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marvindj Group: Members Posts: 20 Joined: June 2003 Posted: Oct. 08 2003, 15:34 Good Lord I'm proud to be a Geek. The thoughts of following all the other sheep into likeing the mainstream or current fad. I love dance music although generally the likes of Underworld, Orbital, Aphex Twin and the more challenging stuff. The general vocal chart fodder i don't care much for. It often amazed me as to how much some of the dance stuff seems to draw on Mikes early work as well as the likes of Tangerine Dream (onetime label mates), early Genesis and many others. More geek stuff !!!!!!!!! Anyone can follow their mates and be into Robbie Williams, Limp Biskit, Coldplay and all the other biggie artists. I'm certainly not saying there is anything wrong with any of these artists. It takes a bit more to step away from the mainstream and either find an old hippie to follow or keep the faith in the face of possible riddicule. -------------- I also like beer and i also like cheese ! Back to top

TubularBelle Group: Members Posts: 1487 Joined: April 2004 Posted: Dec. 18 2004, 19:59 WOW, I'm going to commit a cardinal sin here by commenting without reading every post through so I apologise if I repeat an opinion or offend anyone. Firstly, I read in Dark Star that Mike had introduced females into his show (around the time of TBIII I think it was) because he wanted to appear more hip and was tired of being associated with 'anorak (yes the hooded jackets) wearing nerds or geeks', can't recall the exact quote. I'm assuming he is saying that he believes his fans to be geeks but not himself. And on a video I have of a 'Hiawatha' fan club meeting with Tom Newman, Tom says that he was almost frightened to come because he was given the impression from Mike and Jeremy Parker that his fans were mad, psychotic people (and did a stabbing motion with his hands,) and anorak wearing weirdos. Secondly, I get confused by the difference between being 'cool' or 'nerdy'. Some people think being cool is to be normal and blindly follow the mainstream trends and be the same as everyone else regardless of your own personal tastes, just to fit in. Whats cool about that?, and being nerdy or geeky is to like anything that isn't mainstream (like Mike) and being antisocial by spending more time with your computer than with friends etc. People on this post have said they like Monty Python but not Ali G, I like both, and Mike, but not Moby, they are my two favourite artists. And Mike is certainly 'cool'. I think the trick is to like what you like and not dislike something because someone you don't like does. My partner says my obsession with Mike is geeky so if I was obsessed with Cold Play, would I be just as geeky. Or is being obsessed with anything, geeky. Interesting subject, keep it up. Tracy. -------------- I hate getting up early. I didn't even realise there were two 6 o'clocks in one day! Back to top

Sir Mustapha Group: Musicians Posts: 2802 Joined: April 2003 Posted: Dec. 18 2004, 21:08 These days, geeks ARE cool. This isn't the 80's anymore, were the "cool" ones were popular and the "geeks" were only comic relief. The "cool" ones didn't care about classes, about working, about anything. The "geeks" learned to master the computer like it was child's play. Now, the computer is a crucial tool of survival in our society. The geeks get jobs, important jobs, get good salaries and can form a happy family. Where are the "cool" ones now? Where are they? I definitely can't see them. They probably have hit rock bottom and are still digging. Well, on a more serious note ( ), I wouldn't like to touch the topic of Mike Oldfield fans being psychotic, but about them being geeks, well, what's wrong with that? Geeks have good taste, that's all. Mike's music demands attention, and geeks have lots of attention to give to music. Mike's music is appealing to geeks, and many artists are - and most of them aren't worried about their fans being geeks. After all, there are lots of non-geek people who like them as well! I think Mike's worry is that his music is obscure, and seemingly obscurity -> geekdom. But Mike saying his fans are all anorak wearing weirdos is cruelty. Or overreaction, and in that case, I think Mike shouldn't worry about it. If anything, he should be proud of it! It geeks like Mike Oldfield, it's because he's good, and that's all. But that Mike's music is generally appealing to geeks, there's no doubt. -------------- Check out http://ferniecanto.com.br for all my music, including my latest albums: Don't Stay in the City, Making Amends and Builders of Worlds. Also check my Bandcamp page: http://ferniecanto.bandcamp.com Back to top

TubularBelle Group: Members Posts: 1487 Joined: April 2004 Posted: Dec. 18 2004, 22:08 I most certainly agree that it is way more cool to not blindly follow mainstream trends and discover your own niche. I question my own geekdom or faithfullness to the unusual and unique, because I enjoy a lot of mainstream music and trends as well. But referring to my point about perhaps it is the obsessiveness that causes the geekiness, I know I will never tire of Mikes music but will easilly tire of much of the other stuff I am listening to now. I once bought a cd just because the title sounded unusual even though I had to order it and was therefore bound to purchase it whether I liked it or not, it is called 'Lift your skinny fists like antennas to Heaven' by 'Godspeed you Black Emperor', a Canadian band. I don't listen to it but I am happy to have it in my collection. As far as Mikes opinion of his fans, you would love to hear the speech Tom Newman makes on that subject, he says he would like to punch Mike in the nose! Does anyone else know about this video? It is brilliant with Tom and Barry Palmer sitting in the home of a German fan, singing songs all night long while trying to get Mike on the phone which they do briefly but he is in the pub and refuses to chat and says call me at home, and then he doesn't respond. It was done in April, 1998. Oh and the uncool thing about geeks is the foregoing of a social life to sit on the pc, this implies not a personal choice but a lifestyle brought on by lack of social skills or lack of acceptance. It's like if someone said they choose to be fat, you wouldn't believe them. Of course there are many many people who can do both, or those who are genuinely happier in the comfort of their own home doing their own thing, of which I am one, I virtually only socialise with my family, and this is partly through choice, laziness, and acceptance that I am now out of the age group of socially accepted 'ragers'. And I have given up on trying to find friends who share the same eclectic taste in music and other things as I do. Even us MO fans have very different tastes in other music and stuff. But I think you are all COOL Tracy. -------------- I hate getting up early. I didn't even realise there were two 6 o'clocks in one day! Back to top

The Big BellEnd Group: Members Posts: 971 Joined: Jan. 2004 Posted: Dec. 19 2004, 15:39 I suffer from Anoachnaphobia. -------------- I, ON THE OTHER HAND. AM A VICTIM OF YOUR CARNIVOUROUS LUNAR ACTIVITY. Back to top

The Big BellEnd Group: Members Posts: 971 Joined: Jan. 2004 Posted: Dec. 19 2004, 15:43 ANORACHNAPHOBIA, I also suffer not looking at the monitor syndrome. -------------- I, ON THE OTHER HAND. AM A VICTIM OF YOUR CARNIVOUROUS LUNAR ACTIVITY. Back to top

TubularBelle Group: Members Posts: 1487 Joined: April 2004 Posted: Dec. 19 2004, 21:50 You're funny, I like you -------------- I hate getting up early. I didn't even realise there were two 6 o'clocks in one day! Back to top

Alan D Group: Members Posts: 3670 Joined: Aug. 2004 Posted: Dec. 20 2004, 05:01 What the heck is a 'normal' person? I've never met one. Back to top

hiawatha Group: Members Posts: 2391 Joined: Mar. 2004 Posted: Dec. 20 2004, 09:44 I read the title on this one and thought it had to do with Mike making inroads with Yanni fans. Then I realized, "Geek" not "Greek". -------------- "In the land of the Dacotahs, Where the Falls of Minnehaha Flash and gleam among the oak-trees, Laugh and leap into the valley." - Song of Hiawatha Back to top

Holger Group: Members Posts: 1506 Joined: Feb. 2003 Posted: Dec. 20 2004, 10:16 Same here   I guess the only thing remotely Greek about Mike is his use of the bouzouki, and the opening section of Taurus 1. Back to top

hiawatha Group: Members Posts: 2391 Joined: Mar. 2004 Posted: Dec. 20 2004, 10:38 Quote (Holger @ Dec. 20 2004, 10:16) Same here   I guess the only thing remotely Greek about Mike is his use of the bouzouki, and the opening section of Taurus 1. Then why do I get odd looks when I order bouzouki in Greek restaurants? Such a delicious dessert, made with layers of flaky dough, honey and walnuts.... -------------- "In the land of the Dacotahs, Where the Falls of Minnehaha Flash and gleam among the oak-trees, Laugh and leap into the valley." - Song of Hiawatha Back to top

The Big BellEnd Group: Members Posts: 971 Joined: Jan. 2004 Posted: Dec. 20 2004, 12:59 Aren't bouzouki's a dangerous thing's to take into a place of dining, I mean if it accidently went off  it would blow the windows out. -------------- I, ON THE OTHER HAND. AM A VICTIM OF YOUR CARNIVOUROUS LUNAR ACTIVITY. Back to top

hiawatha Group: Members Posts: 2391 Joined: Mar. 2004 Posted: Dec. 20 2004, 13:16 Yer right. I found this out the hard way when I chewed some "Bouzouki Joe" bubblegum. -------------- "In the land of the Dacotahs, Where the Falls of Minnehaha Flash and gleam among the oak-trees, Laugh and leap into the valley." - Song of Hiawatha Back to top

TubularBelle Group: Members Posts: 1487 Joined: April 2004 Posted: Dec. 21 2004, 06:00 Come On, say something intelligent about my interesting posts. -------------- I hate getting up early. I didn't even realise there were two 6 o'clocks in one day! Back to top

raven4x4x Group: Members Posts: 1535 Joined: Jan. 2002 Posted: Dec. 21 2004, 06:00 Well, if by 'geek' you mean someone who enjoys and is good at maths and science at school, who loves reading and who has bought the Star Trek Next Generation DVDs, then yes, I am a geek.   Yeah, I realize that liking Mike's music won't be 'cool' for quite a while, but what do I care? -------------- Thank-you for helping us help you help us all. Back to top

TubularBelle Group: Members Posts: 1487 Joined: April 2004 Posted: Dec. 21 2004, 06:32 Yeh but who decides that liking Mikes music is not cool, and why aren't we all demanding that Mike Oldfield is not "Geek Culture", not that theres anything wrong with that! I don't think anyone could be any more cool than Mike, except for maybe Moby. I have all of his albums too and I would love to see Mike and Moby do a collaboration, what do you think Raven? Tracy -------------- I hate getting up early. I didn't even realise there were two 6 o'clocks in one day! Back to top

Ugo Group: Members Posts: 5495 Joined: April 2000 Posted: Dec. 21 2004, 08:56 Quote (TubularBelle @ Dec. 21 2004, 12:32) I would love to see Mike and Moby do a collaboration I also like Moby a lot. Considering Mike's recent penchant for dance music, and how good (IMHO) he was at it , a collaboration wouldn't sound very unlikely to me. But I think Moby is a kind-of loner... even more so than Mike. -------------- Ugo C. - a devoted Amarokian Back to top

bevy Group: Members Posts: 295 Joined: Nov. 2002 Posted: Dec. 21 2004, 09:31 lol you are all geeks man        (jk) Back to top

Korgscrew Group: Super Admins Posts: 3511 Joined: Dec. 1999 Posted: Dec. 21 2004, 11:04 Quote (hiawatha @ Dec. 20 2004, 15:38) Then why do I get odd looks when I order bouzouki in Greek restaurants? Such a delicious dessert, made with layers of flaky dough, honey and walnuts.... That's because you're asking for the wrong thing. I thought that everyone knew that it's called balaclava... Anyway, to get things back on topic ...it's interesting how certain deviations from the norm are seen as cool, and some as simply odd. I don't think that the behaviour of the typical 'cool' rock musician is any less odd than the behaviour of the typical geek really (if you think it's only geeks who sit indoors all day, musicians do it too...and usually not at home but sealed in a sweat soaked bunker in some slightly seedy area of town). Similarly with folk music, Irish music is often seen as a very cool thing, which attracts the interests of a lot of young people, while other kinds of folk music are seen as boring, and the preserve of old men (typically the kind with beards so soaked with real ale, that they need only wring them out into a glass when they're stuck without a drink). Nothing but an image thing. Back to top

The Big BellEnd Group: Members Posts: 971 Joined: Jan. 2004 Posted: Dec. 21 2004, 16:29 I would think that more geek's listen to the like's of Slipkot/ manson even Greenday rather than our mike. -------------- I, ON THE OTHER HAND. AM A VICTIM OF YOUR CARNIVOUROUS LUNAR ACTIVITY. Back to top

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