This is copied from an interview with Alt-J. I'm a bit disappointed with them. I get that it's artistic but I feel that their song glorifies the gang rape.
What is Fitzpleasure?
Fitzpleasure? Erm
It’s not rude is it?
It is rude, well it’s not rude, it’s graphic and it’s violent. It’s based on a book by Hubert Selby Jr [Last Exit to Brooklyn]. Each chapter is about a different character and they all intertwine throughout the book. There’s a woman called Tralala so that’s why we sing [sings] Tra-la-la-la there’s a character called Tralala and it’s just about her. So basically the phrase is ‘in your snatch fits pleasure, broom shaped pleasure’ so fits and pleasure and Fitz like a second name, like Fitzpatrick so we thought Fitzpleasure, so more subtle. But it’s about the end of the chapter where she gets, er, gang-raped, so it’s really horrible.
Who read the book?
I did. I always believe that you write about what moves you and although that gang-rape scene is horrible… it really moved me, it’s really well written, you don’t really know which way is up after that chapter. I thought it was a really powerful thing to write about.
We like your shoes, where are they from?
They’re Doc Martins.
I dunno, I disagree. The song does sound pretty dark, as much of their music does. They obviously take their art really seriously, and something like this is pretty heavy, so I can see why it moved the artist to write about it. Just because it's different from the way you initially interpreted it doesn't mean that it glorifies gang rape. There are plenty of songs about drug addiction, or suicide, etc. that don't glorify those things but simply use them as the basis for a work of art that explores that subject.
I dunno, I disagree. The song does sound pretty dark, as much of their music does. They obviously take their art really seriously, and something like this is pretty heavy, so I can see why it moved the artist to write about it. Just because it's different from the way you initially interpreted it doesn't mean that it glorifies gang rape. There are plenty of songs about drug addiction, or suicide, etc. that don't glorify those things but simply use them as the basis for a work of art that explores that subject.
I don't think it glorifies gang rape or rape for that matter. When I read more about Alt-J I found out that one of them is a Literature graduate. Fitzpleasure isn't the only song with references to novels.
I don't think it glorifies gang rape or rape for that matter. When I read more about Alt-J I found out that one of them is a Literature graduate. Fitzpleasure isn't the only song with references to novels.
This was his way of reacting to the novel, specifically that chapter. It's just like Foster the People's "Pumped up Kicks" it such a happy sounding song but extremely dark and I doubt that it's glorifying murder, it's making you aware of what's or what could be going on in these kids' minds. There's also "Date Rape" by Sublime...
People react to horrific acts differently. If they write a song (like alt-j does), a book (holocaust stories for example), make a painting (Fautrier's heads of hostage), and many other examples; doesn't mean they glorify it.
I also don't think it really glorifies gang rape.
I've read the book the song was based on and Selby's other works, and I think Alt-J really captures Selby's writing style. His books are basically centered around the horror and darkness in the city. The writing is harsh and immediate; he really doesn't censor any of the content in the work and rarely indicates whether any of the situations are "right" or "wrong".
Fitzpleasure is a lot like that: it gives the facts of what happened with complete honesty. Personally, I think that a huge part of the book and the song...
I also don't think it really glorifies gang rape.
I've read the book the song was based on and Selby's other works, and I think Alt-J really captures Selby's writing style. His books are basically centered around the horror and darkness in the city. The writing is harsh and immediate; he really doesn't censor any of the content in the work and rarely indicates whether any of the situations are "right" or "wrong".
Fitzpleasure is a lot like that: it gives the facts of what happened with complete honesty. Personally, I think that a huge part of the book and the song is that they both give the bare, horrible reality. Most of the time, people turn away from what they think is obscene even if it's true. The bluntness is what makes you really recognize the reality of the situation.
In reply to PaxCeciliaPwns, I do think that they condemn the actions described in the song in the lines
"Tall woman, pull the pylons down
And wrap them around the necks of all the feckless men that queue to be the next"
In reply to PaxCeciliaPwns, I do think that they condemn the actions described in the song in the lines
"Tall woman, pull the pylons down
And wrap them around the necks of all the feckless men that queue to be the next"
This is copied from an interview with Alt-J. I'm a bit disappointed with them. I get that it's artistic but I feel that their song glorifies the gang rape.
What is Fitzpleasure? Fitzpleasure? Erm It’s not rude is it? It is rude, well it’s not rude, it’s graphic and it’s violent. It’s based on a book by Hubert Selby Jr [Last Exit to Brooklyn]. Each chapter is about a different character and they all intertwine throughout the book. There’s a woman called Tralala so that’s why we sing [sings] Tra-la-la-la there’s a character called Tralala and it’s just about her. So basically the phrase is ‘in your snatch fits pleasure, broom shaped pleasure’ so fits and pleasure and Fitz like a second name, like Fitzpatrick so we thought Fitzpleasure, so more subtle. But it’s about the end of the chapter where she gets, er, gang-raped, so it’s really horrible. Who read the book? I did. I always believe that you write about what moves you and although that gang-rape scene is horrible… it really moved me, it’s really well written, you don’t really know which way is up after that chapter. I thought it was a really powerful thing to write about. We like your shoes, where are they from? They’re Doc Martins.
Well, love them, but this song... I´ll skip from now on
Well, love them, but this song... I´ll skip from now on
Yeah, its weird. The lyrical content and mood of the song don't do anything to condemn the actions described which is a little disturbing to me.
Yeah, its weird. The lyrical content and mood of the song don't do anything to condemn the actions described which is a little disturbing to me.
The Irish prefix "Fitz" indicates illigitimatcy. "Fitzpatrick" means "bastard son of Patrick."
The Irish prefix "Fitz" indicates illigitimatcy. "Fitzpatrick" means "bastard son of Patrick."
I dunno, I disagree. The song does sound pretty dark, as much of their music does. They obviously take their art really seriously, and something like this is pretty heavy, so I can see why it moved the artist to write about it. Just because it's different from the way you initially interpreted it doesn't mean that it glorifies gang rape. There are plenty of songs about drug addiction, or suicide, etc. that don't glorify those things but simply use them as the basis for a work of art that explores that subject.
I dunno, I disagree. The song does sound pretty dark, as much of their music does. They obviously take their art really seriously, and something like this is pretty heavy, so I can see why it moved the artist to write about it. Just because it's different from the way you initially interpreted it doesn't mean that it glorifies gang rape. There are plenty of songs about drug addiction, or suicide, etc. that don't glorify those things but simply use them as the basis for a work of art that explores that subject.
I don't think it glorifies gang rape or rape for that matter. When I read more about Alt-J I found out that one of them is a Literature graduate. Fitzpleasure isn't the only song with references to novels.
I don't think it glorifies gang rape or rape for that matter. When I read more about Alt-J I found out that one of them is a Literature graduate. Fitzpleasure isn't the only song with references to novels.
This was his way of reacting to the novel, specifically that chapter. It's just like Foster the People's "Pumped up Kicks" it such a happy sounding song but extremely dark and I doubt that it's glorifying murder, it's making you aware of what's or what could be going on in these kids' minds. There's also "Date Rape" by Sublime...
People react to horrific acts differently. If they write a song (like alt-j does), a book (holocaust stories for example), make a painting (Fautrier's heads of hostage), and many other examples; doesn't mean they glorify it.
I also don't think it really glorifies gang rape. I've read the book the song was based on and Selby's other works, and I think Alt-J really captures Selby's writing style. His books are basically centered around the horror and darkness in the city. The writing is harsh and immediate; he really doesn't censor any of the content in the work and rarely indicates whether any of the situations are "right" or "wrong". Fitzpleasure is a lot like that: it gives the facts of what happened with complete honesty. Personally, I think that a huge part of the book and the song...
I also don't think it really glorifies gang rape. I've read the book the song was based on and Selby's other works, and I think Alt-J really captures Selby's writing style. His books are basically centered around the horror and darkness in the city. The writing is harsh and immediate; he really doesn't censor any of the content in the work and rarely indicates whether any of the situations are "right" or "wrong". Fitzpleasure is a lot like that: it gives the facts of what happened with complete honesty. Personally, I think that a huge part of the book and the song is that they both give the bare, horrible reality. Most of the time, people turn away from what they think is obscene even if it's true. The bluntness is what makes you really recognize the reality of the situation.
@Jlefant I don't think they meant to glorify it. Thanks for finding this interview though! :)
@Jlefant I don't think they meant to glorify it. Thanks for finding this interview though! :)
In reply to PaxCeciliaPwns, I do think that they condemn the actions described in the song in the lines "Tall woman, pull the pylons down And wrap them around the necks of all the feckless men that queue to be the next"
In reply to PaxCeciliaPwns, I do think that they condemn the actions described in the song in the lines "Tall woman, pull the pylons down And wrap them around the necks of all the feckless men that queue to be the next"