Slip Knot /Rush/etc. continuation

Regarding Slip-Knot:

I have not given an extensive listening to their music, so I will refrain from saying there are no redeeming aspects to what Slip Knot does (but I will also refrain from saying there are). Given that they have a heavy metal influence, I suppose it is possible that some of them posess respectable chops on their instruments.

Nonetheless, the immediate "sense of life" they convey to me is so grotesque and immature that I have no interest in exploring their work. I don't buy the argument that their "fuck the system" sentiments are somehow a laudable example of individualism and integrity.

Any band that signs a record contract is fully aware of the rights they forgoe upon doing so. That's the trade off: the band is trading the rights to it's unique brand of music in exchange for the record company's investment capital and promotional capabilities. Both Slip-Knot and their label know full well that their audience is primarilly comprised of rebellious teenagers, and that scaring the parents is good for business. They are not making any sort of unique statement. That they are friendly off stage means nothing in relation to their music.

It's safe to assume that any musical artist who resorts to shock tactics as a differentiator is ultimately insecure about their musical content.

Post 1

Wednesday, September 1, 2004 - 4:55am

Slipknot?

"People = Shit"

Any questions?

Post 2

Wednesday, September 1, 2004 - 11:28am

"People = Shit":
The Slipknot version of "We're living in an Age of Crap and drowning in Philosophies of Faeces."

J

Post 3

Wednesday, September 1, 2004 - 10:57pm

Well thank God Slipknot is here to serve as a beacon of truth and integrity in this turbulent cesspool of today's ideas!

Post 4

Thursday, September 2, 2004 - 1:26am

Pete writes,
"Well thank God Slipknot is here to serve as a beacon of truth and integrity in this turbulent cesspool of today's ideas!"

Well, I wouldn't go that far. I think there are more diligent beacons to be found in Objectivist circles. I'm not going to pretend that Slipknot's list of people who equal shit (or maggots, if you prefer) would be long enough to compete with Objectivists' lists.
J

Post 5

Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 11:10pm

"Any band that signs a record contract is fully aware of the rights they forgoe upon doing so. That's the trade off: the band is trading the rights to it's unique brand of music in exchange for the record company's investment capital and promotional capabilities. Both Slip-Knot and their label know full well that their audience is primarilly comprised of rebellious teenagers, and that scaring the parents is good for business. They are not making any sort of unique statement. That they are friendly off stage means nothing in relation to their music."

not true in all cases. ever heard of dischord records or touch & go records? they do business differently.

Post 6

Monday, September 13, 2004 - 11:39am

My point is that a band should be aware of what they are signing.

Post 7

Monday, September 27, 2004 - 8:24am

I'm a musician, and was in a very successful hard rock/heavy metal band for over a year. We recorded an album, played shows in front of large crowds opening for nationally signed acts, and had a dedicated fan base to the extent of a few of them tattooing our logo on their bodies.

I have experience in the music business, and I agree that Slipknot is absolutely full of it when they put on their masks and their jump suits and take the stage, telling their fans to "fuck the system". The system is the reason they're able to release CDs all over the world. The system is the reason they're able to join tours like Ozzfest, which is the highest grossing festival concert since its inception in the late 90s.

I'm a fan of music in general, and open my ears to all kinds. I find nothing special about Slipknot's music, or their image. Bands have been using shock tactics to appeal to audiences ever since the power of shaking one's hips on national television was demonstrated by Elvis Presley. Slipknot's music is absolutely nothing new. It's overprocessed and overproduced. With a rack of studio effects, anyone could sound like Slipknot. And they do.

If my band had not called it quits upon the departure of our guitarist, who moved to Florida to attend grad school, we may have made it to the big time. Who knows? But I know one thing: I would never sign a record deal and then bite the hand that offered it to me.

My band was nothing special, but if anyone is interested in hearing some clips, MP3s are available at www.DistraughtsSon.com. (Sorry if linking is a no-no)

Post 8

Monday, September 27, 2004 - 3:52pm

Hey Jake,
Apparently you haven't been visiting SOLO for very long. People here believe that "headbanging caterwaulers" like you are the bane of existence. The SOLOists who claim that Slipknot is evil would also claim that YOU and your band mates are evil. To them, you are the enemy -- the focus of their Objectivist culture war. They think that the style of music that you play represents a serious attack on all values, a mindless hatred of existence, and a vision that life is not worth living.

Do you agree with them? Are you evil?

J

Post 9

Monday, September 27, 2004 - 8:01pm

I've played in heavy metal bands, I've played in classic rock bands, I've filled in with some bands playing country music. I grew up on Motown and I love folk music. I think that anyone who makes any generalization about people based on the type of music they listen to or play is a worthless, ignorant waste of existence. How can people be so ignorant? This is the same situation that racism breeds in. If being open-minded, well-rounded, cultured, and diversified means that you're evil, then count me in!

And no, I haven't been here long. Sorry if I'm out of line and whatnot.

Post 10

Monday, September 27, 2004 - 8:51pm

Well said, Jake.

Thanks,
J

Post 11

Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 12:10am

Jake: I am the person Jonathan alludes to. I founded SOLO. I originated the term, "headbanging caterwauling." I think people who get off on headbanging caterwauling are sick, ignorant, or tone deaf. I wear ear-plugs to the gym & flee from any other venue where headbanging caterwauling is rending the air & I don't *have* my ear-plugs. I am, of course, an ignorant waste of existence, purveyor of racism, eater of babies, etc..

As a rookie here, you're moderated. As a moderator, I let your post through. Had a good laugh as I did so.

It's pretty much open slather here. Enjoy your stay. Just don't expect me to participate in *this* sort of thread! :-)

Linz

Post 12

Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 1:05pm

I am the person Jonathan alludes to. I founded SOLO. I originated the term, "headbanging caterwauling." I think people who get off on headbanging caterwauling are sick, ignorant, or tone deaf.

Linz,

I'm about to rock the boat a little: I agree with your comment quoted above :-) What I disagree with is the way that you and a few others (and I mean this in no way disrespectfully) seemingly fail to distinguish between genuine crap like Slipknot and certain other musicians and groups which I and other SOLOists have specified as not belonging in the same category. You know I am a fan of singers such as Lanza and composers such as Beethoven and Puccini, and I share your views on rap and nihilistic groups such as Slipknot, so my musical taste ought not to be in question ;-)

Most of the musicians we've specified (Rush, Symphony X, Malmsteen etc) are regarded as being progressive rock musicians. The genre is so called because its musicians draw heavily on jazz and classical music influences, seeking to "progress" to compositions far more complex than conventional rock, both in terms of form and content - as with much of classical music, the songs often embody intellectual philosophical themes (in Rush's case, as has been repeatedly pointed out, the philosophy is often Objectivist). Of course, I'm not saying that an Objectivist ought to enjoy this music, if it doesn't "do it" for you that's fair enough. But I don't think that you can objectively dismiss the work of these musicians as "headbanging caterwauling".

I'm starting to doubt you'll ever come around on this one, but I'll keep trying ;-)

MH

Post 13

Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 2:13pm

Nice work on creating the site man. I mean no disrespect. But you have to understand that your generalization is offensive to me as an intelligent, philosophical musician whose goal in making music is to most tastefully bring melody and meaning into whatever music I'm playing. I've played in enough bands and at enough venues to know what you are referring to. There are a lot of mindless people out there making heavy metal music whose main goal is to piss people off and be as loud and obnoxious as possible. Those bands fit into your generalization. But I believe that any genre of music can be worthwhile if done well.

I also think that any genre of music can be obnoxious if done poorly. If you went to a concert hall and saw an orchestra completely out of time, out of tune, etc, would you still appreciate it JUST because they're playing classical music? Of course not! You'd be critical of it based on its poor execution. This is the case with any music. Although I have played in hard rock bands, I'm not a fan of many hard rock bands because to my critical ear, few of them are skilled in their writing and execution. There are bands, however, that are flawless in execution and tasteful in their writing styles. These bands are the ones I can appreciate.

You should check out a band called Chaos Opera. They make heavy metal music with strings and such. It's not the greatest thing, but you'd get a chuckle.

Post 14

Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 4:53pm