The Biggest Challenge For Live's Future Success Is... Options

[FishOutaWater]

In my opinion, the biggest challenge to Live's future success is the fact that sadly, for some reason that I don't understand, Rock seems to be almost dead. A rock band cannot get any traction anymore, unless it has a 30 year following like Van Halen, Springstein, U2, Metallica, etc. Apart from the Foo Fighters, Rock n' Roll has been gradually relegated to a specialty genre like jazz and blues. R & B and auto-tune vocalists who are not artists have completely taken over the charts and the record industry is a complete disaster. To me it is really sad because modern music has no heart and soul anymore. And to me, this is the biggest challenge to Live becoming successful again. I would like to see Live be a part of a movement to make rock relevant again.

[Badman]

I think it is less pop music and more electronic music that is really defining music right now. Indie and pop have this component in common. There is something about electronic music that breaks the boundaries of the traditional 4 piece band. Another benefit is oftentimes they only have to pay one guy. One of my favorite artists publishes under the name hot sugar and uses loops of weird things like skulls cracking, hurricanes, and rat's heartbeats to make music that gives me something quite distinct. They would be more an indie group but on the pop side Kesha releases songs like Sleazy which are far more danceable than most 4 piece rock bands could muster. How can they compete? I don't think people like to think deeply about music these days.

This post has been edited by Badman: May 17 2012, 1:20 pm

[FishOutaWater]

I would be interested in reading a discussion of what others think is the biggest challenge for the future success of Live. I think that, like TGF, the issue is not going to be with the quality of the music or the performances. I just think that good rock bands today struggle to find an outlet and to find inroads into the hearts and minds and iPods of the listening public. Were it not for this one frustrating factor, I think that Live could climb the summit once again. If, for example, there was an MTV Unplugged that still exists, and Live could get on there today to perform their old songs and some new songs, I believe that they could sell themselves.

[thefunkyredcaboose]

I would be interested in reading a discussion of what others think is the biggest challenge for the future success of Live. I think that, like TGF, the issue is not going to be with the quality of the music or the performances. I just think that good rock bands today struggle to find an outlet and to find inroads into the hearts and minds and iPods of the listening public. Were it not for this one frustrating factor, I think that Live could climb the summit once again. If, for example, there was an MTV Unplugged that still exists, and Live could get on there today to perform their old songs and some new songs, I believe that they could sell themselves.

The target demographic for people to actually by music are the younger folks. They aren't going to want to see a bunch of forty year old guys playing '90s rock music. In order for Live to "climb the summit" they would need to get a little plastic surgery done and make awful music.

That's just the way it is. TGF had some damn fine promotional opportunities but they were mishandled. If Live can get those same opportunities and handle them better we could see them playing to some nice mid-level size crowds again. I doubt you see them busting the charts though.

This post has been edited by thefunkyredcaboose: May 17 2012, 2:25 pm

[Sonic Tonic]

In order for Live to "climb the summit" they would need to get a little plastic surgery done and make awful music.

This is true. Image and looks is a big factor. Like the pretty boy pop bands of the 90s now you have pretty "rock" boy bands. With their perfectly groomed scruffy beards and perfectly styled messy hair.

[thefunkyredcaboose]

This is true. Image and looks is a big factor. Like the pretty boy pop bands of the 90s now you have pretty "rock" boy bands. With their perfectly groomed scruffy beards and perfectly styled messy hair.

You had those in the '90s too, but the grungy look was "in" just like the hairspray look of the '80s.

[Sonic Tonic]

You had those in the '90s too, but the grungy look was "in" just like the hairspray look of the '80s.

Indeed. A cool sexy look sells.

[thefunkyredcaboose]

Indeed. A cool sexy look sells.

As much as people here may hate me for saying it, there's a reason why when you mention Live to people they say "oh the bald guy!!!"

Personally, I think all of that's BS, but I have been in two bands that nearly signed record contracts and both broke down when the issue of sex appeal came up. Since the record industry is dying that is less and less of an issue, but to be a meteoric success you need a look.

[themaestro]

As much as people here may hate me for saying it, there's a reason why when you mention Live to people they say "oh the bald guy!!!"

Personally, I think all of that's BS, but I have been in two bands that nearly signed record contracts and both broke down when the issue of sex appeal came up. Since the record industry is dying that is less and less of an issue, but to be a meteoric success you need a look.

Gotye has the biggest song going right now and he's nothing to look at. I think the looks are important in the absence of great songs. Great songs = looks don't matter. Decent songs = looks somewhat matter. Shitty songs = looks are everything. Adele is popular because of her voice and the songs. In their 40's, Live is hardly over the hill by rock music standards. They've held up well and with great songs it won't matter. They're not going after teens. They can pull in plenty late 20's and up. I agree the problem is finding the audience in that it is very hard to get traction these days, mainly due to the narrow focus of the music business. Bush is a great example that they could follow. They were gone longer than Live, and made a very good comeback by sticking to the sound that made them popular and doing a great job of promoting.

[SJN1279]

Gotye has the biggest song going right now and he's nothing to look at. I think the looks are important in the absence of great songs.
Bush is a great example that they could follow. They were gone longer than Live, and made a very good comeback by sticking to the sound that made them popular and doing a great job of promoting.

For many women, Goyte has sex appeal.

Bush has Gavin Rossdale, and a major label backing them. Gavin is also Mrs. Gwen Stefani and a part-time actor. He has sex appeal and is a well known celebrity. Would a Bush reunion have worked without him?

[Aitkens]

For many women, Goyte has sex appeal.

Bush has Gavin Rossdale, and a major label backing them. Gavin is also Mrs. Gwen Stefani and a part-time actor. He has sex appeal and is a well known celebrity. Would a Bush reunion have worked without him?

very creepy that you went with the sex appeal idea in all of this. are you coming out to everyone that you believe EK is a sex symbol.