All right... I didn't grow up on the South Side of Chicago, and I haven't picked cotton in Mississippi, but I'd like to think I know the difference between good Blues, and bad/wanna-be Blues music, regardless of my background.

{I grew up white trash in Wisconsin, if you must know}

I've played Blues professionally for well over a decade with some of the biggest & baddest out there. I've also played with a lot of scrubs, so that I could pay my electric bill. See, that's what you have to do sometimes when you commit to this life, unlike the weekend dip-shits.

But I've fucking had it with these poser, so called "blues" bands.  I know that every city has them, but they are very active in Wisconsin. Too active. Don't get me wrong... some of them can actually play, and that's fine. Stevie Ray on steroids isn't my cup of tea, but if it's played well, I can live with it. I respect any competent musician, regardless of their style.

It's these no-playing, ass clowns with too much time, and/or money on their hands who decide to form a "Blues" band, that make me wanna vomit with rage.

Wearing a fancy hat & playing a Strat does NOT make you a Bluesman. Owning a cool vintage guitar doesn't mean you know how to play it. Most of these wankers cannot play, and/or sing a lick.

These fuckers somehow manage to book a few gigs, [probably cuz they have marketing degrees, or a background in sales, or some shit] and roll up in their SUVs, to unload equipment that most working musicians could never afford. They get on stage and butcher whatever tune they copped off the Eric Clapton "Blues" CD. [I don't know or care what it's called] not to mention a complete lack of professional etiquette.

The worst thing is, that the casual Blues fan doesn't know the difference anymore, because these hacks have watered down the genre so much. Not to mention the fact that they're taking money out of WORKING musicians pockets. Guys that actually make a living off their craft.

Drawing all your friends, family, and co-workers to a gig doesn't count. And unfortunately, in this day & age, most venues don't decipher between talent & hacks. Hence the schedule that the wankers have somehow filled.

Please... just go back to your suburban world, and have a normal mid-life crisis. Buy a sports car, or have an affair with your secretary, or something. Just stop taking creditbility & money from the players/bands that actually have a clue.

You know who you are.


Sincerely,
Victor Span
Perry Weber & The DeVilles