Steely Dan Vs. Wes Anderson
Becker and Fagen are at it again:
Maestro, we give to you this Message: there was a time when Giants walked among us. And, damn, if you, Wes Anderson, might not be the one to restore their racial dominance on this, our planet, this Terra, this... Earth.I guess I can't complain, 'cause I said I liked these things, but ... well, Walter/Donald -- it's called beating a dead horse.You may have heard that we have recently made it our personal project and goal to deliver a certain actor of no small importance to your past and present work from a downward spiral of moral turpitude from which it seemed there might be no escape. We are delighted to report that, with the news of Mr. ________'s participation in your new film (which we understand to be entitled, indeed, charmingly, “Darjeeling Limited”), our efforts have been repaid, and How.
This unqualified victory has inspired us to address a more serious matter. Let's put our cards on the table - surely, we are not the first to tell you that your career is suffering from a malaise. Fortunately, inasmuch as it is a malaise distinctly different than that of Mr.______ , and to the extent that you have not become so completely alienated from the intellectual and moral wellsprings of your own creativity, we are hoping that we - yours truly, Donald and Walter - may successfully "intervene" at this point in time and be of some use to you in your latest, and, potentially, greatest, endeavor...
Posted at 11:38 AM in Where's The Beef?
Tags: Steely Dan | Wes Anderson
They're referring to Owen Wilson right? What do morals have to do with casting? Besides, he's in every Wes Anderson movie, why change things now?
(yes - he was, sort of, in Rushmore, the photo of "Edward Appleby" was Owen)
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I couldnt find your email address, but have you seen the new silversun pickups tour dates yet?
Viva Voce and Silversun Pickups tour dates:
9/28, San Francisco, CA (Rickshaw Stop)
9/29, Visalia, CA (Howie and Sons)
9/30, Los Angeles, CA (The Echo)
10/1, Phoenix, AZ (Modified)
10/3, Austin, TX (Emo's)
10/4, Norman, OK (Opolis)
10/5, Springfield, MO (Randy Bacon Gallery)
10/7, Urbana, IL (Courtyard Cafe)
10/8, Newport, KY (Southgate House)
10/10, Arlington, VA (Iota)
10/11, New York, NY (Mercury Lounge)
10/12, New York, NY (Mercury Lounge)
10/13, Philadelphia, PA (Johnny Brenda's)
10/15, Cambridge, MA (Middle East Upstairs)
10/16, Rochester, NY (The Bug Jar)
10/17, Toronto, ON (Lee's Palace)
10/18, Akron, OH (The Lime Spider)
10/20, Chicago, IL (Empty Bottle)
10/21, Ames, IA (Maintenance Shop)
10/24, Denver, CO (Hi Dive)
10/26, Boise, ID (Neurolux)
10/28, Portland, OR (Doug Fir Lounge)
from : http://www.spin.com/features/news/2006/08/060810_vivavocesilversun/
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"Beating a dead horse?" That's like listening to Highway 61, Blood on the Tracks, and John Wesley Harding for the first time and saying "Dude, I get your point. It was cool at first, but do something else." In other words...ignorant.
You've just recently become aware of their sardonic letter-writing. They've been doing this for a long time.
They're pranksters, and way too smart for their own good.
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I'm with you, Scott. Yawn.
As for you, Huntre - "couldn't find the email address" - how the hell could you miss it? It's right there at the top of the page! If you're that dense, why should we even believe the information you're providing is accurate?
And nobody here cares about your band. Enjoy opening slots - you're never gonna move out of it!
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dude, PLEASE tell me that letter was a joke. If it isn't, those guys need to get a grip.
and david, don't be a dick man. maybe he really just didn't get how the email's formatted...
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David. If I am "dense" for not realizing the email address is at the top of the page, what does that make you for assuming that I was trying to pimp my "band" by posting the tour dates? I have no band, cannot enjoy "opening slots" as I have no band that fills them, and never even made mention of said "band". Were you picked on as a kid in school and now are trying to mock some random person on the internet to make yourself feel better? Get on with your little life instead of trying to slam other people.
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'"Beating a dead horse?" That's like listening to Highway 61, Blood on the Tracks, and John Wesley Harding for the first time and saying "Dude, I get your point. It was cool at first, but do something else." In other words...ignorant."
Right, Steely Dans shitty letters are EXACTLY like those albums. Great comparison.
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Those guys are brilliant. Can't stand their music, but what good writers.
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I like when people yawn on the internet.
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They're pretty much right about Wes Anderson's career, though. He's painted himself into a perfect, twee little corner. He needs to do something different.
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Steely Dan is currently on tour with Michael McDonald. And whenever I think of Michael McDonald I think of the 40 Year Old Virgin movie.
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bill p & hence the Dans are spot on.
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Like Steely Dan gives a rat's ass what you think.
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got beef?
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I love that Steely Dan refer to Mark Mothersbaugh's soundtracks as "the old way of doing things".
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Huntre & your defender: You protesteth too much. I kinda resent having to read Viva Voce tour date info when I'm expecting slams of Steely Dan!
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i'm rolling over in my grave ... not because of these letters, but because i wanna stick my thick prick in this drunk mark i just rolled's mouth ...
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Steely Dan saying Wes Anderson's career is "suffering from a malaise"? And that he has become "alienated from the intellectual and moral wellsprings of [his] own creativity"?
Wow, pot kettle black.
What has Steely Dan done of any real significance in the last 30 years? I repeat, 30 years.
And P.S. Anderson's films are still amazing. I hope this was sarcasm lost on me. Because it was dumb.
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In Travis Barker's words "IMMA LAY IT OUT."
WHY is everyone taking these letters so seriously!?
I don't understand it. I don't see what is at all unridiculous about these letters. They are jokes. Look at those lyrics! For god's sake! People!
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i don't consider it to be a joke if:
a) it's someone i'm not directly acquainted or friends with
b) someone is directly attacking/ criticizing my career in poor taste
thee bottom line is "Fuck Steely Dan"
when aging rockers (who were never terribly rocking in the first place) start ripping righteous guys for
reasons as ridiculous as these, is just shows how pathetic and joyless they have truly become.
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Sorry, Huntre, I got carried away because I did indeed think this an inappropriate place to post such a thing. And I have a small dick.
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Here's the Zombies vs. Aliens tour dates:
8/20: Irving Plaza,NY
8/30: Milton Plaza,NY
9/1: RiffRaffi,NY
9/15: Governor's, NY
10/30: Gray's Papaya, NY
11/1: Peep World, NY
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if that is a joke it isn't very funny.
and if it is serious i hope someone will kick both of those guys in the back of the head.
and just because two old men can use the synonym tool in microsoft word to come up with an 'intelligent-sounding' letter does not mean they are 'geniuses.'
oh, and steely dan is gay.
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Hahahaha, Steely Dan is gay! Oh Monty, who writes your material?
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It seems to me this is just a viral marketing thing. For a Wes Anderson-movie with a Steely Dan-soundtrack and starring Owen Wilson, perhaps?
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Wes anderson has good taste in music. I doubt that is the reason, and if it is then he will fulfill what they're calling him now.
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Everyone is just having fun with this by the way. Did any of you read Owen Wilson's response? He said he had never heard of the fellow Steely Dan and that he had to work on his new movie (title of A great Steely Dan track) "Hey Nineteen." Priceless.
That's all this is. Just some good humored back and forth verbal banter. Did you notice how much they praised Wes Anderson for his work in this letter? Everyone is treating this like this is the yuppie equivalent to 50 Cent and the Game. Get over yourselves guys.
If they collaborate and contribute at least one or two songs to the soundtrack it will be beyond awesome.
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You and I have different definitions of "beyond awesome", my friend. So very different indeed.
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Steely Dan could be the best thing that happened to Owen Wilson and Wes Anderson in years. Yes it's all in jest. Yes Becker and Fagan were baked when they wrote the letters. Yes "Bottle Rocket" was Anderson's best movie. Yes his films have gone downhill since - christ the "Life Aquatic" was pretty much a piece of shit except for the Bowie songs in Portuguese. Yes someone did swipe the Dupree character from Steely Dan's "Cousin Dupree" song.
Donald and Walter are out to have a little fun with the Wilson-Anderson cabal. I for one am enjoying the conservation.
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Does anyone know if Steely Dan is being featured in the soundtrack? I know this an old thread but if anyone knows the skinny, cough it up.
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i personally like wes anderson, owen wilson and steely dan. I also like donald fagen's solo stuff, and the soundtracks to the wes anderson movies. people should just be more accepting instead of bitcing about everything. not that i haven't enjoyed reading everyone else bitch at eachother.
and do aaron, nothing significant in 30 years? what about winning grammys and just straight up kicking ass, what have you done in the past 30 years, other then be born
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