Franklin Bridge Eliminated on The Next Great American Band
Seven bands competed tonight on The Next Great American Band, performing a song by Leiber and Stoller. They are songwriters who made their names in the early days of rock and roll and R&B and are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Here’s my take on tonight’s show, in the order in which the bands played tonight.
Light of Doom. They did the song “Jailhouse Rock.” To me I liked this performance best of the past few weeks because it had their metal/hard rock feel without having that pounding, loud beat. It’s hard to watch children perform who’s only knowledge of Elvis could be from a velvet wall hanging. John Rzeznik said he was “speechless” and said they tore up the song. Sheila E. called it “rock-fabulous” and complimented many of the band members on their individual performances. She called them out about the need to be a positive role model and that the band needed to stop cursing. Dicko admitted he had been hard on them because he thought they were a gimmick band, but they are becoming more watchable as the competition moves forward. Do you think that Sheila E. was trying to really help the kids, or was she trying to get a point across to the viewers, since I don’t recall hearing any bleeps or any curse words during the behind the scenes footage aired on tonight’s show?
The Clark Brothers. They performed a song called “Saved”. The band members had initially indicated some concern about performing a Lieber and Stoller song without any drums. It did sound kind of strange to have a rock and roll song without any drums. I kind of liked the performance. John asked them why the band hated drummers. He did say the performance was really great. Sheila E. said it was absolutely fabulous and they were still here because of the passion they bring. Dicko called the performance brilliant and passionate.
Dot Dot Dot. The song they chose to perform tonight was “Love Potion # 9.” Their performance did not do too much for me. John said the band pulled it off really well (playing a goofy novelty song). Sheila E. said it was fantastic and exciting. Dicko said he thinks they turned a corner and it was their best performance to date, but that the lead singer needs to get more personality in his voice and that the band needs to bring the female members of the group into the forefront of their performances.
Cliff Wagner & the Old # 7. They performed the song “Poison Ivy.” I really like this band. I’ve said before that I kind of think I need to keep it a secret that I like a bluegrass band but hey, I guess I’m not alone or they would not still be in the competition. I still feel like kickin’ back and opening a beer when they play because they just have that cool, hangin’ out vibe about them. John thought they adapted the song well, but that he wished they pushed it a little harder. Sheila E. said it was superb but she would have liked to see it a little harder and edgier. Dicko said the performance was a bit lazy, the second week in a row for a sleepy performance. He said he knows they are better than the performance tonight.
Denver and the Mile High Orchestra. They performed the song “Ruby Baby.” These guys are one of my favorites in the competition and I am so happy every week when they make it through because I did not think that a lot of people would like them. As always they picked a song that played to a strength of theirs, their awesome horn section. I was disappointed though that the guys were not wearing matching clothes tonight (not!). Their performance was great. John said their funk skills were limited and Denver’s vocal skills were stiff tonight. Sheila E. said it was marvelous and to “play that funky music white boy.” She loved the performance. Dicko said they need to create their brand and that he was not going to buy funk from super straight white dudes in business casual dress. Huh?
Sixwire. They performed the song “I Keep Forgettin’.” There’s the rest of the bands in the competition and then there is Sixwire. They have such a polished and professional look on stage. Great song choices, great arrangements, and great musicians. They are definitely in my opinion the band to beat. John said it was technically a nice performance but it felt like they were just going through the motions. Sheila E. said she wasn’t sure about the song choice but liked the fact they showcased the band. Dicko called the lead singer Prince Charming from Shreck. He said the lead singer needed more of an edge.
Tres Bien! They played the song “Some Other Guy” for Franklin Bridge, in their words “the best band here.” It’s so easy for them to say that when they are still on the stage and Franklin Bridge is packing their bags to go home to Philly. Again I did not like their performance tonight (I really did not care for them from day one). John said they did great, a lot of energy and urgency in their performance. Sheila E. said they were a lot of fun and that they should have their own cartoon show. Dicko said it was a good song for their retro style.
Franklin Bridge was eliminated tonight. The judges were in shock because they thought they were strong enough to win the show and that the viewers made a mistake. While I did not care for the band I think they were a lot better band than Dot Dot Dot or Tres Bien! or even Light of Doom. But I guess that is the nature of the beast when the viewers, and not the experts, select the winners. Tres Bien! was probably the choice of all pre-pubescent and teenage girls in America.
I think overall that I was watching a different show tonight than the judges. I loved Sixwire, Denver, and Cliff Wagner and the judges really did not. I did like Light of Doom tonight (where I agreed with the judges). I still think that these three bands are pretty safe for right now but I wonder how much influence the judges’ comments have on voters. If they keep turning in performances that are less than perfect in the eyes of the judges versus performances that the judges loved does that mean they are going home sooner than they should?
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