28 replies to this topic

[fanarchy]

This is kinda interesting....

http://blogs.phoenix...sked_for_it.php

You Asked for It
Wed May 21, 2008 at 08:10:46 PM
By Niki D'Andrea

"How come you guys are giving coverage to such-and-such band? They suck! Why don't you give more attention to some local bands that DESERVE it for a change? My band, yadayadayada, has been playing in Phoenix for however-many years, and yet we can't get a write-up in the New Times?! You guys obviously don't know shit about good music in this town and blahblahblahblahblah..."

I hear something like this -- sometimes peppered with more insults -- almost every time we publish a music feature about a local music artist or put them on the cover. There's always a handful of other local artists who feel they were more deserving but overlooked, and they seem to think that the fact that we didn't write a rave review of their band's CD is a symptom of our supposed ignorance about the local music scene.

I have not reviewed every single local CD that's landed in my mailbox in the past two years. But I can assure you that I have listened to them all. I used to have a personal policy that I wouldn't trash a local artist's album -- if I thought the music sucked, I didn't bother to make a public announcement about its suckiness. I figured bad reviews served no one -- they slammed a fledgling band, they didn't give music fans anything new worth checking out, and they made me look like a bitch. So I focused on writing about local bands that made good music, bands that drew huge crowds to their shows, bands with fan bases and merchandise and interesting anecdotes, gimmicks, and stories. I didn’t go out of my way to try and review everything.

But I’m throwing that policy out the window. Obviously, there are bands in Phoenix who feel they deserve some recognition. So here’s your chance. Every Tuesday, I will post a blog titled “You Asked for It,” wherein I will review a local band’s CD. I will be honest about my impressions of your music, and I do hope that somebody will really blow me away.

So take the dare – especially if you’re one of the artists that’s been complaining about “lesser” artists getting coverage from us. Send me your CD at the address below. Make sure you write ATTN: YAFI on the envelope, so I can quickly separate your CD from the other piles of stuff I get. I will review every CD in the order in which it is received. The only prerequisites are 1) your band be from Phoenix (sorry Flagstaff and Tucson), and 2) we haven’t already reviewed your CD in print or online.

Send your CDs to:
Niki D’Andrea, Phoenix New Times
1201 E. Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85032

I look forward to listening to more local music incessantly. (Hey, who let the sarcasm in?) I think we’re gonna get some really good shit, and I think we’re gonna get some utter shit.

[donald]

like the title says


YOU ASKED FOR IT


I look forward to reading some of the reviews

[chadk]

cool.

[unluckycharm]

wait until they get a whiff of my gangsta-hyphi-nu-metal-polka act

i'll call it Wack Sabbath

the new timers will luv it

[donald]

this makes me want to record something horrendous on purpose and send it in.

[John MFer]

this makes me want to record something horrendous on purpose and send it in.

Satanists

[Tony]

this makes me want to record something horrendous on purpose and send it in.

i smell a supergroup

[donald]

I like the way you think

I am sure they guys from Yuma would love to send something in

this makes me want to record something horrendous on purpose and send it in.

Satanists

[fatguyaz]

I'm in. I can record badly at my house, which is just what this recording needs.

[mothrock]

this is pretty awesome.

However, you do realize that since you mentioned this "super group" in a public forum... it may backfire. Hopefully Niki doesn't read the shizz.



Make sure that the cymbals sound EXTRA annoying on whatever you send in.

[John MFer]

I like the way you think

I am sure they guys from Yuma would love to send something in

this makes me want to record something horrendous on purpose and send it in.

Satanists

I would say something cassette based, but Bossk beat us to it.

[fanarchy]

this is pretty awesome.

However, you do realize that since you mentioned this "super group" in a public forum... it may backfire. Hopefully Niki doesn't read the shizz.

I know Benjamin Leatherman the clubs editor reads the shizz...and i think michele laudig does too.

[jomama]

LAME

[aaronburke]

i have seen this happen in other cities. kids get together,
record a shitty cd on purpose, and send it in under another
band's name pretending to be that band. sucks. this is
not such a good idea, altho i understand where she's coming
from.

[donald]

That really does suck.

hopefully there is some kind of way to verify who the band is that submits a recording.

I was thinking of making a crappy band and make a crappy recording, not trying to pretend being a band that is already out there.

i have seen this happen in other cities. kids get together,
record a shitty cd on purpose, and send it in under another
band's name pretending to be that band. sucks. this is
not such a good idea, altho i understand where she's coming
from.