How long must I sing this song? A little bit longer it would seem. U2 kicked off the Grammys last night, literally. Haven't seen Bono kick like that since Popmart. He's really looking very trim and spry these days. The Bono of the last 9 years has been a fat and slow Bono. After Pop was such a critical and commercial disappointment the band decided to pull in the reigns musically to win back the masses. This meant 2 "back to basics" albums and the basketball arena tours that followed. Of course their bank statements and the pile of Grammys that came along suggests that this was the right move for the time. And I, at the time, was very excited to hear a bit more stripped down U2. But lately I've been listening to Pop more and more.
For the Elevation and Vertigo tours, U2 went back indoors and played smaller venues than they had in over a decade. Management trumpeted the party line that this was what the band wanted because these venues had far better acoustics (which is true) and the shows would be more enjoyable for the fans. But what about the frontman? They say a goldfish will grow to fill the bowl. Well, put Bono on a small stage in front of 20,000 baby boomers and he's tired, bloated, and stagnant. Put him on a huge stage playing to 80,000 and we get the high kicking commanding frontman we all know and love. For all the rhetoric of the last 2 tours, the guys are once again booking a stadium tour and no one could be happier than the band themselves. They need to push, they need to break new ground.
This approach is unusual as most bands are better suited to smaller venues. As a concert goer, I'd nearly always be in a theater or arena than an outdoor venue. But U2 is different and the last 2 tours nearly killed them.
Being chosen to play the Grammys was interesting as they didn't release anything last year and thus weren't up for any awards. I guess it was a pretty weak roster this year. What with Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, and Justin Timberlake, it was looking for like the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards. So the powers that be decided to fatten it up a little with some ROCK AND ROLL, thank God. Not that I even watched this year- I was busy at the Oregon Sports Awards rubbing elbows with the Schonz and Jerome Kersey. I had to see U2 on YouTube, before Grammy pulled the clips.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Best Halftime Show Ever
Bruce really brought it tonight. I've seen him and the E Street band several times, so I already know. But my friends watching the game with me did not, and now they see. Bruce IS rock and roll. It seems just about every singer / songwriter I've played with is somehow above showmanship. They must also be above superstardom. There are millions of people out there who write good songs. Most of these songs no one will ever hear. There are also millions of people who have a great stage presence, but whose songs are lacking. Any long tenured cover band can tell you that. But if you take great songs and add a charismatic, high energy entertaining frontman the possibilities are endless. Rock and roll can change the world, it can open our eyes, but it's also supposed to be fun! There's a time and place for the serious, acoustic, depressing songs. I love a lot of those songs. But just like I think it takes courage to not be a half-assed activist these days, I also think it takes courage to admit that "yeah, I'm a rock and roll star. I'm a showman and it's FUN!"
Bono vs Bruce
I read an interesting article from an Irish newspaper today, which you can see @ http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2009/0124/1232474678037.html
This is your typical J.O. reporter looking for an angle shtick. I get it, everybody loves U2 so here's a guy from Ireland and he's gonna blast them for weak lyrics. Of course, I've already stated that I think the lyrics are weak on their new single. But I believe over the years Bono has written some of the best lyrics in rock. I'm also a huge Bruce fan, and I thought his last album, Magic, was particularly strong. But this article demonstrates two points which have bothered me about the media for a long time.
First, the aforementioned angle- throwing bombs for the purpose of sensationalism. This is what gives critics a bad name. They make a name for themselves by slamming beloved celebrities. Like The Oregonian's John Canzano. He's made a living bashing my Ducks, calling for the firing of Mike Belloti, UO's winningest head coach and arguably one of the most successful coaches in NCAA football today. Wow I knew it was gonna happen at some point- my music blog heads off in a tangent about sports.
The second and even more irritating point in this article comes to head with this line: "Most importantly, he’s (Springsteen) politically brave in a way that Bono will not be. He takes sides. He’s not afraid to make enemies." I'm sorry, what is brave these days about a celebrity taking shots at politicians?! I've always thought Bono to be the most effective political advocate because he works with everybody. Bruce walks the same trail blazed by John Cougar and too many other washed up non-entities who would have no career at all if not for political rallies. It's sad, because unlike John Cougar, Bruce is still relevant. He doesn't have to be stumping for a candidate to make headlines.
Remember Live Aid, with all the self-important artists of the day trying to save the world? It's been 20 years and last I checked people are still starving in Africa. In fact, I remember Bono talking about how after Live Aid they- meaning the artists involved- thought they had done it. They had saved the world. It wasn't until he and his wife actually spent a great deal of time in Africa that they realized Live Aid had done nothing except further inflate the egos of the performers.
So now I have to talk about sports again. Canzano recently wrote a piece lauding Greg Oden for supporting Obama and Lebron James for caring about Darfur. In the same piece he slammed Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods for only talking about sports. First of all, Oden just entered his 20s, already a multi-millionaire, and has spent his entire life focusing on basketball. Who cares about his political opinions? How could he possibly have anything relevant to say about a presidential race he's barely able to vote in. Sports is really the last sanctuary for men who want to eat wings, drink beer, and be entertained. Everywhere we look celebrities are held up as experts on a subject they really know nothing about. I find it refreshing when someone like Michael Jordan wants to talk about basketball, a subject right in his wheelhouse.
I get it, entertainers are fabulously wealthy beyond their wildest dreams and they feel a moral obligation to use their platform to help others. Or is it just to hop on the John Cougar bandwagon and appear as if they really care?
So, all you celebrities, tell us about your craft. How did you get to where you are? How do you practice and prepare? What advice would you give to a young person trying to follow the same path as you? And all you J.O. journalists out there, how about reporting the news instead of trying to be the headline yourself. And all you aspiring drummer out there (me) how about get off the damn computer and pick up the sticks! Done and done.
This is your typical J.O. reporter looking for an angle shtick. I get it, everybody loves U2 so here's a guy from Ireland and he's gonna blast them for weak lyrics. Of course, I've already stated that I think the lyrics are weak on their new single. But I believe over the years Bono has written some of the best lyrics in rock. I'm also a huge Bruce fan, and I thought his last album, Magic, was particularly strong. But this article demonstrates two points which have bothered me about the media for a long time.
First, the aforementioned angle- throwing bombs for the purpose of sensationalism. This is what gives critics a bad name. They make a name for themselves by slamming beloved celebrities. Like The Oregonian's John Canzano. He's made a living bashing my Ducks, calling for the firing of Mike Belloti, UO's winningest head coach and arguably one of the most successful coaches in NCAA football today. Wow I knew it was gonna happen at some point- my music blog heads off in a tangent about sports.
The second and even more irritating point in this article comes to head with this line: "Most importantly, he’s (Springsteen) politically brave in a way that Bono will not be. He takes sides. He’s not afraid to make enemies." I'm sorry, what is brave these days about a celebrity taking shots at politicians?! I've always thought Bono to be the most effective political advocate because he works with everybody. Bruce walks the same trail blazed by John Cougar and too many other washed up non-entities who would have no career at all if not for political rallies. It's sad, because unlike John Cougar, Bruce is still relevant. He doesn't have to be stumping for a candidate to make headlines.
Remember Live Aid, with all the self-important artists of the day trying to save the world? It's been 20 years and last I checked people are still starving in Africa. In fact, I remember Bono talking about how after Live Aid they- meaning the artists involved- thought they had done it. They had saved the world. It wasn't until he and his wife actually spent a great deal of time in Africa that they realized Live Aid had done nothing except further inflate the egos of the performers.
So now I have to talk about sports again. Canzano recently wrote a piece lauding Greg Oden for supporting Obama and Lebron James for caring about Darfur. In the same piece he slammed Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods for only talking about sports. First of all, Oden just entered his 20s, already a multi-millionaire, and has spent his entire life focusing on basketball. Who cares about his political opinions? How could he possibly have anything relevant to say about a presidential race he's barely able to vote in. Sports is really the last sanctuary for men who want to eat wings, drink beer, and be entertained. Everywhere we look celebrities are held up as experts on a subject they really know nothing about. I find it refreshing when someone like Michael Jordan wants to talk about basketball, a subject right in his wheelhouse.
I get it, entertainers are fabulously wealthy beyond their wildest dreams and they feel a moral obligation to use their platform to help others. Or is it just to hop on the John Cougar bandwagon and appear as if they really care?
So, all you celebrities, tell us about your craft. How did you get to where you are? How do you practice and prepare? What advice would you give to a young person trying to follow the same path as you? And all you J.O. journalists out there, how about reporting the news instead of trying to be the headline yourself. And all you aspiring drummer out there (me) how about get off the damn computer and pick up the sticks! Done and done.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Save The Music
I was watching VH1 Classic the other day, you know the last "music" network that actually still shows music. Except that they only show old music. But anyway, they had a commercial for VH1's Save The Music charity project. This is a charity to raise money and awareness to keep music education alive in public schools- which is very important. See, schools are always trying to cut music programs to save money, and we all suffer.
This got me angry. HEY VH1, WHY DON'T YOU LEAD BY EXAMPLE!!! What does VH1 do? THEY CUT MUSIC PROGRAMMING TO SAVE MONEY!!! Have you watched VH1 lately? NO MUSIC! How can they expect us to donate money to save the music when they are such penny pinchers they just order a full schedule of "White Trash Wedding" at the expense of compromising the entire premise on which the network was founded?!
C'mon people, it's time to demand more. You wanna see retarded white trash people, go to any karaoke bar in Tigard.
This got me angry. HEY VH1, WHY DON'T YOU LEAD BY EXAMPLE!!! What does VH1 do? THEY CUT MUSIC PROGRAMMING TO SAVE MONEY!!! Have you watched VH1 lately? NO MUSIC! How can they expect us to donate money to save the music when they are such penny pinchers they just order a full schedule of "White Trash Wedding" at the expense of compromising the entire premise on which the network was founded?!
C'mon people, it's time to demand more. You wanna see retarded white trash people, go to any karaoke bar in Tigard.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The Sound Of Rock
Had an audition today. This was a full band audition, not like the last one where it was just me and one other dude. First time in ages I've played real rock and roll with all of the players in the room. The last time would've been my final show with the Drags back in August. Man, it felt good. I'm thinking I will be playing some shows with these guys quite soon and I honestly can't wait!
On another tangent, I just wanted to touch on something I've discussed before. I'm not very modest about my playing, and I don't mean my technical proficiency. I mean my style. Now, I've already listed my influences, so you can get an idea of what I'm talking about by listening to them. Or to me for that matter, just go to iTunes and buy "She's Happy" who knows maybe I'll get my 3 pennies royalty check if you do.
But here's the thing, a lot of bands have really generic sounding drums. If the drums sound like nickleback, then the band sounds like nickleback. I, for one, wish to have no part of that. Plus, if all you singer / songwriters out there want to get on the radio, try sounding slightly different than the crap that gets played now. I'm surprised that more bands out there aren't looking for an angle, you know? Why not clean up the distortion a little bit, add some harmonies, and have a drummer who tried to build some atmosphere around the song rather than drive a mack truck right through it. And seriously, stop buying record by bands who play guitar and flex at the same time. Like the guy from the bowflex commercial whose 48 and still rocks. Coming soon to a sports arena near you, some douchebag with an armband tattoo whose all juiced up and dressed like Lance Armstrong singing songs about, you guessed it, relationships.
I know it sounds crazy to try getting on the radio by not sounding like all the bands who already are. Except I think we are at the tail end of the current trend cycle. Creed started it and Nickleback will end it. And Kid Rock... what a no talent hack! I firmly believe that people are ready for more. Like how grunge came out in the early 90s and exposed all the 80s hair bands for the sideshows they really were. But wait, I don't really like grunge and I have been to several Bon Jovi shows. Yeah but still. People were sick of the same old, they were ready for something new, and grunge was just that. And then there's Oasis. Total Beatles rip-off, but why not? I mean, if you're gonna sound like someone else, it might as well be the Beatles. Oasis came out at the height of grunge and what they did is remind us of Rock. Not hard rock, butt rock, dance rock, prog rock, but ROCK rock. Kinda like when you have a cup of coffee and remember what the original is like before all the sugar and fat was added to it, inflating the price 1000%.
If you listen to some of the most memorable hits from any time period, you'll notice that they don't sound like anything else of that time. "The Joshua Tree" is firmly etched in our minds as an iconic album of the late 80s. Now go dig up the old Billboard charts and see what else was getting a lot of play back then.
Wow I get bit long winded when talking about music don't I? At least I haven't started ranting about sports, yet...
On another tangent, I just wanted to touch on something I've discussed before. I'm not very modest about my playing, and I don't mean my technical proficiency. I mean my style. Now, I've already listed my influences, so you can get an idea of what I'm talking about by listening to them. Or to me for that matter, just go to iTunes and buy "She's Happy" who knows maybe I'll get my 3 pennies royalty check if you do.
But here's the thing, a lot of bands have really generic sounding drums. If the drums sound like nickleback, then the band sounds like nickleback. I, for one, wish to have no part of that. Plus, if all you singer / songwriters out there want to get on the radio, try sounding slightly different than the crap that gets played now. I'm surprised that more bands out there aren't looking for an angle, you know? Why not clean up the distortion a little bit, add some harmonies, and have a drummer who tried to build some atmosphere around the song rather than drive a mack truck right through it. And seriously, stop buying record by bands who play guitar and flex at the same time. Like the guy from the bowflex commercial whose 48 and still rocks. Coming soon to a sports arena near you, some douchebag with an armband tattoo whose all juiced up and dressed like Lance Armstrong singing songs about, you guessed it, relationships.
I know it sounds crazy to try getting on the radio by not sounding like all the bands who already are. Except I think we are at the tail end of the current trend cycle. Creed started it and Nickleback will end it. And Kid Rock... what a no talent hack! I firmly believe that people are ready for more. Like how grunge came out in the early 90s and exposed all the 80s hair bands for the sideshows they really were. But wait, I don't really like grunge and I have been to several Bon Jovi shows. Yeah but still. People were sick of the same old, they were ready for something new, and grunge was just that. And then there's Oasis. Total Beatles rip-off, but why not? I mean, if you're gonna sound like someone else, it might as well be the Beatles. Oasis came out at the height of grunge and what they did is remind us of Rock. Not hard rock, butt rock, dance rock, prog rock, but ROCK rock. Kinda like when you have a cup of coffee and remember what the original is like before all the sugar and fat was added to it, inflating the price 1000%.
If you listen to some of the most memorable hits from any time period, you'll notice that they don't sound like anything else of that time. "The Joshua Tree" is firmly etched in our minds as an iconic album of the late 80s. Now go dig up the old Billboard charts and see what else was getting a lot of play back then.
Wow I get bit long winded when talking about music don't I? At least I haven't started ranting about sports, yet...
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Man On The Scene
I've been trying to go see as many shows as possible lately. This is rather new for me. The funny thing is, I don't really enjoy watching other small bands play. I do go to a lot of concerts, but they are the big signed national acts. A lot of people have stage-fright, but I have the opposite. I just feel uncomfortable and out of place in a smaller venue unless I'm on stage. Pretty stupid huh? If you look into the past of a lot of rock stars you'll find that they weren't very popular in high school. Often it's the feeling of isolation that fuels their creativity. So back in the 80s Bruce Springsteen was married to a super model, posing for pin up photos in tight jeans, and seemed like an all American frat-boy. He had a massive hit single "Glory Days" about running in to an old high school friend who was a big baseball player, and it rang true. Later on Bruce confessed that in fact he had no friends in high school, and was just a scrawny kid who was actually asked by the community college he attended to drop out because he was too weird.
I think a lot of the people who become rock stars do so because they had to. Think about it, what else is Tom Petty going to do. Well I wasn't very popular in high school either, but I had enough friends that I rather enjoyed the experience. And I never had a problem fitting in or finding work so it was easy for me to fool myself into thinking that I didn't need to be a musician. Basically it cost me a very precious 10 years. I know it seems strange, but at 28 I'm already on the outside looking in. "With or Without You" was already a radio staple when Bono was 28. Because I wasn't a desperate, angst filled youth I was able to live under the delusion that I could just plug into the matrix and work a 9 to 5 like everyone else. I can't believe it took me this long to realize that I could never live that life. Busy work drives me insane. And I'm tired of not being rich, dammit! It only seems logical that if one wants to be rich, one should find whatever skill they have that stands out and ride that all the way to the bank. Some people have the ability to just grin and bear it, and that is a great way to get ahead. Just set aside your own feelings about how meaningless the task at hand is and soldier on. I don't possess such an ability. My skill is drumming.
The reason I've been going to shows is that a successful musician I met recently said that is the biggest thing I can do to find the next great band needing a drummer. Sitting at home looking on craigslist won't cut it. I need to be out, constantly networking. So that's the busy work for this job- putting in face time at shows. Beats the hell out of cold calling if you ask me. Even if I would rather be onstage, knocking back a couple ribbons and watching someone else play isn't really so bad.
I think a lot of the people who become rock stars do so because they had to. Think about it, what else is Tom Petty going to do. Well I wasn't very popular in high school either, but I had enough friends that I rather enjoyed the experience. And I never had a problem fitting in or finding work so it was easy for me to fool myself into thinking that I didn't need to be a musician. Basically it cost me a very precious 10 years. I know it seems strange, but at 28 I'm already on the outside looking in. "With or Without You" was already a radio staple when Bono was 28. Because I wasn't a desperate, angst filled youth I was able to live under the delusion that I could just plug into the matrix and work a 9 to 5 like everyone else. I can't believe it took me this long to realize that I could never live that life. Busy work drives me insane. And I'm tired of not being rich, dammit! It only seems logical that if one wants to be rich, one should find whatever skill they have that stands out and ride that all the way to the bank. Some people have the ability to just grin and bear it, and that is a great way to get ahead. Just set aside your own feelings about how meaningless the task at hand is and soldier on. I don't possess such an ability. My skill is drumming.
The reason I've been going to shows is that a successful musician I met recently said that is the biggest thing I can do to find the next great band needing a drummer. Sitting at home looking on craigslist won't cut it. I need to be out, constantly networking. So that's the busy work for this job- putting in face time at shows. Beats the hell out of cold calling if you ask me. Even if I would rather be onstage, knocking back a couple ribbons and watching someone else play isn't really so bad.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Get On Your Boots
Anyone who knows me knows I'm a committed U2 fan. So they released their new single, and I've been listening to it for 2 days now. My first impression is that the lyrics are very weak. And that the tune sounds like a rip off of "Wild Wild West" from some band nobody remembers. This album is supposed to be the next "Achtung Baby" and I really hope it is. But "The Fly," the first single from that ground-breaking album, had FAR better lyrics.
Now that I've heard "Get On Your Boots" a few more times I will say this- I'm sure it will be a big hit. The hooks and beats are all there to put U2 in the dance clubs for the first time in 16 years. This gives me high hopes for the new album. The first single is never the best song, it's just the most radio friendly. I suffered through the "Pop" years when everyone hated U2, so I was glad when "Beautiful Day" was a hit, even though I hate that song, because I was tired of having to defend my favorite band to the masses. Though it was nice getting front row tickets for $30 when nobody liked them.
Speaking of "Pop," I think that album was WAY ahead of it's time. The world is still not ready for it, but soon. The band even threw that album under the bus. But if you're looking for songs that don't play it safe and songs that have a meaning, I'll take "Pop" over the last two any day. They really took a chance on that record and it nearly killed them.
So may the new album hold more edgy, dark, dance-able tunes that prove why these guys are still relevant when so many of their peers are playing the "Where Are They Now?" circuit. Let the cougars in the clubs shake their fake racks and tramp-stamped asses to "Sexy Boots" while I ponder the meaning of life with the rest of the tracks.
Now that I've heard "Get On Your Boots" a few more times I will say this- I'm sure it will be a big hit. The hooks and beats are all there to put U2 in the dance clubs for the first time in 16 years. This gives me high hopes for the new album. The first single is never the best song, it's just the most radio friendly. I suffered through the "Pop" years when everyone hated U2, so I was glad when "Beautiful Day" was a hit, even though I hate that song, because I was tired of having to defend my favorite band to the masses. Though it was nice getting front row tickets for $30 when nobody liked them.
Speaking of "Pop," I think that album was WAY ahead of it's time. The world is still not ready for it, but soon. The band even threw that album under the bus. But if you're looking for songs that don't play it safe and songs that have a meaning, I'll take "Pop" over the last two any day. They really took a chance on that record and it nearly killed them.
So may the new album hold more edgy, dark, dance-able tunes that prove why these guys are still relevant when so many of their peers are playing the "Where Are They Now?" circuit. Let the cougars in the clubs shake their fake racks and tramp-stamped asses to "Sexy Boots" while I ponder the meaning of life with the rest of the tracks.
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