You've hit the nail on the head, actually! I recall Jon saying in some obscure video (maybe one of the post-Zoo evening broadcasts) that he took a lot of his mannerisms and character concepts from kids. I always assumed that it was because children are, in their own way, our creations, learning how to be human.
I love watching these older skits because they really took the classic clown vaudville act to heart. Its so nice that still reflects in their makeup to this day even though they've been through a few Tramps.
There is no where near enough old school good natured shtick like this anymore. Well done SPG, well done. Their movement is so dead on as well. I Love street performers who truly dedicate themselves to their craft.
I love hearing the audience genuinely enjoying them. They're so good at what they do and people just naturally love them from the first moment of being in their presence. That level of charisma and charm is not a common thing. They're naturals at all this. Edit: And thanks Savannah, for the ♡. I wonder if something like this would ever be on RU-vid otherwise if you didn't post this video. Videos from these older days of their career are so precious. It such a blessing you shared this with everyone. Thanks ♡♡♡
This was the best ever SPG line up ever imo. The 'Jon' was the best mime/robot out of the three, he was more versatile and didn't stick to half a dozen 'stock moves like Spine and Rabbit seem to. The Spine is very good, but Rabbit is better at singing and banter I feel. It's such a shame Jon left as I feel he was the perfect foil between the two siblings and an essential part of the act, all his replacements have felt like just that a third member of an established team and their constant replacement seems to validate that. I know it sounds like I'm grousing and I probably am, but I wanted SPG to be a huge success and I still love them, but for the time being for me their best days are behind them. I hope they re-discover the old magic :)
Bands change... and in this case, they have become somewhat a success in their own way. Success doesnt happen overnight and im sure they have their reasons for not being as successful or big as YOU want them to be. People leave and move on with their lives. Bands change and evolve. The music they do now is no less great than back then. If youre a REAL fan, you accept them as they evolve. I mean hell, Rabbit did a very brace thing in the past few years by changing her charatcer to what she felt was the most true and honest to herself because she is transgender and is a beautiful woman. And the band accepted her for that and even encouraged her to be true to herself. THAT is beautiful. THAT is magic! The Jon leaving SPG had nothing to do with any decline in the quality of their act nor did the addition and depsrture of Hatchworth or the arrival of Zero. Just because they dont do the tricks you want them to do, as if theyre dogs you can call upon (which they arent), doesnt mean their best days are behind them. You try doing what they do for as long as they have and see if YOU dont change, especially with fickle fans who demand they dance like the monkeys they see them as. Betacha you would change to be true to yourself too. Or maybe not since some people just dont change no matter how necessary.
I must admit: I've felt the same. Ironically, when "Quintessential" came out, I applauded that Sam had finally found his musical niche in the group, only to have him leave a few scant weeks later (though, I suspect he felt disheartened after struggling for so long, and appreciate that he wanted to touch on more mature subject matter in his solo stuff). Zero seemed to be a much better fit, right from the time he joined (though I suspect they intended him to be a fourth 'bot well before his official appearance, and got some practice in). He nailed the pantomime in Marshmallow World, and his more bluesy style seems to be re-balancing the overabundance of synth that plagued the band through "MK III" and "Vice Quadrant." Plus, Michael Reed is back! That should help the depth of their sound as well. On the whole, the current line-up gives me hope for the band as a unit, and the tracks they've released so far for the new album seem to back this up. Time will tell.
I agree. I still appreciate the band for the original content they put out, but you can also rework anything until it’s no longer the glory of what it once was, be it a piece of wooden furniture or a band. Sometimes staying consistent is just as important as change.
Well, they're coming back for SPG's upcoming 10th anniversary show (as is Upgrade) - albeit for a limited guest appearance. The details are on the SPG website. Huzzah!
2:02 The Spine became Bill Cipher for a couple of seconds! (not literally) but any GF fans...note the similarity between how Bill and Spine say "oh, I know lots of things!"
I kinda want more of a sketch comedy album or a release of a live, uncut performance. These guys have a real talent for improv and storytelling, and I tune in for that more than their music.
I have been on an SPG kick after a long time away and remembered this gem of a skit. It was one I watched so often in high school/college and many years later, it still cracks me up!
This will always be one of my favorite videos of them. Also the "lawsuit!", "Bobby McDarin" and the "Hurray" in response to Bonny McDarin are things that have never left my mind. Especially the Hurray.
Mack The Knife was adapted by Macdonalds for a commercial?!They took a song about a serial killer, and changed it in order to sell Big Macs?Bertholt Brecht and Kurt Weill are spinning in their graves.(In case you didn't already know, Mack The Knife was originally a musical number in Bertholt Brecht and Kurt Weill's black comedy musical The Threepenny Opera. The song, originally called Die Moritat von Mackie Messer ("The Murder-Ballad of Mackie Messer"), details the aforementioned character's nightly activities, i.e. murder and assault; and the fact that it became a pop hit via bowdlerisation just confuses me.) Sorry for mentioning this.
When Spine eats, he imagines he's a murderous astronaut, and then he screams at the top of his air conditioner "AAH!" Then The Jon stops him I disturbance with the face of "surprise," "r u ok?" and "playse haylp meh."
Me too. I actually got this off of their channel years ago and had it downloaded on my phone, when I saw that they removed it I uploaded it and a lot of people have been thankful for it.
This is the first time I've seen an SPG act where there was equal participation from all three, and they really enjoyed working as a trio with Jon. I wish their working relationship had not degraded to the point where they parted ways. (This is no reflection on my opinion of Hatchworth or Zer0.)
They really sold the robot aspect in the early days. So incredibly impressive. Eventually i feel like they were so good and fun they didnt need to try to hard on the robot movments. I dont mind but im incredibly impressed by watching these early clips.
They are amazing live! I have a few videos of them performing at youmacon when Rabbit was still a male robot & I have videos of them at the Bristol Renaissance Faire with Rabbit as a female robot. Both amazing. 😊❤️
Spine: I have 2 ordinary robot thumbs right, well watch when I go like THISS! Rabbit: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! I'm sorry I ever doubted you Mr. Magic MaAAAAAAAAAAn. Me:😰 (Breathes heavily,) I don't kno wut 2 duu aneemoar. (HUUUH!)
4:28 Wait I think Rabbit threw Bingo 4:28 Wait I think Rabbit threw Bingo Edit: I also realized that at 7:22 a little kid, maybe a baby, copied what The Jon was saying at i swear I nearly squealed it was so adorable!
Or... you know... you could support their decisions and enjoy them as they are and not think youre the center of the universe. Oh! And yes go on joking around how kidnapping and tying down himan beings just to get your way... im sure theyd totally be cool with that and wouldnt press charges
