Since the concert ended on Wednesday night, I’ve spent the last 36 hours pondering the music of the Dave Matthews Band. It’s quite clear from what I’ve read online before and after his concert that people either love him or hate him. There’s really no middle ground.
So, I started to wonder – why do so many people hate Dave Matthews and his music?
A search for “Dave Matthews is terrible” on Google led me to countless message boards where people voiced dislike of him. Most reasons were little more than “because he sucks,” “I hate his voice” or “I hate his dancing.” A lot of people hate Thom Yorke’s vocals, too, but Radiohead doesn’t draw nearly the ire of DMB.
Is it because Dave Matthews Band has sold tens of millions of albums? This led me to ponder the “he’s a sell-out” argument. So, I did a little research:
* He has 14 nominations, but only one Grammy win.
* He’s never won an MTV Video Music Award.
* He’s never won an American Music Award.
* The last six of his eight studio albums have gone to No. 1 on the U.S. charts, but he’s never had a No. 1 song.
* I can’t find any examples where his music has been used in a television commercial.
All of that doesn’t quite add up to the “sell out” definition.
So, what is it?
Aside from the one time his bus dumped waste on to a tour in Chicago, I never read bad press about him in the mainstream media or tabloids or see random paparazzi photos of him doing something shady. He rarely gives interviews – but is that a positive or a negative?
The “I Hate Dave Matthews” Facebook page only has 105 fans.
Looking at the positives, I can appreciate the fact he walks out on stage and personally introduces the opening band at every tour stop.
At the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre show in Charlotte on Wednesday night, the concert was delayed one hour because of lightning. Instead of playing a short set and ending at 11 p.m. as the curfew dictates, his band continued through for a couple more songs and an encore, leading to at least a $1,000 fine. (Though rumors continue that the fine is $1,000 per minute, that is not specifically stated in the city noise ordinance.)
The band had an XM Radio channel for a brief period. The only other bands to be featured – Led Zeppelin, Metallica, The Who, Coldplay and AC/DC. Permanent channels exist for the Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis and Pearl Jam.
I also can’t think of many other bands that have been around for more than 20 years that sell out large amphitheatres in the same markets year after year. Phish does. Country acts like Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney. Jimmy Buffett. Bands like 311 and Motley Crue have been touring a lot, but don’t draw consistent crowds each year.
Many people say it’s “bro” music, or “frat rock.” At this week’s concert, I didn’t see any popped collars, Greek letters on t-shirts or, in fact, many people under age 25. It appeared like most people were in their 30s and dressed like the average person walking down the street.
Some people point to the band’s lyrics, but even some of Dave’s fans talk about his worst lyrics. And what band hasn’t written some questionably bad lyrics? “Ob La Di, Ob La Da,” anyone?
Maybe it’s the music? I’d say everyone in the band is proficient and talented. Ever tried to play one of Dave’s songs on guitar? You better have nimble fingers. Tim Reynolds has made plenty of “Top 100 guitarists” lists. Jeff Coffin is simply a wizard on saxophone. Carter Beauford is an incredible drummer, which, fascinatingly, even DMB’s biggest detractors agree with. (“Carter is an amazing drummer, but the rest of the band sucks” is a common remark.)
There’s the “all the songs sound the same” argument, but you can say that for virtually any band you aren’t a fan of, can’t you? Much like the Grateful Dead and Phish, Dave Matthews Band has released far more live recordings and are known for concerts, tape trading and the on-stage dynamics of their songs more than just the studio versions.
American Idol, Philip Phillips, sounds and acts just like him, and someone had to vote for him… though maybe that’s more of a reason to dislike the lack of originality in Phillips?
I’ve also seen an argument of “I don’t like him because of the people who like him,” which is one of the worst reasons I’ve heard for any band.
So, what is it? If you can quickly say, “I don’t like Dave Matthews,” is it anything more than simply not liking his voice or the music? Perhaps he’s just the Anne Hathaway of music, or as my co-worker said, “Some people just suck.”
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This article appears in Jul 24-30, 2013.
the reason why people hate dave matthews is because is a fake hippy, and his fans all have short hair college hats, and are probably republicans
by the way i am joining the i hate dave matthews fan club…
I don’t know why people hate DMB – or anybody, for that matter. If you don’t like someone’s music, don’t listen. Or don’t post in forums set up for people who do like their music. There’s room in the world for all of us. We don’t all have to be the same.
You are making a lot of assumptions about the crowd, and not commenting on his music, Bob…
the guy is an amazing talent, period. if you can’t see/hear that, i feel sorry for you. i’ve seen him since his days in Charlottesville behind the bar- he’s earned everything he’s achieved and then some. most down-to-earth ‘rock star’ you’ll ever meet, although he would not let you call him one. yes, he’s goofy- yes, he irreverant when he speaks sometimes- that’s him. he is who he has always been. are you? are you just a character that changes wardrobes and personalities every few years? Dave is as real a dude as you and me
Jeff, I hate the fact that you wasted the past 36 hours of your life trying to figure out why people hate the Dave Matthews Band. Really, if you simply don’t like something don’t write about if. I don’t like Bruno Mars but I don’t feel compelled to join a “I hate Bruno Mars” facebook page. Please if you don’t like it don’t go to the show and save us all from reading your garbage review of the show or why people hate this group or that. I hate reading articles by music reporters that are writing about a group or music they don’t understand.
Jason, you obviously didn’t read the article. If anything, Jeff spends more time defending DM than attacking him. He is mainly wondering why others hate him.
I don’t like DMB because I don’t like their music. It’s just not my taste.
Even so, I think DMB are great musicians, they are very influential, and they are deserving of their success. I just don’t want to listen to their music and I would never say they “suck.”
Some people can’t separate their tastes from quality. Just because you don’t like someone’s music that doesn’t necessarily mean their music “sucks.”
BTW, “Ob La Di, Ob La Da” aren’t bad lyrics!
“Desmond stays at home and does his pretty face
And in the evening she’s a singer with the band”
Those are genius lyrics!!!
I used to hate Dave Matthews–but it was before I ever really listened to him. I’d “heard things” about his music, like his concerts consist of 3 40-minute jams, that all he does is jam. And he does jam a lot, even today. But that is so not the sum total of DMB, and I’m so happy my then-boyfriend, now-husband introduced me to him.
After his second record his albums and music got super boring.
I run an “I hate Dave Matthews page”. I get people who agree and angry people who don’t. Often the topic of discussion is pinpointing where the ‘hate’ comes from. I have to say I don’t hate any other bands or musicians or artists… I think its mostly because there is this very large group of people who like him and I cannot figure out why. I find his music good enough for playing softly at work or in a grocery store to bridge the gap between other indefinable task noise and nothing else…to think people pay money, take time, or collect memorabilia commemorating listening to him seems so very absurd as to simultaneously make me sick and enrage me toward the human race. I hope that helps and you can visit my page to view more hate.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Hate-Dave…
People don’t like DMB because, they got far too big. It’s NEVER cool to like a band that everyone else already likes, right? I used to love them, but after too many concerts with rabid groupies I just got turned off. Or maybe I just got too cool for DMB?
Joy…do you even read what you write before publishing it? You sound so angry and clearly have much too much time on your hands if you are going to worry about the music people listen to. His music doesn’t encourage abuse or rape, nor does it condone bad behavior. Since he isn’t morally reprehensible or irresponsible, what does it matter to you if people buy his music or attend his concerts? I have listened to and loved his music since I was in 7th grade and although I’ve never bought anything pertaining to him or his band (I can’t afford to go to concerts and I just don’t buy music), I would if I could.
@ Bob Dobbs: On all three counts YOU ARE WRONG. Apparently, you do not know the contemporary definition of a hippie. Dave’s political view is left, his religious or, non-religious, views are NOT consistent with the right AND he is a loving, caring man full of philanthropic work. Finally, I am not a college hat wearing frat boy republican. FAR FROM THAT, in fact, quite the opposite. IMO, DMB music is very intricate, the beats, chords, jazz influence that it takes a sophisticated ear to appreciate it. Spread LoVE!
The passion for or against DMB probably has as much to do with tone as substance. I remember in the 1990s when they were at their peak they were virtually unavoidable. It seemed every other song on contemporary radio was one of their songs. They were definitely identified by a certain vibe of the time, a kind of college jam band with high artistic ambitions that was taking over at campuses with kids who were discovering green living, Birkenstocks and Phish. The kids who wore the ubiquitous Bob Marley & Che Guevara t-shirts in high school. In the mid-90s wake of grunge it was the “adult” alternative to the emerging hip hop scene. DMB’s music, like its loyal crowd, probably was seen as too cute and too folky and trying too hard. Even people who recognize DMB’s talent may not want to acknowledge enjoying it and taking in the annoying fans and cutesy mannerisms. I think Mumford & Sons could suffer a similar fate in coming years.
I can’t believe i read this entire page. I can’t believe i’m contributing. Why bother being so damn opinionated people. The greatest band in the world deserves far more respect. It is respect that seems to be missing here. He’s a fricken modest saint compared most popular artists. I just don’t get it. I obviously love everything about Dave and DMB. Anyone who shares negative opinions on any entertainer is simply insane.
The whole idea became to big too fast. I love/loved DMB. I have seen him in the tiny hole in the wall bar for years before it was “OMG Dave Matthews IS GOD” While I celebrate his success for him. But, It took away the personal “little secret awesome band” us fans held on to. And became, OMG I have to sit online, with my finger on the order button, at the exact time tickets go on sale or I won’t be able to see the DMB concert. Sell out? Not really, aren’t all artists in it to be successful? Of course they are. So, from this fans pov, it’s that I have grown to hate the ‘bandwagon’ fans and thus I no longer spend much time or energy attending the concerts anymore. Now that they are getting into a ‘senior band’ kind of status, the crowds of yesteryears are maturing, more and more true dedicated fans are attending again, myself included on a rare occasion that someone has an extra ticket. As far as why other people hate them, I feel it’s a similar explination, they came outta no where to BOOM! And many don’t want to be bandwagon jumpers so they choose to just say they ‘hate’ without any substantial reasoning.
“Now I am the proudest monkey you’ve ever seen” ~ Dave Matthes
The music is so dull. Brings grey imagery to mind. the voice and guitar is virtually the same in every song.
Dave Matthews Band is hurrendous. I think a lot of the hate comes from ppl like me who went to high school and college when this garbage was popular and had to hear it non stop. I converted many people from DMB… My main argument was to really listen to the music and hear how whiny his voice is and how slow and meandering the beat is. I’m sure he’s a nice guy, but there’s nothing in the world that annoys me like DMB. The funny thing is, I like folk and some jam bands. Just not the retarded lazy sounds of DMB. Nothing against the guy’s talent, just the opposite of good music.
I’m the king of the castle, Dave Matthews is the dirty rascal…..
His music makes me feel dead
It’s the sound of his voice. Period. It’s annoying as hell. Take the “All I need is…” line. The way he goes up on “need” is just plain annoying.
DMB fans unite! http://youtu.be/wW4qpzzEYGo
When I first his vocal style it was a big turn-off. But that “unstable and variable” style soon became the norm in pop music in the early/mid 90’s- and I actually began to like it. The music itself is great, but I can totally understand those who dislike his vocal style.
I can’t believe people use such a strong world… Like Hate so loosly. Hate such acts as say, Hitler.. And leave art as what it is…. An expression.. And to say his music makes you feel dead… We’ll probably you are dead inside already and should go listen to your latest Lincoln Park album. Dave has soul and you probably lack one.
Love his music, Love his concerts, hate how much crap he’s trying to sell everyone. It makes me cringe a little at how much stuff has his name on it. I think it was the wine that really drew my attention to his ‘Marvel-Disney-Nike-Emirates’ ways. His wine tastes a lot like turpentine.
That being said, See you at the Gorge next year!!!
“I am what I am because of Dave Matthews Band” – John Mayer
That’s gotta mean something coming from John.
He tries to project this image of caring about the world but he seems more like the spoiled rich kid and his music seems to hint that people should look to him for guidance and use him as a sort of imaginary friend I personally am pretty adverse to that sort of thing. Almost like a non-religious spiritual leader for yuppie stoners who like to hang around with only beautiful people drinking craft beer while sort of hinting at being enlightened but really are materialistic and shallow and wouldn’t probably really sacrifice anything for the good of the less fortunate. This is just my feeling and I could be wrong for expressing this without knowing more about him/them but there it is.
Dave is a genius. He also I think can be quite mad at times. Dave is about as human as human gets….except he’s a whole lot smarter than the majority…if you hate DMB, you just have not taken the time. Quit being so stuck up. You suck.
Only women and women in mens bodies like dmb.
Garbage music. I hope dave loses his voice soon!
This shit is comedy.
But seeing the reaction of people who are told that something they adore sucks always is.
I couldnt date seriously or be friends with someone who loved DMB. Period.
Its mediocre at best and if you are unable to see that, we just arent riding the same cerebral wavelength.
My taste in music ranges from Bach to Hendrix, to Depeche to Lamb of God (to name a few) but ultimately I hold the Beatles as the standard for songwriting. They engaged you immediately with movement of chord and melody. DMB songs just dont go anywhere. They rely on textures and layers as if that is a repacement for good songwriting.
A nice sexy girl told me that Gray Street was one of her favorite songs and spoke to her heart.
So I listened to this droning repetition of three chords and uninspiring lyrics over and over, for three listens straight, and then had no choice but to dismiss this persons musical taste and emotional maturity.
Those of you who love him and take offense when people voice hate for DMB’s droning mediocrity, well i dont know what to say. You just dont get it. My guess is die hard DMB fans couldnt follow and memorize the melodies and chord changes of a song like Rain Song from Led Zeppelin if your life depended on it. i and many like me thrive off of this tyle of songwriting. Thoughtful inspired movement and melodies, not musical noodling. Do i respect them as musicians? Absolutely. They are skilled.
Also, The “seeing them live is the way” arguement is nonsense to me becauee if i wanted to hear live interactive music with layers id take a salsa or other latin based dance music over the DMB brand of music any day.
If you like em, great. Have at it.
But be prepared to run into people like me who are wired and programmed to see things quite differently, subsequently voicing our opinions, and, in the case, disdain.
I love DMB but who am I? My brother loves and respects DMB and he is a 2 time grammy nominated guitarist/lutenist who has directed the CSU summer arts guitar and lute institute for many years, has been chosen 4 times by Maestro Andres Segovia to perform at various conservatories, was the first solo guitarist to be chosen a winner at the Artists International Carnegie Recital Hall Debut Competition, has directed over 30 CD’s, shall I continue???? In other words, Omar Padilla, YOUR opinion means NOTHING.
DMB has a sound that is truly unique. No other band in history combines Rock, Jazz, R&B and Bluegrass the way DMB does. Yes, there are groupies and people who like their music because they were hot while they were in college, etc. but true DMB fans–I mean the ones who own most of their albums/songs and have gone to their concerts more than once, have an ear and therefore appreciation for original, high-quality music played by truly gifted artists. Most people aren’t sophisticated enough to appreciate their sound or spiritually aware enough to appreciate their lyrics.
His music is ok but the prices of his shows are bullshit, he’s a thief. This is why I hate him.
DMB tickets are reasonable in comparison to a lot of shows! don’t know where you are buying your tix!
I’m at SPAC right now and the crowd is full of shit beer drunks and shitty skunk weed cheddar headed asshole college bros and sluts. That’s your typical DMB fan these days. My friend dragged me to this shit and the music isn’t even good. $50 for lawn, what a rip off!
i did choose to sell my spac tix for that reason. sitting home and watching live on periscope. no reflection on the band, only the audience.
however, i am flying out on thurs for VB. PIT!!!!! then i am off to deer creek. exciting 2 weeks coming up!
Dave is definitely not a sell out and if you have watched any of his interviews you can see that he does not conform, he leads a happy loving life with the morals he was brought up with and shares his passion of music which is said to have weird time signatures and confusing lyrics, he will not change his music to conform with the other 10 songs you hear on the radio, but if you see him live he sounds exactly like he does on his cd and he puts a spin on his mainstream hit songs which shows his creativity, he is a true artist with good intentions and his music will make you dance and the energy you get at a dave show is one of a kind. “Haters gonna hate” simple as that, I meet the most open minded kind people whenever I’m at a dave show everyone likes different things it takes an open minded person to see the beauty in everything
and I was in the lawn at SPAC both days I had the time of my life, best dave show I’ve been too, friends of the devil. . . everyday/#36, thank you falettinme be mice elf agin. . . as he busts out into dance not giving a fuck he was as happy as the crowd was! its the little things that count
His music and his fans are pretentious. End of story.
Because they suck. Their music is stupid. It all sucks. I’m going to see them tomorrow just to know if they’re good live or not. I agree too their fans are usually idiots or people stupid enough to like someone as bad as them. They suck
LMAO at the musical illiterates bashing one the more technically talented bands of the last half century. I’m not even a fan, but detractors are simply tone-deaf culture-less buffoons.
And “The Rain Song”, really? That’s the counterpoint?!?! Christ on Xanax!!! Talk about sleep-inducing nonsense from one of the most tenuously “talented” bands around. Led Zeppelin had moments of greatness, but to elevate that pop-riddled movement over the superior musicians in the Dave Matthews Band is not only myopia, but self-identification as a moot reviewer.
I’m a big music fan, I listen to all types of music (rarely country or rap though), and I could not name one DMB song if my life depended on it. I cannot listen to them. Their music does NOTHING for me. They are talented, no doubt, you can’t have that kind of staying power without talent. And he has a unique voice, but that’s about the best I can say about them. I don’t hate them, they have their place in the music world and obviously have a huge fan base, so who am I to judge. You just won’t find any of their music on my playlists and you will never find me at one of their concerts.
I’ve listened to a lot of music; I was born in 1940. I first heard DM just a few years ago in France, not even live, but I was hooked on the complex rythms and the driving musical narrative he achieves! A lot of the “hate” comments here are too silly to consider.
I rarely comment on forums that are a complete waste of time but I must stand by Dave matthews fans..I think it’s absolutely sad that people choose to waste their time hating specially hating a performer. I came across this forum and feel deeply saddened for those who waste precious time bashing someone other than themselves. If you don’t like someone’s music don’t listen that simple! Wo so insane huh? I was never a big Dave fan for the longest because I thought of him in the 90s when I would hear him on the radio as Christian rock that was until I went to a concert he preformed and fell in love . Then I listened to all his words with an open mind to interpretation and he is a loving soul from what I can tell from his music and interviews. His description to what he means when he says god is everything he doesn’t know. How many people out there just believe in things they were taught without even trying to be open or to ask questions . Maybe that’s the philosopher in me that I’ve always asked questions but that is all besides the point. He has awesome lyrics and is an incredible hu man being who inspires many people. If you are reading this stop to think about what exactly do you do for man kind and animals alike? Are you inspiring people? Are you doing what you love? Do you have love in your heart? Are you open to the many posibilities in life? Please stop the hate it is truly the biggest waste of time.
Bob dobbs is incorrect, the church of sub-genius LOVES DMB!!!!
Most haters simply aren’t intelligent or creative enough to appreciate what he and his band do. There’s no way of convincing that sort of mind – it’s stunted. I’t like trying to explain the beauty of Pi to a 1st grader.
So basically no good reason
you answered your question when you did the Google search. A search for “Dave Matthews is terrible” on Google(not Dave Matthews band). the fact that his fans thinks he’s there best friend, always just calling them Dave or Dave Matthews, and not Dave Matthews band. When they talk about the group, its always Dave this Dave that, unless he’s a personal friend of yours then it’s Dave Matthew band. its a group not a single person, even though their group is named after the lead singer. that’s my secondary reason for not liking him, the primary reason is I don’t like jam bands and that’s what their group is. so they suck.
Just my opinion, but I thought I started hating the DMB when really it was just people I’d met who were fans of his. Most of the people who just gushed about how listening to DMB or going to a DMB concert “changed my life” came off as galactically shallow, in my eyes. I consider myself a huge fan of music and I certainly have my share of favorite bands, but I’ve never expressed to another person that a band changed my life. I don’t know, maybe I have and it came across the same way to whoever I may have told. Anyway, I’ve been to DMB shows and I have his CDs, and while it’s good music and musicianship, it’s hardly life-changing. If listening to DMB actually changed your life, then fine; it probably won’t make it any more dull anyway. You go, DMB fans!
Wait, we are talking about music which is a form of Art, correct? I don’t know of any piece of creative artwork, whether it be musical or any other artistic expression, in which there is not both fans and critics. Clearly, neither side is right or wrong since art is perspective not scientific. For the haters here, you have the right to express yourself buy to suggest that your interpretation is of more value or that you know good music therefore because you say DMB sucks…that it is fact…well, now that is just plain ignorance. Please step down from your high horse and understand one thing, what makes any music good (or bad) is the viewpoint of an individual. Okay, you hate DMB, so what does that matter to any of us who love them? Not a damn thing. Lastly, to the crazy lady named Joy…I’m going to assume you must have been dumped or left for dead at a DMB show 20 years ago. The only logical conclusion I can make of your extremely irrational, if not psychotic, making of an ‘I hate DMB’ club. Sweetie, I hope you get help asap. You are truly, sincerely as weird as they come. As if Dave could give 2 shits what you think…nor will he ever even know of you and your club. (ironically, joy doesn’t seem to be a proper fit for someone who spends her time spewing negativity)…just sayin.
“Funny the way it is”….Dave Matthews
I find the music very MOR. I’d call it cutting edge for people with pedestrian tastes. But Dave has developed into a rather good guitarist. There’s plenty of time to sit around and practice when you have millions of dollars sitting around with you. I have heard he is a giving guy when it comes to good causes. I’ve also heard the lyrics are bad, silly, nonsense, etc. But I can’t say I know that from listening. Why? Because every time I hear him singing, I vacant where I am
if I can. Or I dive… Under the table and dreaming. Dreaming that he will stop the nightmare.
For me his singing is very difficult to listen to. An affectation that’s hard to take. Many singers are affected – Mick Jagger, Little Richard, Captain Beefheart, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and more. But I enjoy their styles. But with Dave, no please STOP.
His voice just creeps me out. That is all.
He tries so hard to be cool and hip and different that his music is just a discordant, pretentious cacophony…that’s pretty much the gist of it
I read every comment, I found the discourse interesting, ridiculous, uplifting and scary. For those high and mighty ‘I know good music and this is bad’ as was said in one comment its an art form. So you like abstract but hate realism or vice-versa…that doesn’t mean the artist who created it is crap. By voicing your negativity, all you are really doing is voicing the personal frustrations you have of other things in your life.
Do you really, honestly care that much ab about your hate? On your deathbed will you reach for hate or remember those you have loved?
You know that answer, let love be the guide as you truly know you get what you give. So love the music you love, no reason to spend the energy spewing hate for an art form that doesn’t appeal. Enjoy your life.
To anyone who says DMB is not good, you have horrible taste and are fucking retarded. And you are probably a douche dickbag that should go fuck your titties. Bye.
Here is an idea: if you don’t like the music, don’t listen to it. There is no charge for NOT buying concert tickets, NOT watching interviews, NOT purchasing memorabilia. I don’t like country; I don’t listen to country. Save your energy for something relevant.
The reason people hate him is because his music is a monotonous, atonal, boring dirge.
The only people I have met who hate Dave Matthews Band are not musicians. As a guitar player, Dave writes some of the most difficult and complex guitar rhythms/chord structures of anyone out there. Try learning “Tripping Billies” on guitar. I promise it will take you a while. There is no way anyone who actually plays music can hate this band. It may not be your taste and that’s ok, but they at least deserve to be respected for their great musicianship. I don’t think that can be argued.
Him being born in South Africa, and raised there for a significant part of his childhood turns people off. I think that Country’s stigma will always taint anyone who comes from there, regardless how talented they are.
I just think their music stinks..and is so boring.i agree with the person on here that wrote something about the band trying to make songs similar to the hippy era…and they just dont have what it takes.i dont loathe the band members. I just loathe their very shitty music.
Their music is played at work over and over again and its so poisonous to my ears.i find myself constantly talking to myself about how any given one of their songs annoys me so much.For example: that stupid song thats most likely meant to be deep.is anything but that to me.They cant fool my good taste in music.its the dumb song about “fathers be good to your daufhters”…all i say to it is, what a ridiculous shallow attempt at trying to be deep by singing about the daughters becoming “lovers” ….Thanks Dave for reminding all the fathers that their daughters are having sex…then becoming mother’s….all the great music has been done.very hard to beat.this band in my opinion just doesnt cut it with any of their songs.but they arent the only ones.>(
I hate it when any band tries to rekindle the peace and love era.REM is another band i loathe mostly because of their horrific song about shiny people.oh brother,give it up already.they missed the psychedelic bus!Its long gone but thank goodness we still have so many real great music.its most likely great because it truly came from their souls…even if drug induced ,the songs were created magnificently.
I wouldn’t say I hate him, but didn’t he originally want to name his band “The Lazy Eights”, but then found out it was taken by a band way better than his
I don’t “hate” DMB, but I almost do. They make me a bad person (I’ll explain shortly). I had a friend who introduced me to them, telling me how deep and amazing they are. We sat in his truck and listened to a few tracks. It did absolutely nothing for me. I found it pretentious and sterile. Now, understand, I don’t doubt that (1) these guys are great musicians, and (2) that they sound great live, or (3) they have some sort of meaningful self-imposed loyalty to some artistic standard that is attractive to people. We could all just part ways by agreeing that this music is just not to my taste, and I don’t have to offend anyone by saying they suck, and peace is maintained. We ALMOST could.
But here is why I ALMOST hate DMB. They aren’t bad, and they don’t even seem like a bad group of guys, but in my trying to find the magic in this band, I’ve grown to dislike them. And there is really no need for me to dislike them. If I meet 100 people in a day, there might be 1 that I just don’t like. But, out of 10,000 people, sometimes I find a person I dislike FOR NO REASON other than their face or their voice or some other not-good reason to dislike someone. Dave Matthews Band is like that. I hear their music, and it sounds like people saying “I can play Jazz! Listen to me mix Jazz with Latin music and be amazed!” Except I’m NOT amazed. I see the bumper stickers and the T-Shirts and love people who swear this is the greatest band in the world, yet all I can picture in my mind when I hear this music is suburban hippies jumping around in the forest to music with as many multi-ethnic instruments and styles they can cram into one song.
Now these aren’t people I HATE. But, they are people I don’t LIKE, and it makes me feel like a bad person for not having the ability to NOT be irritated by this music and the middle class happy hippies doodling around in the green, federally protected habitat spouting vacuous poetry and being too impressed with technical proficiency on the umba umba (an african flute-fiddle which has traditional uses among the noble natives or “people of the waterfall” or some other crap I made up, since I made all that up). It’s all up it’s own ass.
But really, I shouldn’t feel that way. I have granola eating hippie friends, and they’re all right. They aren’t being malicious towards me. But when they put that music on…it brings a rumble to the surface, and I just want to yell at them: THIS MUSIC IS CRAP MAN! THIS GUY IS NO HENDRIX! TEAR THAT BUMPER STICKER OFF YOUR FUEL EFFICIENT COMPACT CAR YOU SELF-IMPORTANT EMASCULATED BEARD WEARING PANSY! And I don’t like to feel that way. SO, I blame the band for all that. Their music is the only thing that really brings this out…because my friends think I’m intelligent, so surely I will be amazed by this deep music. But, alas, the only complexity I can find here is that DMB manages to make music that is popular both as college music and the adult contemporary genre.
To make matters worse, my mother likes them. College boys with well-groomed beards, my mom, and pretentious commie hippies seem to love this stuff. I watch them when they listen, and they are hearing something I am not. It’s like when I tried to get my wife to understand why GZA is one of the greatest rappers of all time. But at least she had some foul language to be offended over. Me….well, I just don’t like these guys. I’m sorry, but I don’t think they’re deep and I don’t hear any real soul in their music. Give me Muddy Waters, or Hendrix, or Zepplin, or even the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Keep your Dave. Keep Dave right up your ass.
So, when I’m hanging with my mom, if DMB comes up, I try as hard as I can to get us to some Bruce Hornsby, CSNY or James Taylor if I can. Because I just can’t do the dancing flute guy in the forrest with every bit of lyrical depth you’d expect from an extremely Caucasian middle class coffee house guitarist. I’ll beg her for the Bee Gees just to keep our relationship healthy and not feel this nagging irritation over the bumper stickers and all the crap about diverse influences. The music freaking sucks! But mostly because of the consequences of the music…the music itself is just…eh. It tries to hard to be everything and ends up sounding like nothing to me.
I think its funny to hear people judge a band based on race, politics, or social view. I am a huge fan been to over 100 shows starting in 1997. Over 240 concerts in my lifetime. I am from the Bay Area, NOT white, NOT a hippie, NOT a prius owner, and have zero love for hippie lifestyle. The shows between 1997-2007 were some of the most fun parties I have ever been to.
It all started in college in the 90s DMB came to fame. We loved the music, lyrics and of course the live shows. Recently, I believe in 2016 at Shoreline Ampitheater in Mountain View, Ca I left the show mid way. The venue was not sold out, which was a first to me. I felt that the band was playing with zero emotion, like it was all fake.
I can see how people today in 2018 find the band to be boring, not real or whatever else one would liek to say.
But I will say this to defend the band. If you really READ the lyrics of his songs from the early years you will find a great musician, great talent and frankly a great human being. He wraps love, hate, sex, nature, lust, and eveything human beings feel into his songs.
I dont like bands and dont listen to them. I dont go on websites to beat them down. I will always love DMB and I see the future to be Dave and Tim sitting on a stool blasting acoustics in years to come.
Lookig forward to this years shows. Lets hope us old fans show up and not the drunken kids.
Yep, its the too big thing.
If you were in high school in the late 90s, DMB was a cultural behemoth sucking the oxygen directly out of your lungs. The fans largely moved on to other fads while the innocent bystanders, still pissed.
I cannot believe I just sat and read this whole thing… But I had to know some opinions because the people I work with dog on me all the time for my love for DMB… Samurai cop just came on the radio and they make fun of it every time and I just tell them to listen to the lyrics because its a great song!! They have also sent me videos of Dave scatting like wtf is this… AMAZING & ENTERTAINING I tell them!! Like it was said in the beginning you kind of love them or hate them and I totally love them!! Fav band next to the Beatles. Ive seen them like 40 time and been coast to coast to do it and believe every show has been well worth it. Ive been lucky enough to be front row a few times and that was some of the greatest hours of my life. They are all amazing artists that have pulled through and rose from the ashes after losing LeRoi in 2008 and now Boyd… I will follow them until they are done… PS they are worth seeing live for all you haters out there it not just bros and sluts at the show like some schmuck said in an earlier post 🙂
Also to Jane Ferraz thats not even a DMB song thats John Mayer.
As a Brit, I’m mystified by the opprobrium heaped on Dave Matthews. Nobody’s heard of him in the UK but I believe he’s massive in the US. Consummate musicianship, great songwriting, good rapport with the audience (e.g. live album)… by the way, why does he put on silly English voices, is he originally a Brit?
For someone who has been alive long enough to be heavily into them before/when they hit the scene, I think one of the main reasons people might hate them is because of the big change that took place after “Before These Crowded Streets”. There was a significant change in the direction towards a bubble gum pop sound that just was not unique anymore. DMB had some of the best musicians in the world (Carter Beauford for example) pumping out the most simple work of a high school garage project after the change. Until 1999 the music was technical, beautiful, melodic. Things like Leroi Moore’s saxophone on “Lover Lay down” and his piccolo/flute on “The Dreaming Tree”, you never heard music that beautiful again from this band after that. Beauford is considered one of the greatest percussionists of all time. Listen to his work on “Stay (Wasting Time)” and then listen to anything his typical work on the pop like albums that follow. There is no comparison. It’s like wasting the horsepower of a Lamborghini to go pick up some groceries.
Because “I’m not a hippie, but I play one on stage.” Because, “I virtue signal but am quite nasty about people who disagree with my political opinions.” Because, “We’re a jam band, but none of us is a virtuoso worth listening to.” Because “I never came up with a concept that I didn’t steal/borrow from another act.” Because, “My fans can pretend to be hippies for 3 hours, and then return to the mainstream having had their ‘coolness’ ratified by attending one of my ‘concerts.'” Because, “All serious musicians do that little foot-dance when they perform.” Because, “I am a pretentious, bombastic, virtue-signaling bore.” Because, “My music has the edge of a paper napkin.” Because “My fans missed the ’60s, but we can pretend that we’re as cool as hippies.” Because – he, and his band, are pretenders. Some kids play/pretend, “cowboys and indians,” “fireman,” “monsters,” “pirates,” “football players,” etc. He and his fans are “Let’s pretend we’re hippies,” but without the difficult choices. There are few things worse than musicians who don’t understand their own mediocrity, but who insist on droning on…and on…as though they are revealing something through their self-indulgent “jams.”
In the early 2000s, when his 90s high had started to wane, his music got labeled as a frat soundtrack, simple as that. Music snobs put a label on his listeners and then that was that. Whats funny is that it doesnt match his music at all. His lyrics are very often thoughtful and the instrumentation was innovative (mainstream) in the 90s when no one was using all those instruments in that kind of way. Hes just a dude that likes to smoke weed and hang out with his wife. And I guess that upsets insecure people who cant just appreciate a sound for a sound. If you dont like it, dont listen to it. Problem solved.
Sadly Jane Ferraz you don’t know what you are talking about. As another person has already informed you, you are not even speaking of the right band when you mention the song Daughters by John Mayer in which you despise so badly. You angry sad people need to find better hobbies or to put your hate into something positive. What a miserable waste of life.
Taste in music is totally subjective. I simply don’t care for his music. It doesn’t appeal to me on any level. It’s like food. Not everyone likes spicy food or seafood or meat or vegetables. Doesn’t make them right or wrong. I find his music equivalent to cats having sex or fingernails on a chalkboard. I’m sure my musical tastes don’t appeal to most, and I’m ok with that. I dont seek out his music at all, but now and again I’m trapped in a car for hours having to listen to it and to me it’s unpleasant because…Live music is ass and most of his stuff seems to be live. There are incessant solos on instruments that make my brain hemorrhage. Most of his stuff sounds the same, which is true for all genres. Go like dave but ask your friends before putting him on and be ok if your friends don’t like it. Theres lots of middle ground to tread on.
I like his music— the band is obviously incredibly talented— but there are 2 reasons that I have avoided associating myself with him:
1) In the 90s, far more than today, people defined themselves through the brands they consumed, and music was absolutely no exception. The dude wearing a NIN shirt in 1996 was going to be very different from the dude wearing a Toad the Wet Sprocket shirt vs a Snoop shirt. I think the fanbase diversified a lot in the past couple decades, but at that point, whoever was wearing a DMB shirt was almost certainly going to be a complete square or the kind of frat boy who called literally everything he didn’t like “gay.” Juxtapose that with the music being kind of hippieish and about being open and free and he ends up looking like a complete phony.
Also, you can’t exactly call his music edgy, and from front-to-back, 90s popular young people music was 100% about being edgy. As well-done as it is, some of it is a bit namby-pamby… especially in contrast to the other popular music among young people in the 90s.
2) I worked in clubs and venues a lot and know a number of people who said Dave was a completely unapologetic cock to work with. Completely arrogant. Talked to every woman like they should be begging him for the opportunity to give him a handy in the bathroom. That’s not exactly unusual among front-men of well known bands, so the fact that it stuck out in their mind enough to mention it probably meant it was much worse than normal. That’s also true of Billy Corgan too, though, and he doesn’t get as much hate… but I think it’s part of it. If you’re a dick to like 20 different people every night in every populated part of the country for years, even though that’s a pretty small percentage of the population, it will work its way through the grapevine even if it doesn’t make the news.
It’s pretty simple. His lyrics are dull, pedestrian and about nothing. There is very little depth in anything he does. Hate is a strong word though. I prefer going with “don’t like”.
Don Lennon captures the DMB phenomenon perfectly in his album “Downtown”. There are two tracks on that record that serve as tribute to the innocuous Dave Matthews Band. Pure genius.
https://youtu.be/5tKcdH8qd0A
There’s also has a great song about his girlfriend’s Lenny Kravitz obsession (equally brilliant).