The "F" word...

[Kragnorak]

My avatar is more a testament to Funk and not an ode to Prince's prior life (He doesn't use profanity anymore in his music).

OK, fair enough, but please allow me to geek out a little about etymology. Many of the best genres of music are named after sex or sexual functions. Rock n' roll is a euphemism for sex. Jazz is a term that was originally also related to sex (hint: the callsign for Temple University's jazz station is WJIZ). Words like jazz and spunk refer to spirit and energy but also have a 'dirty' context.

And Funk is basically the F word. I learned this from a 90s interview with BB King and (I believe) John Lee Hooker. They were asked their opinion on funky music and they both expressed discomfort with the term. BB King said that if they used the word funk when they were children their mothers would have washed their mouths out with soap! Of course the word does not have the same level of impact today, which is why it used used in a cutesy manner (e.g. "Subliminal Seduction (Funk-Me Dirty)") as a word substitution by guys like Bootsy Collins.

Anyways, by all means testify to the Almighty Funk - I love it! But it is certainly a down-n-dirty style of music.

 

[PimasterPearson]

"Especially in lyrics"

So we should censor the artists? Sorry, but I'm not in that camp. The U.S. has too much censorship already IMNSHO.

All he said is that he thinks curse words are annoying and that he thinks artists shouldn't use them. That's not what censorship is.

 

[40Hz]

I get a little tired of people who seem to have what my GF refers to as "a one word vocabulary." But that's me. And for most people that are in the habit, it's just a placeholder. No different really than an "um" in most cases. So it goes. I tend to just ignore it and not include them in my circle of acquaintances if it's something they can't put a leash on in situations where it matters.

But the use of certain language can keep you from getting airplay over public channels. Especially now that most radio stations and TV channels have better things to do than edit recordings to bleep things out.

Like the man says, when in doubt - leave it out. It doesn't really add anything to the mix. And it's so overused it doesn't even provide shock value anymore. Mostly it just comes across as being ignorant and crass. Which may work for you if ignorant and crass is your thing. But for most of us, that's not how we prefer to come across.

 

[whatizitman]

I cuss like a sailor, even in front of my kids. But I would never in a million years do it in a mic. That's just me. There's just something ridiculously pretentious about it - even in situations where it's considered more "appropriate" (rock, punk, etc...). Using a mic in front a crowd implies that you have some forethought into what is being presented. It's a show. Thus, f-bomb just looks fake, like the singer/speaker is trying to put forth the image of badassness. Looks stupid IMO.

 

[ESPweasel]

All he said is that he thinks curse words are annoying and that he thinks artists shouldn't use them. That's not what censorship is.

Thanks! I must have misread.

 

[Murdoc_420]

I get a little tired of people who seem to have what my GF refers to as "a one word vocabulary."

I feel the same way. I'm not offended by it but saying it all time doesn't help your image. Much easier to have a conversation without constant F bombs.

I found myself starting to cuss a bit too much awhile back and I tried to focus on NOT cussing. It's certainly easy to get carried away with it and I'd like to not be thought of as a moron.

But like I said, it's a personal thing. And I can see the OP is coming from that same point, as a band it can reflect on all of them. I just don't feel the singer saying it once a show is going to make anyone bat an eye unless it's in a very mellow context or around an older crowd. It's really in the delivery, if it's a mellow calm setting and he comes of angry and pissed off, or if it's just a 'mellow f man'..

Who knows, if you mention it to him (the singer) he could go either way. Maybe he'll try and stop, maybe he'll start saying it twice per show.

 

[Ric5]

our lead singer has a tendency to drop the bomb at least once a gig...mind you it's always in a bar setting with no children present but I still find myself having a problem with it...
Am I being a bit too 'get off my lawn' about it..?
I feel like if we're getting paid to play they want music...if they wanted vulgarities they would have hired a stand up comic...

About 10 years ago I was in a band and we played an Eagles or Lions club. They had one rule ... no F word ... Well we did one gig there and it was great, young crowd and modern music. Well the second time we played there the over 70 crowd showed up and informed us between every song how we were too loud and we were a lousy band ... we politely took the criticism .... BUT ... for the last song we played "She F***ing Hates me" just to insure we would not get invited back to play there again ...

 

[TheCrimsonKing]

I

Have you heard this uniquely American and wildly popular music genre we call "rap"?

I visited London last spring, rarely heard foul language in public outside of a pub.

I think it is situational just about anywhere in the world.

It's been a long time since rap was unique to America mate, especially when you're talking about England.

 

[MG514]

"Especially in lyrics"

So we should censor the artists? Sorry, but I'm not in that camp. The U.S. has too much censorship already IMNSHO.

I was only speaking for myself. Not the entirety of the USA. I am not even speaking of censorship. I just don't like the word. I don't find it offensive or repulsive. I find it annoying.

 

[electracoyote]

I


It's been a long time since rap was unique to America mate, especially when you're talking about England.

Right. I was being very tongue in cheek. Having lived in the USA and visited the UK several times, I can tell you with a high degree of certainty that you probably once lead the world in the most frequent or common course usage of the English Language, but we have pretty much caught up over here.

And you have so many different and cute ones over there, like "bloody," "bugger," "shag," etc. Over here we just pound the F-bomb and its slight variations until most people can't stand it any more.

I find UK slang and profanity to be much more varied, intelligent, and humorous than here in the US, which may explain why you have a better tolerance for it.

 

[Sixgunn]

Sounds like a fun nightclub.

I'm a bit shocked that the f-word gets such a rise from grown men on this forum. It's kind of comical and at the same time creepy.

Class is creepy?

 

[40Hz]

I feel the same way. I'm not offended by it but saying it all time doesn't help your image. Much easier to have a conversation without constant F bombs.

I found myself starting to cuss a bit too much awhile back and I tried to focus on NOT cussing. It's certainly easy to get carried away with it and I'd like to not be thought of as a moron.

But like I said, it's a personal thing. And I can see the OP is coming from that same point, as a band it can reflect on all of them. I just don't feel the singer saying it once a show is going to make anyone bat an eye unless it's in a very mellow context or around an older crowd. It's really in the delivery, if it's a mellow calm setting and he comes of angry and pissed off, or if it's just a 'mellow f man'..

Who knows, if you mention it to him (the singer) he could go either way. Maybe he'll try and stop, maybe he'll start saying it twice per show.

Exactly this.

My GF and I recently got to hear Dana Fuchs (who is awesome IMO) in a small venue. All was going well until she dropped a couple of choice words between two songs and got a lot of encouragement form a clot of super-drunk females (I think it was a bachelorette party) towards the front. Long story short, the stage language went downhill from there for the rest of the evening. We left feeling moderately disappointed for two reasons: (1) it didn't contribute anything to the performance - she's a superb singer with a tight band - so she doesn't need any crutches; and, (2) it just started getting tiring and a little juvenile sounding after a while.

This is what she sounds like most times we heard her. And I think most people will agree there isn't any addition "spice" needed when she does what she does so well.

 

[Sixgunn]

There's a time and a place for everything. Biker gig? F**k yeah. Bar gig? F**k yeah. Corporate stuff? Nope.

As for people getting offended by the F word, well I think they're kinda hypocrits. Like they never use it. Get over it, it's a word. I see a lot more offensive stuff on a daily basis than "f**k".

For me, it's not offensive. It's just obnoxious. Like the earlier poster described the Jackyl event. That just sounds so juvenile and clownish!! I hate the term "cringeworthy" but I can think of no better word for that.

 

[40Hz]

Class is creepy?

Yeah. That was my question too.

 

[Kragnorak]

There's just something ridiculously pretentious about it - even in situations where it's considered more "appropriate" (rock, punk, etc...). Using a mic in front a crowd implies that you have some forethought into what is being presented. It's a show. Thus, f-bomb just looks fake, like the singer/speaker is trying to put forth the image of badassness. Looks stupid IMO.

I don't think you're the first one in the thread with this point of view, but you've explained it well. Just for fun, I will reply with a few links. Because if you cuss like a sailor around your kids but not in front of adults, isn't that actually less honest? (I am taking these studies with a HUGE grain of salt, but it is fascinating how many of them there are)

[This invalid link has been removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Hell Yes: The 7 Best Reasons for Swearing

#5 in the third link directly pertains to how a frontperson can use foul language in front of an appropriate audience: "5. Peer and social bonding. Swearing can serve to show that we belong in a certain group, or that we are able to be ourselves and so wholly comfortable with the members of that group. If done correctly, it can also signal that we are open, honest, self-deprecating, easygoing, and barrel loads of fun."

 

[Cowboy in Latvia]

It's all about understanding setting and expectations.

I can, and often do, say ****, ****, ****,****,***,****, and even ****-****-************ (to name a few). But there are times to use them and times they are not appropriate. When I'm at poker night with my boss...I can speak how I want and be myself. When we go to work, we both act and speak professionally because that is the expectation. A bar gig? That depends on the bar, the owner and other factors. When in doubt, don't use it.

To those others who have made comments about professionalism, you have it right. Understanding your surroundings and acting appropriately is a good thing despite what some posters seem to think.

To those who think living in a country other than the USA magically changes linguistic expectations...think again. Professional vs. private behavior expectation applies in every country I have worked or visited. You speak one way with your mates but we all speak differently with our boss in an office building.

The above comes with a caveat. It all depends on the expected level of professionalism for your workplace. The man I have known with the largest vulgar vocabulary was an airplane mechanic who was ****** good at his job. While people did not always enjoy his "colorful" vocab skills, it was not a deal-breaker in his profession.

 

[Kragnorak]

he was a character on House, that medical show a few years back.

Er, that's his pal Hugh Laurie. Stephen Fry is a British national treasure. I highly recommend catching some episodes of his parlor game show QI (Quite Interesting) because his ability as a wordsmith combined with his seemingly encyclopedic memory is very entertaining. Anyway, the Fry quote that best pertains to this thread is:

""The sort of twee person who thinks swearing is in any way a sign of a lack of education or a lack of verbal interest is just a f*cking lunatic."

 

[Rogatien022]

For me, it's not offensive. It's just obnoxious. Like the earlier poster described the Jackyl event. That just sounds so juvenile and clownish!! I hate the term "cringeworthy" but I can think of no better word for that.

In a cover band situation, where every other band is playing the same stuff as every other band, you need to be a bit different than others. That means doing a little bit of entertainment, being show off a little bit. I understand people saying you're not there as a stand up comedian but still, I believe in entertainment and I do some. Saying f**k after every two words? Of course not. But placing it wisely in a comical situation, hell yeah. Entertainment is part of the game when you do covers. I believe this is what differences your band from the others, playing the same cover songs.

You're in a pub doing covers. Half of the people don't care about what you play, half of the people don't care about your "tone", they're there to be entertained and meet people, drink booze and have a good time.

 

[Sixgunn]

I cuss like a sailor, even in front of my kids.

Most people won't tell you to your face but pretty much everyone I know thinks that kind of thing is disgraceful. I mean no disrespect, jus' sayin'.

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

I played a solo gig at a pub one day (I was first on, followed by three bands), and was told clearly (reputation preceding me) "no swears or the gig's off" so I moved Radiohead's Creep to the end of my set, and held off the F-bomb until the final chorus, putting a little sarcastic spin on it. Had a standing ovation. Gig continued, good fun was had.

Some people are sensitive to words. If its not directed at me, it means nothing and in the right sense (I'd argue that Creep uses it to good effect) a "strong" word can add impact.

Yup, pretty tough to do Crazy Bitch by Buck Cherry without it. But common sense should tell you when you can or shouldn't do a song like that.

But then again, there are people who just don't know how to swear effectively, like they are trying too hard or they just lack a good vocabulary and so they sound ignorant. Just like in the movie i, Robot, when Will Smith's character tells Shia LaBeouf's character "First of all, stop cussing cause you're not good at it.."

But I have to say, after reading most of this thread, I never realized how many old fuddy duddy's populate this board.