Hoobastank: Visionary Alternative Rock

Over the past few months I have been paying a great deal of attention to the lyrics of Hoobastank's albums. I had always liked the band, but had not paid much attention to the words until one night. I was working on my computer at around 2:00am when "If I Were You" came on the Internet station I had on in the background.

After hearing that song over 100 times this was the first time I focused on the message. It caught me by surprise that I had not gotten this, so the next song that I heard from Hoobastank, "Outta Control", got my undivided attention so that I could catch the lyrics. Those lyrics also spoke directly to my heart. I went onto YouTube (unbelievable thing!) and fished out about ten songs. All of these songs had some kind of spiritual statement that touched me in some way. Even more, the production, performances, writing, and musical arrangements are top-notch. Being a musician, engineer, producer, manager, and entertainment marketing guy, it's very hard to satisfy my preception of a perfect act. But this is one of them. I went even further, running Googles on the band's sites, and reading the Wikipedia bio about the band, as well as how their tours are fairing.

My conclusion, after a few weeks of thinking this over, is that Hoobastank could be one of the most relevant Alt-Rock acts of the day. Using powerful production methodologies, they profess a point of view about the world on a level that borders religious proffering. Today, when the world seems to be headed backwards by decades, young people need bands like this to put certain issues into perspective. This is not just a rock act, this is a special combination of musicians who are trying to make powerful, but not alienating, statements about what they have learned in their young lives. At this point in time Hoobastank is my #1 rock band. I hope the power of that statement is crystal clear.

Endeverafter: Touring With Poison - Take a Look

I was at my Downtown San Francisco office late one night in March, 2003. I was leaning on my palms listening to CDs that local bands were sending to me. It has always been my policy to listen to at least 2 full cuts, no matter what. But this particular batch had me near comatose stage. My usual clipboard notations were "lousy tunes", "poor performance", "yuck!", etc. Then a CD slapped me right across the face- woke me straight-up.

The CD was sent by Endeverafter, a local Sacramento rock band lead by the, then, 20 year old Michael Grant. I immediately called the number on the disc and left a message. Michael called me back the next morning. When we spoke I asked a lot of questions. I got all of the right answers. They had a major Sacramento radio station giving them 'A1' rotation, the CD I heard was a good-faith gift from a major producer, and they already had calls from several record companies (whom will remain un-named). They did not call the companies back because they had no management, no idea what to say.

I invited them to my office in Downtown San Francisco. They piled into a small puttering car and made the 2-1/2 hour drive. Later, I treated them to the Embarcadero Hilton Atrium for food and drinks to talk. These guys were very respectful, but focused, confident, and serious. Mike, the oldest in the band, was clearly the leader. I went out and saw them play in Sacramento, amazed that the packed crowd was singing to the songs! I knew just what was happening there, and over the next few weeks made an orthodox management offer to the band. The offer stated that I would have them signed to a major label within 2 to 4 months, and I was prepared to put up several hundred thousand dollars to play a hard game on their behalf. If I failed to do so, they would be free and clear to walk.

In the confusion of a lot of third party chatter Mike decided to hold off, which I thought, at the time, was a terrible mistake. I warned him that if they were not careful they could lose the momentum they had. That turned out to be an error statement on my behalf. Over the following two years Mike struggled with a serious lack of guidance and several band member changes. But they never lost their airplay due to their loyal teenage Sacramento fan base, and that's what it's all about. Just this last August, 2006, Sony Music signed Endeverafter. Most people in my position would be upset- that an opportunity got away. But that's not my feeling. Over the past few years I had been very, very, sad that these kids had not been signed- this makes me very happy.

Endeverafter has been touring all summer to packed arenas of 15,000+ people, as 3rd-act-up on Poison's 20th Anniversary Tour. But they just got signed in August, and have no album released (as of this writing). This means that they are being pushed, and pushed very hard. Someone is spending serious political capital on them, and that's how stardom happens. This tour will expose them to nearly 1 million people, creating a buzz and media publicity that will support the eventual album release. Also, the stage experience will tighten them up in the studio, and expose them to the lifestyle antics of the headliners (Poison/Cinderella). They respond very well to studio production support, so the album will Rock. Look out for these guys. There are some very powerful people opening doors for them, and I could not be more stoked!

Michael Grant - Tweeter Arena, Los Angeles

Tendril: Setting Rock 10 Steps Ahead

Tendril is an independent alternative rock act out of Texas. I stumbled upon this act while checking out another great act on the independent local label they both work with. I went to their MySpace Page and listen to a few tunes, and that was it.

After a quick search on YouTube, I found a live video of "The Love Is Dying". Please be warned that the studio versions are harder than granite stone.

This act has a power and precision not seen from unsigned acts these days. These guys are a metal mix of The Sex Pistols, Green Day, Devo, and Oingo Boingo, only the record groups can't find their asses for their elbows, never mind an obvious smash hit like Tendril.

Foo Fighters: Never Done, Always Next.

The Foo Fighters are clearly one of America's most important rock bands. This is not just my opinion. This fact is supported by the history of the founder, singer, and guitarist, Dave Grohl.

The first, and most powerful, element of Dave Grohl's persona is his deep seated, non-stop, drive to survive. Foo Fighters are a band that sees every day, every month, every year, as the time to fight for their very existence. Not only physical existence, but musical significance.

Dave Grohl was the drummer of Nirvana at the time of Kurt Cobain's death in 1994. In the destructive emotional environment that follows such events, Grohl set out to create a band with even more significance than Nirvana. But Grohl clearly understood the fickle entertainment media and marketing system. Grohl knew that in order to keep (business and artistic) control over his band that he would have to sing, write, and play guitar.

Using songs that he had recorded over the years, unreleased in the shadows of Nirvana's mega success, Grohl set the musical foundation that would become Foo Fighters. With the Nirvana experience in his pocket, and after Foo Fighter's initial successes, Grohl found complete control over the band's business and artistic directions. It has been clear to Grohl for many, many, years that success is not a destination, but an ongoing fight to remain seated at the very top of the industry. Just look at his face- it's no picnic.

Grohl's understanding of these hard realities show brightly in Foo Fighter's music. The many lyrics are a road map to living life and surviving life at the top and at the bottom, where those in-the-know realize that there are serious human similarities. This is an American band to watch closely, and to be heard for all time. This is one of the very few American bands to be worshiped.

Switchfoot: Spitiual Lightning Southern California Style

It's 1 :30 am on a Wednesday morning, and I am no where near going to bed. I'm caught up in the video/studio version of 'Stars' by Switchfoot, and I can't stop playing it (with headphones) at max'd out levels.

There is something about this band.
Maybe it's that they have that enviable upbringing in southern California coastal beach areas where surfing is gospel. Maybe it's the babes that make up so much of the southern California lifestyle. Maybe it's the youth in me (and in you) that never died, but is smothered into submission by life's circumstances.

Whatever it is, this music reminds me that this spirit still lives powerfully within me, and is a great part of what keeps me young. We need more acts like this- willing to speak to formidable spiritual powers that make us all strong, and indomitable in the aggregate.

Christian Nesmith: Just Can't Forget Him

You know Christian Nesmith. You just may not know it yet. One of the three sons of Michael Nesmith, former bassist of the Monkees, Christian was born into a 'considerable', but not large, amount of privilege. So, what's a son of a world famous pop star to do with his life? Most (brat-packers) like him simply sit back and get smashed, enjoying the endless ego massages from the local Hollywood babes, until one of any number of realities hits the fan (if you've done the LA thing, you know exactly what I'm talking about). But not these three sons. Christian, like his brothers, have committed themselves to making music. Not just any music, but 'great' music, creating a reputation that stands apart from their famous father. What else can you ask of them?

Christian Nesmith has recently completed an independently released full length CD called: "An Axe To Grind". This album reminds me, a little bit, of Todd Rundgren, a dash of Pat Travers, and a well rounded cup of a John Lennon that never was. Only one thing- it's much better than all that, and it's all Christian Nesmith.

This album KICKS ASS! Melodic, well arranged, highly produced, and hair-raising guitar work. Why isn't this widely distributed? Has the music industry lost it's mind? I have a confession to make- I know why. Christian can afford to tell the majors where to cram it. He does it his way, period. But the results are clear. So, what should one expect from the son of a world famous pop star? Nothing. But Christian creates hit after hit after hit. Too bad the majors don't know their asses from their elbows, eh'?

Nuno Bettencourt Crosses The Line With DramaGods

Most rock music fans know Nuno Bettencourt from the band 'Extreme' in the early to mid 90's. Over the years since the breakup of Extreme, Nuno seems to have been in a deep search for something. Like an insane scientist, Nuno has been constantly creating and re-creating bands, shifting musicians, writing, and re-writing dozens of songs every year. Clearly, Nuno has been looking for something not unlike a heroine addict seeking to re-live his very first buzz.

But this latest release with DramaGods is something different. There is not that listless search for something- not that feeling of a drifting ship on a dark ocean, trying desperately to center on a distant foghorn. This album has real teeth, but not just one kind of teeth. It has production, arrangement, and solid commercialism with melodic messages of deep heart and soul. There is the feeling that Nuno has found something special, and is settling in for the long run. Tunes like Megaton (video below), Heavy, and Pilots, are a smart AOR Program Director's dream.

Nuno has finally found a home. But it is not in Los Angeles, not in Boston, and not in the Azores. It is in his own soul- finally. And it shows on this incredible album.