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Monday, November 16, 2009
Opinion / Jeff Hahne / News What's happened to the introduction?
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 11:50 AM
I've noticed that there is a lack of band introductions these days...
Sure, some bands do it old school — Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Al Green, Janelle Monae and others will have their band play first before being introduced and hitting the stage.
The Evening Muse, depending on who's at the soundboard or hosting the show, will usually introduce the act hitting the stage.
Kiss is known for their "You wanted the best, you got the best," introduction that they've been doing for years. Does John Mayer, Jane's Addiction, Brittney Spears, Metallica or Harry Connick Jr. need to let you know who they are? If not, at what point is a band or artist famous enough to skip the intros?
However, a lot of places and people just don't say a word. The lights go out, the lights come back on and the band is on stage as the first notes ring out. Sure, nine times out of 10, it doesn't matter. The headliner is a big band and you already know who they are. But what about the opening acts? What about the people who are just there to see a new band and have no idea who they're watching?
Most bands, even when not "introduced," will let people know who they are at the same time they tell you there are CDs and t-shirts for sale in the back of the room. What's your preference? Should a band be introduced before hitting the stage? Should they leave it as a mystery? Should they only say it at the beginning and/or end of the set?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Opinion / Jason Younger / News Merry Christmas! ... already?!?
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Merry Christmas! It’s that time of year – you know Santa, gifts, family and all that. Christmas lights, movies, and of course – music. So, enjoy your holiday. It’s hard to believe Christmas is already here again. So soon!
Wait…..what’s that you say? It’s not Christmas yet? It’s not even December?!?! Well, it’s at least after Thanksgiving then right? No…….well, I’m confused. I figured it HAD to be close to the big day. Why? Because there’s been Christmas music on the radio for almost 2 WEEKS now!
When did the day after Halloween become the start of the holiday season? The day after Halloween, I found no less than THREE radio stations devoted to playing Christmas music 24/7! Did we all forget this little holiday called Thanksgiving? It’s just now Veteran’s Day for crying out loud. Are there really enough people out there who want to hear 2 full months of The Chipmunks sing “The Christmas Song”? Really, that’s what we need right now? I am convinced that I know the culprit behind this “start the Christmas season early” campaign. Wal-Mart. Gotta be.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Live Reviews / Opinion / Mike McCray / News Catching a Kem concert with Mom
Posted By Mike McCray on Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 12:34 PM
You don't have to be old and stuck in a sexless marriage to do something special for the women in your life. Seeing as I'm neither old, nor married, nor dating, I thought it'd be a great idea to take my mom out on a "date." A huge Kem fan, she'd surely enjoy a evening of soul and comedy right? But who knew I'd learn so much.
Within seconds of arriving at Ovens Auditorium, I realized I was 1) easily one of the youngest people there and 2) desperately underdressed.
I swear there was a secret, unsaid, old Head dress code and I don't own anything brown. Nor Kangol caps, corduroy or velvet blazers. I'm dead on the striped button-ups and linen pants. And gators? I'm almost certain they have a sticker at the register that says, 'Must be born before this date in 1974' to even purchase those.
One of the most amusing parts of experience was seeing how middle-aged men refer to their wives. Their's something semi-sweet (in a greeting card way) about an older guy calling his wife, "my lady," even though some of them had been married since Otis Redding was on the charts, they still introduce their wife of decades as, "my lady." Hey, maybe she's everything he needs and more (Boom, Jeffery Osbourne reference!).
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
On TV / Awards / Videos / Opinion / Jeff Hahne / News Can it get any worse than The Plastic Ono Band?
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Nov 10, 2009 at 11:26 AM
I try to keep an open mind when listening to music. I look for some kind of intrinsic value or something worthy of saying there's talent. However, when I heard this song, I couldn't find a damn thing about it that I liked. It's like taking an ice pick to the ear drum.
Disagree? That's fine. But if you do, leave a comment and let me know what it is about this song, particularly the vocals, that give any hint to some kind of talent. Sure, she was married to John Lennon, but that doesn't mean she should be allowed near a recording studio.
"Enjoy."
\
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Opinion / Eric Mullis / News Under 'cover' in the Q.C.
Posted By Eric Mullis on Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 12:30 PM
First off, I'm not going to be bashing cover bands. I've played in cover bands and can think of many songs that I'd like to cover in my band. Instead, what I'd like to do is pose a question that I hope will get some discussion going.
Charlotte has many cover bands and many events that pay them well to perform. They pay them well because there is a reliable cover-band audience in Charlotte. A classic-rock tribute band is a guaranteed sell in the Queen City but an indie band that plays it's original music is often a risk.
Not all cities are like this. Audiences in Asheville and Athens, Ga., for example, would likely laugh a cover-band off of the stage since they only want to hear original music. They simply don't want to hear a band that is trying to sound like an established act. Now that's a curious fact and I don't want to speculate too much about it. After all, it's difficult to make safe generalizations about a city since many individuals and groups feed into a city's identity. I'd like to look at this another way.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Opinion / Mike McCray / News The return of Chris Brown + mixtape Weezy
Posted By Mike McCray on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Chris Brown is apparently done wearing big bowtie's on CNN and taking a break from highway garbage collection, to do the thing he did so well before he went after Rihanna like a spider monkey.
His new video, "I Can Transform Ya," with Swizz Beats and Lil Wayne seems better suited for the Transformers 3 soundtrack than radio stations but the video is kinda hot. I'm personally not a fan of ninja extras/backup dancers but whatever works right? Here's the video.
"I leave the pussy micro soft like Windows Vista..."
Ahh, it's been a while since we've heard the clever quips of Lil Wayne on other people's beats but the return of "Mixtape Weezy" is a very welcomed voice to CD decks and iPod's everywhere.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Opinion / Mike McCray / News Self-snitching in the club
Posted By Mike McCray on Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Imagine a packed club.
Music thumping, drinks flowing (probably getting spilled on you) and if it's a good one, lots of people will be dancing.
The beautiful thing about this scene isn't just the beautiful people but those beautiful people's reactions to the music. Here lies the true answer to everything you need to know about a woman in the club.
More than what she has on, more than what she's drinking or who she's with, I'm almost convinced that a woman's reaction to certain songs can tell you exactly what she's all about.
This, is the best kind of self-snitching.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Opinion / Mike McCray / News NASCAR surprisingly hip
Posted By Mike McCray on Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Maybe it was when I heard "Swag Surfing" blaring from someone's speakers as I pulled into the infield at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Or maybe it was seeing my alma mater's marching band performing hits from Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross and Luke on the Start/Finish Line before the race.
Whatever the case, NASCAR on Saturday presented something different from what general perception would be. NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. put it best during our interview a few hours before the race started: "Times are changing, man."
Don't get me wrong, Confederate flags, camo hats and shirts and some signs of dental neglect were plentiful, but I couldn't help but feel like one of the few sports yet to have a black star was making an effort to reach out.
The Bank of America 500 was hyped as NASCAR's Homecoming, and after wandering the infield, from the garages to "Redneck Hill" for hours, I realized it really wasn't that different from the Homecoming celebrations I know and love from college.
People were surprisingly cool and really. Imagine one of the largest tailgates you've ever seen, that just so happens to have dozens of cars whizzing by at crazy speeds. Once you master the whole, "'hold your thought until all the cars pass by then resume your conversation" thing, it's dope.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Opinion / Jason Younger / News It's a love/hate thing... I think
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Ok, fearless readers, I need your help. We have quite the quandary to discuss. Help answer the following question: What happens when you don’t like an artist, but like his/her/their music? Is this the equivalent of treason? Does this upset the music gods?
Help me out here. This seems to be a common problem in music land today. Don’t believe me? Here are a few examples to start the conversation:
Kayne West – Yes, he’s a punk. Yes, he’s an ass. And yes, his music is unique, catchy and hard not to like. One minute he’s jumping on stage at the MTV VMAs and ruining America’s sweetheart Taylor Swift’s speech, and the next he’s got one of the hottest song’s ("Run This Town") off one of the hottest albums (Jay-Z’s The Blueprint Vol. 3). He’s spoiled, an egomaniac, but extremely talented.
