Can A Gimmick Band Be More Than That?
Gimmicks have become an essential role in the entertainment industry. A simple catch phrase can become a staple in todays society, which is for some reason, asfixiated with pop culture; or something someone does at a concert, show, or ball game; or anything else I forgot to mention. Usually people have a gimmick to promote the thing that they are doing. It also helps not only the popularity, but profits, because after all, $$ makes the world go round. In the world of rock-n-roll (not the fake stuff like rap), some bands continue to play off a gimmick. I believe The Who was the first to really have a gimmick in the world of rock- at the end of each show, they would break their instruments, a trend which continues to this day. Even greats like Hendrix (who had multiple) have had their gimmicks. The question is can (modern rock) gimmick bands be more than just a gimmick?
When the band The Darkness first was being played on the TV or radio in the U.S. there were a few things people (at least I did from parts 2-3) focused on- 1.) the singer has a damn high voice in certain parts of their songs; 2.) the singer does one nude scene in every video; & 3.) the bassist wears the same clothes. Some of my fellow Rock-o-holics said the guy sang like a freakin alterboy staying late with a priest. And so it became that The Darkness would be known for their high pitched choruses as their gimmick.
As events would have it The Darkness's popularity skyrocketed, and they were being played on every medium from here to infinity. The songs "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" and "Growing On Me" were immensly popular.
I first heard The Darkness on MTV Europe's 10th anniversary special concert special which was filmed in England. I had never heard anything like their stuff since like 80's metal and Skid Row and Iron Maiden. MTV 2's Hard Rock Live featured a live show by the band some explanations on their songs.
Well, The Darkness is a truly kick ass band. Frontman Justin Hawkins is one the best guitarists I have ever seen. He can fingertap and solo with the best of them. The rest of the band including Justin's younger brother Dan (guitarists) complement the songs. The band in an interview said they began playing because they felt rock-n-roll was somehow dying and the last great guitarist was Kirk Hammett, lead for Metallica (obviously he hasn't heard of my man Zakk Wylde.) I admire what they are doing and how they're doing it. They are bringing back the 80s metal style, selling tons of albums, getting airtime on the radio and TV, and selling out shows. They know full well that the way they sing definately got people to hear them, but the guitar riffs really let the musicians appreciate them.
ONE NATION UNDER ROCK
When the band The Darkness first was being played on the TV or radio in the U.S. there were a few things people (at least I did from parts 2-3) focused on- 1.) the singer has a damn high voice in certain parts of their songs; 2.) the singer does one nude scene in every video; & 3.) the bassist wears the same clothes. Some of my fellow Rock-o-holics said the guy sang like a freakin alterboy staying late with a priest. And so it became that The Darkness would be known for their high pitched choruses as their gimmick.
As events would have it The Darkness's popularity skyrocketed, and they were being played on every medium from here to infinity. The songs "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" and "Growing On Me" were immensly popular.
I first heard The Darkness on MTV Europe's 10th anniversary special concert special which was filmed in England. I had never heard anything like their stuff since like 80's metal and Skid Row and Iron Maiden. MTV 2's Hard Rock Live featured a live show by the band some explanations on their songs.
Well, The Darkness is a truly kick ass band. Frontman Justin Hawkins is one the best guitarists I have ever seen. He can fingertap and solo with the best of them. The rest of the band including Justin's younger brother Dan (guitarists) complement the songs. The band in an interview said they began playing because they felt rock-n-roll was somehow dying and the last great guitarist was Kirk Hammett, lead for Metallica (obviously he hasn't heard of my man Zakk Wylde.) I admire what they are doing and how they're doing it. They are bringing back the 80s metal style, selling tons of albums, getting airtime on the radio and TV, and selling out shows. They know full well that the way they sing definately got people to hear them, but the guitar riffs really let the musicians appreciate them.
ONE NATION UNDER ROCK
posted by Anonymous at 6/05/2005 05:28:00 PM
2 Comments:
Usually the gimmick groups just break up and disappear with one or two of the members going on.
Kiss actually still has a following, GWAR is still touring but I think that GWAR is more of a cult thing.
I think it depends on how talented the members of the group are.
The Wilson sisters, Heart, certainly used the novelty of a serious rock "girls group" to break into the rock music scene. But after you heard them there wasn't any doubt that they were serious rockers.
Kiss has a huge following. GWAR actually played sometime this year at my homestate Starland Ballroom.
To me, the whole gimmick thing that bands do, is just to gain noteriety and build a fanbase by getting played more.
As far as talent, The Darkness has proved to me that a band can have a gimmick(s) and have loads of talent. If you've never heard of these guys, check them out, especially the songs "Growing On Me", "Love Is Only A Feeling", and "Love On The Rocks". The lead guitaring is impeccable and they put on one hell of a live show. These guys know what they're doing and doing it for all the right reasons.
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