In a recent interview with Viking Stew on the HAMMER AWAY podcast, Zebra guitarist/vocalist Randy Jackson addressed criticism from some fans that classic rock bands don’t sound like they did in their heyday, with many aging singers struggling to reproduce their biggest hits live.
“First of all, I think anybody who wants to go out and tour should be out there doing it, regardless of what people are saying. I mean, at our age, musicians our age, a lot of times people, they don’t even care what you sound like. They’re just there for the experience. They’re there for the nostalgia. And they’d like you to sound great, but if you’re not the greatest thing, if you’re not like they remember, I think they still enjoy the experience. On the other hand, if you’re out there still performing and singing still the same as you did previous, that’s where you have the hope of getting some new fans, some new blood into the situation. But I think we all enjoy the music. I mean, the musicians and the audience enjoy the times, and there’s a little nostalgia there for everybody.”
Jackson continued: “People love to trash people… Yeah, it’s tough, but it can be funny too, ’cause I remember somebody was complaining about [Jon] Bon Jovi’s voice a couple of years ago, and one of the comments was from a girl who said, ‘Who the hell cares? You think we care what he sounds like?’ [Laughs] And so that’s a very, very valid point. And that’s why they call it rock and roll. Get out there and just keep doing it. If you don’t wanna go, if you wanna see some really great musicians, go to the symphony,” Randy added. “If you wanna rock and roll, then go see a rock band, no matter how good or bad they are.”
Now this, THIS, is where I have a major bone to pick with Randy (Mr. Jackson, if you’re nasty.) In a nutshell, he’s saying that he is supportive of bands going out on the road, only able to play at a small fraction of how they used to play, and charging big fucking bucks to see it. The biggest example I can think of is Motley Crue. I mean, seriously. That band has been touring for decades now, playing to pre-recorded music tracks and Vince Neil staggering, huffing, and puffing through lyrics, only singing every other word or so. I’ve seen it. It’s sad as fuck, but people are paying to see it. They’re paying upwards of $500 to even $100 to see nothing but miming, dancing stripper girls (grow up, fellas), and a huge smoke & mirrors show.
Guns N’ Roses is another one that is out there on the road with a band that sounds like they’re going through the motions and Axl Rose literally singing like Mickey Mouse. It is embarrassing to say the least, but again, if fans continue to pay those top-dollar prices to see these disgusting displays of embarrassment, then godspeed to them. I also can’t tell you how many people I know who have talked about how shitty these bands are live, yet they go back over and over again.
Nostalgia is a powerful drug, a dopamine rush for people who can’t let go of pieces of their past. I get it. I get nostalgic all the time for bands that I love. I also know that if I see a Megadeth show, it won’t be good. Dave Mustaine is going to sound like he’s dying just trying to squeeze out a vocal note of any kind, so instead, I wax nostalgic by putting on my OG vinyl copy of Rust In Peace that I bought the week it came out. I sit, I listen, and I reminisce. Sorry, but over $100 for a ticket to see a band long past its prime is not the way I’d prefer to spend my money.
Recently, new Mötley Crüe guitarist John 5 (I hate that name) took to the press to defend the band, saying they don’t ever play to backing tracks. He said in a recent interview, “But people don’t understand that. Nikki plays every single note on that stage. He messes up. You can hear mistakes. Tommy [Lee, MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer] plays everything. I play everything. Vince [Neil, MÖTLEY CRÜE vocalist] is singing. And I think people don’t wanna hear that. I don’t understand why people don’t want to accept that, but we work really hard, and the live tracks, they sound great. We play. I listen to these songs, these tracks back, and I’m, like, ‘This sounds really great.’ And that’s ’cause we work hard at it. And that’s it. Everybody plays everything.”
When you’re that defensive about something, you know what that means, right? That they’re totally not playing jack shit. I mean, I’m sure Mr. 5 is playing since he’s the only “musician” in that fucking band but c’mon. Those backing vocals? You have two strippers, Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee, supposedly singing them, but you can tell that shit is literally pre-recorded. If anyone should be lip-syncing in that band, it’s Vince Neil. I mean, seriously? Is it more important to make the band sound like they’re playing, but leave the vocalist out there sounding like a leaking windbag? I don’t get it, and I never will.
As for Mr. Jackson, Zebra is still out on the road, doing shows, and they sound fucking fantastic. I’ve seen them a few times over the last decade, and they sound as good now as they ever have, but the first time I see a Zebra show and Randy’s voice is shot to shit, I’m out. No matter how much I love a band, I cannot in good faith sit through a show watching them be a shell of their former selves. It’s not how I care to remember my favorite bands, but if the people are ok with that, good on them; I do not think it’s ok.
Enjoy the shows!
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