While Uncle Joe is best known as one of America's top Classic Rock historians, throughout his 35-year career he's always been acutely aware of current trends in the music industry. Indeed, Classic Rock itself was the finest new music of its day, composed and performed by artists at their creative peak. For a scholarly insight into today's trends, J.B. presents Rave's Raves.
Rave's Raves are composed by Bruce Ravid, a veteran of Capitol Record's A&R Department and in no way reflect the official viewpoint of Uncle Joe, his staff or management. They are written from Rave's industry viewpoint, originally for friends within the music business, but now shared with the world. New editions appear in April/May, August/September, and December with occasional updates in between. Enjoy!
June 2005
***RAVE'S RAVES #23.1***
RAVE'S FAVES (on the air since late April)
Garbage ("Bleed"), Mando Diao, RAVEonettes, Crystal Method ("Roadhouse"), Branden Benson ("Spit"), The Redwalls, Ash, Dead 60's, Robbers on High Street, Weezer ("Perfect"), Secret Machines ("Road").
All above tracks are singles unless otherwise noted. "Bleed Like Me" by Garbage is outstanding and I hope it gets its due. I'm really liking the RAVEonettes' "Trashcan" but their softer touch on this album doesn't seem to be striking U.S. rockers as much as hoped. Sweden's Mando and Detroit's Branden mix melodies with a hard edge, as do the U.K.'s Ash, Dead 60's and Robbers. All are seeing some rock airplay. Crystal Method have a fabulous remix of The Doors' "Roadhouse Blues." Chicago's Redwalls (see below), with their heavy 60's flavor and an undeniable chorus, are doing well at many Adult Alternative stations and they did a nice job on Conan. Speaking of the U.K., great bands keep on coming. Here are three hot names to look for between now and early next year: Nine Black Alps, Battle, and the Arctic Monkeys.
LIVE
The KROQ Weenie Roast was held at Irvine's Verizon Amphitheatre and we saw thirteen of the bands. At the Christmas show, The Killers and Muse shocked people (Raves #22), but there were no major surprises this time. For me, Audioslave surprised a bit. I knew that I would respect them, but I was amazed at how much I enjoyed watching Tom Morello, Tim Cummerford and Brad Wilk play. They're every bit as good as advertised. Much of Audioslave's set consisted of older songs from Rage and Soundgarden, and those Rage songs really smoked. Chris Cornell's movements didn't quite blend visually but his vocals were spot on. We arrived in time to hear Alkaline Trio do a decent job on their radio song "Time to Waste". Transplants were fun and energetic but in large doses, they're too shouty for me. Of everyone on the bill, I was most interested to see Bloc Party since they've become one of my top new bands. They played their tunes very well and looked good doing it, but I anticipated a certain missing spark. I'm told that they are usually tighter. Mars Volta played two marathons for their 30-minute set. They're great at what they do, but it's just not my glass of scotch. The crowd was warned at the start, "If you don't like us, leave" and that's exactly what I did. MXPX were solid but unspectacular, as were Hot Hot Heat. HHH front man Steve Bays has Jagger moves and star potential if the band can come up with a great album next time. My Chemical Romance is on their way to becoming an outstanding metal band. Their live shows will benefit from another album's worth of material. Jimmy Eat World played at the Christmas show and I called them an average bar band. They were more energetic this time but were still undistinguished. Interpol are great, but their brooding tones come across much more effectively at night when the lighting has full affect. Queens of the Stone Age improved from good to very good as their set progressed. The Killers did another stellar job and got the strongest crowd reaction up to that point. Audioslave got the best response and were followed by Foo Fighters, who worked hard to maintain the momentum. They are very good, but I continue to wish that their live shows had more variety... At Hollywood's Henry Fonda Musicbox, Fischerspooner were again musically and visually on cue for their enthusiastic full house. However, they weren't as unique and outrageous as they were on their last tour. I didn't make it to Coachella, but the consensus was that the top performing up and coming band was Arcade Fire (Raves #22.1).
L.A. RADIO
Now that Uncle Joe has returned to afternoon airwaves in the City of Angels, all is well in the world of Classic Rock. KLOS rocks harder than Arrow-FM did, which I feel provides an upgrade for Joe. He sounds great, as always. Meanwhile, Indie 103.1, "Rolling Stone's" "coolest commercial station in the country," sounds better than ever and KCRW continues to be an important outlet for new music. You can check them out at www.indie1031.fm and www.kcrw.com. Indie plays many of the bands I write about and they are a major influence on this column. Many local music business people intensely dislike influential alternative stalwart KROQ because of their tighter playlist and hardball tactics, but the fact remains that KROQ station plays a far more diversified blend of new rock than most stations in other cities. All in all, this is a good time to be listening to rock radio in our town.
80'S COLLEAGUES
It turns out that Iron Maiden have added Los Angeles to their Ozzfest dates. Kraftwerk have not only released a fine double live album that is surprisingly warm, but I'm told their live show in L.A. was really special. I missed it due to business travel. Many millions viewed The Knack and The Motels' Martha Davis on the second installment of NBC's "Hit Me Baby One More Time." The Knack chose and nailed Jet's "Are You Gonna Be My Girl." The ever eclectic, always cool Martha went with a unique Norah Jones arrangement that didn't seem to work as well. As Martha informed the audience, she's been involved in theatre lately. I've always felt that she had acting potential.
...and...
The Capitol Records people are enthused about their June release by The Redwalls, who rate a current "fave." Singer Logan Baren and bass player Justin Baren are the sons of Marty Baren. Marty was not only a classmate of mine in the Chicago suburb of River Forest, but it was Marty who invited me over to record the songs I was writing as a 14-year-old. We learned so much, and I had my first experiences with the rejection letters that I'd eventually be sending out as an A&R man for Capitol. Yes, it's a small world and yes, time passes. Oasis love this talented band and have invited them to open a number of their U.K. dates... I had another great time at WSUM's April Party in the Park in Madison. Congrats to station DJ and Loud Rock Director Chris Gutmanis, who won this year's Bruce Ravid Music Industry Award (BRMIE). I've known Chris for a couple of years and was delighted to see him win because he's as passionate as they come. It was also a blast doing my fifth Return of Rave radio show while in Mad-town... So that's it for this month. Let me hear from you, and please remember to put "Raves" in the subject line of any e-mail that you send. Have yourself a great summer, and...
RAVE ON!!!
April 2005
***RAVE'S RAVES #23***
RAVE'S FAVES (on the air)
Kaiser Chiefs (various), Kasabian (various), NIN, Green Day ("Holiday"), Queens of the Stone Age, Bloc Party ("Banquet," "Helicopter"), Fischerspooner, Garbage, Doves, Stereophonics, World Leader Pretend, Arcade Fire (various), Oasis.
The Kaiser Chiefs and Kasabian albums are my favorites of this young year, and stations are airing various tracks from each one. The Chiefs' "Modern Way" may turn out to be a mid-tempo monster. NIN sounds like a great version of what Trent's been doing for ages. Lots of friends love Bloc Party, who seem to have been the talk of SXSW. They also aced their Letterman appearance, as did the Kaiser Chiefs. "Helicopter" is my favorite Bloc Party track. Virtually every critic writes the same thing about Fischerspooner: They've become more song-oriented and this album is better. It took awhile for the new Garbage direction to grow on me but their straight ahead mode has finally put them in my win column. For years, I thought that Stereophonics were over-hyped, but their "Dakota" single gives them their best shot to date. See the World Leader Pretend concert review below. The Oasis single is their best in years. The Gorillaz, Decemberists, and Futureheads tunes all crack the Honorable Mention category.
LIVE
World Leader Pretend have twice notched "fave" status with their "Bang Theory." They're good musicians but had absolutely no stage presence at their Roxy show. As my friend put it, they looked like "high school computer class kids who just happened to find some instruments to play during a break." There were times when the conversational buzz at the back of the club was louder than the music. Headlining act Brazilian Girls were a completely different story. Their mix of jazz, electronica, and rock is engaging. Singer Sabina Sciubba is a star and it was no surprise that the chorus of "pussy pussy pussy, marijuana" got the biggest response from the positive crowd. I caught Crystal Method at the Avalon as they are touring to promote their "Community Service" CD. They were awesome once again.
80'S COLLEAGUES
Iron Maiden will follow their huge European headlining dates with a chunk of the Ozzfest tour. Too bad they'll miss L.A. this time around. The Knack, The Motels and Missing Persons continue to play out, but I'm not aware of any Weird Al dates. Meanwhile, my my my "My Sharona" remains in the national consciousness as it was reported that it's on George Bush's iPod along with numerous country songs. I asked Knack singer/songwriter Doug Fieger how he'd respond if he ever met W. He'd say, "So you used to do cocaine too!" I can speculate that the Pres. might reply in a Clinton-esque manner: "I didn't inhale. I only put it on my gums."
...and...
I'm heading to Madison for WSUM's annual Party in the Park on Saturday April 23rd. I'll be presenting the annual Bruce Ravid Music Industry Award (BRMIE) as well as doing a quick "Return of Rave" show on Sunday (April 24t) from 5-6pm Central Time. You can hear my show live at www.wsum.org... There's lots of buzz about the demise of L.A.'s Classic Rock radio station Arrow 93, the home of our own Uncle Joe. I always thought that their music should be harder and a bit less predictable. Having followed Joe's career for decades, I'm biased but was still amazed at the public outpouring of regret that Joe wouldn't be on the air. I know that he continues to be in high demand, and he may have a new home by the time you read this. Good luck, Joe!
Please send email and put "Raves" in the subject line. I promise to answer. By the next time you hear from me, summer will be in full swing if you're in the Northern Hemisphere. Until then...