Golden Age of Rock... Who Should Call It Quits?

Hello Everyone!

Hope Halloween was fun for you all. I had a great weekend. Like I said, it's just so much fun dressing up in crazy costumes. I think some of the best ones I saw were: dixie cups, a man in a shower, mario kart players and a pregnant male nun. Good choices, all really well done. What were some of the crazy costumes you saw this weekend? Anyways, on to the post!

gratuitous photo: my roommate and I on Halloween

Rock N Roll is timeless... but perhaps the same can not be said for the participants of the scene. We all hear the term "they're past their prime", talking about bands like a piece of meat or something. Personally, I think there is a point in time where artists need to give it up. Rock N Roll performance seems to have a biological clock all its own. I'm all for the love of music, but I can definitely name a few acts who need to call it quits! 

Performance wise, it can be slightly awkward to watch an aged act on stage. Some bands can still do a great job, but for the most part, its just uncomfortable. Rock exudes energy like no other genre, its driven, fast and aggressive. So if you take away the artists ability to perform it the same way, sometimes the sparkle just isn't there. Am I right? As long as you can keep up with your music, go for it. Once you're playing double time and standing still, maybe its time to consider some changes (maybe try a new sound or quit while you're ahead).

Another thing that drives me crazy is bands who stick around for the cash flow. I wont name names, but if you hate each other, maybe its best to forgo the cheques and give it up. Music is about passion, if you can't stand your band mates, it must be very difficult to be passionate about writing. If you have to tour on separate buses so you don't kill each other, or record on entirely different days, sending out emails for communication... stop. Oh... and DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT try to make a fortune in farewell tours. One big bang of tour dates and thats it, if you must.

A third sign that it may be time to quit... you're working with only one or two original members and still going by the same name. Guns N Roses, I love you but you are no longer Guns N Roses. You are Axl Rose and some other talented musicians... but not GNR. 

Finally, stop raising ticket prices because you're now "classic" rock. I would LOVE to see some of the older acts in concert if given the chance, but I can rarely even fathom this idea due to ticket costs. I mean, over $200 for a few hours of entertainment? You had better be the original Beatles lineup for that cost to see one act. I would only even consider that price for a festival show, and even then it would have to be a once in a lifetime lineup. Point is, you kill your fan base by charging so much. The tickets are unaccessible and it frustrates people. Be nice, consider that your fans are typically middle class workers who know the value of a dollar.

The point is, do it for the love but dont feel pressured to spend your entire life in the industry. Work hard, have a good time, make some incredible memories, then retire or move into another aspect of the industry. This clearly doesn't apply to ALL artists, as there are definitely some incredible older acts still roaming the concert circuit, but if you fall into at least two of the above categories, please seriously reconsider the continuation of your career.

(original source unknown)

What do you think? Agree, disagree? I'm open minded and I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Rock On!

- Girl At The Rock Show

Song of the Day: My Generation by The Who

Piano Rock

 Hello!

When you think of rock music, what instruments come to mind? Electric guitar, bass, drums... and keys? Or is that just my personal list? I fully support the adoption of pianos in rock. Though keyboards have been incorporated in the past with bands like Meatloaf, Fleetwood Mac and Queen, I have to say I'm a big fan of the recent resurgence. There's just something about the way keys fit into rock music... it makes it epic! It can also lend a soft side to a traditionally heavy genre. 

I find that there's a certain emotionality attached to pianos. Be it an electric keyboard with a flashy player, or the traditional full set up with a bench, it just comes with a level of soul. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch someone play in a live setting and you'll soon see for yourselves. 

I'll never forget seeing one of my favourite piano based rock groups, Something Corporate, play when I was about 15. Watching Andrew McMahon control that stage... jumping on his own personally painted stand up piano... it was pure, raw passion. When I had the opportunity to watch his new band, Jack's Mannequin, play from side stage at the Vans Warped Tour a couple years ago, it was the same awe inspiring feeling as the first time. Trust me, its difficult to compare their level of emotion and musicality to that of any other performer. 

So if you're into piano/keyboard rock, here are a few bands you should check out!

Something Corporate

Jacks Mannequin ( a band I will talk about A LOT) 

The AKAs (keyboard and synth)

The Hush Sound

The Fray

Keane

Eisley

Butch Walker

No longer is piano something you do as a child... bring it on! I'd much rather meet a guy who plays the piano and not the guitar. Girls- how much would you love one of these guys to play for you? I know I'm not alone here. I wish I never gave it up... too bad for me! Guess I could always pick it up again but it could be tricky to find the time these days. Its just the kind of instrument you cant play without some level of passion. Its always moving, and always beautiful. Enjoy!

Rock On!

- Girl At The Rock Show

Techno Rock... Here to stay?

Hey everyone!

So unless you've been living under a rock lately, I'm sure you are all well aware of the recent explosion of techno pop rock. Bands like Cobra Starship, Metro Station, Hellogoodbye, Stereos and Shiny Toy Guns have all been pushed into the recent spotlight to take over video charts and radio waves everywhere with their blends of catchy pop tunes, rock instruments, Mac computers, keytars (which I love) and synthesizers. 

We all know rock reinvents itself as the years go. Like any other genre, it goes through phases to keep it relevant... take for example: grunge, punk or glam. All rock n roll, just with a twist. I actually kind of like this trend, it allows for rock to transcend into pop culture and subsequently, dance clubs and such. Its fun, upbeat, and a welcome change from the more depressing scene that followed it. However, I find that if you talk to those hardcore classic rock fans, they find this new wave to be the worst possible thing to happen.

A lot of discussion that I've heard comes down to the question of authenticity. Can technology have a place in rock and roll while keeping within the ideals of authenticity? Rock music is often portrayed as this pure, rebellious, untouched genre. But honestly, lets face it. Everything has been touched by the corporation so we need to just forget that definition now. Not to say that because bands like Bad Religion and Anti-Flag are on major labels that their music is not important and authentic, because in my opinion it definitely is. I'm just saying that there is likely some corporate aspect to most rock music, obvious or not, and we cant discriminate bands based on that. I mean, if you could do what you love and be broke, or do what you love and get paid, most of you would pick to get paid, right? 

So barring that fact, what determines authenticity? If music constantly changes, how can we decide what is genuine and what is fake? Granted, I can see where people with this opinion are coming from. Take bands like Brokencyde or Blood on the Dancefloor for example (I warn you now, your ears might just bleed if you click those links!). Bands like this would not be successful if it weren't for this new genre... and thats a GOOD THING. Because, seriously... they just are not very talented (sorry if that actually manages to offend anyone but thats my opinion)! This new genre makes it possible for people with minimal musical talent to replace all technical aspects with machines and become a mainstream success. It has the ability to pave a short and easy path to success. But still, I cant help but think of all the fantastically catchy songs I've grown to love that got their start here...

So what do you think? Does technology have a place in rock music? Can autotune and protools mixing become instruments in their own right? Maybe it just takes the right person, someone who really understands the technology, to make it work? Let me know!

Have an awesome weekend, and make sure to check back soon for more updates!

Rock On!

- Girl At The Rock Show 

Song of the Day: Dont Stop by Inner Party System... great techno inspired band. If you're interested in this genre, definitely check them out!

Let It Rock

Good Evening One And All!

So as it was homecoming AND my roommate's birthday this weekend, we decided to hit the town for a night out. As a music fan, I'm usually pretty happy with anything that comes on over the speakers while I'm on the dance floor. A little Britney, some Rihanna and a dash of David Guetta, I'm sold. However, I always enjoy it even more when I hear those few rock songs play. They never fail to get me singing and dancing with the best of them. Ever notice they're always played one after another? Without fail, every bar I've been to plays a block of specific rock songs, probably to get everyone singing along. It usually goes something like this: Livin' On A Prayer, Dont Stop Believin', Thunderstruck, Summer of 69 and Pour Some Sugar On Me. Now, don't get me wrong, I love these songs, but come on... there are others that could easily fit in at clubs. All I'm saying is these DJs could test the waters and try some "new" material before these classic songs get more overplayed than the current top 40 playlist haha :)

Hope you all enjoyed Homecoming, sorry for the lack of post yesterday!

Rock On!

- Girl At The Rock Show

Song of the Day: Bounce by The Cab

This is a band I could see getting some airplay at the bars... definitely catchy, danceable and all around good fit. Imagine a techno remix of this... pretty sweet in my opinion!