or perhaps “possessed of” in this case) the following eight things that Satan will use to “enslave and destroy you”:

Pornography
Atheism
Avarice (aka Greed)
Disobedience to God’s Law
Witchcraft & Tarot
Idolatry
Drugs
Unforgiveness

I’m going to go out on a big fat fake plastic tree limb here and say that I’m pretty sure many DM readers are big fans of most of the vices noted above so this “revelation” by GOG isn’t so much unflattering as it is straight up silly. And as you might imagine the response from fans of the band to the tweet were as hilarious as the original one from the goofy God groupies. So much so that I highly recommend you read through a few of them here.
 
H/T: Digital Music News

Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Ask A Grown Man: Radiohead’s Thom Yorke gives advice to teenage girls, is surprisingly uncreepy

Posted by Cherrybomb
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08.08.2016
08:34 am
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Thom Yorke is on the cover of an Iranian sex manual and no one knows why
05.13.2015
10:07 am
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Here’s just something you’re going to have to accept without explanation because apparently there is none: Thom Yorke is on the cover of an Iranian sex manual called Marital and Sexual Problems in Men. The book was spotted in an Iranian bookstore three years by journalist Sobhan Hassanvand. Hassanvand tweeted the image a few days ago.

And not only is there an inexplicable image of Thom Yorke, but writer John Updike is also on the cover. The third man has yet to be identified.

I know when I ponder marital and sexual problems, my mind immediately goes to Thom Yorke and John Updike. It just does.

Now here’s where it gets funny. Not only is Thom Yorke pimping out sexual advice in Iran, but his mug has been spotted in a Russian advert where the Radiohead frontman “will help you to forget about insomnia, fatigue, skin problems, cold, attention deficit disorder, and headaches.”

Cool.


Russian advert
 
via Nerdcore and CoS

Posted by Tara McGinley
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05.13.2015
10:07 am
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Bizarre Thom Yorke tattoo…
04.18.2013
11:08 am
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This was posted to reddit a few days ago. There’s been some discussions as to whether not this is ‘shopped and exactly… who is the proud of owner of the tattoo? Honestly, I have no idea. But it looks real to me.

Via BuzzFeed

Posted by Tara McGinley
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04.18.2013
11:08 am
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Ask A Grown Man: Radiohead’s Thom Yorke gives advice to teenage girls, is surprisingly uncreepy
04.15.2013
02:07 pm
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Illustration by Séamus Gallagher
 
I thought Ira Glass giving love advice was the cutest thing on Rookie, a frank website by and for teen girls. However, Thom Yorke (alongside producer Nigel Godrich) answering questions about debilitating shyness has completely lapped him (Of course he’s answering questions about debilitating shyness—they really cater the questions to the guests!)

All very sound, reassuring advice, without condescending to the kids, although I have to wonder if the summary would have highlighted their new project, Atoms For Peace, if this weren’t aimed at young teens—I’m pretty sure they could have put “Radiohead frontman” and the girls would have gotten the reference just fine.
 

 
Via Rookie

Posted by Amber Frost
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04.15.2013
02:07 pm
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Heavy Meta: The Daft Mystery of Thom Yorke’s Halloween Costume
11.02.2012
06:14 pm
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Photo via Chris Holmes on Instagram

Rumor has it that it was not—as the crowd certainly seemed to think—Daft Punk who were DJ’ing at Maroon 5’s elaborate Halloween party the other night at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, but rather Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Chris Holmes of Ashtar Command in costume as Daft Punk.

Both men were at the party, I saw them myself: Chris Holmes was dressed as a skunk (skunk rhymes with punk… is that a clue?) and Thom Yorke was seen circulating around the grounds—a huge carnival-themed production in an actual graveyard in Los Angeles where the likes of Cecil B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks and two Ramones are buried—wearing a Dickensian-looking tramp get-up.

If this is true, I commend these gentlemen for their beyond-the-call-of-duty dedication to this priceless, multi-leveled Halloween gag. I’m guessing that Daft Punk must have been in the crowd—perhaps dressed as Thom Yorke and Chris Holmes—laughing their asses off.

Second place for best costume should go to Maroon 5’s Mickey Madden who was dressed as Skrillex. His costume was so good that my friends and I thought that it was Skrillex dressed as himself.

Via The Daily Swarm
 

Posted by Richard Metzger
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11.02.2012
06:14 pm
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Scenes from the Dangerous Minds party + one VERY unexpected guest DJ!

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Chris Holmes
 
Some scenes from inside last week’s Dangerous Minds-hosted SXSW party in Los Angeles held at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s Masonic Lodge. On the big screen were live performances simulcast from the Sub Pop Records SXSW Showcase in Austin featuring Spoek Mathambo, THEESatiscation and Niki + The Dove. The event was produced by Natalie Montgomery and curated by Tara McGinley (ME!), and executive produced by Largetail.

Seen in the crowd were Radiohead, Elizabeth Olsen, members of OK Go, artist Tim Biskup,  Amber Tamblyn, Jeff Garland, Aziz Ansari and more. The event was catered by Cool Haus, Grill ‘Em All and Mandoline Grill.

Like us on Facebook or Twitter to hear about the next party.
 
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Inside Masonic Lodge as event is beginning
 
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America’s Funnyman, Neil Hamburger was the event’s MC. His act went over the heads of most attendees—say 80%—but for those more familiar with his unique comedic stylings, the obvious audience discomfort made his shtick even more hilarious that night.
 
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A lot more photos after the jump!

READ ON
Posted by Tara McGinley
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03.21.2012
01:12 pm
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‘How else WOULD you do it?’: Thom Yorke & Massive Attack’s 3D talk #OWS

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Massive Attack’s Robert ‘3D’ Del Naja and Radiohead’s Thom Yorke thoughtfully discuss the impact of the Occupy movement. Recorded outside of the Occupy London Xmas Party on December 6th, where both men DJ’d to show their appreciation for the movement’s efforts.
 

Posted by Richard Metzger
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12.10.2011
01:59 pm
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Occupy London: ‘Fruitful and constructive’ meeting with Senior City Executive & Thom Yorke DJs

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“Only connect,” said playwright Dennis Potter towards the end of his life, as he described the potential humans have to work together for the better. The line comes from E M Forster, who wrote:

‘Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height.’

A connection was made between the Occupy Movement and one of the most senior figures of City regulation, in London today, which should set an example to those US cops dumb enough to still believe violence and pepper spray are the answer.

Hector Sants, chief executive of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) met with 10 members of the Occupy London, where they had a “fruitful and constructive” discussion on “a number of important issues”. The meeting took place in a Bedouin tent at St Ethelburga’s Center for Reconciliation, as part of the Church of England’s London Connection initiative on ethics and finance. After the meeting, Mr Sants said:

“The FSA is very firmly of the view, I’m very firmly of the view, that it’s very important we listen to everybody who wants to contribute to the debate about changing the financial system.

“They undoubtedly believe the financial system needs to change further - it has already changed a lot but it should change further.

“We had a very interesting discussion, a number of very interesting points were raised. I learned a lot, I listened and I got a very fruitful and constructive dialogue, which as far as I can judge I think all parties felt.”

“We were talking about the role the FSA plays in overseeing the financial system in the UK, how we are already going about trying to achieve significant change, and I was listening carefully to those areas where they would like to see further change.”

Also present were Ken Costa, former chairman of Lazard International and the Bishop of London, the Rt Reverend Dr Richard Chartres, who set up London Connection last month. According to Channel 4 News:

Leaving the meeting, Mr Costa said he thought there will be changes: “We’re looking at a number of initiatives and trying to establish the links between the informal sector, as I would call the meeting we had tonight, and the more formal establishment.” He added: “They are very well informed and have some important questions they want answered.”

Most of the protestors agreed tonight’s meeting went well, Mark Weaver said: “It’s a long road to a just world. Many topics came up, from fractional reserve banking to hedge funds to the very ethics that drive banking. I got the impression a lot of listening was going on.”

Richard Paton, a fellow protestor, said Hector Sants, “was suggesting that we get involved in the formal political process. Which is all well and good, but the reason that tents are popping up is because that process has failed. He certainly hasn’t given us any cause to go and pack up the camp. The issues are still there. ”

Ronan McNern of Occupy London said tonight’s meeting was about “initiating dialogue,” with the City and that the issue would not be solved in one 60 minute meeting.

On Tuesday night, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke joined Massive Attack’s 3D and UNKLE’s Tim Goldworthy for a 2 hour DJ set in the basement of the Occupy London Bank of Ideas Building (aka the former UBS’s building) in the City of London, where around one hundred specially invited people attended the event.

A record label, Occupation Records was also launched today, to raise money for Occupy London. A DVD and download will be released on 15 December.
 

 

Posted by Paul Gallagher
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12.07.2011
06:15 pm
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Stunning slow motion video of Tokyo


 

 
Video by Alex Lee with music by Flying Lotus.

 

Posted by Tara McGinley
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09.18.2011
11:45 am
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Thom Yorke as an old man
08.15.2011
11:51 am
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I’m not certain why this exists, but I’m glad it does.

(via Ronny)

Posted by Tara McGinley
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08.15.2011
11:51 am
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Radiohead and Thom Yorke mixed
06.13.2010
03:01 am
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Radiohead Electronica Mix by deejaysee
 
This is actually quite beautiful. Enjoy.
 
(via Das Kraftfuttermischwerk)

Posted by Tara McGinley
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06.13.2010
03:01 am
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Thom Yorke: Pissed Off In Copenhagen

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Yorke with environmentalist Tony Juniper at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (via Dead Air Space).

Radiohead’s Thom Yorke somehow got ahold of a press pass yesterday and has been filing a series of increasingly vitriolic dispatches from the UN’s Climate Change Conference now playing out in Copenhagen with all the expected inertia.  You can check ‘em out on the Radiohead band blog, Dead Air Space, but here’s a taste of Yorke’s totally valid indignation:

...there is a lot of brinksmanship, the americans offering money seemed.  but no-one was talking 40 percent cuts by 2020.  and the negotiations had an obvious G8 vibe about them.  the west dictating terms and bizarrely assuming that the science could be bartered.. !!! arguing about who cuts what??? that somehow the amount we have to cut our emissions is negotiable??  what a crock of shit.

Yorke also appeared on The Stupid Show (below), a web-based series tied in to the climate change doc, The Age of Stupid.

 
(via Pitchfork)

Posted by Bradley Novicoff
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12.18.2009
06:57 pm
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Harry Patch (In Memory Of): New Radiohead Song
08.05.2009
10:39 am
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Beautiful, somber new Radiohead single available for download on their website. You can listen to it here.

Titled Harry Patch (In Memory Of), the song is a tribute to the oldest surviving Tommy who fought in World War I. Harry Patch was 111 years old when he died on July 25th, 2009. He fought in one of the grimmest battles of the war, the Battle of Passchendaele, where over 325,000 Allied casualties occurred and over, 260,000 Germans. The 99 day battle from July 31st 1917 to November 6th 1917, saw an average of 3,000 British troops killed, wounded, or captured daily. (By contrast, in Iraq, 3,650 US troops have died and approximately 26,000 have been wounded).

Here’s what Thom Yorke had to say about the song and Patch:

Recently the last remaining UK veteran of the 1st world war Harry Patch died at the age of 111. I had heard a very emotional interview with him a few years ago on the Today program on Radio4. The way he talked about war had a profound effect on me. It became the inspiration for a song that we happened to record a few weeks before his death.
It was done live in an abbey. The strings were arranged by Jonny. I very much hope the song does justice to his memory as the last survivor.

It would be very easy for our generation to forget the true horror of war, without the likes of Harry to remind us.

I hope we do not forget.


“War is a calculated and condoned slaughter of human beings”—Harry Patch

All proceeds from the track will be donated to the Royal British Legion.

Posted by Richard Metzger
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08.05.2009
10:39 am
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