Not more than 3 days ago now did Kings of Leon issue a decree with British bands to ‘get rock
and roll going again’ because, in their opinion, they themselves have done all
they can for the genre. What?!
The frustration isn't the band itself but instead the ignorance behind the comments. As if by making this decree all British bands will rise from the sewers like radioactive rat-rockers and become POPULAR. We already have rock bands, and we already have fans who appreciate those bands. Jared, bass player from Kings of Leon, hear this: You cannot force the public to like rock music, if the charts are dominated by Katy Perry and Lady Gaga then so be it. There is nothing wrong with this. When KoL say they want a band to "change things" there is nothing to change. Rock is already doing enough to make it's voice heard. There is POPular music and there is rock and just because one isn't predominately in the charts is no big deal. However, what does need changing is the way music is brought to the people.
Gone should be the politics music magazines clutch to, like NME's undying love for certain indie bands (Arctic Monkey's, KoL, Biffy Clyro, Vampire Weekend) or Kerrang's recent pop-punk lust. It shouldn't be a marketing strategy to lure in more readers (e.g. NME's attempt to praise 'cool' bands or Kerrang's to report more on bands like Youmeatsix for teen girls). Instead these magazines and other platforms should be doing more to nurture talent and celebrating the genres they support. A shining example of this would be XFM's John Kennedy and his X-Posure slot. Showcasing untainted new music. The way it should be.
Music corporations and other music related platforms need a major readjustment in the way they pursue music. Understandably the likelihood of that happening with corporations is non-existent but there's nothing stopping magazines, radio shows and television from giving new music, and I do mean all music, a larger stage for musicians to showcase their talents. Otherwise we're going to be subjected to more intelligent, reliable opinions from KoL. And yes, Jared, that was sarcasm.
In today's current
climate the Top 40 Chart is swamped with Rn'B, Dance, Pop and the occasional
twee folk/rock band that grabs the Joe Public's attention for the summer
(aka Mumford & Sons, Muse and Biffy Clyro). There is absolutely
nothing wrong with this. Everybody out there is entitled to their musical
opinion and although some of us may find it hard to choke down what is
currently deemed 'popular', we have no real reason to moan. If you don't like
what you hear, you change radio stations (e.g. Nick Grimshaw blabbering at
7am). If you don't like what you see, you change music channels (e.g. Nick
Grimshaw blabbering on Sweat the Small Stuff - I know that last one isn't
actually on a music channel or even music but dammit I really can't stand him,
the man's a fool).
The point is the Top 40 Chart isn't to blame and neither are it's loyal fans. What is really to blame is the lack of genuine passion from music corporations. So much of the music business is dependent on record sales that it isn't about the music. It's about what will help shift as many units as possible. And it is so sad to see corporations concerning themselves with playing the puppet master role and trying to sell a record by slathering it in 'sex' or aiming it at young impressionable teens, because that's what brings in the pennies. Talking of bands that have been tailored, trimmed and had their personality sucked out of them by a hoover, Ghostbusters style...
Kings of Leon. A perfect example of a young, hard-hitting rock band that were then ruined by fame and mediocre songs. And now they have the audacity to lecture young British bands about pulling their finger out, “I’d tell any budding British rock bands to get off their asses and become popular so we can get rock and roll going again,” bass player Jared told the Daily Star. “It’s hard for a band like us to bring rock and roll back because everybody already knows us. It’ll take a younger band to come out and change things.”
The point is the Top 40 Chart isn't to blame and neither are it's loyal fans. What is really to blame is the lack of genuine passion from music corporations. So much of the music business is dependent on record sales that it isn't about the music. It's about what will help shift as many units as possible. And it is so sad to see corporations concerning themselves with playing the puppet master role and trying to sell a record by slathering it in 'sex' or aiming it at young impressionable teens, because that's what brings in the pennies. Talking of bands that have been tailored, trimmed and had their personality sucked out of them by a hoover, Ghostbusters style...
Kings of Leon. A perfect example of a young, hard-hitting rock band that were then ruined by fame and mediocre songs. And now they have the audacity to lecture young British bands about pulling their finger out, “I’d tell any budding British rock bands to get off their asses and become popular so we can get rock and roll going again,” bass player Jared told the Daily Star. “It’s hard for a band like us to bring rock and roll back because everybody already knows us. It’ll take a younger band to come out and change things.”
The frustration isn't the band itself but instead the ignorance behind the comments. As if by making this decree all British bands will rise from the sewers like radioactive rat-rockers and become POPULAR. We already have rock bands, and we already have fans who appreciate those bands. Jared, bass player from Kings of Leon, hear this: You cannot force the public to like rock music, if the charts are dominated by Katy Perry and Lady Gaga then so be it. There is nothing wrong with this. When KoL say they want a band to "change things" there is nothing to change. Rock is already doing enough to make it's voice heard. There is POPular music and there is rock and just because one isn't predominately in the charts is no big deal. However, what does need changing is the way music is brought to the people.
Gone should be the politics music magazines clutch to, like NME's undying love for certain indie bands (Arctic Monkey's, KoL, Biffy Clyro, Vampire Weekend) or Kerrang's recent pop-punk lust. It shouldn't be a marketing strategy to lure in more readers (e.g. NME's attempt to praise 'cool' bands or Kerrang's to report more on bands like Youmeatsix for teen girls). Instead these magazines and other platforms should be doing more to nurture talent and celebrating the genres they support. A shining example of this would be XFM's John Kennedy and his X-Posure slot. Showcasing untainted new music. The way it should be.
Music corporations and other music related platforms need a major readjustment in the way they pursue music. Understandably the likelihood of that happening with corporations is non-existent but there's nothing stopping magazines, radio shows and television from giving new music, and I do mean all music, a larger stage for musicians to showcase their talents. Otherwise we're going to be subjected to more intelligent, reliable opinions from KoL. And yes, Jared, that was sarcasm.
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