This Weeks Concert Reviews posted by ...

Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Sep 27, 2003 09:24 pm

Sweet, I had my 14 year old read your review of The White Stripes, he is a big fan. And now he is even madder at me for not getting tickets to their last show here. Now I gotta wait for them to get back here again this winter. I gotta say I agree with you about their live show, I have seen them and they are truly something to hear live. You really dont expect it to be as good as it really is, seeing as they are only two people.

As far as Radiohead goes, I agree as well there. I have seen them twice live and they put on very good shows. They never really play the song twice the same way. Just little differances, but they jam along sometimes without seeming to even be aware of the audiance being out there.

MyKungFu
Banned

Sep 28, 2003 09:28 pm

radiohead is one of the better bands to ever walk the planet yes... BUT-

how in the world can anyone actually like the white stripes? they are a total rip off of a band called mates of state. and they dont even sound good. 2 people... and they both suck at their instruments. i mean.. they have bass on their albums they should just stop acting so inbread and get a bass player and be like all the other bands. or would no one go to see them then?

glynb
Member
Since: Dec 16, 2002

Sep 29, 2003 07:29 am

I agree that The White Stripes should go ahead and get a bass player, at least, I mean I'm all in favour of keeping things tight and minimalist but there arel imits. I like them and think they're a lot of fun and like the album Elephant. But think how much even better they'd be live with a backing band. Still, i suppose it was the novelty of only two of them playing that helped to get them noticed in the first place.

How'd they get away with that. I mean imagine you managed to get booked into a prestige venue and you just turn up with a drummer and a guitarist, you're unknown, would the audience go for it? I doubt it, you'd get canned off.

As for Radiohead I find their music depressing, but I'm really pleased that a band of Brits can still be huge in the US. So from that point of view good luck to them. There isn't much else to be positive about with the state of the UK music industry at the moment.

flame
...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002

Sep 29, 2003 12:10 pm

Quote:
i mean.. they have bass on their albums they should just stop acting so inbread and get a bass player and be like all the other bands.

which of their albums features a bass guitar, mykungfu? i know the answer btw...

Jamie Garrett
Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002

Sep 29, 2003 01:34 pm

9/27 - Starscape 2003 @ Ft Armistead Park in Baltimore, MD
Saw Photek, Dieselboy, AK1200 and a whole slew of other DJs in the hiphop, breaks, house and drum n bass scenes Saturday night/Sunday morning. Unfortunately I don't remember any of it.

Indy Dave
Member
Since: Sep 27, 2003

Sep 29, 2003 02:31 pm

i wouldn't say that the white stripes are a rip off of mates of state, because most people have no idea who they are. i will say that mates of state do it better, though. i also just don't dig on the white stripes sound.

mykungfu, do you listen to other polyvinyl bands, too?

Dave

blueninjastar
Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002

Sep 29, 2003 07:17 pm

Quote:
i mean.. they have bass on their albums they should just stop acting so inbread and get a bass player and be like all the other bands.

Have you acutally SEEN them live? I might have thought they should just get a bass player too until I saw them. There's no need. They rocked all by themselves. That's exactly what made the show so cool. Obviously, everyone has their own tastes, so you have the right to your opinion, but I think getting a bass player would be completely defeating to their whole existence. Being a two-piece band is a major part of what makes them so impressive.

Besides, why would you ever suggest that a succesful band do something to make themselves "like all other bands"?

Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Sep 29, 2003 09:25 pm

Well put blue. I as well have seen them live and must say, I was more then impressed. I went to see them before I had actually heard their stuff on the radio, and was not sure what to expect. To my amazement, they had a very full sound. They are not the first to do this, that is true, but they do it well. I have a friend who is a solo guitarist, meaning he does not use a back up band and you truly do not miss the backing instruments when he plays live. He uses his gear wisely and fills the void that would be missing live by playing over the top with great finese. The whitestripes use the same approach and it works for them. I have seen many fully staffed bands who record in the studio and can never duplicate it live. The Whitestripes duplicate their studio material very well. And live they go beyond it at times. I for one will give them all the credit they deserve for doing it the way they prefer to do it.

glynb
Member
Since: Dec 16, 2002

Sep 30, 2003 07:28 am

Well the bottom line is they are succesful and they just play live with two of them and people return to see their concerts, so there isn't really any problem!

It's always difficult line to draw between the need to produce live at shows what people hear on a recording and the need to stick with the currrent lineup of musicians, in this case two apparently - how far do you go? If you use strings on a track does that mean you can't play live without an orchestra present?

It's down to the fans, if White Stripe fans enjoy the concerts and don't feel ripped off, then that's end of discussion in my view. What happens live and in the studio have been very different things now since... well, certainly since multitracking became possible, way back in the 60's. The days when a live band would walk into a studio and play their live set in front of one or tewo mics and have it recorded straight off are gone for ever. Now there's studio work and live work and they are different disciplines.

Studio is about creating a product, live is about entertaining people for that moment.

blueninjastar
Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002

Sep 30, 2003 01:39 pm

Very well said glynb.

MyKungFu
Banned

Oct 01, 2003 07:31 am

yeah.. actually ive played with the white stripes a few times. in tallahasse and pensicola florida. they remind me of those kids in high school whos parents were brother and sister. id actually say for a fact that they are a mates of state rip off. they can duplicate their sound live because... there is nothing to play! i dont know the names of the album(s) that have bass on them but i know ive heard a few loose recordings out there with a suprisingly large amount of low end. aka bass. they are successful because someone at viacom made them that way, end of story.

glynb
Member
Since: Dec 16, 2002

Oct 01, 2003 10:34 am

"they are successful because someone at viacom made them that way, end of story."

Well MyKungfu you could say the same for almost ANY big name band, like Radiohead for example. None of them just 'rise to the surface' because of pure talent, they have to have the backing of someone with a lot of money to give them the exposure (MTV, Glastonbury festival, amjor support slots, etc) they need in order to climb the greasy pole.

I mean I don't disagree with you, a thousand other acts could do what the W.Stripes do, or do what Radiohead do frankly, but THEY are the ones who got lucky and won the 'major backing' lottery.

There's no point in being bitter about it, I seem to detect a hint of bitterness in your comments, let it go...

We could all name artists who we don't think desrve success, but it doesn't change anything.

Tadpui
I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003

Oct 01, 2003 12:11 pm

I think that there's definitely a bass in "7 Nation Army" from Elephant. The first thought that I had when I heard it was "how are they going to pull that off live?". :) I think Jack's guitar tone is one of the best around, so overdriven and over-the-top. It must be nice not to have to compete with a bass guitar and be able to have all of that low end to yourself as a guitarist!

I'd love to see Radiohead live. I've become a huge fan over the past year, and I hear that their shows are amazing. I wonder if they're going to make it to the interior of the US anytime soon.

flame
...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002

Oct 01, 2003 01:17 pm

that 'bass sound'on seven nation army and a couple of other tracks is an octaved guitar...not a bass as such...anything else theyve recorded previously has been bass-less, with the exeption of a single called 'palmsprings'.

live its just played on a guitar as per...ive got a few bootlegs of it...

blueninjastar
Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002

Oct 01, 2003 01:50 pm

MyKungFu, you definitely sound more bitter than you should be. If you actually played with them a couple of times, maybe you're just bitter about being shown up so badly! Or maybe you just don't like them for whatever reason. To say that the only reason they are famous id because "viacom made them that way" is ridiculous. Whether you like them or not, they have a great deal of talent and have paid some serious dues to get where they are. Grow up!

Tadpui, check www.pollstar.com to see if Radiohead is coming to your neck of the woods soon. I can't remember where the tour went from here. It's well worth your while to go see them. I promise you that there are not 1000 other acts that can do the same thing!

Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Oct 01, 2003 09:32 pm

MKF, could you explain what you mean by Quote:
yeah.. actually ive played with the white stripes a few times. in tallahasse and pensicola florida. When was it exactly you played with them, and did you open for them or did you actually play with them as you stated. I have rarely seen them have an opening act, or seen them be an opening act. I have seen them in small clubs and in larger venues. And all were great shows, none with opening acts or guests. They have been around much longer then you and they have more then paid there dues. Jack White is a minumalist, and has been for quite awhile. That is one of the great things about his music, nice and simple and to the point.

You are only 20 years old, and youseem to have quite the chip on your shoulder lately about certain things. I am with blue on this one, you should take a good hard look at yourself and maybe keep your hate for things others enjoy off the pages of this forum. You have been in many great conversations here and I would like to see you remain here in a good way. Please stop jumping on someone just because you dont like something or someone.

I am glad I dont have your attitude toward musicians and music, I would be a very poor man if I did. I am 47 years old and still find new artists of all genres of music great. I fear the day I say to my sons, I dont like that music because that will mean I have lost myself and it is time for me to go.

Peace,

Noize 2 U

Loki
Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002

Oct 02, 2003 01:34 am

I weent and some some underground indie bands with my friends, dont remember the name but the drummer was the fastest i've ever seen amazing

Jamie Garrett
Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002

Oct 02, 2003 01:44 am

gotta love an underground college/indy show!

coolo
Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003

Oct 02, 2003 01:58 am

Noize, I swear to God, you must have the best attitude in relation to music that I've ever met (not that I've actually met you, but you know what I mean...)

keep doing your thing man.

dbmasters
Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Oct 02, 2003 05:08 am

Quote:
dont remember the name but the drummer was the fastest i've ever seen amazing

fast does not always equal good...

Jamie Garrett
Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002

Oct 02, 2003 12:30 pm

Quote:
fast does not always equal good...

but he was obviously impressed by the show!

dbmasters
Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Oct 02, 2003 12:42 pm

Agreed, it's just a pet peeve of mine when I hear people say things like "oh, he was so fast he was awesome"...it just bugs me, the two are not necessarily synonymous. Talk to me about Clapton and Gilmour...I remember seeing Poison back in the day and C.C. Deville's solo was nothing but playing as fast as he could...and it SUCKED...

Jamie Garrett
Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002

Oct 02, 2003 02:09 pm

no doubt. as a guitarist i can definitely appreciate that arguement. show me fast AND talented, and i'll be impressed.

speaking of, i remember seeing Metallica when I was like 15, and making my way up to the stage and watching Kirk Hammet's fingers just fly on the solos towards the end of One and just being BLOWN AWAY! At the time I'd only been playing guitar for like 6 months so this was one of the events that caused me to stick with it. It's still clear in my mind as if it were yesterday.

Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Oct 02, 2003 04:11 pm

Jamie, if you like fast and accurate guitar playing check out Joe Satriani, Steve Via, Tony McAlpine, Dream Theatre/John Petruci. Those are just a few. There are bands such as Iron Maiden and a few others from the 70s and 80s who have fantastic guitar players whos names never even get mentioned. Then of course there is Spinal Tap, in which Micheal Ontkean aka: Lenny form Lavern and Shirley fame who actually does play that fast, and good.

blueninjastar
Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002

Oct 02, 2003 07:20 pm

and check out a guy named Paul Gilbert. He got known for being in a cheesy hair band called Mr. Big with Billy Sheehan, but before that, he had a band called Racer X which was pretty cool. His guitar playing in that band was amazing. He was good with Mr. Big too, but he nature of that band really dragged him down I think.

Tadpui
I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003

Oct 02, 2003 09:14 pm

I saw a website today that advertised a band called G3, with Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Yngwie Malmsteen going on tour. If you're into that kind of thang, you can even win backstage passes or something: www.vai.com

I was into the speed freaks for a while, but it just aggrivated me that I couldn't play like that. Its a trip down memory lane, like thumbing through an old issue of Guitar For the Practicing Musician.

Jamie Garrett
Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002

Oct 03, 2003 04:32 am

10/2 Terrorfakt and E Craft @ Alchemy @ Nation
Wicked show. Couple of semi-laptop bands. Well worth my $4. Loki, Collapse, you guys would probably have enjoyed this show. Nation wasn't too too packed tonight, but there was stil a good turn out. Ran into some old friends and bandmates.

glynb
Member
Since: Dec 16, 2002

Oct 03, 2003 07:33 am

"I fear the day I say to my sons, I dont like that music because that will mean I have lost myself and it is time for me to go."

Well I hear lots of stuff my kids play that I don't like! But fortunately they also turn me on to stuff that I do like, like The White Stripes, The Darkness, The Coral, The Flaming Lips and so on. In return I have turned them on to some old stuff, by letting them get at my old vinyl collection.

I don't buy into the 'if you don't like this it's because you're getting old' line. I am far less consrvative in my musical tastes now in my middle years than I was in youth when I saw music in black and white terms.

The only duifficulty in getting older is that a lot of the 'new' stuff sounds like the old stuff! The exception being music that uses new technology heavily, which wasn't possible 20 years ago of course.

dbmasters
Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Oct 03, 2003 07:38 am

Quote:
I am far less consrvative in my musical tastes now in my middle years than I was in youth when I saw music in black and white terms.

Ya, I agree with that, when I was young I was FAR less openminded about music, and generally the opinion was not based on music...it was based on popularity. If EVERYBODY liked something (say Michael Jackson, at the time) I hated it just because everybody liked it. Everybody hated Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne (I went to a religious school) so I liked it just be a trouble maker, I wore my Black Sabbath concert shirts to school just to piss off the faculty.

Now, I still love Ozzy, and I listen to old MJ and some of it is catchy, he's still weird, but some of the music is good, catchy pop stuff.

Point being, I listen to the music and judge now, more than the popularity. I also have a couple teenage boys in as neighbors that listen to some cool stuff...plus I listen to the local heavy metal station when not listening to right-wing talk radio so I hear the new stuff and some of it is really good...and some of it...well, isn't good at all...

TheTincanbug
sloppy dice, drinks twice
Member
Since: Aug 05, 2003

Oct 03, 2003 07:59 am

If you guys are looking for some fast AND good guitar playing, I'd recommend checking out some of Al DiMeola's stuff. A lot of it is too mellow for my taste - he really runs hot and cold. But the more lively stuff is just amazing. I recommend the "Essence of Al DiMeola" compilation cd. One track is just a duo acoustic guitar and piano piece, with these amazing, swooping, diving runs - wow. No effects, no tricks, just ability.

blueninjastar
Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002

Oct 03, 2003 07:12 pm

Al DiMeola is AMAZING!!! Good call Tin!

Loki
Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002

Oct 05, 2003 07:31 am

The Band I saw the other day was called "hella" and are an indie band that consist of a guitarist and a drummer. While the guitarist is great you hear great guitarists a lot, but an amazing drummer stands out. This was a guy who was very lanky and skinny, playing on a kit that consisted only of a kick, two toms, snare, high hat, a cymbal that was broken and two other cymbals. The rolls and fills and beats he did were amazing... His hands moved faster than I've ever seen anyones hands move and he never lost beat. Like Db said fast isn't always good but I wish you all could have seen this guy... I was in aw watching him the entire night. Never have I heard such a small set produce such a big full sound, and never have I seen playing like that.

flame
...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002

Oct 05, 2003 07:50 am

listen to the lead guitar on 'shine on you crazy diamond'...i go on feel not speed

Jamie Garrett
Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002

Oct 05, 2003 11:40 am

yeah, shine on you has those careful and sparse notes.... where a little is a lot.

i could tell y'all about a show i saw last night called synthetic-dreams but it might get censored. lets just say it was dark ambient music with a live video projection show with a cute blue-haired girl sitting on a self stimulation device

flame
...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002

Oct 05, 2003 11:53 am

the girl was live? coool!

Jamie Garrett
Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002

Oct 05, 2003 12:07 pm

yeah i'll tell you about it on AIM sometime

flame
...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002

Oct 05, 2003 12:25 pm

i thnk thats the best plan...

Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Oct 05, 2003 12:39 pm

They used to have shows like that in the 70s. back lighting against a phsychadelic light show.

Jamie Garrett
Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002

Oct 05, 2003 01:19 pm

right on. but this one was pretty modern, with a digital camera signal being modulated by the audio by software on a PC before being projected onto a screen in another room. it's was kinda like listening to cool music while watching the scrambled channel on cable. i would say the show was off the wall, but... it really was ON the wall.

glynb
Member
Since: Dec 16, 2002

Oct 06, 2003 08:01 am

I never bought into the 'listen to this guy he's faster than the other guy' thing, which was doing the rounds 20 years ago (in those days it was Clapton vs Richie Blackmore, etc etc), just so silly. My response was always 'so what!'

On the whole guitar playing speed is not a good indicator of song writing/artistic ability (ok there are a few exceptions) but on the whole the fast guitar player makes a nice side-kick to the band's main artist/writer, and in return the main artist needs some good musicians to provide support and deliver the vibe.

If its musicianship you're interested in why not get into classical music, you can't get better examples of musicianship than that!

flame
...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002

Oct 06, 2003 08:13 am

that moby bloke made a tune called 'million' or something, that was 1,000,000bpm .

actually, i might be wrong, but that sounds like something he'd do...i, meanwhile, am gonna make a whole album one day with 74 tracks, all 1 minute long. that'd be coooool!

Unknownforces
lost at sea...
Member
Since: Jun 18, 2003

Oct 06, 2003 09:32 am

"am gonna make a whole album one day with 74 tracks, all 1 minute long"

I think thats more-or-less been done before, certainly i have a lull album that has 99 tracks, tracks varying between 1 sec long and 1 min.
I think there is also a We might be giants album that has something like 99 tracks, each one about 30 secs long, and a friend of mine has an album called Short Music For Short People, which is a collection of 101 punk songs each lasting for about 30 seconds!

flame
...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002

Oct 06, 2003 09:55 am

i saw a compiliation album with the same idea, thats where i got it from. by no means new, but itd be an interesting project i think...