battle royale

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

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

Battle Royale: Rock’s Most Powerful Third Banana

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Feb 262009

UPDATED AFTER THE JUMP!

Who is rock’s most powerful third banana? This question may remind you of an old Battle Royale to determine the best song written by a third-string songwriter, but we’re looking for something less specific and broader. We should consider the overall influence any #3 band member, regardless of songwriting or singing skills. Take Brian Jones, for instance, a non-writing, non-singing member of The Rolling Stones whose presence alone nearly eclipsed that of the band’s two obvious leaders. George Harrison is an obvious favorite in this battle for his mix of songwriting and singing, lead guitar chops, comedic timing, and diplomacy. Other contenders might include Jerry Harrison, who recently lost out to Tina Weymouth for the title of second-most crucial member of Talking Heads; Graham Nash (within CSN); Rick Wakeman; and Rick Danko.

Two other possible contenders require a ruling by the judges. While he was in Roxy Music, did Eno rank as second or third banana? (Has history elevated his banana rank?) And what about Colin Moulding, who somehow managed to be third banana in a band with only one other member worthy of bananahood?
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Battle Royale: Which Rock Band Could Beat Up All Challengers in a Street Fight?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Feb 222009

The People (or at least Townsman Alexmagic) have demanded this Battle Royale: Which rock band/artist could beat up all challengers in a street fight? You may simply state the artist’s name, if you think that will be convincing enough, or you could be more persuasive, possibly describing the killer moves and powers each band member might provide in the heat of battle. All in good fun, of course.

Watch it, Delaney & Bonnie are packing a Clapton!

Battle Royale: Unlikeliest Band to Have Jammed

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jan 152009

What’s the unlikeliest band to have ever jammed on record? The first that comes to mind for me is The Kinks, on the relatively long solo that closes one of my favorite songs from Arthur, “Australia.” I’m sure there are more unlikely bands that have jammed. Does the expanded Odessa, for instance, contain free jazz scat singing by the Brothers Gibb?

Note: The 1971 featured above, in which The Beach Boys joined The Grateful Dead on stage for a cover of “Okie From Muskogee,” may not count because it’s only from some Deadhead archival release. However, it’s a most unlikely jam!

Battle Royale: RTH Member Fun Facts

Posted by hrrundivbakshi

Dec 262008

Looking back over this fun, chatty thread from 2007, I took time to remember some names of Townspeople who’ve moved on from regular participation in the Halls of Rock. I also wondered what RTH Member Fun Facts we may not know about those of you who’ve been participating since this thread first ran. Let your fun facts rip! Let this Battle Royale resume!

This post initially appeared 7/25/07.

Townsman Trolleyvox says:

Fun fact: my dad’s old painting teacher taught Peter Wolf at the MFA’s Museum School.

I say:

Fun fact: my grandmother taught Frank Gorshin how to act.

Hand over the belt!

Best Song About Money

Posted by northvancoveman

Nov 282008

“Black Friday” has passed in the in the US, marking beginning of the period of the year in which retailers go “into the black,” or profit. In honor of this day, one which has extra weight in the middle of the largest financial crisis since the great depression, we ask a simple question. We’re talking about “The Benjamins,” “Moolah,” “Deniros,” “Loonies,” “Dead Presidents,” “Sawbucks.” Which is the greatest song about money?

Early vote: “Money Don’t Matter,” by Prince.

Battle Royale: Most Rockin’ Movie Star

Posted by hrrundivbakshi

Nov 042008

(Make sure you skip ahead to 3:15 for the key bit of dialog.)

In a recent conversation, I blurted out something in a very matter-of-fact way — the way that usually sets me up for a rhetorical pin-fall from somebody who thinks more than me before they open their yap. This time, however, everybody involved in the chat nodded their head in agreement. What I said was:

“The most totally rock and roll movie star ever? Bruce Lee.”

There was no disagreement during that conversation, and there should be none now. Bruce had swagger, balls, an intelligent, improvisational perspective on ass-kickery, wore cool shades, racing stripes, and was just generally all that.

Hand over the belt!

HVB

p.s.: Bruce Lee was called to mind as I watched an incredibly awful Matt Helm movie last night. The credits listed Bruce Lee as “Karate Consultant.” As I watched the movie, Dean Martin’s lumpy ineptitude at the business of chops and kicks made it clear Bruce couldn’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Every now and then, though, an obvious stunt-Karate dude made an appearance, and that dude could kick some ass! Using the marvel of digital freeze-framery, I slowed the film down to the point where this guy could be identified. Sure enough: it was Bruce Lee in a leisure suit with a curly wig on!

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