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Topic: Sparing us the train wrecks, 'Band' is a compellin (Read 825 times) |
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Shannon
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Sparing us the train wrecks, 'Band' is a compellin
« on: Oct 20th, 2007, 9:11am » |
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Sparing us the train wrecks, 'Band' is a compelling watch
BY ROBERT PHILPOT
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
It would be easy to think of The Next Great American Band, Fox's new American Idol spinoff, as a diluted version of Idol. But it's actually a concentrated version of it -- and a surprisingly entertaining one, at that.
The show, which premiered Friday night on KDFW/Channel 4, has many Idol ingredients: smarmy host (Dominic Bowden, who also hosts New Zealand Idol), acid-tongued judge (Ian "Dicko" Dickson, who judges Australian Idol -- are you sensing a pattern here?), too-nice judge (percussionist Sheila E.), laid-back judge (Goo Goo Dolls front man John Rzeznik).
What it doesn't have, fortunately, is the humiliation factor of Idol's early episodes. True, Dickson can crack nasty just as easily as Simon Cowell, but most of the bands took it better, and the train wrecks were seriously reduced by an audition process that involved submitted audition videos rather than cattle-call tryouts in several cities. The top 60 bands from the video auditions then journeyed to Las Vegas, where they played for the judges outdoors, in 110-plus-degree heat. The judges then whittled down the groups to a final 12, who will receive viewer votes in subsequent episodes.
Two Tarrant County acts were featured briefly, although neither one made the cut. The first was Xenovibes, a Southlake-based duo featuring a woman who played the theremin, the eerie instrument heard on the soundtrack of '50s science-fiction movies as well as the Beach Boys' Good Vibrations. "I'm sure R2D2 would get it," Dickson said, "but we don't." (The act defies easy description; check out www.xenovibes.com for more.) Arlington's The 440 Alliance got even less air time and no real comments from the judges. On its Web site ( www.the440Alliance.com), the band describes itself as "four cellists and a percussionist ... [combining] classical training with the styling of classic rock, hip-hop, Nintendo and other madness that will astound you."
Not all the bands were that offbeat, and certainly North Texas was better represented by its acts than Los Angeles was by Fifi LaRue, the Gothic Killer Clown of Rock 'n' Roll, a makeup-drenched bunch led by a guy who lives with his mom and records his vocals in the bathroom. Fifi LaRue was the only band to honor the time-honored reality-show tradition of sniping back at the judges, but Sheila E. cut them off with an atypically acerbic "I think you need more fiber in your diet. It was horrible."
At this point, the two acts that look like the bands to beat are the Clark Brothers, a Nashville-based, bluegrass-influenced trio that featured stunning solos on mandolin and National guitar, and Franklin Bridge, a Philadelphia group that combined early '70s soul with a more rock-based sound and made it seem original.
Fox is taking a risk scheduling the show on Fridays, typically a low-viewing night for network shows, but the series has the turn-off-your-brain-appeal that works for many cable shows at the end of the week. And it has a secret weapon in Dickson, a Cowell clone with better lines than the real deal: "Ladies and gentlemen," he said as he dismissed an apparently septuagenarian doo-wop group, "if you've just tuned in, you're watching Happy Days: The Viagra Years."
http://www.star-telegram.com/live/story/274353.html
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DWG
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Re: Sparing us the train wrecks, 'Band' is a compe
« Reply #1 on: Oct 20th, 2007, 9:15pm » |
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But...nmf said there'd be train wrecks.
Darn.
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nmf016
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Re: Sparing us the train wrecks, 'Band' is a compe
« Reply #2 on: Oct 20th, 2007, 10:12pm » |
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on Oct 20th, 2007, 9:15pm, DWG wrote:But...nmf said there'd be train wrecks.
Darn. |
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No severe trainwreck this week, but next week is apparently Bob Dylan cover week. You tell me Rocket covering Bob Dylan will go well. I dare you. 
And the ratings were a trainwreck. I don't understand them much, but I think FOX came in 5th... even though there are only 4 major networks...
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DWG
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Re: Sparing us the train wrecks, 'Band' is a compe
« Reply #3 on: Oct 20th, 2007, 10:22pm » |
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on Oct 20th, 2007, 10:12pm, nmf016 wrote:
No severe trainwreck this week, but next week is apparently Bob Dylan cover week. You tell me Rocket covering Bob Dylan will go well. I dare you.
And the ratings were a trainwreck. I don't understand them much, but I think FOX came in 5th... even though there are only 4 major networks...
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If you think about it, imagine young Bob Dylan going through the audition process of a show like this. The judges would've criticized the heck out of the kid. Hey, you can't sing. What's with the hair? What's that around yer neck...a harmonica??
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nmf016
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Re: Sparing us the train wrecks, 'Band' is a compe
« Reply #4 on: Oct 21st, 2007, 12:36am » |
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Bob Dylan, the Bowie. And cruelest elimination ever. "Okay, guys, we will eliminate you after you've spent all week preparing your songs".
TOP 12 BANDS REVEALED ON TONIGHT’S PREMIERE OF
“THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND”
First Performances by Top 12 Semifinalist Bands
Friday, Oct. 26, on FOX
Tonight, the producers behind mega-hit phenomenon AMERICAN IDOL took the musical reality genre to a whole new performance level with a mission to find the most talented undiscovered groups on the premiere of THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND, hosted by Dominic Bowden. After reviewing auditions from around the nation, the show’s judges – singer/songwriter John Rzeznik, legendary percussionist and performer Sheila E. and Australian TV personality Ian “Dicko” Dickson – narrowed down thousands of hopefuls to the Top 12 semifinalist bands.
Next week, the Top 12 bands will vie for America’s vote as they perform before a live studio audience on Friday, Oct. 26 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Each band will perform two songs: an original composition and a song by legendary artist Bob Dylan. On Friday, Nov. 2 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PM), the two bands with the lowest vote totals will be eliminated from the competition, and each of the Top 10 bands will perform an original composition as well as a David Bowie song.
From hair bands to big bands and classic rockers to country crooners, every genre of music is represented, and each week the bands will perform in the varied styles. Then it’s up to the viewers to determine with their votes who will secure a contract with 19 Recordings and the title of “The Next Great American Band.”
Meet the Top 12 bands (Alpha Order):
The Clark Brothers, a Bluegrass/Country band from Nashville, TN.
Cliff Wagner and the Old #7, a Bluegrass Band from San Pedro, CA.
Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, a Big Band/Swing Band from Nashville, TN.
Dot Dot Dot, a Modern Rock band from Chicago, IL.
Franklin Bridge, an R&B/Soul band from Philadelphia, PA.
The Hatch, a Pop/Rock band from Brooklyn, NY.
Light of Doom, a Heavy Metal band from San Marcos, CA.
The Likes of You, a Pop/Rock band from Los Angeles, CA.
The Muggs, a Classic Rock band from Detroit, MI.
Rocket, a Pop/Punk band from Los Angeles, CA.
Sixwire, a Country band from Nashville, TN.
Trés Bien, a Retro Pop/Rock band from Clearwater, FL.
MSN, the exclusive online partner for THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND, has created http://nextgreatband.msn.com where fans can get the latest information on the show, their favorite contestants, judges and much more.
THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND, created by Simon Fuller, is produced by 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia North America. Simon Fuller (19 Entertainment), Nigel Lythgoe (19 Entertainment), Ken Warwick (FremantleMedia North America) and Cecile Frot-Coutaz (FremantleMedia North America) are executive producers. Charles Boyd is co-executive producer.
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