I love interviews like these. More chatty and you get a bit more of an insight into their personalities. Love Sparks. These brothers have made the world a better place. ❤️
As a rock n roller with classical background I can easily say that you guys fucking paved the way for all music from 1985-2020, it's unprecedented by any band, i.e. Slade, The Sweet, New York dolls, you are the fucking unsung heroes of decades
I've been enjoying this band since 1973. You either like 'em or you don't. There is very little middle ground. I think they are fantastic. They continue to surprise and entertain. I had the pleasure of meeting Ron and Russell when they played a club in Norman,Oklahoma for their In Outer space tour. They were very friendly and gracious. I wish them nothing but success.
I always worry about middle ground. Surely that's just irrelevance-or people thinking they're only known for a few songs back when. I don't think it's a case of love or hate, most losers wouldn't wake to Sparks as they're too busy being sated on non-stop shit we've been getting since 1990.
@@kyachdistent1301the non stop shit imho started in 1987 when stock aitken and watermelon started putting out samey formulaic crap by the likes of Sonya, Rick Astley, Kylie etc etc.
@@Eleventhearlofmars Yes, that cannot be denied. While they were always a small number of bad acts around, nothing destroyed things the way S/A/W did AND Madonna though, every bit as formulaic, risible, pointless and awful in the same ways. Worse, the way she does it, she gets taken SERIOUSLY. Wish she WOULD get seriously taken-off the planet! C/rap being accepted as a musical form also did this evil job too. No wonder we got the 90s and all that followed.
No joke, these guys are the funniest and most humble rockers alive. Their first band, “Halfnelson” was cutting edge as well and they tuned in on the best rock music. I don’t think they’ve had even a bad hair day in their lives.
I just love these guys. Don’t ask me why as I’m into Jazz, Funk, Parliament, Funkadelic, anything that is not Sparks, but I did look after them not that they’d remember, as they rehearsed at a studio I worked at, and I set up the PA, their room (Westbourne Rehearsal Studios) a bit of a dive but all the best bands including Sparks rehearsed there. And yes. I love these guys. Lay some funk on me
I freaking love their answer when they were asked: "what are your politics", or something to that effect. When they answered "we are happy to be in London while both the Republican and Democratic parties are having their respective conventions", I knew exactly why I've loved these guys all these years... both of our parties suck, big time! And all these guys do is make incredible music!
Love to hang out with theses guys. There is more newness that comes out of these guys in five minutes then a whole generation of repellent worthless shit.
first ever album I got was in 1979, a vinyl compilation from one of the labels like K-Tel or Ronco (still have it, runs off to check..Ronco, a big As Seen On TV printed on the front cover). Three of the tracks on it are Babylon's Burning by The Ruts, Death Disco by P.I.L and Beat The Clock by Sparks. As an impressionable 10 year old my musical fate was sealed :) enjoyed this v.much, thanks
Really excellent, thanks so much for uploading!! :D This is the first time I've sort of enjoyed something from Balls, I like to pretend that album doesn't exist ;)
……. "Indiscreet" was/is the 1st vinyl Lp of theirs that I got. It came out the autumn just after I'd graduated from High School … They're total role models for me, as a singer … My gods! These guys are both in their 60s & they've never had plastic surgery! … There is hope for music, there is … Thanks for the upload, Where It's At TV … Good work ~ (•8-D
Calvin. As in Calvin and Hobbes🐅. Ron could be the father. Not exactly, but it's a comparison my brain comes up with every now and then, without I'm not really asking for it. "Kalle och Hobbe"
_"Russel reminds me of a middle-aged woman"_ It's interesting as it seems to have increased with time. I've always loved pop stars who deviated from the usual 'rock' god macho crap and thought that Russell M, with his brothers genius music and lyrics, was the coolest androgyne ever. As time rolls on, he seems increasingly effeminate in his speaking and physicality. To the point in the 'Sparks Brothers' documentary where he comes across as the cutest old camp queen I've ever seen!
OMG, Finally, someone who loves (or even knows about) Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights". One of my favorite songs of all time. BTW, I have 273 favorite songs of all time. But that's still ranking "Wuthering Heights" pretty high, considering there have been 873 quadrillion songs written throughout the span of human life as of this moment riiiiight.....HERE! "Wuthering Heights". Kate Bush. In the off-chance you ever find a website that features videos, look it up.
Was it not a hit wherever you are? Here in the UK, Wuthering Heights was a no. 1 single and is one of the most celebrated records of the modern era! _Everyone_ (over a certain age) knows it.
Odd comment, First of all, many celebs will like this song. I'm guessing you're an American, this is the only way you would not know this song beyond looking back at the lady's back catalogue since 'Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)' finally made an impression in that stupid country. If you have 273 fave songs of all time, I'd be intrigued to what the others are, but I do worry I admit, not least because as of 1990 beyond, most things in the dead music scene are naturally shit and then some. As for your assertion of "873 quadrillion songs written throughout..." please be sensible. Not only is this a weirdly specific number, you'd have to knock at least 872 quadrillion out, as most songs are virtually pointless, interchangeable, derivative pieces of patent garbage, ugly as they are offensive, that say and do nothing meaningful, and are puppeted by voices just as pathetic and vile. And most everything made since 1990 can't be counted as a song anyway, as manufactured muzak swill is NOT music.
If I'm not mistaken Steve might have been recovering from a heart attack when Russell ran into him. My contact with Steve was in front of a burger truck outside of the radio station where he was broadcasting his show, Jonesy's Jukebox. I'm not sure that was pre or post heart attack but there you go. Burgers are hard to resist. Steve was kind enough to take a selfie with me. Russell should have engaged him to have the brothers on his show, or did he?
@@skipraida5497 Anyway wearing a wig is not the point, Russell still have a wonderful smiling, something indescribably enticing in his way of speaking, singing and dancing, and the Mael's brothers are still there in our musical environment.... Moreover the Chinese government is no democratic one, so who cares about theirs opinion? Not me... It's up to China to solve their political problems in a democratic way, and not to care about Russell' hairstyle.
He said "who should be in my class regularly steve jones formerly of the sex pistols" why does he think he should be in his class? for all he knows steve jones might be in perfectly good shape, for someone his age I mean. and by the way I don't see how that counts as a sex pistols story, considering he was saying that he thinks he should be in his class.
"Who should be in my spinning class regularly if not Steve jones" is not a suggestion, in this context it's simply a way of saying: Steve Jones is regularly in my spinning class, isn't that weird/interesting?
Why didn't they take a special mic to suppress the wind noise? F... unprofessional, if you ask me. I couldn't listen to it any more, sorry. Ron doesn't seem to enjoy the interview eithe - you can tell this advertising for whereitsat is putting him off.
Russell's been singing in a band with his brother for 50 years and he says "music's not really my thing". Awesome!
There is something about these guys that makes me really happy.
It’s just everything
that's always been their power; I'm strictly classical, but I love the Sparks---both as people and musicians.
I love interviews like these. More chatty and you get a bit more of an insight into their personalities.
Love Sparks. These brothers have made the world a better place. ❤️
As a rock n roller with classical background I can easily say that you guys fucking paved the way for all music from 1985-2020, it's unprecedented by any band, i.e. Slade, The Sweet, New York dolls, you are the fucking unsung heroes of decades
I played Bass for Sylvain of the Ny Dolls. He loved Sparks too.
Ahead of your time, m8, now everyone's recognising it
@DorisDay-lw4xs Bowie is one of the, if not the, best solo artists.. Not very unsung is he?
Ron is the handsomest guy ever and Russell is adorable. Also they're wildly talented and I'm blessed to share a planet with these guys.
These guys are fascinating.. Ron's dry humour dead pan & Russell's kid in a candy shop hi energy. PSE fly to Cairns Oz
Via Perth
I love Rons dark voice. 😘 wish I could meet them. They are so nice 🌞
I've been enjoying this band since 1973. You either like 'em or you don't. There is very little middle ground. I think they are fantastic. They continue to surprise and entertain. I had the pleasure of meeting Ron and Russell when they played a club in Norman,Oklahoma for their In Outer space tour. They were very friendly and gracious. I wish them nothing but success.
I always worry about middle ground. Surely that's just irrelevance-or people thinking they're only known for a few songs back when. I don't think it's a case of love or hate, most losers wouldn't wake to Sparks as they're too busy being sated on non-stop shit we've been getting since 1990.
@@kyachdistent1301the non stop shit imho started in 1987 when stock aitken and watermelon started putting out samey formulaic crap by the likes of Sonya, Rick Astley, Kylie etc etc.
@@Eleventhearlofmars Yes, that cannot be denied. While they were always a small number of bad acts around, nothing destroyed things the way S/A/W did AND Madonna though, every bit as formulaic, risible, pointless and awful in the same ways. Worse, the way she does it, she gets taken SERIOUSLY. Wish she WOULD get seriously taken-off the planet! C/rap being accepted as a musical form also did this evil job too. No wonder we got the 90s and all that followed.
They always seem to be having fun, which I have always appreciated.
No joke, these guys are the funniest and most humble rockers alive. Their first band, “Halfnelson” was cutting edge as well and they tuned in on the best rock music. I don’t think they’ve had even a bad hair day in their lives.
I could listen the whole day to ron
Ron : "He's the fashion element of the duo." Absolutely flippin' hilarious!
They always joke a good bit. Part of their shtick 🙂
The guy is a star! Dear old Ron!
Believe me, Ron, screaming girls can be quite the intellectuals.
Miles Davis and Kate Bush in the same sentence. I love Ron!!!!!
Slim Jim, is that you? ;)
Sparks are legends..
I'd love to meet them one day.. (although I doubt that I ever will) 😕
"I want to be a rock star when I grow up." - Russell Mael
"I want to be George Orwell and form a band with my brother when I grow up." - Ron Mael
I just love these guys. Don’t ask me why as I’m into Jazz, Funk, Parliament, Funkadelic, anything that is not Sparks, but I did look after them not that they’d remember, as they rehearsed at a studio I worked at, and I set up the PA, their room (Westbourne Rehearsal Studios) a bit of a dive but all the best bands including Sparks rehearsed there. And yes. I love these guys. Lay some funk on me
refreshing to hear these two, not condescending or swanky, shows real style
They’re so sweet and funny 😁
I freaking love their answer when they were asked: "what are your politics", or something to that effect. When they answered "we are happy to be in London while both the Republican and Democratic parties are having their respective conventions", I knew exactly why I've loved these guys all these years... both of our parties suck, big time! And all these guys do is make incredible music!
I agree especially when you consider the year in which the comment was made...it is always the SOS
@@tunesmith7437 What year was it made?
@@blackmore4Around 2000 I think
Amazing band I love them
great interview. Thanks for uploading. RON MAEL!
Three people would benefit from knowing the magic that is SPARKS.
Saw and met Sparks in Montreal 1974 or 5, Patty Smith opened, what an amazing experience, incredible performance@
I remember the first time I saw them on TV, I was 14, now I’m 63. Love these guys, Keep dancing Ron !
The look on Ron's face when Russell is talking about a porn name. I enjoyed the interview 😀
Oh my ... since I was a teen, mid-70s ... been in ❤ with Sparks 😊
Shot in May 2000 in Hyde Park as far as I rermember.
Such witty gentlemen!
Long live Sparks.
LOL RON'S FACE WHEN RUSSELL SAYS HIS MOUSTACHE IS PORNOGRAPHIC!
Lol yes that humour is so far side
Lol, Russell saying that Ron used to beat him up... I honestly can't picture Ron beating anyone up.
I believe this interview is 20 years old now.
I'm STILL starstruck 😘
Don't know why but I didn't expect them to sound like this. Love Sparks!
i love LOVE SCENES great song
AWESOME! Really cool! THANKS FOR POSTING THIS!
Fun interview!
Love to hang out with theses guys. There is more newness that comes out of these guys in five minutes then a whole generation of repellent worthless shit.
Ron Mael reminds me of the ominous, dark figure in Munch's "The Scream"
Or a MIB……
Or This cat 😼
The number one rule of public transportation in Los Angeles is, Don't Take Public Transportation.
who are you? why I know you not for long? But you great!! To you, from Russia with love))
They make me laugh 😂😂😂
At one point ya need to change the location if it aint working. Like go inside. Weres the producer at?
Well there you go, conclusive proof that his blood IS red.
first ever album I got was in 1979, a vinyl compilation from one of the labels like K-Tel or Ronco (still have it, runs off to check..Ronco, a big As Seen On TV printed on the front cover). Three of the tracks on it are Babylon's Burning by The Ruts, Death Disco by P.I.L and Beat The Clock by Sparks. As an impressionable 10 year old my musical fate was sealed :)
enjoyed this v.much, thanks
My GOD!..What about the band-aid!?? Why didn't somebody DO SOMETHING!? Ohhh the humanity!!
Really excellent, thanks so much for uploading!! :D This is the first time I've sort of enjoyed something from Balls, I like to pretend that album doesn't exist ;)
Oh sorry for your finger Ron...you are so nice.
Sweet.
Marilu Rasonyi aww yes he is a sweetheart love him so much
……. "Indiscreet" was/is the 1st vinyl Lp of theirs that I got. It came out the autumn just after I'd graduated from High School … They're total role models for me, as a singer … My gods! These guys are both in their 60s & they've never had plastic surgery! … There is hope for music, there is … Thanks for the upload, Where It's At TV … Good work ~ (•8-D
I don't know why, but Russel always reminds me of either a middle-aged woman or a little kid. There's like no in between.
Calvin. As in Calvin and Hobbes🐅. Ron could be the father.
Not exactly, but it's a comparison my brain comes up with every now and then, without I'm not really asking for it.
"Kalle och Hobbe"
and you´re absolutely correct
_"Russel reminds me of a middle-aged woman"_
It's interesting as it seems to have increased with time. I've always loved pop stars who deviated from the usual 'rock' god macho crap and thought that Russell M, with his brothers genius music and lyrics, was the coolest androgyne ever. As time rolls on, he seems increasingly effeminate in his speaking and physicality. To the point in the 'Sparks Brothers' documentary where he comes across as the cutest old camp queen I've ever seen!
@@blackmore4 I still would!
@@PhyllisJay He'd probably agree to it. You've got a cute face ;)
OMG, Finally, someone who loves (or even knows about) Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights". One of my favorite songs of all time. BTW, I have 273 favorite songs of all time. But that's still ranking "Wuthering Heights" pretty high, considering there have been 873 quadrillion songs written throughout the span of human life as of this moment riiiiight.....HERE! "Wuthering Heights". Kate Bush. In the off-chance you ever find a website that features videos, look it up.
Was it not a hit wherever you are? Here in the UK, Wuthering Heights was a no. 1 single and is one of the most celebrated records of the modern era! _Everyone_ (over a certain age) knows it.
Odd comment, First of all, many celebs will like this song. I'm guessing you're an American, this is the only way you would not know this song beyond looking back at the lady's back catalogue since 'Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)' finally made an impression in that stupid country. If you have 273 fave songs of all time, I'd be intrigued to what the others are, but I do worry I admit, not least because as of 1990 beyond, most things in the dead music scene are naturally shit and then some. As for your assertion of "873 quadrillion songs written throughout..." please be sensible. Not only is this a weirdly specific number, you'd have to knock at least 872 quadrillion out, as most songs are virtually pointless, interchangeable, derivative pieces of patent garbage, ugly as they are offensive, that say and do nothing meaningful, and are puppeted by voices just as pathetic and vile. And most everything made since 1990 can't be counted as a song anyway, as manufactured muzak swill is NOT music.
@@blackmore4It wasn’t a hit in America.
I"d still do russell
word
Both
absolutely same
Hell yes
If I'm not mistaken Steve might have been recovering from a heart attack when Russell ran into him. My contact with Steve was in front of a burger truck outside of the radio station where he was broadcasting his show, Jonesy's Jukebox. I'm not sure that was pre or post heart attack but there you go. Burgers are hard to resist. Steve was kind enough to take a selfie with me. Russell should have engaged him to have the brothers on his show, or did he?
what is the name of the song they are playing? its the calm before the storm...? that one.
God was down here,in Hyde Park.!!!Who would've believed it!
My fear of umbrellas has just been validated.
I always thought Sparks were from Europe, I did not expect them to be American but 10/10 for the music & longevity
Russell needs to sue his barber for that haircut XD
@chinese government, it's a wig!!
@@skipraida5497
Good joke! XD XD
@@skipraida5497
Anyway wearing a wig is not the point, Russell still have a wonderful smiling, something indescribably enticing in his way of speaking, singing and dancing, and the Mael's brothers are still there in our musical environment.... Moreover the Chinese government is no democratic one, so who cares about theirs opinion? Not me... It's up to China to solve their political problems in a democratic way, and not to care about Russell' hairstyle.
@@WahldoK, boring
..
I love his shorter hair.
These Brothers are Brilliant! But I thought they were the children of Doris Day...
Ron looks a bit like Dracula iwearing glasses. PS Nex time you visit the UK Russell, wear a COAT at all times!
i would say they have been making music for over 40 years
@6:28. Not true, Ron. Russ developed vocal cords before you took piano lessons.
this is so cool, we were wondering what happened to these guys
A force of nature from day 1.
Steve Jones needs spinning.
is this interview from 2001? i dont know!
When was the interview held?
Love Russell's sense of humour here re the porn sites and not knowing much about music.
Wow, Sparks looking fantastic. Ron sounds awfully like someone else. Is it Jeff Goldblum? No? Who is it? This will annoy me all day now.
He looks and sounds like the cartoonist Robert Crumb.
Russell Mael here looks like Vic Reeves as Shakamoto
You guys should have been recognized by most everyone. But then again I only listen to genius..
Ray & Dave Davies........the Kinks
1 of the main ruleZ of the public transport in LA: "Do not make eye contact with anybody! Or u die!" :DD
don´t know if this is inappropiate or not but i feel like ron would be an absolute amazing top
Why Ron changed his moustache style ?
Oh, man.. They aged so quickly over the last ten years.
I hope they keep going strong..
I think this is from 2000, not from when it was uploaded in 2011.
I think that you're the one that aged very quickly...
Tacky Tigers...
Wow, this Where Its At program and its format really didn't age well, despite the fabulous Sparks being the subject of their questions.
Do not make eye contact with anybody or you die
gallaghers... please.
He said "who should be in my class regularly steve jones formerly of the sex pistols" why does he think he should be in his class? for all he knows steve jones might be in perfectly good shape, for someone his age I mean. and by the way I don't see how that counts as a sex pistols story, considering he was saying that he thinks he should be in his class.
"Who should be in my spinning class regularly if not Steve jones" is not a suggestion, in this context it's simply a way of saying: Steve Jones is regularly in my spinning class, isn't that weird/interesting?
Why didn't they take a special mic to suppress the wind noise? F... unprofessional, if you ask me. I couldn't listen to it any more, sorry. Ron doesn't seem to enjoy the interview eithe - you can tell this advertising for whereitsat is putting him off.
They don't interview well. Very boring.