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  #1  
Old 09-11-2010, 10:06
Tetsuo Tetsuo is offline
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Why does James smack himself when singing the verses?

Ever notice when James ain't playing guitar he tends to smack himself about the head...

Is this some kind of tribute to Richey or something? Restless hands syndrome?
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  #2  
Old 09-11-2010, 10:14
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I have no idea why he does this and wish he wouldn't. He hit himself in the face at Carlisle and I think he might have hurt himself a wee bit cos he was rubbing his jaw a couple of times after it
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Old 09-11-2010, 10:14
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Dude, what the fuck are you on about? I have never seen James smack himself about on stage
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Old 09-11-2010, 10:28
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Yeah I've sometimes wondered this. Just think maybe he's annoyed at something / himself or he's just weird haha! Amusing nonetheless.
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Old 09-11-2010, 10:31
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He always seems to do it during Motorcycle Emptiness!
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  #6  
Old 09-11-2010, 10:37
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I can't remember seeing him smack himself, but maybe it's to stop him becoming emotional about the gig? Paul McCartney is famous for bursting into tears and going all wonky voice when he performs certain songs live.
Has James only started doing this, or has it been going on for a while?
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Old 09-11-2010, 10:56
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Son of Stopped View Post
I can't remember seeing him smack himself, but maybe it's to stop him becoming emotional about the gig? Paul McCartney is famous for bursting into tears and going all wonky voice when he performs certain songs live.
Has James only started doing this, or has it been going on for a while?
i seemed to have only recently noticed it since last year, JPFL tour onwards, i'm sure there is evidence of it on TITP footage
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Old 09-11-2010, 12:10
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Dext37 Fielding Dext37 Fielding is offline
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ALL WE WANT FROM YOU ARE THE KICKS YOU *SMACK*

IT *NECK* WAS *NECK* NO *NECK* SURFACE BUT ALL FEELING

Just some examples i remember!
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Old 09-11-2010, 12:54
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Ooooh, this can be a part of the manics live gig drinking game.

Drink when:
James says "EH," or "Like," or "Y'know" or an old man phrase (i.e. "Jesus Holy Maroni")
James smacks self around
James forgets a lyric
Drunk fan shouts incorrect song title
Nicky proclaims James to be his "guitar hero"
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Old 09-11-2010, 13:03
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Marwood Marwood is offline
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He's been doing this for years now (I think the first time I really noticed it was Glastonbury '99) and it is one of my favourite things about James

Quite why he does it I've no idea - sometimes I think its just a funky Ian Curtis dance sort of thing, sometimes I wonder if its some sort of aid-to-memory, and often I've wondered if it is part of his whole "method actor" approach to music (and given that it tends to be the angrier songs where he does it, maybe I'm on to something there).

Regards,
Marwood.
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Old 09-11-2010, 13:12
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mafiamonroe mafiamonroe is offline
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It's probably just a mixture of adrenalin and excitement with a bit of nerves. He's a nervy sort of bloke as he's admitted and even when sitting for an interview he always twitches.
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Old 09-11-2010, 18:02
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mafiamonroe View Post
It's probably just a mixture of adrenalin and excitement with a bit of nerves. He's a nervy sort of bloke as he's admitted and even when sitting for an interview he always twitches.
I would say this to, the way he repeats certain phases aswell
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Old 10-11-2010, 11:18
Daniel Daniel is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mafiamonroe View Post
It's probably just a mixture of adrenalin and excitement with a bit of nerves. He's a nervy sort of bloke as he's admitted and even when sitting for an interview he always twitches.
This. James isn't the only one that does it
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Old 09-11-2010, 13:18
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It seems to me to be mostly since he stopped playing guitar in certain verses. He seems to do it more when he's not playing guitar, which would make sense as if you ask most guitarists to sing without a guitar and they feel a bit silly. So he does other stuff now, including beating himself about the face!
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Old 09-11-2010, 13:28
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This theard made me laugh so much.

My sister and I saw a gig from this year and he's smuck his face so many times it become amusing and I really hope he doens't hurt himself badly
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