YOUR Unpopular Musical Opinion, Vol. 1

YOUR Unpopular Musical Opinion, Vol. 1 – by Jason Irwin.

Unpopular opinions. We all have them. Do we share them? Well, that depends on whether we are prepared for the reaction. My question is … what is an unpopular musical opinion you have, and how can you back it up? I asked local musicians and music fans to chime in. At least it’s just music … which in today’s divisive world is a fairly harmless topic. As for me, I said what I said: Hole was a better band than Nirvana. Fight me! While you’re lacing up your gloves, here are a few more you probably won’t agree with (and that’s ok).

Rob Forman (Upstate NY/Capital Region recording and performing artist)
Music pet peeve: the tablet! We get paid nicely to perform, but it bothers me to see folks stop mid song to scroll down to the next page of tab/lyrics.
My follow-up question: Is it just the noticeable scrolling that irritates you –or is it a bigger issue?
Rob: Tablets used to be used for the occasional lyrics or a set list. Now, it seems like a lot of people can’t play without them! As I get more experience playing, I feel less like we get paid to play –and more for all the prep work. Time off from jobs. Travel. Rehearsing. So first, I thought it was just uncool. Now I see it as kind of lazy.
(Author note: I use a tablet for solo acoustic cover shows -with a Bluetooth scroller foot pedal, though!)

Robert Millis (398 Group)
Cover/Tribute Acts Are Killing the Live Music Industry. Classic economics says that ecosystems—whether they be businesses, towns, or societies—die if/when they rely primarily on nostalgia. Any legitimate analysis of today’s music industry results in a “and here we are” conclusion, given the utter dominance of cover and tribute acts in across-the-board (tiny to huge) live performance tallies. Economies grow based on innovation. For the music industry, that is new music. New music drives the supply chain, financially supporting not only the artists (as do cover acts) but also a variety of allied professions (publishers, agents, management, writers, techs, labels, etc.). The missing ingredient today is new music discovery. Zero Sum: A show by a cover act is a non-show by an original act. Yes, it is a consumer/demand issue. Yes, it is a demographic issue. Yes, it is a media issue. But somehow, the whole formula needs to change for the industry to become sustainable or even survive. Money talks, so the solution is wrapped somewhere around incentivization strategies. But that’s another discussion.

Asa Morris (Upstate NY/Capital Region recording and performing artist)
Unpopular Opinion: Playing it safe is f****** boring. When it comes to music or art in general, in attitude, lifestyle, or creation, safety is poison. F*** up. Take stupid chances. Make people uncomfortable. Make yourself uncomfortable. No one remembers how tame you were in any noteworthy way. You might as well be a neatly organized pile of folded laundry left in a hamper for no longer than 11 and a half minutes. I can think of dozens of local (and national) musicians with songs I couldn’t even hum after seeing them. That isn’t to say that they aren’t talented or capable, only that even soaked in virtuoso solos and $300 effects pedals, they are f****** B O R I N G. Threaten me with a good time.
My Follow-up question: Can you name a local and/or national act that “takes stupid chances” and isn’t “f****** B O R I N G?”
Asa: Sure, I mean, as far as Glens Falls, the classic William Hale always feels like it’s teetering on coming off the rails. In a wonderful way. Luc’s insane bellows, hollers, and crooning (sorry, Luc) all wrapped up in nightmare imagery with what essentially is a traveling barbarian poet society of a band. It’s always wonderful and dangerous. Nationally, I couldn’t say. My image is always the punk and HC scenes I grew up in, or perhaps early Nine Inch Nails when things were quite literally dangerous. Currently, though, I couldn’t tell you.

Jason La Juene (Raven Events)
My Unpopular Opinion: Why do bands and fans still keep going to bad-looking and bad-sounding shows and not have the b**** to say, “That was not the best sounding show” or “I couldn’t even see you guys on the stage because it’s so dark”? Not for nothing, but not every band and every venue is great. For example, I recently saw a video from a band that only had one light, and it was making so much strobing that I couldn’t watch the whole video, let alone be there. I also saw another video from a local show, and the band sounded like they were in a tunnel. The vocals (which you could barely hear, let alone mute vocals or effects between songs) were almost nonexistent. Bands and venues are settling for substandard shows, and the audience just takes it and is being nice. Step up, people, and bring back amazing-looking and sounding shows. No names will be given to protect the “innocent.” Being in live audio production for over a decade, all I see is what was half-a**** is now quarter-a**** in efforts—and you want top $$$ for shows?

Lisa Irwin (518Rock.com –and Jason’s Wife)
I like to listen to live music LIVE. If I’m not at a live show, I don’t like to listen to music that was recorded and previously performed live. Sometimes during live performances, musicians take creative liberties, which are often amazing when seeing this live. These liberties capture the moment and the energy of the musicians, the venue, and the crowd. However, when I’m in the car or at home, I want to hear the song exactly as I know it. I don’t want to be interrupted by conversation or cheers.
My follow-up question: What about a song like “I Want You to Want Me” by Cheap Trick? This is one of your favorite songs (I know this.) However, you really only ever hear the live version on the radio. Think about it –when is the last time you heard the studio version? How do you feel about songs like this – where their live version is the “standard” or more popular one?
Lisa: Ok. So, you just ruined that song for me. After re-listening, I heard at the beginning that there are cheers, then I thought it was over. Now I feel like I hear high-pitched squeals throughout the song at times that pierce my ears. Thank you for that.
(Author note: Sorry, darling!)

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