Rock On

My friends and I have been having an ongoing discussion about Rock Music. Scott, Nick and I talk a lot about music when we are together, usually testing each other's knowledge about obscure Rock facts from the 70's and 80's (90's if I'm there - remember what I said about my son keeping me current?). It's all in good fun and we all look forward to stumping each other.

One day while we were going through our normal routine I asked this simple question. " What artists that have emerged in the last...say 5-7years...will we (or anyone) be talking about and still listening to in 10 years (or 20)?" In other words, "what new groups are carrying the "torch" for Rock music?"

The question seems simple enough, certainly there should be someone doing that...shouldn't there? We started thinking. The artists that we would consider would be those that have proven that they can carry a following of people and deliver true Rock music (even if it is influenced by current trends). My friends came up blank.

Over the next few days my son and I came up with ONE group that we think embodies good, musical Rock, with punch and staying power. Foo Fighters. One hit wonders rule the land in these days. Rock has become so watered down that it includes way too much. New sounds come and go and the artists go with them, their names are forgotten the moment the next new sound hits the air waves.

I wouldn't consider Foo Fighters as my most favorite group (but they are certainly in my top 10), but they do continue to pump out hit after hit and good "album" after another. They are musicians and great song writers, but still give the edginess of today's music. On a side note, as talented as Dave Grohl is, I wonder how he could stand just being a drummer in Nirvana? I think they will be more successful (over the long haul) than Nirvana.

Other possibilities (groups that have great musical Rock, but haven't been around long enough yet). Hoobastank, Evanescence, Linkin Park (they are marginal - they do too much rap, but are capable of musical Rock), Nickleback, Limp Bizkit (great job on MI2 soundtrack!), Audioslave (Soundgarden II - which makes them a strong possibility for the short list), P.O.D (big MAYBE).

In my category of more recent groups that were on the right track and then faded (most of these go back more than 7 years, but are from at least the 90's)... Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hootie and the Blowfish.

An asterisk in all of this is Stone Temple Pilots. They seem to keep breathing, but just barely. They have made some great music, but they need to get their act back together. I can't put them as dead just yet...

That explains why it's getting harder and harder to find good, new Rock music to listen to!