The Roches must be one of the most under-rated, under-celebrated bands there ever was. I've been obsessed with all kinds of music my whole life, but it has taken me 41 years to find them (despite the fact that I've listened to the Wainwrights/McGarrigles (especially Loudon) for decades). The shortcut to realising their genius is to just listen to Hammond Song - one of the most extraordinary songs I've ever heard - but they offer much more than just that work of genius.
I met a musician I'd been talking to on a forum for a while at a party they'd got together and introduced him to the Hammond Song and it stunned him. Julliard should replace one of the entrance pieces with it because it really shows what you should know.
I've been a fan since their SNL appearance in 1979. I think they were a few years ahead of the 80s Indie Rock scene (Indigo Girls, 10000 Maniacs) and unfortunately, woman bands had trouble finding success in the male dominated and sexist music industry. They were amazing.
Btw- it was a peak period. Another World Tour's show built w/respect for SOUND; now it's a parking lot. I was lucky to see them a decade later - Miami w/Brother Dave opening & Ma Roche proudly running a merch table that was full of the Christmas lps- they'd have sold out box lots of ALL titles to people who were w/out other titles. Sadly, I guess it's too late a suggestion now. I don't know what broke up Suzy & Loudon Wainwright |||, but I hope he wasn't a fool- looking around..
I love the Roches !!!!!!! Still !!!!!!!! The first time I saw them, One of them was pregnant and wore a big purple rabbit outfit with giant ears on the stage. That afternoon they probably got 5,000 new fans.
As Terre and Sudzy revealed in a 2021 interview they spent a day or many hours on 3 part harmony for each song. Yet every performance is a nuanced revelation of harmony. Many cheers.
I saw them at The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane many years ago. When they performed Hammond Song, Robert Fripp walked on, played the guitar solo and walked off again. Support was from Ivor Cutler, performing Scenes From A Scottish Drawing Room. A wonderful evening.
One Season is such a funny, clever and brilliant song. It's so hard to sing those atonal harmonies that represent the bad part of a relationship. They deserve far more acclaim!
Oh my, crikey. I actually remember seeing this on the BBC when I was flicking channels to find something to watch. And I taped it on a reel to reel tape recorder with a hand held microphone. Kind of followed them ever since.
I think this was my first exposure to The Roches. My brother, Pete, and I were hooked, right away.. Great songs, and the way the voices worked together.. Great!
I used to tape shows & wound up next to a Rundgren fan w/the same equipment as me (a good thing when Yrs is snagged at the door 'til the end!) & we sat next to each other for the Quiet. I spent the night at his house - MAKING TAPES, W/TRUST OF A STRANGER AS HE SLEPT! I wish I could find that Gent- The WAX MUSEUM DC '84 WAS AMAZING & SEATED IN THE LAST ROW, CENTER FOR BALANCE, I USED TO LISTEN TO THAT SHOW DRIVING AROUND THE COUNTRY ALL THE TIME!! IT WAS RELEASABLE! I WASN'T KIDDING RE THEIR MAKING PEOPLE TURN HEADS L/R TO SAY (SILENTLY) 'DO YOU FEEL THIS‽ EVERY HAIR ON MY ARMS IS AT ATTENTION {DURING CERTAIN SONGS}!!' NO LIE
Great minds think alike ! I just uploaded this one tonight in memory of Maggie. Only the first 30 mins so far...but Part Two to follow. I have a copy of the BBC tape, and if I recall, it has the Q&A session after the broadcast version. Anyway, here's to you !
I think maybe I shouldn't have put BBC in the title....see if you can watch the second part which I am uploading now, but probably won't be through until the morning over here. I'll leave out the BBC reference this time. If all else fails I'll try and send you a DVD copy in the mail :-)
Hi, Fexobs...7 years on from this original discussion..did you ever upload Part Two? I must admit I can't find your Part One, either..it would be great to see the entire TV show, with the opening titles and interviews and maybe more songs. Any chance of that?
The Roches must be one of the most under-rated, under-celebrated bands there ever was. I've been obsessed with all kinds of music my whole life, but it has taken me 41 years to find them (despite the fact that I've listened to the Wainwrights/McGarrigles (especially Loudon) for decades). The shortcut to realising their genius is to just listen to Hammond Song - one of the most extraordinary songs I've ever heard - but they offer much more than just that work of genius.
I met a musician I'd been talking to on a forum for a while at a party they'd got together and introduced him to the Hammond Song and it stunned him. Julliard should replace one of the entrance pieces with it because it really shows what you should know.
I've been a fan since their SNL appearance in 1979. I think they were a few years ahead of the 80s Indie Rock scene (Indigo Girls, 10000 Maniacs) and unfortunately, woman bands had trouble finding success in the male dominated and sexist music industry. They were amazing.
They had the venue shaking in DC from the harmonics vocalized & every hair stood up reaching for or saluting to that sound.
Btw- it was a peak period. Another World Tour's show built w/respect for SOUND; now it's a parking lot. I was lucky to see them a decade later - Miami w/Brother Dave opening & Ma Roche proudly running a merch table that was full of the Christmas lps- they'd have sold out box lots of ALL titles to people who were w/out other titles. Sadly, I guess it's too late a suggestion now.
I don't know what broke up Suzy & Loudon Wainwright |||, but I hope he wasn't a fool- looking around..
I was able to see The Roaches at The Phantasy Theatre in Lakewood Ohio when they toured their 1st album…3000 seater…it was……stunning.
These girls could harmonize!!! Wow…. Totally underrated!!
I love the Roches !!!!!!! Still !!!!!!!! The first time I saw them, One of them was pregnant and wore a big purple rabbit outfit with giant ears on the stage. That afternoon they probably got 5,000 new fans.
Brilliant, engaging and charming.
As Terre and Sudzy revealed in a 2021 interview they spent a day or many hours on 3 part harmony for each song. Yet every performance is a nuanced revelation of harmony. Many cheers.
Suzzie
I saw them at The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane many years ago.
When they performed Hammond Song, Robert Fripp walked on, played the guitar solo and walked off again.
Support was from Ivor Cutler, performing Scenes From A Scottish Drawing Room.
A wonderful evening.
Lucky you. I never saw this phenomenal trio live. Ivor Cutler, that takes me back.
Sounds like a fab, unforgettable gig - both The Roches and Ivor are vastly underrated.
You lucky sod ! The Roches + Cutler ! Must have been one hell of a night .
So much fun being had!! Wonderful!!
One Season is such a funny, clever and brilliant song. It's so hard to sing those atonal harmonies that represent the bad part of a relationship. They deserve far more acclaim!
Oh my, crikey. I actually remember seeing this on the BBC when I was flicking channels to find something to watch. And I taped it on a reel to reel tape recorder with a hand held microphone. Kind of followed them ever since.
I think this was my first exposure to The Roches. My brother, Pete, and I were hooked, right away.. Great songs, and the way the voices worked together.. Great!
❤❤💔
I saw them at Universal L.A. I had no idea who I was going to see. Great concert
I loved them going on 40 years. Thank you so much for this!
I used to tape shows & wound up next to a Rundgren fan w/the same equipment as me (a good thing when Yrs is snagged at the door 'til the end!) & we sat next to each other for the Quiet. I spent the night at his house - MAKING TAPES, W/TRUST OF A STRANGER AS HE SLEPT! I wish I could find that Gent- The WAX MUSEUM DC '84 WAS AMAZING & SEATED IN THE LAST ROW, CENTER FOR BALANCE, I USED TO LISTEN TO THAT SHOW DRIVING AROUND THE COUNTRY ALL THE TIME!! IT WAS RELEASABLE! I WASN'T KIDDING RE THEIR MAKING PEOPLE TURN HEADS L/R TO SAY (SILENTLY) 'DO YOU FEEL THIS‽ EVERY HAIR ON MY ARMS IS AT ATTENTION {DURING CERTAIN SONGS}!!' NO LIE
Fantastic! I never saw such a good, long video of their act from those days. Thank you for posting it here.
wonderful to see them then and now. crazy how burned into my brain & soul these harmonies are.
This is prob the most Creative Song ever written? "we don't give our phone numbers. . . " Harmony w/ lots of Fun! 10X The Best!!
They were great.
I love the Roches, all of what they do. But if you're here for The Hammond Song, skip to 28:20
Amazing.
Magnificent.
What a gem, thanks a big bunch for uploading.
It’s great to see this again.
Thank you.
This was beautiful 💙
32:00....wow....I miss you, Maggie.
This is pure gold!
Great minds think alike ! I just uploaded this one tonight in memory of Maggie. Only the first 30 mins so far...but Part Two to follow. I have a copy of the BBC tape, and if I recall, it has the Q&A session after the broadcast version. Anyway, here's to you !
i tried to watch yours, but i get a copyright warning notice when i try to watch it. i'm in the USA. i'd love to see a better quality rip.
I think maybe I shouldn't have put BBC in the title....see if you can watch the second part which I am uploading now, but probably won't be through until the morning over here. I'll leave out the BBC reference this time. If all else fails I'll try and send you a DVD copy in the mail :-)
I've changed the title of the first part and uploaded the second part. Hope you enjoy.
Hi, Fexobs...7 years on from this original discussion..did you ever upload Part Two? I must admit I can't find your Part One, either..it would be great to see the entire TV show, with the opening titles and interviews and maybe more songs. Any chance of that?
christ ... help me