The Next Great American Band

Have you seen this show on Fox? It's so much cooler than American Idol or Rockstar. I love the fact that everyone is playing originals and covers.

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My wife and I caught the first episode and we were hooked right away. It was great entertainment, especially because you had the bad bands mixed in for comic relief.

How about those 12-year-old metal heads? "The Light of Doom."

Funny....We played with a band just like them at the Napa 4th of July a few years back. They didn't have a singer, and Mike (our frontman) jumped on stage with them and belted out "Crazy Train." What makes "Light of Doom" IMO is the front man. You can find kids all over America who can sound like classic Metal instrumentally.... but vocally....that's a rare find. I don't think they'll win, but they'll get signed.

Who do you think the front runners are? Sixwire (who sound remarkably like Ambrosia from the 70s)?

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Yes, I'd have to say Sixwire is leading the pack. I actually dig the "Ol #7". I don't listen to much bluegrass, but they are gifted players. And I love the riffs and leadwork the Muggs throw down, but as good as he is on guitar, he just can't sing. Too bad...

Ole #7 is so "laid back" cool. That was probably one of the best Elton John covers I've ever heard.

Muggs and even the all girl band could be great if they transposed their stuff to get in the singers' sweet spot. I think they will both go home this week.

Franklin Bridge are phenomenal musicians but I could only take them in small doses.... like Dicko says, they over arrange their material. They're like a Zappa meets Prince hip hop spin off band.

Sixwire are so polished, and have that country-rock cross-over thing down pat.

There are some really great LA and SF Area bands that I know that entered the contest but for some reason didn't get on the show. I hope this becomes a yearly show.

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You're right about Franklin Bridge. A ton of talent, but they're a bit too eager to show it. It's like that piece of advice I read in Guitar Player magazine..."play every other lick."

Speaking of LA, my wife and I are flying out there in early December for 4 days and I think I have her convinced that we have to visit the Vintage Room at the Hollywood Guitar Center. I can't wait to see what's hanging on those walls!

You should budget at least a few hours. The vintage room is just the beginning. They have another section that is the "new" high end stuff like Fender Relics/custom shop, PRS, etc. Then across the street is Sam Ash and Mesa Boogie. Don't go too late because the Mesa Boogie store closes around 5pm (they have Bill Nash and other "custom" instruments there).
I'll actually be in that area later this week.

Back on topic. The website for the Next Great American Band has performance videos for all of the bands competing:

The Next Great American Band: MSN TV

It's a good way to catch anyone up who hasn't seen the show.

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Thanks for the advice. I'll be sure to do that.

Well, last night's show was interesting. I thought Dot Dot Dot really did a great job with Billy Joel's "Pressure." I also thought the Clark Brothers sounded great. And yet, when it was all said and done, the Light of Doom turned in my favorite performance of the night. Those little dudes are unbelievable...

I thought all of the performances last night lacked a little something something.... I wish the show went back to the cover & original format. The Clark Brothers were the best interpretors last night. Sixwire picked an awkward ballad and put too much polish on it. How someone covers a famous artist shouldn't determine the winner, IMO.

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