Here’s an article I wrote for normal people about a band they’ve never heard of. It’s about all the Vampire Weekend haters and what they’re not getting about this amazing band.
New York City is for the rich and the young. If you’re not either of those things, get out now while you still can. Those who stay are doomed to sitting in a tiny apartment all alone and bitching about rich kids in love. This is what the majority of my friends do. They gripe about mythical trust fund hipsters who are into fashion and partying and other shallow pursuits. It reminds me of tough guys from the 50s using “pretty boy” as a derogatory term. You realize you just called that guy young and attractive, right?
No group of flippant and happy kids sums up this vacuum of hate more than Vampire Weekend. They are a New York band from the right side of the tracks that sing about pretty girls and having fun and sometimes they even do it using African music! Can you even wrap your head around the blasphemy? “I miss old New York” the forgotten geriatrics moan before mumbling, “These guys are ripping off black music so they can do coke with socialites.” (Are there any American bands that aren’t ripping off black music?)
I personally never understood someone complaining about someone else having money. Music snobs vilified The Strokes because they came from money. The singer’s father owns a modeling agency and therefore their songs suck. The people who did this complaining were middle class kids from small town America who moved to New York for exactly the kind of scene The Strokes created. The real beef with these bands is “They made something and I didn’t so they must have cheated.”
In the case of Vampire Weekend however, there is a much bigger picture their critics don’t get. The band’s singer comes from Bronxville High School, which is in the affluent suburb of Westchester, New York. Thousands of children lost their parents on 9-11 but this school was hit particularly hard due to the disproportional number of parents who worked in finance. On the actual day, the school became a temporary bunker where hundreds of kids waited for parents who never came. Later that year, at their graduation ceremony, almost half the kids were staring out at a proud mother who was also a grieving widow. This led to a whole new generation of hedonism and apathy. They didn’t kill themselves but they turned to a smorgasbord of prescription pills my generation never had access to. Cocaine regained a popularity it hadn’t seen since the 80s and friends disappeared into the city where they could really focus on their addiction. Money often does a lot more damage to young people than drugs and these kids were left with inheritances that meant they’d never have to work again. Why get sober?
In the midst of this limitless self-abuse, there was a group of kids who veered in the opposite direction and embraced an almost sappy optimism. They swore off drugs, went back to school and some even embraced religion. This scene is the opposite of punk rock and instead of screaming about “No future,” they sang, “You can turn your back on the bitter world.” I saw Vampire Weekend play at East River Park when they first started and although the turnout was paltry, every single person there was dancing. This is what people don’t get. This band is about young people enjoying life—no matter what. They aren’t simply saying, “Put down the champagne, let’s go play tennis.” They’re saying, “Put down the razor blade, let’s go play tennis.”
It’s almost impossible for bitter, old New Yorkers to feel sympathy for rich white kids, especially when said kids are doing well and enjoying themselves. I find Vampire Weekend inspiring and thoroughly enjoy their carefree music and I’m not alone. The first single from their new album (the one about the bitter world) debuted at number one and the band is headlining the music festival Coachella with Jay- Z. This success will only make the bitter backlash more furious but like all adults complaining, the kids won’t hear it. They’re too busy having fun.
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED HERE.
i liked them better before i read all this crap.
Too bad their songs are terrible.
And they aint punk.
If you wanna be the next big thing, you have to be a band that looks like Vampire Weekend but sounds like Pantera. DON’T QUESTION ME! JUST FUCKING DO IT! Rick Rubin and Malcom McLaren would be jerking off to this dream band right about now.
fuck yeah gavin!!!!!!
the nipple guitar scene has been done before, total fad-core, kinda bummed to see it’s back. someone needs to get it together what with the forthcoming electroclash and surf band fad that’s coming up soon.
I usually laugh at your stuff, but you’re missing the point of the grumbles.
It’s not “The singer’s father owns a modeling agency and therefore their songs suck.” It’s “This guy is a privileged pretty-boy, and I really don’t believe any tough guy bullshit he has to say. It’s affect. It’s phony, cultivated suffering.”
Yeah, he’s young and good looking – and his troubles don’t seem like troubles to me. That’s what songs and stories are about right? Trouble? Conflict?
I just think they’re pussies.
Man, I imagine you to be insufferably pretentious.
I’m cool with that.
What “tough guy bullshit” do the Strokes purport in their music?
They’re no Slayer. Or belle and sebastian for that matter.
I was talking about Gavin, but I liked your response.
Can I still dislike them if I’ve never lived in New York and couldn’t give a wank about kids from Westchester?
If young-person-music gets thumbs up from 50-somethings the way Vampire Weekend’s music does, it’s not good young-person-music.
Also, young-person-music is always better when it comes from very ugly dudes.
Yeah Godfrey, you’d have to listen to them or something.
They built an entire aesthetic on an invented kind of SE Hinton World – they are wannabe Greasers. And Vampire Weekend are wanna be Socials…
who cares that they’re rich and rip off black music, they just write shitty songs and the singer is intolerable
I like them. They sound like garage demos from The Police. A band could do far worse.
between das racist and vampire weekend i just hope gavin’s music tastes are based on what he knows will troll the most of his readers
You young punks better turn that rock music down.
I still prefer the Arctic Monkeys. It´s the same old story.
the Monkeys are real talented and have zits
if you’re gonna act like normal people don’t “get” vampire weekend, you’re bugging. that band is the perfect amount of watered down cool for normal people. not that they aren’t catchy. but if you’re pumping vampire weekend for being cool and misunderstood, you might as well get down with kings of leon too….. stop being gay
I like Vampire Weekend, but don’t they sound like a band that would play in a shitty mid 90′s Robin Williams movie at the end where he bonds with his kids at some show? and they’re all dancing around like enormous cunts?
Gavin, you must be broke
This article smacks mostly of self-conscious justification. Plus, I have no idea why this band re-released Paul Simon’s “Graceland” twice in a row.
So which is it Gav? Are you young or rich?
Also, you should check out the new Tool record. The shit is UNDERGROUND!
Why waste time “hating” bands like this?
Personally, I’m busy getting high and getting laid
Admittedly, vampy weekender is not playing in the background
This is the same old same old Gavin has preached to us about 4 or 5 different times. “Hipsters are just kids you wish you were.” “Hipsters won’t argue back because they’re too busy getting laid and having a good time.” Same old thing. That said, I have to agree with him.
rich white people are the reason the world is going to shit.
I’m not interested in new music
Thanks Gavin. Dead on, and gives my love of this band some more context. Haters can go wallow in the shit and die, like they apparently want to.
this is right up there with the “250,000 is not a lot of money” post.
Vampire Weekend is awful and this post is awful. At least when you were pumping sleigh bells a few months ago I could laugh, but this is just sad.
Haters are the best in bed.
Check out Dinner With Kevin now thats a great band.
This is why I hate music critics, they feel they have the right to just shit on some band for not being in the right income tax bracket for the music they play. PUNK IS FUCKING DEAD!! Get over it, if you cant get over it go be a fucking crusty.
Radtooth you’re a critic because you don’t love yourself. I hope you get raped for a few minutes one day.
i spent my morning listening to burzum and ulver and then I listened to the best of NYC golden era hip hop.
WHAT THE FUCK IS YOUR POINT?
yeah i don’t get the good looking = no problems thing, as if ugly people are the only ones with problems and therefore songwriting/creative abilities. pretty sure all the haters will say bob dylan was great and dude came from a supportive suburban family.
the old “i’m going to pick something uncool and say i think its cool to be cooler than the people who think it’s uncool trick.” actually, the trick never gets old. flip the script you fucking kcuf.
Wow. A whole article justifying why you like a band that sounds like a bunch of gaping vaginas.
“I’m cool, I swear!! Everyone, read this and it will tell you why I’m cool!!”
what about music that looks towards fixing problems and not just throwing a big ol’ “hey enjoy yourself” blanket over it? that’s the fucking problem with this society. we look at things as either being depressed or happy, and not actually productive. Nick Thorburn called everybody out on this shit with Arm’s Way, and everyone responded with “Vampire Weekend did it better”.
hedonism is just a quick fix, and a lazy one at that.
Vampire Weekend is some boomer shit son.
cash register sound
fuck yeah I want some music that solves problems. “Do you got that new track by jigga that changes the oil in your car?” “Naw, Im Still jammin this old Kanye shit that repaints the trim on my roof.”
*couugh*
*couu-Wes Anderson-uugh*
God dammit Gavin, this is gay.
Weirdly, I had pretty much this exact same argument last night.
I don’t hate them cuz they’re rich. I hate them cuz their songs are dogshit.
Do a radio show with them. I’d listen to it.
I agree with the idea that the rich can make great music–but the rest of this is pretty atrocious. The paragraph about Bronxville High School sounds like a teary apologia for a bunch of Bret Easton Ellis characters.
Let’s have some more posts about ska music.
I would like rich people if I were one of them. Otherwise I’ll just party with them and steal their drugs, but still judge them.
And Vampire Weekend is really gay, they would even be kinda gay if they were poor from the projects or whatever people like to call the poor side of town.
The rich/poor thing is never gonna go away so fuck it, live with it “new boomers (Gavin).”
awful
fuck rich white people. especially the ones from the east coast and the south. they can all suck my fat dick and kill themselves.
The problem with rich kids making bands is that with the money they possess they have the power and ability to do a lot more good in the world than make happy music. Why don’t they start some sort of charity, get young generations into politics, build and support an arts block that can help artists/musicians that aren’t rich?
Music is good for the middle class and poor because it has the ability to be their ticket out of boring poor mediocrity.
But yeah, all that aside…I just don’t really like their sound. Makes me feel like a beach douche. They should have done what all the other rich stupid kids do…become DJ’s.
i’m not too surprised at the backlash, but it’s a little upsetting. they write perfect music to get stoned and vibe too. of course its a taste thing so all the Skrewdriver and mobb deep people will never get it because their credibility is on the line and granted alot of fags like vampire weekend and they play it in the gap, but damned if it ain’t good music to fuck and get strange to. all non paul simon/ graceland fans can also eat a dick.
Jesus, when Arv says something is gay, it must be GAY.
When I want pussy white people music, I listen to the Smoking Popes. “Don’t be a pussy all your life.”
seriously. anyone who “vibes” to anything should be dragged behind pauly shore’s trailer and shot in the face for crimes against hackey sack and stuff.
Boring conventions.
Thank you for shedding light on that post-9/11 situation. I was actually completely unaware of that, and that actually makes a lot of sense.
This still doesn’t really change my view on Vampire Weekend; I like Cousins, and A-Punk, but that’s about it.
The reason I don’t like the music is because it really is the antithesis of what a young person should be listening to. Yes, the band are educated and make ‘smart’ pop music, and that’s fine. But I feel that Vampire Weekend should be a band for 35 years old and older.
Give me an act like Be Your Own Pet or Andrew WK any day. Far from Nihilistic, they have a no holds barred, take life by the scruff of its neck, party attitude. This may encompass drug abuse (for me it does not), but this is largely irrelevant when it’s not being used as a form of self-medication.
I just feel this is the only time in a persons life when they can go balls out, so why not do it.
When I have kids of my own, and I’m sitting at home reading the sunday paper, then maybe I will listen to VW, otherwise, no thank you.
Though, I will say I am happy to hear some kids embracing a lifestyle that is free from vices, even if they do make shitty music.
I think people don’t like them for their upbringings, but for their shitty music. Sure, the subject matter may be awesome, but the doody music doesn’t make me care.
you’re such a loser it’s insane. what the fuck is wrong with you. fuck off and die no one needs you for anything. shut up. im not reading this site anymore. ur a fucking square
I went to high school with one member of VW . what a miserable asshole. VW has some catchy tunes but i just cant enjoy the music. it ruins the ‘happy, fun vibe’ when the person making it is a total cunt.
vat iz dees vampeer weekend? i only leesten to beethoven?
amazing.
dont read the comments
awesome writing / article
really cool, really well done, nothing to do with the band or the music
im starting to sound like a fucking suck ass
but its anonymous so whatever really
actually im not done *slow down, you’re posting comments too fast*
but this whole thing about turning your back on the bullshit is WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT
the only people that GET SHIT DONE are the ones who do this
the people who comment here, in the majority, are not these kinds of people. its really as simple as that. really.
would looooove to see what all the negativity-generators actually DO with themselves, im guaranteeing its NOT A LOT.
i’ll put fucking money on it. money i dont have. i will BORROW MONEY to bet that most of the dickheads on here DONT DO FUCKING SHIT with themselves, hence the neverending stream of bullshit.
im not “railing against” it, or upset about it, the stream of nothingness or whatever, i just have a few minutes to kill, and
i just cant believe this shit. have you noticed / unnoticed, how theres not all these dicks tapping away under the posts about parties / events / happenings etc..? thats because comment-dicks DONT GO OUT… and when the do they have a FUCKING SUCKY TIME.
i reckon i could kick your arses too.
im in hackney, get at me.
draw for the leng
gavins famous musical insight: Zwan will be huge!
Zwan? Billy Corgans bed folds itself in the morning….Wait a minute was that a diss?
They sound like Paul Simon’s Graceland meets Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello, the Knack & them other early 80s post-punk pop tunesmiths written for uncles. Anyhow, i think Gavin is arguing with himself here, like young self vs. old self or some shit.
I don’t care if they’re annoying and if Ezra Koenig is hot, they’re still grating to my ears
I meant brilliant, fuck. they’re so annoying they make me mess up sentences
Gavin you are still young at heart. You continue to get the kids and remain relevant. Seriously.
boner alert http://galleries.purple-diary.com/assets/851037b8-134a-11df-ade1-404010b179cd
Gavin really has become a marketing/ad man. At least he’s being somewhat transparent about it now. Those poor kids from Westchester. Poor, poor kids.
‘After watching Zwan play their past eight shows it becomes obvious they are going to be huge’
Dont write about music , Gavin. You dont have a fucking clue.
I wish all of those kids had picked up razor blades and killed themselves like their fuckhead, greedy fathers that helped ruin our country. Fuck VW and all rich new yorkers.
For the record-the first LP had 3 or 4 great songs, M79 or whatever is Royal Tennebaum brilliance. but Contra fucking sucks.
unrelated i would def punch them all int eh face if i saw them
Zwan may have been huge if they didnt break up after one album.
This is all so gay you guys are lucky that im bored and writing kaka on here. I will beat off on the back of your head while you sleep.
eat the rich
Well put, gavin.
I wasn’t expecting such a positive article, but I liked it. Maybe because I’m biased and I like Vampire Weekend (also, none of my friends do), but I do get them.
good read.
That’s fine gavin but their music is horrible
music is packaging, not the quality of the sound or formal intergrity or any of htat dinosaur shit
Fuck vampire weekend and I’m not from new York.
VW is not a band, they’re a brand
I don’t remember Crass or Minor Threat coming packaged w/ a cute back story/look/”vibe”
Then again, Fucked Up let the lead singing pretend like he was punk on stage w/ them, even though he was wearing dockers and izod. More proof that everything sucks.
well, that’s a nice little context to put them in but it doesn’t mean this band doesn’t still fucking blow and look obnoxious… in a way i don’t care though, if people are into them and dress like them it’s an easy stereotype that saves me a lot of good judging time
Born Ruffians are way better.
^^ Canada, and more importantly, Toronto, does not back this comment.
If you like Paul Simon and Death Cab for Cutie you will wanna bang Vampire Weekend.
booooooring
Gavin panders to the Street Carnage target audience yet again. You could’ve knocked me over with a hipster.
Okie doke, The Soft Pack is way better.
vampire weekend is so gay…i like this site less now for posting this stupid shit….start caring about bands that matter ,,,,like Ununi
vampire WEAK-end!!! get it?
seriously though, i h8 culture vultures. rich people dont come up with anything cool. they either rip everything off from the poor or jump on the bandwagon/moneytrain and get richer off it. why do you think people with shitloads of money spend shitloads of money trying to look like they have no money?
old man mcinnes aint so square after all!
this is like a commercial where old people drink pepsi and they start breakdancing and doing kickflips and wearing raybans and saying “righteous!”
http://www.abeano.com/blog/new-vampire-weekend-ruby-soho-rancid-cover-and-minimix
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I like kings of leon first two albums. Take that snobs!
that entire paragraph about Bronxville is 100% factually inaccurate
Hail Boognish
you ‘tards are still talking about ska?
super ghey
the only good band is, horse – the band. I am not from that band.
I am pretty sure the lead singer of Vampire Weekend grew up in Jerz, glen ridge high. not nearly as wasp-y and affluent as bronxville. just curious.
Nah, brah, Vampy Weekend sux.
The third and fourth paragraphs of this article are two of the most poorly formulated pieces of writing I have ever read in my entire life.
[...] destroy bands like the Talking Heads and the whole, “Let’s not kill ourselves” attitude is unprecedented. The new M.I.A. song “Born Free” sounds like everything Bow Wow Wow and X-Ray Spex were trying [...]
I propose that we all come together like buttcheeks!
Actually I dont… you all are fags
The “Let’s not kill ourselves” attitude is NOT unprecedented.
One of countless examples: Katrina and the Waves’s “Walking On Sunshine”.
Also, MIA’s latest song does not sound like what X-Ray Specs were trying to do, it sounds like what Suicide was successfully doing.
There is nothing even slightly appealing about their music whatsoever. I don’t give a shit what they’re singing about, the music is fucking terrible.
I can not believe how incredibly shitty Vampire Weekend is. They’re all style and absolutely no substance. Their music is extremely repetitive and simple. No one with a penis should be listening to this kind of whiney fucking trash. I cannot stress enough how fucking gay this band is.