| Viva La Revolution | |
In 1976 a little known throw together
of individuals caused the biggest shift in pop culture since Elvis and the Beatles,
that band was named The Sex Pistols. It wasn’t so much the quality of
the music they will be remembered for, but the cause for which they stood.
The cause was (for a time) to reclaim the sad state of affairs that popular
music had degenerated into. Bands like Yes, Genesis, Led Zeppellin, Rick Wakeman
and King Crimson were riding high on post hippie pseudo classical evangelical
dribble. Although the level of musicianship in these bands were akin to a classical
virtuoso it could not quell the rising dissatisfaction felt by the youth of
the time who felt this music did not represent them and was not “Rock
n Roll”.
It gave the Sex Pistols or rather their manager Malcolm Mclaren the ammunition
he needed to invent a pop revolution.
That was 27 years ago now and the only other truly revolutionary style to emerge
has been Bob Marley and the Wailers and that happened around the same time.
Or possibly the Police who were a watered down hybrid of the two.(no probably
not)
As I sit here looking at http://www.corporatecountdown.com.au/ I can’t
help but think it is way past the time where the youth culture of the world
should tell all of these ex hippies - ‘not yuppies but maybe yippies’
, (who refuse to retire or relinquish the reign of musical power) where to get
off.
While it is mildly amusing to see Bob Hawke on stage playing a set of Congas
or the CEO of Microsoft Fronting the ‘Microsoft band’ or perhaps
‘The BMW band featuring ex Doobie Brothers guitarist Jeff ‘Skunk’
Baxter’ and Jimmy Barnes belting out some bygone hit. I feel it is a sad
state of affairs where the only way these corporate dinosaurs can get their
kicks is by sponsoring their own gig and paying some celebrity ‘has been’
so they themselves can star in the band.
Another case in point is http://www.longwaytothetop.com.au/ , you know where
Billy, Marcia, Russell, Col, Ross, Max and company come to a ‘Twin Towns’
near you to shove down your neck one more time hits and memories. The difference
here between the former is that these artists were or still are actual stars
or performers and so they arguably deserve to bandy together for one last hoorah.
The only one who doesn’t get a bat is ‘Molly (for GOD sake DIE !)
Meldrum’. That’s because he’s on the ‘corporate countdown’
gravy train.
Or maybe you’d like to see the Australian Cricket Team sing “Can’t
Bowl, Can’t Throw” or Russell Crowes ‘Fifty Odd Foot of Grunt’
playing ‘Hollywood Boulevarde’ singing a woeful rendition of ‘Mustang
Sally’.
It is no wonder the Australian and the world popular music scene has become
a parody of itself when we deny on mass, the culture of what is new and fresh.
We prefer to bastardise the already bastardized forms and styles of music trying
to squeeze out another purile drop of pop. The art is dying. While it could
be argued that the capital that corporate Australia (including record companies)
inject into the music economy is the life blood established and potential new
artists need to survive. It could be counter argued that, where are the new
artists ? Only a chosen few are selected by major record companies from the
thousands of hopefuls every year.
An example of talent gone to waste is the vast array of acts on display at Tamworth
every year. One only has to walk down Peel St on any given day during the January
Festival to see any one of scores which have the potential. But sadly unless
your affiliates include a song co written with Garth Porter or endorsed by the
‘Country Music Mafia’ you ain’t got a hope.
Hillbilly Lovechild are a case in point local boy Wayne Bromwich, Chris Cooke
and Karen present their unique style of Bluegrass Country and although Chris
has had 3 songs recorded by Slim Dusty cannot get a meaningful look in at West
Tamworth.
The power of corporations in music in my opinion has the power to do more harm
than good on local level music.
It doesn’t necessarily pick the best, but those willing to sign their
souls, their total control to the corporation, to jump when they say jump and
if you won’t then there is always someone who is.
In my opinion there should be more avenues whereby the public decide who they
like in the raw stage of an artists development. It is undeniable that less
people are supporting live entertainment through direct attendance, but what
if they could participate in the process from home. Like firstly more live television
and radio shows of just artists performing. Interactive feedback could let artists
know how well they were perceived and they would be potentially exposed to a
much wider audience than they would ever have been otherwise.
Thousands of individuals are organizing themselves into groups that almost exclusively
use the ever expanding internet and associated technologies to take their music
to the world thus removing the need for corporate intervention.
It is my vision and bold prediction that major record companies will be obsolete
in 10 years time as artists reclaim their power and right to be heard. Our internet
connection will be like your own personal Television Station and you can broadcast
what you like – as long as someone is willing to watch.
On the local live music scene we see Hotels who on one hand seem interested
in supporting local music but on the other, present huge obstacles like wall
to wall televisions and poker machines among other distractions. Then in go
the enormous pot plants + tables and chairs which act like a huge partition
from what should be the main focus of the night – the music. Are they
serious ?
But for now I am waiting for the artistic and in particular the musical youth
of Australia to stand up and be counted. Show us what you’ve got. Don’t
sit around on the edges waiting for someone else to do it. Exercise your right.
It is your future. You can contribute and change what is happening in popular
music culture because you are the future. Start a revolution today !
As an artist it is you who should be writing the history, not corporate Australia
writing a self fulfilling prophecy tailor made to suit their product and their
own bank balance. Instead we see a succession of ‘corporate pop stars’
who should stick to what they do best, pushing pens and selling landcruisers,
hamburgers and coca cola.
Sure, commercialism is not a dirty word but we as artists have the right to
control our own work and professional destiny without selling our back side
for a song and a dance. We create the product and after all they just sell it
!
They don’t need to own us as well.
Viva la revolution !
Dale G. Ryan
IMAGINE YOUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE !
its cheaper than you think.
