Duff McKagan: Rock Has Changed, My (Facebook) Friends
So here I go again; off on yet another of the by-now-countless rock tours required to support a new record (I think the count now stands at 10 records, hence 10 tour campaigns). Doing this for the past 20-odd years has afforded me a serious bird's-eye view of just how drastic this business of music has changed.
Deanne Deesay Watch a slideshow of McKagan's band, Loaded, at the Crocodile on April 9.Duff McKagan's column runs every Thursday on Reverb.
"Hey! I'm your Facebook friend!" is probably the most common greeting a band or artist hears out here on the road these days. For a band to even think about a mere modicum of success these days, they must know how to reach the listener or potential fan via the Internet. Back in the day, radio was the one-and-only vehicle a band or artist had to get any recognition outside their hometown. Today, pretty much all the rock radio stations are owned by one or two corporate conglomerates whose only interest is to sell advertising space. Advertisers don't want anything close to danger anywhere even remotely close to their product being pimped. This makes for really safe and REALLY boring radio. (We are lucky in Seattle, though. KISW has somehow kept a bit of individuality and honor, playing what they want on Joleen's show, etc.) You may wonder why it is that you hear the same 10 fucking songs on your local station. These 10 songs have been "tested" vigorously.
Song testing is a very interesting thing. Well, interesting if you like lame. At song-testing sites, they will find an audience (usually for free pizza and 50 bucks) and play a certain rock song for them. In front of each audience member, there is a sheet of paper that informs the participant to choose one of the following:
A) I would turn the channel if I heard this song
B) I would turn the volume UP if I heard this song
C) I would turn the volume down if I heard this song
D) I would do nothing If I heard this song
Interestingly enough, D is the answer they are looking for. That's right, if you feel no emotion toward the song, you are more likely not to touch the dial at all. Not unlike a sheep, you would just continue listening to that channel and be pummeled by the commercials when those came along too.
OK, so we as fans and artists have transcended commercial radio and other pitfalls of the major record labels and corporate bullshit. Bands have figured out that while, yes, they won't sell as many records because of illegal digital downloading, these same bands can get more exposure from MySpace, YouTube, and other Internet means of social networking. More visibility in the ether can mean more people at your show buying your T-shirts and maybe even your CD. (I have noticed that fans WILL buy your music at a venue. Maybe it is the excitement that is generated by the live show that pushes the fan to further support the artist. I dunno.)
Fans can now find really obscure and independent acts just by taking cues from links on YouTube, etc. My eldest daughter finds all the new music she listens to by these means. By the time an artist "blows up" in a commercial sense, kids like my daughter are WAY past it. Metal Sludge and Blabbermouth are popular places too to find the latest news and gossip about your favorite band, putting a strain on paper publications like Rolling Stone and Spin.
But maybe there is a grassroots backlash a-brewin'. Kids will come up to us guys in Loaded and constantly ask if we are going to put out our newest record on vinyl. Yes, vinyl is really making a comeback, even sparking the major labels to press older catalogues on vinyl again. Best Buy, Target, and Wal-Mart all have put up vinyl sections in their stores. Independent record stores are again becoming the "hip" place to hang out for youth. (I just visited a record store in Nashville called Grimey's that had at least 1,000 kids show up when some local acts played in their back parking lot. It seemed like every one of them had a new vinyl purchase tucked under their arm). Who knows, perhaps Cream and Hit Parader will come out of forced retirement?
Yeah, I guess it just comes down to the fact that EVERYTHING is pretty much cyclical. Whether it's economic recessions we are talking about, or the need to hear music in a warm analog. I just hope that '90s junkie-chic and skinny "boy-looking" fashion models never come back in vogue. THAT was a bad period that should just be forgotten.
61 comment(s)
AxlReznor (Tony) says:
I usually post all of my blog comments on the Loaded forum, but I thought I'd start posting them here, too...
I believe the revival of "vinyl" doesn't have much to do with things being cyclical. More to do with the fact that it's considered dated now, so for a band to put something out on vinyl (usually in limited quantities), it makes for a cool collector's item.
I don't even have a record player, but I get a lot of vinyl stuff to keep in mint condition as a collector. Which resulted in the frustration of not being able to hear Greed (vinyl exclusive track from a split single with London's The Loyalties for those unfamiliar), because most of us had bought the vinyl but had nothing to play it on.
I agree with artists using the internet as a marketing tool instead of treating it as the enemy, though. It's something that record labels just don't get... it had to be pointed out by bands like Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails exactly how effective the internet could be. If the industry pays attention to these guys (especially Trent Reznor, who took Radiohead's system and improved it) and starts implementing some of their ideas, they should be giving out medals to the people who came up with the idea in the first place.
It also makes the whole word of mouth thing a lot quicker... like on here, someone can recommend an artist, and whereas before the internet they'd only be able to tell their friends, because it's on the internet literally anybody in the world with internet access could potentially see this recommendation and check the artist out.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 7:25AM
Diego Ledezma says:
Hey Duff, I´ve been reading your column since the last two months or so, and now I decided to comment. Although I´m not living anywhere near Seattle, because I live in Mexico.
Very interesting post. Sometimes you don´t see the difference until you look back and appreciate the change. Indeed the internet has become an invaluable tool for new and old musicians. In my case, I have expanded a lot my musical horizons thanks to blogs and websites like this. I have discovered new acts, as well as bands that already existed but less commercial. Other sites like last.fm are also spreading the music. by the way, its a shame that you can´t access to pandora radio outside the US, because is another way to get to new music based not in the likeness of the bands or genres, but in the similarity of the music as it is.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 7:47AM
Jo says:
I think you're right Duff, history repeats itself, fashions (sometimes unfortunately) come back, bands make come backs, movies get re-mastered and remade (once again, sometimes unfortunately), even diets and foods make come backs. As a Gen Y kid, I listen to music my parents (one would think anyway) would have listened to when they were my age in the 60's and 70's, and this is the case for SO many Gen Y'ers. Everything repeats itself.
As for vinyl coming back, I can tell you now it hasn't in Australia yet but I think it would be great. As a collector of vinyls for about 5 years now I've accumulated about 300 or so (might explain why I often cant afford to eat), but there are some albums I'd LOVE no wait, KILL to have on vinyl and be able to hear, like you said, in that warm analog sound. I also frame a lot of my more valuable records and nothing looks cooler than vinyl when framed up. Its audio-visual art with literal form and function.
As for the internet, it creeps me out how fast information travels. My best mates band has fans in places of the world we've never heard of thanks to myspace music. Its incredible going through the comments and friend requests, they just come from all over the place. Amazing. And with publicity and being able to sample your record like that, I think artists would be crazy not to exploit the resource of the big bad web when it really is so easy as the click of a button.
Great read again mate, keep up the sweet musings :)
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 7:49AM
Krist Novoselic says:
A good pressing of Vinyl sounds better than a CD and, without question, an mp3. The new Neil Young record comes with a high definition DVD - for those of us us like to get satisfied aurally.
FInally - The Seattle Weekly is also a popular place too to find the latest news and gossip about your favorite band.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 8:41AM
AxlReznor (Tony) says:
This may be unthinkable to purists (and will probably ruin my own reputation as such), but I've always preferred CD's. I like audio clarity, and on CD's you can hear things that you just can't on vinyl. Plus, I've never liked crackles... and they take up less room.
I do dislike mp3's, though. It annoys me how much emphasis is put onto the iTunes release of an album nowadays, because I prefer the experience of looking through the liner notes, looking at the artwork... basically having an entire package that isn't just an invisible thing that goes onto my computer.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 8:46AM
Nevermind says:
illegal digital downloading is bullshit to me to be honest, people always copied music, from cd to cd, from cassette to cassette, from cd to cassette etc…
It just wasnt as visible like it is today, today you can go to piratebay or any other sites and you can see the seeders and the leechers
And yeah Im a downloader ( spank me )
But i think youtube is really really good, i go there everyday to listen to music... and to me the best part is when you look for a certain band, like for example GBH you also see related bands and songs at the side, so you only expand your music interest
( and also what bands you dont like, but i wont get into that when there are fans around... i
did that once with a bon jovi fan, she started crying, it still makes me happy when i think about that )
And i think the parachute pants period should be erased completely
I never owned any btw
( cant touch this )
Nevermind The Bollocks
Oh my god... Krist Novoselic, i think i just jizzed my pants
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 8:54AM
AxlReznor (Tony) says:
It's true that people have always shared music, but it's not just that illegal downloading is more visible. It's the exact same idea as my earlier point about how the internet is great to spread the word about a band.
Whereas when people put a record onto cassette and shared it with their friends, maybe 5-10 people manage to get the album without paying for it. Still illegal, but not a major loss. But one file put on the internet has the potential to go to MILLIONS of people! You put all of those pennies together, and the loss for not only the artist, but for every employee of a record label (whether they be the CEO, or the janitor on minimum wage who people tend to forget) is exponential.
I admit that I have downloaded tracks, but usually one or two at a time and if I like what I hear, I go out and buy the record... if I don't like what I hear, I delete the files.
PS - hasn't The Pirate Bay been shut down? The people who run it have just been put in jail.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 9:08AM
Mayor McCheese says:
I really hope vinyl is making a comeback. Grimey's is awesome...and you kicked ass in Nashville last saturday!!
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 9:28AM
vegasnate says:
R.I.P. JOHNNY.....LAMF
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 9:30AM
Hugo says:
Hey Duff,
I guess this is a time that we are mixing the "old" and new technologies, a few weeks back I said in this very Blog that if it wasnt for the Internet I perhaps would never had the oportunity to "talk" to one of my favorite Rock Stars (Yeap, thats you Duff), so the Internet, Youtube, Facebook, etc, etc are the new way of comunicating, and great tools for guys like me that are pretty far away, to be able to express myself in a Seattle Newspapper Blog...
But as I am from the time that we didnt even had cellphones, I feel happy withe the "Comeback" of vinyl and the hang out at record stores...
Peace, and continue to Rock yourself and us out Duff!!!
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 10:05AM
Mad_Mama (aka Melissa) says:
Hey all - Duff, good article again. Particularly timely, as I'm working on some promo projects for a great local band called Temperedcast. You and I have a mutual friend (yes, an ACTUAL friend friend! How weird is THAT?) who has pointed out that we need to load video after video of the band live - YouTube baby, along with mining that ever growing list of "friends" on myspace and facebook. There are plenty of examples like you cite, where audiences find their new favorite bands by links from their old favorite bands!
And you are "spot on" (to quote my Brit friends - on line and fleshly) when you say folks love to snap up CDs and other merch at live shows. Yes, there is nothing like the energy generated at a live show to make fans want to take the music home with them - in whatever form available!
Last comment - I like to buy CDs too. I read all the shit that's in them cover to cover, and love to find humorous nuggets planted in there just for people like me!
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 10:12AM
Stacy says:
I must be living in a cave, because I've never touched an Ipod, don't know how to use one, and am not big on Itunes either. I actually enjoy the anticipation of waiting for a CD from my favorite band to come out (VR, hint hint) and then reading the liner notes from cover to cover. When Libertad came out I was like a kid in a candy store showing it to all of my coworkers, who seemed to be amused at my enthusiasm and my lack of knowledge about Ipods. And I agree that parachute pants and junkie-chic thin should remain in the dark ages.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 10:39AM
Jesse says:
I have a couple opinions on vinyl.
My first is that I think all new vinyl releases should have a digital download of the entire record included. Why? Because like me many people have, and like to collect, vinyl. I am on the road a good amount so I carry my MP3 player so what happens is most of my record collection I can not access because I would have needed to by the album twice (Digital & analog) if I was access to all my music at once. Spoiled I guess.
My other opinion on vinyl is that it is made of plastic. Affordable plastic uses oil to produce. Plastic also take a very long time to degrade. We are on the verge of breakthrough technology for plastic but it will be many years before scientists find a plastic that is equally adapted to holding sound the way vinyl does. Humans dont have many years spare before we start making the right decisions.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 10:46AM
Katy says:
Personally I think vinyl, CD's and MP3's all have their place.
Vinyl is definately the nicest package, MP3's are the natural successor of the cassette tape - pretty much all they have going for them is they're portable (I wouldn't want to sit through a busy train ride without my player!) and CD's are the middle of the road, best of both worlds package - more practical than vinyl, but nicer sound and artwork than MP3 and more durable than both. I buy both CD's and vinyl, and convert both to MP3 to listen to when I'm out but CD's are probably my favourite of the three.
As for the internet as a music promotion tool I tend to lean towards the positive side, to some extent even when it comes to illigal downloading. Yes it costs a heck of a lot of album sales but I know I'd have saved a few thousand pounds on albums and live gigs if it wasn't for people sending me songs to listen to, which lead to me discovering many new artists, and then discovering even more when I was finding out about those ones online.
Looking back I'd rather have the music than save the money. :D
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 11:40AM
Tracii Guns says:
Very well said Duff
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 12:51PM
realthing says:
The trend of releasing Vinyl with .mp3 downloads is very, very good. This is because many fans will download the mp3's the second they can get them because they want to hear the music. They then purchase the vinyl as soon as it is available and the mp3 coupon gives them a license to have the digital copies for their computer, portable devices, etc. This is the best of both worlds.
Vinyl sales are driven by many things but mostly it is the listening experience. The low quality of cd's and particularly cd players (they keep getting cheaper!) is obvious to anyone with a record player and some decent albums.
The addition of portable digital files has removed the one downside for vinyl and the masses are finally catching on.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 12:54PM
realthing says:
The trend of releasing Vinyl with .mp3 downloads is very, very good. This is because many fans will download the mp3's the second they can get them because they want to hear the music. They then purchase the vinyl as soon as it is available and the mp3 coupon gives them a license to have the digital copies for their computer, portable devices, etc. This is the best of both worlds.
Vinyl sales are driven by many things but mostly it is the listening experience. The low quality of cd's and particularly cd players (they keep getting cheaper!) is obvious to anyone with a record player and some decent albums.
The addition of portable digital files has removed the one downside for vinyl and the masses are finally catching on.
oh, and the Pirate Bay is neither shut down nor are the guys in jail. You're on the internet, it's not that hard to find this information out. They're not going anywhere.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 12:54PM
Nevermind says:
@ axlreznor
‘Whereas when people put a record onto cassette and shared it with their friends, maybe 5-10 people manage to get the album without paying for it.’
But if people bought more records back then it also meant more copies...
And its not like the original record only got copied, the copies also get copied...
‘You put all of those pennies together, and the loss for not only the artist, but for every employee of a record label (whether they be the CEO, or the janitor on minimum wage who people tend to forget) is exponential.’
That shit doesnt work on me...
But i bet you were dying to hear those leaked guns n roses songs... ( im not a fan but i know about them since the news was everywhere... ) and i can imagine you had a hard time to keep your morally correct fingers off the download button, or perhaps you downloaded the hot stuff after you got the cd to compare?
But wait theres more!
What about those special precious bootlegs, by copying and downloading bootlegs not only the artist, but for every employee of a record label (whether they be the CEO, or the janitor on minimum wage who people tend to forget) and whoever also get no money from...
So its not just the original record...
Nevermind The Bollocks
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 1:14PM
AxlReznor (Tony) says:
When you copied things onto cassette tape from vinyl back in the day, the quality degraded. And when those copies were copied, the quality was degraded more... and so on until it was more worth someone to actually buy the record than get a copy of a copy of a copy, etc.
With mp3's, not only can millions of people all have access to it, it's a straight copy without any quality degradation whatsoever. So everyone is sharing the same thing. Which added to what I said before makes for a huge problem. Bottom line, if you want great musicians to carry on making great music, you've got to be willing to pay for it. Because a lot of time, work and MONEY goes into making records, and it's only right that the artist and label expect to make something out of it.
The Guns N' Roses demos? I downloaded them as soon as I heard about them. There is a difference, though (although you may have trouble convincing Universal and Axl Rose of this), seeing as they were only demos and rough cuts - and I was always going to be getting the record on release day anyway.
I've never been a big fan of bootlegs myself, but I can understand their appeal. I may be wrong, but as far as I know there's not any legal restrictions on downloading bootlegs - I do know that music is copyrighted twice... first the song itself, and then the particular recording. Which is how a band can have all of the copyright to their songs, but record labels can release greatest hits collections without the artists' consent, as the label own those recordings.
This is getting too complicated... if you like bootlegs, download away. Even if it is illegal, I can't see any way that it would actually hurt an artist as it's in no way the same as owning the actual record those songs come from.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 2:07PM
katie says:
vinyl? pfft im waiting for cassettes to make a comeback i got a whole box of Bulletboys and Jackle cassettes itchin to see the light of day....
speaking of memory road (vinyl) remember when billy corgan had hair? ...*eww face*...
also ya wanna her a bitchin new band check out Dearestazazel they will pretty much rock your birkenstocks. most notably Lovely Lovely and Get on Board the Drug Train. theyre like electro-y
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 2:17PM
katie says:
*smooth up in ya* c'mon am i right?!
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 2:21PM
AxlReznor (Tony) says:
@katie
Just looked these guys up on Youtube. They're like if you gave the Dresden Dolls a synthesiser, heavy guitars and bass (at least All My Friends Are In Love With Satan is). Awesome!
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 2:50PM
katie says:
@axlreznor
yeah! i know! saw them with MSI and they blew them off the stage.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 3:07PM
Nevermind says:
@axlreznor
‘With mp3's, not only can millions of people all have access to it, it's a straight copy without any quality degradation whatsoever.’
Thats not true, there is always quality loss with mp3... with flac there is no quality loss
‘Because a lot of time, work and MONEY goes into making records, and it's only right that the artist and label expect to make something out of it.’
The record sales are just a small part of their income, i do support the artists i listen to, i go to concerts very often and im a band t-shirt freak, so i buy their crap
And about those demos...
You dont agree with universal, but they are in their right, that they are rough cuts is an excuse for you to download them...
But i kinda have to agree that universal is being a bitch
I know bootlegs are not completely illegal if you dont sell or copy them but its just as unethical as copying a record
Nevermind The Bollocks
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 3:17PM
AxlReznor (Tony) says:
True, there is a quality loss getting the record from CD to mp3. But that's the only quality loss... that one file can be copied infinitely without suffering any further losses (that's what I meant)... and the initial quality loss is so tiny that only seasoned audiophiles can really notice it without it being pointed out to them.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 3:21PM
Kris says:
I need to ruminate on this a bit more, but I've been mulling over the cyclical comments, etc. As a matter of transparency, I was thrilled to hear that Squires is an audiophile at heart, because it gave me hope that Loaded albums would release on vinyl, and I've enjoyed buying multiple versions of the Wasted Heart EP and Sick (and am fortunate enough to be in a position to do so; I agree that packaging a "non-vinyl" option with each album is an excellent idea, though)--along with the other recent vinyl releases I've run across (one that I didn't buy was a real surprise; I wish I could recall what it was--damn lack of sleep. Granted, the show was a good reason to forgo sleep!). I love flipping through boxes of albums--it's much more fulfilling than going through CDs, for me at least--and I'd rather listen to the warmer sounds available on vinyl recording when I'm at home in front of the stereo (mp3s and CDs are fine for the car--much less hassle than cassettes were).
But, while I'm sure that there is a cyclical element to the resurgence (overstatement?), I think it is probably driven by a nostalgia similar to that currently driving a rather nostalgic mood in rock...for the days when we could be less self-aware, perhaps? number of recent releases seem to reflect this nostalgia, both in music and in print (not the least of which is the upswing in material on punk, for instance).
For one thing, many of the vinyl consumers are likely old enough to have been buyers in the 60s & 70s and early-to-mid 80s--they are the ones with the money to drive such an change in the industry. Another group could be Gen Xers who were either a part of the group mentioned above (such as my husband) or, if like me and coming-of-age at the end of the "vinyl era," then there was sufficient exposure to form a bond with the medium, but little time to really engage it outside of a few Crue records, the first GnR purchase, and, of course, the bazillion books on record for kids (and the odd Star Wars Christmas album or two) and the myriad bootleg live albums that were readily available at every flea market I can recall visiting in my teens.
Folks who kept the albums of youth and the attendant equipment on which to play them might be most subject to the nostalgic impulse. I'm not sure what the nostalgia stems from--multiple sources to be sure--but it's there, and I suspect it is fueling much of the percentage increase in vinyl sales (some 90% up in 2007...not that I know what the numerical associations are with that statistic. A 90% increase over a couple thousand still doesn't amount to much).
And, FWIW, Let it Bleed should only be listened to on vinyl and on 11.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 3:34PM
AxlReznor says:
I think the reason 2008 in particular was such a good year for vinyl, was because it was something like the 100th anniversary of the medium. Universal had a year-long celebration that included reissuing a number (40, I believe) of seminal releases in limited quantities... amongst them were Appetite For Destruction and The Downward Spiral (guess how those are the two I remember).
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 3:41PM
katie says:
you know what else i want to come back? scrunchies im sick of always having hide them in my fanny pack
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 4:15PM
Nicolas says:
@ Kris- your last point, about Let it Bleed, is one of the truest statements I have ever read or heard.
About Vinyl- I'm seventeen, and I believe (I may be wrong) that I am one of the few of my generation to have actually raised on vinyl. Unfortunately, I didn't listen to rock at the time, but when I saw the stones, I convinced my dad to buy every 70's stones album (except Goat's Head Soup, I can't stand that album), and I continue to enjoy those albums (especially Exile on Main Street, it should be a crime to sell that in any format other than vinyl, because it's a completely different experience)
Sadly, a few months ago one of the speakers went out, and my dad only listens to stuff that's in mono, so he won't replace it.
Also, to duff on the radio thing-
not all radio stations are that commercial. just the successful ones. I DJ on a public access internet radio station, and am able choose my own playlist (I'll probably be playing a bunch of tracks off of Sick this month). The only problem with public access is that most of the DJs are people who play music that is sub-standard, or are all mini-Rush Limbaughs. So very few people listen.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 7:19PM
Peter says:
Great post, Duff. I love that the commercialisation of something that should be rebellious (rock music) is being subverted and derailed by fans who refuse to have it shovelled down their throats in neat little preprogrammed packages. Instead they seek it out themselves and, through social media, engage with the artist directly. While it sucks that I don't hear my favourite artists on the radio, it rocks that I get to actually chat with them on Twitter, Facebook, Myspace etc, and I get to choose when and how I listen to them. Ever love a song when you first hear it, but start to loathe it after the 50,000th time they play it on the radio? Well I guess that with the same 10 songs on constant rotation, as long as you don't love those 10 songs you never need worry about repetition ruining your favourite tracks.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 8:39PM
Liam says:
Maybe you would find that it'd be better releasing vinyl over cd's in some cases. Here in Brisbane, I can't find any Loaded stuff on CD at the indy stores but sure enough I was able to pick up 'Greed' on vinyl (i'm a whore for coloured vinyl)!
I love Krist's shameless plug too. Preaching to the converted :)
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 9:45PM
Andrea says:
Vinyl, CD's, tapes, whatever.... good music is good music regardless of its vessel. I'm not a sound freak, and I guess I should pay more attention to it. But I prefer an old cassette recorded off the radio of Lemmy singing Ace of Spades to any of the over-produced songs currently in the top 40.
I suspected there were some shenanigans behind the crappy drone music that gets so much air time and the demise of rock radio. I mean, I always knew that the records companies were choosing the singles and that the programmers were deciding whether to play them or not on the radio, but I didn't exactly know how it all played out.
I do hope things are cyclical. The 2000's have truly been rock's lost decade. VR and other few exceptions made the ether bearable for us, rock fans. I have a feeling though that we are now on the verge of new, great music. The times are a-changing...
The conformity of the 50's suburbia gave rise to the rebellion of the 60's. The recession of the 70's gave birth to punk. The conservatives of the 80's gave raise to thrash metal. Hair metal bands were the prelude for GnR in the 80's. Excess in the 80's was the prelude to grunge and all good things of the 90's.
This decade we've seen it all: conformism, incredible wealth, war, conservative rule, dumb easily digested music and, now at the end, recession. Life is definitely itchier now than when Paris Hilton released her records and I hope that rock will come back, because we sorely need it to make sense of our lives.
I wish I was talented at all; I would definitely pick up an instrument and rock out. But until the triangle becomes cool I will spare the world my musical abilities…
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 24 2009 @ 5:57AM
AxlReznor says:
I don't think there's been a shortage of good music this decade... I have nearly 200 albums from this decade already, and it's still got 8 months left, and there a lot I haven't gotten around to buying yet.
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 24 2009 @ 6:15AM
Dayle says:
Wether you think downloading is right or wrong(I personally buy albums I am interested in, even if I dont like it that much its another record in my collection) artists need money to keep making music. I am musician and alot of my friends who are also musicians download everything illegally and can see no problem with it. It isnt possible to continually make music and hold down a full time job, it just doesn't work that way. I once saw an interview with Lemmy where he said you wouldnt expect the plumber to come around fix your bathroom for free. Paul McCartney spoke out on this in an interview a few days ago here in the UK too.
Exposure through the internet is fine, but what happens when there is nothing to expose?
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 24 2009 @ 8:50AM
Candi says:
I have 3 boys-the oldest 14 and I got my 1,000+ vinyls out and bought a new relatively cheap record player that they now sell at Target. My kids were amazed at how they worked and my oldest (who is a budding musician) is now obsessed. For his birthday he asked for two vinyl albums that he already had the CD for (Metallica-black & GNR's 1st one). I think it's great!
I also came to the Saturday show in Nashville & it was really good. I appreciate the band's signing our CD's & the quick photo with them! I was so glad the band came to Nashville & hope you all enjoyed it there. I think TRANSLUCENT needs to be your next release from the CD!
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 24 2009 @ 9:41AM
su says:
Bring back the vinyl! Oh yeah, and Loaded Rocks!
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 24 2009 @ 9:48AM
Candi says:
I have 3 boys-the oldest just turned 14. I bought a relatively cheap turntable at Target & got my 1000+ albums out to play for them. They were enchanted & my oldest was obsessed since he thinks he’s going to be the Slash of the next decade! He moved all of the albums in his room & plays them constantly. For his birthday, he asked for vinyl copies of Metallica-black & GNR’s-Appetite. I think it’s awesome!
Speaking of awesome, I also went to the Nashville show Saturday night and it was very good. I also appreciated the time spent after the show by an undoubtedly very tired band to sign CD’s & I even got a quick picture with them! I hope you guys enjoyed it and come back again. I also think TRANSLUCENT needs to be your next single released from the CD!
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 24 2009 @ 9:50AM
Candi says:
I have 3 boys-the oldest just turned 14. I bought a relatively cheap turntable at Target & got my 1000+ albums out to play for them. They were enchanted & my oldest was obsessed since he thinks he’s going to be the Slash of the next decade! He moved all of the albums in his room & plays them constantly. For his birthday, he asked for vinyl copies of Metallica-black & GNR’s-Appetite. I think it’s awesome!
Speaking of awesome, I also went to the Nashville show Saturday night and it was very good. I also appreciated the time spent after the show by an undoubtedly very tired band to sign CD’s & I even got a quick picture with them! I hope you guys enjoyed it and come back again. I also think TRANSLUCENT needs to be your next single released from the CD!
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 24 2009 @ 9:54AM
Scott in Seattle says:
All you folks who are pining for vinyl should be buying SACD's...all the durability of a CD, plus the resolution and bit rates that can reproduce the sound quality of vinyl, plus surround sound? How in the world is this not more popular?
We've got to get the big bands released, so there are titles available. Tf we can get Zeppelin, The Who, the rest of Pink Floyd, GnR, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc. on board all of our listening lives would be that much richer.
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 24 2009 @ 12:12PM
Stacy says:
What is SACD? I've never even heard of it (see my post above).
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 24 2009 @ 8:52PM
Mike F. says:
You know what I hope never comes back in vogue? Butt Rockers! 80's macho clowns who looked like something outta "The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years!" Gimme the 90's over that any day...
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 24 2009 @ 9:18PM
AxlReznor says:
@Stacy - SACD stands for Super Audio Compact Disc. For a while, everyone expected the next format war to be between SACD and DVD-A, but nobody counted on the overwhelming popularity of mp3.
@Mike - I agree... but unfortunately, it does appear to have come back to an extent.
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 25 2009 @ 6:50AM
Sophia says:
As a teen who likes classic rock and glam metal (yes, I admit it), it's hard to find new stuff to listen to. I turn on the radio and I hear the same Rhianna or Jason Mraz song that I heard on the other station just 5 minutes ago. A lot of the bands I love aren't around anymore, or aren't in the original form that had once been great. Yes, rock has definantly changed. Sometimes I think: "Okay, so every decade since the 60's has produced an artist that has changed or saved rock n' roll. In the 60's there was The Who. In the 70's there was Aerosmith. In the 80's there was Guns n' Roses and Motley Crue. In the 90's there was Nirvana...So where's the groundbreaking group of this generation?"
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 25 2009 @ 7:28AM
Suzanne says:
Even though you can't carry a turntable around with you or put it in your car, there is something to be said for listening to music on vinyl. Some of the coolest memories for me as a kid were hanging out in my dad's stereo room (my house was very, very small, but we had a room dedicated to music) listening to records together as a family. Nowadays, I admit I have my music on my iPod, my husband and kids on their respective players, and we tend to just plug in and make it a personal experience only. Sure I can gather the family to sit around and listen to CDs, but because you don't have to, it rarely happens. I NEED to change that!
Excellent read, Duff! And until my kids are older, unfortunately 'Sick' will not be a part of our listening parties- most unfortunate.
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 25 2009 @ 8:06AM
AxlReznor says:
@ Sophia - they're around... the thing is, we won't know who they are until this generation is over. It'll be the ones that people still care about in ten years time that will get that crown.
Believe it or not, there was a hell of a lot of crap in the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's too... it's only the great ones that are still remembered today. Which makes it convenient for everyone who wants to complain about "today's music", because all of the crap is still fresh in our minds.
They might not be a popular choice, but I'd be willing to be that Linkin Park or Slipknot will be this generation's heroes. They've been pretty much unstoppable all decade, despite people thinking they wouldn't last five minutes when they first emerged. Plus both bands are pretty unique (I know a lot of people complain about all bands sounding like Linkin Park... but none of the bands people say sound like them do at all). Both bands are commercial now... but a) that's not always a bad thing, and b) when Slipknot first emerged, everyone was wondering what the fuck it was.
You see? You might not particularly like the current generations "heroes" that will go down in history (I'm not a big LP fan myself)... but they are there.
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 25 2009 @ 8:14AM
not_so_old says:
To think I'm not quite 49 yet, and I was actually thinking about throwing out the old stereos that sat in the shed. I kept one in the house to amuse my son with "George Carlin's Seven Dirty Words" or "Cheech-n-Chong's Up in Smoke". I knew if I hung on to them long enough, they'd come back! What do I do when the needles finally wear down to nothing on the turntable? Can you even buy needles (for the stereo silly!) anymore?? I'm surprised my son and his friends haven't tried "spinning" on them...hmmmm. Better go lock that shed.
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 26 2009 @ 8:02AM
melissa says:
Duff, you truly are a man of wise words, keep rocking our worlds.
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 26 2009 @ 8:49AM
Verde says:
I have never been without a turntable, not since I was 4 years old and got my very first one. I will be 40 in a couple of months, and we are surrounded by vinyl, CDs, computers, iPods - whatever it takes to get the right music in the right place at the right time.
My stepdaughters listen to the radio or their iPods constantly, especially for their "own" music. But not a weekend goes by that they don't ask their dad to play a record.
Our godson, who is nearly two, loves music. He loves it more when it's coming out of the record player.
There's still nothing better for live DJ sessions than vinyl, no matter how many fancy CD mixers and computer things you come up with - people like seeing a DJ with rekkids.
I'm glad that people have realized that is still a demand for vinyl, and are continuing to make it. It's not a trend, it's a classic. And there's something about that tangible disc of vinyl in your hands - no matter how many other ways you listen to the music, it all seems to come back to that.
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 26 2009 @ 12:00PM
michelle says:
I think this whole decade has been a transition for music in general (and its been BAD for rock music). I mean when we look back at the first decade of the millenium what bands are we going to remember? Fucking coldplay? the pussycat dolls? Justin timberlake? There has been no band or movement to represent my generation. This is why they are turning to Youtube and other sites to discover new and old music and are realizing they are being ripped off by the crap being shoved down their throats (on MTV when they actually play music videos).
Also, Youtube has been a part of this weird ass nostalgic era we are all living in and why anything retro is cool (fashion, music, and even re-runs of TV shows even if they aired like 2 years ago).
Its also why all these Reunion tours are happening and why people are attending them (even if it is New kids on the block or the spice girls).
Theres alot of parralls between now and the early nineties (bad economy, a bush out of office) which makes me hopeful for some back to basics stuff. The problem is the record companies, radio and TV wont promote them and why the same shit is played over and over again. They dont want to risk losing more money.
I think for music to thrive again, record companies need to start taking risks on signing new bands and hire ppl who know something about music and who don't rely on stupid tests and studies. Music isn't science or psychology. Either that or they need to just go away. Same thing goes for MTV and much music. Get rid of the gossip stuff..its not helping anyone.
Whats good is everything happens in cycles.. but pop commerical shit been dominating since 96' 97'? Thats an 12-13 year pop cycle. We went from the spice girls to Britney Spears to the pussycat dolls. Anything innovative or meaninful has all gone underground and onto Myspace, Youtube, facebook and until the transition from TV, radio, Cds to the internet is complete I think music will continue to thrive there. I'll stay optimistic, but its a weird time for music.
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 26 2009 @ 5:37PM
michelle says:
Sofia,
I feel the same way you do. It seems like all the new bands come off like they're either trying too hard, or imitating the past (which is fine if you do it properly) and looking like poseurs. There's been bands like the killers and the white stripes and the arcade fire but people get their music from so many places nowadays that its changing everything dramatically (I dont really know exactly how though).
Nowadays there's more a focus of gossip and celebrity. I cannot tell you how many times i sit at the back of a lecture hall and see ppl in front of me with their labtops on PEREZ HILTON or TMZ while the profs teaching.
Then you have Music channels who all they do is talk about gossip and have condescending VJs talking shit about celebrities all day, and only playing good videos at 3am. Canda's much music channel actually has PEREZ HILTON as a guest on their show on a weekly basis "to get everyone caught up on this weeks latest gossip". Even stations like CNN covered Paris hilton coming out of jail a couple years ago like that was actually NEWS. People are distracted by irrelevant crap these days and its probably affecting music.
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 26 2009 @ 6:28PM
Stacy says:
Pop music has been in an insanely long cycle, and most of the punk/emo/screamo/whatever-they're-called-this-week bands out there just don't jump out at me the way some older bands did. I remember the first time I ever heard of Gn'R was when Welcome to the Jungle debuted on MTV (music channels actually played music videos back then). I may have been skeptical for about half a second when the VJ introduced a new band called Gn'R because so many other bands were cheesy by then, but then Axl steps off that bus in the video looking like I'd be afraid of him if I met him on the street and the guitar started in sounding like some sort of guitar primal scream thing. I instantly knew 1)Gn'R kicked every other band out their in the back side big time 2)Slash is the greatest guitar player of all time, and fell in love with them instantly. Thinking back over the trends since then, I can't help thinking that music trends started to become safer and more commercial after Kurt Cobain died. He was arguably one of the greatest musicians of all time and since his death the commercial powers that be don't seem willing to take risks any more. Maybe that's why the masses are turning to places like Youtube and Facebook to get new music...if the people who control what gets released and played on radio won't listen to us, then we'll look elsewhere for new and better music. Just my humble, completely unqualified opinion.
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 26 2009 @ 9:35PM
Alex Eruptor says:
Vinyl and analog is better for distorted music (e.g. garage punk) digital just doesn't do distorted sounds the same.
But CD is great for clarity.
And it is true people will still buy music and merch at shows but not so much off a myspace/facebook site. Internet really is like radio. A useful promotional tool which helps bands get their name 'out there', but the live show is still where the magic really happens. We're human beings, we need the face-to-face social interaction that the computer can't provide.
Posted On: Monday, Apr. 27 2009 @ 12:28AM
Jimmy says:
I feel that the 8 Track format is getting short shift on this blog
Posted On: Monday, Apr. 27 2009 @ 5:14AM
Manhatten Dan says:
I agree with Nevermind -
"illegal digital downloading is bullshit to me to be honest, people always copied music, from cd to cd, from cassette to cassette, from cd to cassette etc…"
Including broken cassetes, records and CDs + purchases I've made for friends nad family etc. I think I've bought Appetite around 9 times now, Incesticide 3 times, Troublegum 4 times etc. etc. Just certain music you can't live without. N if it's good music the musicians will reap the financial rewards in some way, so bollocks to these fuckin cloned radio stations - get them tunes net bound.
Fuckin radio drives me crazy nowadays, it is literally 10 songs repeated on every station. I was gobsmacked when I heard Its So Easy, Pennyroyal Tea (!!) and Bombtrack played on a Wednesday night on Radio 1! I must have hit 100mph - thrivin mi cockbox off ;)
Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 9:06AM
shepard says:
lot's of cool 45's still pressed and imported in japan, great label art, i think
only slightly faded in favor over the years, indie singles are very popular. thanks for your column keeping things interesting.
Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 11:05AM
Mad_Mama says:
Thoughts and compliments to Sophia and AR - I grew up in a house filled with music. My Mom played records all day, along with KING FM and KUOW (both classical). From her, I learned so much about classical music... I miss her.
At our house these days, you're right - music is a more personal experience. We all listen to "our own" music. The only variation on that theme is around Christmastime when Daddy gets a snootful and puts one of our 200+ Christmas CD's in the player, and cranks it!
I share the joy of listening to music with my 15 yr old bassist son - he and I keep each other up to date on what's out there that's great...
AR - I think you may have put your finger on the sound of the first decade in the 2000's: Slipknot, Linkin Park, possibly Coldplay. These do catch your attention as something different. Maybe Offspring too... I like Slipknot best of that short list, but I know the others are popular too.
Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 12:24PM
katie says:
Slipknot sucks............
Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 4:08PM
Sabrina says:
why facebook friends? :( we love you Duff ♥
You're right with you opinion nomore than this...
I couldn't buy your CD yetª! shit! I want it! Ilove FLATINE and the video of course jajaaaa :)
Kisses love ya
Argentina (always here) :P
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 30 2009 @ 4:37AM
Nicolas says:
@ Sophia-
I would suggest the White Stripes or the Raconteurs. They have a great "classic sound", and I would say that Jack White is the closest thing we have to awesome in this generation.
Although, there is this one band, called Loaded...
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 30 2009 @ 8:23PM
jeff g. says:
one of the dumbest things i've ever done is to hang around in a crummy amsterdam record shop to wait for a DUFF McKAGAN'S LOADED signing session (today) why why!?!
LOL
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Posted On: Thursday, Aug. 6 2009 @ 6:06AM