Mmmhmm. I went there.
It's presently 12:02am here. I've just got done reading Josh's latest blog(link is in my friends cloumn, far right). This has sparked a blog-worthy anger. Not at him, but at the subject of which he writes.
For those of you who are lazy and don't want to click on the link, here's a summary:
Josh writes about Tom Gabel, the vocalist for the band Against Me!. In his opinion, the earlier works of AM! are better than the current ones. Unintelligible lyrics about heartfelt matters, like hating starbucks (a'la Reinventing Axl Rose) vs. pop-ish swaying and drummed over vocals (a'la Random Hearts and Conceptual Paths) are something that he feels very strongly about. The blog is titled "What the fuck, Tom Gabel".
Josh goes on to discuss how maddened he is that Against Me! is becoming more like Green Day, with its music changing to please today's mainstream society.
As you can see, the new and 'reinvented' Green Day is dressed in the traditional mainstream black couture, complete with eyeliner and too-tight pants. Awesome. Another job well done for the corporation. Done in by the label thinking "Good PR".
Bullshit. I know of many bands who have overcome obstacles without giving in to the oh-so-tempting 'sell-out' mantra.
Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday had it hard. Losing members is always hard on a band, but TBS lost so many members, that it's a wonder they're still around. The current members of TBS are Adam Lazzara, Matthew Fazzi, Eddie Reyes, Matt Rubano, and Mark O'Connell. Compare THAT to the original lineup including Fred Mascherino, Jesse Lacey, John Nolan, Shaun Cooper, Antonio Longo, and Steven DeJoseph.
Mind boggling, right? The members fought so much, that Fred Mascherino finally left after he declared that TBS "concentrated harder on learning to cook, than making music". He went on to pursue his solo career, 'The Color Fred'. Which basically sucks, in my opinion. If you read this, Fred, sorry dude. You shoulda stayed with TBS. I would've taught you guys how to cook..
Anyway, it really saddens me that most bands don't have a chance of holding their ground when the label decides that it's time for a change.. It's either change and take aim at the mainstreamers, or pack their shit as a band and try to find a new label.
Sigh. It's always inspiring when you hear about bands overcoming certain obstacles. You can read about something in Alternative Press that really brightens your outlook on life. (Jack's Mannequin, anyone?) Makes you want to believe that you are your own person.
But then again, are you really?? The answer is fairly obscure.. The corporations have got their hands in every cookie jar. Even yours, probably. Can you honestly say that you have a mind of your own? THAT, my friends, is a big NO these days. With more and more censorship creeping up on us, it's only a matter of time before every house, child, and GASP!, microphone are bugged and beamed straight to the secret government hideout in the second 'L' on the HOLLYWOOD hill.
Stay paranoid, my friends.
-Brittany
1 comment:
I pretty much agree with this except for a small thing:
There's a difference between growing up and selling out.
Members of Greenday started growing up. They got married, had kids and moved on and their music EVOLVED, I believe American Idiot would be around if they were still with Lookout Records, but bands like TBS obviously sold out to the label and members left for their respective reasons. Like I said, I enjoy Against Me! either way and I believe it was more of them evolving and growing up but still being enticed by the mula.
Post a Comment