So, what's it like? Here in the UK rock music isn't in very good shape: The local scene is unoriginal and petty at best, disinterested at worst, and the national outlook is that rock isn't really respected as a genre anymore.

But I've heard in the US that the local gigs are better (and that people are more inclined to go to gigs generally), rock is in the charts a lot more and that the scene generally is really vibrant: Is this true? And if so, why is there such a big difference, and will it ever change?


x Jelly

lawl..."gigs"...

You live in UK??
Cooll...
I ear the food there is very good...
Its true??
*yams*

It's getting better than it used to be, if that's what you mean!

I personally think the rock scene here sucks. Bands these days fuckin' lick my hairy anus. And being a musician, I rarely see packed venues. The only way I think any band can make it today is to find their niche within a certain genre and hope they have legions of fans.

Rock here is defined more as (as I have observed) metal I think. More accuratly, I think it's a mix of metal and rock, so it would be rock evolving into metal (Think Metalica, AC/DC, Ozzy stuff, ect.).
Otherwise, music nowdays is what populates the radio, but most of that shit is emo so I don't care. It's good for a few runs before it's calssified as bad. So to answer your question, American Rock is defined by the 60's-80's (I think, not really sure). Stuff like Blue Oyster Cult still get a nod because it helped define something or some such. So no, it's not better. In fact, I'm willing to bet some of your stuff would be a hit over here simply because it's different. And vice versa, of course.

Sic:
I forget you're in a band. You do so much writing and reading stuff that I naturally think you're just a writer.

Was a musician first. Have been since I was a wee lil' lad.

"Rock" music is still a lingering style here in the states...but like Alpha said, anymore it is mostly comprised of the popular genres that come and go. Hard Rock, Glam Rock, Grunge, Alternative, Metal, Emo, etc. etc. etc. The only thing I would think classifies as real rock anymore is that stuff like The White Stripes, The Strokes, and um...that stuff.

I prefer metal. Which is a genre that will never die. It has evolved so much and in so many different forms. Most of American metal has its roots in Europe. Europe has always been at the front of the metal scene. They invented it and keep reinventing it. The only metal styles I can think of originating from America is hardcore, basscore, goth-metal, rap-metal, and death metal.

So do I. So much so that when i said "rock" i think i actually meant "metal", because its pretty much the only genre of rock that i listen to!

God I hate them with a passion!! KILLLLLLL!!!



Well I suppose that's comforting in one way and really depressing in another. You're totally right about the niche thing though - you don't have to be mainstream to be a successful band, just have a loyal following - and of course originality (or at least an interesting twist) will always win out in my book.

What instrument(s) do you play by the way Sixx? And what type of metal does your band play?



Worse and worse! All we get over here is wet, depressing indie. Which i think is basically the same thing. One of my band-mates has a Polish flatmate who actually asked him when he first came over: "so what good metal stations can you pick up on the radio over here?". It's amusing, but it really shouldn't be!

I play percussion/drums (for 16 years) as well as guitar and bass (each over 10 years). The last band I was in was a mix of jazz, progressive, metal, goth...sort of, um...unclassifiable. But we broke up. Ho-hum...such is the way of bands these days.

That's great! I'm a drummer too - haven't been playing as long as you though - would you mind if i pm'd you for tips and advice once in a while?

That sounds good, a shame you split

Nah, go right ahead. But if you want my honest advice...jazz, listen to lots and lots of jazz, and buy some jazz percussion books.

Do you like Chick Webb? He's really old-school, but i think he's great, really nice style - did you know Ella Fitzgerald was in his band before she got big? He discovered her first!


But drummers like Dave Weckl leave me cold - way too clinical for my liking.....

Uh the Eurpopean metal scene is huge. You just need to go north.