No Disco Petition

the corpo

Sadly, No Disco is coming to an end on RTE. If you'd like to see the show remain on telly please sign the following online petition.

http://www.petitiononline.com/thumped/petition.html

thanks

paddyc

about ****ing time too!!!! i actually considered stop paying my tv licence just so i wouldn't have to look at that ****wit O'Toole

the corpo

nice

polarbelly

name added

its the only good programme on irish tv

Gary D

I have to say the show is one of RTE's better programmes. Each show always seem very well researched and put together, in particular the show on planxty a couple of weeks ago i thought was very interesting.
The animated one last night was pretty cool too it has to be said. I for one will be kinda sad to see No Disco taken off the telly if for no other reason than that it plays good irish music (most of the time).

PiE

It's the most pretentious piece of putrid televisual viewing I've ever had the misfortune to watch. Embodies everything that I hate about the Irish music scene.

knobbles

but it serves this irish scene that you hate so well pie. i find it difficult viewing at times as well but the show has to stay. they should be bringin in a couple of more shows of the like and not dumping them. tv3 had a similar buzz of a show a few years back and they dumped it as well. they had some bollox chat on it but the music was good. it's sad none of these shows are surviving.

polarbelly

i've found some of my favourite bands through this show...i'd feckin hate to see it go

PiE

Originally posted by knobbles
tv3 had a similar buzz of a show a few years back and they dumped it as well. .

Ah, Darragh Purcell... the man, the myth, another absolute twat but at least you sit and laugh at his erratic head movements and jerky speech.

"Leagues" is just fscking impossible to find interesting. Same goes for most of the music he plays, which I'm sure he plays (and says is amazing) just because it's so obscure.

And y'know why it's obscure Leaguesy? Cos its ****.

Btw, I never said I hated the Irish music scene, I just hate certain parts (read: people) in it :P

AlisonC

Sadly, RTE has decided to axe No Disco, the only program on Irish television given over to showing alternative music. The local scene in Ireland will suffer hugely from this as there is no other outlet for independent artists to have their videos shown.

If you think RTE should reconsider it's decision to cancel the program I would urge you to sign the online petition at the URL below.

http://www.petitiononline.com/thumped/petition.html


good luck
Alison

AlisonC

sorry didn't see above posting...

Tyrrial

No don't take away my disco....

acually... don't take away my No Disco..

it doesn't have the same ring to it

BrianD

Wow! The axing of No Disco means that other than the rehash of old Witnness footage by Dave Fanning, both RTE and TV3 will have virtually no regular music programming.

Anybody well and truely cheesed of with MTV on NTL? The once great channel plays virtually no music videos and is stuffed full of long form programming (Jackass, The Osbournes etc) that you can get else where.

Time for Phantom TV I think!

Tyrrial

yay! phantom TV!!
playing all you indie fav's and some that you hate..
but it's the best we've got

acquiescefc

Get skie digital(spelt wrong for fear of advertising)

Mtv2 is the bollix, they do rotate a lot but guaranteed you can see some gems on there. kerrang tv is pretty good also, can be a lot heavier dependin how many black t shirts you got. And p-rock for some underground punk stuff. There are 3 new music channels too comin apparently soon, rock on Tommy.
Still think the No Disco thing is a travesty for those who are analogicallly challenged, next theyll be takin the footie off the tv..

'They have' .......ba$tards

thedrowner

i was on no disco years ago.
im sure we all have been on it at some stage tho.

spoiltbrat

No Disco has become irrelevant to its supposed audience - the comments above are proof of this. How about a petition to get a decent Irish music program that encompasses everything thats going on and not just instrumental Mogwai sound-a-likes and/or anybody with a hint of an alt-country vibe?
Please feel free to sign below....

Glowingmind

Originally posted by spoiltbrat
No Disco has become irrelevant to its supposed audience - the comments above are proof of this.

That's not exactly correst now is it, there's a couple of negative comments about the show(mostly unnecessary ones about Leagues' presenting and not about the content of the show).
In the space of a day over 1000 people signed the petition, i think that's a fair indication that no disco has hardly become irrelevant. The irish music scene is very lucky to have no disco and leagues, they've done more for irish music than most people will ever know.

knobbles

Originally posted by acquiescefc
Get skie digital(spelt wrong for fear of advertising)

Mtv2 is the bollix, they do rotate a lot but guaranteed you can see some gems on there. kerrang tv is pretty good also, can be a lot heavier dependin how many black t shirts you got. And p-rock for some underground punk stuff. There are 3 new music channels too comin apparently soon, rock on Tommy.

sorry for going off topic, i've never been arsed phoning up and inquiring but how much does sky digital cost?
- the initial instalment and the regular payments.
- is the cost based on the number of channels you select or is it just a fixed number of channels
- do you still have all the usual cabelink channels

MTV has gone completely to the dogs as regards music.
Alternative Nation was a great 2 hour show but that's been long gone now

spoiltbrat

Originally posted by Glowingmind
In the space of a day over 1000 people signed the petition, i think that's a fair indication that no disco has hardly become irrelevant. The irish music scene is very lucky to have no disco and leagues, they've done more for irish music than most people will ever know.

I'd imagine over a thousand people also read an issue of Hot Press each day - don't tell me Hot Press is relevant. I think No Disco has proven great for bands like Settler and Connect 4 Orchestra who have a more avant-garde approach to making music but it has neglected the rest.

No Disco Checklist of Favourite Bands:-

Settler
Connect 4 Orchestra
The Jimmy Cake
Warlords of Pez
The Chalets

Does this represent the Irish music scene to anybody on this notice board?

PiE

Originally posted by Glowingmind
The irish music scene is very lucky to have no disco and leagues, they've done more for irish music than most people will ever know.

Gimme a break. "Lucky" to have it? I've never heard a band say "wow, if it hadnt been for No Disco we'd still be cleaning tables in McDonalds!"

I've no problem with having an Irish music show, but I do have a problem when the presenter obviously uses his position to force his tastes down other peoples throats.

polarbelly

Originally posted by spoiltbrat
No Disco Checklist of Favourite Bands:-

Settler
Connect 4 Orchestra
The Jimmy Cake
Warlords of Pez
The Chalets

Does this represent the Irish music scene to anybody on this notice board?

it represents some of the irish music scene

and surely some of it being represented is better than none of it being represented

if no disco gets axed, which is what this topic is about, there will be no irish music covered on irish tv

Pearl

I've just rang the RTE information office to voice my annoyance at the culling of No Disco and the woman in the office said they wouldn't know until September whether or not there would be another series.

I have a feeling she was just fobbing me off, but I know if I worked on the programme I'd like to know whether I had a job in a few months time or not.

I also know from a girl who used to work in RTE that they take every phonecall seriously, so if you feel inclined, the number is 2083434.

stez

I agree that Leagues can be a bit too overly deadpan and that sometimes the music can be a bit too obscure and does not always represent the wider spectrum of Irish music that it should. But they do have some fantastic shows such as the recent Planxty special, (about time they got a bit of recognition on RTE) and the recent "legends" show.....where else would you get to see Kraftwerk, Chaka Khan and Patsy Cline vids, never mind on the one show.
Here's a suggestion, RTE keep No Disco on the air and maybe Leagues could set up a proper website, (one seems to be lacking), and take suggestions from the viewers/begrudgers as to what they want to see/hear on the show.
Another reason and the most important one to keep No Disco on the air is to keep alive the memory of Uaneen Fitzsimmons. She started it and its the least that could be done to keep her memory alive.
If keeping No Disco on the air means I don't have to sit stoned through another crap American, cop/hospital drama or sitcom, than GREAT!!!

Pearl

Got to correct you there, Donal Dineen was the first No Disco presenter (now if ever there was someone uncomfortable in front of a camera...) then it was Uaneen.

stez

Hee hee.....begging yer forgiveness, my anger is clouding my brain. But you catch my drift, she made the show her own. No disrespect to Donal, I think he's great on Today FM.

spoiltbrat

Originally posted by polarbelly
it represents some of the irish music scene

and surely some of it being represented is better than none of it being represented

if no disco gets axed, which is what this topic is about, there will be no irish music covered on irish tv

emm... no not really. If its a show that revolves purely around the presenters mate's bands then there is something seriously wrong. Thats like saying - 'Keep it going and hopefully the right bands will lick up to Leagues in a non-obvious slacker-cool way and get played'.

I was a big fan of No Disco back in the days of Donal Dineen, when it really was groundbreaking and you were hearing about bands like dEUS, The Frames and Djs such as Shadow and Krush. It was the only way Kerbdog (now Wilt) could get a video on telly and it was an exciting time to be getting into many different types of music.

Fair play to Leagues, he did push the boundries with his djing in the Mean Fiddler and Screamadelica and I agree that No Disco is a well researched show and sometimes still has great features but its not relevant to the Irish music scene in terms of up-and-coming bands. Why hasn't Berkeley's video been shown? Why do you not see any Irish rock on the show unless its the Frames or the 'cool' McCluskey. I don't care what anybody says, its plainly obvious No Disco only caters to a niche of the suposedly avant-garde indie Irish acts and thats total bull****.

Pearl

Maybe Leagues won't play Berkley because he doesn't like them! It's called personal taste. To be honest, I didn't watch it that much when Uaneen was on because I didn't like her taste in music, but I still think it's a vital programme and lots of people have gained from the exposure.

It's pretty much the same arguement about Phantom. Not everyone likes everything the station plays, but we're the only ones playing it.

polarbelly

Originally posted by spoiltbrat
emm... no not really. If its a show that revolves purely around the presenters mate's bands then there is something seriously wrong. Thats like saying - 'Keep it going and hopefully the right bands will lick up to Leagues in a non-obvious slacker-cool way and get played'.

I was a big fan of No Disco back in the days of Donal Dineen, when it really was groundbreaking and you were hearing about bands like dEUS, The Frames and Djs such as Shadow and Krush. It was the only way Kerbdog (now Wilt) could get a video on telly and it was an exciting time to be getting into many different types of music.

Fair play to Leagues, he did push the boundries with his djing in the Mean Fiddler and Screamadelica and I agree that No Disco is a well researched show and sometimes still has great features but its not relevant to the Irish music scene in terms of up-and-coming bands. Why hasn't Berkeley's video been shown? Why do you not see any Irish rock on the show unless its the Frames or the 'cool' McCluskey. I don't care what anybody says, its plainly obvious No Disco only caters to a niche of the suposedly avant-garde indie Irish acts and thats total bull****.

i guess i'll just say my point again

its better to have some outlet then none

spoiltbrat

Originally posted by polarbelly
i guess i'll just say my point again

its better to have some outlet then none

Thats like saying 'Its better to have Cornflakes with 2-week old milk than nothing to eat' - only in a famine.

There is so much good music out there in Ireland at the moment - as you must be aware of from gigging around the place - that you could easily have a great show comprised of mostly Irish content.

I'm not saying I don't want an Irish music show.
I don't think there is anything wrong with No Disco that can't be fixed.
I want a show thats inclusive of every facet of upcoming music and not just the extremities.
Its such a closed shop that you know before you watch what Irish bands will be covered.
Its wrong that one person controls the tv coverage of the entire Irish alternative scene.

If No Disco's passing cleared the way for something better and more inclusive than I can't see a problem - RTE is hardly likely to axe music programming altogether, especially after recently investing in the show Glen Hansard presents.

polarbelly

Thats like saying 'Its better to have Cornflakes with 2-week old milk than nothing to eat' - only in a famine.

is it?

I want a show thats inclusive of every facet of upcoming music and not just the extremities.

well no disco never claimed to be this firstly

and secondly if it were to include every facet of upcoming music it'd just be a shíte show... there has gotta be some quality control

anyhow this post is about keeping no disco on the telly
there are alot of ways no disco could be better agreed but...

i still think its a case of :

have no disco on the telly showing good music and good irish music (not everyone's fave of course)

or have no music programmes whatsoever on the telly...

of course i'd love it if there was a programme that showed other bands cos then our band would have some shot of getting a bit of airtime... but at the end of the day...thats not what this thread is about

knobbles

Originally posted by polarbelly
is it?


if it were to include every facet of upcoming music it'd just be a shíte show... there has gotta be some quality control

aiiii, remember dave fanning on 2TV?
form scheer and kerbdog to boyzone and bwitched.....very painful for fanning to introduce some of the latter ****e, very painful to watch the quality fluctuate.

Macseamusa

i have only watched no disco about 3 times. It was good but i felt that the words were being forced out of his mouth. but that is not really my point . How long is the program half an hour or an hour? theycould make it longer to incorperate the bands that spolitbrat and others want to see aswell as the more main stream irish music. its not as if rte have anything better to air late at night. And if people couldnt be arsed staying up late they could make it a twice a week type thing. First part of the week have half main stream(frames wilt etc) and the second half other bands that people dont really know about like daemien frost. The second show would be of the same format.

spoiltbrat

Originally posted by polarbelly
is it?

of course i'd love it if there was a programme that showed other bands cos then our band would have some shot of getting a bit of airtime... but at the end of the day...thats not what this thread is about

Thats what this thread is about to me. Why is it unreasonable to assume that Polar should be on No Disco? Thats whats wrong here - the assumption that Leagues knows best. The show only serves a niche of Irish music which is all pretty sound-a-like to me. There is an opportunity there for someone to do something really good for Irish music and its not been used. Maybe keep No Disco but introduce an ounce of democracy into its running? At the end of the day RTE are pulling the show because its obviously not worth the money to them that they are putting in to it. The reason for this is that there are not enough people watching it. This is because it only has a very narrow appeal within a already narrow market (alternative music). If they had bothered to widen that appeal the show wouldn't be in trouble.

Alternative Nation/120 minutes/MTV 2 for everyone campaign... any takers?

stez

Spoiltbrat, just a couple of things I would like to pick you up on;

You argue about bands having to lick Leagues' hole and then basically contradict yourself by mentioning the new Glen Hansard programme. That's exactly what his programme is, it's the clique of musicians that are being forced down our throats by Hot Press who lick each others hole. Now I'm not slagging the musicians or their music, some of it is good but the programme should have just been called, "Glen Hansard's Mates".
Also, the Frames, while being an OK band, don't fool yourself by claiming that they were ever "groundbreaking". They're alright but "groundbreaking" bands or musicians change music as we know it at that specific time such as, Miles Davis, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Joy Division, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Planxty, Kraftwerk, the Smiths, DJ Shadow etc. The Frames or dEUS for that matter can never be put in the same league as these, pardon the pun.
Now I do agree with you that No Disco can play some ****e, samey kinda music and could widen its appeal a slight bit so, as I mentioned in an earlier msg, if No Disco stays on the air, I hope it does, it's simply a matter of setting up a proper website were people can request the bands they would like to hear and Leagues can assess it from there. That's the most democratic way I can think of doing it.

spoiltbrat

Stez!
I totally agree with you. The point about Glen Hansard (from whose ass the sun shines on to the Irish music scene) was that RTE are still willing to put money into music programs. I'm not looking for a show where every Irish band gets a five minute slot because it would be absolute ****e and unworkable. I just ask, like you with your website suggestion, that those with the power to do something for the Irish scene put their ear to the ground occasionally and see whats actually going on around Ireland.

stez

Definitely agree. I don't think they would put anymore money into the music programming unless it's done by Mr. Hansard and the like, I'd say that Hot Press put pressure on RTE for it aswell. In fact I'm really pissed off that my T.V. licence fee was spent partly on that fool and his "mates".

the sublimed

Originally posted by spoiltbrat
I don't care what anybody says, its plainly obvious No Disco only caters to a niche of the suposedly avant-garde indie Irish acts and thats total bull****.

you're right. but they're not all matey with leagues. however they are all part of a supposedly avant-garde scene that shares an independent ethic (although settler and the chalets wouldn't be my idea of avant-garde). if they were to show bits and pieces from all the different scenes in the country the show wouldn't attract any regular audience because no one would identify with it. people that watch no disco currently don't identify with bands that want to be the next U2 or JJ72 or Wilt, and the music that leagues shows reflects that.

regardless the petition now stands at nearly 3000 sigs. so the show is obviously reaching a certain indie demographic. its your tough titties if you don't identify with that. maybe you should start up your own petition to get RTE to create a program that identifies with the up-and-coming 'unsigned' type stuff that you prefer to the "avant-garde niche".

kirn

i like no disco.

i heard some great music on it over the years, and i'm not going to give it up with out making an effort.

an american friend visiting couldn't believe how varied and alternative it was, simply put it had rock, electronic, hip hop, singer songwriter and alt country to name but a few.

on every show if i liked half of it then i was a success. i bought albums from watching bands on it.

its one of the best music shows on any stations i get, and for that reason i think it should stay.

methinks.

the sublimed

Originally posted by PiE
Gimme a break. "Lucky" to have it? I've never heard a band say "wow, if it hadnt been for No Disco we'd still be cleaning tables in McDonalds!"

eh?
so what you're saying is that no disco hasn't contributed to irish music because none of the bands have "made it". you're missing the point of the show boyo. no disco is about the music as in the sounds, not the industry bullsh!t. if you don't like the sort of music played on it that's grand but you gotta realise that to these bands there's more to making music than signing the big deal or being on the cover of nme.

most (not all) of the bands featured on the program share an independent ethos and aren't bending over backwards to get signed for various reasons, they have good jobs, they have a family, they hate the music industry (see Albini's
the problem with music).

spoiltbrat

Originally posted by the sublimed
eh?
most (not all) of the bands featured on the program share an independent ethos and aren't bending over backwards to get signed for various reasons, they have good jobs, they have a family, they hate the music industry (see Albini's
the problem with music).

You're right that it should be all about the music and not the industry and in a global sense No Disco is very diplomatic about music. However Leagues is regarded as a 'taste maker' by industry people in Ireland. He is as big a part of the industry as anybody else - he's not just a presenter he has a finger in a lot of other pies - DJing, promoting and print media as far as I know. As such he has a lot of power as regards Irish music in particular. I just think he could use his power in a more democratic way.

I'll sign the petition - if the show survives they should've had enough of a fright to get their **** together and open up the shop a little.

PiE

glowingmind, if you look at the quote I was responding to in that post:

"The irish music scene is very lucky to have no disco and leagues, they've done more for irish music than most people will ever know. "

You'll see I was taking exception to the notion that we should be thankful for having Leagues running the show and the way that the poster liked to think he/she was clued in to a bigger picture which normal people can't see.

No Disco is a Music TV show. Music shows are there for one reason: for the bands to gain exposure. Exposure = sales = success. You can talk all you like about the bands not wanting to be rich or famous and all that but to be honest, I don't believe a word of it. And when someone like Leagues has the power to say what does and what does not get that exposure, there's obviously something awry with the format.

It's a bit like Eircom. They are owned by the same man who owns the Irish Independent and some other Irish papers. Therefore, these newspapers aren't able to expose Eircom for the money-grabbing bastards that they are. So as you can see, one person who has his hand in many public services is a bad thing.

Same applies to Leagues.

Glowingmind

What i meant by saying that we're lucky to have leagues is mostly based around the fact of how involved he in in irish music and how much passion he obviously has for what he does.
The idea that only certain bands within a clique are going to get shown on no disco is a slightly narrow view to take, for the most part the bands that get shown on no disco are bands leagues is a fan of and feels the urge to try and support however he can(there's not many people who could honestly say they'd go on tv and heap praise on a band they hate). Obviously in an ideal world he'd have a 3 hour show and play as many irish bands as they can fit on but there's no way that'll happen. If you were hosting the show and were in a similar position to leagues we'd probably get many of the bands that you like, which is fine, but there's a good chance that a lot of people won't like all the bands you'd show, and that's just a simple fact of life. I'm sure some people would say initially,"well i'd show as much irish music as i could", but when it comes down to it theres no way personal taste won't effect what appears on the show.
Ideally we'd still have no disco, and a a few more music shows on irish tv to cater for more people.

the sublimed

Originally posted by spoiltbrat
You're right that it should be all about the music and not the industry and in a global sense No Disco is very diplomatic about music. However Leagues is regarded as a 'taste maker' by industry people in Ireland. He is as big a part of the industry as anybody else - he's not just a presenter he has a finger in a lot of other pies - DJing, promoting and print media as far as I know. As such he has a lot of power as regards Irish music in particular. I just think he could use his power in a more democratic way.

a good point, but from alot of stories i've heard he was reluctant to take the no disco thing on so i don't think he has any vendetta as such but i suppose he could be more even handed. i think he just likes playing what he knows about, maybe.

the sublimed

Originally posted by PiE
It's a bit like Eircom. They are owned by the same man who owns the Irish Independent and some other Irish papers. Therefore, these newspapers aren't able to expose Eircom for the money-grabbing bastards that they are. So as you can see, one person who has his hand in many public services is a bad thing.

Same applies to Leagues.

Originally posted by spoiltbrat
he's not just a presenter he has a finger in a lot of other pies - DJing, promoting and print media as far as I know. As such he has a lot of power as regards Irish music in particular. I just think he could use his power in a more democratic way

this is hilarious. what has he to gain? he runs his own indie label, used to write for nme and now has a hand in homage and dj's with his mates at some of the larger local gigs. oh, oh yeah, now it's all so clear - what an evil fiend he is. he's power-mad!!! the new murdoch.
tell me - did your band try to get a vid shown on no disco and were turned down or something?
or wait, there's a conspiracy out there to keep the 'real' irish scene off the airwaves.
hahahhhahhhahhahahhhaha

the sublimed

Originally posted by PiE
No Disco is a Music TV show. Music shows are there for one reason: for the bands to gain exposure. Exposure = sales = success. You can talk all you like about the bands not wanting to be rich or famous and all that but to be honest, I don't believe a word of it.

exposure=sales yes yes. bums in seats at gigs, selling records all good.
but success? - listen - there are acts out there who don't want to be rich and famous. some would like to do music full time but just wouldn't want that whole rock'n'roll lifestyle. some don't want to do it full time at all 'cos that would take the enjoyment out of it.

c'mon, is there some rule somewhere that says the instant someone creates some good music and wants to sell it and play gigs that they automatically want to be the next big thing?

i know loads of local acts that just want to write, record and play gigs and sell their records to make the cash back. they have full-time jobs or other responsibilities which make it impossible to consider doing music full time. this doesn't diminish the quality of their music.

the sublimed

Originally posted by PiE
And when someone like Leagues has the power to say what does and what does not get that exposure, there's obviously something awry with the format.

there's nothing strange in that, that's what being a DJ is all about no? somebody would have to have the final decision on what to show and if there isn't a concerted effort to keep the material similar then you won't attract a core audience.
maybe the next no disco presenter would play more stuff you like.

polarbelly

Originally posted by the sublimed
exposure=sales yes yes. bums in seats at gigs, selling records all good.
but success?

some ppl would call that success

the sublimed

Originally posted by polarbelly
some ppl would call that success

you're right.
i'm not trying to be a bollox, i think there's room for all approaches but realistically you'll never find them all on the one program and at the moment no disco leans towards a certain approach and style. admittedly there's room for another program that leans towards another approach and style.

polarbelly

hey sublimed, i agree with most of your points... just i felt the need to say that success is gauged differently for different ppl

you might be after a multi million quid record deal and i might be after having a laugh playing a few songs with my mates watching...you know the way

buzzerbuckley

no disco started off as a good idea,and peaked under the late uaneen.since then it has gone to the dogs,both musically and with that asshole presenter "leagues" I wish he would go under the sea.His interviews are a lesson in cliches.

Many Irish and non irish bands were ignored under these leagues geezer because they werent cool,even though a lot were a damn site better than some of the thrash he played.trying to squezze dance and ambient music into the format was a disaster and was what finnished it off.

The last few times i watched it.I was bored to tears and switched it off.It had got so bad,fannings half baked last broadcast was actually better.
What is needed is a new programne on at a better time,without the clicks of bands,and whittling it down to alternative only.A vibrant presenter who asks questions that matter not tip toe around cliches.

I for one shad no tears