Heading out

I'm getting ready to head out for another taping of the Next Great American Band. Traveling this much is cutting into my schedule a little bit, but being there to support my brother is worth every minute.

I'll let you know my thoughts and impressions within the realm of my ability (and legality).

See you when I get back.

chs

NGAB Live Taping - The Bands

Denver & the Mile High Orchestra

Awesome with their Dylan cover - in spite of it being a "happy blues" tune. I think it will resonate well with the audience. The original, One Time Show - available on their album, STAND was well done, but too short (of course, the show requires that) and the horns did need to come down front sooner. GREAT JOB!

The Hatch

Not bad, but a touch boring. A friend just sent me a text that was fairly accurate - "like the wiggles meets rock." Technically not bad, and a lot of potential. Hopefully they'll stay in it and improve.

Light of Doom

They shouldn't even be in this. Dicko was right on. It's disgusting. Now, yes FOR 13, their good - not original, but good. But they have so much time to get better, and then they'll actually rock.

The Likes of You

A very mature sound for being together for 5 months. I like these guys, and briefly met the drummer and lead singer. Nice guys. I do agree... too much falsetto. I'd probably buy one of their records.

Rocket

Rocket, again has potential, but I have to think there are better all-girl bands out there. They aren't very tight, and their tone needs quite a bit of work. They have improved since their Vegas audition. I thought they were better in person, but seeing it on TV opened it up and pointed out the flaws. The lead singer really does need to hit it harder, they look like they want to be intense, which is great, now they just need to play like it.

Cliff Wagner & the Old No. 7

A pretty good bluegrass band. But like Denver & the Mile High Orchestra, I hope that their style doesn't get in the way too much. The style is very polarizing, and can interfere with people's impression of their talent as a band. Vocally Cliff was a bit pitchy - even for bluegrass. The reality is the style allows for some "sloppiness", but there is an art to it, and he almost has it.

One thing that didn't make it to TV was that they needed to tune. It took too long for a live performance.

The Muggs

Yes, vocally, he needs to be more aggressive. And it's cool. It would fit better with the sounds these guys get out of just three instruments. I dug them. They had a good groove happening. I ran into these guys at a restaurant after the show and they were very cool, really friendly. I like that - it makes the band easier to like.

The Clark Brothers

Another band that had to take time tuning. These guys are really talented, but I really miss a rhythm section. I can't help but imagine how awesome they'd be with drums and bass. This is another band I really hope stays in the competition

for a while... they are really, really good at what they do.

Tre's Bien

It didn't sound like they really wanted to do the Dillon cover. Personally, I don't like the sound of the lead singer's voice, but I DO like their concept and look. I don't see them lasting long, it's just not exciting enough, and honestly it was better live, so the TV audience doesn't really see them in their best light. (Recordings often show weaknesses better than experiencing things live.) Tre's Bien had the unfortunate slot and was followed by...

Franklin Bridge

My complaints: not a great singer - look how little he did sing. Rhythmically too complicated for the general public. My compliments - Unbelievable rhythmic intricacy and extremely tight. The use of electronic samples helps too. I was a little disappointed with the mix though. It sounds a lot bigger live. (Of course, by this time in the show my ears were about bleeding it was so loud.)

dot dot dot

Ok, their mix was a lot better in TV - which is fine, but... oh man, they are so loose - even playing with loops, and bad loops at that. The players are mediocre, and it feels like they don't take themselves as a band very seriously. It's one thing to be a band because you love it, and are good at it, it's another to do it for the attention. Another unfortunate slot. Right between Franklin Bridge and...

Six Wire

The most mature band (in performance skill) of the bunch. PLUS best vocal arrangements all around. These guys tore it up, and it really translated well both live and on TV. I'm hoping that it's not too boring for our current ADD TV audience. I'd love it if it came down to Six Wire, Franklin Bridge and Denver & the Mile High Orchestra.

Well that's it folks. Next week I'll give another update from the live performance and TV show combination perspective.

'night GO DMHO!.

chs

Next Great American Band Taping

A day later than I wanted, but I thought I'd quick mention that I had a blast at Wednesday night's "Next Great American Band" taping. It airs tonight and I'm really excited. Denver & the Mile High Orchestra ROCKED the house!

Plus, seeing the other bands I liked proved worth the four hour flight there and back.

I'm very curious to see how the show gets edited. The staging was excellent, and everyone was very professional. I also must say that I agreed with about 99.9% of what the judges said. My only concern is that if Light of Doom really wants to play with the real bands, they have to stop being treated like 13 year olds. (Yes, they are a "real band". But EVERY comment starts with "For 13, you guys are..." That's not putting them on a level playing field.)

I have more to come... after the show.

GO DMHO!

chs

Next Great American Band

While I typically shy away from the American Idol/Do You Have Talent? type of shows, I did catch most of The Next Great American Band tonight. I couldn't help myself, a number of bands where from Nashville, (where I call home) so I thought I'd give it a shot.

First, a disclaimer and diatribe on bias. I have bias. In fact, in the case of The Next Great American Band, I have a major bias. It has always bothered me when a writer, reporter, speaker delivers their impression or take on a topic as if they have no opinion on it. I'm not sure that is even possible, given that we are human, and as humans, emotional beings. I may not have a "dog in the hunt" if you will when it comes to a specific story or event, but I have a bias based on my exposure and life experiences. I apologize for getting off course, but, in the interest of honesty (and avoiding hypocrisy), let me tell you up front that I am a huge Denver & the Mile High Orchestra fan. How can I not be? My brother is their drummer. I want to be fair about this competition, but I also want DMHO to win. That said, let's get on with it.

I had a few friends over and we laughed and yelled and were fairly happy with the way Nashville was represented. Of course, when Denver & the Mile High Orchestra appeared we all started yelling, screaming and cheering.

I really got into Franklin Bridge, and hope they go far. But a band is very personal. I would listen to them, but I'm not sure if they will have the versatility to cover a whole bunch of styles. (Yet, is that what we - Americans - really want? We probably want one or two styles we really like).

I saw the "I'm A Believer" version that Denver & the Mile High Orchestra did online, but it didn't' air. The song they showed tonight was an original, and it was hot, but it really sounded edited. Check out their stuff here. I know they have the versatility to do a ton of styles, but it remains to be seen if we - Americans - have the capacity to listen to arrangements with that much depth. As a musician who studied jazz in college, I feel like I get it. I WANT to see them do well, if only to validate what they are doing.

Next week... more on The Next Great American Band. Perhaps I'll be more critical.... The problem that the show has now is the bands that get the "rubber - neckers" who like to sit back and watch a good train wreck are now off the show. I happen to be one of them. My baser self for some reason enjoys watching others make absolute fools of themselves. I suppose that's something for me to work on.

till next time...
chs

Clearing My Head

It's time to start blogging. A little late to the game, yes, but the internet has put food on my table for so long, I might as well start using the tools provided to clear my head. So here goes. My intent is to create a place of honesty. I'm not going to challenge the status quo. I'm going to challenge MY status quo. Life as I know it is a safe place. Now, it's going to be an honest place. I can't wait to bring you my clear head space.