[GarythePotato]

All of this X Factor and Pop Idol stuff just doesn't do it for me, and I'm sure a lot of you will agree. Why isn't there a rock/metal-based television talent programme? It'd be brilliant! It may even rekindle the long-lost love for rock and phase out those corporate whores like Duffy and Leona Lewis and bring good music back into the charts. A programme like that might be fairly underground to start because rock and metal isn't as accessible as it once was. All walks of bands could appear - from alternative rock to black metal - it's their programme and they'll be doing what they love. How's it sound? .

[mrbobc]

what kind of serious rock band would be seen dead on a talent show? would be the first question people would be asking.

i think most proper rockers wouldnt bother leaving jumped up dickheads entering with not enough talent.

thats my opinion anyway.

[Trollslayer]

Hmm.... beige rock? I don't think so.

[Matt W]

HaHa!

[Toasty]

There was orange unsigned band last year, not just metal, but at least they were live bands.

[signs]

Didn't Gene Simmons do one ?

[Shoka]

Originally Posted by signs

Didn't Gene Simmons do one ?

Wasn't that with a bunch of kids in a school - School of Rock or something like that?

[Toasty]

Tommy Lee did one in the states, quite good if I recall

[Artie Fufkin]

The Tommy Lee one was called "Rock Star". It was a search for a singer for the supergroup consisting of Lee, Dave Navarro, Jason Newstead and er...someone else.

There is a rumour of a reality/talent show starting in the USA to find a new rock band. Weather it takes the format of bringing individuals together to form a band or takes existing unsigned bands and pitting them against one another is unclear.

Two things to note about this story...
1. It's a Simon Cowell project.
2. Kate Moss is to be a judge.

[mjn]

Originally Posted by Artie Fufkin

The Tommy Lee one was called "Rock Star". It was a search for a singer for the supergroup consisting of Lee, Dave Navarro, Jason Newstead and er...someone else.

That would be Guilby Clarke, was in GnR for about 30 minutes back in the 90's.

[Dr Evilest]

Originally Posted by Artie Fufkin

The Tommy Lee one was called "Rock Star". It was a search for a singer for the supergroup consisting of Lee, Dave Navarro, Jason Newstead and er...someone else.

In that company, it should have been called 'search for a smack-head'.
Allegedly.

[signs]

Originally Posted by Dr Evilest

In that company, it should have been called 'search for a smack-head'.
Allegedly.

Why allegedly ?

[metalhead72]

They certainly need to do one

[Miyazaki]

Originally Posted by mrbobc

what kind of serious rock band would be seen dead on a talent show?

Hit the nail on the head there mate.

Rock music is all about credibility. These numpties that go on 'talent' shows are no better than glorified karaoke singers.

[signs]

Originally Posted by Miyazaki

Hit the nail on the head there mate.

Rock music is all about credibility. These numpties that go on 'talent' shows are no better than glorified karaoke singers.

Twisted sister anyone ?

[Earl Purple]

This isn't what we need to promote new indie/rock into the charts. Their promotion does and always has come from rock festivals, as well as appearances as support artists.

There is some TV exposure of rock festivals but I see too much of Kings of Leon and not enough of the smaller acts.

The good news is that this kind of artist actually needs fewer record sales to be successful, particularly singles sales, and will typically still sell more albums than the kind of artist that appears on the X-Factor. They will make more revenue with live performances, plus they will keep a higher proportion of the revenue they do get from record sales because they generally write their own music.

[MLOC]

Metal Factor, with Simon Cowell, you fuppin mad!!
Dimbag would be rolling in his grave, metal is fine where it is, it needs to be just under the surface, like a bacteria, it live and breeds just where you cant see it forever, or something, lol

[mattclarkie]

Not a show like X-Factor, but I know of lots of good rock bands that have really struggled to get labels, or get dropped very fast after the first album under-performs. It would be good to have a show where bands could play, then they might have more chance of being signed if they are popular, rather than having an overall winner that gets a deal, just have a show where bands can do a few songs and see if they can reach a wider audience.

We just need more exposure of Rock and people might realise it is good, alot dismiss it thinking it is all 'Thrash Metal'.

[karkus30]

Originally Posted by GarythePotato

How's it sound? .

Like a really bad version of the Old Grey Whistle Test with whispering Simon Cowell

[Donnacha]

There were two Seasons of the "Rock Star" show. The first was to find a lead singer for INXS, the second was to find a singer for Tommy Lee's new supergroup (Supernova). I really liked it as all the auditioning singers had attitude and most could really sing (more than I can say for Simon Cowell's lot). Each week they had to perform in front of an audience with a backing band, and they could also showcase their own compositions. The band were the judges.

I enjoyed it and would certainly watch it again if there was another season....in fact why couldn't they do one for guitarist as well, considering the huge success games like Guitar Hero are?

[mattclarkie]

I think it would be hard to get people interested in a show searching solely for a guitarist. A good guitarist is absolutely mind-blowing, but there aren't many that are that exceptional, and when you get truly out-standing guitarist who is also the lead vocalist and putting on a belting show for the audience .

[TheFantabulator]

It's a good idea. Simon Cowell is a very canny A&R man. What he is always looking for is "What will sell?" - quick turnover pop product.

The thing is, people who play rock/metal have a certain idea of career, longevity and credibility amongst fans. The last one comes from being perceived as having earnt your stripes climbing the ladder. Not sure if too many bands would go for The Rock Factor.

That said, so much "indie" and other guitar music these days is soundalike disposable Tesco rock that it may well work fantasically well. But it's not probably not going to find us the next U2.

[Toasty]

Daughtry were born from a finalist of American idol and basically, while rock, sound like Nickelback and a lot of other bands sound the same too. I think that's what would happen if a rock idol existed, basically each resultant band would be bubbled down to a format to create the next 4 chord power ballad.

[mattclarkie]

Originally Posted by TheFantabulator

That said, so much "indie" and other guitar music these days is soundalike disposable Tesco rock that it may well work fantasically well. But it's not probably not going to find us the next U2.

Good, I can't stand U2 .


What I would like is televisation of good quality live music from unknown artists, you can find unknown bands on youtube, but they are often so badly shot (with such awful sound), that it is impossible to tell if they are actually any good.


I find Daughtry very

[overkill]

Originally Posted by karkus30

Like a really bad version of the Old Grey Whistle Test with whispering Simon Cowell

Can't see either the demand or need for a 'rock factor'. The great unwashed like their music as tame and bland as their food, beer, and politicians

I really can't see the average 'mr and mrs Middle England or your average chav wanting to see anything even mildly cerebral, and certainly nothing louder than Britney ruining their prime time goggle gazing.

On the other hand, as someone pointed out, the minute rock/metal went mainstream in a 'pop factory' TV show, all credibility is lost.

Yes it's frustrating that once again the music biz has kicked rock into touch, but hey, we been here before and it's always survived.