After interviewing one of the executive producers of Fox’s The Next Great American Band this past summer, I’ll admit, I came around to the idea of Idol for bands. But with the show’s shaky start (an auditions special, in the Idol tradition), it didn’t take long before I was having second thoughts again. Still, I had a hunch it could be awfully entertaining, even in that so-bad-it’s-good kind of way, so I went to the taping of the first performance show last week to see (and hear) these groups for myself.
It all seemed strangely familiar: the CBS Television City stage was the same one Idol uses, and there was Nigel Lythgoe racing back and forth. Sheila E. was guarded by Paula Abdul’s security escort, while host Dominic Bowden had that Ryan Seacrest air about him, only with a New Zealand accent. But the differences — constructive comments and actual critiques; the lack of pointless Paula drivel; a rowdier, more rock & roll crowd — were all too welcome. As for this evening’s theme, the songs of Bob Dylan? That wasn’t so easy to swallow, sort of like Idol in the Twilight Zone. Some bands butchered the arrangements more than others but, all in all, most were (surprisingly) pretty good. (They must have been, to keep me in that seat for more than three hours!). Who’s worth your valuable DVR time? Here’s my assessment:
Light of Doom (pictured)
Five head-banging 12-year-olds who easily could have played young Van Halen in the "Hot for Teacher" video, these kids from outside San Diego take their rock seriously. Proof: the Iron Maiden T-shirt; leopard-print skintight pants; hell, they even went shirtless for their TV debut (thoroughly creeping out the judges in the process). I ran into them outside the studio where they were already greeting new insta-fans, yours truly included.
The Clark Brothers
This Nashville-based country-bluegrasssibling trio definitely stood out in my mind. That’s because I’d seenthem before, about six years ago, when Curb Records paraded around afamily group called the Clark Family Experience. The label’s big pitch:that Tim McGraw had worked on their debut album. Brothers Adam, Ashleyand Austin (if memory serves, all the siblings’ names started with A)were part of that sextet (there are five more Clark kids in the clan),but obviously broke away to do their own thing. In the last coupleyears, two of the brothers have played in Carrie Underwood’s band (Idistinctly recall Ashley, who’s a dead ringer for a young GramParsons). Unfair advantage? Probably not, but I’ll bet these guys have some sort of a following already. Here’s hoping they go far.
The Muggs
Proud to bear the title of ugliest band in the world (even their website,which hasn’t been updated since August, says so on the home page),watching this Detroit trio, you have to wonder: who’s covering theirday job shifts while they’re off in Hollywood? But seriously, thesedudes shred (guitar, not lettuce) with a sound that’s part scrappygarage rock, part weekend warrior, all kick-ass. Kudos tosinger-guitarist (and Trey Anastasio look-alike) Danny Methric forripping through that TV mix. Ricky Minor never got guitar tones thatgood.
Tres Bien!
Fully embracing the "That Thing You Do" vibe,this foursome from Clearwater, Florida bop their heads Beatles-stylewhile churning out 60s-inspired power-pop. Think: the perfect openersfor The Hives. Judge Sheila E. gave them hell for their supposedscrappy guitar leads, but she’s missing the point and comes off like aprudish schoolmaster trying to quash their youthful energy. These guysrock!
Cliff Wagner and the Old #7
With an almost punk rock takeon traditional American acoustic music, Cliff Wagner is a bruiser of avocalist with a campy hee-haw sensibility, while his band, the Old #7(easily — and, perhaps, intentionally? — confused with veteranalt-country act The Old 97s) are serious pros and super tight. Thecombination keeps the whole thing on track, but let’s see how thatbanjo plays out in weeks to come.
Denver and the Mile High Orchestra
Overachiever singerDenver Bierman emotes like an anxious puppy dog desperate for love,posed in front of players that look like extras from the Dick Tracymovie. The rat pack love may give out before their time is truly up,but if this big band takes down the Sinatra shtick a bit, it could havesome legs.
Rocket
This LA girl group, formed in the parking lot ofSilverlake hipster headquarters Spaceland, has already done a stint onthe Warped Tour and opened for the likes of Butch Walker. They’ve gotsass, charisma, and something to prove (which sounds like a shamble attimes, but in a totally endearing aspiring Go-Gos kind of way).
Tune in on Friday night to find out who lost this week’s battle ofthe bands, but in the meantime, who are you feeling, PopWatchers?
Comments (1-25) of 25 Add your comment
I like most of the bands you’ve highlighted, Shirley (except Light of Doom, who creep me out and seem very limited, and Denver, et al – his expressions call to mind gastrointestinal distress). My two faves are probably Tres Bien and Franklin Bridge, who didn’t make your list.
My dad used to play the Bluegrass Festival circit and remembers the Clark Family well. Too well. It got so he couldn’t watch them play, knowing what a slave driver the dad was. That dad made Joe Jackson look lazy.
That’s a shame, Kath. The guys seem well adjusted enough based on what I’ve seen on the show so far.
Yeah, Tres Bien!! They’re from my hometown and I’ve seen them in scrappy little venues more times that I can count. These guys are awesome and deserve to win!
I would have replaced Light of Doom and Rocket with Sixwire easily. Franklin Bridge and The Likes of You were also pretty good. I cannot believe Rocket was the best female band they could find. Light of Doom will do well with the prepubescent girls.
this show got soo low ratings i dont know why you even bother to write about it. i mean, 2 million viewers on prime time!!? obviously people didnt want to watch this idol wannabe show!
In a fair world it would come down to the Clark Brothers and Franklin Bridge (although the band that did “Mr. Tambourine Man” is pretty decent) for best in show. I love the fact that they are being judged on their songwriting abilities as well as their musical talents. As Idol’s Bo Bice and Taylor Hicks proved all too well, it comes down to the quality of the songs that makes a singer or band have staying power. The show is definitely a big step up from the rock star competitions from the last two summers.
Despite how amazing Sixwire’s performance was during the auditions, it would have not have been a very fair fight competition wise. In the early 00’s They were picked up and unfortunately dropped by Warner Bros. Country. On top of that, Sixwire was a one hit Country Chart wonder in 2002. After their appearance, I think that a country record company will scoop them up again. BTW: I know, Idol has had people who were related to famous people or singers, but Sixwire already charted.
I actually like the show, but as a former band member, I may be seeing it differently than other viewers. It may be hard for a nonmusical viewer to hear all the different parts and remember all the different people.
My fave so far is Franklin Bridge. Hoo!
I wish the lead singer in Rocket had a voice. It’s hard to listen to her, and I miss the Bangles.
Yeah Stephanie T – Sixwire is completely out of the league of this show.
And the Clark Brothers – they sort of creep me out, since most of the families I know who create family bands and/or give their kids names starting with the same letter are usually control freaks.
The lead singer of DotDotDot, and the whole band, actually … just too hyper. I’d like to see them calm down and do a ballad so we could see what their actual chops are.
But all in all, I think the show is fun, and much more interesting than Idol. There are real musicians here, and I like that the judges aren’t insane. That always helps.
Love the show, can’t stand the kiddie rockers (the collective Sanjaya of NGAB). To me, they’re the same thing as those eight-year-olds who play violin concertos– they may hit the notes, but they don’t get the music. Also not feeling the band that’s just the hot guy and his buddies, and I really want to like DotDotDot more than I do. Otherwise, I’m really liking these bands and this show, and I hope it catches on.
Are the Clark brothers the one who sang “Back at the Ranch?” Released about eight years ago?
Too bad there’s only one female group on this list. What’s with the resistance against all-girl bands?
1. What took so long? This aired almost a week ago?
2. I’m one of those housewives who loved Sixwire – I thought they had an “Eagles” kind of sound.
3. My favorites by far were Franklin Bridge – nice to see some black guys rockin’ it instead of the same old rap that this white housewife can’t relate to.
I think that the problem with Hicks and Bice is that in the seventies and eighties, county rock bands like Quicksilver Messenger Service, Flying Buritto Brothers, The Doobies, and Poco all charted well both on the top 40 pop and country charts. Country Rock does not have much of a place on today’s top 40 pop. Country Rock seems to be segmented into the Country and adult contemporary charts.
Why didn’t the Zombie Band make it? They were suprisingly good at the audition! Let’s boot the kiddie band, they’re not ready yet, plus the shirtless thing…..EWWWWWWWWWW!
I like Sixwire and the Clark Brothers. Really not crazy about Rocket, …, and Likes of me. Even if Sixwire had something before, the rules must allow it or they wouldn’t be there. I’m glad they are.
Frankland Bridge blew me away. Their tightness, and complexity of their arrangments was very impressive.
I hope that the kid band does well. Just because they are young does not mean that they are going to Mmm Bop and Run to the Hills.
That kid band is like Spinal Tap, Jr. – I mean, could they have hit any more metal band cliches? The girl band was just wretched – there aren’t more talented grrrl groups out there?? The wannabe 60s guys were way too gimmicky and not that great. Big band was like my high school jazz band, just missing the puffy shirts! Bald falsetto guy was not all that. Skunky punky wannabe band was really weak and lead singer was trying way too hard (hyperactive emo leprechaun!) Ugly rocker band-blecch. I’m not a country fan, but the bluegrass, CountryHanson and country rock group were actually quite good. But by far, Franklin Bridge outclassed them all. Their musicianship, stage presence, etc. – they’re way too good for this lame show. And the saddest thing is, when the judge was like – why haven’t they been signed yet? Like duh, all you record label types want is the next marginally talented, easily marketed fluff. And the whole idea of big name labels is quickly becoming irrelevent anyway…
I love this show! I am so glad that there is something fun to watch on Friday nights. My husband and I love Tres Bien, Six Wire, The Clark Brothers and Cliff Wagner.
Love Tres Bien and the Clark Brothers. I think the lead singer from Dot Dot Dot has a great voice, but lose the campiness. Just sing, you fool. I liked the Zombie band too, but think they fell into the “one hit wonder” void with “Better Off Undead” which was a hoot.
Sorry, but the short boy needs a shirt, and a few runs around the park circle. He is too young to have a gut like that.
Alan from the Clark family was the one on “Love is in the Heir” on E. He is not a part of the band. “The Clark Brothers!”
make the muggs go away! they werent that good, and the front guy was obnoxious. (and the worst band name there) I dont particularly like sixwire’s style (and would never buy a cd like that) but they are the best. I liked franklin bridge more last week than this.
the style I like the most is dot dot dot. now to see if they can get good enough to impress.
those kids..meh. time to go home.
must suck for the two “departing contestants” to get your songs all ready and then not perform.
Sixwire – featuring Sawyer from “Lost” – was really good. I thought the critique of Franklin Bridge was dead on, way too complicated an arrangement.
Cliff Wagner & The Old #7 is about the real Old Number 7 , mule or libation, and nothing to do with the Old 97’s , only people not paying attention could confuse them!