RIP Dave Lepard

This is possibly one of the most interesting discussion I have seen on Glitz in years.

Funny thing is that I think we are all in agreement, and the only difference is our degree on how much we liked Crashdiet. They do grow on me more and more, but I never see them hitting the "love" point.

I understand exactly where Sandy is coming from on the fan point, and Ian there is in the business still, so I see where you are.

They had promise, no doubt about it.

I also agree that The Darkness were something to laugh at, but you can't tell me that some people won't do the same towards Dave and his ratted hair on top. The lyrics and music is VERY serious, but they still had enough of an old image to make some people remember back. If they had let their look go in a more modern image, I bet they would have had a bit more success right off the bat. We know image is important, and an image is becoming again important in the mainstream. People are starting to want a look again.

I'm sorry my first message here has to wind up being about this, but here goes...

1. Yes, this is a bad day for glam, and yes, it could be worse than it looks, but let's not think all is lost, especially if the other members continue in some form.

2. "Second Division"? Maybe. (That's a Robert Fripp term, BTW; are you familiar with his writings?) Lots of "second division" bands can do perfectly well; some "first division" bands start out as second-division bands. (Ever heard the first two Yes albums?) Maybe Crashdiet could eventually have grown and matured and eventually offered something original to the genre; it's not unheard of.

Besides, would Universal in Sweden drop them based on how they did live (i.e., not on record) in Japan when they were charting in Sweden? (And I haven't heard anyone else complaining about them live, not that I have my ear to the ground very much.)

3. "Not in it for the long haul"? When words like "glam" or "Spandex" are still the Kiss Of Music-Industry Death? (Though that might be changing; I've read that Crashdiet were to make their American debut at the South By Southwest music industry convention in Austin this Spring. GRRR! Why now, Dave? I would've traveled for that--and I live in Atlanta, nearly a thousand miles away.)

You HAVE to believe in what you're doing to be a band like Crashdiet (or most of the other bands covered here, whatever you may think of them) in 2005. So I suspect we haven't heard the last of Peter, Martin, or Eric, whether together or apart. Who knows--Crashdiet might wind up as the Mother Love Bone of the glam-metal revival, rather than the Black Crowes-like position they seemed to be gaining. Not the fate any of us would've wanted for them, but better than having it all go to waste.

The Darkness is a phenomenon of sorts. Robbie Willimas manager, huge industy clout and love them or hate them, some good tunes. Again, love or hate them, some chrarisma too.I fully expected this new album to wobble but hell, look at the tour dates!
There is no doubting they can play and I think they are looking quite likely to shake the novelty. There are millions of 35 year old Queen fans driving up and down the motorways of the world selling their office supplies and the like. What's the betting they pull it no a BP station at some point and buy the new album to keep them company on the drive home? A bloody safe one, I should cocoa! Within a week they know every word and be playing air guitar solos all the way from Scotch Corner to Newport Pagnel.

Another million seller, mark my words.

<font color="#FF0099" size="1">[ January 26, 2006 01:26 PM: Message edited by: IH Rich Rags ]</font>

Okay so the comp here at work let me on...finally after many tries.
So since I made it on...I thought I'd chime in on this subject.

SXSW Music Festival is a big event....me having gone to it. It's great that all band come from around the world for this...but sadly, most bands play only 4 to 6 songs and are off stage before you can say THAT'S IT???" Because of this...bands are forgotten real quick. So a band playing SXSW Festival is really nothing.

As for the subject here.
I got a copy of Crashdiet myself...and thought of it as nothing that sparkled...I found it done already and nothing really jumped out and made me say WOW they are great. As for them sounding bad live....I never saw them, but I have been to shows where a band sounds good on cd...but live the are terrible.

Sorry to hear of another rock n roll death by suicide. Those who have died of drug-usage I say is suicide as well...though a slow suicide.
Could never understand why someone would kill themselves. Shoot me if you want, but suicide to me is the coward way of solving your problems.

On last note:
Went to see the Darkness last year and left after two songs. They were that bad.
Tiny Tim doing rock-n-roll is not such a good thing...haha.

Crikey a Raggz sighting - how ya doin Marc

SxSW is an industry junket to showcase bands to the business. Its not really aimed at fans buying tickets for gigs.
As for suicide being the cowards way out?....Which bathroom wall did you read that on?
Its civil war rhetoric.

Suicide is not steeped in wanting to die. It is about not wanting to live. They are very different things.

Nice to see you around again Amigo.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by IH Rich Rags:
SxSW is an industry junket to showcase bands to the business. Its not really aimed at fans buying tickets for gigs.

---

<font size="4" face="Arial">Which is the number one reason why Crash would have had to have their shit together live. There would be no fanboys out there giving them any breaks, atleast not that mattered.

Well...it's nice that even my home computer let me on!...must have been me having to restore my whole computer after it was plagued with a virus.
So...it does look like it may work now...HELL YEAH!!!!...well let me not count my chickens before they hatch...haha.

IH Rich Rags...I live 2hours from Austin...and have been to SXSW Festival many times. I know it's a showcase, but I have never agreed on how they do things. You bring in BigWigs from labels...put 15 bands billed to one small club...each band burning thru 4 to 6 songs because they have a time limit. Band finishes, they grab their shit and that's it...next band...same thing over and over. I go to this always and I find it kind of a waste of time for a band looking to get interest from a label. I know I wouldn't waste my time traveling so far only to have that short amount of time to do anything. Example, a band flying all the way from Japan to do 4 darn songs. Go figure.

As for finding about suicide on a bathroom wall?...ummm ok whatever.
You saying Wanting To Die and Not Wanting To Live...are two different things???...um...HELLO????? Means the same damn shit to me...Neither makes it better.
I respect your opinion bro, but to me it is as I said... a cowardly thing to do, but as I said it's only my opinion.

<font color="#FF0099" size="1">[ January 26, 2006 07:21 PM: Message edited by: Katt68 ]</font>

SxSW. A&R don't tend to go to check out all 10 bands on an evening's bill. some people are there for one band, others for another. Just depends on who is talking to whom. I saw Crash Diet at The Access all Areas industry bash a few months back and they were OK. They weren't terrible and the crowd got their rocks off but they were not special. On another night maybe they would have really torn the place up. Who knows.
Your point about flying people around the world for 4 songs. You'll find they are spending most of the day before the gig smoozing and pressing the right buttons with said A&R. Its not just about songs and performance, its about convincing people you have the heart and the amibtion. Your label can sing it for all they like, potential label abroad often want to look the band in the eye. If you are buiying a new car you don't always take the word of the salesman do you? You wanna take it for drive and get a feel for yourself. Same thing.
If I was trying to sign a band to say a U.S label for 500'000 dollars, 5 or 6 grand on a courtesy visit for the band might be the difference between yes and no. The fact you make the effort does you a lot of good. It shows commitment and anyone putting up serious money wants to see and feel that.

As somebody who has often suffered bad depression and been suicidal, I can confirm not wanting to live and wanting to die are, in fact, 2 different things, emotions, whatever you call them. I don't know the reason for Dave Lepard's decision, didn't know the guy. Usually it's just a one little thing that takes a depressed person wanting to cross the line to the other side. If you don't want them to die, and think they may still have happiness in life in the future, go to them.Just be with them, don't matter what you say, just go. If the person has been depressed and suicidal for all their life, and can't get better. Then, I don't know ,is it better to let them die? Maybe. Often illness in the head is not taken as seriously, cos it doesn't show.I quess this could start a heavy discussion. Not sure it would be suitable for a glamrockboard?? Maybe not