Ian Brown: 'I Don't Listen To Any Indie Music'

Ian Brown says he doesn't like guitar music and he never listens to "indie" bands.

The 46-year-old indie legend explained to the BBC that he tried to avoid using guitars on his new album "My Way" as he's not interested in them.

He said: "We wanted to try to be bold and see if we could make an album that still works without guitars.

"I don't actually personally get off on guitar music. Since the (Sex) Pistols, I liked the Roses' first album but I honestly don't listen to any guitar bands, whoever they are.

"They call me an indie icon and all that, yet I don't listen to what you'd call indie music. I just don't."

"My Way", Brown's sixth solo album, is out now through Polydor Records.

Thanks for the report to Gigwise.com.

Comments

[LegsOnEarth]

Fair play!

[ndschroede23]

An article on a guitar website about a guy that doesn't like guitars?

Wut?

[Guano23]

So he listens to some rap and techno thats it? Anything else has guitar, even rap. I second the wtf on this article. He doesnt like guitars so whats the point of this article. Never even heard of this guys until today.

[Lin]

sorry, what band was he in?

[webbtje]

Guano23 wrote:

So he listens to some rap and techno thats it? Anything else has guitar, even rap. I second the wtf on this article. He doesnt like guitars so whats the point of this article. Never even heard of this guys until today.

Lol.

Classical? Electronic? World? It's not like they're massive genres or anything!

[wolftowngent]

he spawns from the Stone Roses, a brit-pop group from the 90's manchester scene, quite hit n miss really, why this is considered news is beyond me!!

[Sox0690]

there's nothing more indie than being an "indie icon" and then saying you don't like indie music or even guitar. just solidifying his status as an "indie icon" whoever he is.

[limpidgreen345]

So what exactly is the point of this article? Ian Brown doesn't listen to indie music? Neither do I, where's my article?

[Whats the story]

Its about time some said it. Ian Brown = Legend

[korinaflyingv]

interesting to hear. don't know why everyone's complaining, he is pretty much a legend... not
that i like him really

[a7xboy]

isn't he that shit guy that covered either beat it or billie jean ?

[Reaper-Man]

Ian Brown is talented right, he was in a band, WITH guitars, so WTF. But I agree, Indie musicians are shit, and should be put on a DVD or book called Guitar playing for dummies.

[Abacus11]

It sounds like he's taking himself a bit too seriously and trying to sound more important than he is. This isn't much different than the random "rock stars" who say that "rock is dead" or rappers who say "hip hop is dead" to get people more interested in their new album.

Unfortunately, this kind of desperate and negative marketing tends to work. Oh well.

[98Timberwolf]

Yeah! Way to fight... uh... your own genre!

[MOODY17]

"they call me an indie icon"

seriously, he should just stop now before he ruins what was good about the stone roses

[Ikonoklast]

Oh how i love the teenage rock-fan hypocrisy and ignorance. As webttje pointed out.

This man is an absolute genius. Okay so he doesn't listen to guitar music. He's a musical and lyrical genius who just happened to be in the greatest British band of all time. God UG is full of teenage ignorance.

[TJM2482]

Must be a slow day for news. Who really cares that some washed up pretentious indie "icon" (lmao) is trying to be a rebel by not using guitars.

[Genghis_khan]

MOODY17 wrote:

"they call me an indie icon"

seriously, he should just stop now before he ruins what was good about the stone roses

Indeed!

[TobyCarter]

Abacus11 :
It sounds like he's taking himself a bit too seriously and trying to sound more important than he is. This isn't much different than the random "rock stars" who say that "rock is dead" or rappers who say "hip hop is dead" to get people more interested in their new album.

Unfortunately, this kind of desperate and negative marketing tends to work. Oh well.

Very much agreed. As much as I respect Ian Brown for his past works with Stone Roses and as much I respect the fact that Indie music is pretty awful albeit a few talented indie bands (Editors, The Walkmen, Bloc Party (of course, IMO)) to regard him as an Indie legend yet he doesn't respect, like or show interest towards the music he's associated with is kind of contradictive. However, maybe his new album will distance himself away from Indie music, will listen to either back up my opinion or change my mind on him.

[Abacus11]

This man is an absolute genius. Okay so he doesn't listen to guitar music. He's a musical and lyrical genius who just happened to be in the greatest British band of all time. God UG is full of teenage ignorance.

Very talented? Yes. Genius? Maybe. The Stone Roses were a great band but the "Greatest British band of all time"? That's a matter of opinion. I think of at least half a dozen British bands off the top of my head that are/were better than The Stone Roses. Its all opinion.

[whotheledbeatle]

you don't have to listen to indie music to be an indie legend...that's a stupid theory.

[ragethetool]

That's so indie to play indie music but say you don't listen to it. It's like the Sex Pistols saying they're not a punk band. That's punk as ****.

[thewho65]

John Squire would like to have a word...

[nightraven]

checked

[teleyourass]

You guys are idiot for not knowing how blooming Ian Brown is, or indeed the Stone Roses, check out Fool's gold if you haven't! I agree this is a bit odd, yet anyone that's actually heard his music wouls say he's more alt than indie. And anyway guys for "musicians" you hate on a genre way too much, just let them do their stuff and they'll let you do yours.

[Restlesscow]

He is Legend. Enough said

[jannick]

i like he stands by his opinion. but to me the drummerr from the whatever? band is more iconic...

[jannick]

ohh yeah. and greatest british band of all time? i can think of a couple way bigger.the who. black sabbath. iron maiden. beatles. maybe even judas priest.

[ilovemusic41841]

TobyCarter wrote:

Abacus11 :
It sounds like he's taking himself a bit too seriously and trying to sound more important than he is. This isn't much different than the random "rock stars" who say that "rock is dead" or rappers who say "hip hop is dead" to get people more interested in their new album.

Unfortunately, this kind of desperate and negative marketing tends to work. Oh well.

Very much agreed. As much as I respect Ian Brown for his past works with Stone Roses and as much I respect the fact that Indie music is pretty awful albeit a few talented indie bands (Editors, The Walkmen, Bloc Party (of course, IMO)) to regard him as an Indie legend yet he doesn't respect, like or show interest towards the music he's associated with is kind of contradictive. However, maybe his new album will distance himself away from Indie music, will listen to either back up my opinion or change my mind on him.

dude, there are so many amazing indie bands out there, the ones you named have become quite mainstream.

[A Warm Place]

Ikonoklast wrote:

Oh how i love the teenage rock-fan hypocrisy and ignorance. As webttje pointed out.

This man is an absolute genius. Okay so he doesn't listen to guitar music. He's a musical and lyrical genius who just happened to be in the greatest British band of all time. God UG is full of teenage ignorance.

He was in the greatest British band of all time? I know this is all a matter of opinion, but come on, man. Led Zeppelin? Black Sabbath? The ****ing Beatles?

[charlie__flynn]

Ian brown is a legend, the stone roses were incredible (apart from the second coming, never really got into that) And lets be honest now people who are saying that indie is crap or whatever, just listen to modest mouse, the best band of the moment.

[Matt-92]

A Warm Place wrote:
He was in the greatest British band of all time? I know this is all a matter of opinion, but come on, man. Led Zeppelin? Black Sabbath? The ****ing Beatles?

You mean the Who right? ; On topic though, The Stone Roses had one 'good' album, that is actually pretty average, and the members have gone on to do other things. Ian Brown is so irrelevant in music these days this is like featuring an interview with me

[Ikonoklast]

A Warm Place wrote:
He was in the greatest British band of all time? I know this is all a matter of opinion, but come on, man. Led Zeppelin? Black Sabbath? The ****ing Beatles?

Yes, i said 'greatest', not 'most over-hyped by history/the media'.

[TheSecondRaid]

We wanted to try to be bold and see if we could make an album that still works without guitars

REM anybody?

[Vendim]

boring article *clap hands*

[Cied Shredder]

YAWN.

[Skirvy]

did someone say the stone roses are hit and miss? Try one of the best bands of the 20th century. the fact that some people have never even heard of Ian shows the sheer ignorance of the people on here.

[DaddyTwoFoot]

Guano23 wrote:

So he listens to some rap and techno thats it? Anything else has guitar, even rap. I second the wtf on this article. He doesnt like guitars so whats the point of this article. Never even heard of this guys until today.

ROFL

No.

[d d b b z z]

Is that the guy from Anthrax?

[VertigoViking]

how is avoiding guitars just to prove something bold?

sounds like one of those anti-trend fanatics "everybody wears pants i don't like pants. i'll stop wearing pants this instant!"

[frnzd]

he got slated by reviewers over here in the UK.

[GREENWARRI0R]

"IM SO UNIQUE AND AWESOME! I DONT LIKE GUITARS AND INDIE! LISTEN TO MY NEW ALBUM GUYS!!!1"

that's basically what I got out of this article...

[PuddleJumper11]

d d b b z z wrote:

Is that the guy from Anthrax?

Naw, that's Scott Ian.

[Unknownsage]

This guy thinks that the fact his album finished being mixed the day his icon died is a good sign. This doesn't surprise me...

[wouldyakindly]

wolftowngent wrote:

he spawns from the Stone Roses, a brit-pop group from the 90's manchester scene, quite hit n miss really, why this is considered news is beyond me!!

Britpop didn't start til 1994 and the Roses' were big in 1989, so that's not really true. In fairness though, this really isn't news.

[paddypadman]

just read that he may be recording some songs with Johnny Marr.. How can he claim to not like guitar music!? http://www.hotpress.com/Ian%20Brown/news/Marr%20to%20work%20 with%20Ian%20Brown/5852992.html

[Apejack Cuba]

Skirvy wrote:

did someone say the stone roses are hit and miss? Try one of the best bands of the 20th century. the fact that some people have never even heard of Ian shows the sheer ignorance of the people on here.

"People don't share my musical tastes, thus they are ignorant."

[DanAbnormal]

limpidgreen345 wrote:

So what exactly is the point of this article? Ian Brown doesn't listen to indie music? Neither do I, where's my article?

Haha. I forgot news was made especially for one person.
Gee...

[EmancipatedSoul]

Apejack Cuba wrote:
"People don't share my musical tastes, thus they are ignorant."

+9000

Also, hypocrites calling other people hypocrites. Facepalm.

[Viking_Swede666]

Ikonoklast wrote:

Oh how i love the teenage rock-fan hypocrisy and ignorance. As webttje pointed out.

This man is an absolute genius. Okay so he doesn't listen to guitar music. He's a musical and lyrical genius who just happened to be in the greatest British band of all time. God UG is full of teenage ignorance.

I believe that title belongs to Porcupine Tree :P

[Do Re Mi]

Reaper-Man wrote:
But I agree, Indie musicians are shit, and should be put on a DVD or book called Guitar playing for dummies.

Yeah, 'cause that's exactly what he said.

[atreyu34]

how is this news?

[FearOfTheDuck]

never heard of him. meh.

[due 07]

Lin wrote:

sorry, what band was he in?

you are kidding, right?

[zink10192]

I think UG would have a more usefull article if they had one that said "Ian Brown doesn't like grilled cheese sandwiches."

[limpidgreen345]

Ikonoklast wrote:

A Warm Place wrote:
He was in the greatest British band of all time? I know this is all a matter of opinion, but come on, man. Led Zeppelin? Black Sabbath? The ****ing Beatles?
Yes, i said 'greatest', not 'most over-hyped by history/the media'.

How trite that line is.

[garager]

This qualifies as news how?

[Ali-b912]

limpidgreen345 wrote:

So what exactly is the point of this article? Ian Brown doesn't listen to indie music? Neither do I, where's my article?

I actually can't stand most of it. Do I get a picture on the frontpage, because even less people know who I am?

[idle_tooth]

Reaper-Man wrote:

Ian Brown is talented right, he was in a band, WITH guitars, so WTF. But I agree, Indie musicians are shit, and should be put on a DVD or book called Guitar playing for dummies.

if you seriously think that indie players are shit, you haven't heard much. look up Weaver At The Lom, Pompeii, Sequoyah Prep School, or Moroccan Victory Chant. they have some pretty crazy shit.

[MC Lukesta]

I like Stone Roses, but they definitely aren't the best british band. I believe Evile is

[Qotsa_love]

Wow, I didnt know only guitar based bands could join an independent label.

[brycey464]

Never even heard of this guys until today.

yea pritty much... haha... WTF??

[ZeGuitarist]

Checked.

[peachygnr]

this is old news ?

[scarfacesuit]

He sounds like a typical indie guy... "I don't listen to indie music".
What a tool...

[CryingNut]

"doesn't like guitar music and he never listens to "indie" bands"

But indie bands and guitar music do not necessarily go together. That sort of implies indie music = guitar based music which is obviously false. What makes a "guitar band" anyway...?
Sixth album right?, did his previous albums sound anything like "guitar music"?
Check out my 6th album its cool I finally decided to pursue my interest in guitarless music.

I dont like apples. Also I dont eat oranges.

[Baby Joel]

Reaper-Man wrote:

Ian Brown is talented right, he was in a band, WITH guitars, so WTF. But I agree, Indie musicians are shit, and should be put on a DVD or book called Guitar playing for dummies.

What a stupid statement. Guitar≠Musicianship.

[frnzd]

Also live he can't sing for shit. Was so horribly out of tune at Reading.

[Baconfish]

CryingNut wrote:But indie bands and guitar music do not necessarily go together. That sort of implies indie music = guitar based music which is obviously false.

Try telling that to the shiterag that is the NME, they're the ones that label him as an "indie icon". As far as they're concerned Indie is a genre of music played by bands that have nothing but songs about how awful their life is, oh woe is me, while they play jangly little chords on their all white telecasters with their awful haircuts and dressed like a Topman vomited on them.

[slaptasticdave]

who?

[AngryGoldfish]

Ian, that's why you're an Indie icon... because you don't listen to Indie. The fact of the matter is, the Indie artists that most people listen to these days are not actually Indie. They sound like every other band who wears square glasses, thin black ties on tight, white, collarless shirts with brown Rolling Stones shoulder bags.
Indie is not indie anymore. It's a fashion statement.

[Mike_Atherton]

AngryGoldfish :
Ian, that's why you're an Indie icon... because you don't listen to Indie. The fact of the matter is, the Indie artists that most people listen to these days are not actually Indie. They sound like every other band who wears square glasses, thin black ties on tight, white, collarless shirts with brown Rolling Stones shoulder bags.
Indie is not indie anymore. It's a fashion statement.

Unfortuantely everything is a fashion statement these days

[thedarkblues06]

Ikonoklast wrote:

A Warm Place wrote:
He was in the greatest British band of all time? I know this is all a matter of opinion, but come on, man. Led Zeppelin? Black Sabbath? The ****ing Beatles?
Yes, i said 'greatest', not 'most over-hyped by history/the media'.

Just pointing out that, umm...they were over-hyped by the media because everyone loved them and wanted to hear more about them and of their stuff...

Oh, and they had what? ONE hit in the Top 5...they couldn't even last long together for a recording contract.

Point: HARDLY, VERY HARDLY the greatest band.

[MusicMan24]

Well what the hell does he listen to then??? Lady Gaga? Kanye West? Regina Spektor???

[SumFX]

i assume he was on a major label when with the Stone Roses? that instantly means he was never indie!
Indie nowadays is a trend, a misenterpretation of what it used to be like Emo, Screamo, Hardcore, Punk etc.
ohh well, thats just the way it is nowadays.

[SumFX]

oh and one more thing, to the people who say "Indie is talentless shit" i would rather listen to The Libertines, Dirty Pretty Things, Arctic Monkeys, The Enemy etc than crappy boring Metal that is capitalised by losers who think all there is to music is soloing.
Loosen up people just because somethin is mainstream doesnt mean its bad!
id like to listen to some of your music, its most probably stereotypical unimaginative bollocks.
Stop being hypocrites.

[Johnathanmdean]

SumFX wrote:

oh and one more thing, to the people who say "Indie is talentless shit" i would rather listen to The Libertines, Dirty Pretty Things, Arctic Monkeys, The Enemy etc than crappy boring Metal that is capitalised by losers who think all there is to music is soloing.
Loosen up people just because somethin is mainstream doesnt mean its bad!
id like to listen to some of your music, its most probably stereotypical unimaginative bollocks.
Stop being hypocrites.

Indie isn't even half the scale of most music, I think the idea of people making music and talking like their stripped down ideas of music is sophisticated and good really need to rethink their ideas.

All personal opinion though.

[racman92]

GREENWARRI0R wrote:

"IM SO UNIQUE AND AWESOME! I DONT LIKE GUITARS AND INDIE! LISTEN TO MY NEW ALBUM GUYS!!!1"

that's basically what I got out of this article...

Same pretty much. I mean, I know a lot of people admire the guy, but as a guitarist and a fan of all music, this article annoyed the sh*t outta me. "Guitar bands, whoever they are". Is it just me, or did he pretty much just downplay every band out there with guitars? He had a decent album, and I'm not being ignorant, I just found him to be very arrogant.

[incubator]

yeah who the hell is ian brown?

pfft indie is pretty cool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZsANkG4JG8