Is mmj growing big?

[lfish]

Hey,

Is it just me or is this band becoming bigger and bigger.  Every time I read the new reviews of their shows and albums on the this very website, I have to conclude that everyone is so positive on this band.  ( of course they put only positive reviews on the site   ;D, but nevertheless . . .) Well those are mainly american reviews  , so I don't know how it's like in the other countries. But suppose you compare the popularity of mmj now with two or three years ago. I think more people really are getting to know this band and I think their third album is getting their definite breakthrough ( not a breakthrough as big as the breakthrough of the white stripes, but still a breakthrough)

[peanut butter puddin surprise]

In regards to White Stripes:  Do you mean a White Blood Cells level of breakthrough or Elephant level of breakthrough?...like, 5 star Rolling Stone review?? ;)

[Alex Nagle]

I was panicking about this as well a few months ago.  After hearing them on some radio show named "Alter Ego," which is supposed to break new bands but is usually the new Eels single, I nervously asked my girlfriend if the Jacket was going to break big.  
"Huge," she said.
"You mean like Fugazi huge?"
"No," she said, "Pearl Jam huge."
That's probably unlikely, but when she said it my heart filled with a million loathsome thoughts about how I didn't want anyone else listening to MY band and how lame it would be to see them in an arena as opposed to a club.  I can't even tell you the horrible fiddle/John Popper guest appearance scenarios that ran through my head when I heard they were signed to Dave Matthews' label.  Bascially what got me past all of this, aside from realizing I was way too old to be acting this way, was seeing them on this latest tour.  The new songs sounded incredible and they still turned the rock up to 11.  They'll probably always kick ass.  If they get Pearl Jam huge I guess that's a good thing.  There's probably a few people in Louisville that think they've already sold out.  Did I even answer your question?  OK, disregard the previous: Yes, I think they're getting big.

[danilove]

Yes. Oh yes. The world's gonna be a brighter place when MMJ gets bigger than Pearl Jam...I can't wait.   ;)

Also, no offense intended, but (in all seriousness) anyone who believes that MMJ has sold out has their head stuck up their ass...The truth is that you'll prolly never meet a more down-to-earth, lovable bunch of soon-to-be rock stars... 8)

[lfish]

I also think it's a good thing that such a young band with such honnest music and such potential can break through these days (and I really hope for them they do). Maybe my comparison with the white stripes deserves a little explanation. I meant indeed a break through regarding their third album white blood cells.  Nevertheless I don't believe mmj will become as big as the white stripes.  I think they'll come more closer to the status of Ben Harper or  (well known by music lovers, ignored by the big public).

[Oz]

I don´t think they really appeal to young kids, and I think that´s necessary to become as big as Pearl Jam or White Stripes. As for the remark on the breakthrough thing in America, don´t forget they broke through with The Tennessee Fire in Holland...! Sorry, can´t stop pointing that out. Anyway, would I like them to break through or not? If it´d mean they´d visit Holland less often, ofcourse. As for the sell-out and arrogance they might get... I think they would always stay ´reachable` and nice. But yes, seeing them in big stadiums would suck. To make a long story short, I really have no idea.  :-/

[Lieven]

About the getting bigger...  :-/, in one way it's really cool for them. They really deserve it! On the other hand, like Alex said, I also have that feeling not wanting everbody getting to know "my" (or better "our") superb band. Although I haven't seen them performing on big stage (but did see them twice in small club), I just know it'll never give the same intimate feeling (when Jim is playing solo) or good rockin' vibe (when whole band plays). Hope they'll stay indie and won't become mainstream. I'm not that familiar with labels, but I hope they'll still be able the make the music THEY (MMJ) want and not the (money-) kind the label wants.

Both times I saw them in those clubs, they just got a drink in between everyones else. So i got the opportunity to talk to them. When they'll get real famous and stuff, maybe that won't be possible anymore, which would be a pitty (Except when i kick the bodyguard's ass  ;D)

[RyanCorpse]

I'm 19 and love MMJ but maybe that's because i know what great music is.

[otter]

 :o :o >:( ;D 8) :'( :) :D ;D This is what happens to me in time lapse over the course of an hour that I listen to these guys.

I'm 32 and have been a music lover for all but the first few years....and bands like this only happen about once every ten years (maybe twenty). Whether we all like it or not, the ball has begun rolling..and I don't think anything can or would dare try to stop it. We just have to trust them to know what's in their best interest.

With what they have done already in a few short years, yes I think this band is getting big. How big? I say the sky is the limit...forget Pearl Jam and Radiohead...it's more like the Stones and Beatles...Go get em guys...I'll keep buying tickets at any venue I can make.

[danilove]

Right on Otter! I couldn't have said it better myself!

Indeed, the sky is the limit and they've only just begun.  ::)

[Frank.  The Yank.]

Greetings from Central Coast of NSW, Australia.  I heard "Lowdown" a month ago on Triple J radio; they break newish bands.  I was hooked immediately; melody, vocals, reverb, echo, and a story.

Got Sweetbees this morning.  It's a special Australian compilation of songs from At Dawn and Ohia.  Listened to it around 15x.  It's entirely appropriate; my relationship with my long-term girlfriend is crashing hard.

I'm 48, been a rock listener since '62.  Saw Jimi, Cream, and Led all before '71.  I grew up in San Diego.  Remain as current as possible; looking for Clearlake's "Cedar", and just bought "Estuary English", a compilation of UK label, Memphis Industries.  Anyone remember, "Tighten Up", by Archie Bell and the Drells outa Houston TX?  What a sample it's made.

Back to my vodka crannie.  Too jacked to write further.

[Flo]

The first time I saw them in 1999 (headliners during the Harvest webcast), there were 50+ people

About 2 years ago at the BBC there were 200+ people

2 months ago at headliners, the place was PACKED! I's guess and say 500+. When we got there, a line of about 50+ people streched out to Lexington road.

By far it was THE most exciting moment for louisville music I've seen and the band rocked louder than fuck!.

[peanut butter puddin surprise]

By far it was THE most exciting moment for louisville music I've seen and the band rocked louder than fuck!.

Amen!

Now, if we could only get the LEO and the local radio stations to notice as well...and I don't mean some tiny byline or a small bit of airplay, either...these guys deserve to be noticed in the biggest of ways...like Muhummad Ali or Louisville Slugger big, damn it.

[Oz]

Hey, Ryan, when I said `young kids´, I meant 11 to 15. I´m 20 myself, and from what I know, people really get themselves a distinguished taste only when they reach 18, or 17, sometimes. But the bands that are really big often have lots of fans amongst really young kids. And MMJ is more a band that you start to appreciate when you really appreciate good music, wich I don´t really think 13-year-olds do. But maybe that´s a lame theory...

[hipkink]

Man, I totally see where everybody is coming from here. I grapple with the "they're MY band" thing too. But then I think about how great the world would be if everyone loved MMJ. Think about this board, and multiply it by a billion. All the love that this band has spread across the world already, can go so much farther, and deeper. I really think that this band has grabbed hold of the pendulum and forced it in the other direction, where great music is popular music. It's a cycle, and I think we're in store for some great times musically. Bad times produce great music. Ah - the gifts that Dubya has given us! Bless him! ;)

[spacehound]

I really hope MMJ makes it big. The whole "my band" thing is kind of lame. I try and show them to as many people as I can find... the more the merrier... I agree that the world would be a better place if everyone liked em.  I suppose it would be a little sad to not be able to see them in a small venue anymore, but I think they could still rock a stadium. It would be pretty cool to have 50,000 people absolutely silent with Jim playing strangulation or something... And we'd all be that much cooler for seeing them in a small venue... later...

[la_oo_ra]

i can attest that mmj is definately growning.  everyone that i make listen likes em.  and they have a new fan in franfurt, DE too.  rock on mmj!!!

laura

[superfan]

let's face it... they ARE growing big... but they are doing it in a good way... by working their asses off with constant touring... it's the whole grass roots thing... slowly building up a solid and loyal fan base... of course there will be those who check out the band because they are the "hot new buzz band"... in the long run, i think their loyal fan base is gonna give them staying power... people are definately catching on and taking notice... the first time i saw them in 2001... they played to about 20 people... now in 2003 they are playing to rooms that hold over 500...

soon will come a day where every show they play sells out immediately... and it will suck when the hardcore fans like us can't get tix... but think of the alternative... what if nobody liked them and they couldn't make any money playing music... and  what if they had to give up their dream and get a job in the real world... we, the fans, would be sad... but just think how sad the band would be...

they have something special and important going on here... and i think it is going to chance the history of music, if not the history of the world... there's no stopping them now!   8)

[wordawg]

There is definite movement of the expanding variety over here.  My son went to a University open day 2 weeks ago sporting a Wildhearts t-shirt.  The guy showing him round said "forget them, listen to MMJ". My boy told him " Don't have a choice. My dad's into them in a big way".  Word of mouth is a big thing. Onwards and upwards ;D

[tigrl]

 :D :D 8) I just wanted to say howdy....

and that man, I have been raving about this band since I first heard them play with Doves back in December here in Vancouver...Canada. my friends and other people didn't like them tho... But then recently I was just thrilled that they were invited to play here for New Music West Fest, back in May '02...what a great show...and this time my friend that went just loved them! we were blasted for hours after...the energy of their music and guitars and beautiful songs.

anyways, I'm a 'Pete Yorn fan'...do most of my music talking, yakking and even ranting sometimes on his message board. so as often as I have been able...I have raved and mentioned this outstandingly talented band (in my mind anyways). Then recently I check out Glastonbury festival website and am just almost ecstatic to see that they are playing there! cuz that means they are totally being recognized...in my mind again. But then...it gets even better....MMJ and Pete Yorn play successively at 2 New York shows! Ok, now I am totally excited. But then....my god and so happy....find out that MMJ is now part of the current Foo Fighters and Pete Yorn tour. (which means get to see them again next week and it will be a far, far more enjoyable show too! to replace cancelled/postponed show last month due to Dave Grohl's voice etc)

anyways....the point is....YES!!! (I think...and that's GOOD...I think) Really, really happy about this!!

hi! ;D