ETA: I just fixed a problem with the post formatting. Check out Caffiend’s recap if you haven’t read the whole thing, it’s good stuff…Â
Caffiend attended the taping this week…
Click the jump to read her recap, and find out who went home!
Tres Bien! is eliminated. Sniff.Â
********
So tonight was Rod Stewart Night on the Next Great American Band. I was wondering how they’d fill the hour with only five bands. Turns out there is a fairly lengthy video retrospective at the start about the final six bands’ journey on the show. The producers do a good job on those videos.
So here’s the scoop, in order of appearance.
Dot Dot Dot: Did “Young Turks,” I do like this band, not so much for its musicianship as for its personality. I love the lead guy, Adam. He’s just charming and adorable. Anyway, they do a very good job with the song. Sheila gets booed for comments about Adam’s vocals. Adam assures the judges that they take everything they say to heart, and you can tell they do by the way they listen to the critique of their performance. Very endearing. They won’t win the whole thing, but I’d see them in a club.
Denver and the Mile High Orchestra: I thought Denver was vulnerable this week, but they made it through. As I’ve said, they are popular with the audience, and they do sound very good live. In their video montage, they talk about how hard it was to find a Rod Stewart song with nonsexual lyrics (I heard from an audience member that they’re all Christians). Anyway, they perform “Baby Jane.” Denver cranks up his vocals, prompting praise from Sheila, who has always been a big supporter.
Sixwire: I just love this band…they’re my second favorite. I’ll be stunned if they’re not in the top 3. Anyway, they choose “Hot Legs,” a somewhat surprising choice, but in a good way. They rocked the hell out of it, with solos from every band member. All three judges criticize them for including a bass solo…huh? I didn’t get that one. These guys are pros.
Clark Brothers: They are my pick to win it all. These guys are just amazing in person…so incredibly humble. They chose “You’re in My Heart,” and Ashley muffed the song title coming out of the video segment. He called it “I’m In Your Heart,” so the whole sequence had to be filmed three times. He apologized each time, saying he was nervous. He was, and embarrassed too. It was so sweet. And I’m thinking, how can you be nervous? You’re so good…but I think this thing just means so much to these guys.
So then I got nervous for them…what if they blow the performance, forget the lyrics? But then the lights go down, and Ashley and Austin are sitting for their parts. And they proceed to do the most lovely, passionate, pure version of that song you’ll ever hear. The audience was mesmerized.
Johnny said the song touched him deeply, which is a lot for him to say; he was in a pretty crappy mood all night because he was sick. Then Dominic turns to Sheila, and there is dead silence in the studio because Sheila is in tears and cannot compose herself. That’s right: Sheila is having a Paula moment. Everyone came to a standstill as we waited for Sheila to be able to speak. It was really something. The silence went on for at least half a minute. I got choked up. Even Dicko joked that she was going to get him going. Finally she managed to say something about how they touched her heart.
It gets better. Dicko loves the performance, of course; he loves this band. Then he asks Ashley why he didn’t use the fiddle. Ashley explained that he couldn’t get into a rhythm singing the song and playing the fiddle. So Dicko says, “You know, you are free to hire and fire band members at will anytime during this competition. Why don’t you bring another Clark brother or two into the band?” Ashley, seemingly quite surprised by this news that they can add band members, says he’ll have to see if the other brothers are available (so cute!) and promises to “make a few calls.” He!
Wow! Wouldn’t it be something to tune in next week and see another one or two members of the Clark band of brothers? And there are several more musical brothers in the family to call on…including a drummer. And yes, they all have first names beginning with A. Read more here.
OK, so now we’re down to the final two. And once again, a HUGE contingent has come from Light of Doom’s native San Marcos, California (about two hours south of the studio) to support LOD. The producers must be dreading the day that this band gets eliminated, because the LOD supporters make up about half of the audience.
But not to worry. LOD makes it through, and Tres Bien gets eliminated. Aah, the perils of going first the week before. This band has an appealing look and a charming front man. Not sure how their music would play for mainstream audiences, but Johnny advises them to tour the country “playing crappy clubs,” and Dicko tells them they have what it takes to get a record deal.
So LOD takes the stage, to heavy screaming from the audience. They perform “Infatuation,” and the lead singer, little Erik, even takes a lap thought the mosh pit. These boys are getting better each week. I swear they’re going through puberty right before my eyes. Dicko notes that Erik’s vocals have gotten better–the result of voice lessons, as it turns out.
Great show. The Web site says there will be a three-band finale. No word yet on where or when that will be. Meanwhile, next week the bands will take on Queen. Hmm, should be interesting! Denver doing…Bohemian Rhapsody? I think David Bowie might be the week after, btw, because Dominic said Bowie first, then said Queen on the second take. I believe Sixwire and the Clark Brothers will be in the finale, but I have no idea who the third band will be.
Love this show!!!! I hope Fox sticks with it.
Thanks, Caffiend! I’m so jealous that you get to go to all of these tapings. It sounds like a great way to spend a Wednesday night! I’m not really surprised that Tres Bien! is gone but I wish it were Denver. I really think the final three will be The Clark Brothers, Sixwire and, I’m afraid to say it, LOD.
ETA: I was hoping that since there were only six bands left, they would add originals back into the mix. Maybe next week?
Mesmerized, I tell ya, reading through the Clark Brother’s part. Just when you think they can’t top the previous performance, there’s more! It read like a best-selling page turner. Just put me out of my misery now. I am in awe of what they have done and are doing. If I could bottle them up and package them to go, I would be doing it in a heartbeat! They are in my heart :>!
The comments about the bringing in more brothers - idk. Maybe Dicko, who is behind them, wants to overcome any naysayers about the lack of a drummmer. I think they don’t need a drummer for this show. If they feel they need to add a drummer later, then so be it.
I forgot to thank you Caffiend, for this and your past reports. I live too far away to attend a taping. It is breaking my heart to not hear them live!
c’mon Jersey, even if you don’t like Denver’s STYLE of music, you have to admit that they are awesome musicians. Great sound, great energy, and they are CLEAN. There’s nothing wrong with that! I hope Denver makes it to the final 3, just so they can prove that musicians can succeed without selling out to the music industry’s sexual hype.
Clark Brothers all the way, please. Although my stingy CD buying buck will also support a Sixwire effort.
(Certainly can’t say that about the current AI6 products!)
LOL, I so called Dot Dot Dot on doing “Young Turks.” They seem to like those sort of songs after “Lets spend the night together”…
Hard to find a non sexual Rod Song ? Babyjane is one of my fave 80s Rod songs, but first non sexual Rod song that comes to mind is “Forever Young.” “This old heart of mine” is innocent enough, “Rhythm of my heart” isn’t bad either…I’m sure they’d stay the heck away from “Killing of Georgie”…
Hot legs, is a good choice. It isn’t the lyrics so much as it is the music that gets the place rocking.
Now for the other bands choices…
Ack!
I knew I shouldn’t have read this! But thanks for the info anyway. I will certainly miss Le Biens, but, other than Denver and maybe the Dots, from here on out, someone I like will be going.
Me too! It is MOST entertaining!
Me too! Reading Caffiend’s recap already had me tearing up a little, so I just know I’m gonna cry when I see all this tomorrow night.
The Clark Brothers FTW!! I just adore them. I don’t know if adore is even a strong enough word for it. They’re incredible.
I’m with Sarah. These guys blow me away every single week, and when I read the description in Caffiend’s (thank you by the way), spoilers, my mouth was kind of hanging open. I cannot wait for tomorrow night!
Hi, everyone: I’m glad you’re enjoying the recaps. I do feel incredibly privileged to live within walking distance of the studio (we just moved here) and to be able to see these tapings. Unbelievably entertaining, and it’s all free.
I’m planning to go to all remaining shows. I have tix to the next two, but none to the finale yet. They haven’t released any info on it yet.
The link in my post didn’t make it onto the blog, but I wanted to share some interesting links with you Clark Brothers fans. The family used to have a record deal and actually had a hit song a few years ago, when the brothers were part of the Clark Family Experience, possibly the worst name for a band ever.
Wikipedia entry for Clark Family Experience
Video of their big hit, Meanwhile, Back At The Ranch
A photo of the CFE’s CD cover
A Yahoo Music page that includes 30-second samples of their songs
I can’t understand why this show isn’t doing better in the ratings, but I can tell you that the LOD contingent is voting like crazy. So we need to pick up the phones and vote our fingers off for Ashley and Co. Clark Bros. FTW!
Not just FTW..
CBWD!!!!!!
Geez, after all these months, I’m feeling fangirly again and I kinda like it.
Thanks for posting those links, Caffiend.
I’m not real crazy about the clips, too pop country for me. I hope they do a folk or a gospel album.
BTW, Caffiend, I’ll be eagerly waiting for your recaps on Thursday mornings. ;).
DMHO had 12 songs to chose from this week….they were not given Rod Stweart’s entire catalog from which to chose.
I agree, MJ. I love the Clarks’ gospel-infused whatever it is….I don’t even know how to characterize it.
And of course I will send you the recaps.
Thanks for the amazing recap!! Lucky girl!! If anyone wants to join us over at myspace/clarkbrothersfans (sorry my computer is not letting me link)we need some excitement over there. I don’t think many people are watching the show. Did anyone catch Ashley Clark touring with Carrie Underwood (and on AI6 with her)? I knew that he would be doing something on his own eventually after seeing him with her. Come join us!! Robin
Caffiend, I’ve found all your comments interesting and, as I watch on TV, quite accurate. And here’s another great recap! I’m fully expecting an entertaining hour tonight.
I wish Tres Bien! lots of success in the future. I do like the singer…not quite sold on the other band members though.
I think Dot Dot Dot’s “look” may be a double-edged sword for them. Sure, it gets them noticed, but perhaps their visual impact limits how viewers perceive them. Adam doesn’t really seem like the wild & crazy guy he portrays. He does appear to take what he’s doing seriously; well, even if he comes off as the nutty singer, he seems to be very respectful of the concept of making music. I’m sure when he says he is taking the judges’ critique to heart, he means it.
Glad to hear LOD’s vocals are better this week, cuz last week the vocals didn’t come out well.
Squee! on Queen next week.
I haven’t watched the show yet, due to schedule in my life, but am rooting for DMHO have seen them twice in concert. First time was in my hometown during their STANDtour, and again during their Christmas tour.
Ifeel that they would make a great crossover group from the Contemporary Christian charts to the Pop charts, much like Mercy Me and Amy Grant.
Speaking of Amy Grant, she will be on Oprah today with her husband Vice Gill, Kenny Rogers, and Rascal Flats.
I shall be tuning in tonight! :)
voted for Clark Brothers tonite like mad!! love these guys
My wife and I are both major DMHO fans and of course wish them to win this competition. She liked Tres Bien (me too) and also Sixwire and the Clark Bros. If one of those 3 win I’ll be happy. I’ve been to 5 DMHO concerts: 3 in CA and 2 on Premier Christian Cruises. You can’t feel their energy unless you see them in person! I don’t know much about Sixwire (I love their harmonics) but I know DMHO & Clark Bros. are both Christian acts and must be really stymied in selection of songs from an industry (and a location) that increasingly has become anti-Christian. Hats off to all the bands!