WEEK 6 (June 29)
[Author's Note: [Author’s note: If this is your first time visiting the UMC blog, you might want to check out the INTRODUCTION first.]
There are some things I need to mention before we get started. The first being that the Cash’d Out Interview is now posted.
Secondly, the band, WilLoveALot, didn’t show up last nigth so the whole schedule got thrown for a loop, thus reducing the number of acts from five to four, for which we apologize.
Thirdly, we had a guest judge fill in for Jaime this week. Alan Phillips is a Grammy nominated musician and producer with 13 San Diego Music Awards under his belt. He has performed and/or recorded for such legends as Bob Hope Tito Puente, Donna Summer, Kenny Loggins, Patti LaBelle, Kenny Rogers, Al Jarreau and Sheila E.
He’s, also, from what I could tell last night, a super cool, kick-back guy. Thanks Alan!
Lastly, I would like to mention that my mother attended the Ultimate Music Challenge this week. My mother, whose name is Suela but whom we call, “The Mother,” is in town visiting from New York. The Mother has been helping proof read these posts since the beginning so I brought her to the show last night to sit at the judges’ table and get a gander at what all the fuss has been about.
Mom grew up listening to those old Italian crooners like Dean Martin and Louis Prima and the closest she’s ever come to liking rock music is when Frank Sinatra did a duet with Jimmy Buffet. I actually had an idea that I would hand her my microphone after the judges made their comments and have her say things like, “Don’t you boys know any Tony Bennet songs,” or something silly to that effect, but she declined.
And now, the winner of Week 5 of the Ultimate Music Challenge is…
80z All Stars.
Congratulations you kooks!
First on the bill was the Tenacious Double D’s. What on Earth can I say about them? They certainly weren’t very musically inclined, and they couldn’t sing much, and most of the lyrics – which are the essence of Tenacious D – were indiscernable, but they sure were fun to watch. Well, I had fun anyway. The other judges hated them. The waitresses hated them. The bartenders hated them. With the exception of their fans, pretty much everybody with whom I spoke had been terrorized by the DD’s – which I kind of thought was what they were going for. I guess I just figured if you allowed yourself to be terrorized by the Tenaciousists, then the Tenaciousists win.
I enjoyed the “We’re-having-fun-and-don’t-care-what-you-think-so get-bent” irreverence they were exhibiting, and got a kick out of the demon that came lumbering on stage with his horrible demon mask and disgusting plastic breasts built into his demon suit so maybe you shouldn’t trust my opinion about this band, but I didn’t hate them in the least.
About the Double D’s, The Mother had this to say:
“The beat was pretty good but the girls were out of tune and seemed to just yell. The demon with the breasts served no purpose.”
Next up was 3rd Program. The first thing that must be said about these guys is, “Wottup with the name homies?” After “WilLoveALot,” it’s probably the worst band name in the history of cover music.
I mean, what is a 3rd program? Is it some sort of drug rehab thing? What happened to the first and second programs? Did they fail those? What kind of music do they play? Is it all rehab songs? Are they going to sing “Cocaine” and “Heroin,” and “Sister Morphine”?
They started with “Love the One You’re With” by Steven Stills, which was a fairly solid opener but when it was over, instead of taking that momentum into the next song, they took a few moments to introduce the members of the band, saying, you know, “On the guitar is So-and-so,” then waited for the obligatory applause, “and on the bass is Such-and-such,” more clapping, “and on the drums is What’s-his-face, who is my best friend in the world and was there for me through thick and thin and…”
FIVE MINUTES LATER
“… and then after Suzy left me for the the pool boy, What’s-his-face came over every day and helped me through the most difficult time in my life and…”
FIVE MORE MINUTES LATER
“… and that’s when Such-and-such said, ‘Hey, we should form a band, and…,”
Ok, of course, I’m exaggerating, but come on – in a battle of the bands contest, for 20,000 dollars, when you have 20 minutes to show what you can do – to murder your momentum like that and waste precious seconds introducing each band member, is silly.
In fact, I think the move directly hurt them because it was pretty much a blasé set (“Without Love,” by the Doobie Brothers, “Tightrope,” by Stevie Ray Vaughn) until their last song, Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World,” when they really got going. Had they utilized that time to play, and execute, another short, high-energy song, they might’ve taken that momentum to the next level and put them in spitting distance of a victory.
I thought Alan said it best when he remarked, “You were like a plane that never got off the ground.”
About 3rd Program The Mother said this: “I like them, though I don’t know the songs they covered. I thought the harmonies were on pitch and the guy in the white shirt was bopping around rather nicely.”
After that was Gin Piston. Now that’s a band name. It suited their look and style. Gin Piston showed great promise with Badfinger’s “No Matter What,” which is a great, great song to start with, but as they moved through their set, the tiny cracks in their foundation began to show. Mostly it was vocal issues, which goes back to what I’ve said in previous blogs. That singing in cover bands is a cutthroat affair. If all these “original music only” snobs could just come down and see how hard it is to be in a cover band, to sing like other people, to hit the same notes the same way, the same solos with the same tweaks and bends and tones – and how they get crucified when they don’t get it exactly right – they would maybe understand.
I think the singer’s main problem, aside from not having much power behind his vocals, is that he was singing the wrong song-types for his tone and style. I think he would’ve done a lot better with rockabilly, or ska, or even a SoCal punk style maybe. The blues tune, which I did not recognize, worked really well for him, as did Aerosmith’s Big 10-Inch Record, which is more of jump-jive tune, but the Plimsouls’ song (“A Million Miles Away”) just didn’t gel with his tone, nor did Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69.
The Mother really liked them though.
“They had personality,” she said. “If I had my serenity, I would have gotten up and danced.”
Finally came the 80z All Stars. It was clear, from the moment they started playing, they were using a sequencer.
For those who don’t know, a music sequencer is a special kind of computer designed to create and utilize pre-recorded and/or computer-generated music.
Basically, it’s canned music parts that a live band will use, to varying degrees, to give more depth to their live performances.
You didn’t have to be Detective Munch to figure out the All Stars were using one. For thing, there was no keyboardist on stage, yet you could hear the “Mr. Roboto” keyboards clear as day. Also, there were several times throughout the performance that the singer pulled the mike away from his mouth and his lips stopped moving but the vocals kept going.
I generally find this performance technique distasteful. Admittedly, it doesn’t bother me as much with cover bands, which is more about entertainment than it is art, and I don’t mean that in a persnickety manner. Still, once you pinpoint a sequencer on stage, then you don’t know what to believe. Every vocal, every guitar solo, every thump of the bass and kick of the drum is suspect because it could be pre-recorded which, for me, interferes with the enjoyment of the music. I start concentrating more on what is or isn’t canned and less on the music and the groove.
However, it is clearly stated in the rules that pre-recorded music is permitted, and that seems to be the trend these days, especially with these decade-specific cover bands like Disco Pimps, Metal Shop etc. Also, from what I understand from talking to bands who use these things, it’s not so easy playing with them. Sequencers don’t give and take like live musicians. They can’t adjust to mistakes, or switch gears on a dime. Live players can and do cover their errors using various techniques, but a sequencer does what it does and doesn’t give a monkey’s dingleberry about who’s screwing up on stage.
Still, I have no doubt that this will start a Sequencer Conspiracy Theory (SCT) among the diehards. Whatever. Howl if you must, but the judges simply cannot hold it against them.
On Sunday night, June 29, 2008 – The 80z All Stars rocked the house, within the purview of the rules, better than any of the bands on that night and therefore, they won.
And what they won on was energy, gaiety and choreography. The songs themselves were super fun (who doesn’t love “Whip It” and “Mr. Roboto”? Come on, admit it!) From the moment they mounted the stage, they instantly converted what was an otherwise blasé evening into a ripping good time, and ended it with a bang.
During the judges’ comments I said,
“Well that was a helluva good time. Great energy, great fun, great songs, great drums and great guitar solos. Your invisible keyboard player was awesome too.”
This is what The Mother told me after the set:
“They represented the 80’s, but I would’ve still picked Gin Piston because I don’t like the 80’s.”
Don’t like the 80’s? Well you can blame it on Reagan mom, just blame it on Reagan.
Edwin Decker
Judge #3
www.edwindecker.com
(Special thanks to The Mother for all her editorial help)
June 30, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Wow! I guess, after reading last nights review, I really didn’t miss all that much. Not every week can be terrific. For me, personally, I don’t like sequencers…
VERY cool that your mom is in town and helped you out last night Ed. How fun was that!
June 30, 2008 at 8:48 pm
I’m one of the guitarists in GinPiston and I’d like to thank Viejas, The stage crew (Casey, you rock!), and the judges for giving us the opportunity to play. What a blast! Very professinal. It was nice to meet the other acts and share the experience. DD’s Wow! 3rd Program is from just down our steet in Carlsbad! And The 80’s AllStars rocked the house. After they played I went back to thier dressing room and wasn’t sure if I was in the right place. They looked (and were) normal guys! Thanks to all our fans, groupies, neighbors, parents who drove all the way out to see us. Great support. We were all winners last nite!
June 30, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Edwin, You should listen to your Mother!!!
June 30, 2008 at 9:24 pm
As Bob Seger sang, “Say I’m old fashioned, say I’m over the hill,” but there are times when it hardly seems like this contest is based on musical talent at all. If a band can freely use a sequencer throughout their set, they’re in Milli Vanilli territory; which leaves the entire “Music Challenge” to be based on, well, cheating. (In a casino, no less!) Why bother plugging in instruments at all? The 80z All Starz win has shifted the “UMC” into a bloated karaoke contest.
A legit band like The 3rd Program rocked their set with raw talent and one busted guitar, which is why they needed to improv for a few moments between songs. If you missed that, then you weren’t paying attention. Had the 80s band lost their precious sequencer during their set, it would have been bye-bye 80s.
Another element of suspect was how well choreographed the lights were for the 80s band. No group got the lighting effects timed to the music as had the All Starz. I was told by a local that they’ve previously played the casino. If so, they once more had an unfair advantage.
So what are we left with? A few high kicks, some silly head gear, and a victory of flash over substance. It’s karaoke night at the casino, and everyone’s a loser.
June 30, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Spoonido, from what I could tell, the lead guitar player (who broke the string) switched guitars with the rhythm player and they went from there. I didn’t notice that they used that time to fix the string, if that’s what happened.
If so, then I apologize for the mistake. In either case I commend them for the transition, as Allan said, “good teamwork guys.”
So, can anyone else confirm what Spoon says, was the introduction a ploy to fix the the string?
June 30, 2008 at 10:25 pm
The RATM band takes this competition hands down..
June 30, 2008 at 10:32 pm
What I know about the UMC is that you get your time to perform and that’s it. Everything you’ve done in the past helps you but only what you do on stage during your slot is what counts.
…so, give me a break! If your guitar broke you don’t get brownie points for covering up. You get judged for what you did.
If the 80′z had a cool time with the lights then maybe it was that the light guy knew the songs.
btw, I played in week three and the light guy did an awsome job although we had never played the DreamCatcher before. (JumpStart)
I guess the best way to sum it up is “it is what it is”. So for those who didn’t get past the first round, lets all cry in our beers together.
July 1, 2008 at 8:03 am
What an upset! We we there in full form for the Gin Pistons, but most of us felt that either we and the 3rd program was the CLEAR talent! Their music choice was familiar & real rock – not the pop rock of the muscle flexing 80’s band! The judges were booed during their critique…by room full of mucisians…if that tells you anything. Rigged we say, rigged & good riddance to you UMC!
A band that already plays Viejas wins UMC? Sounds like “odds” were already in their favor & the house already planned to win. Disappointing.
July 1, 2008 at 8:38 am
During the 3rd week, when 6one9 won, one of the bands did the same thing. They stopped to introduce each of the members. I thought it was weird and not appropriate for a competition like this. After a 5 hour gig in a club, then, yeah, introduce the band on the way out the door… but it seemed too “old school”. It was as if they didn’t really have anything else to say, or a very good vibe with the audience. I was embarassed for them as the crowd just sat there thinking, play your next song already. Sounds like last night was the same. Which, I suppose should be a word of warning to the remaining bands. Put on your show… when you win, THAT’S when you introduce your players
July 1, 2008 at 8:51 am
I was up front checking out the bands this week. It did seem the singer for 3rd Program was covering for the broken string. They didn’t repair it, but needed time to switch and tune. The rhythm guitarist played the rest of the set with 5 strings. It’s too bad they didn’t have a backup guitar ready to go. I thought they were doing well, but lost some momentum after the broken string.
July 1, 2008 at 8:54 am
Hey All,
I’m Greg the singer/harp for Gin Piston. Thanks to everyone for a great time!
The stage crew was fantastic. Ed, your Mom’s a gem! …and she’s got great taste too!
My vocals were off that night. There were no Vox in my monitor. I asked after the first and second song, to turn me up. Never happened. So I figured, I better just roll with it! Like Dave says “it is what it is”. No regrets, we left it all out there! (See you at the bar, Dave)
3rd Program! You guys rocked it! Nice to meet you guys.
Thanks to Jaguar for letting us use their amps! They Rock! (shameless plug)
All hail The Mother!
July 1, 2008 at 9:06 am
It wasn’t just the string. Because of the electronics involved in the guitar switch, I learned the rhythm guitar became non-operational for the remainer of the set. Thus, the lead guitarist covered all the guitar parts while the rhythm player played unplugged. Pretty impressive that he played so well that no one noticed.
July 1, 2008 at 11:29 am
I would be more impressed if the guy would have walked off stage while the band continued to play (because he couldn’t be heard anyway) then borrowed a guitar from the D’s and returned to finish the set.
As it turned out he pretended to participate in the sound. If that’s such a cool thing, why don’t you just do that all the time?
July 1, 2008 at 11:45 am
Well, why not just join the 80z All Starz? At least they won doing that.
July 1, 2008 at 12:06 pm
GotchaGirl, The notion that the contest is rigged, and that we picked the 80z All Stars because they had played the room before, is not only ludicrous, it’s insulting.
You can disagree with our decision and whine into your beer that your favorite band lost, but don’t fucking accuse me of cheating.
The judges are in no way affiliated with Viejas and we have no interest in picking bands who have played there before. And if this WAS the policy of UMC, I would have excused myself a long time ago.
The other two judges didn’t even know about it until some girl came up to Allan to (kind of) complain about it.
At no time did we receive instructions from Viejas to favor All Stars or any other band in the competition. In fact, the only instructions we did receive from them is to remove the tenet that we should factor in the band’s compatibility with Viejas on the grounds that it was just not fair.
I can tell you that Viejas has bent over backwards trying to keep this thing as equitable as possible, but, it doesn’t matter. Some people will see corruption everywhere they look, especially if THEIR favorite band did not win because, well . . . it couldn’t POSSIBLY be that they were outplayed.
And sure, the judges got booed, we pretty much get booed every week by one band or another, which is fine, but the point is, had we picked your favorite band, then somebody else would’ve booed us.
Also ludicrous(but at least not insulting) is your comment that All Stars were not playing real rock. I was a teenager in the 80’s and the Ramones and Styx and Devo were real rock to us. And they’re real rock still, if you look at how their records still sell some 30 years later, and how many 80s cover bands have cropped up in the last 5 years. Maybe you don’t like it, maybe even the judges don’t like it, but our job is to pick the band who plays the best at what they play. Genre is not factored in at all.
Greg – Sorry about the Vocal monitor. This is not the first time we heard that complaint. Your c’est la vie attitude about it is commendable, but I know how difficult it is to sing without hearing yourself. Damn near impossible. So kudos to you on both counts.
By the way, The Mother says hi. I better not catch you hitting on her though! I know how you lead singers are.
July 1, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Pre-recorded music is allowed in the contest. All’s fair. Maybe next year it should not be allowed. I hate pre recorded stuff, no, but wait, I used a drum machine in a duo once…
Hey Judges, would it be possible to keep it “pure” next year?
Also, after listening to “Double Ds” , perhaps entry requirements should include an audition package with a mandatory DVD, or a web site with video. Maybe add a GONG to the judges table, and give the sound crew a bonus for killing the PA.
July 1, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Ed — What a treat to meet The Mother! She is such a nice woman! Did she adopt you?!?
Still say 3rd Program did VERY well. The into of the members did seem a bit odd to me also. In fact I thought that it was not a good move at the time. I don’t recall that being the time they switched guitars, but then they covered it so well that I didn’t notice the broken string. I just noticed they switched guitars and wondered why about that, but … it is what it is!
3rd Program was my pick up until the 80z. It was clear 80z came prepared to entertain. Once again, not my genre (although better than the Heavy Metal), but you had to admit they knew what they were doing. I was still staying with 3rd Program until the winner was announced. Members of the band were clearly upset and left in a huff. So…. Gin Piston? You guys are the true professionals! You showed class in coming in second.
Greg — your harmonica playing took me back to the Blues. Loved it! I heard you mention the monitor problem after the first song, and saw a stage crew hand go somewhere, but guess nothing helped. Too bad. Would like to hear you have a second chance. Maybe next year.
DDs? Besides being difficult to sit through your set and being over the top offensive, I must admit you win the contest thus far for being the strangest and at times…. funniest act yet! I agree with Judge Danielle that you guys would probably be a lot of fun at a backyard BBQ after a couple of kegs!!
Ed — Gotcha Girl really found your button! Wow! Created that emotion in you! I agree that acts that have performed already in the DreamCatcher have an edge and perhaps a slight advantage. But if you do your homework and come listen to bands in the weeks leading up to your week, you can learn a lot. The lighting does seem to favor some of the bands over others, in fact the lighting has gotten better and better as the weeks roll on. So those who came first in the contest perhaps did not get the same expertise that the bands now are getting. One comment though… could Viejas cut back a bit on the “fog effect”? All it’s doing is sucking in the smoke from the smoking section.
Allen — Thanks for being there Sunday. JV really does owe you!!!!
Hopefully next week will be better entertainment. BTW… if there is another delay in the start time pehaps it could be announced to the crowd?????
Ed — say hi to your mom for me.
July 1, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Man the judges are so quick to defend that fact that they are cheaters. Relax, everyone’s gotta get paid sometime right? Next year i’m going to eneter the contest with a 8 track player and a mic. Oh yeh and a Pink frizzy wig, with rubber goodyear wrapped around my legs. What a freak show. Good luck to the rest of the real bands out there. Rock on..
July 1, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Colleen, mom says “hi” back. She read your post and came clean – turns out, I’m adopted after all. Whew!
I can’t speak for the lighting. I know nothing about it, except, that it’s one of the best lit stages in SD County. I didn’t notice any significant lighting preferences, except one time — during the 80z All Stars Set — when I noticed that it took the spot operator 1/4 way through the song to realize the guitar player was singing and not the lead singer.
So I’m really not sure what advantage a band has who has played Viejas before. It doesn’t factor into the judges’ accounting of the performance, nor, the audience response, so can you please explain exactly what the advantage is?
The only other band I know of that played Viejas in the competition was last year, when the band Private Domain entered the competition and got their asses beat in the first round. AND they were personal friends of mine as well.
I’m sure there are other bands who play there who have entered, but we judges just don’t pay attention to that. We’re just not that involved with Viejas. I don’t even check the band list till I arrive. We just show up each Sunday, watch some bands, then grade them on their performance, it’s as simple as that.
July 1, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Ed! Read carefully. I didn’t say the judges opinions were influenced and gave an advantage for the previously performed there bands. What I was trying to convey was the fact that having performed on the stage before gave the bands an edge. Rather like a home field advantage. They still need to play the game full out or else may still lose the contest.
Now as far a the lighting goes… even if the judges don’t consciously take into account the lighting during a set, all the senses come into play when making a decision. If the lighting is “performed” more succinctly for one band (i.e. a band who had played there before, thus the lighting technician may know the band’s performance better and thus be better prepared to give that extra “punch” at just the right moment), then the judges may be unconsciously influenced.
BTW — 80z band? We finally got the mixutre of the two. They are a TRIBUTE band playing as a COVER band. Maybe that’s why we agreed. Hmmmmm scary!
Thanks to “The Mother” for clearing up the perplexing wonderment!
July 1, 2008 at 4:10 pm
The gig is a whole lotta f-ing fun – notice how the losers always bitch?!
Those who bring it – win.
BTW – Anger is a Gift – WOW!!! These guys rock!
July 1, 2008 at 4:10 pm
So, on this night the Lighting Conspiracy Theory (LCT) was born.
July 1, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Greg again,
Hey, this is Rock & Roll!! Strings break, monitors don’t work… you’ve got to take what the Rock Gods give you! I know what I’m capable of when every thing’s rolling.
You hear what you hear, and see what you see . I knew I was a little off the mark, and you guys called me on it. That’s your job.
Ed, the blues number was ZZ Top’s “Fool for Your Stockings”
Colleen, thanks for the kudos on the harp (that was in my monitor!)
Congrats to 80′z. Nice show! Jon, our bass player said: “Hey, we could do those jumps…but we’d have to take a week off of work to recover!
Thanks for the blog…it’s good therapy!
July 1, 2008 at 5:06 pm
The band Inside Out plays semi-regularly at Viejas and they lost in week 3 (I don’t think they even came close to winning). And from what I understand, they are quite popular at Viejas … so I guess there goes that theory.
July 1, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Flawless what losing band do you belong to?
Your envy of true talent is obvious.
Next year get it together.
July 1, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Let people use sequencers or tape machines if they want. It’s just like any prop. (Demon Beast, Snake, Wig)
The judges can tell if the band is using it as a crutch or not.
My guess is that both Pop Rox and 80′z sound just fine without their computers.
July 1, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Look at the genre of the bands using those things.
I’d almost expect them to be docked points if they didn’t use a sequencer.
btw, Van Halen has used sequencers in live shows.
July 1, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Anger Is A Gift..
July 1, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Confucius once said “ALL THIS MACHINERY MAKING MODERN MUSIC CAN STILL BE OPEN HEARTED AND IT’S REALLY JUST A QUESTION OF YOUR HONESTY” or that might have been RUSH. Anyhow, I’m a simple guy I walk on stage and plug strait in to a low watt Jaguar amp with 3 knobs turn them up all the way, no pedals no fuss no muss. Maybe the 80zAS put a little more effort in than that! They learned the technology I didn’t, they spent the time to program all that stuff I didn’t and they learned to play with and embrace that technology I didn’t once again. I believe if you don’t have keyboardist or any other instrument hey go right ahead program one in, just don’t have a keyboard player on stage when you play.
That is what the honesty is all about. I believe the 80zAS were being honest.
July 2, 2008 at 11:19 am
Colleen, Colleen, Collen, what am I going to do with you? The 80z All Stars are not a “mixture” of Tribute band and cover band. They are a cover band.
Not sure why you are having a difficult time with this. A tribute band plays the music of one, and only one, artist. A cover band plays music from a variety of artists. It’s really that simple. Perhaps you should read my book on the subject, “Tribute Bands are People Too,” now out on Harcourt Press.
I do see your point about the lighting though. Uh-oh, I can see it now….
LCT’s Unite!!
e.
July 2, 2008 at 11:56 am
you’re all freaks people…….freaks…judge this!#@%#^
July 2, 2008 at 1:15 pm
flawless ~ you say freak like it’s a bad thing…
July 2, 2008 at 1:54 pm
My sympathies go out to the Clay Colton Band, and families, who lost their guitar player to that horrible car wreck.
That event puts it all in perspective.
July 2, 2008 at 4:12 pm
crazy kids. if shane (our awesome light board-op) happens to know a song you’ll probably see a tighter light show. 80′z all stars don’t play obscure songs – OILA! better light show.
July 2, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Yeah, I’m sure Sean was more familiar with Tenacious D the outcome would have been totally different. :-O
July 2, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I was just thinkin’…
I’d like to see the best four bands from the semis in the finals.
Will each semifinalist have an equal 8-way chance to advance or do you pick two from the first semis and two from the second?
Looking forward to MOR facing AIAG!
Curious about the Red Muffs too, they seem like a unique act based on what I’ve read.
July 2, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Yeah Ed!! You finally get it!! There IS a difference between a tribute band and a cover band! Welcome to the light!!
Jason — yes… that could be true too.
July 2, 2008 at 7:00 pm
“flawless ~ you say freak like it’s a bad thing…”
Right on Patti !
flawless sounds like the type who thinks “liberal” is a bad word also.
I can hear him/her now
“Those gosh-darn-liberal-freaks are ruining our local music scene, they keep winning each week”
Forced soul, sappy country and bad folk are out .
This is the year of a hard rock UMC Champion
6one9 or AIAG
no patriotic marching bands
HAHAHA HAHAHA HAHAHA
July 2, 2008 at 7:35 pm
hmmm, this is from the Intro:
“First and foremost, this is a cover band contest. That’s a broad spectrum. There a top 40 cover bands, there are genre cover bands, and there are tribute bands. They all have equal weight from the judge’s perspective. And yes, it is true, that we will often be judging Apple bands against Oranges bands, but that that’s just the way it is. Everybody has a shot, and we will be judging based on the merits of what you do within the confines of your genre.”
So Colleen when will YOU get it? Not all cover bands are Tribute bands but all tribute bands are cover bands. How can you perform a tribute without covering their tunes?
July 2, 2008 at 7:57 pm
The Rage band didn’t use any computers or backing tracks..
All sounds made by drums, bass, guitars and vocals
July 3, 2008 at 8:28 am
I was wondering who the Clay Colton band was, but just realized they are supposed to be in this Sundays competition. Unfortunately I know all too well what a tragedy that is.
They say on their website they will continue on with their “regular schedule”, but nothing is listed for July 6th. Will they be performing?
July 3, 2008 at 9:45 am
Dickie — I know the difference is hard for you to get. It took Ed a long time too. In Ed’s last posting he said, “…A tribute band plays the music of one, and only one, artist. A cover band plays music from a variety of artists….” He finally admitted the difference between the two. He read, listened, learned. I wish the same for you. (80z is a COVER band playing TRIBUTE to the 80s.) This conversation has gotten old. We need to move on.
Now…. about the lighting providing an edge for the bands who have previously performed in the Dream Catcher…..
Peace! Happy Birthday America!!
Shaaron — thanks for the info re. the Clay Colton Band. I did not make the association. Yes events like that do put things in perspective. Having lost my brother to a car accident, I know how it feels. Sympathies go out.
July 3, 2008 at 10:31 am
Yea, getting old… Ed is just too diplomatic to further explain it to you.
The point you are missing is not how a tribute band is different from a cover band.
Colleen — I know the concept is hard for you to get. Every performance of a cover song is a tribute to the original artist. So all of the bands performing could be considered a tribute act. The 80′z are not a tribute band as defined by Ed (or me, um… or anybody else for that matter) because thier show doesn’t emulate one artist. Their act is a tribute to the music from the ’80’s but they are a cover band with a narrow genre. Help were the Beatles for the whole show.
But ALL of the bands played covers.
What I’m really curious about is after all of your convoluted logic what are you really trying to say? Tribute bands don’t play fair ’cause it’s too easy to copy everything about an artist? Or is it that Tribute bands can’t compete because their choice of material is so narrow? btw, HELP played a Lennon solo song so did that blow their “Tribute” status?
July 3, 2008 at 11:01 am
wo-woah Colleen! Now hold on a second. What’s all this about me “admitting the difference between the two” and that I “read, listened and learned” ? I thought you were joking in your previous post when you said “welcome to the light,” but I realize now you seriously think I agree with you.
Dickie was right, I wanted to be diplomatic and lay off the topic. But now that you think I am agreeing with you, on the record, I simply must straighten this out.
I never said there wasn’t a difference between a tribute band and a cover band. Of course there’s a difference, I’ve always maintained that. What I said was that there is no judicial preference toward tribute bands in this contest, which was what you and others were alleging.
You should listen to Dickie, he is a sage about these matters.
Yes, of course, the 80z All Stars played “tribute” to the 80s, but that that does not make them a tribute band. Yesterday I put a “cover” on my trash can. Does that make my trash can a cover band now?
“tribute” does not equal “tribute band” anymore than “cover” equals “cover band.”
The definitions of these two type of acts have long been established by the music industry so it’s time for you to get with the program dear, the 21st century is waiting for you.
July 3, 2008 at 11:04 am
PS… Dickie, no, Help is still a tribute band. However, technically speaking, since they did a non-Beatles song, they are a John Lennon tribute band, not a Beatles tribute band.
What if they did, say, a Stones song though. that would be weird huh?
July 3, 2008 at 11:28 am
Well, since there are so many experts in here I should take advantage of your expertise. How would you categorize Monsters of Rock? We’re pretty genre specific and usually do mini block sets of one artist. We could easily do a full set of Black Sabbath for example, but we usually do three songs then move on to the Maiden etc. What are we? Help! identity crisis!!! I’ll have to read this thread back again so I can figure it out
Someone coined the phrase “multi tribute”. Uh oh, this may spawn another conspiracy theory.
July 3, 2008 at 11:35 am
All hail the heavy metal umlaut!
July 3, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Dickie, Ed… can’t we just all get along? When it’s all said and done, we are all being given a chance to experience wonderful music from all the wonderful genres. C&W, Tribute, Heavy Metal, Rap, Classic Rock, R & B, Jazz and then there’s the Ten. DDs…. a genre all to themselves! If you are a true lover of music, like me, then you are having a fun time this summer.
Ed — now you’ve lowered yourself to “trash talk”?
Put a lid (cover) on it!
Next year, Viejas needs to advertise this as a “Band” Contest instead of a “Cover” Band contest, since that’s what it has indeed evolved into. But like I said earlier… this is old conversation…. time to let it go!
Rock On Rock n roll! Cover or Tribute…. it’s all good!
July 3, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Oh Jesus, now my head is spinning. I have considered your question Tom and have an answer for you. MOR is a genre specific cover band. Even if you do a full Black Sabbath set, on the whole, you play songs from multiple artists therefore not eligible for “variety cover” status..
Now, if you decided to ditch the Maiden and the Queensryche and go only with Sabbath, we can apply for a category switch with the Department of Cover Music Categorizing (DCMC) using easy form W666, which will allow you to legally enter cover contests as a tribute band.
I don’t recommend it though. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
July 3, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Tom,
You are missing one important requirement for a tribute band. You must have a name that relates to the tributee.
HELP – Beatles song
Alice and the Cooper gang – Line from a movie with Alice Cooper
Sun King – Cult song
Anger is a Gift – Rage song lyric
Travelin’ Band – CCR song lyric
Tenacious Double D’s – play on Tenacious D
Rokken – play on Dokken
So if you change your name for each set then you would be four different tribute bands!
July 3, 2008 at 1:10 pm
You were right Colleen, it was hard for me to get.
I understand now!
You think (for some reason) the term “Cover Band” should exclude “Tribute Bands”.
Because they don’t play covers!
:::Well, no… It couldn’t be that since they do play covers:::
I must be sofa king wee todd head, could you explain that one to me?
July 3, 2008 at 1:51 pm
It may be high time to consult the DRD (Department of Redundancy Department) to put an end to this vexing issue….
They are located next door to the BSW (Bureau of Silly Walks) straight across the hall from “Abuse”.
July 3, 2008 at 2:12 pm
LHC, don’t give me that you snotty-faced heap of parrot droppings. The DRD is located behind the Argument Clinic you vacuous, tuffy-nosed, maladorous pervert!
(to continue the Monty Python references.)
July 3, 2008 at 3:13 pm
LHC — Well said!!!
July 3, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I am the person who sings the John Lennon stuff in the band Help! If memory serves, we played hard days night, Revolution, Taxman, ballad of John and Yoko and Back in the USSR. FYI, those are all Beatles songs. Therefore, our tribut band status remains intact. I do like the idea of a Lennon tribute, though, we might just bust that out. We are actively looking for a snake and trying to get as much rage going as we can muster to try and compete on the next level……………..”all we are saying, is give Help! a chance”……
July 3, 2008 at 5:43 pm
david,
it is a tribute to your integrity that you covered all bases with your explanation of the songs performed by your “________” band. [insert adjective of choice]
July 3, 2008 at 7:32 pm
After reading this… I’m dizzy. I think I need a drink. Happy 4th everyone!
July 4, 2008 at 9:04 am
You guys are all drunk!!! Happy 4th!
July 4, 2008 at 2:39 pm
[...] 6 (June 29) Posted in June 30th, 2008 by in Uncategorized WEEK 6 (June 29) The blues tune, which I did not recognize, worked really well for him, as did Aerosmith’s Big [...]
July 5, 2008 at 1:30 am
This event sounds like a ton of fun. Ed your writing is hilarious.
As many of you know we lost an the wonderful Craig Yerkes last week.
We deciding to bow out of this competition. Good luck to all the bands. Keep on rocking. CCB will be doing the same. -GG
July 5, 2008 at 5:29 am
crazy kids!
cover band = any band which exclusively plays music previously released by other artists – i.e. does not perform original music
tribute band = a type of cover band which performs the music of one artist exclusively.
now lay off it or next year we’ll only accept original female folk singers.
July 5, 2008 at 7:13 am
What if I were to put together a tribute to 6one9, which is a great cover band?? Where would that leave me, status-wise? Would the Tenacious DD’s qualify as a folk act (if they did there own material, of course)?
July 5, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Jason — hmmmm might be interesting! all female!?! Wonder what Tenacious Double Ds might do with this idea! What kind of “folk songs” might they create???
July 5, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Should we start rehearsing “Where Have All The Flowers Gone?”
Haute Flash
Double Ds could cuss in any song, I guess…
July 5, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Grant,, So sorry about Craig. I never knew him personally, but know a bunch of his friends, and his sister Marcia – the community was devastated. Condolences sir.
July 5, 2008 at 4:34 pm
if u never heard jack black he is not the most talented musician thats the funny thing we were trying to recreate music that is basically not very up to par. Any of you guys want to play randy rhodes or something just let me know. There are about 100000 hacks redoing stevie ray vaughn in every bar across america just replying to the not musiically talented part you hacks wrote being one of the judges used to play with kenny logins wow thats a great musician there anyhow i had fun sorry for offensiveness and i could probably note alot of my musical infulueces but you probably never heard of them either i do give props 2 all the bands and people putting this together you all rock. good luck all and rock on
July 5, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Our sincerest condolences on the loss of your friend and band mate.
July 7, 2008 at 4:03 pm
So George, it sounds like you’re saying that:
a) no one else has heard of Jack Black and you guys nailed it
b) the judges are unqualified
c) you are able to play like Randy Rhodes but choose not to
d) Stevie Ray Vaughn and anyone who plays his music is a hack
e) Playing with Kenny Loggins is no great accomplishment and is a hack as well
f) you should get extra points for having extra cool musical influences
That’s an interesting point of view.
July 7, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Gilbert, nice summery for George. I have a question for you; How were you able to read the post? No capitols, no punctuation, spelling errors, and bad grammar. Altogether a very sloppy example of a paragraph, just like their set was a sloppy example of music. I give “Double Ds”, double “Fs”. One for music, and one for writing.
July 7, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Gilbert. Please….you absolutely hammered the poor guy, and with points that were all valid. But wait a minute, isn’t it a prerequisite to read/reply to this blog while under the influence? The more I drink about it , maybe George has some valid points……..Shaaron (notice the two A’s) i hop i didnt spel anythig wrog.
July 13, 2008 at 10:49 am
[...] Comment on WEEK 6 (June 29) by patti After a 5 hour gig in a club, then, yeah, introduce the band on the way out the door… but it seemed too “old school”. It was as if they didn’t really have anything else to say, or a very good vibe with the audience. … [...]
August 5, 2008 at 5:39 am
I love your blog…really. Did you already hear about water on mars?