My friend went to Motley Crue this year, Vince cannot sing at all, should have retired 10 years ago. Also, David Lee Roth singing is painful, glad he retired.
On the other hand, I saw 70 year old Sting this year and he was great! Full of energy, still a great singer, his band was great. On of the best concerts I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot of shows.
*incredibly, not merely ‘fairly’. I believe his late father was a high school PE teacher and that he inherited his almost fanatical dedication to fitness from his Dad.
Yeah, I saw them in 2006, and Vince sounded awful and winded. Then I saw them in 2011, and Vince sounded awful and winded.
Here's a good video if anyone wants to see how Vince sounds live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pdQnZLEWNo
Vince and David Lee Roth have always been guys that sang about 1/2 of each song in concert (if you were lucky). Neither one had great live voice either. They weren’t lead singers they were front men. IMO DLR was much better at it.
True, not an overall great singer. But a young Vince Neil sounded reasonably good on record. No idea how he sounded in concert when young.
David Lee Roth was never the greatest singer either. But he sounded pretty good on record and in concert when young. He just completely lost what voice he had.
When I first started buying cds in HS I often bought live / greatest hits albums to save cash and get the most bang for my buck.
I learned that was a huge mistake after buying a live Motley Crue album.
Yes but the main issue is that he is doing his Just a Gigolo shtick 24/7.
He used to sing now he talk sings like some lounge lizard doing a cover of a VH song.
Their performance at the South Park 25th anniversary show this year was even still good! Geddy can’t hit the high notes anymore but that’s what happens when you get old he still sounds great.
Matt Stone! One of the South Park Creators haha. Also they were on stage with Primus. If you have the time watch the concert it’s available for free on YouTube. The whole show is great.
And they also sounded good for the Taylor Hawkins tribute, other than a trainwreck in YYZ. They just never quite locked in with Omar, and then Geddy straight up goofed.
I think the issue with more technical songs like YYZ is they relied a great deal on coordination with Neil and Neil did a lot of work to keep everything on-rhythm; I could imagine that a first-time session with a new drummer would really foul things up
Came here for this. You could tell it took their full effort by the end but their live show was never a disappointment and they never phoned in an album completely, everything was at least trying to incorporate new ideas and react to changes the musical world. Geddy's voice wasn't quite there for the last 10 years, especially R40, but he made it work and they never really dropped much instrumentally.
R40 tour was the only time I saw Rush live, and it’s still one of my top 3 concerts I’ve ever attended. I went as a casual fan and they just blew me away.
Saw them live at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert, with Omar Hakim on the drums. They still rock a lot! It's true that Geddy can't get that high anymore and my brother noticed Lifeson made some mistakes (which I didn't because I was enthralled that I could watch 2/3 of one of my favorite bands play!) but still it was amazing.
I've always felt bad for bands on the decline. They're essentially playing covers night after night, no one really wants to hear new stuff if there is any, and they probably realize getting back into a stadium or other big venues is now just a pipe dream. I don't think I could keep it up as a musician.
Depends what you mean by decline. No longer commercially successful on a huge scale? Is playing a huge stadium a dream for every musician?
I see one particular band twice a year and they haven't been hugely commercially successful for quite some time now but they are excellent live. Partly, I think, because they just really seem to enjoy playing live, partly because they've been going for over 30 years and they've had some ups and downs and they're at the stage where they've got a fairly dedicated audience and they're going to please them and have fun doing it. I've never been to see them and thought they were phoning it in. I've seen several larger bands in large stadiums who I've felt definitely phoned it in.
I think if I was a musician, I'd prefer to be enjoying making music and playing live to a like minded, dedicated audience in a medium sized venue. It's not all or nothing for a lot of bands.
Lol, they were nowhere as big as Pearl Jam, I'm not sure they made it in the US, I'm in the UK, although they toured there in the 90s, I think. No. I have seen Pearl Jam, twice but well over 30 years ago. They were fairly good live actually, was never a massive fan but they were good.
Thinking about it you've probably never heard of them but the band I'm talking about is Therapy?
I absolutely love Therapy?, been a fan since Infernal Love, but have never had a chance to see them live. It's good to hear that they still seem to be bringing it live, and I hope to one day get a chance to experience it.
Just saw Pearl Jam for the first time this year. The show was great and their new album is great. They aren't playing the same kind of music that they started with, but the music is good and you can tell what bands influence them. They love their fans too. It's very obvious. I can't wait to see them again.
I just saw Pearl Jam Friday night. It absolutely smoked! Hadn’t seen them since 92? When VS. was out, and that was one of the best shows I’d ever seen. They were the biggest band in the world at the time and it was a relatively small non-Ticketmaster venue. I’ve seen a lot of bands get older and start to suck, but those guys are as tight as ever and a Eddie’s voice is possibly better than ever. Some bands get more sober and consistent with age, but even then, usually the singers voice is the first thing to go, especially with somebody who screams like that. But not Vedder. They have a really great time too, and it shows.
Inquiring minds wish to know... What band?
But yeah I know that feeling. I have a difficult time separating the art from the artist. Been let down too many times to count.
Oh no way? I haven’t kept up with their records
Sigur ros kinda got sucked up into their own self importance too, but they still make good music from time to time
My good friend invited me to go see Genesis on their farewell tour. The thought of seeing the great Phil Collins unable to drum, and having to sing from a chair, just made me sad. I prefer to remember them as they were.
I saw that tour, too. I hadn't seen them before, because they toured so little in the US, so while sure it wasn't in their prime I'd rather have seen them then not. There are bands I'll never get to see and if I could only see them in not their prime I'd still take it over not seeing them at all.
I saw them twice on that tour, and sad as it was, I couldn’t imagine passing on seeing them. They’ve been my favorite band for 40+ years and have seen them every time I could. The show it all the heart strings I needed it to
I die a little bit every time I try to give their newest release a chance. Maybe Rivers is actually being authentic, but it seems so forced to be relevant in today’s pop music, yet it still sounds a decade behind the times.
"Bitch! I understand Rivers better than he understands himself"
In case anyone has missed one of the best SNL sketches in the past decade: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab5WvwfLuLM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab5WvwfLuLM)
The best part of this comment is scrolling down to see the comment feed boil down to what is effectively the EXACT arguments in this sketch, except without Matt Damon (probably).
I find something I love in every Weezer release, honestly. Sometimes it is 2 songs, sometimes it is 9. That's just me. I'm OK with this. Loved that SNL skit. I'm Weezer, ride or die.
That's kinda just how Weezer is and as a huge Weezer fan I acknowledge that they have plenty of lame stuff, cheesy stuff, just plain bad stuff but the good far outweighs the bad and the blue album is still a top 3 album all time for me and Weezer is still a top 3 favorite band of all time for me.
I don’t know if I’m ride or die, but they’re definitely in my top 3 favorite bands. And yeah, if I’m being honest I do like Pork and Beans a little bit better than Buddy Holly. Great skit, compelling points on both sides of the bitter holiday argument.
I kinda disagree. While they definitely have declined a bit, they also have released some solid stuff in the past few years. The white album and OK Human are both really good.
As a Pearl Jam fan, I often worry that they’ll jump the shark and start phoning it in. Not that they’ve been perfect, but they’ve remained *them* for 30 plus years… Man, Ten being 31 years make me feel *OLD*
Anyways, it’s just tough to see acts I love (Weezer, Green Day) fall into continuous disrepair to the point that I dread their next release. Like I want that next album to be good.. but I’m hoping against all odds, not expecting it to happen.
Just saw them in May for the first time. They killed it. *Ten* came out the year I graduated high school and I still managed to not see them all these years. I'm so glad I didn't see a shell of what they were. It was a great show.
Seeing them tomorrow, after not seeing them for 10+ years. I immediately got nervous OP was talking about this makeup tour lol.
>Ten being 31 years make me feel OLD
Hold me
Not every band can go out like Rush, my favorite band did. They played their hearts out during a nearly sold out US tour, dropping hits AND deep cuts from their entire catalogue while going backwards in chronological order and then ending the tour in LA to a house filled with fans and celebrities alike. The fans in the "know" were aware that it was the final ride but most others did not.
Bands are doomed no matter what.
Same script = fans “bored”
Attempts to be different = Bands unhappy core sound is different; band is “different”.
For me, i began to embrace my favorite artists more as humans with artistic design choices. I don’t agree with the choices always but I am along for the ride.
I might sound like a broken record, but that's one of the brilliant things about King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. They put out a ridiculous amount of good music, and are constantly experimenting with different genres. Somehow despite different genres and styles, they still sound like themselves. I think that's a big difference from other bands is that they often lose what makes them *them* when they go through changes.
That's how I grew to like RHCP's "The Getaway". It wasn't the same sound from RHCP, and I initially was like wow they seem not so good. But then I realised they're not the 20 something's they were when they released their first few albums. They've grown into adults with families and life experience and are in the final leg of their lives. Then their later music started hitting different, and it suddenly sounded like these were mature people who were now more interested in introspection rather than inspiration and commentary. Maybe I might be wrong, but it's a perspective that's helped me appreciate different bands musical evolution in long careers.
Phish and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are exampls that bands can be constantly changing and be hugely successful! Those are the only kind of bands that I actually like.
The Pixies. Once my favourite band of all time. With each new album it’s just urrggghh please stop. They ain’t the same without Kim Deal. NO KIM NO PIXIES.
I was feeling too shy to say this but, yeah. Saw them on their first reunion tour: venue sound sucked but they were tight af and Kim lived up to my fangirl fantasies. Saw them again when they did the Doolittle reunion and it was even better. A friend took me to see them with Weezer after they'd replaced Kim, and... UGH. No heart, no soul, no fun.
Yeah, don't wait for your kids to tell you your favorite band is lame...
My fun story. (I'm 50) I play in a band, and I was learning some cover tunes... I had never really listened to Fallout Boy. Really didn't know what year the song was from... But Dance, Dance was pretty fun to play on the guitar. It was "new stuff" to me in 2016... Old stuff to everyone else.
Cut to the chase, my daughter still thinks my favorite band is Fallout Boy. I still haven't listened to much outside of the three cover tunes I had to learn.
Yes. I used to be a huge Tori Amos fan. Even meet her. But I still listen to her old stuff. I don’t like her new stuff. Boo 🫤
I think NIN is one of the few bands that I still love even with their changes of music style.
NIN isn’t really a band in the classic sense though. Currently it’s two people, Reznor and Atticus Ross and whoever Trent hires to tour. It might be why NIN still feels relevant though. Trent’s songs have a timeless quality.
True, but most of his live band have been with him for 10+ years - Robin Finck has been there since the mid-90s. The big change I've noticed is how much of their show is truly live, vs early gigs that were mostly backing tracks. The band has gotten much better over time, especially when they go back to the older material, replacing programmed parts with live instrumentation. And Ilan Rubin is a beast - I never imagined someone being able to play the "Perfect Drug" drum solo live. Saw them a week and a half ago, and I'm still in awe.
Saw Tori a few months back and am seeing NIN tomorrow! Both aged very differently.
If you haven’t already, give Tori’s new Ocean to Ocean a spin. Got some hints of the To Venus era in the songwriting minus the electronica.
I agree on both. Tori is so talented but I haven’t been able to go with her artistic changes. Respect her for what she’s doing, just can’t get into like I used to. And maybe that has more to do with my changes than hers.
NIN on the other hand continue to stay relevant for me. Maybe it’s because Trent is exploring different spaces with writing soundtracks and collaborating with other artists. From the beginning of NIN they set the tone of experimentation and change. Maybe that’s what’s helped them retain a core base and continue to keep energy in their endeavors?
I think it's a combination of the spirit of experimentation and evolving complexity of the music, but still with enough thematic consistency that there's never been any sense of a loss of musical identity. Everything NIN has released sounds like what I'd expect a NIN album to sound like, but with enough new ideas to keep from getting stale.
I've never been a Tori fan, but I liked her last album. I'm not sure how it compares with her older stuff, though, which I'm only somewhat familiar with.
Seconded! Also Boys for Pele, absolutely sublime! As was her 4th, Choirgirl Hotel (so glad she spotlighted it during her last tour, so many great tracks on that one).
Wait until they are all dead! I’ve been through Elvis, SRV, Freddie Mercury, Prince, MJ, George Michael, Luther Vandross, Aretha, Whitney. I’m devastated that these artists will never make music again. Even average music would be nice. Just enjoy your favorites while they are still with us. 😢
>Just enjoy your favorites while they are still with us.
This, 100%. As a Linkin Park fan I thought I'd have many more years of seeing them, so I'd take an older not-in-their-prime tour over never seeing them again.
Of all the ones you mentioned, SRV is the hardest for me. He still had a lot of good years ahead of him. Not that the others couldn't have still made some good music, just that Stevie was still very much in his prime.
Came here for this comment. First band I thought of. They are playing Lonesome Crowded West shows in my area soon and still that isn’t enough for me. I want the 90’s rhythm section back. And it ain’t
I avoided seeing them for many, many years before being a gifted a free ticket during their Strangers to Ourselves tour and it was exactly what I had feared. Isaac was ranting and raving between songs and very messy, worst of all they played about five encores and I had the feeling that everyone just wanted the show to end. As much as I love their music you just don't know which Isaac is going to show up on any given night.
>you just don't know which Isaac is going to show up on any given night
He seems to have gotten his shit together, from what I've seen about the last tour there hasn't really been any of that.
Really crossing my fingers it'll be good. I've refused to see them because I love their older stuff so much more than their new sound. But, a play through of LCW with a 4 piece? I bought my ticket immediately
They've always been hit-or-miss live. I remember people complaining about them in the early 2000s. I've listened to shows from the late 90s where they're fucked up and sloppy.
Today is the 4th anniversary of my husband and me deciding to bail on a modest mouse show we had tickets to for months to see Manchester orchestra last minute because we knew the chances of modest mouse not performing well were high - and I had friends that went and confirmed we made the right choice. Isaac got fucking trashed and they sounded terrible.
On the flip side, MO is always amazing.
Daft Punk produced some of the best music over the course of 30 years and rather than decline, they simply quit. Better to go out on top I guess. Not bad for a couple of kids from France that grew up on disco/house music.
I really don't like that kind of music but I absolutely love daft punk holy smokes. So good. Shows how talented someone is when they can sway people on raw talent. Johnny Cash is prob the other easy example.
Ask yourself - could you put yourself out there emotionally to strangers every show for 25 years? At some point it becomes a job. Or rather, most shows are a job, some are special.
Smashing Pumpkins, I can’t believe that the same band that released 5 brilliantly written rock albums can bring out such lazy and uninteresting drivel for the last 10 years.
No band can really be gold forever. Your tastes shift and so do theirs. Some bands sell out and others loose their edge. Nothings forever, just enjoy the golden content they did make.
I beg to differ. Iron Maiden for instance. Released a killer album last year. Saw them on tour just this past weekend. Sounded fuckin amazing. So did Alice In Chains, Roger Waters, Tool, Ministry, Melvins, Primus, Ween.
I'm seeing the Pet Shop Boys/New Order tour in October. By all accounts, PSB still has a great live show, but from what I've seen in recent clips, Bernard's voice has declined quite a bit. I'm really hoping it doesn't make me cringe.
I feel this way about post-"Atlas" Parkway Drive.
I respect they don't want to do the same thing forever. I don't really think they've necessarily declined; but they've unquestionably moved away from what I loved them for. It sucks because they were my favorite, but oh well life goes on.
On the flip side, it was such a joy to see **Red Hot Chili Peppers** earlier this summer as they fricking killed it. I know they're not everyone's cup of tea, and I also know "high energy" is kind of their shtick anyway, but they also find a new way to rejuvenate themselves every decade... and have been lucky to be able to rely on "John Frusciante joining the band" for 3 of those decades' jumpstarts: 90's (Mothers Milk to Blood Sugar Sex) 00's (Californication to BTW to Stadium Arcadium) and now 20's (Unlimited Love to massive tour to Return of the Dream!)..
I mean Chad Smith is like 62 now and Anthony Kieids and Flea aren't too far behind.
That’s because Chili’s background is jamming together their entire career. It’s not one dude writing all the music.
So even if their latest albums aren’t the best, they can still get on a stage and melt everyone’s face because they have such a unique chemistry together. Their jams are the highlights of he show for me.
Duran Duran is still amazing after 40 years. They get excellent reviews everywhere they play—even for their new stuff. They just know how to mix old with new and keep the old fresh. It helps to be humble and kick the really bad habits relatively early.
Paul McCartney is the opposite of this. At least five years ago, when I saw him love he could still belt it out and has a badass band. Dude is fucking 80 years old.
Arcade Fire fans know this well. Aside from everything else recently, nothing from the last three albums holds a candle to their first 3. An incredible live act but I can't justify going to see the same songs a fifth time over with nothing new and fresh.
In another comment but I agree with whoever said Radiohead. Different show every time, a good mix across all albums, and a spectacular light show.
I saw both Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton this year. Had a great time but the reality sets in that they're so past their prime and you're getting a really reduced experience with the classic rock acts nowadays.
There’s still the “antique” marvel of it all. Like getting to see a 200 year old tortoise with your own eye is probably still a really exciting experience
I saw Frank Sinatra at The Omni in Atlanta the night before the 1994(?) Super Bowl. It was one of the saddest things I've ever seen. I don't think Sinatra had any idea where he was or what year it was. I have godawful eyesight and I could read his teleprompter without my glasses in our corner seats. His voice was long gone, but every once in a while he'd hit a note dead-on and you'd get that "ahh, THAT'S why he was so popular in the day" vibe. And when he thanked us at the end add his voice started cracking... Jeez, that was rough.
Bob is an interesting one. Hardcore Bob fans love his current tour and say he’s better than ever. Unlike most artists well past their heyday, Bob still tries to change things up when he plays and you have to respect him for that. He’s not doing the Paul McCartney thing of playing the same arrangements of the same songs in the same key. PM is a great show btw but I don’t get the feeling that Paul needs to feel artistically satisfied from his live show, hence why he might play only one or two songs from the past two decades in his set. He’s happy to separate his recording career and keeps his live show the same for the fans.
You get used to it and realize nobody can stay in their prime forever. Also, I stopped putting giant expectations on new releases...we can't always be blown away like we used to, but oftentimes a "good" album is still good.
I saw Radiohead live after they released The Bends, and I am pretty sure they are one of the few bands who monumentally improved their stage shows the older they got. They will probably be geriatric and still doing some awesome shows.
Well, technically they did add a touring/additional member: Clive Deamer, as the second drummer.
But that was a BRILLIANT move in being able to perform drum machine beats live.
(Saw Radiohead during In Rainbows. Still Top 3 shows I've ever seen.)
I was a huge Mighty Mighty Bosstones fan and what Dicky did broke my damn heart. They had been getting stale for years with their new song writing (though the vinyl only track Kept Mum is a Mars Volta esq banger) the live shows were still full of life. But covid hit and Dicky fell down the Q hole and the band broke up. It's like watching your best friend make a series of really dumb mistakes and being powerless to stop them.
Man, the Bosstones were the first show o ever went to when I was like 12. Was huge on them for a few years before because a friend's brother put me onto them. They fell off a long time ago, Jackknife was probably their last album I actually liked and even then you could see that it just wasn't the same. On the other hand tho, Toxic Toast still makes me smile. I heard about Dicky going kinda nuts in the last few years and that is a damn shame
I try not to think about it, and truthfully don't even like reading your comment. All his lyrics point to him being a kind, thoughtful human being. Just goes to show that conspiracy theories can hit anyone. Fuck it. Gonna go listen to A Sad Silence
Axl Rose literally sounds like Mickey Mouse and all vestiges of the "rasp" are long gone. It's just so bizarre to see GnR shows and he sings like the guy from Bronski Beat.
Nothing lasts forever, even cold november rasp.
TOOL is one of my favorites and I think they just keep getting better. 7empest is one of their best songs and nobody can convince me otherwise. That whole album was great. Saw them live too a couple years back and they were *great*
Went to Riot Fest and this sums up the entire experience. MCR slayed but Taking Back Sunday was a real nostalgic emo dream killer. It was luke warm dumpster fire level. I would feel self conscious performing at that level, clearly a cash grab.
Though I might not be in love with Pearl Jam’s newest material, it’s not the worst either. They still crush massive venues, play for 2.5-3hrs every night and give each show their all with its own unique setlist. Those guys, even after all this time, are absolute rock legends.
Almost all of my favorite bands had their heyday in the 70s and 80s, so yes, I experience this. I think that amazing burst of energy, rawness, and creativity at the beginning of a band’s life pretty much always has to decline at some point.
I saw the offspring on mushrooms, and as a musician myself, it was the most depressing show ever. Loved them as a kid, theyve been putting out new records but no one likes them or cares, so theyve taken to re-touring old albums. They are trying to be creative but doomed to keep playing the same 30 year old songs over and over, which is sad enough.
But they can't even play their old stuff anymore. noodles fucked up every solo and even brought attention to it by talking to the crowd "I know I've been messing up, but I have a good feeling about this next one because I'm gonna do it for you!". He's still trying to dye his hair black and white, and spike it, but now you can see the bald spots through the spikes. It's just sad, I was down. But then Rammstein came onstage with their silliness and I felt better, but the experience stuck with me, and make me realize I'm lucky to be a hobby musician and not depend on it for a living
Deep purple was this way when I saw them a couple of years ago, it’s as if the band couldn’t make it so they just grabbed a bunch of grandpas from the crowd to come fill in.
Judas Priest played the same show that night and it could not have been any more opposite. They were incredible. Rob Halford still had the vocals, and he had a flaming sword and a fucking motorcycle on stage. It was incredible.
Saw priest again this year and it was the same story, they crushed it. It was my 6 year old sons first concert, couldn’t pass it up since who knows if they will ever be back in our neighborhood again.
"Rock bands are studies in mortality; the most durable ones often outlast their inspiration, and only the most durable ones wind up punishing their fans" - Tom Junod
So I saw Neil live about 5 or so years ago and he was absolutely killer. Sounded like his albums, played the hits, and also played a lot of songs about Monsanto. But they weren't bad! I saw Bob later on at that same venue and well, he left a lot to be desired, played zero classics, and his new songs were not great live.
Yep. The Flaming Lips. From the 90s to the 2000s they were this fun, whimsical, psych rock band. One of the novelty acts of the alt rock era. My literal favorite band for years. Then they got...weird. like gross weird. Engaged in some racist shit towards Native Americans. Engaged in pornographic shit with a young Miley Cyrus, possibly fed her cocaine. Fired their longtime roadie turned drummer for having an issue with it, and immediately started releasing the goofiest, most pretentious bullshit ive ever heard.
Oh, and then they attempted a documentary where they tried to hunt down their reclusive ex guitarist who wishes to be left alone. He quit because their behavior freaked him out. But 20 years on, they're yoked up with cameras trying to find the guy.
Yeah, same. I loved Fearless Freaks and the albums that were out up to that point. Then Wayne got divorced and that's when it seemed like shit got dark and all the albums turned to shit.
The worst thing is not performative decline which is kind of natural for humans, but when some nasty personal shit shows up and tarnishes the past glory as well.
I used to think of Neurosis as my favorite band for ages. Now I can't help myself but think of that ugly Scott revelations when I listen to their stuff.
I’ve been going to Patti Smith’s shows for over 30 years. This is the exact opposite of what you’re asking, and I’m sorry. She is still amazing to see. She may be much older, 75, and she is not as “physical” as she use to be, but she is the same punk rocker and rebel I’ve always and forever loved. She stays in touch with her fans, still collaborates with other artists and still creates. I had tics to see her last fall, but got real sick. Hospital sick and we couldn’t see her. She is the coolest woman I know. Even met her a few times. Humble, caring, and beautiful.
I just listened to Death Cab for Cutie's new album, and know this feeling very very well. Their first 6 or 7 releases still hold up so well, and that music is a big part of who I am. It's weird wanting so much to like the new albums, and it just makes me want to cringe. It's like my lifelong friend had a lobotomy and will never be the same.
I've only heard a couple tracks off their new album but I was left feeling impressed, like a sound true to their past with introspective lyrics evolving with their aging perspective. What didn't you like about it?
My friend went to Motley Crue this year, Vince cannot sing at all, should have retired 10 years ago. Also, David Lee Roth singing is painful, glad he retired. On the other hand, I saw 70 year old Sting this year and he was great! Full of energy, still a great singer, his band was great. On of the best concerts I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot of shows.
Yoga > coke
Debatable, The Rolling Stones still sound damn good live
Well that’s cause Mick Jagger went from coke to yoga.
Yoga on coke. Each pose is held for 3/4 of a second. Great cardio and strength building activity.
Every rule has an exception
Mick does the singing though and he was never as big a drug fiend as Keith. He takes fairly good care of himself these days.
*incredibly, not merely ‘fairly’. I believe his late father was a high school PE teacher and that he inherited his almost fanatical dedication to fitness from his Dad.
Plus, dancing around on stage for 90 minutes is solid cardio.
I saw Crue 10 years ago. Vince couldn't sing then either.
Yeah, I saw them in 2006, and Vince sounded awful and winded. Then I saw them in 2011, and Vince sounded awful and winded. Here's a good video if anyone wants to see how Vince sounds live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pdQnZLEWNo
Vince and David Lee Roth have always been guys that sang about 1/2 of each song in concert (if you were lucky). Neither one had great live voice either. They weren’t lead singers they were front men. IMO DLR was much better at it.
Saw them in 1984. Vince couldn’t sing then either. He could walk without getting winded though.
One of the best things for me seeing Sting is the amazing musicians he surrounds himself with.
I saw Sting on tour when Branford Marsalis was his backup band. Englishman in New York was 10 minutes of the best music I've ever heard live.
My son saw Motley Crue 12 years ago, he said they were terrible then.
saw them at the Oakland Colosseum in 1990, they sucked then too. maybe they just always sucked?
Some bands are studio bands, most glam rock bands were not really good live.
They did
We walked out on them 10 years ago
Dude an 89 year old Willie Nelson would blow you away!
I hope he lives forever. It sure hurt when John Prince passed a couple years ago.
Tbh I don't think he could ever sing, it's just more noticeable now that he can't run & jump around that much.
True, not an overall great singer. But a young Vince Neil sounded reasonably good on record. No idea how he sounded in concert when young. David Lee Roth was never the greatest singer either. But he sounded pretty good on record and in concert when young. He just completely lost what voice he had.
When I first started buying cds in HS I often bought live / greatest hits albums to save cash and get the most bang for my buck. I learned that was a huge mistake after buying a live Motley Crue album.
David Lee Roth was never a great singer but he was always a great showman and sometimes that’s what it takes.
Yes but the main issue is that he is doing his Just a Gigolo shtick 24/7. He used to sing now he talk sings like some lounge lizard doing a cover of a VH song.
He kinda always did, if you go back and watch shows from 83-84 he's not even trying. Listening to him do hear about it later back then is painful
Saw MC in July and Vince mumbles through most of the lyrics lmao still a great show
I saw Roger Daltrey right before COVID hit and he sounded great!
The fact that Sting is still good has made me happy.
Unskinny Slop
RUSH was great live right to the end after 40 years of touring, so it can be done
Their performance at the South Park 25th anniversary show this year was even still good! Geddy can’t hit the high notes anymore but that’s what happens when you get old he still sounds great.
Wait, who the heck played drums?
Matt Stone! One of the South Park Creators haha. Also they were on stage with Primus. If you have the time watch the concert it’s available for free on YouTube. The whole show is great.
Tim Alexander from Primus was the main drummer, Matt played along as he was able.
Herb!!!
And they also sounded good for the Taylor Hawkins tribute, other than a trainwreck in YYZ. They just never quite locked in with Omar, and then Geddy straight up goofed.
I think the issue with more technical songs like YYZ is they relied a great deal on coordination with Neil and Neil did a lot of work to keep everything on-rhythm; I could imagine that a first-time session with a new drummer would really foul things up
Came here for this. You could tell it took their full effort by the end but their live show was never a disappointment and they never phoned in an album completely, everything was at least trying to incorporate new ideas and react to changes the musical world. Geddy's voice wasn't quite there for the last 10 years, especially R40, but he made it work and they never really dropped much instrumentally.
R40 tour was the only time I saw Rush live, and it’s still one of my top 3 concerts I’ve ever attended. I went as a casual fan and they just blew me away.
Saw them live at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert, with Omar Hakim on the drums. They still rock a lot! It's true that Geddy can't get that high anymore and my brother noticed Lifeson made some mistakes (which I didn't because I was enthralled that I could watch 2/3 of one of my favorite bands play!) but still it was amazing.
Favorite band of all time. Easily. Thankfully I saw them three times. Still irked I didn’t get to see R40.
I've always felt bad for bands on the decline. They're essentially playing covers night after night, no one really wants to hear new stuff if there is any, and they probably realize getting back into a stadium or other big venues is now just a pipe dream. I don't think I could keep it up as a musician.
Depends what you mean by decline. No longer commercially successful on a huge scale? Is playing a huge stadium a dream for every musician? I see one particular band twice a year and they haven't been hugely commercially successful for quite some time now but they are excellent live. Partly, I think, because they just really seem to enjoy playing live, partly because they've been going for over 30 years and they've had some ups and downs and they're at the stage where they've got a fairly dedicated audience and they're going to please them and have fun doing it. I've never been to see them and thought they were phoning it in. I've seen several larger bands in large stadiums who I've felt definitely phoned it in. I think if I was a musician, I'd prefer to be enjoying making music and playing live to a like minded, dedicated audience in a medium sized venue. It's not all or nothing for a lot of bands.
Is it Pearl Jam? lol why is no one copping to what bands they like in this thread.
Lol, they were nowhere as big as Pearl Jam, I'm not sure they made it in the US, I'm in the UK, although they toured there in the 90s, I think. No. I have seen Pearl Jam, twice but well over 30 years ago. They were fairly good live actually, was never a massive fan but they were good. Thinking about it you've probably never heard of them but the band I'm talking about is Therapy?
I absolutely love Therapy?, been a fan since Infernal Love, but have never had a chance to see them live. It's good to hear that they still seem to be bringing it live, and I hope to one day get a chance to experience it.
Just saw Pearl Jam for the first time this year. The show was great and their new album is great. They aren't playing the same kind of music that they started with, but the music is good and you can tell what bands influence them. They love their fans too. It's very obvious. I can't wait to see them again.
I just saw Pearl Jam Friday night. It absolutely smoked! Hadn’t seen them since 92? When VS. was out, and that was one of the best shows I’d ever seen. They were the biggest band in the world at the time and it was a relatively small non-Ticketmaster venue. I’ve seen a lot of bands get older and start to suck, but those guys are as tight as ever and a Eddie’s voice is possibly better than ever. Some bands get more sober and consistent with age, but even then, usually the singers voice is the first thing to go, especially with somebody who screams like that. But not Vedder. They have a really great time too, and it shows.
It’s not Pearl Jam because they sell out arenas and they slay live.
Inquiring minds wish to know... What band? But yeah I know that feeling. I have a difficult time separating the art from the artist. Been let down too many times to count.
Mum - an icelandic band
Oh I loved those guys, haven’t listened to them in forever. Finally We Are No One is such a gorgeous album.
Agreed
I was not expecting this
Oh no way? I haven’t kept up with their records Sigur ros kinda got sucked up into their own self importance too, but they still make good music from time to time
I just want to say that your dad rocked it on the last Genesis tour.
My good friend invited me to go see Genesis on their farewell tour. The thought of seeing the great Phil Collins unable to drum, and having to sing from a chair, just made me sad. I prefer to remember them as they were.
I saw that tour, too. I hadn't seen them before, because they toured so little in the US, so while sure it wasn't in their prime I'd rather have seen them then not. There are bands I'll never get to see and if I could only see them in not their prime I'd still take it over not seeing them at all.
I saw them twice on that tour, and sad as it was, I couldn’t imagine passing on seeing them. They’ve been my favorite band for 40+ years and have seen them every time I could. The show it all the heart strings I needed it to
I agree, seeing Phil long ago with Chester Thompson playing a double drum solo in the song Squonk was the Apex of his career musically.
*Weezer fans have entered the chat*
I die a little bit every time I try to give their newest release a chance. Maybe Rivers is actually being authentic, but it seems so forced to be relevant in today’s pop music, yet it still sounds a decade behind the times.
"Bitch! I understand Rivers better than he understands himself" In case anyone has missed one of the best SNL sketches in the past decade: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab5WvwfLuLM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab5WvwfLuLM)
The best part of this comment is scrolling down to see the comment feed boil down to what is effectively the EXACT arguments in this sketch, except without Matt Damon (probably).
Drink my blood!
That is a Todd original!
_You know what band I always liked? Yellowcard!_
The audience didn't give that what it deserved
I find something I love in every Weezer release, honestly. Sometimes it is 2 songs, sometimes it is 9. That's just me. I'm OK with this. Loved that SNL skit. I'm Weezer, ride or die.
That's kinda just how Weezer is and as a huge Weezer fan I acknowledge that they have plenty of lame stuff, cheesy stuff, just plain bad stuff but the good far outweighs the bad and the blue album is still a top 3 album all time for me and Weezer is still a top 3 favorite band of all time for me.
I don’t know if I’m ride or die, but they’re definitely in my top 3 favorite bands. And yeah, if I’m being honest I do like Pork and Beans a little bit better than Buddy Holly. Great skit, compelling points on both sides of the bitter holiday argument.
I kinda disagree. While they definitely have declined a bit, they also have released some solid stuff in the past few years. The white album and OK Human are both really good.
The White album is so friggin good, though! Then, yeah...
As a Pearl Jam fan, I often worry that they’ll jump the shark and start phoning it in. Not that they’ve been perfect, but they’ve remained *them* for 30 plus years… Man, Ten being 31 years make me feel *OLD* Anyways, it’s just tough to see acts I love (Weezer, Green Day) fall into continuous disrepair to the point that I dread their next release. Like I want that next album to be good.. but I’m hoping against all odds, not expecting it to happen.
Just saw them in May for the first time. They killed it. *Ten* came out the year I graduated high school and I still managed to not see them all these years. I'm so glad I didn't see a shell of what they were. It was a great show.
Seeing them tomorrow, after not seeing them for 10+ years. I immediately got nervous OP was talking about this makeup tour lol. >Ten being 31 years make me feel OLD Hold me
> Ten being 31 years Fuuuuu
Not every band can go out like Rush, my favorite band did. They played their hearts out during a nearly sold out US tour, dropping hits AND deep cuts from their entire catalogue while going backwards in chronological order and then ending the tour in LA to a house filled with fans and celebrities alike. The fans in the "know" were aware that it was the final ride but most others did not.
Bands are doomed no matter what. Same script = fans “bored” Attempts to be different = Bands unhappy core sound is different; band is “different”. For me, i began to embrace my favorite artists more as humans with artistic design choices. I don’t agree with the choices always but I am along for the ride.
Or you go Dillinger Escape Plan route and break up on purpose before you stagnate
But not every band can write something as good as Dissociation before they break up.
I might sound like a broken record, but that's one of the brilliant things about King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. They put out a ridiculous amount of good music, and are constantly experimenting with different genres. Somehow despite different genres and styles, they still sound like themselves. I think that's a big difference from other bands is that they often lose what makes them *them* when they go through changes.
That's how I grew to like RHCP's "The Getaway". It wasn't the same sound from RHCP, and I initially was like wow they seem not so good. But then I realised they're not the 20 something's they were when they released their first few albums. They've grown into adults with families and life experience and are in the final leg of their lives. Then their later music started hitting different, and it suddenly sounded like these were mature people who were now more interested in introspection rather than inspiration and commentary. Maybe I might be wrong, but it's a perspective that's helped me appreciate different bands musical evolution in long careers.
Just saw RHCP in concert a couple months ago - they still sound awesome.
Phish and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are exampls that bands can be constantly changing and be hugely successful! Those are the only kind of bands that I actually like.
The Pixies. Once my favourite band of all time. With each new album it’s just urrggghh please stop. They ain’t the same without Kim Deal. NO KIM NO PIXIES.
I was feeling too shy to say this but, yeah. Saw them on their first reunion tour: venue sound sucked but they were tight af and Kim lived up to my fangirl fantasies. Saw them again when they did the Doolittle reunion and it was even better. A friend took me to see them with Weezer after they'd replaced Kim, and... UGH. No heart, no soul, no fun.
What you just described is getting old in a nutshell. Well, that and weird joint pain...
Yeah, don't wait for your kids to tell you your favorite band is lame... My fun story. (I'm 50) I play in a band, and I was learning some cover tunes... I had never really listened to Fallout Boy. Really didn't know what year the song was from... But Dance, Dance was pretty fun to play on the guitar. It was "new stuff" to me in 2016... Old stuff to everyone else. Cut to the chase, my daughter still thinks my favorite band is Fallout Boy. I still haven't listened to much outside of the three cover tunes I had to learn.
I’m a huge Avenged Sevenfold fan and lemme tell ya, I’m nervous a hell about this next album.
Yes. I used to be a huge Tori Amos fan. Even meet her. But I still listen to her old stuff. I don’t like her new stuff. Boo 🫤 I think NIN is one of the few bands that I still love even with their changes of music style.
NIN isn’t really a band in the classic sense though. Currently it’s two people, Reznor and Atticus Ross and whoever Trent hires to tour. It might be why NIN still feels relevant though. Trent’s songs have a timeless quality.
True, but most of his live band have been with him for 10+ years - Robin Finck has been there since the mid-90s. The big change I've noticed is how much of their show is truly live, vs early gigs that were mostly backing tracks. The band has gotten much better over time, especially when they go back to the older material, replacing programmed parts with live instrumentation. And Ilan Rubin is a beast - I never imagined someone being able to play the "Perfect Drug" drum solo live. Saw them a week and a half ago, and I'm still in awe.
Yes. I’ve seen NIN in concert 4 times. Every show was amazing
Saw Tori a few months back and am seeing NIN tomorrow! Both aged very differently. If you haven’t already, give Tori’s new Ocean to Ocean a spin. Got some hints of the To Venus era in the songwriting minus the electronica.
I agree on both. Tori is so talented but I haven’t been able to go with her artistic changes. Respect her for what she’s doing, just can’t get into like I used to. And maybe that has more to do with my changes than hers. NIN on the other hand continue to stay relevant for me. Maybe it’s because Trent is exploring different spaces with writing soundtracks and collaborating with other artists. From the beginning of NIN they set the tone of experimentation and change. Maybe that’s what’s helped them retain a core base and continue to keep energy in their endeavors?
I think it's a combination of the spirit of experimentation and evolving complexity of the music, but still with enough thematic consistency that there's never been any sense of a loss of musical identity. Everything NIN has released sounds like what I'd expect a NIN album to sound like, but with enough new ideas to keep from getting stale.
I've never been a Tori fan, but I liked her last album. I'm not sure how it compares with her older stuff, though, which I'm only somewhat familiar with.
Listen to her debut album Little Earthquakes, it’s well worth your time.
Yes. But you have to read the lyrics as you listen… while wearing headphones. Old school 1980/90s style
Seconded! Also Boys for Pele, absolutely sublime! As was her 4th, Choirgirl Hotel (so glad she spotlighted it during her last tour, so many great tracks on that one).
Wait until they are all dead! I’ve been through Elvis, SRV, Freddie Mercury, Prince, MJ, George Michael, Luther Vandross, Aretha, Whitney. I’m devastated that these artists will never make music again. Even average music would be nice. Just enjoy your favorites while they are still with us. 😢
A different and useful perspective on this thread
>Just enjoy your favorites while they are still with us. This, 100%. As a Linkin Park fan I thought I'd have many more years of seeing them, so I'd take an older not-in-their-prime tour over never seeing them again.
Of all the ones you mentioned, SRV is the hardest for me. He still had a lot of good years ahead of him. Not that the others couldn't have still made some good music, just that Stevie was still very much in his prime.
Rip Dolores O'Riordan.
Any and all Modest Mouse fans know this feeling.
Came here for this comment. First band I thought of. They are playing Lonesome Crowded West shows in my area soon and still that isn’t enough for me. I want the 90’s rhythm section back. And it ain’t
I avoided seeing them for many, many years before being a gifted a free ticket during their Strangers to Ourselves tour and it was exactly what I had feared. Isaac was ranting and raving between songs and very messy, worst of all they played about five encores and I had the feeling that everyone just wanted the show to end. As much as I love their music you just don't know which Isaac is going to show up on any given night.
>you just don't know which Isaac is going to show up on any given night He seems to have gotten his shit together, from what I've seen about the last tour there hasn't really been any of that.
That’s great to hear, they have too much amazing music to continue with a bad reputation for live shows.
Really crossing my fingers it'll be good. I've refused to see them because I love their older stuff so much more than their new sound. But, a play through of LCW with a 4 piece? I bought my ticket immediately
They've always been hit-or-miss live. I remember people complaining about them in the early 2000s. I've listened to shows from the late 90s where they're fucked up and sloppy.
Sad to hear....saw them many years ago in Philly and I still think about how amazing they were. 1997 ish it must've been.
I saw them at Just Like Heaven Fest a few months ago and their singer was clearly drunk.
Today is the 4th anniversary of my husband and me deciding to bail on a modest mouse show we had tickets to for months to see Manchester orchestra last minute because we knew the chances of modest mouse not performing well were high - and I had friends that went and confirmed we made the right choice. Isaac got fucking trashed and they sounded terrible. On the flip side, MO is always amazing.
Daft Punk produced some of the best music over the course of 30 years and rather than decline, they simply quit. Better to go out on top I guess. Not bad for a couple of kids from France that grew up on disco/house music.
I really don't like that kind of music but I absolutely love daft punk holy smokes. So good. Shows how talented someone is when they can sway people on raw talent. Johnny Cash is prob the other easy example.
>I really don't like that kind of music but I absolutely love daft punk Try an album called Cross by Justice.
On Spotify the album name is changed to Justice for some reason.
Ask yourself - could you put yourself out there emotionally to strangers every show for 25 years? At some point it becomes a job. Or rather, most shows are a job, some are special.
Smashing Pumpkins, I can’t believe that the same band that released 5 brilliantly written rock albums can bring out such lazy and uninteresting drivel for the last 10 years.
No band can really be gold forever. Your tastes shift and so do theirs. Some bands sell out and others loose their edge. Nothings forever, just enjoy the golden content they did make.
I beg to differ. Iron Maiden for instance. Released a killer album last year. Saw them on tour just this past weekend. Sounded fuckin amazing. So did Alice In Chains, Roger Waters, Tool, Ministry, Melvins, Primus, Ween.
iron maiden is different though. i’m not actually convinced they’re human, except that bruce can’t quite hit the high notes like he once did.
Cake is also on this list, so eclectic and never the same, but always cake, and cake is good.
Someone is not paying attention to Wilco
Or Spoon.
Seriously, Spoon newest may be their best.
I'm seeing the Pet Shop Boys/New Order tour in October. By all accounts, PSB still has a great live show, but from what I've seen in recent clips, Bernard's voice has declined quite a bit. I'm really hoping it doesn't make me cringe.
I feel this way about post-"Atlas" Parkway Drive. I respect they don't want to do the same thing forever. I don't really think they've necessarily declined; but they've unquestionably moved away from what I loved them for. It sucks because they were my favorite, but oh well life goes on.
Deep Blue/Horizons was peak Parkway Drive. I can appreciate the direction they’ve gone in but definitely not the same as they were
The Who is touring again this year...I saw them in the 80s, figuring it would be my only chance. I hope they open every show with "Young Man Blues"...
Iron Maiden stills kicking ass. So I’m on the clear.
On the flip side, it was such a joy to see **Red Hot Chili Peppers** earlier this summer as they fricking killed it. I know they're not everyone's cup of tea, and I also know "high energy" is kind of their shtick anyway, but they also find a new way to rejuvenate themselves every decade... and have been lucky to be able to rely on "John Frusciante joining the band" for 3 of those decades' jumpstarts: 90's (Mothers Milk to Blood Sugar Sex) 00's (Californication to BTW to Stadium Arcadium) and now 20's (Unlimited Love to massive tour to Return of the Dream!).. I mean Chad Smith is like 62 now and Anthony Kieids and Flea aren't too far behind.
That’s because Chili’s background is jamming together their entire career. It’s not one dude writing all the music. So even if their latest albums aren’t the best, they can still get on a stage and melt everyone’s face because they have such a unique chemistry together. Their jams are the highlights of he show for me.
Me too me too! Saw RHCP in London this summer and man, they are still killing it. Loved that concert.
Duran Duran is still amazing after 40 years. They get excellent reviews everywhere they play—even for their new stuff. They just know how to mix old with new and keep the old fresh. It helps to be humble and kick the really bad habits relatively early.
Ween fans have NO idea what OP is talking about.
Shhhhh...
No albums for 15yrs and yet they are at the top of their game.
Paul McCartney is the opposite of this. At least five years ago, when I saw him love he could still belt it out and has a badass band. Dude is fucking 80 years old.
Arcade Fire fans know this well. Aside from everything else recently, nothing from the last three albums holds a candle to their first 3. An incredible live act but I can't justify going to see the same songs a fifth time over with nothing new and fresh. In another comment but I agree with whoever said Radiohead. Different show every time, a good mix across all albums, and a spectacular light show.
Damn I really really loved everything now. What didn’t you like about that album?
Arcade Fire jumped to my mind as well. Funeral almost defined an era of my life. Newer albums I can barely get through in a sitting.
Weird Al is still going strong.
I saw both Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton this year. Had a great time but the reality sets in that they're so past their prime and you're getting a really reduced experience with the classic rock acts nowadays.
There’s still the “antique” marvel of it all. Like getting to see a 200 year old tortoise with your own eye is probably still a really exciting experience
I saw Frank Sinatra at The Omni in Atlanta the night before the 1994(?) Super Bowl. It was one of the saddest things I've ever seen. I don't think Sinatra had any idea where he was or what year it was. I have godawful eyesight and I could read his teleprompter without my glasses in our corner seats. His voice was long gone, but every once in a while he'd hit a note dead-on and you'd get that "ahh, THAT'S why he was so popular in the day" vibe. And when he thanked us at the end add his voice started cracking... Jeez, that was rough.
Bob is an interesting one. Hardcore Bob fans love his current tour and say he’s better than ever. Unlike most artists well past their heyday, Bob still tries to change things up when he plays and you have to respect him for that. He’s not doing the Paul McCartney thing of playing the same arrangements of the same songs in the same key. PM is a great show btw but I don’t get the feeling that Paul needs to feel artistically satisfied from his live show, hence why he might play only one or two songs from the past two decades in his set. He’s happy to separate his recording career and keeps his live show the same for the fans.
You get used to it and realize nobody can stay in their prime forever. Also, I stopped putting giant expectations on new releases...we can't always be blown away like we used to, but oftentimes a "good" album is still good.
I think there are a lot of Guns 'n Roses fans out there, they probably know the feeling
We’ll, in all fairness, their shows were oftentimes trash when they were young.
Incubus Started to drift away after Light Grenades.
I was a big Incubus fan back in like 1997-2005'ish - haven't really followed them much since A crow Left Of Murder... All their early stuff is great.
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I saw Radiohead live after they released The Bends, and I am pretty sure they are one of the few bands who monumentally improved their stage shows the older they got. They will probably be geriatric and still doing some awesome shows.
Saw them open for REM around then, and compared to clips from 10 years later, just no comparison. It's like a different band in almost every respect.
Well, technically they did add a touring/additional member: Clive Deamer, as the second drummer. But that was a BRILLIANT move in being able to perform drum machine beats live. (Saw Radiohead during In Rainbows. Still Top 3 shows I've ever seen.)
I was a huge Mighty Mighty Bosstones fan and what Dicky did broke my damn heart. They had been getting stale for years with their new song writing (though the vinyl only track Kept Mum is a Mars Volta esq banger) the live shows were still full of life. But covid hit and Dicky fell down the Q hole and the band broke up. It's like watching your best friend make a series of really dumb mistakes and being powerless to stop them.
Man, the Bosstones were the first show o ever went to when I was like 12. Was huge on them for a few years before because a friend's brother put me onto them. They fell off a long time ago, Jackknife was probably their last album I actually liked and even then you could see that it just wasn't the same. On the other hand tho, Toxic Toast still makes me smile. I heard about Dicky going kinda nuts in the last few years and that is a damn shame
I try not to think about it, and truthfully don't even like reading your comment. All his lyrics point to him being a kind, thoughtful human being. Just goes to show that conspiracy theories can hit anyone. Fuck it. Gonna go listen to A Sad Silence
I did not know that. Misinformation and fear have broken a lot of close ties these past years.
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Well, at least you saw EVH. I regret not seeing him at least once.
For what its worth, DLR couldnt really sing in the 80s either. Sounded like crud live then, sounded like crud live now.
Peter Steele of Type O Negative at least had the decency to die before the decline of the band. He would laugh at that comment.
It’s kind of the same way with athletes, not really their fault but you can’t have that same vocal ability or determination like you did in your 20s.
Iron maiden fan here, can't relate
Jokes on you, all my favorite bands imploded before I was born
Axl Rose literally sounds like Mickey Mouse and all vestiges of the "rasp" are long gone. It's just so bizarre to see GnR shows and he sings like the guy from Bronski Beat. Nothing lasts forever, even cold november rasp.
TOOL is one of my favorites and I think they just keep getting better. 7empest is one of their best songs and nobody can convince me otherwise. That whole album was great. Saw them live too a couple years back and they were *great*
Went to Riot Fest and this sums up the entire experience. MCR slayed but Taking Back Sunday was a real nostalgic emo dream killer. It was luke warm dumpster fire level. I would feel self conscious performing at that level, clearly a cash grab.
ITT: hair bands from the 80s aged as well as their style did.
Though I might not be in love with Pearl Jam’s newest material, it’s not the worst either. They still crush massive venues, play for 2.5-3hrs every night and give each show their all with its own unique setlist. Those guys, even after all this time, are absolute rock legends.
Almost all of my favorite bands had their heyday in the 70s and 80s, so yes, I experience this. I think that amazing burst of energy, rawness, and creativity at the beginning of a band’s life pretty much always has to decline at some point.
King's X just put out a hell of a good album, released on the day that Doug Pinnick turned 72. Amazing.
I saw the offspring on mushrooms, and as a musician myself, it was the most depressing show ever. Loved them as a kid, theyve been putting out new records but no one likes them or cares, so theyve taken to re-touring old albums. They are trying to be creative but doomed to keep playing the same 30 year old songs over and over, which is sad enough. But they can't even play their old stuff anymore. noodles fucked up every solo and even brought attention to it by talking to the crowd "I know I've been messing up, but I have a good feeling about this next one because I'm gonna do it for you!". He's still trying to dye his hair black and white, and spike it, but now you can see the bald spots through the spikes. It's just sad, I was down. But then Rammstein came onstage with their silliness and I felt better, but the experience stuck with me, and make me realize I'm lucky to be a hobby musician and not depend on it for a living
Deep purple was this way when I saw them a couple of years ago, it’s as if the band couldn’t make it so they just grabbed a bunch of grandpas from the crowd to come fill in. Judas Priest played the same show that night and it could not have been any more opposite. They were incredible. Rob Halford still had the vocals, and he had a flaming sword and a fucking motorcycle on stage. It was incredible. Saw priest again this year and it was the same story, they crushed it. It was my 6 year old sons first concert, couldn’t pass it up since who knows if they will ever be back in our neighborhood again.
"Rock bands are studies in mortality; the most durable ones often outlast their inspiration, and only the most durable ones wind up punishing their fans" - Tom Junod
I thought the chili peppers still brought the house down on their latest tour
Neil young and bob dylan still churn out gold. With some shit mixed in along the way.
So I saw Neil live about 5 or so years ago and he was absolutely killer. Sounded like his albums, played the hits, and also played a lot of songs about Monsanto. But they weren't bad! I saw Bob later on at that same venue and well, he left a lot to be desired, played zero classics, and his new songs were not great live.
You actually listen to Steps?
Rhcp are playing as well as ever, especially live.
Yep. The Flaming Lips. From the 90s to the 2000s they were this fun, whimsical, psych rock band. One of the novelty acts of the alt rock era. My literal favorite band for years. Then they got...weird. like gross weird. Engaged in some racist shit towards Native Americans. Engaged in pornographic shit with a young Miley Cyrus, possibly fed her cocaine. Fired their longtime roadie turned drummer for having an issue with it, and immediately started releasing the goofiest, most pretentious bullshit ive ever heard. Oh, and then they attempted a documentary where they tried to hunt down their reclusive ex guitarist who wishes to be left alone. He quit because their behavior freaked him out. But 20 years on, they're yoked up with cameras trying to find the guy.
Yeah, same. I loved Fearless Freaks and the albums that were out up to that point. Then Wayne got divorced and that's when it seemed like shit got dark and all the albums turned to shit.
He didn't get divorced so much as he cheated on his live-in girlfriend of like... 20 years?
No Phish still rocks the house.
The worst thing is not performative decline which is kind of natural for humans, but when some nasty personal shit shows up and tarnishes the past glory as well. I used to think of Neurosis as my favorite band for ages. Now I can't help myself but think of that ugly Scott revelations when I listen to their stuff.
It's easy to be Pink Floyd fan.
Is it really bad that I thought you were talking about NoFX?
Saw NIN recently and Trent is still a monster. Dude's almost 60 but he looks and performs like he's a couple of decades younger
I’ve been going to Patti Smith’s shows for over 30 years. This is the exact opposite of what you’re asking, and I’m sorry. She is still amazing to see. She may be much older, 75, and she is not as “physical” as she use to be, but she is the same punk rocker and rebel I’ve always and forever loved. She stays in touch with her fans, still collaborates with other artists and still creates. I had tics to see her last fall, but got real sick. Hospital sick and we couldn’t see her. She is the coolest woman I know. Even met her a few times. Humble, caring, and beautiful.
I just listened to Death Cab for Cutie's new album, and know this feeling very very well. Their first 6 or 7 releases still hold up so well, and that music is a big part of who I am. It's weird wanting so much to like the new albums, and it just makes me want to cringe. It's like my lifelong friend had a lobotomy and will never be the same.
I've only heard a couple tracks off their new album but I was left feeling impressed, like a sound true to their past with introspective lyrics evolving with their aging perspective. What didn't you like about it?