“Will there ever be another Elvis?” (Dylan / Madonna / Nirvana / The Beatles / Michael Jackson / insert global trailblazing artist name here).
Arguing for the Affirmative: Nic Warnock, musician, band manager and label owner (RIP Society, Bed Wettin’ Bad Boys, Royal Headache)
1. Does debating an issue for the sake of it give you an intellectual rush or do you only launch into polemics you feel passionate about?
I generally enjoy debating issues surrounding music and culture because it makes me challenge my own set of ideologies and helps me see that there’s not one cut-and-dried agenda of what’s pure or right. Saying that, I could debate anything just for the heck of it.
2. Do you win most arguments you engage in?
Yes.
3. Does the artist make the industry or the industry make the artist?
Bomb the industry and start again. The artist and surrounding community should dictate the industry. Too many useless individuals think they’re owed a living from the arts, with agendas of personal gain or notoriety over trying to foster a good culture of music.
4. Who were the first/last megastars (or megabands) you got really excited about?
There hasn’t been one in my lifetime and I’m glad it’s been that way. The whole idea of the modern megastar goes against my egalitarian view of music being an accessible outlet for the ordinary human or sub-human weirdos to be expressive and creative, e.g. The Ramones. However I do think there are examples of where a pop or rock star has had the ability to make the average Joe/Jane feel a sense of self worth and empowerment. On rare occasions we should just bow down and accept the megastar exists on a different plane to us mere humans, e.g. Prince. I love KISS and early Madonna, and of course The Rolling Stones and Bowie. And although not remembered as megastars, British glam rockers Slade were actually bigger than the Stones in Australia. It’s strange how music history is often rewritten.
5. Are you able to concede victory if your opposition has a clearly better argument or will you fight ‘til the death?
If I’m losing, I’ll probably just make a mockery of the entire event and premise of the debate. This, paired with my trademark Beatles wig and space-gynecologist-orientated arguments, resulted in a win for my team last year.
6. Do you think Elvis is really dead?
He was dead inside a long time before the coroner declared him deceased. He’s definitely more dead than Tupac.
Arguing for the Negative: Richard Moffat, tastemaker, venue and event booker (Falls festival, formerly The Corner Hotel and Northcote Social Club)
1. Does debating an issue for the sake of it give you an intellectual rush or do you only launch into polemics you feel passionate about?
I love to chat about popular culture and the changing world around us, but never in a very argumentative sense. Change keeps things interesting and there’s never a right or wrong way to live. All decisions simply lead you down the rabbit hole of possibility and we all need to keep moving and keep adapting to change. I always believe that anyone who needs to be ‘right’ is guaranteed to be slapped around by the world at some stage. Participation is everything, but you know that the clever people are always those listening and watching rather than those talking.
2. Do you win most arguments you engage in?
I hope not. It’s always best to play against those with more skill than you.
3. Does the artist make the industry or the industry make the artist?
Artists always come first. The industry chases after them like puppy dogs.
4, Who were the first/last megastars (or megabands) you got really excited about?
I get excited by a different act every week and always have. I love pop music the most – those acts that are truly at the forefront of changing culture around them. When I was alive in the ‘80s I loved the ‘60s. Now I am listening to “megastars” like Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley and Duke Ellington – they changed the world through their music. These days the media and people’s minds are too scattered for any act to capture everyone’s attention. That’s not a bad thing, it has probably saved people from listening to Bieber or Gaga, both of whom I have seen live and enjoyed and then promptly forgotten.
5. Are you able to concede victory if your opposition has a clearly better argument or will you fight ‘til the death?
I will fight all the way to the bar afterwards.
6. Do you think Elvis is really dead?
Elvis is alive on my turntable.
Debate MC and artiste Pinky Beecroft (Machine Gun Fellatio) weighs in too:
1. As the MC, what are you expecting from the affirmative and negative teams?
Well, obviously I’m expecting them to be as affirmative and as negative as possible. I’ll be expecting eloquence and poetry, hilarity and insight.
2. What do you imagine might fire up the debate?
Probably some good old-fashioned argument. Something deeply personal perhaps, or just a lot of swearing.
3. Does the artist make the industry or the industry make the artist?
I think the industry makes a lot of shit, and the artist tries to negotiate a path through it.
4. Do you think Elvis is really dead?
Yes. I do.
The annual Splendour Forum Debate at Face The Music will also feature Cherry Bomb author Jenny Valentish, music publicist Chrissie Vincent, writer/broadcaster Jess McGuire (ex 3RRR) and music journalist Marcus Teague. Face the Music is on again at the Art Centre over Friday November 14 and Saturday 15. Tickets are available through facethemusic.com.au.
