cdm

cdm

Last Man Standing: Name That Tunesmith

 Posted by
Apr 282010
 

Name a band that changed their name by either adding OR subtracting a word or words but not doing both.

Adding AND subtracting to a name does not count (eg, Jefferson Airplane to Jefferson Starship, which involved the deletion of “Airplane” followed by the addition of “Starship”).

Also, the name change must have occurred before the band made their mark and not later on, when they are doing their Big Cash-In tour with some new guys (eg, The Cars to The New Cars).

I’ll start: The Silver Beatles to The Beatles.

Share

Last Man Standing: Lyrical Name Check

 Posted by
Mar 222010
 

PHOTO FINISH: STAYED TUNED FOR JUDGES’ RULING ON OUTCOME. ALL FURTHER COMMENTS FOR THIS THREAD HAVE BEEN CLOSED.

Name a song in which the lyrics mention another band or artist.

The rules:
1. Only one name check per song. (eg, You can only use “Ready Steady Go” for the Beatles or the Stones or Bobby Dylan but not all three).

2. You can’t repeat a band/artist name once it’s been used.

3. You can use different band names containing the same person (eg, if there is a song that name checks Clapton and another that name checks Blind Faith, both songs count)

4. The name must be used in the lyrics. Shout-outs do not count.

5. The reference must be on purpose. The lyrics can’t just accidentally name check the band (eg, “Alabama Getaway” does not refer to the pop county band Alabama).

6. As with all Last Man Standing competitions, only one name at a time please.

Ready? Steady? GO!

“Ready Steady Go,” by Generation X – Bobby Dylan

Share

Spinal Tap Targets/Influences

 Posted by
Feb 252010
 

While reviewing that Kinks video from 1979, I got to thinking that Spinal Tap keyboard player Viv Savage could have fit in easily with that version of the band. But who is the actual inspiration for Viv? And who are the specific influeces for the Tap. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

Jeff Beck is the visual inspiration for Nigel.

Rick Parfitt from Status Quo is the model for David St. Hubbins.

The Stonehenge prop is apparently based on a Black Sabbath stage prop that was so big that it wouldn’t fit into some theaters that they were playing.

Obviously bowing the guitar with a violin is an homage to Jimmy Page.

And I’ve seen a Def Leppard video in which the band members are shaking their satin-clad asses in the camera exactly like the Tap does during the live performance of “Big Bottom.”

What else am I missing? The more specific the example, the better (eg, choking on vomit is too frequent an occurrence to be linked to one incident).

Share

Dugout Chatter: It Might Get Loud Edition

 Posted by
Feb 182010
 

I just saw It Might Get Loud, the documentary featuring Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White discussing their musical influences, approach to, and general love of the guitar.

The only Jack White-related product that I own is the Loretta Lynne album and the only U2 album I have is the live album from the early ’80s (and it’s not mine so I’m not sure how it ended up in mixed in with my records). But even though I have only a casual interest in most of their music, I liked the movie and I found all three guys to be fairly engaging, although Jack White comes off as a bit affected. The Edge, on the other hand, seems like he’s in the running for “nicest, most down to earth mega star.” Anyway, some questions came to mind:

1. How would you rank these guys in order of your personal preference?

2. How would you rank these guys in order of their influence?

3. If you could replace one with another guitar player, who would it be (keeping in mind that your new guy must be in a high-profile band, must have a distinct style, and that style must be different from the other two remaining guys).

4. Is there any artist that you dislike so much that you won’t watch a documentary about them?

5. Will you watch the upcoming Doors documentary narrated by Johnny Depp? If so, will you mute/fast forward through the Ray Manzarek parts?

6. Does anyone have any idea how I ended up with that U2 album and several copies of Back in Black in my album collection and somehow managed to lose most of my Who and Led Zeppelin albums? I suspect that alcohol may have played a role.

Share

Battle Royale: We’re an American Brand

 Posted by
Jan 212010
 

I was poking around in the archives and I came across a discussion in which folks were talking about starting a thread to determine once and for all which rock band has the best logo. I don’t think that discussion ever materialized so I’m starting it here.

What is the Greatest Rock Logo of All Time?

Please don’t just say the name, show your work too. And don’t let your personal taste about the band’s music affect your appreciation of their branding skills.

I’m going to go with…
Continue reading »

Share

Super Bowl ’10 Set List Sneek Peek

 Posted by
Jan 192010
 

Roger Daltrey just e-mailed me the set list for The Who’s (or A Who’s Who of Olivers, as they are thinking of renaming themselves) Super Bowl Halftime show.

“Baba O’Reily”: They may change the lyric to “Out here ON the field.” They will then skip the “Don’t cry…” part and segue from the “They’re all wasted!” power chords into…

“Join Together”: Lots of crowd shots for this segment. Then…

“Pinball Wizard”: No way they’re getting out of there without playing this one. Into…

“Long Live Rock”: Ignoring the recent ad featuring Eric Clapton hawking a Fender-edition cell phone, the very existence of which conclusively proves that Rock is, in fact, dead, Pete and Roger will trot this one out to the great delight of the crowd. More crowd shots and then into the big scream and last verse of…

“Won’t Get Fooled Again,” during which Pete will attempt to slide across the stage a’la his performance in The Kids Are Alright, but will misjudge it and end up smashing his crotch into the camera, making it the second time in as many years that the halftime performance has tea-bagged the nation. Somewhere in Minnesota, a diminutive man in ass-less pants will once again lament his missed opportunity from ’07.

That’s the set list. I assume that Townsman Alexmagic and some of the others have been working out over/unders on windmills and mic twirls and such, and will release them as we get closer to the game.

Share
 Older Entries  Newer Entries

Lost Password?

 
twitter facebook youtube