Talk:The Raincoats

Names
After editing The Raincoats page User Lessheard vanU made some insulting remarks arising from his insistence that we stick to Wiki policy regarding use of surnames. I have compromised with this and included full names as he twice edited out our use of first names. I am concerned about his intention to put this page on his watchlist and hope he will respect our right to spell our names correctly and write our history without threat. Shirley O'Loughlin for The Raincoats. 2340, 22 April 2006
 * The page was on my Watchlist. Under the circumstances I have, with this message, removed it.
 * Please be assured that my only concern is that the article stays in. If you feel that you were insulted, then you are limited in your understanding of the concept of debate (that is an insult; I'm not sure where the "threats" or other "insults" occur.) I hope this article survives. I'm outta here...LessHeard vanU 23:04, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
 * O'Loughlin and vanU, you both need to stop talking about each other and start talking about the article per No personal attacks. Hyacinth 22:48, 29 April 2006 (UTC)
 * I think it resolved itself. They are the experts on The Raincoats - I am keen on keeping (most things, ta for the reminder about personal attacks) to Wiki standards. They are editing to those standards, so I have no reason to interfere. I suppose the template you added was just a clarification, and nothing to do with any likely subjective editing. I don't believe that is their sort of thing.LessHeard vanU 22:27, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

Ana, Gina and Shirley, I am so sorry you have run into this particular person. If it's any help, with the posturing he is just desperately looking for your attention. I think it is possible to semi-protect pages on Wikipedia to avoid this kind of boorish behaviour. (T.Amor 12:20, 29 April 2006 (UTC))

Both myself, Ana and Gina edited the contribution considerably in February both factually and historically and with correct names and spelling of those names. We will be adding lyrics etc and more information soon. The information about Steve Shelley and Pete Shelley is correct - Pete Shelley just needs the link to the Buzzcocks. We respect Wikipedia and contributions that users make, but we hope that user LessHeardvanU will respect our right to write our own history. Shirley O'Loughlin for The Raincoats. 2300, 22 April 2006
 * I have no problem with the facts as presented, as it is your history (although some editors may disagree about people using their own webpages to substantiate details they had contributed) and you are the default expert(s). However (there is always a "however") to keep articles in Wikipedia they have to conform to a standard, and there are policies that apply to all subjects. Articles not complying to these standards can very quickly be nominated for deletion. I believe that if The Raincoats article were deleted* it would be a great pity since Wikipedia is used as a source for many other websites, and the band (and all involved) were (are?) very important culturally as well as musically. (*I'm not saying it will - just that it makes it much more likely).
 * The independence of Wikipedia means that all articles need to conform to a policy that has Neutral Point of View (NPOV) at its core. Familiarity, even in the case where it is justified on the part of the contributor, does not reflect that policy when viewed by a third party. As I suggested, it would not be healthy if every "interest" group were allowed to dictate how their articles should appear - there are some subjects where this would be certainly very quickly abused - and, of course, this has to be democratically applied to everyone.
 * I am really sorry that this is a matter of dispute. I will link the Pete Shelley text and stuff, and leave the article alone thereafter. I hope that you will take on board my concerns (this is Wiki's website, and it is their policy - you have your own to present as you please). If you do find that the article is listed for deletion, or has a notice stuck on it requiring it be "improved", feel free to contact me (by clicking my username and going to my talk page) if you want my help. Whatever.LessHeard vanU 22:42, 22 April 2006 (UTC)


 * I'm really chuffed that this article is still here. It may not be the most "shiny" piece in the cupboard, but it is a gem nevertheless. LessHeard vanU 20:01, 12 May 2007 (UTC)


 * It's on my target 'massively expand' hit-list, along with the current substubs for Gina & Ana - I'm currently holding off on it as Gina's promised to rustle up some photos etc & I'm waiting for that —  irides cent   (talk to me!)  22:08, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
 * That would be great. It is almost impossible to quantify how The Raincoats, along with the Slits, changed the perception of women groups within popular/alternative music (at least for the pre 'Girl Power' generations). A better article would certainly help. LessHeard vanU 22:30, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

Can we just get this whole issue into perspective? The only concern I had in April 2006 was that LessHeard vanU spelt Gina Birch's name as Burch and Ana da Silva's name as de Silva - I think everyone will agree that it's a reasonable thing to want to have your name spelt correctly in an encyclopedia. Shirley O 31 July 2007.

More info requested
There has got to be more info somewhere, anybody who knows anything about the raincoats please post it. It is sorely needed, I can't even find lyrics for them.

The Raincoats were an important band...
...and this article needs to reflect it. Please note that Wiki policy is that individuals should be referred to, initially, by forename and surname and then surname only in any one section/paragraph. I know, why don't I do it? Well, if you have a lot of patience I will have a go - but I have already committed myself to a few other articles and will not have time in the near future. Anyone reading this, please spend a few moments tidying up the article. Ta. LessHeard vanU 21:53, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
 * I've done the surname bit. There is a bit of solo text where the collaboraters with Gina Birch are only indicated by a first name (I assume). The surname/full name of the artist is needed. Earlier in the text two different Shelleys are mentioned; Steve and Peter. Peter Shelley is the singer with Buzzcocks, and since this wasn't mentioned it is likely the reference should be to Steve - whose background is given. Since I don't know too much about this band I am unwilling to change it. Perhaps someone who knows can do the honours...? Dammit, despite my best intentions I am going to have to put this article on my watchlist!LessHeard vanU 22:09, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
 * (Especially to 82.25.179.185) Whatever the Raincoats policy may be, this is an encyclopedia and to keep articles in you have to follow their policy. This band is far too important to be struck out over a dispute over presentation. If anyone feels the need to discuss this then I do have a chat page. However, a look at Policy may be useful.LessHeard vanU 20:20, 22 April 2006 (UTC)

A little fresh air...
I have to stick my nose in (sorry) and say that I agree with LessHeard vanU about sticking to style. (BTW, things in black and white tend to be read in a different way than if a person were actually speaking to you in the pub, so please give him the benefit of the doubt). He supports this page but he also sticks to the right way of doing things that Wikipedia asks users to conform to - it can only help in the long run...

I have also contributed heavily to a page about a band that I was in, and I have tried to find as many references as I can. This means that my own 'facts' can be corroborated by outside sources. That said, I will now look for The Raincoats on YouTube... :) --andreasegde 16:06, 28 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Damn, Andrew, that was over a year ago! ;~) Paul Evans never nicked my name! 16:23, 28 July 2007 (UTC)


 * I forgot to look at the dates! Well, better late than... or whatever they say. :)) --andreasegde 17:03, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

Can we just get this whole issue into perspective? The only concern I had in April 2006 was that LessHeard vanU spelt Gina Birch's name as Burch and Ana da Silva's name as de Silva - I think everyone will agree that it's a reasonable thing to want to have your name spelt correctly in an encyclopedia. Shirley O 31 July 2007.
 * No problem, past history for me. I just pointed Andreasegde to the article for the template at the top, for use in "his own" article. If you want to delete this entire section then please do. LessHeard vanU 12:39, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Third main member
Ana and Gina are the two main members. So who's the third person on the cover of the Kitchen Tapes? And who's the third person at the beginging of the Don't Be Mean video? Are they the same person?
 * Likely Vicky Aspinall, though Shirley O is best to confirm. Generally, the earlier recording version of the Raincoats were Ana, Gina, Vicky and "a drummer, plus guests" after Palm Olive left.

Vicky Aspinall (1978 to 1984) and Palmolive (1978 to 1979) were both band members and played on the first album and Vicky continued to play, as you say, as the third main member until the release of Moving in 1984. Ingrid Weiss joined the band on drums for a year from autumn 1979 to autumn 1980 and following her departure a variety of guest drummers played on all three following studio albums. Vicky is in the centre of the photograph on the Kitchen Tapes. Anne Wood is featured on the Don't be mean video along with Ana and Gina and played violin on their last studio album Looking in the shadows. She has played with The Raincoats in all their live performances since March 1994. (Shirley O 14:34, 6 August 2007 (UTC))

Fair use rationale for Image:Raincoats Kitchen Tapes.jpg
Image:Raincoats Kitchen Tapes.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot 00:07, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

Image: The Raincoats.1.jpg
I've just uploaded an image The Raincoats.1.jpg which is a publicity photograph from our press kit and I'm a little concerned that I completed the necessary information correctly. I think the Categories should be: Publicity photograph/ photograph with no terms/- can someone check this for me?Shirley O (talk) 03:39, 9 December 2007 (UTC)
 * I am not very familiar with licensing images, so I have requested help at Image talk:The Raincoats.1.jpg asking if anyone who can help would respond here. LessHeard vanU (talk) 08:09, 9 December 2007 (UTC)
 * Shirley O. I suggest you take a look at Image copyright tags to see if that helps. If it doesn't, place a template on your talkpage asking for help with images. LessHeard vanU (talk) 10:50, 16 December 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Raincoatscover.jpg
Image:Raincoatscover.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images lacking such an explanation can be deleted one week after being tagged, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot (talk) 04:06, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

Are The Raincoats really only "Post Punk"?
I was turned on to the music of The Raincoats after a college friend returned from a student exchange program in the United Kingdom to the United States. This was in 1978 and my friend had become a feminist punk rock enthusiast.

We were listening, on the one hand, to what was labeled as "punk": a vast spectrum of all kinds and styles of musical genres for the most part just jammed into that definition, including the anarchistic "style" of the Sex Pistols, the commercialistic Devo and, on the other side of punk/alternative's spectrum, The Talking Heads' 1977 and in 1979 was tne first time we heard the U.K. release of The Raincoats covering Lola by the Kinks.

So, here's my question: can The Raincoats really be considered post-punk? --leahtwosaints (talk) 06:19, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Hmmmm... categorisation? Let's say that they were punk in that they refused to conform to pre-conceived ideas of what punk quickly became known as, but since they didn't conform to the perception of amphetamine fueled guitar thrashpop then they weren't. I'd happily just call them "alternative", but then a lot of people would think that they were R.E.M. I once heard them referred to as Jazz Punk, but that might have been a wind up. The point is, if someone like you looks for a Raincoats article and finds this then it really doesn't matter what category they get lumped under. Oh, and the major contributor to this article is the bands manager - so if she is happy then... LessHeard vanU (talk) 20:36, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

da Silva and not Da Silva
In case anyone is watching or coming across this article; User:Shirley O is the (former) manager of The Raincoats, and is otherwise still involved with the principle members. If she says that da Silva spells her surname, when without first name, with a lowercase "d" at the start of a sentence then that is how it needs to be presented; just like we do with various other artists who use names that are not the ones registered at birth - we present the artist as they do publicly. LessHeard vanU (talk) 20:40, 9 December 2008 (UTC)

New Image added today
I suspect the uploader of is unjustified in his claim of PD. Creative commons is not a valid source, and I doubt the blog noted is the author. I know the author of the blog, and am going to check up. Wwwhatsup (talk) 06:44, 14 January 2011 (UTC)