R1SE@SDSUMUS.BITNET (Dave) (02/06/90)
>Christian Rock bands have a higher level of morality to adhere to. Bands such >as GNR, Sabbath,Whitesnake just to name a few, can write and sing about what- >ever they want. Stryper is limited to what kind of material they put on an >album. These limitations could be the reason that they don't `crank' like other >bands. > > Jim > A note on this: If that's the problem, why is there so much good stuff out by U2, a band that I at least consider to be highly religious. Also, explain Marley and godspell >Jim, thanks for your H or perhaps not so HO. I thought about that ... and I >really don't know. I find GnR, and Whitesnake rather unappealing because of >their vulgarity. i.e., I don't think that's what makes them rock. King >Crimson is seldom crass and they kick some serious butt. But then, maybe you're > right . . . to fulfill a contract with a Christian label would require some >focus on subject matter and that might stifle creativity. >--the drum that speaks > First, I think that any forced direction on music limits the creativity, and I have enough trouble working that up as it is. Second, vulgarity does not make one rock, per se. I agree. But I don't personally see anything wrong with it. Also, you could do like some really rasta reggae bands do, and attack these problems using the BOOK to back you up. >Okay, I never thought I would find myself defending this stuff,but Stryper's >first EP (the Yellow and Black Attack) which I picked up around 86 (?) eally >cranked. Soldiers under command was a yawn. But Y&BAttack was cool, IMWO >(in my worthless opinion). > This brings me to another question--why does Christian Rock bore me? One >would think that I would be amused at the idea of Christian musicians paying >rockin' stuff (actually I am. None of the Mainstream Christian Rock I've heard >rocks, actually), but it all seems to lack oomph, if you ask me. Of course, >I'm highly amused when I find out that a band I like has Christian membrs, but >that's beside the point. Why does it seem that most Christian Rock doesn't? >--the introspective drum I never heard that one. I'm going to have to look that one up. I don't see anything wrong with believing in christ and the christian churches. I personally don't(for a full explaination of my views,post me personal) I think, for myself, that what Amy Grant did for those Hallmark ads is Sellout in the worst order. I mean, you can sell out on metal. You can sell out on rap. But if you sell out on the BIG MAN(not clarence clemmens -), what do you have left? I have heard of that there's a christian Thrash band called Bloodgood. Unfortunately, I have no reviews for you. > > I didn't mean to imply that V}vulgarity makes a band successful. It's just th >atthey aren't held to the same standards which makes it a whole lot easer for >them to produce without tarnishing their reputation. I don't listen t o these >bands for the vulgarity I listen to them for the sound. I love to listen to >Eddie Van Halen or Steven Vai or perhaps Dave Murray (Iron Maiden) do gitar >work on albums and in concert. Yes, I could do without vulgarity and Icould >also do without bands writing songs dealing with political issues that hey >can't do a damned thing about! A song should be written from the heartnot he > newspaper. I'm going to step down off of my soapbox now. <grin> > > Jim I agree that vulgarity and music can exist with or without each other, and I'd even agree that the sound is most important. The last part puzzles me, though. "Bands writing about political issues that they can't do a damned thing about". What could that be? Let's start with the Sun City setup. Would you have known about Apartheid if it hadn't been shown by these people? Doubtful. Knowledge starts the change. Greenpeace and all that? The rock public opinion is heavy and it has a Bush in it's way, but it's moving on that one, too. Anything political means people, and when it means people, that means that people can do somtething about it. I agree that songs should be written from the heart, and I feel that some of these things are. Not all, but most. Jim, the attitude that you seem to have, the one saying that you can't do anything so don't even try, that pisses me off to no end. Youcan alway do something. _______/||Domino dave r1se@sdsumus.bitnet "Am I bugging you? I didn't mean to bug you. Edge, play the blues." Bono Vox, "In the name of love" _Rattle and Hum