I couldn't help noticing while watching the recently released Powderchair/Silverfinger/(Insert corporate bullshit combination phrase here) DVD's, that words can't convey just how manufactured these bands are in this current era. It wasn't always like this. Silverchair had a brilliant debut. Frogstomp is still one of the classic yardstone albums in my book, but after watching them on this double feature with Powderfinger...it really shows how much of a formula they're made to. All I can put it down to is the money. Being endebtted to the record companies, who consequently give them the 'recipe', and them not having the youthful vigour anymore to have a difference of opinion from the establishment.
Key points to take away from below - that vest, the dirty sanchez, that haircut, with some tats thrown on in a feeble attempt to bring some bad boy attitude back in the mix. Guilty on all charges.
Maybe I'm not giving them enough credit, but it all felt very forced. The getting the audience to sing, and I nearly punched Daniel Johns face on the screen when he was pimping channel V...in a LIVE DVD!!!! I really hope this doesn't catch on. I mean, Powderfinger - the schoolboy haircuts, the almost-full dinner suit attire...surely if you're rocking out and giving a half decent energetic performance for you fans paying their hard earned coffers,, you're in no position to have a pristine crop up top and a spiffy jacket and not even work up a sweat?! What makes it even worse is that these sentiments were echoed by several music buffs I know who attended the Big Day Out which Silverchair were playing at this year...and they described exactly the same get-the-audience-involved bullshit that just didn't work because DJ looked and acted like a wanker.
The feelings may be exacerbated from recently aquiring Van Halen's groundbreaking album, 1984. I know a lot of people don't take hair metal seriously. But they were
real performers. Showmen no less. They had the simplest riffs, it was hardly groundbreaking technically - but was totally conducive to their stellar stage antics, fireworks, costumes and scissor kicks. They put on a SHOW on stage. And the songs were solid enough to stand up on their own two feet on an album.
Instead of looking like a bunch of guys on their way to a posh restaurant who took a wrong turn because the sat nav played up.
After all this Daniel Johns and dinner suit 'rock' wankery, we should refocus on a band that is doing it hard, keeping it real, raw, and still have an identity. This band is Dead Letter Circus. Brisbane locals, their shows are an energetic frenzy EVERY time.
You can see the reality pouring off.
If you get a chance, CHECK these guys out - they are a natural energy boost.
