Summerfest

[RockCoCougars]

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Isn't Mick Jones the only original guy in Foreigner?

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That is correct. I know that Lou Gramm had some major health issues (brain tumor), and as a result had some thyroid problems that caused him to gain a great deal of weight. I talked to someone who saw him in Foreigner a few years ago that said his performance was (understandably) really bad. I think that he left Foreigner shortly thereafter and is now doing Christian music on his own.

 

Asia's actually a pretty sweet band. They've gotten all the original members back, and they're all accomplished musicians in their own right. Two of the guys are from Yes, they have the drummer from ELP and the singer is from King Crimson. The guitarist, Steve Howe (Yes) is one of the best ever in my opinion.

[burniebrewer]

BTW,i can't believe Asia is actually still a band and getting gigs.You look around at popular current music of today and alot of these crappy 80's bands could outdraw them in concert i bet.Pretty strange to me how the majority of big selling concert acts are older bands or older solo acts.

 

Hey, I grew up on 80s hair and metal and I'm still a fan today. I know you'd rather not see Bon Jovi or any other of these "crappy" bands, but I would.

 

People like me are an awesome demographic for those bands today. We are fans from back in the day and still love the music. More importantly, we now have money and are willing to spend it on tickets and CDs.

 

These bands, for the most part, aren't gonna strike it rich ever again. They're lifelong musicians out on the road earning a living, some better than others. As long as there are booking agents willing to put them on the bill, they'll be out playing--what else are they gonna do? This is all they've ever done, and luckily for them, there's a bit of a rebirth of the scene.

[burniebrewer]

From Foreigner's website:

 

Band members include Mick Jones, Jason Bonham, Kelly Hansen, Jeff Jacobs, Jeff Pilson and Thom Gimbel.

 

After reading this, I may have to go see Foreigner. They've got 3 hair metal guys in the lineup:

 

Jason Bonham- Obviously, John Bonham's kid, but he also had his own band called Bonham that released two albums.

 

Jeff Pilson- Member of Dokken for many years.

 

Kelly Hansen- Lead singer of Hurricane, who had two major label releases.

 

This probably doesn't mean anything to anyone else, but it surprised me.

[RyDogg66]

1. Bon Jovi stinks

 

2. They are a great choice for Summerfest. I bet they sell out ASAP and have one of the best concerts of the week.

 

Good call Summerfest.

[Fatter than Joey]

Asia's actually a pretty sweet band. They've gotten all the original members back, and they're all accomplished musicians in their own right. Two of the guys are from Yes, they have the drummer from ELP and the singer is from King Crimson. The guitarist, Steve Howe (Yes) is one of the best ever in my opinion.

 

Yeah ASIA was a super-group -- but so was Damn Yankees.

[burniebrewer]

1. Bon Jovi stinks

 

I disagree. I say everything in almost all of the new music threads here stinks--it's all a matter of taste.

 

While not a huge fan of Bon Jovi, I would go. They're a little too much on the "poppy" side for me at times.

[dadofandrew]

I love Bon Jovi, and there newer stuff is much different than their older music, more storytelling than pop anthems. As Aaron Gleeman has noted many times, many music snobs hate all popular music, which is funny for many reasons. Regardless, I'd much rather be able to sell tickets than have a critic enjoy me. Bon Jovi is doing that quite well, I guess.

[RyDogg66]

I dont think music snobs hate all popular music. That being said popular music is not any differant than popular movies.

 

The music and movies that sell the most copies/tickets are generally brainless, highly processed, pop. Just look at movies like "Wild Hogs", "Norbit", "TMNT", "Spiderman", Pirates of the Carribean", etc etc. They rake in the money and they really are very formulaic, just like the stuff Bon Jovi puts out. And when they really make a lot of money they just remake the movie, only usually worse and slip a "II" next to the name. For example, Spiderman II, Pirates II, George Bush II, etc etc.

 

Is that Bad? Heck no. I'm up for some color-by-numbers, A+B=C, Romantic Comedies or Action/Thrillers now and again, they are entertaining. I can shut my brain off and enjoy them, but once I am done watching them, or listening to the music, it is pretty much forgotten because it is like 100 hundred others bands/songs/movies made that year.

 

Of course movies and music appeal to people's taste, everybody's taste differs and you are always going to think your taste in movies/music is the best because that is what you like. Taking an objective viewpoint though, there are certain types of movies and/or music that appeal the broadest audience and that music/movie is made to do just that - and make lots and lots of money. There is nothing wrong with that whatsoever, it just isnt overly stimulating or interesting.

[gypcasino]

After reading this, I may have to go see Foreigner. They've got 3 hair metal guys in the lineup

 

Yeah, even though I semi ripped on them before, I might have to check them out too if that's still the touring lineup. Another little tidbit is that Pilson is from Whitefish Bay I believe. And Bonham was on that "Supergroup" show last year on VH1 with Nugent & Sebastian Bach & Scott Ian. I just remembered that I watched that. I'd completely forgotten about it. I wonder if Damnocracy is ever going out on tour.

 

I'd never go see Bon Jovi now but I saw them in 1989 at Alpine Valley on the "New Jersey" tour and it's still one of the best concerts I've ever seen. And I also saw them in '85 at Summerfest on the "7800° Fahrenheit" tour on the Rock Stage, which was where the Amphitheatre is now.

[colbyjack]

Al's got it right, Bon Jovi will do quite well at Summerfest. All of the shows in the amp that have gone on sale so far have sold very well (Roger Waters and Toby Keith sold out quickly).

 

Someone commented (danzig?) about how Bon Jovi is sure to have many skantily-clad women in the audience. If you're a single guy with half a brain, you would be stupid not to go.

 

And SF isn't just about old people and hippies (although that is true that they don't cause any trouble, the problem is hippies don't have any money), although I'm curious what people consider to be old. The demographic, like almost everything else, is 25-50 or so, or people that have money and are willing to spend it on music, beer and food.

 

It's funny, you would normally think Tom Petty, a guy who made most of his music starting in the 70s, would skew towards an older crowd, but it was amazing to see how many young kids (high school through college age) attended his shows the past several years, and not just because of Pearl Jam either. Bon Jovi's music isn't as timeless, but no one complained that Summerfest booked Petty several times over the past several years.

[MKE alz]

I'm DEFINITELY seeing Weird Al, he puts on possibly the best live show I've ever seen...and I've seen more than a few.

[brettac1]

many music snobs hate all popular music, which is funny for many reasons.

 

Not really true, and even if it were I'm not sure what would be "funny" about it. I would consider myself a bit of a "music snob", or at least I have been called one, and one of my favorite bands ever is The Beatles and they're one of the most popular bands ever. It's just that they're good, which the vast majority of stuff that is really popular now isn't (though I think the newest Arcade Fire album was #2 on the charts the first week and it's pretty good).

 

What I think is funny is that there are a lot of people who only listen to music on the radio, when essentially all radio does is play what the record companies pay them to play - and of course there's only about three media conglomerates that own all the stations. That doesn't sound like a free market to me.

[Roscoe Chill]

What I think is funny is that there are a lot of people who only listen to music on the radio, when essentially all radio does is play what the record companies pay them to play - and of course there's only about three media conglomerates that own all the stations. That doesn't sound like a free market to me.

 

I agree. It's not that popular music is bad because it's popular, it's bad because, well, most of the time, it's plain bad. Do you like Justin Timberlake Al? What about Britney Spears?

 

And besides, Bon Jovi really can't be considered "popular" music anymore can it? I was in 7th grade when "Slippery When Wet" came out and it was absolutely huge, that's where their fame comes from, pretty much that one album. But good musicians? That's a question I'll be happy to answer, but as people have pointed out, to each their own...

 

...and colbyjack, aren't there scantily clad women at each and every concert during the summer months?

[gypcasino]

What I think is funny is that there are a lot of people who only listen to music on the radio, when essentially all radio does is play what the record companies pay them to play

 

You can't really fault somebody for that though. I just don't consider most of them music fans, rather just passive listeners. Some people are happy to have the radio on as background noise more or less, hearing "More Than a Feeling" & "Jet Airliner" for the 5000th time.

[danzig6767]

People are music snobs if they don't like Bon Jovi or formulated 80's hair metal?

 

Ok gotcha

[uecker9]

I always have to laugh when I hear the term "music snob". A snob, by definition is someone who thinks they have superior taste and is condescending to others. Music means different things to different people, to some it's a passion,to others it's background sound. But it always seems to mark certain points in ones life- where you were when you received bad/good news, lost your virginity, etc.

OK, train derailed, but here's a question to all you "music snobs"

Is a Yankee fan more of a fan than a Brewer fan or just more annoying?

[RyDogg66]

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Is a Yankee fan more of a fan than a Brewer fan or just more annoying?

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That makes no sense. I am just as much, if not more, of a Brewer fan as ANY yankee fan is a fan of the Yankees.

 

A better comparison might be are Brewer fans at BF.net more of a fan than casual fans or just more annoying.

[burniebrewer]

People are music snobs if they don't like Bon Jovi or formulated 80's hair metal?

 

No, then they just have bad taste.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[RyDogg66]

burnie - I've read a lot of your posts in this thread and I think you make perfect sense when it comes to your demographic and the level of success that bands like Bon Jovi will have at a place like Summerfest. That being said I read one quote from you that I have to take issue with.

 

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I disagree. I say everything in almost all of the new music threads here stinks--it's all a matter of taste.

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I grew up in the 80s, granted I was between the ages of 3 and 13, but I remember them well, as well as the music. I had 1984 (great album by the way), Slippery When Wet, Dr. Feelgood, and Open Up and Say Ah (poison)...heck I was even rolling with a little RATT back in the day. What I am getting at is I know what 80s hair music sounds like and I've made a choice not to listen to it because I dont think its any good. My guess is that you havent heard or tried any of the music in the new music thread.

 

I spend a few hours a week on the 'net looking for, sampling and researching (loose term) new music that I may like. When I find something, I get it and then try to find other artists who may have the same style or influences.

 

I guess what I am getting at is that there is no reason to be 'stuck' in a certain musical decade or era. I certainly love bands that had a huge impression on me growing up, like Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice and Chains, I still like those bands, but for the most part my musical taste has changed as I get older.

[burniebrewer]

I gotcha RyDogg and I get what you're saying. But I'm not stuck in the genre, it's where I like to be and for whatever reason, my tastes have not changed. Maybe I'm just a simple man when it comes to tunes.

 

I have given some different things a listen, but it's not happening. I can honestly say I do not like any of that stuff. For example, there is a certain band that many people on this site rave about. So, being curious, I gave them a few listens, maybe 4-5 songs. Hated it.

 

I guess my problem is I read the music threads and I kinda know what certain people already like from their posts, so I dismiss anything new they suggest because I already don't like their prior suggestions, you know?

 

Ah well, it's fine to be different and I've accepted that beyond the Brewers, we're a diverse group with broad-ranging interests. That's what makes this place what it is.

[brewcrewreview]

colbyjack,

Toby Keith is nowhere near sold out. Plenty of Bleacher and Lawn seats remain.

[RockCoCougars]

Here's an example of music snobbery at it's best....

 

www.startribune.com/457/story/1085133.html

The fact of the matter is there is a demand to see these "nostalgia" acts. If the demand was there for these hot young artists, they would be booked. I also just don't like the new stuff (I probably haven't bought 10 new albums in the last 10 years). If that makes me a mullet-worthy musical idiot, so be it. All I know, is the last Styx concert I went to was full to the rafters. Somebody must like them...

[Roscoe Chill]

All I know, is the last Styx concert I went to was full to the rafters.

 

Which county fair did you see them at? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

 

All kidding aside, Dennis DeYoung isn't even with them is he?

[RockCoCougars]

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Which county fair did you see them at?

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Actually I saw them with REO and Journey at the Xcel Center in St. Paul. The place had to have been 99% full. I have seen Styx at a few county fairs though...

 

DeYoung isn't with them, but they got a sound alike keyboardist to sing the few ballads that they still do. Most of the live stuff is their "heavier" Tommy Shaw stuff, which is OK by me.

[dadofandrew]

I would say Colby often hits the nail on the head...people with disposable income are not downloading legal and illegal versions of the hot new indy artist most likely to overdose. They'd rather go see the "comfort food" of music, those that were big back when they were young.

 

I must admit, that Star Trib article is a sign of why the newspaper industry is falling quickly...no one wants to read how hip and cool the author is and that they are a bunch of neanderthals for thinking a few hours of good food and music from the 80's sounds like a fun day.