I would like to take full responsibility...

...for the success of Girl Talk.

Can I get my check now?

In response to the Year in Local Rock story on Thursday I've heard from local artists happy to be included and others who felt snubbed.

But the most interesting reaction of all came from anonymous@yahoo.com, who credits me for the rise of laptop sensation Girl Talk... for his sold-out concerts, his appearance on Best of 2008 album lists, etc.:

"As a long-time subscriber to the PG, and respected member of the Pittsburgh music scene, I, (along with many others), was appalled by the sight of Girl Talk on the cover of the weekend magazine- furthermore he being rated the number 1 most important person/band in Pittsburgh music.  GIRL TALK IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE PITTSBURGH MUSIC SCENE, NEVER WAS, AND NEVER WILL BE.  Scott Mervis in particular, is out of touch with the music scene in Pittsburgh.  Mr. Mervis' personal taste is the only thing that has led to the smattering of Girl Talk.    I think that the PG should get rid of Scott Mervis and find some real writers who talk about real bands- Girl Talk does not fit with the title "The year in Rock", he is not rock, and he is not a band, and he does nothing for Pittsburgh, and neither did Scott Mervis by publishing such pratty trash."

Of course, I can't reach "anonymous," but I'm dying to know who the "many others" are. If you're one of them, let me know.

In the meantime, a colleague offered some details on Girl Talk's credentials: "Gregg Gillis [Girl Talk] went to Chartiers Valley High School, went to local concerts starting around '95, starting playing shows in the area with the Joysticks around '98, started playing out solo as Girl Talk in 2000, and played many smaller scene shows as Girl Talk for almost four years before gaining any attention. During that time, Gregg represented Pittsburgh twice in 2002 and 2003 on the nationwide Circuits of Steel tour which showcased Pittsburgh's creative live electronic music scene. He also attended many smaller club shows and continues to do so whenever he's in town, which is a lot, because he lives here and bought a house here. Gregg Gillis takes the name of Pittsburgh out on the road whenever he goes, and also takes bands from Pittsburgh with him, such as Grand Buffet, giving them a chance to play to thousands they would never play to otherwise. Therefore, Girl Talk is a member of the Pittsburgh music scene."

Comment below, or register to comment

Posted Dec 19 2008, 12:47 PM by Scott Mervis
Filed under: ,

Comments

TomCollins wrote re: I would like to take full responsibility...
on Wed, Dec 31 2008 11:19 AM

I would have to agree with "anonymous" - Girl Talk is by no means part of the "Pittsburgh music scene".  He may have once been part of or come from the Pittsburgh music scene, but that doesn't mean that he's indefinitely an active part of it.  Nor does taking a Pittsburgh-based band or rap group on the road qualify him as a member of the Pittsburgh music scene.  I do think it's good that you point out Pittsburgh successes Scott, but honestly, you're not doing the real Pittsburgh music scene any favors by using print space for Girl Talk under the "Year in Local Rock".  If you want to find the real Pittsburgh music scene, go to Club Cafe, Lava Lounge, Brillobox, WYEP's Third Thursday's, BBT, Thunderbird, Howler's, Shadow Lounge, etc.  See who's playing there consistently...those are the bands who are trying to make something out of this city's current music scene.  They are the "Pittsburgh music scene".  

Again - I commend you for pointing out Pittsburgh successes.  However, Girl Talk is as much a part of the current Pittsburgh music scene as Christina Aguilera.  

Scott Mervis wrote re: I would like to take full responsibility...
on Wed, Dec 31 2008 12:03 PM

"Girl Talk is as much a part of the current Pittsburgh music scene as Christina Aguilera."

How can you say that? He lives in Polish Hill, he plays here more often, he takes local bands on tour... wait, I'm just repeating everything from up above.

It's a great thing when a local musician breaks nationally as Gregg Gillis did. He is very much a local story and, besides, there were about 60 inches of other Pittsburgh highlights after the Girl Talk mention.

TCollins wrote re: I would like to take full responsibility...
on Wed, Dec 31 2008 1:53 PM

Again, I commend you for pointing out Pittsburgh successes - I completely agree it's a great thing when a musician breaks nationally.  There's no argument there.  The question that you personally raised in "I'd like to take full responsibility" was whether Girl Talk is part of the Pittsburgh music scene...and the answer is "no".  That's not a bad thing, in fact, it's great for Gregg Gillis that he's playing nationally (and internationally)!  Furthermore, it's great for Pittsburgh that he came out of our city!  Also, I'm not criticizing you for the other 60 inches of Pittsburgh highlights after Girl Talk either - I'm simply responding to the question that YOU raised in YOUR blog.  Is Greg Gillis news-worthy - hell yes.  Should he be in the top "local" year in review, probably not.  By your own account, he's broken nationally.  

I don't follow Girl Talk closely, but I believe he played on May 9th and Nov 22nd in Pittsburgh.  So, he's not exactly active in the local music scene.  And I'm still unclear on how taking Grand Buffet to shows is some sort of qualification.