While Uncle Joe is best known as one of America's top Classic Rock historians, throughout his 32-year career he's always been acutely aware of current trends in the music industry. Indeed, Classic Rock itself was the finest new music of its day, composed and performed by artists at their creative peak. For a scholarly insight into today's trends, J.B. presents Rave's Raves.
Rave's Raves are composed by Bruce Ravid, a veteran of Capitol Record's A&R Department and in no way reflect the official viewpoint of Uncle Joe, his staff or management. They are written from Rave's industry viewpoint, originally for friends within the music business, but now shared with the world. New editions appear in April, August, and December with occasional updates in between. Enjoy!
Octobert, 2001
***RAVE'S RAVES #12.1***
RAVE'S FAVES
(on the air since August)
The Strokes (various), Garbage, Gorillaz ("19-2000"), Rob Zombie, Coldplay ("Trouble"), Rufus Wainwright ("California"), Travis ("Side"), Dave Matthews, U2.
I'm liking a number of softer songs this time around. The new Gorillaz single is wonderfully up and carefree -- maybe too happy to be a big hit. Their "Clint Eastwood" peaked at #57, and this is highly disappointing, given the Top 10 performance of the song in most other countries.
Two of my most anticipated CD's have just come out. Garbage are one my favorite 90's bands, and they've delivered another winner. There are lots of good tunes and new influences this time around. The album is fairly consistent, but I don't feel it contains quite the magic of some of their earlier songs. Still, if you like Garbage, you'll like this CD. In the music business, The Strokes are probably the most eagerly anticipated new band in the last five years, so I'd like to weigh in. I really like the CD. Are they the best new thing over the last five years? Hello no. The production is thin, but the music is really fresh and I like virtually the entire album. This NY band borrows from the 60's, 70's, and 80's. Rarely is a retro-sounding new band so appealing, and I feel that's why so many industry folks are excited about them. Speaking of older bands that still sound very fresh, The Knack's new "Normal As the Next Guy" is getting lots of Rave play as well.
80's COLLEAGUES
I've mentioned how much I like Sum 41. They list Iron Maiden as a major influence, and their first and last album tracks borrow heavily from Maiden. Guitarist Warren Cuccurullo of Missing Persons has a new business venture, apparently called Rock Cocks. This is the same concept as the old Plastercasters. Warren will be marketing life-sized replicas of male rockers' genitalia for fans who'd like extra decorations for their living rooms (or wherever). The first model: Warren himself. He recently posed nude (and erect) for a European magazine.
LA RADIO
If you live in LA and miss hearing all of those great 60's oldies on the radio, try KOLA at 99.9. They're based in the Inland Empire so the signal is spotty, but it's your chance to hear many of the hits that the big stations no longer play.
FINALLY
As we all try to determine what is normal since September 11th, I feel the Entertainment Industry has discovered that people want it to entertain on a level close as prior standards as possible. While everything now goes through a newly filtered consciousness that we must all be sensitive to, the American people are showing they want the norm when it comes to music, film, and most other entertainment forms. I was against the second cancellation of the Emmys and I didn't feel that the special episode of West Wing worked. We're all waiting to see what effect recent events will have on music, both creatively and businesswise. One thing is for sure. Musicians are often more creative in times of personal or worldwide crises.
Meanwhile, please stay safe, and of course...
Rave On!
August, 2001
***RAVE'S RAVES #12***
RAVE'S FAVES (on the air)
Alien Ant Farm ("Smooth"), System of a Down, Sum 41, Travis, Gorillaz, Cake, Pete Yorn, Weezer ("Island").
System's ("Chop Suey") has been #1 requested at KROQ for weeks. It will be big. Did you happen to catch Sum 41 on the MTV 20th Anniversary show? They were the highlight to me -- a great live band with a great CD that's much like the single. Just in the nick of time, Virgin has gotten behind "Clint" as the Gorillaz single. Assuming it becomes a pop hit, they should sell at least 2 million in this country. How nice to see that Daft Punk have just gone gold in the US. Strong, current CD's include Gorillaz, Sum 41, Travis, Crystal Method, and Linkin' Park. I see that Columbia are re-releasing "Teenage Dirtbag" again. You'll probalby remember the song, which features a young kid wanting to ask the girl of his dreams to an Iron Maiden concert. It became a world wide hit after having had alternative radio success in this country. The hope is that pop radio will make it a hit single this time around.
80's COLLEAGUES
The Knack have a new studio CD(Normal as the Next Guy) coming with a live set as well. Watch for a great new song called "Les Girls." In addition, they just shot a live show for a DVD release. Feedback from their shows continues to be very strong and people are blown away. See them if you can. If you're in LA, they're playing at the House Of Blues on September 25. The newly-married Weird Al dropped by the DVD shoot, and he still lists them as one of his favorite bands. Al has been laying lower, following his 18-month tour. Martha Davis of the Motels has been playing her new material this month at The Knitting Factory. She's got some great stuff, and I won't be surprised if a label decides to give her a shot. Missing Persons were very pleased with their LA shows as well.
INTERNET
Chris Carter says he may not return with his new music show. This would be a great loss. Meanwhile, WOXY and KCRW continue to play great stuff. If you have a good internet source for new music, please let me know.
LA RADIO
No, it hasn't changed much lately. Uncle Joe's show is better than ever (I was out of town during part of ARROW's strange experiment with Bob Rivers' talk and comedy show -- boy, did the audience's instant rejection of that Seattle staple take the station by surprise!). LA's a great place for classic rock, but we have limited sources for new rock music. The latest census shows that LA had the largest percentage decline in white population, so our current rock shortage is no coincidence. Meanwhile, and this had to happen, we've now had two 90's weekends lately. Our adult Top 40 (Star 98.7) packaged 90's oldies in a way where the decade sounded almost as positive as the 80's or 60's. Of course, this is no surprise. Their soccer-mom orientation actually made Nirvana and Pearl Jam sound perky.
THIS JUST IN
It turns out that we're getting a number a hits from people doing internet searches for "raves." We should have known! We welcome those folks and hope you come back.
I hope you're doing well, and until next time...