I was trawling through Google News today and to my horror I came across an article describing how annoying pop singer Miley Cyrus had performed a cover of the classic Nirvana song “Smells Like Teen Spirit” at a recent gig in Equador.
This just adds to my angst about shows like Glee taking rock hits and turning them into laughing stocks, totally ruining the image of the artist who released the track in the first place.
I wonder what Kurt Cobain would make of the 18-year-old pop icon singing his breakthrough masterpiece?
Rock fans everywhere are in agreement in tweeting and posting critical comments about this incident, but as this is not the first time that the song has been covered, with attempts by the likes of Take That and Justin Timberlake in the past, we will probably have to live with these terrible pop covers of great rock songs.
This is a debate which often causes controversy as people will always stick up for the lead guitarist from their favourite band. However, when discussed seriously in rock circles, there is a general consensus about who should be near the top of the list.
We will just consider a few of these here (my top 5), so if you disagree, feel free to comment on who you feel should be at number one.
5) - John Frusciante
4) - Kirk Hammett
3) - Chuck Berry
2) - Jimi Hendrix
1) - Jimmy Page
These guys have made their instruments shout, scream, cry and perform at their optimum, as they sought to find perfection: so on behalf of rockers everywhere - we salute you!
With Christmas Day less than a week away, I thought I would get into the spirit of the festive season by looking at some of the best Christmas rock songs out there.
These tracks certainly prove to rock fans that not all Christmas music is bad.
Here is a look at three of the greatest rock songs with a Christmas theme:
Number 3 - Bruce Springsteen, “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”
This is a Christmas favourite over in the US. It was recorded at a gig in 1975 but released 10 years later as a B-side. You can’t really argue about The Boss being in any list.
Number 2 - John Lennon, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”
1971 was the year when this anti-war song first came out. The message may now be lost somewhere due to the fact it is often regarded as just a Christmas song.
Number 1 - The Pogues (featuring Kirsty MacColl), “Fairytale of New York”
Ok, this may be more of an Irish folk ballad than a rock song, but this is my list and this is my all-time favourite Christmas song. It wouldn’t be Christmas really for me without hearing this 1987 hit.
Have you ever gone to the gig of a lifetime but can’t remember a thing because you were too drunk to remember it? We have all been there at some point. Heck, I can’t remember half of the summer festivals I’ve been to when down in the mosh pit bouncing around to the likes of Metallica, Green Day and the Foo Fighters.
Well, now you can still enjoy your favourite beer brand but not have to endure the hangover the next day as Beck’s Beer have just released an alcohol-free beer so you can really take control of the action and simply enjoy the show.
You will be thankful for the clear memory of a top performance by your music idols when you try Beck’s Blue.
And that’s not all as you can now be in with a chance to win some tickets to a secret MySpace performance from Robyn, the Swedish pop sensation. All you have to do is share one of your clear memories of a great gig.
Take a look at the video below for further details.
It is a rite of passage that nearly every teenager takes, when he or she, irrespective of their musical tastes, decides to plaster their favourite heroes all over their room and pay homage to the artist or band that they like above all others.
Rather than have the latest pin-up from the saccharine-filled world of pop, metal fans, goths and rockers would much rather celebrate the lives of their anti-heroes and bands who are more likely to stick their fingers up at the establishment.
It has been the same for many generations. In the 60s, if you didn’t like the commercial friendly Beatles, then the Who or the Rolling Stones would have probably been proudly displayed on your bedroom wall. Nowadays, bands like the Kings of Lyon, MGMT and Bullet for My Valentine are put up on many a teenager’s wall.
There is always room on the wall for a variety of posters featuring your favourite bands as well as other rock icons, plus calendars make for a great gifting option near Christmas when your relatives are looking to get you a present you’ll actually appreciate. Plus, as well as offering exclusive content from your chosen rocker, calendars also help you to plan out the year ahead.
If you live in Manchester and happen to have been to the funky Mojo bar off Deansgate then you’ll know that it is fast becoming one of the most popular venues in town. They serve great cocktails, beers and any spirits you fancy, plus play a great selection of indie, rock, alternative and well known classics.
I happened to end up in there yet again for my birthday this weekend just gone and I have to say it was another top night. As usual, we ended up dancing on the seats and getting into the spirit of the occasion.
For those who don’t like a place too packed, and like a quiet place to talk, this is not the venue for you, but if you like to dance and have a good time you could do far worse than go to Mojo.
Rock has always traditionally been the rebellious younger brother when it comes to music in Britain. It may not always be celebrated by the masses, yet - until last year - it was still the genre of choice when it came to the charts.
Recent results published by the Official Charts Company (OCC) would suggest that the trend is now turning towards bland, generic pop music.
All thanks to headline-grabbing celebrities like Cheryl Cole, La Roux and Lady GaGa pop music is indeed becoming more popular.
The figures showed that 33.5 percent of singles sold in 2009 were classified as pop compared to 28 percent the previous year. Rock music sales fell from 31 percent to 24.5 percent over the same period, with Kings of Leon, Kasabian and Rage Against the Machine leading the charge.
Despite these grim statistics (which don’t really surprise me), I’ll stick to my rock music, thank you very much.
Most Glasto-goers will no doubt enjoy the varied mix of acts that perform at the festival these days. However, many purists still recoil at the thought of urban acts such as Jay-Z and this year’s Snoop Dogg being added to the bill.
The famous festival was renowned for drawing in classic rock artists as well as folk acts, but now the mix seems to be moving away from this, despite rock giants U2 and Muse being added to the line up for the celebratory 40th year of the festival.
The change in emphasis for the type of acts recruited to play the festival has divided those that go to the festival year on year. Many will not stop going because of this, but would still rather see more artists like Vampire Weekend, Willie Nelson and the Flaming Lips than the Scissor Sisters and Dizzee Rascal.
At least rock music lovers have a choice. Maybe this accounts for the rise in popularity of events such as Download.
I must admit that I have never been to the Download Festival at Donington Park. Even though it is only in Leicestershire, and is not as far from my home as certain other rock events I have been to, this is one festival I would love to go to.
Even though I have been a fan of rock and metal music for years, many of my friends are more inclined towards indie and so have usually opted for more middle of the road events in the past. However, this year at Download the line up looks spectacular for rock fans everywhere.
Rage Against The Machine and the full line up of Aerosmith (so we are led to believe) are joining rock titans AC/DC in headlining this year’s event which takes place between Friday 11th and Sunday 13th June.
As if that wasn’t already enough, Dave Grohl’s side project Them Crooked Vultures, Deftones and Stone Temple Pilots will also be there along with Thirty Seconds To Mars and Billy Idol in the line-up.
I can’t see many other events coming close to this festival in 2010. Tickets are still available through links from the official Download website.
The rise in accessibility and cheaper prices of MP3s available online has led to the surge in sales and a downward trend for CDs. So, is this the end for this medium or will we always want a physical reminder of our purchase?
As many people still collect old vinyl records, I’m sure there are those who would argue it is always better to have something to show for your music purchase. Personally, I do agree with this view to some extent as I still like to have CDs in my collection. However, I still buy some MP3 purchases online, all the same.
The main advantages of buying MP3 files online is they are easily downloaded into your music playlists and can be accessed right away - you don’t have to wait for the CD top be delivered or have to go out and buy it.
In conclusion, I still think there is a place for CDs, especially when released by my favourite rock bands but, occasionally, when I just want to hear a certain track, I prefer to download it and have it instantly. Therefore, I try to get the best of both worlds.