Rock Whiplash – Do Europeans Know It All?
American rock music has seen better days. Indistinguishable, mediocre bands are bountiful in our country, and more and more of them keep becoming mainstream. Most people eat this crap up and truly believe that these bands kick ass, when in fact…they don’t. There are a handful of bands out there that are talented and actually worth listening to. Meanwhile, there are hundreds of amazing rock bands in the United States who go completely unnoticed here or don’t get any of the recognition they deserve. Yet, the Europeans LOVE them.
What is it that the Europeans know that we don’t know? Do they posses some sort of super sonic hearing that enables them to distinguish kick ass rock from crap? Granted, I have no doubts that most radio friendly American bands are popular overseas, but a lot of unknowns are successful over there as well. Take a look at American Dog. Huge in their hometown of Columbus, OH, but probably couldn’t tour the U.S. with any great success. However, they can tour Europe and kick ass. Same goes for my fiance’s band, Snowblynd. Although their success in the U.S. is minimal, the Germans freaking love them and they’ve sold a ton of CD’s over there. And lets not forget all of the amazing metal that comes from Europe and Scandinavia; those bands would never be as successful in the U.S. Luckily with the internet and word of mouth, we Americans get introduced to these European bands and don’t have to suffer through the mediocre bullshit that the American radio pumps out.
As I was making my daily rounds on various music blogs, I came across a very interesting article at Classic Rock Magazine: “Will Velvet Revolver’s New Singer Be An American Idol?” There are two reasons I enjoy this website: 1) It has great information and 2) People use words like “bollocks” and that’s awesome. The general consensus from readers was that Adam Lambert is terrible and he’d be a horrible choice for Velvet Revolver. This got me thinking because about 99% of Americans who watch American Idol think Adam Lambert is the new rock and roll savior and has one of the greatest rock voices of today. There’s no question that I am an Adam Lambert fan, but why doesn’t his appeal translate overseas? The Brits aren’t fond of him at all.
Which brings me back to my question: What is it that Europeans know about music that average Americans don’t know or realize? Why is it that Europeans seem to have a deeper appreciation for really good rock & roll and metal? And for a little extra credit…do you think Adam Lambert is a good fit for Velvet Revolver? Although I think Adam has an incredible voice, I’m not so sure he’s the one for Slash, Duff and company. It would interesting to hear though.
Speaking of listening to great, unknown American bands, make sure to stop by my blog, Hell on High Heels, and check out Black Water Rising. Their dirty rock & roll will rip your face off.
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Agree…. Blackfoot still has a big following as well as the Godz…. Rosie would probably do well over there as well
When it comes to music Europe is way ahead of the U.S. because they do not jump for whatever is the flavor of the month or for the crap that radio, music labels, and MTV force down their throats like we do here in the states. I definitely agree with Trinity’s comment as far as me being born on the wrong side of the Atlantic, to be honest I would move to Europe in a heartbeat just for the music that is available over there compared to the crap that is called music here in the states.
I wish I could answer your questions. But I have the same ones. I don’t know why Europe is so much more “happening” than here. Sometime feel like I was born on the wrong side of the ocean though. Great post.