some thoughts on "what it takes" to be a succesful big venue headlining rock act

I saw some prototype "front men" this weekend at the UCSD Sun God Festival & 91x X Fest this weekend. Specifically, Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind, T.I. (not really "prototype" or rock, but still), Bert McCracken of the Used & Deryck Whibley of Sum 41. Hear are some observations I made, feel free to incoroprate into your band as needed:

1. When I see a band in a club environment and they have a lead singer who does nothing but sing I'm like "lame!" However, when I go to a big rock concert and I see a lead singer who plays guitar and sings at the same time, I'm like "lame!" I think when your band starts playing bigger venues, you really need a lead singer who is unencumbered by a guitar so he/she can devote all their energy towards the crowd.

2. "Broad gestures and posing is super important." Man, if you want to wow a crowd of five thousand plus, you had better jump around, strike poses and generally have a routine or otherwise people won't pay attention. It's like, sing lyric, pose, move around, lyric, wave arms at crowd, lyric, another pose, move to back of the stage- etc. That shit needs to be ON POINT or otherwise you will be a boring arena rock band.

3. I think it is kind of analgous to professional sports players who skip college, in that you are used to playing in a high school gym, then you start playing in the minor leagues, and then eventually you get to the major leagues and everything is... bigger... brighter... faster... etc. But the thing is- if you get to that point, you want to be prepared. You need to be ready to play the big stage.

Show Review: Grand Ole Party & The Muslims @ San Diego House Party Central

Armed with ye olde catdirt cooler of beer (the meager catdirt contribution to a rocking night, hey, catdirt is a giver), it was with eager anticipation that I attended the Grand Ole Party/Muslims "Vs." rivalry house party last night. Amanda and Heather are the two ladies behind this whole concept, and they deserve immediate commendation and elevation into the upper echelons of San Diego night life based on what I observed last night.

These observations included:
1. A packed house- with people paying a $5 cover--- at least 100(?) people in a small two story house.
2. An amazing line up- Grand Ole Party and the Muslims- are you kidding me? I can't get Grand Ole Party to play one of my shows, and they got them to play a "basement'(really more like "storage space"). okay, well maybe i haven't asked grand ole party since the embarassment of the canes / non-prophet show of last summer, bummerfest.
3. A generally good looking crowd having fun that included all of fifty on their heels, members of vinyl radio, swedish models(ex-cape may) and a bevy of scenesters and faux-hipsters- including one young lady who dressed up like Kristen Gundred of Grand Ole Party and actually looked like her!

My recommendation:
1. Make sure these ladies get their own monthly (at least) at a good club in town... Ken Club? That would be fun.
2. Continued attendance at their awesome events- mr tube and viewmasters coming up on june 2nd. yeah!

I had a chance to speak with Mike, the bassist from Grand Ole Party. He could neither confirm nor deny the supposition that Grand Ole Party will be going on tour this august and september with Rilo Kiley (national! tour!) but based on the following established facts it makes sense: GOP and Rilo Kiley share management/record label (3d management/unnamed record label), Rilo Kiley has Jenny "hottest woman in indie rock" Lewis, Grand Ole Party has Kristin "soon to be marketed as next hottest woman in indie rock" Gundred- so the cross promotional/introductory elements are there. Annnddd... Grand Ole Party has been dropping myspace related hints about a forthcoming "big announcement" for august and september.

So don't be too surprised if and when it's announced.

I really see these house parties as more of a "chance to mingle with local musicians and like-minded folk" and have a good time than a "chance to see local musicians perform", since there are um... issues... with the performance space, it's no art bar (former strip club) in vegas with clear lines of sight from everywhere, but its a totally successfully realized house party, full of good people having a good time listening to amazing san diego bands. Total fucking triumph, let's do it again, ladies?