I just failed in scoring pre-sale tickets to Radiohead at the Hollywood Bowl and oddly, that doesn't really do much to disappoint me. I really think I was more enamored with the idea of selling the tickets at a hefty profit than I was of actually attending the show.
You see, while there may be many, many different reasons for it, Radiohead has always fell into that category of "Bands I'm Supposed To Really Like But Just Can't Get Into."
So, as I was sitting here thinking of that, inspiration struck and I proudly present (while being fully aware I'm about to butcher my music street cred)...
TOP FIVE BANDS I'M SUPPOSED TO REALLY LIKE BUT JUST CAN'T GET INTO!
5. Radiohead
Okay, I have to admit here. I just don't get it. Yeah, there are a handful of Radiohead songs that I dig and I'm sure there would be a bunch more if I took the time to seek them out but Radiohead's not exactly a band that makes me weak at the knees at the thought of them. And I know everyone goes ga-ga over them and the fact that a ticket that sold 20 minutes ago for $39 is already over $250 online should prove that people really, really like them. But I'm just not one of them... and that kills my indie street cred. #5a would be the Flaming Lips who fit the same category. I've had multiple people tell me the Lips were the best concert they ever attended... and I just can't imagine that.
4. Led Zeppelin
Egads. I just butchered my music street cred but... it is what it is! I like some Zep stuff, I truly do. But on the whole, I just don't buy into them as the great legendary rock band that everyone else does. This one I almost feel is a lack of exposure issue but... well, they haven't exactly inspired me to rush out and "get exposed" to them. I'd still love to see them live though... for dueling reasons, 1 - I'd love to be able to say that I had and 2 - sometimes seeing a band live gives you a new appreciation for them [see: Primus]
3. KISS
This is right there with #4 except there are even less KISS songs that I like. Again, this may be a lack of exposure and everyone I know who has seen them live swears that if you haven't seen them live, you can't appreciate them. But the odd thing about their live show is that you always hear about the pyro, the zany effects, and blood spitting... not the music. In a confession that will further damage my street cred, I went to a Limp Bizkit/Eminem show some years ago with the goal primarily of seeing Limp Bizkit. It was that one show where Durst and his boyz relied on cheap theatrics, effects, and pyro over letting their music do the talking for them that soured me on the band. Of course, the later realization that their music talking for them would have been a VERY bad idea didn't help matters. Side note: Eminem was far and away the best performer to take the stage that night and I'm very happy that I got to see him live.
2. The Ramones
Ahhh, the Ramones - the godfathers of punk rock. My problem with the Ramones dates back to 1995 when I saw them open for Pearl Jam two nights running. I had such high expectations for the Ramones going into that show. They were replacing Bad Religion [one of my favs back then] as the opening act so there was a lot of pressure on them in my eyes. I knew their reputation but had heard very little of their music. I was all stoked as the lights went down and the music came up. And what my 19 year old brain heard was a cacophony of what sounded like the same song over and over and over, only broken up by Joey Ramone stopping to shout "ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!" It was maddening and the second night only made it worse. I really couldn't listen to the Ramones for years after that and it's only fairly recently that I've started to dabble in them again.
1. The Dave Matthews Band
Oh, sweet Jesus. Everyone worships at the altar of the Dave Matthews Band. For years, I fought the wave of DMB fans, arguing that he just wasn't that good as people wandered around praising the glory of "Satellite" or "Crash." Occasionally, he'd put out something that I thought was passable but had no desire to cream myself over. And then the fall-back argument that almost all fans of any type of music will use when confronted with a non-believer... "You have to see them live." I had no desire to do so and never would have... except for a couple years ago at Neil Young's annual Bridge School Benefit show. I was going for Pearl Jam. I was going for the Foo Fighters. I was going for Death Cab. And I was even going for Trent Reznor. What I was not going for was the Dave Matthews Band and as he went on right before Neil Young, guaranteeing most people would stick around for his set, I knew why. He "treated" the fans to what seemed like an eternity-in-Purgatory-long set where every song seemed to devolve into a jam session. I felt like I was watching Phish or the Dead except I'd forgotten to lick the stamp and as a result, I was dead sober for one of the worst sets I've ever seen in my life... and that comes from someone who has seen Johnny Gill turn a 4 minute "My, My, My" into a 10 minute version simply by repeating the title ad nauseum.
I hate the Dave Matthews Band with a passion so there is no doubt that they EASILY take the top spot on this list.
Off to the Dodger game tonight. Will be gone most of the day tomorrow as well so expect a really early or really late post.
EDIT: Fuck Radiohead. I just scored two tickets to Flight of the Conchords in LA in May! Ohhh, glorious day! And if you're not down with that, I've got three words for ya...
Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros
Showing posts with label Led Zeppelin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Led Zeppelin. Show all posts
2008-04-11
2008-03-14
Top Five Friday
This came to me sometime this week when I was thinking about attempting to put together a concert chronology of my life - a document cataloging the MANY concerts I've been to in my 31 years. I started to ponder what bands that I want to see that I never have. And it had to be bands still possible to see. Like, I couldn't pick Nirvana or something.
And so, I present...
Top Five Bands/Artists I Still Want To See In Concert
SURPRISE! Because I'm having some fun with this one, I present a special SUPER-SIZED edition of this list. You get a Top 10, baby!
10. Rod Stewart
This one is a "problem" pick for me. It almost falls into the category of concerts that aren't possible to see anymore. You see, I want to see Rod Stewart rocking all his stuff from the 70s and 80s... not the standards that he's singing now to put food on his table. You can blame my Aunts for this one as I grew up listening to Stewart, Springsteen, Manilow, and Petty among others. Ultimately, Springsteen became one of my favorite [if not my favorite] artists but I still have a soft spot for Rod Stewart and the others.
9. Madonna
We actually had tickets to see Madonna in concert several years ago but as we got close to the night of the show, I checked some setlists to see what she was performing. To my horror, she was only singing songs off her new album [which I think was the Ray of Light tour... could be wrong.] I don't get these older performers. I understand the desire to create and perform new music but seriously, you MUST understand that people come to your concerts to see their old favs. So, we sold the tix for a nice profit and skipped the show. Someday she'll come through with a greatest hits album or something and I'll be there, baby!
8.Styx
This is another one that borders on the "can't really happen anymore." Some of you are confused by that as Styx pretty much plays in your area several times a year. Yes, that's true. Unfortunately though, Dennis DeYoung... the original Styx vocalist does not tour with them. From what I understand, guitarist Tommy Shaw does all the vocals himself. While it'd still be cool to hear Styx rock the joint, it will not be the same without Dennis' mile high melodic voice on the ballads especially. I still want to check them out someday though as they're one of my favorite rock bands.
7. AC/DC
One of the greatest rock bands of all time. It's not quite the same with Brian Johnson on vocals rather than Bon Scott but it'd do for me. One of the first CDs I ever owned was AC/DC Live and I still remember being in awe of how much they rocked. At some point, I sold that CD as a dumb youth and only recently bought a new copy of it. The album has the same kind of magic as the INXS Live album had that made you think being at that concert would have been one of the coolest nights of your life.
6. Led Zeppelin
I know, right? How could this not make the Top 5, especially since it just recently became possible again? Well, don't get me wrong, I really like Led Zeppelin.. but they've just never been one of my favorites. I can't explain it really but they just never have resonated that much with me. But I do realize how historically epic they are and for that reason alone, I'd go to see them. It's similar to The Who or Pink Floyd that also missed the list. Not one of my favs but I'd go see them if given the opportunity.
5. Bon Jovi
Next to Styx, this is probably the silliest band to still be on my list. It seems like Bon Jovi is playing locally every year to year and a half. Hell, they're going to be playing in Anaheim here very shortly in fact. But the timing always seems off. This year? No funds. Another year? Was elsewhere. The stars just don't align for Mr. Bon Jovi and myself to be in the same building. Some day though... some day.
4. The Rolling Stones
You know, I've always had a slight desire to see the Stones. I remember when Metallica opened for them and when Pearl Jam another time. Both times I thought that was my chance to see them since I loved their opening act. It was a "worst case scenario" kind of thing. I figured even if the Stones didn't rock, the opener would. But the thing is, I'm fairly sure the Stones would rock. And now that this new doc is coming out directed by Scorcese of one of their concerts, I'm fairly sure that I'm about to move this up to #1 on the list.
3. The Eagles
The Eagles have always been one of my favorite bands. Their blend of country-rock always kinda worked for me for some reason. It's another one of those bands I grew up listening to so their songs have always been part of my life. I have a little bit of fear of seeing these guys now because they all seem to really dislike one another so much, I'm afraid the show would seem like musicians going through the motions rather than a band actually feeling their performance. I'd be willing to take the risk though.
2. Prince
Really? Do I have to explain? It's motherfuckin' Prince, yo.
1. Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
Ahhh... yet another band that is playing locally this year. I really hope I get to make this show because after seeing a doc on the band earlier this year, I seriously wonder how many more chances I will get. I love the band... always have [and yes, I said that in the William Wallace accent.] What more can I say?
And so, I present...
Top Five Bands/Artists I Still Want To See In Concert
SURPRISE! Because I'm having some fun with this one, I present a special SUPER-SIZED edition of this list. You get a Top 10, baby!
10. Rod Stewart
This one is a "problem" pick for me. It almost falls into the category of concerts that aren't possible to see anymore. You see, I want to see Rod Stewart rocking all his stuff from the 70s and 80s... not the standards that he's singing now to put food on his table. You can blame my Aunts for this one as I grew up listening to Stewart, Springsteen, Manilow, and Petty among others. Ultimately, Springsteen became one of my favorite [if not my favorite] artists but I still have a soft spot for Rod Stewart and the others.
9. Madonna
We actually had tickets to see Madonna in concert several years ago but as we got close to the night of the show, I checked some setlists to see what she was performing. To my horror, she was only singing songs off her new album [which I think was the Ray of Light tour... could be wrong.] I don't get these older performers. I understand the desire to create and perform new music but seriously, you MUST understand that people come to your concerts to see their old favs. So, we sold the tix for a nice profit and skipped the show. Someday she'll come through with a greatest hits album or something and I'll be there, baby!
8.Styx
This is another one that borders on the "can't really happen anymore." Some of you are confused by that as Styx pretty much plays in your area several times a year. Yes, that's true. Unfortunately though, Dennis DeYoung... the original Styx vocalist does not tour with them. From what I understand, guitarist Tommy Shaw does all the vocals himself. While it'd still be cool to hear Styx rock the joint, it will not be the same without Dennis' mile high melodic voice on the ballads especially. I still want to check them out someday though as they're one of my favorite rock bands.
7. AC/DC
One of the greatest rock bands of all time. It's not quite the same with Brian Johnson on vocals rather than Bon Scott but it'd do for me. One of the first CDs I ever owned was AC/DC Live and I still remember being in awe of how much they rocked. At some point, I sold that CD as a dumb youth and only recently bought a new copy of it. The album has the same kind of magic as the INXS Live album had that made you think being at that concert would have been one of the coolest nights of your life.
6. Led Zeppelin
I know, right? How could this not make the Top 5, especially since it just recently became possible again? Well, don't get me wrong, I really like Led Zeppelin.. but they've just never been one of my favorites. I can't explain it really but they just never have resonated that much with me. But I do realize how historically epic they are and for that reason alone, I'd go to see them. It's similar to The Who or Pink Floyd that also missed the list. Not one of my favs but I'd go see them if given the opportunity.
5. Bon Jovi
Next to Styx, this is probably the silliest band to still be on my list. It seems like Bon Jovi is playing locally every year to year and a half. Hell, they're going to be playing in Anaheim here very shortly in fact. But the timing always seems off. This year? No funds. Another year? Was elsewhere. The stars just don't align for Mr. Bon Jovi and myself to be in the same building. Some day though... some day.
4. The Rolling Stones
You know, I've always had a slight desire to see the Stones. I remember when Metallica opened for them and when Pearl Jam another time. Both times I thought that was my chance to see them since I loved their opening act. It was a "worst case scenario" kind of thing. I figured even if the Stones didn't rock, the opener would. But the thing is, I'm fairly sure the Stones would rock. And now that this new doc is coming out directed by Scorcese of one of their concerts, I'm fairly sure that I'm about to move this up to #1 on the list.
3. The Eagles
The Eagles have always been one of my favorite bands. Their blend of country-rock always kinda worked for me for some reason. It's another one of those bands I grew up listening to so their songs have always been part of my life. I have a little bit of fear of seeing these guys now because they all seem to really dislike one another so much, I'm afraid the show would seem like musicians going through the motions rather than a band actually feeling their performance. I'd be willing to take the risk though.
2. Prince
Really? Do I have to explain? It's motherfuckin' Prince, yo.
1. Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
Ahhh... yet another band that is playing locally this year. I really hope I get to make this show because after seeing a doc on the band earlier this year, I seriously wonder how many more chances I will get. I love the band... always have [and yes, I said that in the William Wallace accent.] What more can I say?
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