Throwing Muses - Fish (Official Video)

Subscribe to 4AD here: bit.ly/4ADKZbin
Taken from the 1987 4AD Compilation 'Lonely Is An Eyesore' and featuring the Throwing Muses lineup of Kristin Hersh, Tanya Donelly, Leslie Langston and David Narcizo.
4AD on the web:
4ad.com/
/ fourad
/ 4ad_official
#ThrowingMuses #4AD #4ADRecords
Listen to more Throwing Muses' songs here bit.ly/3cFaEqu

[@wormpigfig]

i’m so happy to live in a world where throwing muses exists

[@cmonman3639]

This song is still wild in the year 2020.

[@aaroncarson1770]

It's totally cutting edge, even now.

[@gretaweiss6802]

Kristin Hersh is pregnant here. And she’s 19 ! 🥺 so young. I’m reading her memoir. It’s amazing, and really interesting!

[@alladreamwedreamed]

I'm reading it too, it's wonderful ❤

[@mistery-ed7900]

I still have my VHS copy of Lonely Is An Eyesore. This is my favorite video along with Cocteau Twins.

[@libertyprime7911]

OMG #LonelyIsAnEyesore

[@bobbbxxx]

Me too. And don't forget two other 4AD gem, Throwing Muses and This Mortal Coil. Cocteau Twins were the BEST, imo.

[@hautepumpernickel]

Me too!

[@ricardoroberto100]

Same here!

[@sheepkillindog]

4ad also had Breeders and pixies. But throwing muses has to my favorite

[@petescare13]

It was at the pet store I worked at at the time they shot the footage of the fish, on Newbury St. in Boston's Back Bay, around the corner from Copley Square. I''d rather not consider the year, lol. ;)

[@jimbrennan3793]

It's like U2 at Red Rocks, man, where he tells the crowd: you're all part of rock and roll history. Ha ha, I am being a douchebag first thing in the morning.

[@mattmichalak1831]

That is too cool!! I just love TM, they are way too underrated.

[@davasmith4532]

Love how the guitar doesn't overwhelm the bass. You don't find that in a lot of alt rock. And yet the vox are not drowned out either. Whoever produced their early albums did a damn good job

[@edmundau-yeung9598]

Relentless angular and strangely beautiful. This will never get old.

[@luksweam]

I come back to this video from time to time. It is so "best times of 4AD". It is so 80'. It is so "we can do whatever we want". I love it!

[@breadbutt]

oh man... I had the album in high school. made a cassette of it for my walkman. one of the many cassettes I wore out those days. this *might* have been my favorite track at the time, but all of them were so strong.

[@aaroncarson1770]

This will perhaps always be agelessly avant-garde.

[@EricMVan]

Produced by Anita Roy Dobbs (and yours truly) for BF/VF (Boston Film/Video Foundation), directed by Danger Video (Charles Jevremovich and Lisa Munrose), live sound by Joe Harvard. Winner of a Mike Nesmith-sponsored AFI competition for best video by a new band. You're welcome!

[@charlesjevremovic6738]

Eric Hi. Mostly correct Jevremovic & Monrose (Danger Video) made it with live audio produced by George B. Hicks. The AFI's Michael Nesmith Award in Music Video was for the filmmakers not for any one particular project

[@charlesjevremovic6738]

Eric, I do not recall whether Joe Harvard or George B. Hicks did the audio. I do know that Joe recorded the Muses in the studio before this project and George recorded them recording audio that ended up in the long form Soul Soldier. The credits have that info. I'll post the correct filmmakers version with credits one of these months

[@EricMVan]

charles jevremovic Hey, Charles! Sorry about the last name spellings! Since I'd never heard of George before this, but my knowing Joe dates back to that session, I'm pretty sure it was Joe who did the live audio. The credits will tell all ...

[@edwardbernayse6665]

Eric M. Van was that girl singing raised on a commune and given acid as a little girl? she seems like it.

[@Dulcimerist]

Mike Nesmith, formerly of the Monkees?

[@joergroser2536]

The snare drum on this song really kicks! So happy to have lived when this song and album came out !

[@markedwayne1171]

First listen ever for me. This band is badass.

[@rg2027x]

forreal

[@emmaduncan2991]

indeed they are. I highly recommend their debut album.

[@iancrause1856]

I heard this band originally in 1989. They're one of the only bands, even from that whole period of innovation, whose early records are as fresh sounding and as they were back then. They're one of the greats - really.

[@amnril]

All Throwing Muses Albums are great, even Hunkapapa which with age sounds great now.

[@sheepkillindog]

@@amnril it is so American southwest with some of its compositions but still has that off kilter feel about it. Mania is my fav from that album. Plus Santa Claus. And dizzy. They’re all great actually.😃

[@FMDad-dm5qo]

“The feeling describes itself.”

[@Roark66]

Good to hear some early Muses. I have to add the drummer for this band, David Narcizo, is without a doubt one of my favorite drummers to this day 14 of October, 2020.

[@sheepkillindog]

He was such a great compliment to their styles. His grooves were always catchy and unique.

[@mattmichalak1831]

He's a killer behind that kit!

[@krautmasterr9719]

I had the lp box set. Such a great band along with this compilation. 4AD, one of the greatest labels at that time.

[@launderground]

how good was this band... so good.

[@jeffreycasano7705]

A Leslie Langston sighting! Love the original lineup.

[@MarkT80014]

I love her too :) - she was actually their second bass player. The first (Elaine Adamedes) didn't stay too long...

[@solwolfpunk]

The best Trowing Muses song!!!!!

[@gkaplan2000]

+solwolfpunk ....is not this crap.

[@MsMiguel70]

In my opinion, truly one of the best songs I've ever heard. Just beyond the pale. A song for being born, and fighting against death. Self awareness, hopefully for anyone. The music you want to hear just before... anything. Such a great meeting of lyrics and musicianship. And a video that seems to make their intensity apparent. Maybe they hated it. What do I know. : )

[@alondathomas293]

Weird,grungy, and punk rock af, which is why I like it,lol.

[@ebaby812]

I totally agree! The song structure is so unique, weird but melodic at the same time. My all time favorite

[@alladreamwedreamed]

Thank you IVO for relenting to sign an American band

[@justynmatlock8873]

One of the very best tracks of off the 'Lonely Is An Eyesore' compilation, and the one that gave us the album title. The Throwing Muses represented the incoming future of 4AD on an album that, in many ways, documented an era that was already passing. And the TM's were never as good without Leslie Langston.

[@jmpolock5211]

Proof GenX kicks asss

[@frankensplean]

"official video"s I didn't know existed. what a time warp. thx 4AD.

[@johndorcic4488]

My guitar playing style is 50% this song and 50% Jesus and Mary Chain. I'm proud of that.

[@justynmatlock8873]

We gotta hear that !!!

[@johndorcic4488]

I’m working on my first album right now, to be done by years end. I need a name!

[@justynmatlock8873]

British or American ?

[@johndorcic4488]

American.

[@justynmatlock8873]

@@johndorcic4488 Ah. That's a pity, I had a very 4AD sounding name, but it's a British pop' cultural reference. How about "Art as Terrorism", referencing J&MC manager Alan McGee's comments after the violence at their 15 March 1985 gig at the North London Polytechnic ? (It's on their Wiki' page if you want to read about it.)

[@Timurlane100]

Decades later and this still sounds so fresh and edgy! Oh, how I miss those days.

[@mpalmernyc]

Wow, I listened to this song so much when I was younger, good memories

[@KennethHabeck-yg7ln]

In the mid 90s I bought an “enhanced” CD single of Fish that included this video. The video was playable from the CD when it was loaded into my Mac desktop. I think it was in QuickTime format and didn’t expand to full screen, but it was kinda cool at the time.

[@sohopixie6]

I saw Throwing Muses open for Camper Van Beethoven (!) in 1986 (or 87?) on a college campus, I think at Wesleyan. Amazing show

[@mikewipfler-kim2196]

Camper van! Their song Sweethearts is so good.

[@MsMiguel70]

That would have been a great show. Never got to see Throwing Muses, but probably that same year, we got a ride to see Camper at a hot summer night show at U of OK. Wound up shooting fireworks with them in the parking lot. Guess we were alll younger and lucky. : )

[@seanmcgillis8608]

Cant wait to hear their new album!

[@polispre]

PERFECT SONG!!!!!!!!!

A remarkable song, attitude...always great!

[@elizabethhann4028]

What this really reminds me of (in a good way!) is Yoko Ono's "Don't Worry Kyoko" (off her 1971 album *FLY* ). Listen to both songs back-to-back and see what I mean.

[@BriCLK]

WOW! This Throwing Muses video reminds me why I was never a fan in the 80s/90s. Tanya Donelly certainly proved her self.

[@DeadLetter]

Awesome!! Great sound--brings back memories.

[@harrisonaard1]

Easily one of their best .. everrrr.

[@allakazam5715]

My oldest and favorite bands from my teen years.

[@ornello]

I miss it son much.

[@MIMNED]

Song and compilation both unforgettable. The title artwork "Fish" at the beginning of this video extraordinarily reminiscent of the sleeve that I absolutely prefer, that of the homonymous album by Clan Of Xymox.

[@aaroncarson1770]

This is magic. 🌛🌝🌜

[@stevechurch4728]

first song i heard from them on lonely is an eyesore album too.. liked it straight off.

[@colorado677]

Tenho essa sonzera em vinil.

[@Sysperia]

lonely is as lonely does...lonely is an eyesore.

[@UmusBejokeene]

...the feeling describes itself.

[@kateconvery]

If you type in "Fish by Throwing Muses Lyrics" in KZbin the audio is MUCH better on that one...plus you get to hear Kristin at the end! Thank you to the uploader of this video however...the more the merrier :)

[@endorphinparametric4132]

Yes, they overlaid the studio recording on the live video. Note how none of the sounds match the actions.

[@tyk8402]

I wonder where that snare drum is now? Still mind blowing as we approach 2024

[@kellyalexander8189]

Jeezus. We were all so young then. TANYA was always the STAR, like a shark with lipstick.

[@doitnowvideosyeah5841]

Yeah, but Kristen was the genius

[@josephkyle1557]

who's Kristen?

[@user-gf3wn1ne9n]

Be gone.

[@doitnowvideosyeah5841]

@fox pals Hersh is the better guitarist and less conventional songwriter. What is undeniable is the band was better when both sisters were in it. I think your point is re inforced by the fact that Tanya had some actual hits but Kristen is a songwriting legend

[@doitnowvideosyeah5841]

@fox pals I don't know her but I always thought she was genuine, a real unique visionary. Not all of it but the best made me hear music differently. Donnelly does not affect me that deeply, though she is far easier to listen to most of the time.

[@jenhasken]

Anybody read Rat Girl?

[@semperterra3235]

I am reading it right now (the UK edition is called Paradoxical Undressing), and the reason I watched this film is because I reached the part of the book where Hersh writes about its making. It's quite interesting to actually see the author and the people she is writing about.

[@allakazam5715]

I did, years ago. I was disappointed. Not a lot of details on the ins and outs like I thought. I felt she held back on a lot of stuff to spare people's feelings.

[@ooglemonster]

I’m reading it now and I think it’s brilliant. I never listened to Throwing Muses before but Rat Girl made me want to. I saw Kristin Hersh play live a few years ago and her intensity impressed me. I listened to her first solo record in high school but nothing since then.

[@mistery-ed7900]

Excellent book. I had loved the band and her solo work and found the writing and her thoughts intriguing. Her friendship with Betty Hutton really surprised me. If you've never seen Miracle Of Morgan's Creek you owe it to yourself to do so. Betty is fabulous!

[@seanmcgillis8608]

Almost finished, fascinating story

[@davidjacob5828]

Tanya the beautiful reminds me of Stevie Nicks playing a percussion instrument and singing backup vocals in a Fleetwood Mac song!

[@emmaduncan2991]

I want a fish nailed to a cross, on my apartment wall, that quotes Kafka.

[@kidkique]

u ever get that fish up on that cross?

[@alettakolibri]

Excellent lyrics the song start with!

[@davidellis5141]

" Lonely Is An Eyesore " 🐟

[@alancornelius1ghf]

nice song

[@179rich]

Leslie, where are you? Hope all is well.

[@179rich]

I thought you were telling me I needed counseling until I clicked on the link. Thanks

[@cawag98]

This is great. It sounds as good as it did when I was possibly younger than they are in the vid - and now I'm their dad, it seems. How did that happen? Great stuff - early Muses.

[@julosx]

Thans, 4AD. Can you post the "Soul Soldier" video as well ? It's been quite rare these days.

[@user-tk4gr9zo7t]

This is straight cool shit 🥰

[@pilarzj]

♥

[@fionamejer6116]

♥️

[@SaintMartins]

Originally released on the 4AD compilation Lonely Is An Eyesore (1987) but re-released on another 4AD compilation "Clustered & Clipped" (1998) exclusive to 2,000 copies in Canada to promote the 4AD catalogue. You got a free copy of this 16 track CD with a purchase of 2 CD's by a 4AD band. I bought 2 Lush albums & later bought 2 Mojave 3 albums & got a second copy. *Clustered & Clipped 1998* 1. Mojave 3 - Who Do You Love? 2. Cocteau Twins - Aikea-Guinea 3. This Mortal Coil - You And Your Sister 4. Michael Brook - Ultra Marine 5. Modern English - I Melt With You 6. Bauhaus - Terror Kill The Colonel 7. Pixies - Wave Of Mutilation 8. M/A/R/R/S - Pump Up The Volume 9. Wolfgang Press - Mama Told Me Not To Come 10. Lush - 500 11. Frank Blank - Speedy Marie 12. The Birthday Party - Nick The Stripper 13. Throwing Muses - Fish 14. Dead Can Dance - The Host Of The Seraphim 15. Colourbox - Arena 16. The Dirt Eaters - Man On The Silver Mountain *Lonely Is An Eyesore 1987* 1. Colourbox - "Hot Doggie" 2. This Mortal Coil - "Acid, Bitter and Sad" 3. The Wolfgang Press - "Cut the Tree" 4. Throwing Muses - "Fish" 5. Dead Can Dance - "Frontier" 6. Cocteau Twins - "Crushed" 7. Dif Juz - "No Motion" 8. Clan of Xymox - "Muscoviet Musquito" 9. Dead Can Dance - "The Protagonist"

[@colorado677]

E nunca pensei ver em vídeo.

I was looking for this so many years... I knew the name of the song, but i forgot the band

[@asshat72]

Cowbell?... This is one song that doesn't "need more cowbell"... hehe!! They got the cowbell down pat...

[@adamalvespin]

Strangely it sounds like arabic music and music from Brazilian northeast, like Quinteto Armorial and maracatu.

[@bobh808]

No, this is not the one from Lonely is an Eyesore. Because in that one, I could tell you the exact moment I fell in love with Tanya. Still, a great song and a wonderful video.

[@endorphinparametric4132]

This IS the video from the VHS of Lonely is an Eyesore, featuring a live recording of the song. The version on the LP was a studio recording.

[@bobh808]

@@endorphinparametric4132 I still think there are at least two or maybe more versions of the video - not comparing it to the recording at all - but you may be right about this particular cut; my memory just isn't what it used to be. It just doesn't look quite like how I remember it and I watched that video a LOT.

[@beatrizdejesus1111]

Isso é muito Chico Science! 🥰

[@sauloamorim]

Kkkkkkkk coincidência. Certezaaa

[@ChrisJohnson-xm4bu]

Fuck, this is really old based on the age of the performers! Saw Throwing Muses in 1995 and Belly in 1996. Eight and nine years after this song. Belly was doing well after Star and University from Throwing Muses dropped my first semester in college, Bright Yellow Gun got some play. I really love Snakeface. Their music looks yellow if you are on acid when you see them, a dark yellow. I can still picture the color in my head, but I'm not sure that color actually exists outside of my memories.

[@0mink0]

That's really interesting, I'm not sure I'd ever have come up with that comparison myself, but you may be right. You're at least *partly* right.

[@semperterra3235]

In her book Rat Girl Kristin Hersh writes how she and Donnelly looked alike and when people would ask if they were twins Donnelly would answer that they were "step-twins", and if you look at 01:29 you can see that they do look quite similar.

[@rg2027x]

👍

[@leocomerford]

It sounds rather Incredible String Band (think of "A Very Cellular Song" and other /Hangman's Beautiful Daughter/ tracks) actually.

[@throwingmuse]

I wouldn't think so. MBV were doing their best impersonation of The Cramps when the Muses were recording this material. However, both bands are led by freakish geniuses, although the output from one is far greater than the other.

[@robertomazuela521]

wow....!!

[@awrygargoyle]

Reading Paradoxically Undressing now. I'm at the part where they filmed the video...It's going to be different

[@FMDad-dm5qo]

Hersh with the 1000 yard stare here.

[@krissisu1111]

Tanya D. is the coolest girl ever.

[@fuzelfanarouk273]

dose

[@Dulcimerist]

1:57 - Hey! They're not counting backwards!

[@lkgrave4959]

Got it. Nice.

[@MkeKen67]

Darn, that means they didn't "count me in."

[@DjHolzbank]

I don't remember...

[@germanodias2862]

[@lkgrave4959]

Does anyone know what instrument Tanya is playing? It almost looks like a miniature xylophone.

[@d1jezek]

it's just a piece of scrap metal and a fork

[@sauloamorim]

Agogô

[@davidmcccsf]

Back when music meant something - made with sweat, tears and pure talent. Just how did we go from this to horseshit music of today?

[@user-gf3wn1ne9n]

This wasn't mainstream.

[@supertimmy1000]

Funny you dad said the same about the music he grew up on

[@creepycraig73]

Actually this is a live to tape version, not the LIAE version.

[@expeditopaz]

Is there any connections between Throwing Muses and My Bloody Valentine? I found the sound quite similar (MBV is more noisy, of course).

[@duffbaker9554]

They shared the same record label, 4AD.

[@lucioandriulo9011]

@@duffbaker9554 Erm...not really. MBV were on Creation Records, TM on 4Ad.

[@micahnewman]

Why is the audio of the demo version??

[@micahnewman]

***** OK, that's interesting, but I'm still wondering why the audio isn't the _Lonely Is an Eyesore_ version like it's supposed to be.

[@charlesjevremovic6738]

"supposed to be"? It is this way because that is how we made it: with live audio rather than lip syncing

[@EricMVan]

+Micah Newman. The folks planning the video were Kristin and Tanya from the Muses, directors Charles Jevremovic and Lisa Monrose (Danger Video), and the producers, Anita Roy Dobbs of the Boston Film/Video Foundation and myself (local rock critic; I was booking bands for a pair of benefit concerts for them). The conversation as to whether to do a live recording or lipsynch to the version from the Doghouse cassette took literally 10 seconds. Incidentally, the Muses did do a benefit performance for BF/VF a year later, at the Paradise club in Boston, and we had BF/VF do a multi-camera shoot of that whole set, circa their album House Tornado. I don't know if that footage has ever surfaced!

[@micahnewman]

That's all well and good, but the _Lonely Is an Eyesore_ studio recording is still a sight better, IMHO.

[@matthewcharleswoods7449]

She was 19 for goodness sakes

[@Ring0fSaturn]

This is a different version of Fish from the one on Lonely Is An Eyesore. Not bad, just different. Ok, the other version is better, IMO.

[@22Phantasm]

I agree. This actually sounds live. It's still a top tune.

[@endorphinparametric4132]

@@22Phantasm This IS live. The album version is a studio recording.

[@libertyprime7911]

There are actually better audio versions of this song...

[@herbertrichard614]

College dropouts see Husker Du.

[@ratmustdie5841]

One of my all time favourite tracks - but really awful sound quality on here!

[@JANXDPDX]

bad audio

[@wojtekwojtek6032]

+JANXDPDX its about 30 years' demo!

[@JANXDPDX]

if it's from Lonely Is An Eyesore video collection it's not a demo and the audio isn't bad....

[@rohrback7168]

You know... I love girls... and yet... I don't think they love themselves???…now call me a... whatever?..

[@kylewoolsey6635]

This recording is terrible. I remember my vinyl copy of LIAE has a lot more dynamics, and even the vocal chirps that she does sound muted here. I feel like I'm having a Mandela effect moment .

[@markmagnolia]

Lame

[@edwardbernayse6665]

the girl singing seemed like she was raised on a commune and given acid as a little girl. the african-american lesbian playing the guitar seemed like she wanted to flip her too. still this was an interesting video to watch.

[@wojtekwojtek6032]

+Edward Bernayse666 Good job Sherlock... :-)

[@ccgrey8731]

You clearly know nothing about them. Kristin Hersh was not raised in a commune or given acid. Leslie Langston is not lesbian.

[@duffbaker9554]

Edward, the twerpy, attention-starved, wannabe chain-puller is back. Shall we just give the twerp his participation award and be done with it?