I wrote a long diatribe, a review, before Mr Hummels came into being, about Frightened Rabbit. The review which I wrote focused on the intense brilliance of Frightened Rabbit – in the intimate setting of Princess St HMV. It was the first event of this sort which I had been to alone and felt an awkward hero worship. The strange situation of being a fan, intimately related yet also completely abstracted, made me feel strange. I can only imagine how it feels to be on the other side of the microphone. The bravery to share as Scott did, astounded me on the day, and still astounds me now.
Below is the piece which I wrote a long time ago, below that, a poem from today-
05/02/2013 –
Fredick Nietchze was quoted to say that “Life without music would be a mistake.” However with walls across the country filled head to foot with the gleaming faces of One Direction, I must hasten to add – certain music. I just returned from an early evening of music watching a band which in my eyes, can do no wrong. Though, admittedly my bias is remarkably strong toward them, I feel it would be an almost insurmountable task to top Frightened Rabbit in their current form.
As I have already mentioned, my bias is strong, these lads are from my neck of the woods. My brother had the same guitar teacher as some of them. I have been listening obsessively now for the last three to four years which is considered relatively late on the bandwagon in the borders. A statement which seems to cement hipster status. However, it is none of this which makes me rant so. It is the music. With this band the music defines the relationship, which, with smug little twats like 1D running about, is quite a statement.
Unfortunately, I discovered them as I embarked on what was to be quite a serious spell of depression, their initial songs of woe comforted me. I experienced unrequited love and had a general shit time however Frightened Rabbit (and the Smiths) were soothing. I still get pangs of something when I hear certain songs, however in my eyes that shows the staying power. Music is designed to document human emotion, it is not so much chirpy melody to stare out of bus windows too, but a tool to understand one another and ourselves. In that respect, Scott Hutchisons lyrics are second to none. The first time I saw the band live (a gig botched by CabVol’s greed), I noticed two things the number of young men who seemed to associate to the band and the humility of the band itself. The only place you would see more emotionally provoked young men would be at Smiths concert however there you would have to put up with the insufferable ego’s of Morrisey and Marr. With these guys there is none of that. Scott would happily sings songs in the snow to please the folk who have put him where he is (that same botched gig in cabvol.) He will awkwardly ramble his thanks (to packed music stores) like (defeated) Scots before him. Perhaps it is this humility which makes it all so relatable and likeable.
Given my (hopefully debatable) hipster status, I am not generally one for other fans of my bands, yet today I waited in a packed HMV for some acoustic numbers and a signing of albums. This for the 4th album too, the first on a mainstream label all while they have songs on adverts and tv show intros. Sounds like I should be jumping ship for these sellouts, but I can’t. When you hear the new album you realise why. Though the album isn’t as emotionally raw as the work of the past. The diverse range of topics again makes me draw comparisons with the Smiths, where they could write about private schools and shoplifters and I will find my own moment when I will connect with the songs. They cannot help but continue to inspire, the style of the band screams cool (I found myself admiring Grant’s shoes during the acoustic session today), the videos are stylistically thought provoking and the general ethos and mantra of the band seems almost old fashioned. They are a band which prompted me to sort myself out in dark times, to forget said dark times, to try and pick up a pen and share myself, to go and BUY an album (for I am a naughty boy!) and lastly to sit and religiously praise them in a review-cum-sermon after a long day. This band deserve the superstardom coming to them. Thank you to them and Enjoy to the rest of you.
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Today I’m deeply concerned about the news regarding their lead singer – Scott Hutchinson. I hope that he’s found safe and well. I don’t often break out into poetry, thankfully, but I wrote this reflecting on the band, whilst listening to the devastating song which is quoted and will remain unnamed. The relationship between fan and artist is a complicated one but I felt the very least I could do is share how much Scott’s music has meant to me.
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Your disarming smile,
and grunt,
And Grant.
I waited like a schoolgirl,
to watch you on my own,
but nothing sinister.
The anthem you wrote,
which seemed to save my life –
a prayer. A confession.
I sing,
moved to tears
and pray to save your life now.
It’s not God I believe in,
it’s you, and your words and your prophecy.
So often they’ve saved me.
I sing, moved to tears and pray for your life.
I sing – but you’ll never hear.
I sing, I write.
(Save suicide for another year.)
The religious motif may be a bit much but also adequately reflects the totemic figures we’re offered by media with private interest. The one way channel must be overbearing and heavy. We consume them. Well, they also inspire us. The rawness of Scott’s lyric’s were poignant and uplifting when I first heard them – and still are today. The bravery of sharing something as personal inspired me to attempt to write. If by some twist of fate he is to read this then I hope he understands how grateful I am. Safe oot, safe in.
Mr Hummels
X
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P.S – I feel a sense of conceit writing this now, and tagging it. What is tagging? I hope that it doesn’t smell of conceit but of praise and grief, as its supposed to.
MrHummels 