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Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Date: Jun 22 2009

Themes: Alternative

Grammar: Used to Do vs Be Used to

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Intro

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It can make you feel pretty cool when a band you’ve loved forever suddenly goes mainstream. Obviously, you must’ve been ahead of the times to be a fan of that group before most people had even heard of it. On the other hand, it sucks when a band becomes more popular by changing its sound or losing its edge.

Devan has been a fan of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs for a long time. Listen to the dialog to find out how she feels about the band becoming more mainstream with its new album, It’s Blitz.

Dialog

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Devan

Ella

Ella: Yeah yeah yeah…Um, who…what is this? What is this group about? I…

Devan: Oh you haven’t heard of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs?

Ella: No. I’ve not not not.

Devan: Oh, they’re so awesome. It’s got a female singer, her name’s Karen O, and they have a new album coming out, which is much more poppy, more dance music than their old stuff. But they started out being kind of like a punk rock trio. But this is much more of an approachable album. She used to scream a lot and be really noisy. But now their songs, you know, definitely are more accessible. You could hear them played out on the dance floor.

Ella: Oh, so are they becoming kind of mainstream now?

Devan: Yeah, they’re definitely appealing to the mainstream more. They signed with a bigger label, and they’re definitely branching out to a bigger community. But I’m really excited about the new album. It’s called It’s Blitz and…

Ella: I mean, what drew you to this group?

Devan: Just her charisma, her energy when she’s on stage. She’s definitely got such like a big, strong personality, and she really draws you in with her energy. I hope that she still has that same energy on this album that she used to have, ‘cause I would hate to see her go too mainstream.

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Discussion

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Devan is surprised that Ella has never heard of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, a band that Devan really likes. One of Devan’s favorite things about the band is the lead singer, Karen O. She has great energy and makes it fun to see the Yeah Yeah Yeahs live. She’s charismatic and exciting to watch.

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs have a new album coming out, which sounds less punky and more like mainstream dance music than previous albums. Devan hopes that Karen O won’t lose her edge if the band goes mainstream.

Have you ever liked a band before it went mainstream? Do you think it’s possible for mainstream bands to stay edgy?

Comments

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walaakd

Jordan

I have never heard about this … and the name of the band is cool, I like it

in general, like me the person have energy espicial on a stag, this makes me happy.

vicmay_lo-flo@live.com.mx

Mexico

Actually I like the many bands that have now changed gender. I think the evolution in music should not prevent some things remain the same.

anamusic

Chile

I don’t know, music is something very personal. I think bands should change according to the time, it’s like people, we have to experience, learn new things, and change in order to stay updated

katarialokesh

India

it's very flair, i can learn many things about the music

fosto

Egypt

it's very strang

but not bad

IREMK

Thailand

i don't know this band ..

i will search …Yeah Yeah Yeah ..

KylieAcid

Singapore

I bought all of the YYYs album.

Karen O is my favourite vocalist. She's cool!!!

Noor-alhalabi

Jordan

I dont LIKE like this bands .. although its common in the west ..

Btw .. there is a good new meaning =]

Marcelolic

Brazil

I have never heard to speak about this band…It is a news to me,I will research on ;)

Marcelolic

Brazil

I think that when a band change your style,lots of your following are lost! neither always a sharp of quality is maintained! For ex,when Bruce Dickinson left Iron Maiden,I let to hear Iron Maiden too! Now,when he returned,I come back to hear Iron Maiden again ;)

ciberd7

Brazil

I love Yeahx3 because the lead singer is so cute and charming, she´s stylish, I love their new song "Heads will roll" and the Michael Jackson worfman eheeheh it´s creepy.

When a band goes mainstream I think they can get better or worse, it´ll depend on their new followings and they need to think it´s like an accompplishment of a dream and not to overdo the fame.

tiagon85

Brazil

The worst problem to be a mainstream band is lose your own identifier therefor get more following and money.

Elle shing

China

It is a cool band,especially the dress.

AnnB

Ukraine

YYY one of my favourites. love it. bit it's not a punk, it's like indie, indierock

boriszl

China

Every pop band has a charismatic and energy leader singer,Wong Ka Kui is the lead singer of beyond,I really like the band,it is mainstream in 90s in Hongkong,it draw me in with his energy and talent.

Ca_Brazil

Brazil

i have liked a band that is still unpopular and they sound great, its like you listen to them and you feel they made that song for you, i dont know if they would change their edge if they became famous, i hope not. I dont think it could be possible for mainstream bands to stay edge for too long because they got to sell their CDs, sometimes dont really matter what they play.