It’s that time of year again. Yes, the time when we’re all reminded what rock and roll legacies are about: Jann Wenner’s sad attempt to co-opt the careers of some deserving (and plenty of undeserving) bands to make a few bucks at their expense.
And with that, the 2011 nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have been announced. Some deserving — though unlikely in some cases — picks included Tom Waits, Alice Cooper, Donovan and those lovable Beastie Boys (yes they’re rap, but they had more than enough of rock in the mix).
Some undeserving names included Donna Summer (because it’s not the disco hall of fame), LL Cool J (because that MTV Unplugged episode isn’t enough to qualify as rock) and Bon Jovi (because, well, you know).
Somewhere a Smiths fan sits alone crying. Also combing his pompadour.
2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees
Alice Cooper
Beastie Boys
Bon Jovi
Chic
Neil Diamond
Donovan
Dr. John
J. Geils Band
LL Cool J
Darlene Love
Laura Nyro
Donna Summer
Joe Tex
Tom Waits
Chuck Willis
:: So there’s a David Bowie tribute album all lined up for a May release. It looks less than enticing, despite a few big names. At least it’s for a charity, I guess.
:: Vampire Weekend, Girls, Muse and Animal Collective were a few of the folks that made it on Buddyhead’s worst of 2009 list. Those Buddyhead boys always warm my heart.
:: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is looking at changing it’s charter so bands can be inducted 20 years after their first album instead of 25. That way Green Day can get in sooner, which is obviously a better choice than Alice Cooper…
:: KCRW recently had The Watson Twins in the studio, and the ladies played Midnight, a brand spanking new track from their upcoming album.
So it looks like Alice Cooper is less than impressed with today’s twee-pop landscape, according to an interview he recently did with Noisecreep. In addition to discussing horrific ways to die, Broadway productions and menstruation, Pat Boone‘s good buddy also threw the gauntlet down at the feet of Ivy League borecore kings Vampire Weekend.
I heard the title Vampire Weekend and I thought, “Oh, man, that’s gonna be great. I gotta see it.” And there are these guys with little Gap T-shirts on and I’m going, “What happened to the balls in rock and roll?”
I’m getting a lot of bands that are kind of going, “Oh, the summer in the rain and aren’t lightning bugs wonderful?” And I’m going, “What kind of drug are you on?”
It’s that time of year again. Yes, the time when we’re all reminded what rock and roll legacies are about: Jann Wenner’s sad attempt to co-opt the careers of some deserving (and plenty of undeserving) bands to make a few bucks at their expense.
Photos: Obits at the Black Cat
Photos: The Promise Ring at The Metro
Photos: Monotonix at Fun Fun Fun Fest
Photos: Valient Thorr at Fun Fun Fun Fest
Photos: Danielson, Welcome Wagon at The 930 Listening Room