This blog isn't about any artist in particular. It's more so about the idea of what a lot of bands do that a lot of people tend not to like; "selling out".
Bands sell out; it happens. But I feel that people often throw this term around without fully understanding what it means. To me, selling out means that you're just putting out garbage to appeal to the mainstream and to the record companies, ergo: you're only doing it for money; financial success. I think that's a fair definition.
I think the best examples is comparing Green Day and Metallica. A lot of people would say that Green Day sold out when they made American Idiot. I would have to strongly disagree because American Idiot was described as, "The most personal album they've worked on." With that in mind, it has the perfect kind of songwriting; attitude and passion with just the right amount of pop. Never on this album does it become too poppy. My point is, there's a difference between selling out and growing as an artist. Yes, they had more financial success, and yes they're a Hot Topic band, but they had the intention of just wanting to create something beautiful and they did, and that's why I love it. If Green Day sold out, they weren't trying to. They were just a bunch of kids just trying to have fun, and then they grew up.
When Metallica made the Black Album, they had the intention of just selling a buttload of records. And then when they made Load and Reload, they didn't stop. Black album is a bit forgivable for a having a handful of good songs, but nothing on Load and Reload is at all memorable or worth mentioning. Fuel and King Nothing. I BARELY like those songs. Fuel is just catchy and King Nothing's bassline is sweet. That's. It. And to be honest, I can't tell you which album(s) those songs are off of. Neither can Jason Newsted, actually. He said so in a relatively recent interview, it was quite hilarious.
Yeah, Metallica's tried to get back to their roots with Stanger, but a major problem they had I think was Bob Rock. The problem being he was still there. If anyone wants to blame anyone for Metallica losing their edge and respectfulness, fingers tend to be pointed at Bob freaking Rock. I kind of agree. Point is, him being their means he was still taking place as producer, which is what they should get away from to get back to their roots. Then when Death Magnetic happened, they fired him and got the producer for Slayer. And while that album had the intention of getting back to their roots...again, it kind of worked, but not really. To me the album is like Metallica trying to be as heavy as they were and as proggy as AJFA. "Trying" is the key word. The album isn't really creative or interesting, and the mixing sucks. And that's the problem. No creativity. I feel that Metallica will never be able to grow artistically.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Friday, May 23, 2014
Snoop Dogs (Lions?) Movie
This movie was interesting. Interesting choice in movie to show that is; interesting as a movie, not so much. The Reggae was good, and personally I don't care what Snoop does, because he can do both. My only issue with the movie was that 99% of it was just them smoking weed, and the other 1% is them talking about their old careers and recording the new stuff.
Overall: I like the change; it's interesting and cool. The movie wasn't needed.
Overall: I like the change; it's interesting and cool. The movie wasn't needed.
Mastodon's Leviathan
Leviathan is the second album Mastodon put out, and it's my personal favorite. It's the perfect blend of Prog and Heavy Metal, and that's just my jam: Prog Metal.
From Blood and Thunder to Joseph Merrick, this album is a masterpiece. The instrumentation and overall concept this album tackles (being Moby-Dick) is phenomenal; everything is pulled off well.
My one complaint: The mixing for the bass and drums could be better. the guitars are easily the loudest thing on the album, and they sound really good, but I'd like to hear the bass more clearly. It's not as bad as AJFA by any means, but it could be better.
From Blood and Thunder to Joseph Merrick, this album is a masterpiece. The instrumentation and overall concept this album tackles (being Moby-Dick) is phenomenal; everything is pulled off well.
My one complaint: The mixing for the bass and drums could be better. the guitars are easily the loudest thing on the album, and they sound really good, but I'd like to hear the bass more clearly. It's not as bad as AJFA by any means, but it could be better.
Dookie
I like to play albums in the car when I'm with my girlfriend because she has a subscription to Rhapsody, so the other day we were listening to Dookie from Green Day. This is probably my favorite album from Green Day in terms of the music because it's punk, but it's also just musically...smart. I dunno. It's a lot more creative than most punk rock. Whenever people talk about Green Day, they like to put them into the genre of Pop Punk, which is technically correct, but I don't like that title for them because Green Day's actually good. That, and they don't really sound like Pop Punk...at all. Compare them to Blink 182, We The Kings, Fallout Boy, etc... Green Day sounds totally different. I kind of like to think of it as Black Sabbath being a root for Heavy Metal, but they're technically not metal. Maybe Pop Punk being lamer is the same of heavy metal getting heavier...and perpetually lamer.
ANYWAY. Dookie is a great album. The songs are punk while still being musically creative, and it's got a good element of pop to it. Enough of it, anyway.
ANYWAY. Dookie is a great album. The songs are punk while still being musically creative, and it's got a good element of pop to it. Enough of it, anyway.
Monday, May 19, 2014
American Idiot Broadway
Watching this movie brought out the child in me. You've gotta understand, American Idiot was not only the first album I ever bought and owned, but it really got me into being who I am today. Now, I love all the stuff I listened to beforehand, but when I discovered Green Day, it was like Moses discovering the 10 Commandments, OK? It was really big freaking deal.
I thought that what they did to bring their songs onto Broadway was really interesting. I really liked the story they told with the songs and the choreography that went along with them.
MY ONLY COMPLAINT: And this can't really be fixed, but I'm just really picky about people who sing Green Day. I think Billy Joe Armstrong can sing Green Day...and that's about it. There's just certain words he sings with a certain tone and a certain way that just can't be replicated, not to say that anyone tried to replicate it...but that's another problem. It's really odd/unsettling to hear those songs sung by not him; that's all I'm saying.
It's kind of like if you were to listen to someone cover a Bob Dylan song. Yeah, they might get the music totally right, but it won't be the same because they're doing their own thing, or they're trying to much to be like him be imitating him. And if the imitation is a joke, that's cool, but you shouldn't base your whole show on that unless you're Weird Al or something, in which case you can do whatever you want.
Great movie. Thank you so much for showing it.
I thought that what they did to bring their songs onto Broadway was really interesting. I really liked the story they told with the songs and the choreography that went along with them.
MY ONLY COMPLAINT: And this can't really be fixed, but I'm just really picky about people who sing Green Day. I think Billy Joe Armstrong can sing Green Day...and that's about it. There's just certain words he sings with a certain tone and a certain way that just can't be replicated, not to say that anyone tried to replicate it...but that's another problem. It's really odd/unsettling to hear those songs sung by not him; that's all I'm saying.
It's kind of like if you were to listen to someone cover a Bob Dylan song. Yeah, they might get the music totally right, but it won't be the same because they're doing their own thing, or they're trying to much to be like him be imitating him. And if the imitation is a joke, that's cool, but you shouldn't base your whole show on that unless you're Weird Al or something, in which case you can do whatever you want.
Great movie. Thank you so much for showing it.
Monday, May 12, 2014
My performance at Trojan Live
Danger Dog I thought did a very good job at Trojan Live on Friday, and an alright job on Thursday.
Thursday's showing was just sloppy. I feel that a lot of the focus from the band was put into the energy as opposed to actually being good. Yeah, we played our most upbeat songs, but we didn't play them as well as we ever had.
Friday was much much much better. The crowd was better, the performance was better, and the music was much better. I would say that an accurate performance is better than that of loud, not good performance.
Thursday's showing was just sloppy. I feel that a lot of the focus from the band was put into the energy as opposed to actually being good. Yeah, we played our most upbeat songs, but we didn't play them as well as we ever had.
Friday was much much much better. The crowd was better, the performance was better, and the music was much better. I would say that an accurate performance is better than that of loud, not good performance.
School Of Rock Southern Rock Show
This show was amazing at it's best, and kind of alright at it's worst.
The best song in the set was Freebird. You can't beat that song in this kind of set. You just can't. It's too epic. Also, both of my band members played the ending solo (they split it) and they rocked it.
In Memory of Elizabeth Reed was probably a real close second because of how genius it is, and that it was pulled off so well. The guitarist in my prog band, Jupiter Five played the solo, and I've never seen him play with that much passion. It was beautiful.
And my third favorite was Black Betty for the same reason. Really great performing to add on to it.
I'll bet money that those 3 songs make Best of Season.
The best song in the set was Freebird. You can't beat that song in this kind of set. You just can't. It's too epic. Also, both of my band members played the ending solo (they split it) and they rocked it.
In Memory of Elizabeth Reed was probably a real close second because of how genius it is, and that it was pulled off so well. The guitarist in my prog band, Jupiter Five played the solo, and I've never seen him play with that much passion. It was beautiful.
And my third favorite was Black Betty for the same reason. Really great performing to add on to it.
I'll bet money that those 3 songs make Best of Season.
School of Rock Punk show
Both showings of this school of rock production I played in was pretty good. It had a lot of energy, and a really good crowd turn out. I'll talk about all of my songs.
Die Die My Darling: Guitars sounded great. I was really happy with the kids on that song. My bass was also good.I suppose my vocals were also good; I've never been really happy with them. I just always felt that something about them was missing, and it sucks that I never settled that feeling by the time the show happened. Drums were very meh; the drummer we had gets on my nerves. Too busy hitting on the girls and being a poser instead of actually learning his shit.
Pretty Vacant: I loved it. My only criticisms are toward our drummer and one of our guitarists, but they're kids, so whatever. Even though SOR has taught me that everyone should work hard and has no excuse for not practicing or learning your own stuff regardless of age...whatever.
Hungry Wolf: Easily my favorite song in the set. I didn't notice a single real bad thing. Drummer could've been a little more accurate with his particular beat, but no one noticed it. Also, I flubbed the lyrics at one point the second showing, but no one noticed I don't think, so no bog deal.
I Wanna Be Your Dog: Easily the crowd favorite. I feel that I did a really good job performing and singing this song. Unfortunately I feel that I was the only strong musician on that song. I don't mean to sound like a dick, but sometimes I question how often some of these other players practice.
Ball and Chain: Why did we do this song? No seriously. Why did we do this song? It's not even punk. Screw this song. No one likes this song. No one likes playing this song or hearing it. Why? Because it's about 4 minutes or so of 3 chords, and that's 3 notes for me. Awesome. I love wasting my time with garbage like that. But I digress. I doubt my sarcasm with bleed through the screen enough.I just wanna emphasize my supreme negative feelings toward this song. Also, guitar players on this song don't like tuning.That pisses me off.
Teenage Lobotomy: It took forever for everyone on this song to learn it properly, but they eventually did it, and it became one of the best songs in the show...at least in the first showing. The drummer messed up the reintro the second showing. We got back on, but it still happened.
God Save The Queen: The show closer. It was really really good, minus 2 of the guitarists not being on their A-game at all. Both had problems learning the arrangements. And by that, I mean, they probably didn't practice in their freetime, or even care to listen to the song more that once or twice.
Overall, fun show with flaws, just like every show I've been in for SOR so far.
Die Die My Darling: Guitars sounded great. I was really happy with the kids on that song. My bass was also good.I suppose my vocals were also good; I've never been really happy with them. I just always felt that something about them was missing, and it sucks that I never settled that feeling by the time the show happened. Drums were very meh; the drummer we had gets on my nerves. Too busy hitting on the girls and being a poser instead of actually learning his shit.
Pretty Vacant: I loved it. My only criticisms are toward our drummer and one of our guitarists, but they're kids, so whatever. Even though SOR has taught me that everyone should work hard and has no excuse for not practicing or learning your own stuff regardless of age...whatever.
Hungry Wolf: Easily my favorite song in the set. I didn't notice a single real bad thing. Drummer could've been a little more accurate with his particular beat, but no one noticed it. Also, I flubbed the lyrics at one point the second showing, but no one noticed I don't think, so no bog deal.
I Wanna Be Your Dog: Easily the crowd favorite. I feel that I did a really good job performing and singing this song. Unfortunately I feel that I was the only strong musician on that song. I don't mean to sound like a dick, but sometimes I question how often some of these other players practice.
Ball and Chain: Why did we do this song? No seriously. Why did we do this song? It's not even punk. Screw this song. No one likes this song. No one likes playing this song or hearing it. Why? Because it's about 4 minutes or so of 3 chords, and that's 3 notes for me. Awesome. I love wasting my time with garbage like that. But I digress. I doubt my sarcasm with bleed through the screen enough.I just wanna emphasize my supreme negative feelings toward this song. Also, guitar players on this song don't like tuning.That pisses me off.
Teenage Lobotomy: It took forever for everyone on this song to learn it properly, but they eventually did it, and it became one of the best songs in the show...at least in the first showing. The drummer messed up the reintro the second showing. We got back on, but it still happened.
God Save The Queen: The show closer. It was really really good, minus 2 of the guitarists not being on their A-game at all. Both had problems learning the arrangements. And by that, I mean, they probably didn't practice in their freetime, or even care to listen to the song more that once or twice.
Overall, fun show with flaws, just like every show I've been in for SOR so far.
Eagleclaw
This was the band headlining the show at the Red 7 that night.
Lets make something clear: I was at the show to see my friend Jamey play, but also because there was a raffle going on to have the chance to win a brand new Orange bass amp. Like, 500 watts or something. Great deal. However, you had to have not only entered the raffle, but stay the whole night, or at least show up at the end of the show to be able to claim it.
So, LSD was boring. So Rozie and I were just sitting around hoping that Eagleclaws set wouldn't be as painful. It was.
It's not particularly fair of me to say that considering that we didn't stay the whole time, which means we didn't win the amp. As a matter of fact we left during their first song...about 8 minutes into it or so.
Saying that, they had the same problem as LSD. They were really really boring, and by that time I had even less patience. But also, I was told that this band was very Metallica/Iron Maiden but instrumental, the problem with that statement is that it was completely false, or at least it was based on what I had heard before I lost my patience.
I have a real problem with certain people in the metal community. Not even the community, just any metalhead. That problem is, there are some people that listen strictly to metal because it's metal and nothing else, and be close minded assholes about it. And that bothers me because there's a lot of metal that they're listening to, such as this, that is super fucking boring and is only popular because people don't know what good metal is so they just find something that's metal and just like it regardless of if it's actually good. Because metal. You know? There are some metalheads that will like any metal simply because metal. That is silly to me, because at that point, it's merely about the image and not the music. Sure, a lot of metal is the image, so is any other genre with their own image; it's the balancing of the image and the music that make said artist worth listening to. And from what I can see, a lot of people in the world of metal seem to forget that, or they never learned it.
Lets make something clear: I was at the show to see my friend Jamey play, but also because there was a raffle going on to have the chance to win a brand new Orange bass amp. Like, 500 watts or something. Great deal. However, you had to have not only entered the raffle, but stay the whole night, or at least show up at the end of the show to be able to claim it.
So, LSD was boring. So Rozie and I were just sitting around hoping that Eagleclaws set wouldn't be as painful. It was.
It's not particularly fair of me to say that considering that we didn't stay the whole time, which means we didn't win the amp. As a matter of fact we left during their first song...about 8 minutes into it or so.
Saying that, they had the same problem as LSD. They were really really boring, and by that time I had even less patience. But also, I was told that this band was very Metallica/Iron Maiden but instrumental, the problem with that statement is that it was completely false, or at least it was based on what I had heard before I lost my patience.
I have a real problem with certain people in the metal community. Not even the community, just any metalhead. That problem is, there are some people that listen strictly to metal because it's metal and nothing else, and be close minded assholes about it. And that bothers me because there's a lot of metal that they're listening to, such as this, that is super fucking boring and is only popular because people don't know what good metal is so they just find something that's metal and just like it regardless of if it's actually good. Because metal. You know? There are some metalheads that will like any metal simply because metal. That is silly to me, because at that point, it's merely about the image and not the music. Sure, a lot of metal is the image, so is any other genre with their own image; it's the balancing of the image and the music that make said artist worth listening to. And from what I can see, a lot of people in the world of metal seem to forget that, or they never learned it.
Lonestar State Demons (LSD)
This is the band I saw at Red 7 after Jamey Simms Band. They're a more aggressive styled stoner metal band that at first doesn't seem that bad.
Lemme put it this way, I really liked them their first 3 songs or so, but then I realized that all of their songs were the same and that they weren't very good performers, either. They were pretty bad, and pretty boring.
Also, their set was REALLY long. It was bad enough that their songs were legitimately long, and boring so it seems even longer, but they had more time in their set for more songs than the other bands, and they weren't even headlining. They APPARENTLY set up the show, so they got more stage time. But, they just sucked out loud.
Lemme put it this way, I really liked them their first 3 songs or so, but then I realized that all of their songs were the same and that they weren't very good performers, either. They were pretty bad, and pretty boring.
Also, their set was REALLY long. It was bad enough that their songs were legitimately long, and boring so it seems even longer, but they had more time in their set for more songs than the other bands, and they weren't even headlining. They APPARENTLY set up the show, so they got more stage time. But, they just sucked out loud.
Jamey Simms Band
Saturday night I saw my friend's band play at Red 7 with his band, Jamey Simms Band. They're just pure rock and roll with plenty of attitude, and they were freaking loud. I really enjoyed their show because it was full of energy, both from the band and the crowd, but the band members are just really really good players. Jamey is probably the best if not one of the best guitarists I've ever met in my life.
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