In 2008, AC/DC went on a North American tour in support of their Black Ice album. Opening this tour was Northern Irish hard-rockers The Answer, a band that upon a Google search was hailed as “The Irish Led Zeppelin.” I downloaded some of their songs, most notably “Highwater or Hell” from their Never Too Late EP. They definitely did have a bunch of Zeppelin-isms, chunky guitar riffs, a yelping lead singer, and a powerhouse rhythm section. For someone who’d yet to get jaded from almost all opening bands, The Answer seemed like a godsend. Of the three big arena concerts I’d been to, The Answer was easily the best opening act I’d ever seen. I listened for The Answer for about a year after that show, because why wouldn’t I? Led Zeppelin was my favorite band, and there was little sign they were ever reuniting. Here I had a near perfect sound-alike that I also enjoyed. A few artists manage to stir up similar feelings: young bands like Wolfmother, Jet, Alter Bridge, as do some newer supergroups formed by older rockers: Black Country Communion, Adrenaline Mob, or Hellyeah. Artists that pay tribute to older music are nothing new, and some are actually somewhat innovative in their modern classic rock (see: The Darkness, Steel Panther), but now we have Greta Van Fleet: a breakout sensation that sounds a little too much like Led Zeppelin. Continue reading
john bonham
Fred Armisen-Standup For Drummers
Fred Armisen’s Standup For Drummers is the personification of your hometown “DRUMMERS IN THE [Area code]” Facebook Group without all the ads for local gigs or bands in need of a gig. Armisen isn’t particularly funny; it seems like his only knowledge of standup comedy comes from movies and TV. He isn’t really interesting either. It’s full of in-jokes that can’t really provoke laughter. The boneheaded drummer who’s unintentionally funny is one of the easiest tropes, but Fred Armisen is a hyper intelligent musician who can’t come up with a decent joke. Continue reading