Mr. Moderator

When not blogging Mr. Moderator enjoys baseball, cooking, and falconry.

Speaking of…

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Aug 302010

Lennon’s john.

Using the introductory phrase “Speaking of…” see if we can’t build a chain of tangentially related rock thoughts.

I’ll start this exercise with the following: “Speaking of the Bealtes, did you see that a toilet used by John Lennon was auctioned off for nearly $15,000?”

The first person who posts to this “speaking of…” should build, tangentially, off John Lennon, rock ‘n roll toilets, auctions, or any other tangentially related subject – just not the original subject that we assume had been spoken of, “The Beatles.”

Got that? The following person posting would then build off the previous “speaking of…”

As I was saying, Speaking of the Bealtes, did you see that a toilet used by John Lennon was auctioned off for nearly $15,000?

Last Man Standing: The Next Dylan

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Aug 262010

This topic was suggested by my close personal friend Jay, who belongs in the Hall with us more than any friend I know yet resists entering for fear of never leaving. Well, my friend, you’ve been stuck in your own personal Rock (and Film) Town Hall for as long as I’ve known you. You’ve been with us before we existed.

I think most of us are old enough to get the meaning of this Last Man Standing. Entering one artist at a time, let’s see if we can’t exhaust all of the artists who were dubbed by critics and/or publicists as the “next Dylan.” I don’t know if anyone still gets that title or if they simply call the person the “next” someone else, probably a former “next Dylan” himself. Rather than rob anyone the opportunity to provide an answer, I won’t get things started with my own entry. Ready…Set…Go!

Is There a Drummer in the House: The Worst Drummers in Bands You Like

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Aug 262010

Jody Stephens (center), join the club!

Bev Bevan and Rick Buckler have been raked over the coals in this long-suspended series already. Today a Townsperson other then E. Pluribus Gergely finally called bullshit on the drumming of Big Star’s Jody Stephens. In honor of cdm‘s candidness, let’s open the floor to other drummers who suck* despite powering the rhythms of bands we love!

*A point of clarification: By “worst” or “suck” I’m not really asking for a list of the technically worst drummers in rock, if any of us are even capable of assessing that, but drummers whose playing you find necessary to overlook (overhear?) while listening to a favorite artist.

Rotten or Lydon?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Aug 262010

Johnny or John?

A real simple question, based on the current RTH poll: What does your choice of name in referring to Johnny Rotten/John Lydon say about you as a rock nerd?

I refer to him as “John Lydon.” What’s that say about me?

One-Question Interviews

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Aug 262010

For some time The Back Office and I have discussed the concept of running one-question interviews. In fact, we tried to nail down such an interview once, when we were approached to review Eagles guitarist Don Felder’s autobiography. The one-question interview is best reserved for major artists who are too busy to sit down with us for an extended chat. The question should be a question that you feel only you have the insight and balls to ask. Felder’s camp considered our offer, but he was already booked for some 2:00 am appearance on CMT.

For years prior to launching Rock Town Hall I’ve kept a pocketful of single questions that I would ask some of my favorite artists, if I ever had the chance to run into them.
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I SUMMON HRRUNDIVBAKSHI and E. PLURIBUS GERGELY: Do You Think You Have it in You to Appreciate Roxy Music?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Aug 242010

My friends, it took me long enough, but I finally manned up and spent a few days with that Prince deep cutz collection that hrrundivbakshi demanded that I confront for Hear Factor. It was one of the most difficult series of listening sessions I’ve ever encountered, but I am a better man for it – and you, HVB, are a better man for having put me through it.

E. Pluribus, you’re a good egg, too – and thanks for never making me sit through anything as painful as those Prince deep cutz. However, I need to call you into this, too, because you like to make a big stink about how exquisite your tastes are, yet you can’t even begin to appreciate anything remotely in the “Art Rock” camp, can you? I’m calling you into this alongside hrrundivbakshi because I think he can put a little heat on you. I think HVB has it in him to find a bearable angle on Roxy Music. I doubt you do, but I hope he will shame you into opening your mind a little bit. As painful as it may be for one of you to budge, I’m confident that your need to distiguish yourselves from each other will result in one of you expressing something profound and fascinating, something more than what we may expect.

Now, if you have some time, I want to know if either of you have it in you to appreciate Roxy Music. I’m offering a completely unbalanced sampling of two songs each from my favorite two Roxy Music album for your analysis, gut responses, and possible pleasure. In case you need a visual, I’ve also placed a video of the band playing another favorite from their debut album. I feel this will demonstrate the band’s usefulness in the research that is done in RTH Labs. Please take all the time you need, or at least as long as the tracks last. Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you.

Don’t think the rest of you have not been summoned as well. I urge those of you who’ve stayed on the sidelines through past discussions about Roxy Music to step forward. Do you want to be part of the angry mob forever, or do you want to stand out and be your own person?

School’s Back for Fall, Winter, and Spring

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Aug 232010

In some parts of the United States school is already be back in session; those of us in my neck of the woods have until after Labor Day before the kids go back to school. I have no idea when our Townspeople from other countries return to school, but I bet it’s sometime soon. I know it’s not as thrilling as school being out for summer, but what are your favorite school in session-related songs?

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