[Cody Dawg]

About Christian bands, the only Christian band I know is Jars of Clay and I like that band okay.

But, look at Amy Grant: Amy Grant started out as a Christian singer and look at what happened to her? She went over to pop music, had an affair with Vince Gill (she was married to Gary Chapman), got a divorce, and now she's washed up.

No one is immune.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by CreepingDeath:
I wouldn't touch MJ's album [old music] with a 39 1/2 foot poll.

Off the Wall and Thriller are, quite simply, untouchable.

They are so incredibly well-produced that they (Thriller in particular) will always be classics.

MJ's slide into insanity is lamentable, but the achievement of those "early" albums stands.

-s*

[Cody Dawg]

Yeah, there's no doubt that Michael Jackson's music is pure genius.

Too bad that genius borders on insanity in a lot of cases!

[d4nth3m4n]

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:
Someone have a picture of what a freak he's turned into?

[Cody Dawg]

ROFLMAO!

That's a GREAT pic!

[Eriamjh]

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:
I saw this article this morning:

Van Halen sues Baltimore Orioles

This is a contract dispute. It has nothing to do with being "Washed up" or not.

Obviously, Van Halen is not washed up if they are touring. Bands make most of their money touring, not from record sales (like iTunes, etc.). Many bands out there are not touring. THOSE are the ones considered "washed up" by many.

[Cody Dawg]

Hey, Jeremiah, eriamjh, I know it's about a contract dispute.

But, hey, really BIG stars don't seem to sue over things like that. I mean, when was the last time someone really good, mainstream, had their concert cancelled? It just doesn't happen.

And, anyway, when was the last time Van Halen had a big hit?

Now, like I said, I wouldn't mind seeing them -- if someone GAVE me the tickets.

But, I wouldn't pay to see them. There are many other shows out there that I'd rather see.

I guess it's a matter of opinion. I'd like to see Dave Mathews, for instance, or Bob Dylan, for example. But, I'm sure there are a lot of folks that think they're washed up also!

[the_glassman]

Areosmith
Metallica
Van Halen
Creed
Rolling Stones
Michael Jackson
GNR

[milhous]

Green Day. Dookie no more.

[teaforone]

Originally posted by Superchicken:
That's the good thing about Christian Rock, they're all young, and they stay that way, Christian rock hasn't been big enough long enough that any of the great bands are needing to use depends. And besides they all break up before they get old. They all just fade away. The only bands that I really worry about just staying around are DC Talk and MxPx and Audio Adrenaline. None of which I care for all that much any more or ever. MxPx has been putting stuff out for like ten years, if they go another ten I could deal with it, they go another twenty and well... yah... I imagine they'll have families before that.

That's the good thing all the Christian rock bands just get married, or become youth pastors or something. Then again there are some bands that just don't die, like thankfully the OC Supertones, 7 albums, and uhh... only one original member, and they're a ska band! That's a lot of members!

But the bad thing about Christian rock is...that it's Christian rock. I've always thought of that term as an oxymoron.

[drive-thru]

Bon Jovi

(There was just an advert on TV for 'The Very Best of Van Halen' - yep, washed up alright)

[MacGorilla]

I agree about Thriller. Its one of the best pop albums ever made. Too bad after selling a zillion copies that freak had enough money to turn his insanity driven dreams into reality.

[Cody Dawg]

drive-thru: You're right about that all the way; once you end up on television on a commercial where your songs are being hawked, "For only $19.95 get the BEST OF [insert band name here] and if you order RIGHT NOW, we'll throw in an extra CD!"

[Superchicken]

Originally posted by teaforone:
But the bad thing about Christian rock is...that it's Christian rock. I've always thought of that term as an oxymoron.

What the heck is wrong with Christian rock? The only major difference you find in stuff from labels like Tooth and Nail, Flicker etc, is that they are more consistent, there are few big Christian HITS, they for the most part are required to produce a solid album to make record sales. The only diff between Christian rock and secular rock is the money that goes into it which is still a lot, and the content of the lyrics. You won't find a song like "Dip it low" on any Christian label because they have class. That said, albums like Cadet's Observatory are extremely well produced and yet get nearly no publicity. Yet things like Christian rock are still taking off. If you really want to see the new underground, it's largely Christian. Artists like the Supertones, Squad Five-O, Jeremy Camp, Kutless Thousand Foot Krutch, Skillet, Switchfoot, Kids In The Way, etc are all producing some seriously high quality music that doesn't sound like everything else out there. If you want a good CD, walk into any local Christian bookstore, and look at the rock sections, you will find some absolutely amazing stuff, largely done by people in their early twenties who aren't in it to make money because they know they won't, they just want to produce good music that they hope will actually help people with their lives.

This bull about Christian music being crap, almost always comes from the same people who don't understand why someone won't buy an Avril CD. "The radio plays a whole lot of nothing, wish they'd play a song about something."

[Luca Rescigno]

I see exactly your point, Superchicken. The main problem I have with Christian rock, I guess, is the lyrics . But it makes sense that they would make a more honest attempt at good music, unlike many bands which are just in it for the money and will do anything to make a sale.

I haven't listened to much Christian rock and I doubt I ever will, because I just can't listen to anyone preaching for long without getting irritated. But I'm glad to know you like them.

[teaforone]

Originally posted by Superchicken:
Blah blah blah.

Yeah, that's nice. Avril Lavigne sucks too, but in a different way. I've seen Christian rock videos on the God channels and such. The music is pretty derivative and the lyrics are awful. Just not my thing, sorry. But you go on listening to it, champ.

[DeathMan]

Originally posted by teaforone:
Achtung Baby is really the only thing they've ever done that's still listenable as far as I'm concerned.

You must have something wrong with your brain.

[teaforone]

Originally posted by DeathMan:
You must have something wrong with your brain.

Nope. But you probably do.

[teaforone]

Originally posted by DeathMan:
You must have something wrong with your brain.

Yes. It filters out bad music. Oh wait, that's what's right with it! Sorry!




Much better response than my first one.

[teaforone]

Originally posted by milhous:
Green Day. Dookie no more.

They were always pretty crappy, though, weren't they? I mean, seriously.

[Nodnarb]

Some of you are right, but many of you are so, so wrong. Just because a band played awesome music back in the 60's and 70's, doesn't mean they should be considered "washed up" just because its decades later. Their music is still kick ass and if a band is good, they're. Respect the music, don't hate the musicians.

[Superchicken]

Originally posted by Luca Rescigno:
I see exactly your point, Superchicken. The main problem I have with Christian rock, I guess, is the lyrics . But it makes sense that they would make a more honest attempt at good music, unlike many bands which are just in it for the money and will do anything to make a sale.

I haven't listened to much Christian rock and I doubt I ever will, because I just can't listen to anyone preaching for long without getting irritated. But I'm glad to know you like them.

Don't paint all Christian artists with the same brush, there are some artists that take an evangelistic approach to their art (FM Static/TFK, KJ-52 (shudder) actually those are the only two I can really think of for the most part the evangelistic artists have died out thankfully since their music really doesn't work for the most part), there are some that take an encouraging or even educating take on it, (The OC Supertones, Jeremy Camp to some extent, Kutless, Insyderz, Audio Adrenaline somewhat.) there are some that take a praise perspective (IE talking to God through music and letting everyone else here, artists like Telecast, sometimes Hangnail, Bleach,) some take a sing about life, or sing stuff to encourage the listeners, (Switchfoot, John Rueben, Ace Troubleshooter, etc.) some are just bands that sing about stuff and often it's matters of their faith often it's not, (Squad Five-O who was recently signed to Capitol, The Undecided, Fanmail, Plankeye,)

Lately there seem to be two camps in Christian music, the educators or exhorters, people who wish to challenge their audience with their music, present a message that will force the listener to think and evaluate their life in light of it and see how they measure up to the commitment they've made.
And the people who sing about anything and everything including their faith.
You'll often see bands move from one to the other as they grow, some of the older stuff was super preachy I'll admit that, and much of it is quite contrived, partially because it was fairly new back in the 90s. Now though it's old and that's not being done, most of the kids who listened to that are the artists now, and they have no desire to make the same mistakes.

That said, the talent of Christian musicians is often far better than their secular equivalents aside from the occasional amazing people in a band. Keep in mind, many kids in youth groups will have played piano, guitar, drums etc regularly during a church service, and often end up simply becoming better over time and through practice. Christianity is an incredibly musical religion, we've been doing it for a lot longer than pop artists have Therefore you'll see some stuff in Christian rock that you won't often see in secular stuff, but if a secular band did it everyone would be all ooo ahhh.

Also, Christian rock is awesome because for the most part you don't see near as much arrogance on the part of the people in the bands, most of them really don't want to be thought of as something amazing, and their fans probably wouldn't like them if they thought they were. Thus it creates a lot fewer irritating artists.

[milkmanchris]

On the Christian Rock thing, my brother (the roadie) did a world tour 2 years ago with Alice Cooper, biggest let down of his life he reckons, no beers, no girls, bedtime curfew's the lot.

Last year he did a N American tour with one of the aforementioned CR bands, he says he has never had a more beer/girl/drug fuelled 4 weeks in his life.

[teaforone]

Originally posted by milkmanchris:
Last year he did a N American tour with one of the aforementioned CR bands, he says he has never had a more beer/girl/drug fuelled 4 weeks in his life.

Maybe these Christian rock bands aren't all bad after all...

[nredman]

Aerosmith
The Rolling Stones
Metallica
Van Halen
Bon Jovi

[version]

Originally posted by CreepingDeath:
Celtic Frost.

Jesus, you remember them too? lol

As to washed up, Radiohead.

Where are they now? Wildman fisher.

[shmerek]

Doesn't a band still have to be going at it to be washed up? Buddy Holly has been dead forever so he can hardly be called washed up, he died when he was still on top.

The Rolling Stones should go away now, when was the last time they had a decent new song. They define washed up to me still playing all their "hits" from the 60s.

[Superchicken]

Originally posted by milkmanchris:
On the Christian Rock thing, my brother (the roadie) did a world tour 2 years ago with Alice Cooper, biggest let down of his life he reckons, no beers, no girls, bedtime curfew's the lot.

Last year he did a N American tour with one of the aforementioned CR bands, he says he has never had a more beer/girl/drug fuelled 4 weeks in his life.

You didn't seem to say if the band did any of that. Bands are not responsible for what their roadies do.

[demograph68]

I'm going to regret this: The Cure? (Their latest self-titled album wasn't bad, IMHO)

[Gene Jockey]

Originally posted by demograph68:
I'm going to regret this: The Cure? (Their latest self-titled album wasn't bad, IMHO)

You try topping Disintegration.

Although I don't think the Cure were ever quite popular enough to be considered for wash-uppery.

[milkmanchris]

Originally posted by Superchicken:
You didn't seem to say if the band did any of that. Bands are not responsible for what their roadies do.

The band were the ringleaders

Originally posted by wataru:
Fine, I just don't like him. Happy?

That's fine. It seems there are a few people who believe
"I don't like them" = washed up.

[killer_735]

Originally posted by Superchicken:
Also, Christian rock is awesome because for the most part you don't see near as much arrogance on the part of the people in the bands, most of them really don't want to be thought of as something amazing, and their fans probably wouldn't like them if they thought they were. Thus it creates a lot fewer irritating artists.

Very true. I was able to meet Skillet and some of the Supertones awhile back and they were indeed very humble about what they were into.

Hey remember Stryper? I met one of their old roadies, he said "I don't care that they're a Christian rock band, they spent all their time doing coke in the back of the bus."

Yeah Stryper.

[Cody Dawg]

I agree that The Cure is washed up.



Now, there are some people and/or bands that are classics and would never be considered washed up.

Paul McCartney comes to mind. Sting. Bob Dylan. Bob Geldof. Eric Clapton.

And the more obscure people that never hit mainstream can hardly be washed up either. I'm thinking of people that were marginal but GOOD, like Elvis Costello, Beth Orton, William Orbit (who is an awesome engineer in the studio), The The, people and bands like that. They were people who worked quietly in their own genre and helped define it. People and bands like No Doubt. You gotta respect 'em for that.

In fact, if some people had remained on the fringes and/or marginal, just avoiding commercialism, one could argue that they would still have their reputations intact. It seems that sometimes commercialism and going mainstream ruins careers that might have been better. Becoming mainstream sometimes results in disaster, like what happened with INXS and Michael Hutchence.

[memento]

Metallica (does anyone care anymore?)
Motley Crue (they're still trying, I think, but give it up already. As much as Tommy Lee sucks as a drummer, I give him credit for trying to stay fresh and avoid being washed up)
The Scorpions (sad, but I fear it's true. Their new CD was supposed to rock, but it really doesn't)
Queensryche - sad but true.
Judas Priest - time to put down the axes unless they can pull off a miracle with Halford.

[york28]

I don't really think that Audioslave is washed up because their music sounds like the obvious combination of their prior bands. I think "washed up" for me means bands that are still around that should have gone away years ago, so I guess it really comes down to what bands have you not liked for the longest amount of time. In my case this is a common list: Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, etc.

Some might say that the Chili Peppers are washed up because their more recent albums have been increasingly poppy, but I like their more melodic direction despite its more mainstream sound.

I'd also like to submit any of the blokes that make that really sappy smooth jazz stuff, I avoid it at all costs so I don't know any names, but I don't enjoy its over saturation of sap and sugar. Kenny G perhaps?

[Superchicken]

Originally posted by killer_735:
Very true. I was able to meet Skillet and some of the Supertones awhile back and they were indeed very humble about what they were into.

Hey remember Stryper? I met one of their old roadies, he said "I don't care that they're a Christian rock band, they spent all their time doing coke in the back of the bus."

Yeah Stryper.

Just for the record, there are only a few bands who I would attest to being really nice guys. For the most part I don't imagine the Supertones being into anything more than being your typical rudeboys if even that. I don't imagine bands like the Insyderz, Jeremy Camp, Bleach, or Switchfoot doing stuff like that. Actually I heard a story recently where someone was chatting with one of the guys from Switchfoot at a festival, and some girl came up to him and asked her to autograph her shirt, which had written on it "will flash for a dollar" he scribbled it out and wrote "respect me" and told her she was better than that, apparently she started to cry (but in a good way.)

I have no dilution that a lot of people that get sold in Christian bookstores aren't that great. I personally can not stand any of the members of the late Five Iron Frenzy, and have told them off online. That said, for every high profile Christian band that are simply hypocrites, there are more bands that aren't I believe.

[rozwado1]

I'm gonna resurrect this to say that Eddie Money is washed up. I saw him last night (for free) and it was a horrible concert. The guy's in his 60s and looks like hell. He couldn't even keep up with the songs and kept talking to the crowd in the middle of songs. One started with "What are you laughing at?" - pretty funny to hear. He kept doing all these weird spins and looking like he was about to fall over. n: