Ambition was never the Pastels' strong suit, and luck was rarely on their side; as the group's members -- now including bassist Martin Hayward and drummer Bernice Simpson -- devoted their primary focus to their studies, new music appeared only sporadically and to little notice, on a seemingly random series of labels. After 1983's "I Wonder Why" was released on Rough Trade, they moved to Creation, where they hit their stride with the 1984 drone-pop gems "Something's Going On" and "A Million Tears." After one further single, 1985's "I'm Alright with You," the Pastels split with Creation, moving to the tiny Glass label. In 1986, their track "Breaking Lines" appeared on the influential C-86 collection assembled by the New Music Express, transforming the anorak movement into an overnight media sensation quickly accompanied by intense critical backlash.
Regardless of prevailing musical trends, however, the Pastels soldiered on: after recruiting one-time Shop Assistants keyboardist Aggi Wright, they recorded the 1986 single "Truck Train Tractor," followed by Crawl Babies and Comin' Through. Finally, in 1987 the group found time to assemble an LP, Up for a Bit with the Pastels, followed in 1988 by Suck on the Pastels, a collection of unreleased Creation-era material. In 1989, former Vaselines frontman Eugene Kelly and ex-Shop Assistant David Keegan joined the fold for Sittin' Pretty, the final LP to include Superstar, Hayward, and Simpson. The remaining duo of Pastel and Wright expanded to include Katrina Mitchell for the 1991 collaboration Jad Fair and the Pastels, followed by the 1994 EP Olympic World of Pastelism. Their third album, Mobile Safari, was released in 1995 by Domino in the U.K. (which began a long-running alliance) and Up Records in the U.S. It featured a lineup including longtime band associates Norman Blake and Gerald Love (both from Teenage Fanclub) and ex-Shop Assistant guitarist David Keegan, and a guest appearance from Luna's Dean Wareham.
Their next album, 1997's Illumination, was issued by the same configuration of record labels and featured a similar lineup, only with the addition of guitarist Jonathan Kilgour and guest shots from Belle & Sebastian's Isobel Campbell and pianist Bill Wells. A remix album, Illuminati, was released in 1998 and featured reworks of tracks by Kevin Shields, Stereolab, Cornelius, and other A-list indie rockers. This burst of recognition and activity was derailed when Wright decided to leave the band in 1998, throwing Mitchell and Pastel into a spin. Instead of jumping back into making music right away, the band went on hiatus while figuring things out. The duo next formed Geographic Records in 2000 as an offshoot of Domino, and began releasing records by friends (Future Pilot AKA, International Airport) and obscure acts (Nagisa Ni Te, Maher Shalal Hash Baz.) The band reappeared at last in 2003 with the mostly instrumental soundtrack for the film The Last Great Wilderness. The album was produced by the Sea and Cake's John McEntire and featured International Airport's Tom Crossley along with a vocal feature for Jarvis Cocker. A friendship with Japanese band Tenniscoats led to their next release, 2009's collaborative effort Two Sunsets. The core band was expanded to include Crossley and Mitchell's sister Alison, with Love still there, too. With the record label slowing its pace and releasing one album a year, the band turned toward recording an album of their own, and in 2013 their fifth record, Slow Summits, was released. McEntire was again in the producer's chair and guitarist John Hogarty had joined the ranks. Also on board as guests were To Rococo Rot's Stefan Schneider and Robert Lippok, as well as Norman Blake (again), and original bandmember Annabel Wright. (c)Jason Ankeny
2) An American 50s pop group formed by Dee Irwin while he was serving in the military. Consisted of DiFosco "Dee" T. Ervin Jr. himself, Richard Travis, Tony Thomas and Jimmy Willingham. They toured widely until splitting up in 1959.
Basement Scam
The Pastels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Those landmarks that you've missed
When your life is such a social whirl
I am still
I can't stand
Those basement scams you plan
Can't say that you're heart won't land
Your guitar is lying broke
Your friends think it's all a joke
Rundown glam, basement scam
I can't stand
Those basement scams you plan
Can't say that you're heart won't land
When it will
You drove an old sports car
Maybe thought that you would break some hearts
Seems mad, basement scam
What's the plan? Basement scam?
The lyrics of The Pastels' song Basement Scam expresses a feeling of detachment and disillusionment towards a person who is living a life of social status and indulging in empty pursuits, while the singer is still trying to find their place in the world. The opening lines "I can't twist, those landmarks that you've missed, When your life is such a social whirl, I am still" highlights the disconnect between the two individuals. The singer cannot relate to the person's experience because they lead such different lives - one is caught up in a social whirlwind, while the other is still and stationary.
The song's title, Basement Scam, alludes to a sense of inauthenticity and deception. The singer cannot stand the basement scams that the other person plans, which can possibly refer to the person's pursuit of shallow and meaningless activities. The lyrics "Your guitar is lying broke, your friends think it's all a joke, Rundown glam, basement scam" further symbolize the insincerity of the person's actions. They are trying to project a glamorous lifestyle, but it is all a facade. The line "What's the plan? Basement scam?" at the end of the song is a rhetorical question, suggesting that the listener also questions the authenticity of the person's intentions.
Overall, Basement Scam is a song that highlights the feeling of disconnection with someone who leads a life of status but indulges in shallow pursuits.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't twist
I am unable to manipulate or contort, possibly referring to a lack of ability to join in with the social scene.
Those landmarks that you've missed
The notable events or experiences that you have failed to participate in or understand.
When your life is such a social whirl
The fast-paced and eventful lifestyle you lead, surrounded by people and activities.
I am still
Despite your busy schedule, I remain inactive or uninvolved.
I can't stand
I am unable to tolerate or bear something, possibly referring to shady or dishonest schemes.
Those basement scams you plan
The deceitful and fraudulent activities that you intend to carry out, using possibly a basement as a base of operations.
Can't say that your heart won't land
It is uncertain whether you will get caught or be unsuccessful in your ventures, no matter how heartless or ruthless you may be.
When it will
Although uncertain, there is a possibility for you to succeed in your schemes, which may be attributed to luck or cunningness.
Your guitar is lying broke
Your musical instrument is damaged and non-functional, possibly reflecting your lack of ability or talent in music.
Your friends think it's all a joke
Those close to you regard your attempts at music or other pursuits as humorous or ridiculous, and do not take them seriously.
Rundown glam, basement scam
The shabby or unimpressive appearance of your attempts at glamour, accented by your dishonest and underhanded schemes
You drove an old sports car
You owned and operated a vehicle that is typically associated with luxury and speed, but is outdated and obsolete.
Maybe thought that you would break some hearts
Perhaps you believed that using your car would impress others or make them envious, leading to admiration and romantic attention.
Seems mad, basement scam
The illegitimate and illogical scheme seems to be insane or unreasonable, with a high probability of failure or repercussions.
What's the plan? Basement scam?
What is your scheme or strategy? Is it yet another deceptive and fraudulent plot?
Contributed by Makayla O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marcos Figueroa
I can't twist
Those landmarks that you've missed
When your life is such a social whirl
I am still
I can't stand
Those basement scams you plan
Can't say that you're heart won't land
When it will
Your guitar is lying broke
Your friends think it's all a joke
Rundown glam, basement scam
I can't stand
Those basement scams you plan
Can't say that you're heart won't land
When it will
You drove an old sports car
Maybe thought that you would break some hearts
Seems mad, basement scam
What's the plan? Basement scam?
citylims
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