How come so many of the Fallen sound so well adjusted having worked in MES’ lunatic maelstrom?
I think the analogy is with troops in the Vietnam or Afghan wars. Once you bring them home, they stop killing people. Usually. How come none of them have any done anything else musically worthwhile? I don’t think that’s true. Simon Rogers (hugely respected classical musician who was in the late 80s Fall) has done tons of stuff, from BBC orchestrations to producing the recent Lightning Seeds album. Steve Trafford is playing with Paul Heaton. Brix had her band The Adult Net. Martin Bramah did the fantastic Blue Orchids and has now formed a band called Factory Star with the Hanley brothers. Adrian Flanagan has various projects. Etc etc. All very much worthwhile. Maybe some had had enough of the business. Maybe others were never that interested – they were footsoldiers recruited from the pub who returned to the pub. Where do you stand on the Paul Morley – “what if he’s just a drunk” argument? It’s an interesting point of view and I think every Fall fan will have asked themselves that quest
