The State of Rock?

[amiller]

Interesting quote from Mike Portnoy:

"As far as the state of 'rock', it's actually pretty sad actually. When the new Dream Theater CD entered the Billboard Top 10 this summer, we were the only 'rock' act in the top 10. We were surrounded by pop acts (JONAS BROTHERS, HANNAH MONTANA), hip hop acts (BLACK EYED PEAS, EMINEM) and soundtracks (Transformers). We were the only thing slightly resembling a rock 'band' on the chart. That's pretty lame actually."

 

[billm408]

I've never viewed the Billboard charts as a barometer for the health of rock.
It's always had a Top 40 slant and just recently started tracking hip-hop and country.
That said... it takes more effort to find the good stuff these days. What's getting pushed down the pipeline is cookie cutter.

And who's saying that the Jonas Brothers areen't rock??!

 

[MisterBulbous]

Well, radio sucks. The huge conglomerates of Clearchannel and Cumulus have appeared to make it impossible for local radio stations here in Lexington to play anything other than Pink Floyd, ACDC, and Aerosmith. We have three "classic rock" stations, each claiming the best classic hits with today's best rock. That means 2 hours of Jethro Tull era music to every 5 minutes of Foo Fighters. Driving home today, I heard "Walk This Way", "Purple Haze", and "Smoke on the Water" (seriously). Do people really get in their car and say "I hope they play Jimi Hendrix?"

I think it's a shame that the stations will play songs from the 80's/90's band like Whitesnake, Tesla, Guns and Roses, Queensryche, etc., while completely refusing to play anything from their most recent releases. Granted, some of the new stuff isn't stellar, but hell..at least mix it up and dare to play something that isn't 40 years old. Even poor Metallica suffered a very quick death (magnetic ) from the current state of radio. I think I heard one of their new songs once on the radio and that was it.

Fortunately, we have an extremely awesome college station here and there's always NPR.

 

[droptrd]

Its been that way since the early 90's. Huge Bummer

 

[MisterBulbous]

Yeah. We have a very good arena here (Rupp Arena). I think there has been one rock concert this year, which was Nickelback. The next semi-rock show would be Kings of Leon in a few months. Our scene here sucks.

 

[amiller]

It is bleak.

So, do you guys think it's because of a lack of talent or is it because the "big" corps are dictating what's happening. Personally, I think there's a lot of talent out there we just aren't gonna hear.

 

[Vrad]

1) I can't believe DT is in the Billboard Top 10
2) I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY SOLD ENOUGH ALBUMS TO BE IN THE BILLBOARD TOP 10

 

[cyndicate]

I think rock just doesn't sell anymore, the masses want shitty music, so shitty music they will get.

 

[cyndicate]

1) I can't believe DT is in the Billboard Top 10
2) I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY SOLD ENOUGH ALBUMS TO BE IN THE BILLBOARD TOP 10

This is surprising to me as well Most people wouldn't even know who the hell dream theater is

 

[guitar_god123456]

the music industry will continue to shovel the simple, commercial bullshit, because its easily sellable. metal music itself is whoring itself to sell with constant breakdown after breakdown. i like the odd occasional breakdown but when constant it gets annoying. to be honest, its better to be in a state of mind knowing that the music we listened to and searched for is awesome, filled with talented musicians with genuine musicianship, and let the generic fucks listen to the simplistic shit to go with there bland personality. fuck the industry, it only matters what you think is good, not what the guys in suits who dont care about music think.

 

[amiller]

1) I can't believe DT is in the Billboard Top 10
2) I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY SOLD ENOUGH ALBUMS TO BE IN THE BILLBOARD TOP 10

Yeah...go figure.

 

[sebby123]

1) I can't believe DT is in the Billboard Top 10
2) I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY SOLD ENOUGH ALBUMS TO BE IN THE BILLBOARD TOP 10

Yeah...go figure.

Show you how many musicians there are out there!

 

[amiller]

the music industry will continue to shovel the simple, commercial bullshit, because its easily sellable. metal music itself is whoring itself to sell with constant breakdown after breakdown. i like the odd occasional breakdown but when constant it gets annoying. to be honest, its better to be in a state of mind knowing that the music we listened to and searched for is awesome, filled with talented musicians with genuine musicianship, and let the generic fucks listen to the simplistic shit to go with there bland personality. fuck the industry, it only matters what you think is good, not what the guys in suits who dont care about music think.

From a personal point of view I agree but that's because I don't have to make a living out of it...err can't. It is a shame for those that have the talent and still find it hard to eek out a living.

 

[Vrad]

This has been the case since music was invented. It's entertainment. What we on this board like is music for musicians. Heck, at this point, I myself am bored with alot of 'musician' music... LOL!

 

[amiller]

This has been the case since music was invented. It's entertainment. What we on this board like is music for musicians. Heck, at this point, I myself am bored with alot of 'musician' music... LOL!

I hear ya...but I'm not there yet...I still get excited about new CDs from killer players. Speaking of which, when the hell is AT going to put something new out. I did read that EJ has finished his new CD.

 

[rsm]

the music industry will continue to shovel the simple, commercial bullshit, because its easily sellable. metal music itself is whoring itself to sell with constant breakdown after breakdown. i like the odd occasional breakdown but when constant it gets annoying. to be honest, its better to be in a state of mind knowing that the music we listened to and searched for is awesome, filled with talented musicians with genuine musicianship, and let the generic fucks listen to the simplistic shit to go with there bland personality. fuck the industry, it only matters what you think is good, not what the guys in suits who dont care about music think.

Well said.

 

[muudrock]

IMO, It is bleak. But, the landscape has totally changed since we were growing up.
Case in point:
1)You used to be able to turn on the radio and hear a decent mix of songs. The choices were still run by the industry, but at least there was more variety. Nowadays, commercial radio is just that, commercials.
Thank god for Sirius and XM!
2) You didn't have iTunes, Napster and MP3's, Bit torrent and the other 100 ways to get your music. You went to the store and bought the album or the tape or the CD. Anyone can record there stuff on a computer and get it on iTunes or Rhapsody, etc. I think this has watered everything down but it also has made more artists available. It's a catch 22.

It sucks that rock is not what it used to be, but if you go looking for it, you can find a lot of great music and talent. Browse through YouTube, Soundclick, iTunes or a ton of other places and I guarantee that you will find music and artists you like and problably never heard of before. Rock still lives, you just have to find it yourself.

 

[guitarslinger]

WTF are you guys talking about?

The state of rock is great.

1. Hair metal is cool again
2. Instrumental bands like Explosions in the Sky have actually "Made it".
3. I get paid to play Poison, The Cure, Morrissey, Journey, etc. EVERY WEEK.
4. I can find any kind of music easily, and buy it easily on the internet
5. recording gear that would have cost $1,000,000 20 years ago can be had for a few grand.
6. Lots of amps from which to choose from lots of ingenious builders who make a living from people playing rock


The state of rock rests in you, not in someone else's opinion.