| Author |
Topic: Alt Country-Indie Band....Your take |
Steve Stallings
From:
Houston/Cypress, Texas
|
Posted 31 Dec 2003 11:32 am |
|
http://www.oldno8.com/
There is a job offer over in announcements for this band. While perusing their website I couldn't help but notice that they promote cocaine use with a song on their CD called
"C'mon lets do some blow" and have a unusual photo gallery consisting of pictures of the band holding fake penis's to other fellows faces and some girls displaying their breasts.
The band itself looks like rejects from a salvation army soup kitchen.
Ok... getting past that, the music.....whew, let's use that term to describe what they do cautiously. Apparently they couldn't hire a real lead singer so they got someone who can yell pretty loud. Not much talent here that I can spot. Looks like a group of very mediocre musicians using the "We're alt-country-indie banner" as their sole redeeming value. These folks suck, and suck big time. But hey! they need a steel player.
Maybe I'm being too harsh? Anyone think these folks are worth even a passing glance?
Simply because I'm a Christian and revolted by there "family values" is not all I am commenting on. No, I have an equal revulsion for really crappy music. But hey... the way things are going, these folks may be the next big thing and hitting the opry soon... 
------------------
God Bless,
Steve Stallings
www.pedalsteeler.com
|
|
|
 |
Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
|
Posted 31 Dec 2003 11:46 am
|
|
Yeah, from the looks of 'em, that song should have been called "C'mon let's get some Flu Shots"!
|
|
|
|
Billy Wilson
From:
El Cerrito, California, USA
|
Posted 31 Dec 2003 11:54 am
|
|
| I guess it's all about preference. I notice that alot of folks on this forum really apreciate alot of country rock or alt country sort of stuff. Personally, I like my country just like I like my whiskey, undiluted. To me country music, should'nt sound to different from bluegrass. The twangyer the better. The sadder the lyrics the better. And of course, the more steel guitar the better. I'm talkin early George Jones. Early Buck, Wynn Stewart. I just got a Vernon Oxford CD and it is perfect. I love the early pedal stuff like Slowly. Bud is awesome. Early Jimmy Day. Am I alone here. Sometimes I feel like it. BW |
|
|
|
Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
|
Posted 31 Dec 2003 5:32 pm
|
|
| This band looks like a lot of fun to me but I can't hear their music here. |
|
|
|
Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 3:45 am
|
|
Well. One man's ceiling is another mans floor.
Tiny Tim didn't appeal to everybody either, and looked like hell a lot of the time.
Hank Williams similarly..
They both seemed to sell a lot of records.
Sometimes the music is supposed to suck...
If you have to ask, nobody can explain it to you.
Sometimes there's just no accounting for taste.
From some of the titles, I doub't they'll get a lot of their songs on the jukebox.
EJL
|
|
|
|
Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 9:05 am
|
|
Well, I listened to "End Of The World" (and yeah...I was sort of expecting the old Skeeter Davis thing), and it wasn't. The singer ain't much, but many poor singers have become rich and famous, havent they? They are definitely a rockin' group, and certainly not the average "garage band". They're well rehearsed, and talented. Their audience (young, let's face it) probably eats up their outlandish attitude and irreverent behavior....that's "show biz", after all.
I don't know what they're really like, and how well you would "fit in", but it might be worth a try (I probably would). You'll never know until to you see them in person, so give it a shot. After all, you can always quit, and run out yelling and screaming "Thou art the Devil incarnate!", or something to that effect. |
|
|
|
Steve Stallings
From:
Houston/Cypress, Texas
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 9:57 am
|
|
| Quote: |
| I don't know what they're really like, and how well you would "fit in", but it might be worth a try (I probably would). |
LOL... I'm really not interested in playing with them. I did my time in alternative bands in the sixties and seventies. You know, back when I had hair down to my shoulders. I think I'll stick with the extremely talented group I am working with now. None of us do any drugs or smoke and we play music I've heard of.
------------------
God Bless,
Steve Stallings
www.pedalsteeler.com
|
|
|
|
David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 10:19 am
|
|
Steve, I'd play with that band for free and love every minute of it. In fact I play with a band like that, more or less for free (I'm not on any of their tracks yet, but take a listen).
http://www.gasmoneyweb.com/
Donny, I think you listened to the wrong cut. The first two or three in their sample list are slow and much better done. But even those last two or three rockers are not bad for a group like this. This music comes from a rockabilly, blues and punk rock heritage, as well as traditional country. Billy, I dearly love all that old country stuff you mentioned. But I love to play with these young people and their new take on things.
Here's the deal. Almost every kind of American pop music goes through a standard kind of cycle. First a few inovators pop up with a new sound, it is sometimes raw and rough and performed by neophytes - think early Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and early Wanda Jackson. It is scorned as "unmusical" by the elders, but the young kids take it for their own. Then it gradually gets commercialized by immitators and turns slick (think Pat Boone, Sal Mineo, etc.). The upcoming young folks get bored with it. Then along come some more raw fresh upstarts (think The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Hendrix) with a new sound. Then that gets commercialized and boring (think Disco). Then along come more raw upstarts (think punk rock: Sex Pistols, Iggy Pop, etc.). Then that gets slick and boring (think New Wave)...and on and on.
This happens in country music, too. Alt country is a refreshing reaction to the current slick boring country pop. You might be surprised at how much these young folks revere the same old traditional country stuff Billy mentions. But when they do a cover of it, they remake it in their own raw alt country style - like what Elvis did with Blue Moon of Kentucky.
"Those not busy being born are busy dying" - Bob Dylan.
It's a free country, so if what these guys are doing is not to your taste, stay away from them. But if you want some youthful stimulation, dive in. If you are deeply religious, you got two choices here: 1) stay away and stay pure (perfectly okay - you can pick other missions), 2) take these guys on as your mission, to teach them Christian ways by example, and to infuse their music with some good old country stuff (might not be successful, but who knows).
Oh, and don't do it for the money, these guys probably don't make any. My group call themselves Gas Money, 'cause that's all they ever make. |
|
|
|
Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 10:31 am
|
|
| Just once in my life I'd like to work with a group where the women take off their shirts... |
|
|
|
Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 12:50 pm
|
|
It happened to a band I was with Jim.
Not a pretty picture! Maybe you should change your wish to read "where good lookin women take off ...".
Back to the topic, there's a lot of drinking, cheating, even killing songs that I play. I don't feel I'm promoting those actions by playing the songs. Just like an actor is not promoting suicide by performing in some Shakesperian classics.
NRPS and Commander Cody were my first Steel influences. Lots of druggie songs there.
Lots of great music too. Somehow "Panama Red" would not have been the same if he was named "Lily White".
Art should reflect culture as it really is. |
|
|
|
Rick McDuffie
From:
Benson, North Carolina, USA
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 1:46 pm
|
|
Gentlemen, I believe we have the makings of a debate here.
Touche' Joey!
But... despite my hippie teen years and the fact that I'm well-acquainted with NRPS, Commander Cody and Jerry Garcia... I kinda agree with Steve.
Jim Cohen, you won't do![This message was edited by Rick McDuffie on 01 January 2004 at 01:50 PM.] |
|
|
|
Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 2:05 pm
|
|
So what's the debate about?
I can't really disagree with Steve's "crappy music/no talent" comments. But there's a lot of music I don't like that others do. Some is very popular.
What interests me is the discussion about subject matter. I don't believe music has to represent "family value". That's censorship.
I'll take a Merle song about "staying here and drinking" anyday over a bubblegum song about "knocking three times on the ceiling". |
|
|
|
Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 2:08 pm
|
|
God bless those cute young drunk chicks hollering and pulling up there shirts !
I spent some real time roaring with bands when I started out. I gotta admit I loved it. I'm also glad I lived through it. So now I have a fantastic collection of memories to fall back on in this more responsible and boring phase of my life.
There is allot to be said for having fun.
Bob
[This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 01 January 2004 at 02:08 PM.] |
|
|
|
Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 3:31 pm
|
|
Actually as I mentioned I have been toying with the idea of an "Alt Country Rock" band that would play GOOD rock, and GOOD country, and actually incorporate a couple tips only dancers.
I was also thinking of joining a thrash country band called 24 B___ches on Mezcal, but it was put off in favor of more work.
Like I also have said, some people were curmudgeons (no reference to Mr H.) when they were teenagers. Some are vibrantly young at 80.
Success has many mothers, as they say.
EJL |
|
|
|
HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 4:55 pm
|
|
| Don't like the apples, don't shake the tree |
|
|
|
Steve Stallings
From:
Houston/Cypress, Texas
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 5:14 pm
|
|
| Quote: |
| Back to the topic, there's a lot of drinking, cheating, even killing songs that I play. I don't feel I'm promoting those actions by playing the songs. |
Whew... me neither, but here I want to make a point. Witnessing for Christ to believers is similar to the old adage of "taking a shower with a raincoat on". I believe that playing popular secular music in public while visibly displaying Christian values is simply another way of witnessing.
I was trying to think if we did anything that promoted illicit drug use. We do one song by Charlie Robison called "My Home Town" which has a passing reference to smoking pot. However within the connotations of the song, it is not promoting it, but rather lamenting that he spent his hard earned money on it.We do a Tracy Byrd Song "Ten Rounds of Jose Cuervo". Thank God I no longer drink! The worst hangover I ever had in my life was after stumbling in from an all nighter in Juarez, Mexico back in the summer of 78. To this day just the thought of tequila makes me nauseated.
| Quote: |
| If you have to ask, nobody can explain it to you. Sometimes there's just no accounting for taste. |
I do understand this statement. I like virtually all types of music. There is a ton of "alt-country" type bands working the small club circuits in Texas. Much if it is college aged type stuff. I like most of it. I like Led Zeppelin, Ray Price, Joe Satriani, Buck Owens, Three Doors Down, Loretta Lynn, Matchbox 20, Hank the III, Alan Jackson, Gary Stewart (The last slow song last night we played was Empty Glass)Nat King Cole, Nirvana, Pat Green, Johnny Mathis, Charlie Walker, Charlie Parker, Third Day,Connie Smith, Clay Walker, all of the Georges, though Boy George is a bit unsettling visually. I could go on for a long time... I have thousands of albums, Cd's, and tapes. I love music.
I just don't think these folks are very good and are using "shock" to prove their point. Really most of my problems with them are the overtly pornographic images involving homosexual type jokes on their web site and a song which openly promotes the use of one of the worst plagues (cocaine) on our world. I am not offended by womens breasts, though I feel it is personally demeaning those women to use them as sex objects. Portraying human sexuality as such a tawdry manifesto is simply dehumanizing. Really, that has very little to do with religous belief.
| Quote: |
| Steve, I'd play with that band for free and love every minute of it. |
I guess I'm just a capitalist at heart. Sometimes I might jam for free. I play in church for free..but playing jobs for free?
I don't do that period. It's work and business. I expect to be paid and turn down any job that is a "we are playing for the door" type thing. I played for free like that when I was a teenager and in my twenties. Texas is big... it's a long ways to places. If I can't make enough to cover my expenses of a hotel room, diesel, food, etc plus leave a hundred bucks or better in my pocket, forget it. I have no problem getting jobs here... but that is really another topic.
| Quote: |
| If you are deeply religious |
I'm a Christian. I choose to visibly reflect this. It hasn't always been so. My values are extremely common in the area I live in. I referred to "brother steelers' in the post in announcements, however, that is not an overtly religous reference, but rather a term to describe the brotherhood of steelers. My post had little to do with religion and everything to do with quality of music. (I did get a laugh out of Bob Hoffnars little joke with the church lady though.)
| Quote: |
| Art should reflect culture as it really is. |
Now this is an interesting comment. I think that their are pretty different cultural attitudes depending on location, age, etc.
Perhaps two years ago, we played a job with a fellow who has several successful CD's and is a "Texas Music Artist". We even had a thread about this at the time. I really like this fellows CD and was really dissapointed at the performance where he got pretty wasted and shouted obscenities over our 30,000 watt sound system. The promoters even asked us to retake the stage.
When I commented about this here, I discovered that this is fairly tame fare for the new crop of Texas artists. I bring this up to make the point that while he had several hundred folks following along with his anti-Nashville rant, the remaining three
thousand folks were clearly dismayed. The folks who seemed to buy into his performance were the young college kids. So... did his art reflect culture? uhhm, to a small portion of the crowd yeah.
Whose culture should be reflected? Who decides?
| Quote: |
| I don't believe music has to represent "family value". That's censorship. |
So you are saying that all censorship per-se is bad? We are in different countries as well as different cultures. Clearly, in the USA, performances are protected by freedom of speech. However, there most certainly exists statutes against public indecenty. There are limits to performances... this is censorship. I have no problem with this at all. Nor does the US Supreme court.
If a performer does not represent values consistent with the public, he won't have much of a following. Since, the band in question is not exactly beating down the doors of stardom, I would think they may wish to re-examine core band goals.
...btw, I've played the Merle song you reference many times in past bands. Unfortunately, I've also had to play that dreadful Tony Orlando and Dawn tune a few time too
| Quote: |
| There is allot to be said for having fun |
Been there, done it, got the t-shirt
Please, the human body is wonderful. Picture those young ladies with grand babies on their laps leafing through the hallowed family pictures of grandma flashing her breasts in her younger days.
All of those young ladies have parents. I know that the vast majority of parents would be truly shocked at revelations of this type.
Behavior of this type is dehumanizing for the female. I appreciate a pleasant figure as well as any man. This is just...well, sad.
------------------
God Bless,
Steve Stallings
www.pedalsteeler.com
|
|
|
|
Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 6:27 pm
|
|
Steve, I'm glad you liked the church lady joke !
BTW:Its important that somebody disaproves of lewd behavior. If it wasn't bad it wouldn't be as fun.
Bob |
|
|
|
Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 6:31 pm
|
|
Steve, we also do "My Hometown" up here in Buffalo. We substitute "we spent it all on shots" for the pot reference. We play too many outdoor venues with families and don't want anyone to think we are promoting drug use to kids. Alcohol at least being legal. Thats interesting. We also to "Jose Cuervo".
|
|
|
|
David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 6:53 pm
|
|
| Just imagine how much better these guys would sound with a pedal mashin' steeler twanging it up. That's my only point. |
|
|
|
Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 7:11 pm
|
|
| Quote: |
| We substitute "we spent it all on shots" for the pot reference. |
Smart move. IV drugs are so much more effective than smoking dope. |
|
|
|
Rick McDuffie
From:
Benson, North Carolina, USA
|
Posted 1 Jan 2004 7:29 pm
|
|
Well said, Steve. You saved me a lot of typing.
The one thing I'd add is that art doesn't necessarily NEED to reflect culture, even though it will naturally do that in most cases. The greatest art, in my opinion, CHANGES culture (take the Beatles' music of the 60's, for example. I think we will all agree that the world was never quite the same after "Sargeant Pepper's"). If we accept that premise, and I think most of us would, the next logical question to ask is "will MY art change it for better or for worse?"
Our band does "Two More Bottles Of Wine" by Delbert McClinton. We're certainly reflecting culture by doing this tune... as it's a song that someone else wrote, which has already become popular. However, in my best-of-all-possible-worlds band, we'd write and record original music that would lift spirits, encourage people and change the world for the better, rather than simply offering repetitive commentary on how bad things are. My religious ethic teaches me that I have an obligation to make the world a more virtuous place.
To say that art SHOULD reflect culture is analagous to the old teenage plea of "but everybody else is doing it".
That said, I still like Delbert McClinton A LOT!
Rick |
|
|
|
Wayne Carver
From:
Martinez, Georgia, USA
|
Posted 3 Jan 2004 10:51 am
|
|
I wouldn't hold it against them for the Cocaine referance. Jackson Browne and others sung about cocaine and other drugs.I like alt country but I usually like the slower or more country songs on an alt country cd. A lot of alt country bands will throw in a few really indie type rock songs on their albums that I don't care for too much. I don't like the "Beat Farmers","The Reverend Horton Heat", "Jolene", "Psychograss",etc. although they do have certain songs I like ie: Lucille by the Beat Farmers.
I like Wilco, Son Volt, Jayhawks type alt-country and Blue Rodeo, Old 97's, Big In Iowa type rock. |
|
|
|
Nicholas Dedring
From:
Beacon, New York, USA
|
Posted 6 Jan 2004 10:52 am
|
|
| Quote: |
| BTW:Its important that somebody disaproves of lewd behavior. If it wasn't bad it wouldn't be as fun. |
Lol. Amen bob...
I respect anyone's decision to have and observe their faith with whatever fervor... I'm kind of confused about what this whole thing is about... I'm sort of reading your comments as "They really suck, and I loathe their values. Should I play with them?" I guess I'd have to say absolutely absolutely not. Do you think you would want to even pass rehearsal or bus time with folks you felt that way about? Let alone feeling that way about the music?
If you can, and you do like the music, more power to you... Maceo Parker played with Parliament (George Clinton et. al.) and never did any drugs at all along the way, and that was fine by all involved...
FWIW, I think it's also kind of disconcerting to have someone "witnessing for christ" to me in a honky tonk bar where people have gone to drink and dance and hit on each other. Hey, atheists don't come into your church and play in the band on sundays and lecture you on God being dead, do they? I mean no disrespect by that... but I don't know how well something like that goes over, and I doubt anybody involved in this thing that your talking about would be too gung ho about it.
Saying that someone shouldn't/can't do a song advocating bad habits is censorship, in my opinion... I happen not to do any, so my listening to something that "advocates" it apparently has left me able to have a mind of my own, and maintain my own opinions... and take care of myself.
Hope I didn't ruffle your feathers, anyone... no offense intended, just thinking aloud here. |
|
|
|
Rick McDuffie
From:
Benson, North Carolina, USA
|
Posted 6 Jan 2004 11:19 am
|
|
I think what Steve is saying is that, for a Christian, witnessing is naturally done in whatever situation he finds himself.
Jesus sure trucked with some people who were up to no good. All of us Believers have GOT to have some non-Christian friends. How else can we help?
I have a bunch of friends who aren't church-goers, and some don't profess faith in anyone/thing. But they openly accept me and my message, as I do them.
So... would I play in a band with people who are "rough around the edges"? Yes, and I have. But this crowd (the alt-country band in question) wouldn't want me around... nor would I very much enjoy being around them!
By the way, I don't think has any intention of joining up with this group. How'd that get started?
Rick |
|
|
|
Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
|
Posted 6 Jan 2004 11:24 am
|
|
| edited because I was just being silly [This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 06 January 2004 at 11:26 AM.] |
|
|
|
