The Hold Steady. The lead singers voice is going to turn a lot of people off from this band, but they are very good and put on a good show.

Stuck Between Stations (new window)

OH MY GOD
It's a Hold Steady thread.

I get the feeling this was only greenlighted because subby made a reference to Metallica.

The newest generation is going, "Who's Metallica?" while everyone else is saying "Who's this Hold Steady?"

evilboyevil: The newest generation is going, "Who's Metallica?" while everyone else is saying "Who's this Hold Steady?"

The first is real music the second is someone who should've sliced up the river a long time ago.

Metallica is a band?

RosevilleDan: The Hold Steady. The lead singers voice is going to turn a lot of people off from this band, but they are very good and put on a good show.

Stuck Between Stations (new window)

Music: good
Lyrics: terrible
Emo lyrics being sung by my local librarian, complete with absurd movement attempting to dance: yeeeeeesh

/at least he doesn't have a whiny voice

Typical indie 'not indie' band formula.

1 year putting the band together
2 years touring/building a following/getting zine press
1 good song, hit the late night circuit
1 year of bigger venues
Disappear into obscurity

Good players, average songs, completely average look.

Kind of like Harvey Danger.

Aren't they that band Bruce Springsteen's a big fan of?

I wasn't a huge fan until a couple of grad school buddies dragged my ass out from the lab to see them. They were arguably one of the best shows I've seen in the last couple of years. It was a hometown show for the vocalist (can't remember his name, but he is from Northampton, MA), so he pulled out all the stops.

KrmtDfrog:
Music: good
Lyrics: terrible
Emo lyrics being sung by my local librarian, complete with absurd movement attempting to dance: yeeeeeesh

Why is it that anything people dislike lately is immediately labeled as emo. This is a trend that needs to be stopped, that word needs to be reserved for the douchebag kid on your street with the greasy two-tone dye job pulled over their eyes with their Fall Out Boy shirt and crappy Hot Topic pants. They must be mocked appropriately.

urethra_franklin: Why is it that anything people dislike lately is immediately labeled as emo. This is a trend that needs to be stopped, that word needs to be reserved for the douchebag kid on your street with the greasy two-tone dye job pulled over their eyes with their Fall Out Boy shirt and crappy Hot Topic pants. They must be mocked appropriately.

THANK YOU!!!!

I've been saying this for a long time, and until now I thought I was alone.

Emo is a genre that grew out of the late 80's DC hardcore punk scene, and is short for "emocore". It sucks. But goddammit, EVERY SAD SONG EVER WRITTEN IS NOT F*CKING EMO!

What's even worse is when people are accused of "acting emo" or any such bullshiat. How do you act a genre of music? Can you act metal, or act country, or act pop?

The word is thrown around so much nobody even f*cking knows what it means anymore. The blues were "emo", Hemingway was "emo", someone upset because their mother died is "emo", and anyone who doesn't act like a happy-retard-alpha-male-douchebag 100% of the time is "emo". If you ever express disappointment or upset about ANYTHING, EVER, you're "emo".

It's goddamn old, and it's not what the word means.

FlyingPig: Can you act metal, or act country, or act pop?

Yes.

The Hold Steady is a great band, and they put on a great show.

Don't expect anything along the lyrical complexity or musical intrigue of "One".

But sure beats the hell out of St. Anger.

They're a good band to see live and get drunk to. They're a party band, and they make good music within that genre.

PYROY: FlyingPig: Can you act metal, or act country, or act pop?

Yes.

What he said. Otherwise, Flying Pig your post was entirely reasonable.

The Hold Steady are a "rock band" as in a group of guys that sound like what the music emanating from a rowdy bar SHOULD sound like. Drunken Springsteen with the cheek and double-entendres of AC/DC played loud by unfortunate-looking dudes.

Emo, though? What the f*ck is wrong with you people? Honestly, the Hold Steady reminds me of a Fark Party where everyone brought instruments. Too much beer, too little fashion, and they'll jump all over any chick that flashes a little hooterage their way.

I had a discussion a while back about who is the greatest American band. Most of the best rock ensembles tend to be British, while the US is great at producing individual musicians.

Many of the top finishers were perhaps the greatest bands of their style of rock (Doors, Alabama, Ramones, Grateful Dead), but none were as influencial to rock as a whole as British bands like the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd, etc..

Metallica is just another example of a band that great for their paticular style (heavy-metal crossover), but not universally likable.

The Hold Steady are okay, but they have a long, long, long way to go before they reach "America's finest band" status. I doubt even a quarter of the US population has even heard one of their songs.

2and4 2008-12-22 05:59:20 AM
Typical indie 'not indie' band formula.

1 year putting the band together
2 years touring/building a following/getting zine press
1 good song, hit the late night circuit
1 year of bigger venues
Disappear into obscurity

Good players, average songs, completely average look.

Kind of like Harvey Danger.

Wow. GREAT observation and Im being serious.

I DO like the Flag Pole Sitter video done by the kids in the office though, especially the first girl singing...

Unright: The Hold Steady are okay, but they have a long, long, long way to go before they reach "America's finest band" status. I doubt even a quarter of the US population has even heard one of their songs.

They're a bar band. Most of the population is either not yet in or no longer in that phase of life. That doesn't mean that you're wrong, of course. Are they better than Will Hoge or Cowboy Mouth? I'd have to see them live before that could be judged.

Close. The Hold Steady are the second-best band in America, right behind the band they just got finished touring with, The Drive-By Truckers. Chuck Norris wears DBT pajamas.

they are the one that ripped off Satriani...

factoryconnection: Unright: The Hold Steady are okay, but they have a long, long, long way to go before they reach "America's finest band" status. I doubt even a quarter of the US population has even heard one of their songs.

They're a bar band. Most of the population is either not yet in or no longer in that phase of life. That doesn't mean that you're wrong, of course. Are they better than Will Hoge or Cowboy Mouth? I'd have to see them live before that could be judged.

Oh, I'm not speaking of quality. I'm speaking of fame. The Hold Steady are a great band, but I've got persepective as far as what their market penetration is.

FlyingPig: urethra_franklin: Why is it that anything people dislike lately is immediately labeled as emo. This is a trend that needs to be stopped, that word needs to be reserved for the douchebag kid on your street with the greasy two-tone dye job pulled over their eyes with their Fall Out Boy shirt and crappy Hot Topic pants. They must be mocked appropriately.

THANK YOU!!!!

I've been saying this for a long time, and until now I thought I was alone.

Emo is a genre that grew out of the late 80's DC hardcore punk scene, and is short for "emocore". It sucks. But goddammit, EVERY SAD SONG EVER WRITTEN IS NOT F*CKING EMO!

What's even worse is when people are accused of "acting emo" or any such bullshiat. How do you act a genre of music? Can you act metal, or act country, or act pop?

The word is thrown around so much nobody even f*cking knows what it means anymore. The blues were "emo", Hemingway was "emo", someone upset because their mother died is "emo", and anyone who doesn't act like a happy-retard-alpha-male-douchebag 100% of the time is "emo". If you ever express disappointment or upset about ANYTHING, EVER, you're "emo".

It's goddamn old, and it's not what the word means.


Jeeeeeeez calm down you don't go all friggin emo ...

sheesh

Do What Now Question Mark: Close. The Hold Steady are the second-best band in America, right behind the band they just got finished touring with, The Drive-By Truckers. Chuck Norris wears DBT pajamas.

Crap, I did forget about the DBTs; what a great group. They are "rock" as southern as fried chicken without an empty-headed party vibe to dilute the austere songwriting.

Unright: Oh, I'm not speaking of quality. I'm speaking of fame. The Hold Steady are a great band, but I've got persepective as far as what their market penetration is.

Heh, heh... You know.

pope183: Jeeeeeeez calm down you don't go all friggin emo ...

sheesh

While I realize this is snark, it's also completely predictable snark that I just KNEW someone would reply to my post with in an utterly Pavlovian manner, so, in conclusion, serious or not, I still want to cockpunch you.

Unright: Most of the best rock ensembles tend to be British, while the US is great at producing individual musicians.

Many of the top finishers were perhaps the greatest bands of their style of rock (Doors, Alabama, Ramones, Grateful Dead), but none were as influencial to rock as a whole as British bands like the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd, etc.


Thank you. I haven't laughed this hard in a very, very long time.

somehow this song/band reminds me a little of Bruce Springsteen circa 1974/75

They are "rock" as southern as fried chicken without an empty-headed party vibe to dilute the austere songwriting.

Dude, that is a perfect description of the Truckers. PERFECT, I tells you.

A few years ago, the Truckers and the North Mississippi All-Stars played a Thanksgiving-week show here in Birmingham. I'm still recovering from their encore, when the Truckers (who still had Jason Isbell at the time) brought out Luther Dickinson to crunch with them.

FlyingPig: urethra_franklin: Why is it that anything people dislike lately is immediately labeled as emo. This is a trend that needs to be stopped, that word needs to be reserved for the douchebag kid on your street with the greasy two-tone dye job pulled over their eyes with their Fall Out Boy shirt and crappy Hot Topic pants. They must be mocked appropriately.

THANK YOU!!!!

I've been saying this for a long time, and until now I thought I was alone.

Emo is a genre that grew out of the late 80's DC hardcore punk scene, and is short for "emocore". It sucks. But goddammit, EVERY SAD SONG EVER WRITTEN IS NOT F*CKING EMO!

What's even worse is when people are accused of "acting emo" or any such bullshiat. How do you act a genre of music? Can you act metal, or act country, or act pop?

The word is thrown around so much nobody even f*cking knows what it means anymore. The blues were "emo", Hemingway was "emo", someone upset because their mother died is "emo", and anyone who doesn't act like a happy-retard-alpha-male-douchebag 100% of the time is "emo". If you ever express disappointment or upset about ANYTHING, EVER, you're "emo".

It's goddamn old, and it's not what the word means.

I think what's generally called emo these days is anything in which the vocalist sings like a whiny pussy biatch.

At least that's the one distinguishing detail that I've noticed. How anyone can tolerate some prick that sounds like he's 15 whining at them is beyond me.

Am I too late to hate on something trendy?

Unright:
The Hold Steady are okay, but they have a long, long, long way to go before they reach "America's finest band" status. I doubt even a quarter of the US population has even heard one of their songs.

Popularity: The hallmark of musical aptitude.

Unright:
Oh, I'm not speaking of quality. I'm speaking of fame. The Hold Steady are a great band, but I've got persepective as far as what their market penetration is.

Repeat.
Lots of fans and albums sold does not a great band make.

Not Impressed.

milkyshirt: FlyingPig: urethra_franklin: The blues were "emo",

hey, you shut your mouth. the blues has NOTHING, i repeat nothing to do with emo! emo does not mean 'emotional,' emo means emo, its the name of a particular genre in music. if youre one of those cats who uses words like 'emo' instead of the full word 'emotion,' you're missing the comparison. most, if not all music is emotional, but there is only a small portion of it that is emo.
the blues is not emo.

FlyingPig: pope183: Jeeeeeeez calm down you don't go all friggin emo ...

sheesh

While I realize this is snark, it's also completely predictable snark that I just KNEW someone would reply to my post with in an utterly Pavlovian manner, so, in conclusion, serious or not, I still want to cockpunch you.

calm down emo dude ...

don't cut yourself up over this

thelocaldrunk: hey, you shut your mouth. the blues has NOTHING, i repeat nothing to do with emo! emo does not mean 'emotional,' emo means emo, its the name of a particular genre in music. if youre one of those cats who uses words like 'emo' instead of the full word 'emotion,' you're missing the comparison. most, if not all music is emotional, but there is only a small portion of it that is emo.
the blues is not emo.

Ex-actly.

The Hold Steady is farking awesome.


That is all.

Do What Now Question Mark: Dude, that is a perfect description of the Truckers. PERFECT, I tells you.

A few years ago, the Truckers and the North Mississippi All-Stars played a Thanksgiving-week show here in Birmingham. I'm still recovering from their encore, when the Truckers (who still had Jason Isbell at the time) brought out Luther Dickinson to crunch with them.

Thanks. I've only seen them once, and the sound guy had the mix set to "remove hearing with 4kHz and above" mode. I also was with my buddy (a big fan) and our wives (a pair of unimpressed anchors) so the show was a bit of a bust. I wish we'd just gone together, likkered up, the way God intended. They sounded great musically, if only I could have gotten closer to the stage, away from the sound-guy's zone of influence. Someday...

FlyingPig: Can you act metal?

Yes, and quite brilliantly:

thelocaldrunk
milkyshirt: FlyingPig: urethra_franklin: The blues were "emo",

hey, you shut your mouth. the blues has NOTHING, i repeat nothing to do with emo! emo does not mean 'emotional,' emo means emo, its the name of a particular genre in music. if youre one of those cats who uses words like 'emo' instead of the full word 'emotion,' you're missing the comparison. most, if not all music is emotional, but there is only a small portion of it that is emo.
the blues is not emo.

Did you read the whole post, or just pick out one line to be pissed off about? His whole point was that emo is not short for emotional, and that mislabeling things as emo pissed him off. And, for what it's worth, he's right about "emo" being short for "emocore."

everybody knows America's best band is Led Zeppelin.

I like the Hold Steady because I prefer my bands to be Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band, only... you know... bad.

I hate their lead singer soooo much. Farking "Rent" reject. Stop the god damn emoting hands, douche.

Valdes: I like the Hold Steady because I prefer my bands to be Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band, only... you know... bad.

I don't hear Bruce and the E Streets so much as I hear "Watching the Detectives" era Elvis Costello when I listen to THS. Of course I didn't come to that conclustion until I saw them live. FWTW.

I went and saw these guys a few weeks ago, co-headlining with Drive-By Truckers. HS were on first; I'd never heard them, but read some stuff (mostly Springsteen comparisons, though I too heard at least as much Elvis Costello). I liked them a lot; everybody I was with loathed them. I liked the hardcore references in the vocals, and the overall funness of it all.

DBT, on the other hand - I'd listened to Southern Rock Opera some, and liked it, but live, they could've been any number of "rock" bands. We all left early, but we were buzzed and tired, so I didn't take the opportunity to gloat....