Main Stage

WANTED: Intelligent, Open-Minded Discussion Regarding the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane

Mar 062009

Townsman Dr. John raised a partially fair point in a comment at the tail end of a recent thread:

You know, it sure would be refreshing for someone to critically comment on the Jefferson Airplane or Grateful Dead–without sounding like someone with an irrational fear of hippies.

Although I personally objected to this charge in the thread in which it was made, being a proponent of a large swath of “hippie music,” I do agree that those of us who do not love the Dead or the Airplane too often resort to cheap shots at any given moment. It is fun and easy to do. I think even a fair-minded chap like the Good Doctor could see that. But I believe we can do better, and I believe we can have a dialog without either side resorting to cheap shots or blanket characterizations of anyone with an opposing point of view.

Here’s what I propose we do:
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RTH Labs Confidential Memorandum: “Real Virtuality” Helmet

Posted by hrrundivbakshi

Mar 062009

CONFIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM

FROM: Milo T. Frobisher, Senior Engineer
TO: Thebackoffice, Mr.moderator, RTH Marketing Dept.
RE: Real Virtuality Helmet

Gentlemen, as you know, we’ve been collaborating with York and Warwick universities on a new, fully immersive personal entertainment device, tentatively called the “Real Virtuality Helmet.” I’ve attached an explanatory diagram which should help illustrate its manifold functionalities — I’m sure you’ll immediately see, as we did in the Lab, how groundbreaking this technology is, and how it might be specifically put to use in the world of popular music entertainment.

We’ve reached a point in the unit’s development were the headset has come out of the lab and is being “designed to market.” At this point, per our previous memorandum of understanding, I’m handing the project back to you for the appropriate market research, to determine how the typical Townsman or Townswoman might be most likely to put this device to use.

For more detailed information on this device, please visit: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1159206/The-headset-mimic-senses-make-virtual-world-convincing-real-life.html .

Please ask your readers to pay close attention to the fact that the device immerses users in a virtual environment that replicates sound, vision, smell and taste — so, presumably, the rock and roll-related environments it simulates should feature elements that stimulate not just the eye and ear, but the nose and tongue as well.

In any case, please keep me posted on responses to your membership inquiries. Once we’ve received sufficient actionable input from RTH membership, we can finalize design.

Thanking you in advance,

Milo

Relative to Bandmates, Who’s the Hardest Working Man (or Woman) in Rock Today?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Mar 052009

A few years ago after, the night after the Grammys or some such awards show, my Mom came over for dinner and struck up a conversation about U2, who had been a featured performer. “What do you think of that band?” she asked me, “Aren’t they really popular?”

My Mom is pretty hip and never hesitant to form and share an opinion. I told her what I thought of them, which wouldn’t surprise you, then she gave me her analysis.
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Andy Partridge Retroactively Recording “Sketches” of Demos

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Mar 032009

In preparation for the April 7 reissue of the remastered Dukes of Stratosphear records, Andy Partridge is retroactively recording what he has described as “sketches” of the demos that were recorded in preparation of the legendary XTC offshoot band’s recordings.

“Considering that most of the Dukes demos have already been released as part of my Fuzzy Warbles series,” said Partridge, “and to give ‘Stratosphans’ their full due of bonus goodies, I’ve been recording impressions of what would have been my original ‘sketches’ for the Dukes’ demos.”
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Subgenre Association Game

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Mar 032009

Townsman dbuskirk‘s recently shared thoughts on The Birthday Party reminded me of my half-baked theory that Rockabilly and Goth are subtly related subgenres, serving a similar set of audience expectations and needs. That may be too much to get into just yet, but as a way of discussing the expectations and needs we perceive at the root of any number of subgenres, how ’bout we play a little Subgenre Association Game?

For each of the following rock-related subgenres, briefly list the main audience expectation or need that you feel that subgenre promises to satisfy. Feel free to be more creative than “Reggae: Pass the dutchie.” I know you’re a bunch of deep thinkers and – I won’t tell anyone – even deeper feelers. Shine a light, OK? But do so from the gut!

Rockabilly
Power Pop
Singer-songwriter
Heavy Metal
Prog Rock
Goth
Punk
Post-Punk
Hardcore
Ska
Garage
Alt.Country
Electronica
Indie Rock

I look forward to your responses.

RTH Challenge: Name a Rock Artist Other Than Nick Cave Who Got Better After Kicking a Nasty Drug Habit

Posted by hrrundivbakshi

Mar 032009

I was having dinner at a friend’s house last night, and while playing a friendly game of Mille Bornes (word’s greatest card game!), Nick Cave‘s new LP was cued up. To my surprise, I really liked it. The last time I’d seen or heard Nick was back in the late ’80s, when I caught his band playing some local hipster radio showcase. I thought he sucked. My friends explained: that was because he had a nasty drug habit — but, now that he’s clean, his music is a whole lot better. Then one of my friends paused, and said “come to think of it, Nick Cave may be the only rock and roller whose music got better after they got clean.”

We gabbed about this for a while, and I have to admit I had a hard time thinking of a counter-argument. Can you? Can you name a rock and roll artist whose work got better after they kicked a nasty drug habit?

I look forward to your responses,

HVB

Baba Oje Reference Nabs February’s Comment of the Month

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Mar 032009

Surely you’ll excuse us for taking a few days to determine the Comment of the Month winner for February 2009, but there was more competition than could be expected in the year’s shortest month. Among all the great comments, from sincere to snarky and all points between, Townsman Alexmagic‘s rationale for the Cool Pass granted to Arrested Development’s Baba Oje may have been the Hall’s most piercing piece of off-the-cuff-yet-informed commentary. Here’s the gist of what the Magic Man wrote:

His importance to the band can’t be overlooked, though. When they were famous, people would often watch their videos and wonder “What’s up with that old guy? What does he do?” And when ABC had some show a few years ago where they got defunct bands back together for a performance, I’m pretty sure everybody who watched the Arrested Development episode watched to see whether the old guy would be back and if he was going to sit on stage and maybe walk around a little bit.

He was.

He did.

It was awesome.

As was this comment.

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