I think that's very unfair. Consider the fact that the band was on the road for months at a time, playing 300 shows in a year. Obviously Craig didn't react well to the change and pressure of touring, and Patrick, as "Craig's minder," probably suffered the most for his behaviour. The circumstances were stressful enough, Craig aside. I completely understand why Patrick would choose to remove himself from that situation and don't blame him at all.


Regardless, the band has made it clear that he is welcome back if he wishes to return. I'm sure Patrick is well aware of this, but for now at least, he's choosing to remain with Youth Group. And as I said before...



I wish everyone would stop being so hostile towards Patrick, as he seems like a lovely person, completely undeserving of the reputation he has among Vines fans.

What kind of a cock is he?

patrick does take a bad rap, but a lot of that is to do with people's sympathies falling more with craig.

part of my problem with patrick - and mgmt must take some responsibility for this - is patrick was so bitter and complaining throughout promotion and touring for WD. it was obvious he was unhappy, and he directed a lot of that towards craig, but at the same time it would have been more respectful and productive for the band to keep those issues 'in house.' whining to the press about craig didn't make things any better - patrick should have known that, and mgmt shouldn't have allowed that.

but as buffster said, all's well that ends well. people who miss patrick with the vines should be happy for him that he's found happiness with YG.

That's exactly it. I am cursed with the unfortunate ability to see situations from everyone's point of view.


That's true, but at the same time, I'm not sure if I would have handled the situation much differently were I in Patrick's place. Mgmt generally catered to Craig's needs first and foremost - both because he was the band's singer/songwriter/frontman and because it was obviously necessary. Even though I'm sure Patrick understood this, it was probably frustrating for him. Whenever Craig decided he didn't want to do any more interviews or press, the responsibilities were always handed over to him. It had to have been very stressful and hard to deal with, and certainly did nothing for Craig and Patrick's relationship.


You're right, Wonky. After seeing how happy Patrick seemed with YG as opposed to when I saw him with the Vines, it was hard for me to remain upset about his departure. It's better off for everyone this way - for now, at least.

ten years in, patrick had obvs reached his breaking point - well, by the time they played the annandale, they all had.

patrick is much healthier and happier doing his stint with YG, and after reading that NME article, it's apparent craig is in a much stronger frame of mind working as a threesome with hamish and ryan. one of these days, the four of them may even get their collective act together and perform as the vines again...without any punches being thrown, kicks to the chest, mics to the head, or trashed guitars.

That would be something to see - although I'll admit that I once witnessed one of Craig's mythical "good nights".

That being said, I do hope that Patrick will return to the Vines one day in some capacity. I still can't get my head around the idea of the Vines without him.

haha

i've witnessed one of those mythical nights too. it was the first time i ever saw them, and honestly, if it had been recorded on videotape for others to witness, most would agree the vines never played, sounded or looked so good. in addition to craig scaling the speakers and getting trapped up top in the most comedic of fashions, climbing the letters in the 'House of Blues' sign hanging behind the stage, playing the most magnificent version of 'mary jane' i've ever heard, and trashing something like 9 guitars (i actually kept count), the show ended with craig out of guitars and, desperate, he looked over to pat like, 'c'mon, let me have your bass.' pat shook his head 'no' so craig fell to his knees before him begging and holding on to pat's bass. unable to resist, pat let him have it and laughed as craig made wreckage of it and the last of hamish's drumset. they were all in awesome moods - laughing and actually having fun performing - and it cemented my love for them.

if pat could come back and them play together again like that...it'd be magic.

Awwww... your story brightened my evening.

My experience was very different. I think I actually witnessed the elusive Well-Behaved Craig. He sang all of the songs properly with only minimal, well-placed incoherent screaming. He didn't throw anything at the audience, he didn't smash a single guitar beyond repair, and he only trashed Hamish's drum kit once.

I suppose on one hand I missed a lot of what makes the band so riveting live, but on the other hand, there is plenty of video footage of Craig in action. Hearing him perform the songs brilliantly and really outdoing himself - you see a lot less of that. In that sense, I'm glad I got to witness that firsthand.

But I digress. Even if Patrick only comes back to play bass on a couple of recordings in the future, or if he plays a show or two with them someday, it would be nice to see the boys all together again.

Everything happens for a reason. Whether Pats in the band or not, it all comes down to 'Are they all happy?'

and you just made what's been a shitty day for me a lot less shitty. the thought of craig performing sans highjinks (pfft, what's one drumkit?) and letting that angelic voice of his (minus a few devilish spots ) take centerstage warms the cockles of my heart. thank you for sharing that, buffster.

Holy hell, that story is brilliant! I wish I were there! I can't believe Pat gave the bass though, cuz he doesn't seem like smashing kinda guy.

Glad to help.

The idea of Craig running out of guitars to smash is heartwarming. I imagine his guitar tech finally just cut him off when he came for another. "Um, no! Sorry. You ran out of guitars. There aren't any left. "

Yeah, that one really does crack me up! I wish I were there! I think if they ever play a show in the US, all the people from the forum that can afford to get to wherever it is they play...we should sooooo go and show the love.

I miss Pat.

Yeah, last night he seemed out of it. He had two drinks whilst on stage for the 35-40 minutes or their set...and then they just left without saying thanks or anything. The only time he even cracked a smile was when he told the sound guy over and over to fix the sound of his bass. Lol, poor guy looked f-in' pooped (possibly cuz it's the end of their tour)

That reminds me when i was in school. Kids would use the term..."bend over and crack a smile"...
So for example they'd say...PatricK? ..bend over and crack a smile.

He'll get a break from touring now though, since they're finishing up the new album in LA in April.

Then back to Australia for more touring.

my sister does that all the time..and my dad says "get up, you ass is showin'" but he really does say you cuz he's foreign

funny..

is that the coldplay tour?

They're doing a couple of shows in LA while they're out there recording, then Coachella, then a couple of Australian shows on their own, then yes, *shudders* the Coldplay tour.

Yeah, I soooo wanted to go to the LA shows, but they're on Mondays and that's not working with my school schedule! Why can't they ever play on weekends for me?! So far it's been a Sunday night, Tuesday night, and Mondays!!!

Hey, no complaints!!! The closest they came to me is NYC, which is a 10-hour drive away.

i did 11 hours in one day one time for the vines...but by the next day i was like this but is was worth it. hey, if you can find a friend - roadtrip!!


i don't guess any of you will be seeing them on the coldplay tour - ticket price $145,536!! (okay, a bit of an exaggeration but still... )

That's cuz Canada blows mwuahahaha. Just kidding but yeah, Coldplay is ridiculously overpriced!

I'm going to have to force a friend to love them as much as I do first since I don't drive. I keep on telling myself that I will go to NYC for a concert since it's only an hour away by plane (although I hate flying), but it's not happened yet. I'll definitely go if the Vines play a show there.


I'm not a huge Coldplay fan, as you might have guessed, and Australia isn't exactly in the neighbourhood, so I'm unable to make it out this time.


Cameron and Patrick said that they liked my city when I talked to them, which is encouraging, but most bands skip Canada altogether if they can.

Haha, if the vines played in NYC I'm sure you'd be joined by a bunch of us if they decide not to play anywhere closer

By the way, when did you talk to Pat and Cam? Thought you said you never made it to a show cuz they never come there?

They've actually been here twice for three shows. I missed them once because they were opening for Jet and it sold out before I even knew that YG were playing, and another time because it was basically the same story with Death Cab. They played their own show at this tiny little venue last June though, and I attended that. They played ten songs and then Toby invited us to "come up and say hello," so they mingled with us commoners for about an hour. It was very lovely.

Aww, they didn't play more than like 6 or so songs at noise pop. And they didn't mingle as far as I know. But then again, I left before they'd even cleared the stage cuz my friend was hungry. But when I got back I didn't see 'em mingling...most likely cuz the place was crowded and they weren't the main act.

They're very good at mingling.

Actually, most of the people at the show were friends of the band or crew, industry people, or friends of the industry people. It was basically about ten of of us monopolizing the boys' time for an hour.

Haha, yeah I've heard they're good with mingling. But I mean, I was really disappointed in the show (not cuz the music wasn't good, tho). I loved the songs, of course...but they just weren't social enough with the crowd. Toby tried from time to time, saying cute things like he's happy to be in SF and to be playing noise pop...but I dunno. At the end they just walked off stage so quickly you would not believe. I didn't stay to see if they came out to help clear the stage (like the other opening act had to do), but I would assume they don't have to do that on their own.

I'm sure they're just worn out. They've been touring practically non-stop for a year. Cripes, I have no idea how anyone can remain sane while touring all over the world. Hopefully they won't overexert themselves next month and will get a chance to unwind. It seems from the band's LJ that this last tour has been pretty hectic.

Yeah, I thought it was kinda shit that it was a co-healiner who fudged the bucket on that one?! Anyway, it was a great set...I was just sad it was so short and Pat seemed tired. Cameron's dancin' cheered me up, tho...as did Toby's spit

What's this about Cameron dancing?!

Not dancing, really. He just gets really into it on stage...it was adorable. They just send me a message through Myspace...so I'm not mad that I didn't get to stick around...I'll just have to go with a friend that eats quicker next time

"heya,
thought we would get to meet you for sure at noise pop, but no sign of ya! and you only stayed for a couple of feist songs hey? really appreciate you coming along, and hope you enjoyed the little we did play.

look forward to seeing you next time anyhoo.

youth group"

Anyway, off to study for a quiz I have tomorrow morning...YG makes such great, mellow study music

Awww. You'll have to go say hello next time. No excuses!!!

I must have missed Cameron's dancing when I saw them. There were some very tall people off to the left of the stage, so my view of the show was restricted to Patrick, Toby about 50% of the time, and occasionally a shadowy figure in the back that I suspect might have been Danny.


That they do. Bonne chance!

Patrick, come back.

Lol, do you mock us or did you really think Pat was ace?

miss pat so much!!!

come back plz!!!

I dont

BUAHAHAHHAA!

You've obviously never seen him in person...try the title "dreamy" on for size...cuz he's so much better looking in person. OH yeah, and he plays the bass well too

I fucking loved Pat. The Vines need him, they really, really do.

Are you sweet on pat?

Tee hee.

how so? you've heard it - is the bass that noticeably different? how might pat have changed the sound of the songs?

I think Id spot that as a burn

Pat would've added alot more to the songs, yes.

how though? and for the record, i'm not being sarcastic. andy kent's been playing bass twice as long as patrick, so if the bass seems to mellow or nondescript could that be something to do with the mixing of the album? most vines songs simply aren't bass-heavy or groove oriented so i guess i don't get how having a different bassist would matter so much.