New music on the horizon and by no means are LIVE dead, CT's FB Options

[Merica]

Dear Friends of LIVE:

Chad, Patrick and I can feel your passion for our band and our music (has it really been twenty years)! It's a rush every time we hear from you! It still amazes me that our music found a worldwide audience that has remained loyal for so long. Now we can hear from you directly through social media and we've been paying attention. We've read your FB posts and know how much you want to see a new LIVE album and tour dates.

We also know how much you want to see a reunion too and we made efforts to try and meet with Ed. Unfortunately, it's not the right time for the original lineup to come together. Ed remains committed to his solo efforts and we've been busy promoting The Gracious Few (all of us spending some much needed time with our families). At this point, everything remains positive between Chad, Patrick and I and we deeply appreciate your support throughout the hiatus. We can sympathize with your angst surrounding Ed's departure. His magical lyrics touched all of our lives for so many years. On many levels he can never be replaced. Only Ed can determine his future and right now he is unresponsive regarding LIVE; so we must move forward without him.

We ask that our history with each other be respected and that no ill will be charged towards Ed for following his dreams. If you really are a LIVE fan, then you'll heed our emotional and spiritual right to be free and creative. I believe in Ed's right to pursue music on his own terms, just as I believe in my own. This doesn't mean that LIVE is through, in fact, I think the limitations of the band have been lifted and we can create without the confines of the garage. LIVE brought people together and uplifted spirits, all while rocking out! With any luck, nothing will tarnish this legacy and our music can continue to bring joy to the masses. LIVE can live on in many shapes and forms.

Don't worry, there will be new LIVE music on the horizon! Recently, we have begun to focus on a new era of truly exciting projects surrounding our catalog of hit songs and even new recorded material! It may involve non-traditional LIVE tours, festivals, fan gatherings, mobile applications, outtakes, b-sides, rarities and a fresh take on many of the classic LIVE songs we all love. We will be back in the studio as LIVE before you know it! Truthfully, we're only beginning to get a handle on the numerous possibilities being presented to us. Please be patient while we dial in the right mix of new and old.

It's our goal to keep the music of LIVE fresh and relevant. We know that there are many generations of music lovers who will also need the power and integrity of our music and we wish to share it with them.

This transition hasn't been easy on our fans and we have always cared deeply for you. We're not looking to be the next Van Halen or Motley Crue but we do know we have an obligation to the millions of fans who have supported LIVE to carry on the flag. No one can appreciate your pain more than the band itself. It hasn't been easy to say goodbye to an entire era of our lives. Chad, Patrick and I have found great strength and faith in each other. Our ability to forgive and forge ahead as a unit is no doubt a credit to the support you've shown us since Mental Jewelry or even Public Affection. There is still a ton of rock n' roll to be made. That's what I know.

Chad Taylor - guitarist for LIVE and The Gracious Few

Decent post.

[PillarOfDavidson]

I know Chad doesn't want there to be any ill-will toward Ed for pursuing his own music, but that's not the reason people are upset with him. There's no way Chad can put that cat back in the bag no matter how much positive spin he puts out or how many times to reach out to Ed they attempt. The guy fucked the rest of the band in the ass, and with them the majority of the Live-loyal fan-base.

Basically, as a Live fan I'm following their lead. If they can forgive and invite Ed back into the fold to pick up the torch they put down sometime in the year 2000 or so then so be it. If he doesn't care? Fuck him and long live TGF. That's the long and the short of it.

As for Live with a new singer? I don't know about that. The band from Creed sure put themselves in a killer position to be successful when they dumped Scock Twapp and formed Alter Bridge with a guy who could actually sing. But that was a new band, with a new approach. When they reformed Creed they put out an album full of horse shit that wouldn't have made a a B-sides disc from their first three albums. In other words, they were the Live (circa 2006) of the angst-driven, post-grunge scene.

My point? Maybe the upcoming releases should just focus on rarities, outtakes, etc. from pre-V... because even if they got a killer singer to replace Ed, it still wouldn't be vintage Live. And THAT'S what I want. Having said that... if a "new version" of Live that was at least equal to, if not better than vintage Live came along I wouldn't close my ears in the least. But for that to happen they've got to get a singer who can do something unique and not just try to sound like Ed. Alice In Chains sound decent since reforming, and this is no knock on the guy but everyone knows that William DuVall is Layne Staley-lite. There's an obvious quality that's missing and this is a singer who knows how to carry a tune.

This post has been edited by MrSheptical: Mar 23 2011, 4:46 pm

[Bremang]

I know Chad doesn't want there to be any ill-will toward Ed for pursuing his own music, but that's not the reason people are upset with him. There's no way Chad can put that cat back in the bag no matter how much positive spin he puts out or how many times to reach out to Ed they attempt. The guy fucked the rest of the band in the ass, and with them the majority of the Live-loyal fan-base.

Basically, as a Live fan I'm following their lead. If they can forgive and invite Ed back into the fold to pick up the torch they put down sometime in the year 2000 or so then so be it. If he doesn't care? Fuck him and long live TGF. That's the long and the short of it.

First of all, a big fat "no" to the idea that Ed definitely fucked the band. Secondly, a rampant misconception in the Live community is that it was Ed's choices that was the main reason for Live's music sucking. Anyone who thinks that a rock singer/songwriter should have the inherent ability or talent to put out more than 4 great albums is obtuse. If a rock artist can find the inspiration and physical ability (vocal chords), to keep running for more than 4 albums, bless em. Ed put himself out there until he would wring out every last drop after hundreds of shows. Animosity for Ed not being a supercharged and insightful rocker into his 30's a 40's is unwarranted.

This post has been edited by Bremang: Mar 23 2011, 8:40 pm

[tiger]

First of all, a big fat "no" to the idea that Ed definitely fucked the band. Secondly, a rampant misconception in the Live community is that it was Ed's choices that was the main reason for Live's music sucking. Anyone who thinks that a rock singer/songwriter should have the inherent ability or talent to put out more than 4 great albums is obtuse. If a rock artist can find the inspiration and physical ability (vocal chords), to keep running for more than 4 albums, bless em. Ed put himself out there until he would wring out every last drop after hundreds of shows. Animosity for Ed not being a supercharged and insightful rocker into his 30's a 40's is unwarranted.

Two of their biggest influences, R.E.M. and U2 seem to dispel this.

[Bremang]

Two of their biggest influences, R.E.M. and U2 seem to dispel this.

Just because bands can make more than 4 great albums doesn't mean it should be expected of anyone. Also, while singers in your example are great songwriteres, they don't bring the rock like Ed did. And I guess it would be an OK compromise if Ed toned down but still made great softer songs. But most resentment comes from the lack of quality rock music from Ed.

This post has been edited by Bremang: Mar 24 2011, 1:42 am

[tiger]

Just because bands can make more than 4 great albums doesn't mean it should be expected of anyone. Also, while singers in your example are great songwriteres, they don't bring the rock like Ed did. And I guess it would be an OK compromise if Ed toned down but still made great softer songs. But most resentment comes from the lack of quality rock music from Ed.

R.E.M. made their most rocking album with their 9th release Monster in 1994. This album rocks much in the way Throwing Copper does and topped the charts around the world. They collaborated as usual and came up with 45 songs during the recording sessions. They insisted the album rock and it did.