WARNING If you know what a soapbox is read on, if not I suggest you find out what one is before continuing. All comments that follow are my own opinion and I make no apology for them (even if you don't agree, or popular opinion is different). You have been warned. The following may contain strong language, please don't proceed if easily offended.
Well well well. There are people (like me) who claim that all music these days is the product of just another manufacturing process, albeit involving people. Popstars is the proof of that theory, if however, you think this is just another 'Ash Rant' stay with me for a while coz this one has a twist that you probably aren't expecting.
For those of you who have missed some episodes (I missed the first couple), or have no idea what I'm going on about, allow me to explain. Popstars is a TV program (I suppose documentary) about the forming of a new pop group. It started out with mass singing auditions held at various venues across the country (where there were some really talentless individuals, and egos that even I would have a hard time competing against). The best of each were then taken to the next phase (Birmingham I think) where dancing was introduced and then the survivors moved on to London where they go through some teambuilding stuff, mock press interviews etc oh and more singing and dancing auditions. The final result will be (when we find out on Saturday night) a 5 piece pop group. Now as much as this whole manufacturing process makes me sick, I do have to give credit where it's due and say that these kids (18-24 - bummer right! otherwise I'd have gone down and done a couple of Megadeth numbers just to see the looks on everyone's faces) can actually sing, and at least they are being open about how the band 'came to be'. I also have to say that I think the treatment of the judge Nigel is just bloody unfair. He has gained the nickname of 'nasty nigel' but watch each episode and you'll see it always him that has to give the kids the bad news. Nigel if your reading this you have my sympathy.
Nigel held a web chat a week or so ago which I tried to get in on, and rather than the shit questions the idiots were asking ("Were you tempted to let the guy in the group when he offered to pay your wages for a month" etc.) I tried to get in some really serious ones like did he feel that this 'manufacturing process' was adding to, if not causing the decline of the 'traditional band'? Is the term 'band' appropriate when all they do is sing?. Unfortunately I don't think any of my questions got though (my connection was crap on the night, and perhaps the moderators thought I was trying to make trouble (hmmmm) and the transcript has now gone from the site, anyone got a copy?) so we will never know. However I strongly suggest you check out the 'how not to's' on the web site as they are really funny, and much as I suspect I will hate the music the band eventually produces, I suspect I may buy the video of the series for the pure moments of talentless-ego-driven-youth.
Is it me or am I getting soft in my old age? no, don't answer that :-)
Some of you may be aware that recently the BBC did this 'Music Live' thing. Where they set up gigs all over the place, over 24 hours. This tied in with people giving away musical instruments they didn't want so that other people could start playing who otherwise may not have had the chance. OK, in theory this is great but I got a few points to raise.
1. What is one of the biggest contributors to live musics decline? - Answer: BBC/Radio One.
2. How many up-and-coming or unknown acts participated in this event? - Answer: I do believe it was none. So it was just publicity for existing acts.
3. Have we been shown any evidence that the instruments donated have actually made it to anyone? - Answer: Well I haven't seen anything.
4. Does this sound like a publicity stunt to get everyone to watch/listen to BBC/Radio One for a 24 hour period? - Answer: Damn Right!
Conclusion: Get me a cleaner, I'm going to be violently sick.
When people find out that I used to be in a band, and after they learn the [short version of the] history. They often ask me if I miss the whole band thing. The answer of course is "TOO BLOODY RIGHT!". There was no better high for me in life than getting up on stage, playing loud heavy metal music, acting like a god, getting away with it and sometimes even making some money at the same time :). However what I refused to do was fade into obscurity (this is assuming people had heard of us in the first place) and work my ass off rehearsing and gig chasing, to find out that either "We don't do (rock) bands (anymore)" or "We haven't listened to the tape yet - come back in (insert several months here)" or "We've lost your tape" or "We're booked up until (months away) - come back then" only to go back then and be told the same thing and maybe eventually get 1 booking every 6 months. For those of you who can't relate to this, in 'the good 'ole days' (around 1995 ish) 5 gigs a month was a busy month (considering we weren't as good then and the fact that we all have day jobs which meant we could only do weekends). Do you know who I blame? read on...........
Don't you just hate the music business these days? I mean, bands slog away for years to develop their music (and dare I say talent) and does the music industry take them seriously and nurture the future of the industry? no, they find 4 or so attractive lads/girls that the teens (of the opposite sex) will wet their pants over. Teach them how to dress, teach them how to dance, tell them what to say and think, write their material for them (notice that talent isn't included in this list) and them make loads of money from them (you don't honestly think the band makes any money do you?). Just to drop them 12 months or so down line in favour of the next 'big thing', and the public?...................they lap up this prefabricated crap.
I don't know about you but this makes me bloody sick. Then of course there is all this computer generated crap that people pass off for music! Well at least the above qualifies for the category, but this shit! no way (gotta be cynical coming from a computer engineer). I remember when we used to laugh at the 'one hit wonders' but that's what they all are now. Don't get me wrong, there are a few artists (notice not many bands) that have stood the test of time, but how many of the new acts out there can you see being round in a year, let alone 10!
I have watched some really great bands fade into obscurity thanks to all this, and I've watched others try to change to remain popular. I've always maintained that you can't change where your heart lies as far as music is concerned. Sure you can like other stuff, maybe be quite good at playing it. But I think you can only ever really rock at one type of music. Every band who has tried to alter has, in my opinion, failed and usually disappears shortly afterwards (good examples are The Cult and Skid Row - Interestingly The Cult seemed to identify that changing was not working and their next release was subsequently back to their original style).
The interesting thing is that we, the public, make the music companies what they are. So you have to ask yourself who's driving whom. Are we buying what we want, or are we taking what we are given? Speaking for the masses I would say the latter, and now they are just taking the piss.
Nor are the bands free from blame, they are not interested in the music, they just churn out shite to make a few quid. Personally, that's also taking the piss.
I don't think it stops there. I've said elsewhere on this site that the live music scene seems to be dying all over the country. People seem to prefer to vegetate in their homes rather than go out (let alone to see a band). Andy moved North and it's the same there, and Jamie's been trying to get in another band for 12 months and had precious few opportunities. We seem to be devolving into a throw-away society where if we cant get it in our homes at the drop of a hat, perfect, first time, we're not interested.
Bottom line is, who's in control of your life, you?.......or some corporate giant with their eyes on your hard earned cash? Today the music industry, tomorrow? who's industry is next?