The reason is not due to artistic differences or lack of wanting to continue, nor any health issues as both Meg and Jack are feeling fine and in good health.
It is for a myriad of reasons, but mostly to preserve What is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
DUN, DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN, DUN (REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT): The White Stripes are no more. From Meg & Jack's [properly apostrophed? it's not "Meg's and Jack's," is it?] statement:
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As I noted on Twitter and Facebook earlier today, the White Stripes are a cultural phenomonon that I just do not get. It's a not very good garage band.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing them at the Metro, sometime in the 1990's, opening for Sleater Kinney. (Wow, checking around that looks like that was back in 2000, going by this Flickr picture.) Not saying they're the best band ever, but they were pretty rocking that night.
ReplyDeleteBut Jack White I'll always think of as being responsible for the best album of 2004, his and Loretta Lynn's Van Lear Rose.
I love the White Stripes, but I like the Raconteurs better. Particularly the second CD. So although the White Stripes will remain historically great, the Raconteurs will continue to kick out the music that I want and need in their stead.
ReplyDeleteSad, but not surprised, at the news. As more time passed since Icky Thump came out in summer 2007, it became less likely that there'd be another new Stripes album. Matt, I can't really judge anyone for not being into them... it took me a while to warm up to them myself. I'm not usually into that specific type of music, with all the guitar histrionics, but the Stripes just DO it for me. And I figured out why when I saw them live for the first time. (And this was in 2005, long after they were fully established.) They've got such a terrific chemistry together onstage. Jack is a virtuoso with the guitar, but Meg's rather primitive drumming keeps him grounded. And he, by virtue of his technique, elevated her. She was the peanut butter to his chocolate. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't really liked any of Jack's new bands, so I hope he continues to produce work for other artists, too. And you're right, Joseph, about Van Lear Rose... it's a knockout. A friend once opined that Jack should produce an album for the Rolling Stones, and I haven't been able to get that idea out of my head. If ANYONE could get the Stones to make one more great album, it'd be Jack White. (And him performing Loving Cup with the Stones in "Shine a Light" was a beautiful thing.)
I enjoy both The Raconteurs and the Dead Weather, but there's something with the White Stripes that's so primal, raw and connected with origins of rock and roll. THere's something about the riff for Seven Nation Army that's just timeless. But if there's no more White Stripes music? I'm fine with that, but they're a great band.
ReplyDeleteI may go and watch It Might Get Loud again.
I purchased my first White Stripes CD last Saturday. Today they announce they've broken up. Coincidence?
ReplyDeleteDirected, btw, if I'm not mistaken, by Michel Gondry.
ReplyDeleteI love that the "Seven Nation Army" riff has become a rallying cry at soccer games. I'm usually annoyed when songs I love become "jock jams," but for some reason I'm totally OK with that one.
ReplyDeleteNo comment from the grammar police on "a myriad of?" Rrrrghhhh!!!
ReplyDeleteAndrew Ridgeley + 25 years + rack = Meg White.
ReplyDeleteLiars. Much of the press release may be true, but "it's not due to ... lack of wanting to continue" cannot be true. If they wanted to continue, they would. What's stopping them is that Jack White has too many projects to continue.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, they'll do the Pavement/Eagles/Who reunion tour in 15 years.
By the way, none of this is intended to be a slight on the band. Jack White writes good music and makes interesting collaboration/cover choices. Not everything he does is to my taste, but he definitely belongs on the short list of the most interesting musicians of the last decade. And people keep talking about the Stripes and the Raconteurs, but my favorite Jack White piece is "April" by the Hentchmen [sic].
Indeed, directed by Michel Gondry.
ReplyDeleteMaybe this is the time to relate my favorite ever joke answer at pub trivia (the Big Quiz Thing, actually)? The question was something like "Band X, which performed in NY recently, does not have a drummer. What do they have instead?" The fondly-remembered joke answer, if you haven't guessed, was "Meg White."
ReplyDeleteEcho and the Bunnymen?
ReplyDelete