Awesome NGAB correspondent, Caffiend, turns in another entertaining recap from last night’s taping of The Next Great American Band…
If you want to be spoiled, click the jump….
Dot Dot Dot is eliminated this week…
************
When I got back from this week’s taping about two hours ago, I was so pissed
off that I didn’t feel like writing a recap. More on that later.
It was Queen night, but I recognized only two of the four songs chosen. I was wondering how the producers planned to fill an entire hour; the answer is, each band did a Queen song and an original song.
I was dying to see whether The Clark Brothers had added band members, and I didn’t have to wait long to find out. They were first, and guess what: They showed up with a drummer and a bass player — friends from Nashville, they said. They did “These Are The Days of Our Lives” — never heard the song, but Ashley played the fiddle and really stepped out of the box as the lead singer. The band sounded amazing. Dicko pointed out — and he was right — that the additional members freed Ashley creatively so he could be a real frontman. Dicko told him to embrace his inner rock star — he does have star quality. I’ll be interested to see what you all think of the adding of band members.
I thought their original song was really good, and so did Sheila and Johnny, but Dicko didn’t like it, and he got roundly booed.
OK, believe it or not, next up was Light of Doom. Half the audience is made of Light of Doom family and friends from San Diego, including Erik’s (the lead singer) brother, who was sitting in front of me. He was a sweet kid, around 15 or 16, who said Erik is the youngest of three boys and that the family also has three “girls” — female boxer dogs. Anyway, the LOD moms, dads, grandparents went bonkers when their names were announced.
But it quickly became evident that the producers have decided that LOD’s run needs to come to an end. Sure, it’s been a kick to have these junior rockers on the show, but for God’s sake, there is no way these toddlers are getting a frikkin’ record contract! They did “We Will Rock You,” and while I didn’t think it was that bad, it was skewered by all three judges. And the original song was even more poorly received.
In fairness to the producers, the remaining bands in the competition are just way better than these kids, as well they should be. They’ve been musicians twice as long — or longer — than these kids have been alive. And when it comes to songwriting, well, they’re just bad. What life experience will they draw on to write a song? Fights with their siblings? Playstation frustration? Yikes. I agree: It’s time for them to go.
Third was Sixwire. They did “Dominic’s favorite Queen song” — “Fat Bottomed Girls.” Is anyone else surprised by the song choice? But man, did they nail this song! Great arrangement, vocals, performance. Loved it! Dicko said that he thought the band was a little boring when they started the competition, but that in recent weeks they’ve gotten in touch with their “inner naughty boy.” Hee! Original song was outstanding as well. (Oh, and ladies, in the video segment it was revealed that sexy lead singer Andy is divorced! Can you say AVAILABLE??)
So now we’re down to Denver and Dot Dot Dot. I was in line with a Dot entourage, including family members and their publicity team, that had flown in from Chicago that morning to see the band play for the first time. One of them told me it was her first time ever in California.
Well, you guessed it: Denver was the pick. It could have gone either way. But now for what pissed me off. There was no exit interview with Dot Dot Dot. Nothing! They waved goodbye from the green room, and that was it.
Are you kidding??? I kept expecting the producers to talk with them, the way they did with the previous two bands. But they never did. I could not believe it. This band made it into the Top 5! They had tons of fans in the audience…as many or more than LOD. I felt awful for them. They were just flicked off the show like a pesky mosquito.
It’s especially inexplicable, considering how there were only four bands left and seemingly plenty of time for an interview.
Oh, Denver did “Sleeping on the Sidewalk” (???) I thought it was a really strong performance. Denver really stepped up his vocals. I think I even heard a growl. The judges thought their original song lacked a hook.
I’m still pissed. But probably not as pissed as the producers will be if the
teens make the Final 3.
No hint about next week’s format or whose songbook they’ll be doing. Next Wednesday is the final performance show; the finale show is being taped Dec. 16 in the same studio. It’ll be interesting to see how the time is filled.
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Thank you caffiend! I’ve been waiting patiently for the recap! I can’t wait to see the show. At this point, they should just skip to final two of the Clark Brothers and Sixwire. I have little to no interest in watching LOD or Denver any longer. I’m so happy that they added original songs back in.
waaa! Dot gone, too bad. I am with you Jersey-Clark Brothers and Sixwire are all i care about now. Very interesting to see the CB dynamics now with added members, did you know if they were additional Clark Brothers are friends? Thanks for the recap!! Robin
Very good - thanks for the update! Good to hear that the Clark Bros and Denver are still alive. Sixwire bores me and I couldn’t care less about LOD. It’ll be interesting to see which original song Denver did - they have 3-4 albums of material to choose from. Too bad though that they’ve had to cancel scheduled shows left and right as their NGAB run keeps on going.
Thank you so much for the info. Im here to say I absolutely LOVE The Clark Brothers. I think they are effing amazing and I would buy anything they put out. Their cover of Give me Shelter was ridiculous IMO. I love love love them.
Doom has got to go. I wish them luck but not right now.
Cannot believe it! I thought Denver or LOD were going home. I really thought Dot3 had more fans than Denver.
Clark Bros for the win! Well, I can’t wait for Friday to see the show - shoot, I’m chaperoning middle schoolers on an overnight trip Friday. I’ll have to sneak in the show somehow!
Re: no interview? Doesn’t seem right - maybe they were not happy?
Santa, I want a trip to California to see the finale! Miracles do happen you know!
Hi, everyone: The new Clark band members are not Clarks. They are just friends.
I’m sure the Dots were not happy about booted, but it was pretty clear to me that whoever was getting kicked off was not getting an interview this week. It was a planned thing.
And the final show will include a final three, not a final 2. If there is a God, LOD will not be included.
The Clark Brothers were awesome to begin with and I had hoped they would add at least a drummer. I also find Sixwire to be a good rock back. Whether they will succeed or not is the unknown. Denver is good and I hope they outlast LOD.
No, it does not seem right that there was no final interview and an opportunity to get a “pep talk” from the judges.
Thanks for the report!
I think people who would be fans of 3Dot are not watching the show but people who would be fans of Denver & LOD are and are voting!
CBFTW!!!! (i’ll make sure i vote this week!!!)
I am afraid that we are in for a bad surprise next week if the ones at home who are doing the voting are in tune with the ones in the audience who are doing the screaming. I would not be at all surprised to find either Sixwire (my personal favorite) or The Clarks getting the boot.
Actually, I am hoping that Denver & Co. are sent packing. But then, I have been hoping that since week 2. There is just no market for their kind of music and, quite frankly, I am sick of listening to them.
Yes, everyone, please vote this week! The CB have to be in the finale, along with Sixwire and NOT Light of Doom.
On Friday night kids uner 14 and people over 50 are at home always. The kids under 14 are the ones that are the big power voters. Sorry to say, but LOD is going to win…but if there is a God, the Clark Brothers will take it!
Caffiend - I can see why you were pissed, and I can’t believe Denver made it another week. Can’t wait to see my “boys”, TCB tomorrow night! Thanks for the spoilers!
TCBFTW!
Thanks for the recap, Caffiend. Keep’em coming! Dot Dot Dot had kind of grown on me, as have all the bands, to some degree. But someone’s gotta get the boot. That’s just lousy treatment not to get an exit interview.
No “Somebody to Love”? The Clark Brothers could have killed that one.
In theory, I agree that LOD shouldn’t get a recording contract. I think it would be bad for them in the long run. Putting out a CD now would “cement” them musically at a time when they should be learning, practicing, exploring, and expanding. I adore these little rockers and admire their dedication, and I would hate to see their potential to grow cut short by being put into some heavily defined music box.
As much as I love a good horn section, Denver is starting to bug me a little. I haven’t been a big fan of their arrangements in the past couple weeks.
I’m hoping for a Clark Brothers/Sixwire/LOD finale, with the Clark Brothers taking it all.
Regarding voting…dont MAKE me Taylor speedvote cause if I do I can kick any teenie boppers butt on the voting phone. I got this voting thing down pat and ahm votin’ this week. I gotta get rid of Doom and I gotta make sure the Clarks stay.
I am beginning to get a bit worried that the finals will have both the Lights and the Denvers. Ugh.
My two faves, the Clarks and Sixwire, have survived, thank goodness, and it sounds like a rave up show both groups will put on tomorrow.
Let’s hope the voters who are keeping the kids and the big banders in the competition will not prevail next week for the finals.
Finally they switched back to originals. It was killing me watching bands play stuff that was obviously outside of their genre.
I knew LOD would play We Will Rock You - and I’m glad to hear they had a bad week. Hopefully that will affect the voting. Thing is, I doubt they have many fans based on their musicianship. I would have very much preferred to hear 3Dot over LOD this week - que sera.
I’m glad the Clarks didn’t bring in more of their brothers. I think they have a unique sound and shouldn’t revert to what the Clark Family Experience sounded like. Really looking forward to hearing the performance.
Its a good thing the show brought back the originals. Everyone says the bands don’t sound professional, but the many reason for that is that they’re not playing their own stuff. Nobody sounds as good as a well known original. That formatting issue is one thing that’s killing the ratings. Other things they could really stand to work on: Rank the bands, or at least announce a bottom two or three. Improve the show’s website (the green room performances are really choppy) and the updates are slow coming. Get better sound people - in particular 3Dot suffered last week because the mixing covered up the keyboard player.
I am curious if 6wire and the Clarks are too similar genre-wise (both are rock/country appealing to an adult audience). Denver and LOD have more distinct fan bases. Assuming that doesn’t factor in, I pick Denver or LOD to walk next week - sadly I think it will be Denver.
BTW to the Caffiend, I don’t think the judges are told what to say by the producers. Johnny and Sheila really are that useless and Dicko can’t say anything before he gets booed. If the producers really wanted to throw a monkey wrench into the show, they should have the 12 bands vote to pick one band for a “resurrection” performance in the final. I’m curious how Franklin Bridge would do if they got a second shot.
Regarding LOD’s audience reception, I think many non-LOD fam and friends did think they sucked. There wasn’t massive booing during the negative comments.
But that doesn’t mean they won’t get tons of votes. That’s what’s gotten them to this point. Fans of the real bands will have to start power-voting because the LOD people will be.
Go Dingo!!
Its Kat w. Taylor all over again — the teeny boppers verses the oldies. Denver’s going to win if history is a factor.
No!!! It’s the Clark Brothers all the way! I voted my butt off last week. I don’t know if I can watch or will be by a tv tomorrow night.
Besides, I will be with middle schoolers! If I find a tv in time, the pre-teens and teens will want to vote for LOD! Please, somebody pick up my slack and power vote for the Clarks! My 200 votes had to count! If they are down 200 votes, can somebody take my place and vote?
I am voting for the full two hours on Friday, and that’s that. Who’s with me?
The Clark Brothers FTW!
(thanks for the recap caffiend :))
Guess this show is not about picking a band that will have broad appeal. Sixwire? Clark Brothers? LOD? Denver? I would guess that not a lot of young pop music buyers are watching or voting. I am mystified by the overwhelming adulation for the Clark Brothers. I feel like Jane Goodall…. Um… sort of.
Not sure if people here know how much fan base DMHO actually has. They have at least 5 albums out, including a Christmas album, plus DVDs. They’ve been the house band for the GMA (Gospel Music Association) Dove Awards - Christian music’s award show. A heavy national tour schedule. Their fan club has been sending out emails every week promoting the NGAB show and voting for DMHO … obviously it’s working enough to keep the band around.
I’m just trying to figure out what it would mean to their band concept if they actually won. So far, Dicko’s comments to them have been spot on business wise.
To “janerazor” … I actually applaud the changes that the band has made in the last few weeks (except the white funk song). They initially came out with the very dense horn sound that got people’s attention. But now they’ve lightened that up and started to sound like a complete band. If they make it into the finale, it’ll be interesting to see if they pull stuff out their full bag of tricks, e.g. the sax and trumpet players playing two horns at once. We haven’t seen that yet, but I’m not sure if it’ll come off as gimicky or not.
Sarah, i’m with you voting the whole two hours, will be doing some wrist exercises today. CB for the win!!!!!!!!
I’m kind of worried about the Clark Brothers being first and not brining down the house like they typically do. Hopefully, they won’t be the surprise boot next week. Perhaps, tonight, I shall vote for my very first time (ever…including AI). We’ll see.
I also love the Clark Brothers. I think what they bring is fresh and new. Same with LOD! (GASP!) It’s exciting to see such young talent. Six Wire, while I won’t deny that they are better musicians then LOD, they bore the crap out of me! I wanted Six Wire gone along time ago but the country desperate house wives keep voting. There sound is so cookie-cutter country. BOOOORRRIIINNNGGG!
It still surprises me that LOD is still around. The kids do have potential, but not seasoned enough to cut a deal. C’mon, think Bay City Rollers and Hanson marketing with a metal edge. I guess the voters like them because the kids do have energy, and obvious comfort being on stage. They also have the talent, unrefined though. That says a lot for a group of early teens in front of TV national-broadcast cameras. They are out, but gave a really good run and entertaining performances.
Dotx3, well, they should have still been around over LOD to give Six and CB a better competition. They are a very entertaining group, but as with all bands, we only see the broadcast, not the whole stage when any of the bands perform. I think, visually, even though many blogs repeat the emo-leprechaun thing, the dude is still a great front. He nails his front with lots of showmanship. Even if not his vocals. A bit panicky at times, I agree with Dicko there. They deserve an exit interview, that’s poor they don’t get one!!!!!!!!
Sixwire has stepped it up. The thing is, they came in as country and are bending to the “rock” thing that seems to be going on with NGAB. I really liked their Stones cover, I absolutely loved it. Those guys attacked that song. I’m with Goo-Goo boy, they owned it. The Stewart cover blew when the bass thumb-slapped. That guy should know better than to disco-funk slap. Especially since he knows how to play. Yeah, housewife fantasy pretty boys. But, they CAN play and play well. I’d buy a ticket to see them.
The only thing about DMHO is they don’t have a real market as far as the show goes. Honestly, I would buy a ticket to see these guys, the tightest musicians on the show. But, for the show, NOPE, sad that musical talent gets sidelined for the “rock” flavor the show is expounding.
Now we are at the Clark Bro.’s. Is it THAT much of a surprise that they added musicians????????????? Good grief, Goo-Goo boy asked that question about a bottom end early in the competition, and Dicko went further with the same thought. Save Shiela’s gushing, c’mon now. Duh, so they added some pro’s. Okay, no surprise. A 3-piece acoustic doesn’t get much record sales, except in niche markets. At least it fleshes their sound out. They are good, but I wouldn’t buy a ticket to see them.
Simply put, whoever wins, will tour. That means ticket sales. And that they sell their album.
It’s between Six and CB, I think Six is there.
I just went online and got tickets to the finale! I guess the show really is not very popular because that was just. too. easy. But I’m super excited!
CBFTW!
Carie! Have a great time. Hopefully you’ll be watching The Clarks and Sixwire and not LOD and DMHO! (Unless of course that’s who you prefer to see, LOL).
ETA: Actually, the finale is three bands I think so you’ve got a good chance.
Thanks, Jersey. Actually there are two more shows, one next Wednesday and one the Sunday after that. I got tix for the Sunday show thinking it would be the finale but the finale could actually be Wednesday with Sunday just some lame recap or something.
Anybody know?
Caffiend - are you going to both?
what number was LOD?
Knifeblade_03 I agree with you about the Dots. The Dots are extremely entertaining musically and performance wise, they definitely deserved to be in the top three. Adam is absolutely a fantastic front man who knows how to work the crowd. Sometimes his vocals waiver, but it is made up by his showmanship. Rose is an amazing guitarist, the whole band is fantastic. I was in the crowd at the taping 2 weeks ago when it was the Rolling Stones cover week, and the crowd reaction to the Dots compared to everyone else was significantly greater. The crowd that week consisted of mostly teenage highschoolers, who were bused in because of low attendance, and the teenagers really responded to the Dots. I think what killed them is the time slot of the show, their fan base and potential fan base is not home on Friday nights.
If the producers are looking for a band that is going to appeal to the greatest consumer market right now (which is 15-25) they just missed it, because that was the Dots. The Clarks are second, don’t get me wrong I think they are incredible, musically, vocally, showmanship wise, but they still don’t have the urban teenage appeal. I think 6wire is technically the tightest, but the only people that are going to buy their records and tickets are 40 something housewives and they don’t spend money on music/bands. They just don’t have the same general market appeal.
So I am going to put all my Dot votes (all 680), into the Clarks and pray for the best.
PS. I think someone will pick up LOD for a Hannah Montana/Jonas Brothers deal.
Well there’s my two cents, whatever it’s worth ;)
Hi, Carie! Sunday will be the night they announce the winner. Wednesday the 12th taping is the night the final three perform. I have no idea what will be in the Sunday taping. Will it be like Idol, with a bunch of guest bands? Doubtful…no ratings. That was probably what the producers hoped it would be. We’ll have to see. Get tix to Wednesday too!!!!
Good point, Smav, about the time slot. I really didn’t consider that aspect of the voting dynamics.
I just viewed Friday’s show, Six is a great band, but I don’t really seeing them appeal to the mass market enough. As Dicko said “their market”. Shame, really, these guys bring it and bring it right.
With the addition of a rythm section, the CB’s definately raised the bar of the competition. Whoever their new bassist is, that guy is GOOD!!!! I’d say the, if not one of the, best bassists of all the groups competing.
Between DMHO and LOD, hands down winner is DMHO. Too bad solid musicianship doesn’t hold to novelty act.
I’m still going for Six at the end, mainly because they write better than the CB’s do. I don’t think that’s enough to get them recorded, but I like what the Six does and how they do it.
Man, would I like to see a taping, must be so much more of an experience than what I see on an edited broadcast, sigh.
Knifeblade_03 If you had any way of making it to a taping, I would say do it! It is by far a much better experience than the watered down version we see on TV. Crowd reaction and such is all edited to fit what the producers want to make good television. If you think the bands are good on tv then you would be amazed in person. I think if people realized this, the tapings would have a much better attendance. If I lived in CA I’d be there every week. The week 6 live version of the CB’s Rolling Stones-”Gimme Shelter” was epic everyone just stood there in utter amazement, I was so disappointed when it didn’t carry through as well on tv.
As far as Six wining over the CB, I hate to have such a business view of it but I just can’t help it :D In this business if it was all about talent, main stream music would not be the garbage we have now days. I would agree that Six is absolutely the tightest band all around. But I think with a little more time CB has the potential to become every bit as good as Six, with the advantages of youth to carry it through. (I know this is not a very PC view of things, but unfortunately you have to think this way in the entertainment world.) It’s all about the whole marketing package, as warped as it may be. Also I can’t help but wonder why it didn’t work out with Six when they had scored a big contract in Nashville a few years back?
BTW, I sincerely don’t think LOD or DMHO will make it to win, if they do I’ve lost all faith in the democracy of voting, and humanity in general ;)
LOL, agreed there, Smav. I also wonder why the Clark Bro.’s Experience album didn’t go anywhere either. I saw the mouthing “I don’t know” when Dicko suggested the CB’s add musicians. Did you catch that? Falling out is my thought, or maybe just different ways within that group.
>snipunsnip
Nuts, the rest didn’t take. Anyway, I still lean to 6, although MJS was spot on with his review spoiler.
Ok Knifeblade_03, you got me curious when you mentioned the CB’s Experience album. I didn’t even know they had put out an album, so I did a little digging :) Apparently six of the Clark bros signed with Halsey Management and consequently Curb records back in 2002 I think. The CB’s got a bad deal, signed to much over to Halsey & Crub from the beginning, were generally taken advantage of, blah, blah, blah and all that jazz.
>Here are the links to the articles I found if you are interested:
http://lists.drizzle.com/pipermail/postcard2/20021216/005513.html
http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1455008/20020605/clark_family_experience.jhtml
http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1477132/20030821/clark_family_experience.jhtml
CB’s filed bankruptcy (chapter 7) after being with Curb for two years with no album put out, citing financial mismanagement, unfair recording and publishing contracts and $800,000 in debt. Also hoping to get out of their contract to Curb/Halsey. Curb then turned around and tried to sue CB when they tried to record with another label. Curb later dropped the suit. So this would explain what happened with CB’s first attempt with a record deal, and how they were able to find such great additional band members on such short notice.
Now to find out about 6wire…………………. ;)
Oh, and yes MJS was definitely spot on.
http://www.amazon.com/Sixwire/dp/B00006GA3B.
There’s some stuff about 6, Andy had a solo album also, LOL.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006GA3B/sr=1-1/qid=1197484518/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1197484518&sr=1-1&seller=
Here it is
There it is