Who’s Hot & Who’s Not: Rock
January 30, 2007 by Jo Minor
The scene of modern music is always moving and constantly changing - there is nothing that stays put for certain, and no fate is pre-determined in any way. Endless factors and variables control the fate of rock bands, be it for the better, or for worse. Let’s take a look at Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in the modern rock scene today - as predicted by me, judging from recent events and developments.
Hot: Rage Against The Machine
These highly-acclaimed modern rock heroes of the 90s have reunited for at least one rock festival, and their future seems bright indeed. After having disbanded some years ago due to worsening internal disputes between frontman Zack de la Rocha and the rest of the band - guitarist Tom Morello, bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk - they have seemingly cast aside whatever differences they have had earlier to reunite the monstrous Rage Against The Machine. Apparently, the solo career of Audioslave vocalist Chris Cornell did, more or less, affect the three musicians to find solace in the band that got them where they are now - and speaking of solo careers, de la Rocha’s very own didn’t take off either. Here’s praying that they will stick together for a good several more years!
Not: Guns N’ Roses
Axl Rose’s band of replacement musicians have a task that’s too much for any band to handle: to win the hearts of old time GNR fans who have grown to know and love the “real” GNR - the GNR with Slash, Duff and Izzy on board. Axl’s atrocious lying about the release of the long-awaited Chinese Democracy album isn’t helping much either, and judging by the tracks leaked on the internet the album isn’t too great anyway. The current GNR is akin to a corpse being resurrected by a mad scientist, to the chagrin of the townspeople. Let it go, Axl.
Hot: Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are back! After a short-lived project by the name of Zwan and a forgettable solo album, Billy Corgan is trying his level best to get the Pumpkins in line for a much welcomed comeback very, very soon. Although some former Pumpkins members will not be a part of this new lineup, it is rumored that long-time skinsman Jimmy Chamberlin will once again team up with the brilliant Corgan, while ex-guitarist James Iha hasn’t shown any interest in this reunion of sorts. May we see this happen within the year!
Not: The Darkness
The Darkness is a band destined for premature burn-up, or so it seems. After the release of their first album, Permission To Land, their bassist left the fold after citing his distaste for the commercial attention the band had received. And now, after the release of their second album, singer/guitarist Justin Hawkins has been admitted to a rehabilitation facility for his deteriorating drug addiction. He is keen on coming up with a solo album and a soundtrack album for a movie, but has not stated on whether he will ever return to The Darkness. Since Justin IS the face and voice of The Darkness, it’s unlikely that the band will continue touring and recording without him. A sad demise to one of the brightest rock outfits today.
Hot: Red Hot Chili Peppers
The band seems to be doing only the right things at all the right times. After the highly acclaimed Californication and By The Way, the Peppers came out with the gigantic Stadium Arcadium - also to raving reviews the world over. For a band that has survived such tumultuous times for so long, they seem to have in abundance what many bands lose after a period of time: passion. Their performing and songwriting skills haven’t waned even a little, but in fact, have grown even better over time. Vocalist Anthony Kiedis belts out the vocal tunes like he hasn’t aged a bit, and guitarist John Frusciante seems to be on the constant rise to being one of the best rock guitarists of our times.
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