View Full Version : Alphaville - a cult thing
davidhorizon
15 Nov 2000, 03:39
Lets face it. Alphaville isnt very popular. Most people dont know they still exist, or have ever existed. But thats not a bad thing. to me its actually a good thing. It kind of appeals to me, that a band i like, is not a mainstream band, and that their music isnt played on the radio constantly. It makes it more personal for me to be an alphaville fan. And it makes it sort of an underground cult thing.
And when once in a while, I actually see an alphaville video on tv, or hear a tune on the radio, it makes the experience so much greater, than if it happened every day.
I agree with you...
But personally I hear AV everyday on the radio...But that maybe depends on that I know the ones who´s talking in the radio, and I´ve told them about AV and how good they are...But I wouldn´t like to be just one in the crowd...To love AV is something that means very much for me, and hopefully for AV too...
MHSWEDE
16 Nov 2000, 09:42
I agree that being a fan of Alphaville is in a way very unique, at least in the United States. It's amazing how long it has been since I have heard an Alphaville song on the radio. Not since "Forever Young" and "Big in Japan" became popular in the US, (years after it was popular in Europe I might add), have I heard anything. I've never heard anything on the radio from "Afternoons in Utopia", "Breathtaking Blue" or even some of their latest music such as "Salvation". However, believe it or not, whether people are fans of the group, I am comforted that most recognize the song that has made Alphaville the generation setting group that it has been. True, I am often frustated by having to tell people the name of the group -most people recognize the song "Forever Young". I for one am both happy and disappointed at the same time that the group isn't more popular. I am looking forward to gettng "Prostitute" which I still have been unable to find - I only found " Stark Naked" by accident in a music store known for imported music.
Martin Harrison
I do prefer to be a fan of a band which is like AV, not a major band like Metallica or equals. The things surrounding the band, like for instance an "after-concert-party" of a "back-stage-visit" or a "suprise-visit" (!) at a fan weekend ... would not have been possible in my humble opinion when the band was "bigger" ... I love AV the way they are ... i think to me their present status it part of their charm :)
spacechild
21 Nov 2000, 12:57
I think it's a BIT sad though...like me, I've loved them since 1992, but I haven't even seen Forever Young on video. That's a bit sad. I think. On the other hand, I love that they are not mainstream, I love that they are a bit secret, and in that way, the fans they DO have, are soooooo devoted...like me. :)
Love and light
/Spacechild
No way our fanclub could have been running so well, and we could come so close to the band, if they had been on the chats today, so personally I´m quite satisfied with the way things are. Of course, it would be nice if Alphaville got an international hit today, but I don´t mind if they don´t. Also all the 2 parties in Berlin, the many times backstage after concerts, selling merchandise for the band at concerts and all that, would not have been possible if they were huge stars today.
do you really want to live forever ?
visit us at:
http://www.alphaville.org
davidhorizon
22 Nov 2000, 03:41
I remember the first time i saw Forever young. It was in 1995, and i havent seen Alphaville on tv, since 1984. It was a magical experience. I taped it and watched it probably 50 times that night. I had never felt the same about any other musicvideo before. Its not that the video is especially good. Its just that it felt so personal for me, as if they showed a musicvideo about ME.
Adiville
22 Nov 2000, 18:30
the first time i saw a video clip by AV was on the night before the concert in IL.
BIJ was on tv, i taped it and watched it all night (after i got back from the club where i met the live band...) :-)
it simply fricked me out !!!
@ville - forever and ever.
what a wonderful old topic.....
AV = cult thing! [smile2] indeed! [laugh]
It would be great to show some friends that make fun of me because of AV if they'd have a hit today. Lichtenfels is a quite good beginning *gg*
But after all it's not bad AV is a non-mainstream, (underground [laugh]) cult band.
FallenAngel
19 Aug 2003, 10:47
Let me say that the music of AV had a big influence in my live. And if they are international known or not, it stays the same for me.
Beside if they weren't that good, forums like this wouldn't exist!!
AV is LIFE!
Adiville
19 Aug 2003, 17:43
We really are a cult thing !
I mean, AV and us - the Utopians.
Think about it : we have such a big community, we go to concerts and have parties, we swap clips and cd's and pics, we have t-shirts, web sites... and yet.... many people sure that AV doesnt exist anymore !
So in a way, we live in our own AV world and i dont know about you but i LOVE it [party][beer]
Krapplund
19 Aug 2003, 19:25
My LIFE is ALPHAVILLE!!! [love][love]
Totally agree with you Adi. If Av were megastars, we wouldn't have the wonderful community that we have now. All down to Marian's vision...he's a genius [smile]
Adiville
19 Aug 2003, 23:26
For example : Depeche Mode.
They are mega mega stars, have huge huge fanclubs, huge concerts...
I mean, i used to see my ex's love to DM and he is a big fan but you know, he could only connect to what he saw online or on tv.....
He will probably never meet them in person, never be really involved....
A few years ago he went to Europe to see a concert. Saw the concert and went home.....
Or another friend of mine went from Israel to Turkey to their concert, she was at a press conference but she could only see DM from where she stood.....
If Marian knows that his fans came especially for him and are waiting for him somewhere - he will do anything to meet them !
For us, a concert usually means a party with the band [wink]
Marian knows our names - one by one !!!!!!
Sometimes when i talk to him we also talk about other utopians and he knows everyone !
So who needs AV to be mega stars ?! [laugh]
Not me for sure! I like the AV personal touch...[smile]
So, what did Marian say about me then Adi?? [laugh] j/k
Adiville
20 Aug 2003, 00:06
That you're a crazy brit but he is considering offering you a job as a live back singing vocalist during OTB [laugh]
By the way, at the party in Chemnitz - did he remember you and Clare from Belgium ?!
Im afraid that your the 3rd meeting next weekend will finally drive him crazy !!! [wink]
@ Adi
I wish!! [laugh].
If he did remember us he didn't say at the beginning, but he did by the end of the night...[laugh]. It was hard to get his attention anyway since the Germans hogged him all night [laugh]
Adiville
20 Aug 2003, 00:20
Yeah.....how dare they talk to each other in German when i cant understand a word !!!!!! [laugh]
absolutely agree with everything said before!
Of course there are times when it drives me crazy that people don`t know Alphaville except for Forever Young and Big in Japan, if at all, but I am very happy with how things are! I agree with the rest of you, I would much rather have the small but close following and the friends that come with it and the after-concert parties than for Alphaville to be huge! It makes you feel like you are part of a really small but elite group that recognizes something really magical, than being one with the masses.
As for it being a cult thing, maybe! Most of my friends gave up trying to understand, as they said, "Ignore Mags...it's just an Alphaville thing!" [laugh]
Adiville
23 Aug 2003, 00:39
"An Alphaville thing"........ I LIKE IT [wink][laugh]
During my flight back from Berlin to Israel i met a very nice couple in their late 40's - early 50's and we talked about our trips.
The came to see the city and were all excited about the love parade of course [laugh] and i told them about AV (what else ?!?).
They said that the name sounded familiar so i started to "sing" FY and the wife said : "yeah yeah ! i remember !"....
Finally i gave them one of those postcards i got at the party in Chemnitz.
Something to remember [wink]
That was a good point, Mags. Many times when I've discussed about Alphaville with many people they have said that there are only BIJ and FY that are good. That makes me feel so comfused and I ask them if they have heard SLAM, AVOL, DWM and so on...well, the titles itself don't usually say anything to them, but some people have heard about those songs right after I had sang those choruses to them.....or...at least I gave my best shot. [laugh]
Try living in the UK, where only a handful of people remember only BIJ and nothing else. Maybe one or two can remember the other UK releases, but you'd have to hunt them out - the words needle and haystack come to mind.
However, that will soon change...Kaz is on the scene...[smile]
Having said that, I still love the closeness we have to Marian and the guys...would we want to trade that for huge fame for them?
Does it really matter?
100 fans or 10000000 fans? What matters is what we think..
It matters to the UK fans whether we get Alphaville here for a tour or not. You can't have that without fans to support it.
Adiville
23 Aug 2003, 22:11
Thats what i love about my DJ friend - only at his parties i can listen to songs like : Elevator, Universal Daddy, Jet Set, AVOL, DWM......
Gotta love people who love AV [wink]
Dingerz
25 Aug 2003, 18:15
hey - you can meet and hang out with DM if you know all the right info heh.. :P But yes I admit, you have to jump through dog and pony hoops to find it all out and put up with all the political bullshite of the DM community.
Anyways, it doesn't matter how big a fanbase really is. We all know that album sales does not mean quality. I think it's really neat that Marian and Bernhard are close to their fans though - it is something I am not used to!
Anyways, I guess I'll be seeing a lot of you soon! I am all pumped! I leave for Germaany in 5 hours!!
Tara :)
quote:Originally posted by Kaz
It matters to the UK fans whether we get Alphaville here for a tour or not. You can't have that without fans to support it.
Of course.
But it there isn't enough people, that's a fact. Too bad maybe...AV has to get something out of it. even though I think 10 very supportive fans could be enough.
It's not just the fans that count - we need public support too to make it work and that's why we need promotion. 10 ticket sales won't bring Alphaville to the UK (although there are 40 of us) [laugh]
No matter - I'm working on it with Daniela...
quote:Originally posted by Kaz
It's not just the fans that count - we need public support too to make it work and that's why we need promotion. 10 ticket sales won't bring Alphaville to the UK (although there are 40 of us) [laugh]
No matter - I'm working on it with Daniela...
I know that 10 isn't enough. Not even 40!
At least 100-200! AT LEAST!
But when it comes to SUPPORTING, not attending, 10 is enough.
Supporting in what way then? Getting people to gigs is supporting AV isn't it?
Adiville
26 Aug 2003, 01:09
How many were we in Chemnitz ?
30-40 real fans ?
and there were about 5000 people in the crowd.....maybe even more.....
We jumped around with our t-shirts and made so much noise.....
I think we were VERY supportive [wink][laugh]
People were looking at us and i could see on their faces that they didnt think we were only crazy (that too of course!) but that it really meant something for us !
@ Adi
Yeah!! We made enough noise!! The people in front of me soon moved when they realised that we were true AV fans - after BIJ they gave up anyway, which proves my point about how much we in the UK need to get more support...we don't want people walking out of a gig after BIJ (the only Alphaville song anyone who isn't a fan in the UK knows)! [laugh]
You need special set-list for concerts in the UK. with BIJ last [smile2]
@ Alien
Yeah, that would sort it out!! [laugh]
FallenAngel
26 Aug 2003, 13:36
@Kaz
Remind me that when we are once in a gig together that I take place not in front of you, but the row after you!! (for my own safety....)... Hihihihi[approve]
quote:Originally posted by Kaz
Supporting in what way then? Getting people to gigs is supporting AV isn't it?
Supporting, by heart, emotionally.
Alphaville... They changed my world. "and changed the weather, now I wanna live forever"...
They are like my talisman if i can say that. I meet wonderful people...
Just... A great part in my heart. I love you, Alphaville!
@Icelin: You need to join us in the AV party in Berlin next august, you know [smile]
I agree with slam, you must join us, anyone who's new here. The Alphaville community is so cool, it is!
*has had a beer*
Alphaville, the Alphaville community and Berlin are so cool, they are! Can't wait for Berlin 2004!
*has had more than a beer but means every word*
Adiville
14 Dec 2003, 00:10
Me too !!!!!!!!!!!!
Probably EVERYONE will be there !!!!!!!
and me too - as long as it will be in August [wink][laugh]
so, AV is really a cult thing! [laugh]
@Slam, @Clare and everybody who is here! Thank you so much!
I think I really need to join to this party...
Yes, a cult thing, @Alien! [smile]
FallenAngel
14 Dec 2003, 12:19
Cult? It's more than that! This is friendship and love in his purest form!
imagine dark room full of smoke... light comes only from candles on the table... people sit around in the circle... and sing along to Romeos from DS07...
Adiville
14 Dec 2003, 22:50
@London people : lets do this next week [wink]
but first thing we gotta do - sing OTB togehter !!!!!!
Especially you - Kaz !!! [laugh]
@ Adi
You know it!! [laugh]
I agree, I can't wait!!!!
Adiville
17 Jan 2004, 13:23
I didnt know where exactly to write this so... here i go :
OH GOD, ALPHAVILLE - I LOVE YOU SO MUCH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just have these moments...[smile]
Krapplund
17 Jan 2004, 15:30
Oh...yeah!!!
OH GOD, ALPHAVILLE - I LOVE YOU SO MUCH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Adiville
17 Jan 2004, 16:08
[wink][thumbup][laugh][beer][love]
I'll join in then (but silently for now...) [beer] [love]
FallenAngel
17 Jan 2004, 17:47
quote:Originally posted by Krapplund
Oh...yeah!!!
OH GOD, ALPHAVILLE - I LOVE YOU SO MUCH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amen!
I agree!! *raises kriek glass*
I agree... [love]
*raises last glass of champagne*
Foolship1077
05 May 2008, 06:58
All Hail the Great AV!
(Reawakening the thread for all the others who entered the boards since the last post)
Loralai
05 May 2008, 23:28
Yes indeed! [smoke][beer]
*ariAna*
06 May 2008, 09:49
Ehm, frankly, I have some problems hailing someone ([wink] that bloody history's still casting shadows), but it's high time for a toast instead:
Cheers to the band and thanks for all the great music they gave us! [beer]
Good idea to dig up this threat after so many years, Foolship! [beer]
russharvey
06 May 2008, 23:52
personally, I do not think there is anything about Alphaville that fits any valid definition of a cult. I do believe however, that fans of Alphaville tend to be very passionate and loyal though that loyalty appears to be much tested as of late.........
Loralai
07 May 2008, 03:41
This creative adventure of Alphaville into the world of voice manipulation and electronic musical medium is a long stretch from what we fans recognize as the "Alphaville sound"h. If in fact this is to be the direction Alphaville takes in its evolution as a band then is it possible that we will be evolving into cult members as we remember the Alphaville of the past?
FallenAngel
07 May 2008, 07:45
Is it really an evolution or more a revolution?
Loralai
07 May 2008, 15:39
Fallen Angel, I would prefer to think of it as an evolution as that indicates a natural developmental change in their style whereas a revolution is an abrupt change made in response to an unacceptable ideal. Maybe it is a bit of both.
russharvey
07 May 2008, 15:44
well, we are talking about Marian here....... I think that there is a little rebel inside..... if not, then WEA would have gotten there way and we would have 5 albums just like the first one and I think Marian cannot do the same thing twice in a row. so I think you are right Loralai.... I think its a little of both.
Foolship1077
08 May 2008, 06:09
Fallen Angel, I would prefer to think of it as an evolution as that indicates a natural developmental change in their style whereas a revolution is an abrupt change made in response to an unacceptable ideal. Maybe it is a bit of both.
Come to think of it, we did hear a bit of both in TBB and Prostitute, didn't we? All those different styles and genres, more than just experimenting, wouldn't you say??
Loralai
09 May 2008, 01:03
We all must not forget Marian is experimenting creatively with us through his music - brilliant and devious- I love it.
Leningrad
11 May 2008, 21:17
I remember showing some AV to my friends in my high school, they hated it and told me to listen to some real music (linkin park , 9 inch nails, Kanye West)
Foolship1077
12 May 2008, 06:07
I was talking with a woman I work with today, and she told me her husband is big into '80s stuff and has quite an extensive selection. I told her to have him check out some of AV's stuff if he hasn't already.
Spread the word any way you can, says I!
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