[Panda Licker]

I've always been sort of curious about this. Maybe there are a few European people on (Or anyone who's ever been to Europe for that matter) who can help me out

In the US, the Dead is pretty popular. Not that I meet a lot of people who are into them at the level that I am (Even less that are into them at the level some of you are), but most people I know between the ages of 17 and 55 can name atleast a few Grateful Dead songs. Plus I know its really very common to see people walking around in Grateful Dead tshirts or sweatshirts. Whether that makes them fans is neither here nor there, but they're atleast 'well known'

So is it like that in Europe? Can I walk through London and see as many Grateful Dead shirts as I do in my own town? Or can the average person there atleast name a few of their big hits? Or is it an "American" thing?

[Shaggy]

I live in England. There are fans here but fewer and far between.

They are nowhere near as popular here than in America. Why? well numerous reasons that we've covered before and many are obvious.

Most proper music fans here will know who the Grateful Dead are and the name of Jerry Garcia, but many can't tell you anything other than knowing the names!

You won't see anyone walking around with a Dead shirt on! Unless it's summer and you walk past me!

The GD only toured here properly twice over 30 years and they escaped the proper mainstream so it's understandable.

More exposure and you'd get more fans over here that is for certain.

You do still hear there music on radio now and again and back in the 70's John Peel would play full GD albums.

[Shaggy]

sarraqum is another member on here from England, if this catches his attention he might be able to tell you more.

[Tennesse]

Just got back from Scotland and Netherlands.Not 1 head did I see or meet.No Steal Yo Face,no dancing Bears,no Ice Cream Kid,nothing.Scotland has 1 Dead cover band.They seem to love Jazz,80s' cheese,and blues.It was a real eye opener,the trip.If you got the $ go to Europe before Bush blows up the world.No big cars,no guns,and all smiles........

[strumminsix]

If you got the $ go to Europe before Bush blows up the world.No big cars,no guns,and all smiles........

Sounds like somebody misses Nazi Germany...

Hitler took away guns and delivered a small, fuel efficient, affordable car.

[Tennesse]

No need to be a Ugly American,Strum.Hope you handle a gun better than you handle a guitar.

[strumminsix]

No need to be a Ugly American,Strum.Hope you handle a gun better than you handle a guitar.

Who's being ugly?
Who said anything about my gun ownership or lack there of?
What are you saying about my playing?

Does it really hurt you that I mention that your ideals are closely related to socialism and communism?

[Tennesse]

No Asshole I'm Jewish.

[Tennesse]

If you dont like Bush you are a commie...The Bears suck,too.

[strumminsix]

No Asshole I'm Jewish.

Ooh name calling. Now who's ugly?

BTW, I was talking about his style of government not his atrocities. If I offended you based on your religion for that I truly apologize.

But as a Jew I'm really surprised you hate Bush. He and the Republican party have been strongly supportive of Israel.

Most Jews I know have switched sides since the Reps defend Israel and the Dems seem to have taken such a liking to Muslims.

[strumminsix]

If you dont like Bush you are a commie...The Bears suck,too.

Who said that? Are you 12 years old, seriously. Not that it matters but I'm politically conservative but don't support Bush since he is not a conservative. Poise your argument better. My guess is that you have no argument against that since Michael Moore and MoveOn don't have an argument for a conservative who is no longer a republican.

Taking guns from private citizens is the first step in the metamorphosis into a socialist communist society.

[Tennesse]

Its funny you cant think for yourself.Their are many countries around the world who ban guns.Few are commies.Yet you insist on following a political mantra and not common sense.Because you have agenda.right?C'mon admit it-I dont like Bush and your panties got too tight.And please- if you are letting your political party tell you how to vote and think-dont call me a commie.And yeah I'm just as ugly as the next guy,but I know it.What kind of thoughtless jerk would call someone a Natzi without considering who they are talking to?Duh.Take your brain out of your ass.I'm sure you play a fine guitar and the Bears are cool,so peace to you.

[AugustWest]

I know what strummin's response is going to be. It's going to be something along the lines that he doesn't vote party lines becuase he is not a republican. But in fact a libratarian (that's a guess at your beliefs and the spelling) This is a little of topic of the thread and would probably be best discussed on Private messages. I know it's been said before but here's my feeling on the matter.


"St. Stephennnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!"

[Shaggy]

This topic soon headed for the ditch!

Actually the UK isn't really that different to America these days, they are getting closer and closer.

Plenty of guns here as well, same as big drug problems too. The inner cities of Scotland (as an example because it was mentioned earlier) have been notoriously bad for having drug issues down the years.

The people aren't that different here, if anything just a little more liberal and can laugh at themselves more(they have to!!) I'd say the average Brit has more knowledge of the world around him than the average American. Brits are very well up on most things American(again maybe they have to be!) I've a friend from Wales who goes to America quite a bit and when he's there he just tells people he's from London because no one seems to know what he's taking about when he tells them he's Welsh. They think it's a part of England!

Classic rock music is popular here, Country and Alt-Rock and Americana are popular as is American blues and folk. But you also have Irish and British folk influences too. Some American bands are actually more popular over here than back home. In 1966 readers of NME voted the Beach Boys the best band in the world! Heavy Metal was big but when Punk broke out in the mid 70's it was even bigger. In the 80's other scenes came through that could be classed as very British such as the Manchester scene and the Dance music scene. These paved the way for British Indie rock which is still very popular.

One thing thats never really been anywhere is any kind of jam band scene. Jazz is thought of highly here and so is classical, way more than in America.

Overall not much difference, closer than people think. You can hear any kind of music here.

[strumminsix]

Its funny you cant think for yourself.Their are many countries around the world who ban guns.Few are commies.Yet you insist on following a political mantra and not common sense.Because you have agenda.right?C'mon admit it-I dont like Bush and your panties got too tight.And please- if you are letting your political party tell you how to vote and think-dont call me a commie.And yeah I'm just as ugly as the next guy,but I know it.What kind of thoughtless jerk would call someone a Natzi without considering who they are talking to?Duh.Take your brain out of your ass.I'm sure you play a fine guitar and the Bears are cool,so peace to you.

I think for myself and base it on history.

Common sense tells me that government cannot morph into a totalitarian system when it has armed citizens.

I have no agenda.

I never called you a commie nor did I call you a Nazi.

You are 100% correct about the Nazi comment being thoughtless which it was and for that I again apologize very sincerely.