Band of the Week: Dire Straits! - VGF

Koga · 03-13-2006, 09:33 AM

Dire Straits

Genre: Blues Rock
Formed: 1977 (disbanded in 1995)

Members:
Mark Knopfler - lead vocals, guitar (1977-1995)
John Illsley - bass and background vocals (1977-1995)
Alan Clark - keyboards (1980-1995)
Guy Fletcher - keyboards and background vocals (1984-1995)

David Knopfler - guitar, keyboards and background vocals (1977-1980)
Pick Withers - drums and percussion (1977-1982)
Hal Lindes - guitar and background vocals (1980-1985)
Terry Williams - drums and percussion (1982-1988)
Jack Sonni - guitar (1985-1987)

Discography
Dire Straits (1978)
Communiqué (1979)
Making Movies (1980)
Love Over Gold (1982)
Brothers In Arms (1985)
On Every Street (1991)

Koga · 03-13-2006, 09:40 AM

Most of my favourite bands have become my favourites because my father used to play their records a lot when I was young. This is especially the case for Dire Straits which is my father's favourite band, and he owns all their albums (including live and compilation albums). Many of their songs have nostalgic value for me, but aside from that I think this is a very good band. Knopfler isn't the greatest singer in the world, but he's one of the best guitarists with a very distinct sound and an excellent songwriter. I personally prefer the more rock-based than blues-based songs, and the more complex arrangements from their later songs. My favourites are Tunnel Of Love and Romeo and Juliet (both from Making Movies), but they've got many other great songs like Sultans of Swing, Your Latest Trick, Walk Of Life, Brothers in Arms, Money For Nothing and On Every Street.

**Crazyswordsman** · 03-13-2006, 05:19 PM

Now I REALLY want my MTV.

Although I was a band geek (but a Jazz Band geek, so I got to be soulful instead of droany), I still don't have any respect for no trumpet playin' band.

As you can see, I love Sultans of Swing and Money for Nothing. Romeo and Juliet is good, too. -CSM

**Platinum** · 03-13-2006, 06:39 PM

Good Band

***CaptHayfever*** · 03-13-2006, 11:43 PM

"Sultans of Swing" and "Walk of Life" > The collective average of the world throughout the 1980s.

I know a cool story about Jim West and Mark Knopfler, but that's for another artist.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

Koga · 03-14-2006, 05:40 PM

Would that be for Weird Al, or more specifically UHF? I remember they did a great Money For Nothing pardoy in that one, even though it's been ages since I've seen it.

***CaptHayfever*** · 03-15-2006, 12:49 AM

Well, since you insist...

Indeed, Weird Al has a magnificent "Money for Nothing" parody in UHF about the Beverly Hillbillies. However, that's not Jim West, Al's regular guitarist, on the track. When he called to get permission for the spoof, Knopfler said yes...as long as he could play the guitar part; Al obliged, and you're hearing genuine Mark Knopfler guitar work in the parody. BUT, according to everyone involved, the track that West had recorded before Mark made his request sounded more like the original than the final release. In short, Jim West out-Knopfler'd Mark Knopfler.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

***Heroine of the Dragon*** · 03-15-2006, 01:47 AM

I remember these guys... vaguely... haven't heard any of their songs recently and I haven't any of them to listen to now. I used to enjoy Money for Nothing and Romeo and Juliet when I'd hear them on the radio. Back when I listened to the radio.

Koga · 03-15-2006, 08:35 AM

That's a funny anecdote, CH. Reminds me of the Charlie Chaplin look-a-like contest in which Charlie Chaplin didn't win.

03-13-2006, 09:33 AM	#1
Koga Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Posts: 17,094 Thanks: 105 Thanked 177 Times in 119 Posts Points: 103,632.41 Bank: 17,752.41 Total Points: 121,384.82 Donate	Band of the Week: Dire Straits! Dire Straits Genre: Blues Rock Formed: 1977 (disbanded in 1995) Members: Mark Knopfler - lead vocals, guitar (1977-1995) John Illsley - bass and background vocals (1977-1995) Alan Clark - keyboards (1980-1995) Guy Fletcher - keyboards and background vocals (1984-1995) David Knopfler - guitar, keyboards and background vocals (1977-1980) Pick Withers - drums and percussion (1977-1982) Hal Lindes - guitar and background vocals (1980-1985) Terry Williams - drums and percussion (1982-1988) Jack Sonni - guitar (1985-1987) Discography Dire Straits (1978) Communiqué (1979) Making Movies (1980) Love Over Gold (1982) Brothers In Arms (1985) On Every Street (1991)

03-13-2006, 09:40 AM	#2
Koga Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Posts: 17,094 Thanks: 105 Thanked 177 Times in 119 Posts Points: 103,632.41 Bank: 17,752.41 Total Points: 121,384.82 Donate	Most of my favourite bands have become my favourites because my father used to play their records a lot when I was young. This is especially the case for Dire Straits which is my father's favourite band, and he owns all their albums (including live and compilation albums). Many of their songs have nostalgic value for me, but aside from that I think this is a very good band. Knopfler isn't the greatest singer in the world, but he's one of the best guitarists with a very distinct sound and an excellent songwriter. I personally prefer the more rock-based than blues-based songs, and the more complex arrangements from their later songs. My favourites are Tunnel Of Love and Romeo and Juliet (both from Making Movies), but they've got many other great songs like Sultans of Swing, Your Latest Trick, Walk Of Life, Brothers in Arms, Money For Nothing and On Every Street.

03-13-2006, 05:19 PM	#3
Crazyswordsman RPG Mod Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Booyaville (yeah!) Gender: Posts: 7,929 Thanks: 531 Thanked 359 Times in 247 Posts Points: 120,924.63 Bank: 22,784.13 Total Points: 143,708.76 Donate	Now I REALLY want my MTV. Although I was a band geek (but a Jazz Band geek, so I got to be soulful instead of droany), I still don't have any respect for no trumpet playin' band. As you can see, I love Sultans of Swing and Money for Nothing. Romeo and Juliet is good, too. -CSM

03-13-2006, 06:39 PM	#4
Platinum Arcade Mod Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wv Gender: Posts: 1,369 Thanks: 48 Thanked 21 Times in 21 Posts Points: 840.24 Bank: 23,885.95 Total Points: 24,726.19 Donate	Good Band

03-13-2006, 11:43 PM	#5
*CaptHayfever* Smash Supermod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 19,117 Thanks: 151 Thanked 701 Times in 453 Posts Points: 102,527.07 Bank: 804.22 Total Points: 103,331.29 Donate	"Sultans of Swing" and "Walk of Life" > The collective average of the world throughout the 1980s. I know a cool story about Jim West and Mark Knopfler, but that's for another artist. And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

03-14-2006, 05:40 PM	#6
Koga Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Posts: 17,094 Thanks: 105 Thanked 177 Times in 119 Posts Points: 103,632.41 Bank: 17,752.41 Total Points: 121,384.82 Donate	Would that be for Weird Al, or more specifically UHF? I remember they did a great Money For Nothing pardoy in that one, even though it's been ages since I've seen it.

03-15-2006, 12:49 AM	#7
*CaptHayfever* Smash Supermod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 19,117 Thanks: 151 Thanked 701 Times in 453 Posts Points: 102,527.07 Bank: 804.22 Total Points: 103,331.29 Donate	Well, since you insist... Indeed, Weird Al has a magnificent "Money for Nothing" parody in UHF about the Beverly Hillbillies. However, that's not Jim West, Al's regular guitarist, on the track. When he called to get permission for the spoof, Knopfler said yes...as long as he could play the guitar part; Al obliged, and you're hearing genuine Mark Knopfler guitar work in the parody. BUT, according to everyone involved, the track that West had recorded before Mark made his request sounded more like the original than the final release. In short, Jim West out-Knopfler'd Mark Knopfler. And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

03-15-2006, 01:47 AM	#8
*Heroine of the Dragon* The Grinnie Fool! ♥ VGFCodes Staff Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: In a pretty place surrounded by sparkly faerie dust!! Gender: Posts: 27,442 Thanks: 228 Thanked 246 Times in 182 Posts Blog Entries: 1 Points: 14,558.99 Bank: 1,659,774.23 Total Points: 1,674,333.21 Donate	I remember these guys... vaguely... haven't heard any of their songs recently and I haven't any of them to listen to now. I used to enjoy Money for Nothing and Romeo and Juliet when I'd hear them on the radio. Back when I listened to the radio.

03-15-2006, 08:35 AM	#9
Koga Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Posts: 17,094 Thanks: 105 Thanked 177 Times in 119 Posts Points: 103,632.41 Bank: 17,752.41 Total Points: 121,384.82 Donate	That's a funny anecdote, CH. Reminds me of the Charlie Chaplin look-a-like contest in which Charlie Chaplin didn't win.