Author Archives: Alex

AC/DC aren’t American Idol fans

Ever since Steven Tyler’s joined American Idol, everyone in the rock music business feels the need to comment on the show. News flash, folks, the show’s been around for a while. I understand that this may be, in part, the interviewer’s fault for asking the question, but it’s just a bit pathetic how everyone is coming out of the woodwork to weigh in on the show’s format. Where were you 10 years ago?

I’m not the biggest Aerosmith fan but give Tyler a break. He was offered a chance to join the biggest TV show in history, he’s like 105 years old, what’s he gonna do, pass on it?  AC/DC may be huge enough to say no to these things but other musicians would sell their organs for a similar break.

Anyway, apparently Brian thinks ‘making it’ via this show is not right:

“There’s only one way to do it. You get on the stage, you learn your trade and you get out and play in front of people. You serve your apprenticeship just like anybody else.“

I do kinda understand where he’s coming from, but I’ll play the devil’s asshole advocate for a while. Why is winning this show such a sin? It’s true that in half a year they go from being nobody to being a potential recording artist, but aren’t they working hard for it too? Can you imagine the pressure of singing live, as an amateur, and every mistake of yours to be dissected on the spot by four people? (out of which one is Jennifer Lopez, Jesus.)

I’d understand the point if this show was about musicians winning record deals in a lottery, but they work for it too. Is it as hard as playing live decades and decades (like Anvil) and not making it big until you’re 50? No, but we all make our own luck. It’s like saying Edward Norton shouldn’t have been nominated for an Oscar for his role in Primal Fear cause it was his first role and he didn’t put as much work into acting as others.

Bullshit. Talent is talent, a lucky break is a lucky break. You can’t expect everyone to follow the same path to success in the exact same way.

“The shortcut way leads to tears at the end of the day. It’s all hype. And it’s not fair on the kids to make them famous one week and then nobodies the next. It’s just not right.“

Read full article here.

Why isn’t it right? No one forced those kids to be there. They chose to be involved. Everyone on that show must know that only one or two may get a career and the rest will fade away. All they’re looking for is to be noticed. They get it. It’s up to them to turn it into success, like others have. Right?

Besides, how many bands work as hard as the big bands but never get picked up by a major record label and resort to touring Walmart parking lots? Life isn’t fair and the music business certainly isn’t fair. At least with American Idol, the public has some sort of control, as opposed to the way major labels used to shove ‘artists’ down our throats via MTV. And they kept bribing paying and paying and paying for airtime until they sold enough records. Why don’t we comment on that before commenting on the show?

I’m just saying…

Of course, I’m not defending American Idol, I’m just against the way people talk about it like it’s ‘what’s wrong with music’ when in fact, this is what’s been wrong with music since the music industry’s inception. American Idol is just another big company using musicians as pawns. Nothing new whatsoever.

Tuesday Trivia: The duck walk

One of the most recognizable things about AC/DC is Angus Young’s duck walk. Many consider it his ‘signature move,’ but did you know it’s not actually his?

Well, he did make it famous, plus his whole stage persona comes as a package: schoolboy uniform, guitar playing, duck walk. But someone else came up with it and he’s just as legendary.

Speaking of schoolboys, don’t confuse this with MJ’s moonwalk.

Make the jump to read who came up with this move and how Angus came to use it. It’s fairly common knowledge but, hey, I’m taking over Simo’s TT job today so Captain Obvious or not, I’m gonna teach you a thing or two about rock ‘n’ roll. Wooo…

Papa Roach are teasing you…

Papa Roach used to wear all black because they wanted to look thin didn’t want to be posers and advertise other brands. Today they forgot about all that and they look so emo, I couldn’t even fit Coby’s hairdo in the photo above. In other words, I’ve seen stronger principles on 10 year olds.

But now they have released a trailer for their new video. Yes, seriously.

I’m not gonna lie, it looks pretty good from a technical point of view but it just seems so pointless. Release the whole thing when it’s ready and be done with it.

If you want a trip back in time and go 10 years into the past when these guys were actually popular, make the jump and watch the trailer. Be careful, you don’t want to get too excited, yo.

Judas Priest are rehearsing

Judas Priest (sans K.K.) will embark on a farewell tour this summer so they need to practice, practice, practice. Cause practice makes perfect and they’re a perfect band. Well, would be if K.K. was still in, but that’s just me being an asshole nitpicking.

I have no ending for this post so I’ll just paste some random text from CNN.com:

President Barack Obama renewed his push for comprehensive immigration reform Tuesday, citing America’s legacy as a nation of immigrants and saying that finding a solution for millions of undocumented workers is critical to the country’s common future.

“It doesn’t matter where you come from. What matters is that you believe in the ideals on which we were founded, that you believe all of us are equal,” he said. “In embracing America, you can become American. That is what makes this country great.

Well said, sir.

Avenged Sevenfold release video. World laughs.

Avenged Sevenfold released a music video for the song ‘So Far Away.’ What is this, 1998? I thought music videos weren’t popular anymore.

Anyway, you can watch the video after the jump. But does it pass the awesome test?

– A lot of shots of the vocalist singing and emoting while doing so? Check.
– Some young guys having a good time in the video so that the band fools us into thinking they can relate to the youth? Check.
– Skinny guy drumming on his friend’s back? Check.
– Some guy throwing a drink in his face? Check.

This video has EVERYTHING!!!