So, it has come to my attention that a certain band has wasted interview space with opinion as opposed to substance.  As there is no crying in baseball, so it should be in rock and roll as well; whatever style you choose to indulge in.

This band shall remain nameless, and personally I have nothing against them, they are actually pretty good guys if you know them.  I also happen to like a few of their songs, but c'mon you can't just call people out and not expect a response.

So, this band apparently feels as though they are the last "true rock" band in town, and that this scene sucks if you want to play that style of music.  They are also of the opinion that this affected them at this year's Q106 fm Homegrown Throwdown (a local battle of the bands--which was actually done quite well for the second year in a row by Jerome White).  Listen, everyone gets to have an opinion on what constitutes good when it comes to music, as well as what style you choose to play (if you're a musician).  That's what makes music the best hobby in the world.  You should also always do it for yourself, rather than what you think people will like.

That being said, the axiom to that is that you should respect other musician's choices, whether you like them or not.

Or if you're going to whine (as opposed to promote your upcoming shows, describe YOUR music to people, inform on upcoming recordings or other significant events, etc.--all those useful interview topic choices), at least have the decency to be rational in your arguments/opinions.  Let's break this down, since they obviously chose not to.

MUSIC CAN BE A TOUGH BUSINESS.  That being said, I again refer to the point that you do it for yourself first, and if other people like it--cool.  If not, fuck 'em.  People are not obligated to like you, your band, or your music.  You have to make them want to.  One way NOT to do this is to call other bands out at the same music event by saying "its called singing you should try it", "blah, blah, blah, skibby-dee be-bop, and Christopher Reeves, etc....."  That tends to make other band's "fans" not like you, and generally ends up getting you flipped-off.  Not because they disliked your music, but more so because you are telling them how you don't like the music specifically that they do.  Sometimes a little etiquette goes a long way...

Another thought on that point, music "scenes" generally tend to be made up of 60/40 musicians to people who actually give a fuck about live/local music.  A good way to have that "scene" not welcome you with open, out-stretched arms is to call out those who exist within it.  Again, just a thought.

Another thought on the whole singing/screaming thing.  In my previous band, I played and sang (minimal screaming mind-you) and it has been my experience that screaming actually demands more of your body than singing.  So speaking objectively, it's called screaming, try it, if you can.....if not then again that's your choice, and we respect that.

As far as them stating that it was essentially just them and five other "screaming, thrashing around" bands that night.  C'mon buddy, I mean were you actually there and paying attention!!???  Like I said, if you're going to piss and moan, at least be rational and factually correct about what you are stating.  If I recall correctly, C.O.R.E. performed that night, and all I heard was singing from them.  Bloodletting and Knowlyfe (also part of the festivities that evening) are about half and half singing and screaming, and in my most humble opinion, they do their singing pretty well. 

As far as being the only "true rock" band left in town, well that's just ridiculous, there are plenty of bands who stick to the more traditional roots of rock, vocally speaking, at Mac's Bar every weekend.  I have plenty of friends who are musicians in bands who don't scream and it makes no difference as to whether I support them or not.

As far as the "thrashing around" and "not being able to understand a word they say", again I was there that night, and although I heard no screaming (just alot of whining, as if we were momentarily at a junior high talent show) from this band's set, I still could not understand at least three quarters of what the vocals were saying.  Maybe that's because I'm not familiar with the material, or the eq was weird or whatever.  The point is, is that if you actually pay attention it's not that hard to tell what bands are saying when the vocals are primarily screamed (or conversely, when they are melodically sang either).

It's a little hard to believe also that they were so disadvantaged by the type of music they play.  If I'm not mistaken Q106 had around 120 bands apply to be in the show, and only 24 made it.  Meaning alot of people were left out that could have made an argument that they deserved in.  So obviously someone likes your music enough to pick you out of the crowd, further, YOU MADE IT TO THE FINALS!  How can you piss and moan about the outcome of the show (and it's musical composition) when there were, beyond those who didn't even get to participate, 18 other bands that I'm sure would have gladly (and un-arrogantly) accepted your time slot?  I mean you made it to the finals, obviously the people of Lansing supported you enough to get you there.

At the risk of sounding like a pisser and moaner myself I'm gonna wrap this shit up B.  In conclusion, everyone has a choice about the music they wish to play, and nobody can say shit to you once you decide your path, because it's not their choice to make.  That being so, respect other musician's choices, even if you don't care for them, and until next time...

NO CRYING IN ROCK AND ROLL (unless you are an emo kid, and then I guess it's ok, we won't hate on you for it)

Love,

SL 

Consumed By Fire

Kill the unwanted voice inside

Last time I spoke I lost my mind

Insanity made me go blind

Burn

Strapped to a chair

Full of dope

My eyes feel like they could explode

Faster. Faster. Tighten the rope

Choke. Choke

Smash my fist against the wall

Of a six by nine cell

Fuck your life

It means nothing to me

I pray to the angel that fell. Fell

Madness breaks the lock

That sedation put on my mind

Freedom in the flames

Self medicate with fire

Left to rot was common sense

Impulse at the helm

Never will I live in fear

I'm killing all the liars

My eyes

In my eyes

I'm right

Let flames

Consume

The night

I need to burn

Wake up from this institutional slumber

No pills for me, a good criminal must be sober

Soon this place will reek of death

And smoke will fill the air

Fallen angels descend upon

Consuming all lost souls

Your life means nothing to me

Never really cared

Regret begins to stain you face

With each tear shed

My eyes

In my eyes

I'm right

Let flames

Consume

The night

I need to burn

I won't believe

I don't believe

I can't believe

I think it's naïve

I won't believe    2x

I refuse to be part of this charade

Myths and stories do nothing

To soothe my pain I called out

To what? Nothing

No response not even a sign of hope

Watched him destroy himself

And refuse our help

You didn't step in

You provided nothing

We asked until our minds broke

At first it felt like rejection

Like we had done something wrong

In the end there is just nothing

No salvation

There is only you

Nothing from above or below

Gives you strength

Lies!

I don't believe

I can't believe

I think it's naïve

I won't believe

Someone told me once that he forgives

So fucking what

That's not what I asked for

That's not what

What I fucking asked

What I fucking asked for

It's all bullshit

All bullshit

All bullshit

All bullshit

All bullshit

All bullshit

There is nothing out there

No salvation

There is only you

Nothing from above or below

Gives you strength

Don't pray for me

A useless fucking gesture

To make yourself feel better

It will go nowhere

Means nothing

I will deny

I will deny

I will deny

I will deny

Bound and Gagged

Open sores and sickness within

Demons fertilize my eggs

Infectious sins run through your veins

Poisoning my luscious remains.  Remains

Blood stains smell of sweet innocence

Causing you to cum

Vultures feast on rotting flesh

When I fucking die

Then you fuck the stab wounds

That you gave me in my ass and thighs. Thighs

Blood stains taste of sweet innocence

Causing you to cum

Now he feels no remorse

For what he's done

Seven new victims lined up

To kill one by one

He's coming to kill you

Bound. Gagged.

Chains around their necks

Bound.  Gagged

Chains around their necks

Screaming 'til the very end.  The end

I see everything's a fucking joke to you

So I'll sit around, just wait, then kill all of you

Uncomfortably Numb

Numb!

Awakening from the misery

That has slumbered within

You're just not worth it

Worth it to me

Lies and deceit

Opened my eyes

To your emptiness

I feel no more 

Coldness is within me    3x

It's not easy

To hide the scars

I yield inside

From you

I tried to embrace

Now I'm trying to erase

Memories that we shared

Memories that we shared

Open my mouth and try to scream

click here to check out the band on the radio.

www.q106fm.com/extremezone

We just got added to the Extremely Local section of the Q106 home page.  there are a lot of good local bands listed, so check it out.

http://www.q106fm.com