This is how you handle TV networks that demand playback performances!

Naigewron

Platinum Member
Muse were apparently asked to perform on Italian TV, but they weren't allowed to play live, and had to settle for playback. It's a well-known fact that Muse *hates* to do this, so they had some fun with it instead. Everyone switched instruments and completely made a mockery of the whole show.

Drummer Dom Howard pretends to play bass and sing
Vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Matt Bellamy pretends to play drums (with hilarious results)
Bassist Christopher Wolstenholme pretends to play guitar and keyboards

They keep it going through the interview as well, with Dominic still pretending to be the frontman of the band :)

Watch the "performance" here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oTt8Noi5Rk
 
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Nothing new there. Have you seen the Nirvana footage from 1991 for Top of the Pops?!

I really dislike Muse. Except for 'Origin of Symmetry'. That was a decent album.
 
Didn't say it was new, I just thought it was funny, and an excellent "screw you" to the TV station. As for Nirvana, they didn't swap instruments, and Kurt Cobain was actually singing (badly on purpose).

Maiden did this on a German TV show back in the 80's, with the members swapping instruments throughout the song. Then Oasis did it in the 90's, with the Gallagher brothers swapping places for a Top Of The Pops performance.
 
This IS funny! Thanks for sharing. Gotta try that out if I get the chance :)
 
Call me a stick in the mud, but that's not cool. If they wanted to play live (a reasonable thing to want) but couldn't, then they should not accept the opportunity at all and then it could go to some band that would take the opportunity seriously.

Apparently, they were not told it would be a playback performance until they came in and were going to play.

Also, I think it was an excellent "screw you" to the network(s). Playback performances are wrong on so many levels, and I think these shows should put in the extra effort and money to actually have the bands and artists perform live.
 
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Another example of non-musicians trying to tell musicians what to do, how to do it, ect.

I believe Ringo and his band walked out of a TV studio because a song they were going to play and had scheduled to play was longer than the station allotted time for and they wanted them to "cut it down". Ringo refused and sent a "screw you" message to the station brass by walking away and not playing at all (I believe). Classy move, Ringo! I'm applauding!
 
On one hand, I hate that many TV shows don't want the bands to play, and expect songs to be shoved into predetermined boxes.

On the other hand, I would have killed to have one of my bands actually asked to make a TV appearance and get that kind of exposure. It is the music "business" after all, and you can't tell your landlord/mortgage holder "screw you" because your album didn't sell.
 
Apparently, they were not told it would be a playback performance until they came in and were going to play.

Also, I think it was an excellent "screw you" to the network(s). Playback performances are wrong on so many levels, and I think these shows should put in the extra effort and money to actually have the bands and artists perform live.

Playback performances are a form of recorded sound/video- certainly, not "wrong" at all as the whole recording and music video industry is built around performances that are recorded and played back later.

I have difficulty believing how the band could not have understood it was a playback performance. I mean, what time were they called to the session?

If a band does''t like the conditions under which they are told to play, then they should get their own show/venue or decline the opportunity so some other band can get a chance. That's the mature thing to do. I would expect this band to be blackballed from TV shows and other opportunities.
 
IME sometimes it is a logistical decision. I see Muse as offering entertainment more than a screw you. It's all about having a laugh.

Most times I was on TV it was play along. The last time I played live the sax player hit the cameraman accidentally.
 
Wy, do you remember Cold Chisel finally agreeing to play on Countdown? They suddenly turned into The Who and smashed their instruments, which wasn't their usual style at all.

As far as I could tell they wanted to annoy Molly because of the hyper-commercialism of the show, and apparently they succeeded.
 
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