Monday, February 27, 2006

Sex Pistols Snub Hall Of Fame



Only one thing will be missing when the infamous Sex Pistols are inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on March 13, 2006. The Pistols themselves. According to a note posted on frontman Johnny Rotten's website, "Next to the Sex Pistols, rock and roll and that hall of fame is a piss stain. Your museum. Urine in wine. We're not coming."

The Sex Pistol's induction into The Hall comes via the enormous impact of their one and only album- 1977's "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here Comes the Sex Pistols". On it, a sneering Rotten and his mates rage through songs about anarchy, self destruction and rebellion, simultaneously spitting in the face of the music establishment and creating a punk springboard for all bands that followed.

The album served as a wake up call for a generation of angry young music fans who felt alienated by increasingly complacent, radio friendly music that had lost it's Rock bite. Although the volatility that made The Pistols great also caused them to break up soon after, their influence has continued to inspire new generations of rockers, including Nirvana and Green Day.

The Pistol's decision to flip the finger to the Hall isn't a huge surprise. Perhaps The Pistols, eligible for induction since 2001, are upset about not being voted in sooner. Their punk credo, however, has always been about defying the mainstream and rejecting the status quo. Give them credit for being consistent.

Members of Black Sabbath, Blondie and Lynyrd Skynyrd are expected to attend to accept their own inductions into The Hall.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Twenty-First Annual Induction Ceremony will be held Monday, March 13th 2006 in New York at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

- DJ Craig

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Coldplay "Chills" At The Pond



Last week Coldplay brought their atmospheric, uplifting sound to The Pond and an appreciative, sold out crowd.

In many ways, Coldplay is an anachronism. This is supposed to be the era of Hip Hop, Rap, Bubblegum Pop and hard edged "Rawk" by the likes of headbangers Linkin Park and Korn. So the popularity of Coldplay's melodic, feel good sound is both disarming and surprising.

No screaming, cathartic angst or overly aggressive guitars. Coldplay's riffs are instantly catchy (think U2's The Edge at his happiest moments) yet they retain their appeal upon repeated listenings. While their lyrics are playful and may not inspire deep thought, they do stick in your head.

Coldplay's good natured sound carries over into their stage presence. After playing piano on a couple of songs, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin sang from a raised platform on one side of the stage. Martin explained apologetically to the crown nearest him that it is only fair they get a close up of his front as they will be seeing a lot of his backside when he returns to the keyboard.

Spontaneous and loose onstage, this unassuming quartet openly discussed what to play next. Even though they only hit the big time three years ago, Coldplay has amassed an impressive playlist. Top 40 staples like "Yellow", "Trouble", "Speed of Sound", "Talk" and the ubiquitous, "Clocks" peppered their set.

Martin stopped between songs to ask the crown at The Pond, "Is everybody ok at this juncture?", with a genuine concern. It is clear that he and his bandmates love performing and the opportunity their popularity has given them to do it.

The band assembled at the front of the stage for a quick "Unplugged" set that included a cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring Of Fire". Chris Martin then sprinted to the far end of of The Pond for a couple of Coldplay originals, giving those in the "cheap seats" an unexpected thrill.

Coldplay's lack of pretense and feel good sound carry such wide appeal that their audience spans far beyond twenty-to-thirty somethings. Chances are, even your grandmother would not have felt out of place here.

They may not save the world but given a chance, Coldplay may rekindle your faith in new music.

- DJ Craig