Vie’s Verses – 5 Reasons That Rock And Roll Is Not Dead
Scour the internet for any music related blog or website and you’ll undoubtedly stumble across a few posts with a similar theme – the slow death of rock and roll music. It seems to be a popular idea to write about these days. And the authors all utilize similar arguments: radio stations don’t carry all rock formats anymore, rock music isn’t as popular as it was in the 70s and 80s, there is no new and innovative music coming out.
Personally, I laugh at all of that. While the articles are interesting, they are about as valid as the gentleman who claimed the world was going to end this past May. Rock music is not dying, not going to die, and certainly not dead. No, folks, rock music is here to stay. Below are five of the best reasons why I feel that rock is going to be around for a long time. These are five of the best new bands to come around in the last 5 years. With their music gracing our ears, the future of rock music is safe.
New Medicine
Brand new to the rock music scene is New Medicine. Their first single “Laid” is a power trip of brilliance that I can’t get enough of. Packed with power chords, delicious shredding guitar solos by ax man Dan Garland, and incredibly powerful vocals by lead singer Jake Scherer, New Medicine is a force to be reckoned with. Their brand of modern age hard rock is rock music that the masses will love. The band just hit the scene this year, but as far as new bands go, New Medicine is a band that understands how to do rock and roll. With just a little bit of promotion, this band is going to go far. New Medicine is one reason that the future of rock and roll is safe.
Halestorm
Fronted by the gorgeous Lzzy Hale is the exceptional rock band, Halestorm. This is a band that has the sound of rock music down cold. Halestorm not only records fantastic hard rock music, but their live show is a unique, enjoyable, entertaining experience as well. Bursting onto the scene in 2009 with their major label debut, Halestorm has been receiving recognition in the rock world as one of the hottest new bands to come out in a while. Producing exceptional sound of rock music the way it’s meant to be played, Halestorm has a lot of longevity. Should their live show continue to grow in its current direction, Halestorm could take over the entire rock world in no time. Currently the band is working on the sophomore follow up to their self-titled debut. If their next studio album is as grand as their debut was, the future of Halestorm is very strong indeed.
Airbourne
Doing their best impersonation of AC/DC but adding their own flair, Airbourne has released two albums and both of them have been phenomenal. Airbourne combines the old school style of short, simple rock and roll rhythm with the fast beat of thrash, and a touch of the blues. The O’Keefe brothers are the backbone of the band and drummer Ryan’s fast and furious beats combined with singer/guitarist Joel’s magnificent ax work and unique voice push the band over the top. Airbourne capture the old school sleaze of Hollywood 80s rock and combine it with the blues infused sound of AC/DC on steroids. When it comes to rocking, these bad boys from Australia know how to do it best. If they continue to make albums as strong as their first two (Runnin’ Wild and No Guts, No Glory) they will continue to wield the torch for the future of rock music.
Hinder
Sleaze rock at its finest—that is the pure definition of the sound of Hinder. When they released their debut album, Extreme Behavior, I was excited for the future of rock. Hinder dialed it back to old school, Hollywood Sunset Strip era of rock and added a modern flair to it. The end result was spectacular and Hinder has been getting better and better ever since. With the precise combination of hard rock anthems and power ballads, Hinder is one of the next big things. I have a feeling they will be around for a long time, and I look forward to seeing them head out on their own headlining tour in the near future. The band is poised to take over the world; it’s only a matter of time.
Pop Evil
Pop Evil has just released their sophomore album, War Of Angels, and it is every bit as good as their debut. If you are looking for the new future of rock and roll, Pop Evil is it. Their live show is absolutely incredible, their music full of power, and their presence needs to be recognized. They are one of the best, if not the best, hard rock bands to come out in a long time. Pop Evil is exactly what rock music should sound like. Built on power and hope, Pop Evil has all the elements of an exceptional rock band. Led by frontman Leigh Kakaty, whose style emulates the great Bruce Dickinson, Pop Evil is poised to be the next great hard rock band. Within five years, Pop Evil should be headlining their own festivals. Their debut album, Lipstick On The Mirror, is one of the greatest rock records I’ve heard in ages. The recently released follow up, War Of Angels is just as strong, and Pop Evil can go as far as they want to in rock and roll. I have heard the new future of rock and roll and their name is Pop Evil.
Rock and roll is dying? I don’t think so, and these are 5 bands that will continue to dominate the rock scene for a long time to come.
Pop Evil is hands down an amazing band! Great songs great musicianship and great live show! I can definatly see those boys being around for a long time to come…
you hit it right on the head with pop evil! i couldnt have said it better myself, lipstick on the mirror amazing! its not one of those cd’s u put in and skip to the songs u like, because just like the new war of angels album they are all that good. u dont want to skip one single song. one thing i can say is before people count them out or say they wont be around in a few years, go to a live show their energy and talent on stage will blow you AWAY! !!!!!
Ok. I checked out PE and I like ’em but I don’t know that they blew me away. Not bad, mind you.
Have you heard of Nero Zero from Canada?
Ryo,
I am not sure if I can agree with you 100 % on your choices. I think it will take a few bands that are more classic rock in nature to keep rock and roll going. I love Airbourne obviously, and I have seen Halestorm live, and Lzzy Hale is the real deal. Some other bands that some may take notice of, or already have are The Answer, Rival Sons, Black Stone Cherry, and The Parlor Mob. Luckily, a lot of our favorite classic bands are still kicking for now. I dread 10 years from now when many of favorite bands will be retired. I hope some of these other bands can carry the torch. Rock N Roll certainly needs some new life. FM Rock Radio sucks.
I need to respectfully disagree. Music is subjective, of course, but to me, everyone you mentioned above sounds like they were stamped out of the same corporate mold. Great production, good looking guys/gals, but booooring.
I like it all, from Tom Jones to Slayer, but I feel pretty confident that bands like Pop Evil and New Medicine won’t even be a blip on the radar in 5 years.
Think about it – why is Led Zeppelin STILL platyed/revered after 40 freaking years? Because they were GOOD. Or Boston. Or Lynrd Skynrd. Does anyone honestly think these vanilla pop-metal bands will be relevant in a few years? I can think of few exceptions.
I remember hating on Korn back in the late 90’s, telling my friends the same story. I have to admit, I was wrong. I love Korn now, and think they will be around for awhile, or at least be something remembered. And I know everyone groans, but Nickelback too. Nickelback reminds me of Hootie & The Blowfish. EVERYONE said they hated ’em, yet they are selling millions and millions of albums.
Point – this whole era of generic over-produced metal/hard rock will vanish shortly. Papa Roach, Sevendust, whatever the radio is playing these days. They are (to me) the death of the album. They vomit out 10 simiolar sounding songs, nobody wants to spend $10 for the album because it’s all filler, so people are buying one song here, one song there. There’s no reason for labels to work on great artists/albums, since the venue for buying songs has changed so dramatically.
Good stuff and a great sales pitch… gonna go check out Pop Evil now after that recommendation..