Scott!
SHALLOW THOUGHTS FOR THE INTERNET
What to write? I suppose that I should write something about the band, myself, my beliefs, ideas and messages to anyone who cares enough to read what I have to say.
Shallow is made up of an unlikely (or, perhaps, likely) bunch of Sheffield lads. Every member is different and yet somehow the same. We each have differing outlooks on life, perceptions of the world, concepts of music, constitution and tastes, but we were thrown (drawn?) together into a union, a friendship, a band. The rest of the band (with the exception of Ben, whom I have not known long enough to have developed bad feelings towards!) can annoy me quite a bit - they misunderstand and misinterpret me and I probably do them. Sometimes, when you get to know people well they can really piss you off. However, they are my mates and I wouldn't be without them; we have an affinity with one another. No one else outside our little clique, with the exception of a few of our mutual shallow friends, could possibly understand some of the things we rattle on about.
Shallow - the sad ambivalent society - draws upon a plethora of musical sources, predominantly based on variations of rock-based music - grunge, punk, psychedelia, funk, metal, blues, indie. There's something for everyone, surely.
I play lead guitar and am therefore vain and arrogant. I do worry about my appearance though you would be forgiven for thinking the contrary. I am proud of the fact that I am studying at university. I worked hard to get where I am, why shouldn't I blow my own trumpet? I am the first person in the family to go to university, and I was a pupil at one of the worst comprehensives in Sheffield; is there any wonder that I am proud to be at one of the better institutions of higher education? Although I am no radical, as Adam will tell you, I am an extremist when it comes to education. All forms of privileged education should be abolished and a new purely meritocratic system should be adopted. Education is the key requisite for creating a better society.
I have been through a transformation recently with regard to my personal beliefs. In my latter teenage years I was somewhat of a reactionary traditionalist. This, I put down to immature naivity mixed with an obscure sense of rebellion, a desire to be different from my Labourite family and left-leaning peers. I would now class myself, if that is at all possible, as a kind of progressive liberal. My philosophy is based on a sort of selfish rationality which is rather difficult to explain. Most opinions and ideas, despite how humanitarian and egalitarian they may appear, are based on a self centred instinct.
Getting back to planet Earth I think it would be quite appropriate if I talked a little about my concept of music. For me it is music first, lyrics second. I love music for the tunes and melodies not for deep meaningful lyrics. If one wants to be inspired by someone's thoughts one can read a novel or poetry. However, having said that, I do prefer my music to have inspiring, insightful lyrics; but this is just a preferred additional extra. I also accept that music is a very useful medium for expressing one's thoughts and indoctrinating the youth with one's manifesto. My influences? Pink Floyd, Manic Street Preachers, Led Zeppelin, Smashing Pumpkins, U2, Radiohead.
Read more books, read the newspapers, be aware, be rational, be friendly, be optimistic, think of others, liberty with responsibility, get out of the house, talk to people, travel, analyse, make an effort to understand, don't be afraid of trying new things, listen to us...Please!
Cheers,
Scott Handley ... 19th July 1997
meet some more of the shallow people!
go home
Email: reznor@lundwood.u-net.com
