Page 10 -The Michigan Daily-Friday, March 12, 1993
MTV causes suicidal tendencies wI I ""'
byKristen Knudsen
hey've had six albums, a Grammy
nomination, an earsplitting tour with
Megadeth, even a run-in with Tipper.
Yep, all the signs of a successful heavy
metal band. So why haven't we heard
more about Suicidal Tendencies? Their
guitarist, Rocky George, blames the
music industry for his band's lack of
exposure, morespecifically MTV's fail-
ure to play a variety of videos. He
suggests that it's an old problem which
has been recently magnified.
"MTV's a little different than they
were before," George said. "They just
play the same thing. All they do is play
the same thing over and over... instead
of being open-minded and playing a
wide variety of things so people can
decide what they like."
Consequently, Suicidal Tendencies'
newest video, for "I'll Hate You Better,"
(off the album "The Art Of Rebellion")
has not been receiving what the band
would consider satisfactory airplay. I
know I've never seen it, and George
himself claims he's only seen it once.
"It's not just us," George continued.
"It's just everything in general. I don't
know if you've noticed, but they (MTV)
just play the same thing over and over,
which is very stupid. I mean, there are
more than four bands out there."
For the most part, the bands on the
top of MTV's playlist are not deserving
of that honor. "They're shit." George
The Office of Minority Affairs is now
accepting applications for
Resident Counselor
for the Wade H. McCree, Jr. Incentive Scholars
Summer Program
Application 414easline is March 12, 199.'3
Resident Counselors are responsible for
supervising student leaders and assisting with the
coordiation and implementation of a three week
summer program for high school students from
the Detroi t etropolitan area.
Applicants must have demonstrated leadership
skills and a desire to work with a (iverse
group of students.
Aplications and job descriptions
are available at:
The Office of Minority Affairs
503 Thompson, 1042 Fleming Building
936-1055
A non-di-( rinitiatory, affirmative action employer.
stated. Sorry, he would not name any
names. Nor would he offer any hope
that this problem could be resolved. "I
wish it was different. It just seems like
the record companies are just pushing
thesereally terrible bands," George said,
again refusing to provide an example.
The music of Suicidal Tendencies
may be ignored by record companies
because it is often too complicated, the
result of a deep plunge into the psyche
of singer/lyricist Mike Muir. George
believes that, lyrics like Suicidal's are
apt to go over people's heads.
"A major percentage of listeners
don't have a - I don't know - a
comprehension to understand something
that's really innovative, sometimes. It's
like the easier you are to listen to, the
more popular you are," he asserted.
Indeed, a complex dichotomy arises
when listening to Suicidal Tendencies.
Emotions, pain and sorrow abound in
the lyrics of songs like "Can't Stop,"
"Tap Into The Power" and "Monopoly
On Sorrow." However, underlying this
is what George insists is a positive mes-
sage. "Do what you want to do, do what
you believe, don't let anyone change
your mind. We definitely aren't a nega-
tive band," George said.
While they may not have negative
feelings, some dissatisfaction is unde-
niably present. This frustration is di-
rected not towards those who are mak-
ing music, but rather towards whom-
ever is deciding what music will be
heard. "I'm not disillusioned with the
rock scene, I'm disillusioned with the
way the music business is," George
said.
So let's get this straight. Suicidal
Tendencies is a positive band (despite
some arguably negative lyrics) that is
not disillusioned with the rock scene
(despite the fact that what's popular is
"shit."). Some interesting paradoxes that
people just don't seem to understand.
Go figure.
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES will
perform Sunday night with
INFECTIOUS GROOVES at the State
Theatre in Detroit at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $17.50 in advance, $20 on
Sunday.
z1 t4
-dt
a
AZ
.t
The Wallflowers are vicitms of the assumptions made about them, and they're Jewish.
More than .ust wallflowers
.'x
rss
t .e
:. e:
v
by Andrew J Cahn
and it also include
Most bands are victims of the assumptions made about Ju Ju Hounds. We
them. The Wallflowers are no exception. Here area few that The compariso
plague them. may also stem froi
1. The band is named after Bob Dylan's song "Wall- Jayhawks, the Wal
flower." "Is it?" asked drummer Peter Yanowitz. "We just Hammond organs
figured we had to be named something, and we liked the way over equipment ms
that sounded." It probably would have been abad idea for the plays a champagn
group to consciously name themselves after that song, since glitter), all-woodt
the group's leader is Bob's son, Jakob. Imagine if Julian some classic rock
Lennon came out with a band called Walls & Bridges, or if Moon," for instan
Jade Jagger started an all-woman group called the Factory Fortunately, that is
Girls. recognizable, prev
2. The Wallflowers are a modern version of the Band. 3. The Walfi
"I just read a review that called us that," Yanowitz said, "and Jewish except for o
I thought, 'Enough with the Band comparisons.' When I a coincidence." Y
heard their record for the first time, the first thing I noticed Rabbi of the band
was a Band-like sound. Keyboardist Rami Jaffee plays both long hair, so he re
the organ and piano parts as if he was alternately possessed The group actu
by Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel. deli. "It's a Jewish
For a band who is trying to forge its own identity separate An interesting
from one member's family legacy, it is understandable that are into jamming
they do not want to be compared to the old man's former include at leastaco
backup band. The fact is, to be called "a modem version of the Spin Doctors,I
the Band" is one of the highest forms of praise in the music even a few lesser
industry. Itjustsays thatyou play rockin' tunes with exquisite Hatters. Yanowitz
images and dramatic arrangements, and there's nothing neither he nor I co
wrong with that. 4. The Wallflo
Incidentally, the guys in the band are fans of other current successful acts M
"Band-bands," like the Jayhawks and Blue Rodeo (at the cheesy or both. Y
Blind Pig tomorrow night). "We did a show in LA recently around town like t
with the Black Crowes, and afterwards we jammed at the Hoodwinks. Hop
Troubador." Yanowitz said. "We called it the 'Big Toe Jam,' great music to con
A the drummer from Izzy Stradlin and the
covered a few Jayhawks tunes."
n to the Band and other classic rock bands
m their vintage gear. Like the Crowes and
ilflowers are guys who prefer the sound of
and pre-CBS buyout Fender tube amps,
anufactured in the last ten years. Yanowitz
ne sparkle (a mixture of gold and silver
Gretsch kit from the 50s. They also use
style riffs. The guitar hook in "Shy of the
ce, is very similar to "Sugar Magnolia.".
the only tune which includes an instantly
iously used part.
owers are a Jewish band. "We're all
one (BassistBarry Maguire), but that'sjust
Yanowitz responded. "We call Rami the
, since he is the most Jewish, but he's got
ally doesn't look like one."
ally got it's start playing at a popular L.A.
deli," he said, "but everyone goes there."
trend in pop music is that many acts who
and attract a young hippie following
duple ofJewish members. The list includes
Lenny Kravitz (he's half, remember) and
known bands like Shockra and the Mad
said that he never noticed that before, and
Lld think of a reason why it has happened.
)wers'success is an anomaly, since most.J
who have come from L.A. are metal,
(anowitz said there are a number of bands
them, including the Freewheelers and the,
efully, the Wallflowers are a sign of more
me.
-s
;.
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0
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