It’s A Long Way To The Top If You Want To Rock N’ Roll: Mark Stoermer, The Killers bassist says new bands breaking into the music industry will have a tough time. “It’s a really hard time for new bands,” says Stoermer. “It’s not that there’s a lack of good music, it’s just that labels are struggling financially.” “Some people say that record labels are bad but people forget they are the ones who break the bands and get them on their way.” Although Mark says that people are more excited to see live bands today, “In the Eighties no-one was really going to see live music. Now it’s big business.”
Although we love The Killers we disagree with Mark’s statement that there isn’t a lack of good music. Mark may not realize that he is a member in a band with a killer rock star frontman that happened to write some mega songs. The threat isn’t bankrupt labels, the true threat is the lack of creativity and inspiration.
Yes my friend, there is a lack of good music which is why some labels are primarily bankrupt. It’s called the chicken and the egg scenario. What came first, the chicken or the egg? Now, does the band break themselves or does the label break the band? KOAR is betting on the chicken.
Lastly, nothing can stop or block an artist from writing great songs except for inspiration. When inspiration is non-existent then creativity and originality ceases to exist. This is what we are experiencing today known as the creative drought. An artist will ‘Make It’ If he or she writes great songs and presents an entire exciting package that excites an audience. At that point it will become undeniable and you will make many important friends who will assist in broadening your market.
Send new music along with your myspace to tips@kingsofar.com
New Stream: Metallica has now posted a uptempo song titled My Apocalypse that will come off Death Magnetic.
Revolver Mag recently interviewed guitarist Kirk Hammmett.
I’m really psyched about that and just curious as to what people are gonna say about how my style changed says Kirk. It’ll probably run the gamut from “Ah, it’s really fucking great,†to “Ah, he fucking sucks.†So, I’m ready for it all. That’s just the way it is. Especially with the Internet now. I mean, everyone’s a critic nowadays whether they’re qualified or not.
My brother-in-law came up to me and was like, “Are there any bands who are in their 20s that you guys are intimidated by?†And I thought about it long and hard and I’m like, “No.†I wish there was because it would give us a nice challenge and motivate us to maybe step up to their plate, whatever their plate might be.
Music and Politics Makes Cheap Entertainment: Madonna who has evolved into a hybrid of Michael Jackson meets Marilyn Manson was slammed by John McCain after she compared him to Adolph Hitler. In her song ‘Get Stupid’ pictures of McCain was flashed along images of destruction and global warming as well as Hitler and Mugabe. “It clearly shows that when it comes to supporting Barack Obama, his fellow worldwide celebrities refuse to consider any smear or attack off limits,” says McCain. The truth is Madonna just loves the press..
Signings: West Palm Beach band Hey Monday (former Blake) has signed to Columbia/Decaydance. We mentioned Hey Monday in April 2008 discussing how Paramore has spawned a throng of female fronted bands. It seems they posted a new song titled Homecoming which seems to be their best song which falls more towards The Bangles’ Hazy Shade Of Winter than emo-ish Paramore. The Bangles? Yes, you heard us right. Just listen to the opening riff of each song.
Arizona indie atmospheric band Lydia has signed to Universal Motown. Check them out in our February New Music Column. Check out the track Fade.
American Idol Shakes The Cage: Grammy-Nominated songwriter
Kara DioGuardi has joined American Idol as a fourth judge and will sit alongside Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson. “She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America’s most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show,” says Simon Cowell. DioGuardi’s songs have appeared on more than 100 million records. Her songs have been recorded by Grammy award-winning artists including Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Santana and Pink. Scores of major recording artists including Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, etc.
Thriving To Yahoo: KOAR’s favorite Thriving Ivory is in the running for
Yahoo Music’s ‘Who’s Next?’. Cast your vote here and help put them on the map.
BMI Dodges The Bullet: BMI posted $901 million in revenues for the fiscal year, up 7.4% from last year. BMI will disperse $786 million to songwriters, composers and copyright owners, an 8% increase over the prior year.
Metallica enters the studio with Rick Rubin and apparently the magic reappeared, just listen to the opening riff . It’s haunting, beautiful, and powerful. It seems Metallica dug deep in there catalog and discovered the ingredients that made them great. They went back to the Garage Days. Maybe this is why they are known as the riff masters and have sold more than a 100 million records. If the rest of the record holds up, then we can say ‘They’re Baaaaack’.
Learn from the best. Listen, observe, write, and record.
The Day Technology Killed The Music: Once upon a time musicians dropped out of high school to embark on their musical journey. Now, a sixteen North Carolina boy dropped out of school last year to devote himself to playing ‘Guitar Hero’.
New Streams: Florida band Anberlin is streaming their track ‘Feel Good Drag‘ that’s about to go to rock radio. Hollywood platinum glam band Buckcherry is now streaming new tracks titled To Drunk and Rescue Me which will appear on their upcoming album ‘Black Butterfly‘. Lastly, Oklahoma City rock act Hinder have new tracks on their myspace.
Signings: Phoenix based pop/rock band The Summer Set have signed to The Militia Group
More Money Please: The Los Angeles time ran an article titled ‘More Than A Song‘ that discusses record labels and artists deserving a bigger piece of the pie from video games and online music. “Labels and artists have the right to seek as much as they can for the use of their works, even if they end up setting too high a bar for some companies to clear.”
China Blocks iTunes: Apple’s iTunes has been blocked in China after Olympic athletes downloaded a pro-Tibet album from the site. Consumers in China began flooding Apple help forums with complaints that they could not access iTunes. This is typical for atheist China…
Top Hard Rock Albums:
Kid Rock ‘Rock N Roll Jesus’ – 101,426 (Still on Fire)
Disturbed ‘Indestructible’ – 19,807
Trapt ‘Only Through The Pain’ – 11,291
Saving Abel ‘ Self Titled’ – 8,705
Linkin Park ‘Minutes To Midnight’ – 8,650
Shinedown ‘The Sound Of Madness’ – 8,078
Guns N’ Roses ‘Greatest Hits’ – 7,464
Motley Crue ‘Saints of Los Angeles’ – 7,314
Daughtry ‘Self Titled’ – 6,988
Seether ‘Finding Beauty’ – 6,445
Norma Jean ‘AntiMother’ – 5,720
Flyleaf ‘Self Titled’ – 5,323
Avenged Sevenfold ‘Self Titled’ – 4,078
Poison ‘Best of Poison’ – 3,541
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