Jack Sonni passed away

[Knut]

Sure it's a pro MK forum, but there's also a history here with bad mouthing other DS member's efforts and contributions - as long as one doesn't touch "the master" of course. I can't see the term "The Dullards" being particularly bad, it's just an opinion about the solo band being less exciting than DS.

As for MK and falling out with other members - you can EASILY treat people with respect and dignity even in the music industry. It's not like you can't get a message through without being disrespectful, if that's the case here. It's like in a soccer/football wardrobe. If someone makes a bad pass, you can give constructive criticism, or do the usual "macho boy" trash talk nonsense. It's a CHOICE, not a necessity.

We've probably all heard the "oh, I just play one instrument averagely" speech. You think he has had that attitude in the studio or the rehearsal room, especially in the DS days?

I'm pretty sure there would be less usage of terms like "the dullards" if people also would stop putting MK in a separate league compared to the others, and treat everyone as equals. That just means there is some sort of strange competition about being better than someone else at something. But, after all, when you put on a record, you do hear a band effort - not just MK.

[2manyguitars]

They say never mix business with pleasure. This I think is at the root of many of these situations  with MK and those he cast aside.

How many musicians here have been in bands where a promotor or talent scout has approached you and said 'Your band is great but the (insert instrumentalist) needs to go'. Now in my band it was the female vocalist. The bass player was sleeping with her, she was very close with the rest of us (don't tell the bass player!). We chose to ignore the advice (even though we knew she was a bit rubbish and sang like an out of tune drunk!) and of course we got nowhere very fast!

My point really is what Is the correct way to end a musical partnership with someone? Marks approach seems at face value to be to move on and behave as if nothing happened.

I'm not condoning this approach, I'm merely saying that its not an easy thing to do.

Many creative musicians are decent, loyal people, and many I think mistakenly conflate musical relationships with friendships. Sadly such values seldomly get you to the top....

[Banjo99uk]

I can also add I met MK in Johns pub. I didn’t let on I knew who he was and he was completely charming and very nice to me and my kids. He even chatted to one of them whilst holding open a gate, she was 6 at the time. He was just a lovely old fella.

[superval99]

This thread has now descended into a free for all to insult MK and throw as much mud as possible in his direction!  The final insult from a couple of "fans" on this forum is to call Mark's fantastic, talented band "The Dullards" !  Yes, I know that this title originally came from the mouth of Ed Bicknell - it wasn't funny or witty then and it isn't now - it is just repugnant!

[hunter]

As a non-native speaker of English, I always thought dullard had something to do with dull in the sense of boring. The real meaning is actually a stupid person (dull-minded?), which first of all is pretty offensive when used about Mark's band, but secondly it doesn't make sense. Even if we do find them less than exciting, we should refrain from using the word dullard.

[dmg]

The Dullards? You do know this is a pro MK forum. No person is perfect, and I can guarantee he has had to be harsh as he’s in one of the most cut throat and ruthless industries going.  I have alot of respect for him as he has protected every one he’s worked with. I’m sure some were absolute arseholes, yet MK remains silent even with shit being flung at him. He’s the boss at the end of the day and who likes their boss. I shall be keeping MK and DS on my playlist for now, unless it turns out he was best friends with Epstein.

I'm not telling anyone what to do, but after reflecting about Jack's life in recent days I came to the conclusion that Mark has not been a nice person over the years and I'd be kidding myself otherwise.  That doesn't mean I won't listen to his music though.

[dmg]

As a non-native speaker of English, I always thought dullard had something to do with dull in the sense of boring. The real meaning is actually a stupid person (dull-minded?), which first of all is pretty offensive when used about Mark's band, but secondly it doesn't make sense. Even if we do find them less than exciting, we should refrain from using the word dullard.

Dull in the sense of boring is how I had assumed the phrase to be meant with the "ards" giving it the band name, something like The Communards. 

[quizzaciously]

The Dullards? You do know this is a pro MK forum. No person is perfect, and I can guarantee he has had to be harsh as he’s in one of the most cut throat and ruthless industries going.  I have alot of respect for him as he has protected every one he’s worked with. I’m sure some were absolute arseholes, yet MK remains silent even with shit being flung at him. He’s the boss at the end of the day and who likes their boss. I shall be keeping MK and DS on my playlist for now, unless it turns out he was best friends with Epstein.

I'm not telling anyone what to do, but after reflecting about Jack's life in recent days I came to the conclusion that Mark has not been a nice person over the years and you're kidding yourself otherwise.  That doesn't mean I won't listen to his music though.

I can perfectly understand where The Dullards name comes from. It's not an insult, as much as ironicising about Mark using these Universe-class musicians to play simple strumming songs, which is quite literally like a walk in a park for them. And the fact they have very little room for improvisation, being Multiverse-class improvisers. Meanwhile, the same MK just pulled a guy from a music store for his biggest tour and look how cool that went!

[dustyvalentino]

I believe it was Ed who coined the term Dullards and he obviously has a chip on his shoulder as someone who was dumped when MK moved on from the headband. Ed is another who has done nothing of note without MK by the way.

Personally I find it childish when I see these nicknames. There’s plenty of people I don’t care for but I try not to use nicknames for them. People calling Bob Dylan Krusty is another example.

[hunter]

The Dullards? You do know this is a pro MK forum. No person is perfect, and I can guarantee he has had to be harsh as he’s in one of the most cut throat and ruthless industries going.  I have alot of respect for him as he has protected every one he’s worked with. I’m sure some were absolute arseholes, yet MK remains silent even with shit being flung at him. He’s the boss at the end of the day and who likes their boss. I shall be keeping MK and DS on my playlist for now, unless it turns out he was best friends with Epstein.

I'm not telling anyone what to do, but after reflecting about Jack's life in recent days I came to the conclusion that Mark has not been a nice person over the years and you're kidding yourself otherwise.  That doesn't mean I won't listen to his music though.

I can perfectly understand where The Dullards name comes from. It's not an insult, as much as ironicising about Mark using these Universe-class musicians to play simple strumming songs, which is quite literally like a walk in a park for them. And the fact they have very little room for improvisation, being Multiverse-class improvisers. Meanwhile, the same MK just pulled a guy from a music store for his biggest tour and look how cool that went!

Simple strumming songs? Really?


Of course it was meant as an insult. Ed found the band dull (boring), and to be fair, they aren't exactly a lively or cool lot. But dullard is not the right word to use.

[superval99]

As a non-native speaker of English, I always thought dullard had something to do with dull in the sense of boring. The real meaning is actually a stupid person (dull-minded?), which first of all is pretty offensive when used about Mark's band, but secondly it doesn't make sense. Even if we do find them less than exciting, we should refrain from using the word dullard.

Dull in the sense of boring is how I had assumed the phrase to be meant with the "ards" giving it the band name, something like The Communards.

Dictionary?

[quizzaciously]

Simple strumming songs? Really?


Of course it was meant as an insult. Ed found the band dull (boring), and to be fair, they aren't exactly a lively or cool lot. But dullard is not the right word to use.

Simple strumming songs compared with what they are usually playing and/or capable of. To play live which of Mark's songs exactly do you need to be a studio veteran with 50 years of playing and 5000 record sessions? We all know Mark's music deserves the best, and his band is the best, just joking about the overkill nature of it a little bit.

[Jules]

I believe it was Ed who coined the term Dullards and he obviously has a chip on his shoulder as someone who was dumped when MK moved on from the headband. Ed is another who has done nothing of note without MK by the way.

Personally I find it childish when I see these nicknames. There’s plenty of people I don’t care for but I try not to use nicknames for them. People calling Bob Dylan Krusty is another example.

Ed left the business after he left the MK management.

I think he was director of something related to music during a time but retired.

[hunter]

Simple strumming songs? Really?


Of course it was meant as an insult. Ed found the band dull (boring), and to be fair, they aren't exactly a lively or cool lot. But dullard is not the right word to use.

Simple strumming songs compared with what they are usually playing and/or capable of. To play live which of Mark's songs exactly do you need to be a studio veteran with 50 years of playing and 5000 record sessions? We all know Mark's music deserves the best, and his band is the best, just joking about the overkill nature of it a little bit.

I'm sorry, but this is nonsense. Do you think that all they do is highly advanced fusion music or whatever? They have played on tons of simple country records. Overkill? Mark wanted a band of musicians that he had good chemistry with and that could play anything from simple blues to complicated, intricate arrangements and give Mark total artistic freedom.

[quizzaciously]

Simple strumming songs? Really?


Of course it was meant as an insult. Ed found the band dull (boring), and to be fair, they aren't exactly a lively or cool lot. But dullard is not the right word to use.

Simple strumming songs compared with what they are usually playing and/or capable of. To play live which of Mark's songs exactly do you need to be a studio veteran with 50 years of playing and 5000 record sessions? We all know Mark's music deserves the best, and his band is the best, just joking about the overkill nature of it a little bit.

I'm sorry, but this is nonsense. Do you think that all they do is highly advanced fusion music or whatever? They have played on tons of simple country records. Overkill? Mark wanted a band of musicians that he had good chemistry with and that could play anything from simple blues to complicated, intricate arrangements and give Mark total artistic freedom.

I, for one, like Mark's "local" British band more than his standard American band. No need to cheapen other musician's work, they are all great. Besides, Golden Heart was recorded with a bunch of different studio musicians and still ended up sounding like MK. I don't want to argue about music man, you're right, it's pointless. The tagline in one of Philips adverts said it perfectly well: "Mark wants the best, what about you?"