C
chadd
Guest
Cheeky-tongue.
Just wondering, in this day of flux, just what ROCK radio is.
I'm doing this a bit stream of consciousness, so please be kind
Most of us are aware of the internal station attitudes of the 70's and 80's-- that free-flowing, still musically-obsessed, often underprogrammed and notsoregulated "neo before neo" stuff that only dreams are made of today.
In the 90's, Rock was challenged by some of the most (arguably) definitive musical movements ever. With the evolution of the grunge sound and the cancellation of all those bad hair checks, rock was forced to choose: Would we accept this new dirtbag music, or ignore it as a passing phase that doesn't belong anywhere near our Motley Crue and Boston?
After a failed experiment called "Alternative" became absorbed by mainstream/active rock in the late 90's, and the hard core rap-rock that seemed to be the next grunge lead us into the millenium, rock was actually pretty... active. Nirvana, Tool, Pearl Jam, Metallica, Kid Rock, Pink Floyd, STP, Linkin Park... Rage Against the Machine. Shock jocks were all over the place, the art of irreverence was honed and manipluated into a sellable gimmick to surround the adrenaline-pumped tunage.
Today, rock radio is kinda like, "What?" Or at least, that's what some people are saying. We've absorbed classic rock "that rocks". Alt is owned. Hair is back (even kinda trendy), and even Evanescance and Skynyrd are invited to the party. But it's still-- according to some people-- like we don't know what is coming or going. AND, of course, everybody has their own theory.
These "theories" usually contain some variation of "the next step", "making a difference", "content is king", "innovative branding", "less-hype more music", "all about the music", "getting back to our roots", and my personal favorite, "THERE IS NO GOOD ROCK BEING MADE".
No good rock being made. NO GOOD ROCK being made. Really. Well, might as well cut down your tower and start reading up on your Country, because if ROCK is dead to you... YOU are dead to ROCK.
Remember that "if it's too loud, you're too old" saying (props, Mr. Caroli)? It's still true. Your passion for the genre is exactly what makes it move. Your addiction to making it work-- whatever the new music front-- will keep a format around long enough to inspire kids to start bands and make that "good rock" you're looking for.
Someone once told me, "The best musicians in the world aren't on tour or on a stage... or even making a record. They're in some garage somewhere and will end up doing normal jobs." Assignment: Find them, stop them from getting these normal jobs, and get your ass on labels to open their eyes to more than hit-in-the-can, pre-produced clones of the last band with a hit.
Waves can't be forced, they happen. Until then, there's no reason we can't do a little splashing of encouragement to keep the water moving. Who's with me?!!
*ding* Oh, crap... gotta go. Fries are done!
Just wondering, in this day of flux, just what ROCK radio is.
I'm doing this a bit stream of consciousness, so please be kind
Most of us are aware of the internal station attitudes of the 70's and 80's-- that free-flowing, still musically-obsessed, often underprogrammed and notsoregulated "neo before neo" stuff that only dreams are made of today.
In the 90's, Rock was challenged by some of the most (arguably) definitive musical movements ever. With the evolution of the grunge sound and the cancellation of all those bad hair checks, rock was forced to choose: Would we accept this new dirtbag music, or ignore it as a passing phase that doesn't belong anywhere near our Motley Crue and Boston?
After a failed experiment called "Alternative" became absorbed by mainstream/active rock in the late 90's, and the hard core rap-rock that seemed to be the next grunge lead us into the millenium, rock was actually pretty... active. Nirvana, Tool, Pearl Jam, Metallica, Kid Rock, Pink Floyd, STP, Linkin Park... Rage Against the Machine. Shock jocks were all over the place, the art of irreverence was honed and manipluated into a sellable gimmick to surround the adrenaline-pumped tunage.
Today, rock radio is kinda like, "What?" Or at least, that's what some people are saying. We've absorbed classic rock "that rocks". Alt is owned. Hair is back (even kinda trendy), and even Evanescance and Skynyrd are invited to the party. But it's still-- according to some people-- like we don't know what is coming or going. AND, of course, everybody has their own theory.
These "theories" usually contain some variation of "the next step", "making a difference", "content is king", "innovative branding", "less-hype more music", "all about the music", "getting back to our roots", and my personal favorite, "THERE IS NO GOOD ROCK BEING MADE".
No good rock being made. NO GOOD ROCK being made. Really. Well, might as well cut down your tower and start reading up on your Country, because if ROCK is dead to you... YOU are dead to ROCK.
Remember that "if it's too loud, you're too old" saying (props, Mr. Caroli)? It's still true. Your passion for the genre is exactly what makes it move. Your addiction to making it work-- whatever the new music front-- will keep a format around long enough to inspire kids to start bands and make that "good rock" you're looking for.
Someone once told me, "The best musicians in the world aren't on tour or on a stage... or even making a record. They're in some garage somewhere and will end up doing normal jobs." Assignment: Find them, stop them from getting these normal jobs, and get your ass on labels to open their eyes to more than hit-in-the-can, pre-produced clones of the last band with a hit.
Waves can't be forced, they happen. Until then, there's no reason we can't do a little splashing of encouragement to keep the water moving. Who's with me?!!
*ding* Oh, crap... gotta go. Fries are done!