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Date Posted: 14:29:05 09/28/01 Fri
Author: Willie
Subject: Re: Nu Rock bands
In reply to: Isis 's message, "Nu Rock bands" on 14:27:19 09/28/01 Fri

I think you're just repeating a call that goes out from the disaffected whenever a newer type of music becomes the most popular, mainstream, commercial, whatever. You're calling for people to put the clock back to "old style" music. That's not the way of the music-listening world, let alone the music industry.

All music evolves into something new, otherwise we'd still be beating the mammoth-ribcage-xylophones and "keeping it real". Sure there's a huge following for metal in all its various forms, but lately I've only heard this type of music described (by its own champions) as "alternative" or "underground". Surely this accepts that this (old) style of music is not going to be played on MTV alongside the Linkin Parks and the Papa Roachs who, by embracing an exisiting musical style and adding elements from another, have created their own mainstream success?

Teen angst has fueled the music industry since before Buddy Holly. Strangely enough, this is because teens *buy* the music. It reflects their issues and experiences. Maybe I should qualify that by saying it reflects *American* teen issues and experience. (Un)Naturally, the rest of teendom will copy everything that comes out of the States. And obviously the Linkin Park type bands are reflecting American teen culture. They sing (I use the term loosely) about what they perceive are the problems, interests, and goals of a certain target audience.

Rock & roll has always been about rebelling against the current "establishment". The U.S.A. seems to have a particular hangup with foul language. Nu-metal bands are therefore, I suspect, paid royalties not on the amount of sales, but on the number of silent segments when played on MTV. The rebels! But this appeals to their target audience and ups their sales.

I've used "target audience" a few times. Bands are fostered by record companies on the basis that they'll make sales. They don't usually care about the type of music the band plays; only whether it will sell. You can slag the more popular Nu-Metal bands, but even you play them on the jukebox. They have a good sound, even if, in your opinion, the words of the songs have little meaning to you.
But that doesn't matter: you're not in the demographic the record company commissioned before signing the band, releasing the album. You're too old by about five or six years, maybe more. You're not in school. Your opinion of the band doesn't matter to them. You don't buy the album; you're brother does. He buys music which is part of the mainstream. Jesus Christ! He buys Pop!!!

What's this "Crossover" term? Someone who integrates music from one genre into another is polluting it, is that what you mean? That, to me, (to use an unfortunate term) "is nothin' but a load of bollox". How are you supposed to straitjacket bands into playing one forumlaic type of music? That'll strangle everything. Or worse, make it popular. Do you remember when Stock, Aiken & Waterman wrote all the pop songs in the charts back in the 80s and every pop single sounded the exact same? How do you feel about the Gary Moore track, "Still got the blues for you"? Goddamnit! He crossed over into blues!

Everybody in heavy metal is far too much into their own niche and too afraid(?) to stick their heads above the parapet to experience something different. That includes nu-metal fans. They'll *not* listen to CORRUPTED when they're selling singles and albums, because the nu-metal fans will be accused of selling-out by their peers. CORRUPTED has to carve its own niche, and hopefully, given the breadth of the band's talent, it won't fall into the trap of rehashing too many "old" ideas, but will gather its own audience by continuing to produce quality, original material. Yes, they should be signed. No, they shouldn't stick rigidly to one formula.

What do I think of nu-metal? I listen to it on MTV. It's better than Britney, but then I listen to her too. I also listen to CORRUPTED almost every day. (Bring out another CD, will you lads?) You can't "bring back" music successfully. You can only create new music.

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