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"The Next Great American Band'


ira

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Having always gone to religious schools that did not have gymnastics programs....The only gymnastics I had seen were performed by the likes of Mary-Lou Retton and other world-class olympians on T.V.

Much later as a parent I came to realize that most kids can't do squat on the horse or uneven parallel bars.I had gotten used to the best and had no idea what the norm was.

Well watching this show on Friday nights on FOX with bands that have no individual character,or lead singers that mostly range from poor to non-distinctive,or are Go-Gos wannabes,....I was reminded how REALLY good the bands that have remained popular are...even the ones whose style is not in my favorite genre.

Whether it's Steve Miller,Led Zeppelin,Herman's Hermits,9 Inch Nails,Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes,Raspberries,...the guys and gals that make it are the pinnacle...They are the Mary-Lou Rettons,and Lance Armstrongs of rock and roll...and most bands in most bars and garages are like the kids who can't really balance on the uneven parallel bars.

Sometimes we forget!

Oh BTW...A certain judge on this show by the name of Sheila E. is beautiful,articulate,AND must be seen performing live to be believed.I caught her with Ringo last summer and she stole the show.-Ira.

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I've actually been watching this show because I don't get out to see live bands much and I prefer bands over just singers (American Idol).

I agree, there's not too much originality on this show. I think they could have found much better bands than some of the ones they picked. The frontrunner has to be Sixwire, only because America loves Country and they have that typical Nashville country rock sound. Same old same to me.

Personally, I like Franklin Bridge and the Clark Brothers. Two of my other favorites didn't even make it Friday night and were the first two eliminated. They weren't great, but they had potential and were better than most of the others that survived. The Clark Brothers aren't my style, but I like their sound and they're original. And even though they're maninly a novelty act and will be eliminated soon, you gotta watch in amazement at those 13 year olds. It's still a fun show to watch, if you fast forard through most of the acts. Ha. Go Franklin Bridge.

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Well, keep in mind that a "reality show" on Fox about a couple hand-picked amateur bands is not necessarily a direct correlation to what is really out there now.

There are quite a few great bands/artists that will not be given the time of day by major labels... The playing field is not level between the 60's and the 70's when people like Ahmet Ertegun, a visionary who ran Atlantic records and (here's the key) LOVED MUSIC and was willing to take a chance on a band... and now, when homogenous assembly line music is all that most labels will even deal with.

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Sixwire is a great band and I'm friends with some of the guys in the band. They played as a trio every Thursday night at a place called Tin Roof that I've played at before with the trio being called Small Time Rock Stars. Chuck Tilley, Steve Mandile, and John Howard. They were also the part of the house band for Nashville Star. They do amazingly accurate versions of a lot of great 80's music w/some keyboard tracks. Andy Childs is a great guy who does corporate gigs on the side and John and Chuck have toured with the likes of Faith Hill and Richard Marx among others.

Paul

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I also read that the lead singer of the Clark Brothers, Ashley Clark, was in Carrie Underwood's band. And Sixwire, as good as they are, have had recording contracts before. They are the tightest and most professional of all the bands. And that's the problem. These competitions should be for amateurs only. But who ever said these reality music shows were reality anyway? The producers probably had it planned in advance to promote Sixwire and used this venue to make them popular, though, I'm not sure how many people are actually watching.

I also read that there were supposed to be a few shows of auditions, and they even filmed them with some really good bands. There was even supposed to be another round of eliminations before the final 12. But they cut it back to one show only of auditions and then right to the final 12. You may have noticed after the first show that a few bands they said that made it through to the next round didn't. There was a voiceover right at the end that said the judges narrowed it down to the final 12 for next week's show.

I still think Sixwire will win, but Franklin Bridge should go far. Dot Dot Dot needs to just go away, and the all girl band is just bad. And if the Muggs could only get a lead singer, they could be pretty good.

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Cubfan...The lead singer defensively argued that she's not interested in being a great singer.

I suppose she meant not "great" in the Tony Bennet conventional way...but Trent Reznor very nicely tried to explain that HE's not Sinatra either...but she needs work even in the style of rock that she's ATTEMPTING to sing.

She really was terrible IMHO-Ira.

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The format of the show is a little odd when they leave the two bands not returning in the dust sort of like watching the show the "Bachelor".... anyway I did like Franklin Bridge "Big Shot" rendition... the next best band was the Clark Brothers.... yes I was suprised too. Sixwire is musically very tight but the lead singer doesnt want to sing in a different style... not sure if he can pull off rock or pop music.

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And having seen this show again tonite...I must reiterate....

1-Sheila E. is beautiful and classy.

2-Some of the bands are competent...but this show makes me appreciate just how unique the top bands that have made their musical mark on American Pop Culture are.It is really a special gift to stand out...and "IMHO"...none of these bands do.

So quick...Hug your favorite popular Rock Band and tell them how much you love them before it's too late!-Ira.

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Anyone still watching? Franklin Bridge was knocked out of the competition which brought Sheila E. sporting a new wig... to tears...

"Dot Dot Dot" stole the show with some "The Edge"sounding guitar licks from their lead guitarist Rose. Tres Bien was the second best act with a great choice of song and spirited playing and singing. Sixwire I thought was the next best band but Dicko called them "Sexywire" and said that the lead singer looks like Prince Charming from Shrek.

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