The Next Great American Band: Week 1 of competition

Tonight was the first competition episode for The Next Great American Band, and the twelve semi-finalists would be performing two songs – a cover of a Bob Dylan song and an original song. Overall it was a pretty strong night for all the bands, and for the most part the judges liked them. That is, except for Ian Dickson (“Dicko”) because he seems to be the token unpleasant judge in this competition and can’t give a compliment without a criticism.

Here’s my take on the evening’s performances:

Denver and the Mile High Orchestra. The Dylan song they covered was “Freight Train Blues” and it just seemed to be a really happy arrangement of a song that says right in its title that it is a blues song. Dicko stated that it was the cheeriest performance of a blues song he has ever witnessed. I thought their original song “One Time Show” was really great, very big band/swing influenced and they really got the crowd into it with the performance. Judges John Rzenik and Sheila E. both thought they did a good job and had amazing presentation, but Dicko stated that they need to become a bit more modern to be successful.

The Hatch. Their Dylan cover was “It’s All Over Now Baby Blue” and all I can say about it, in my opinion, was that it was good but nothing special. Their original song “Stretch Out The Time” was much better. The band seemed to be a lot more comfortable and animated when performing their original work. The judges didn’t agree with my take on the cover (stating it was really good) but then again that’s why they are the professionals and I am sitting on my couch on a Friday night watching the show.

Light of Doom. I still can’t get over the fact of what great performers these pre-pubescent boys are. Dicko and Sheila E. both commented on the fact that 12 and 13 year old boys should be wearing shirts and that it was disturbing to see them performing bare chested. Their Dylan cover was “All Along the Watchtower” and I think their metal influence did really well in the song. They seemed much more comfortable when they performed their original song “Eye of the Storm.”

The Likes of You. This band is one of my top three favorite bands in the competition. Their cover of “Blowin’ in the Wind” was awesome, and their original song “Love and Gravity” was also really good. The judges thought they were good overall, but Dicko said they need to convince the judges that they are truly a band and not just a group of musicians who came together to try and further their solo careers.

Rocket. I liked this band in the auditions. I’m not so sure that I like them now. Their 80’s, new wave/punk rock type of sound was just getting to me tonight, and not in a good way. They did a cover of Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and I just did not like it. I think it might be because the song has been done by so many other bands you just expect to hear it a certain way, and when I did not hear it that way I was disappointed. Their original song “Mean to You” just did not move me at all. The judges said they did a good job on the cover, but Sheila E. said their original song should be on the radio. I guess that’s why there are so many different styles of music, because not everyone likes every style.

Cliff Wagner & the Old # 7. I’m shocked to say I enjoyed their performance. Not one of my top three bands in the night, but they would certainly be up there in terms of all the bands who performed tonight. The cover they performed was “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” and the bluegrass feel they brought to the song really worked well for me. Their original song “Old Fire” was good too. Sheila E. and John thought they did the cover song really well, but Dicko, disagreeable as ever, was not in agreement. He did not like the cover at all he said. Big surprise there, Dicko not liking something.

The Muggs. Another one of my top three favorite bands for this week. They were really, really good. I’m not sure why I liked them, I just did. Their cover was of Dylan’s “Meet Me in the Morning” and their original song was called “Slow Curve.” The judges (meaning John and Sheila E.) liked the performance, while Dicko said the music was good but the lead singer needs to commit to the songs in order for them to be successful.

The Clark Brothers. I loved their cover of “Maggie’s Farm” but their original song “Billy the Kid” was just a bit too country for me. The judges liked them and John commented on the professionalism of the band member when he popped a string but kept on playing without letting it bother him.

Tres Bien! What decade are these kids from? They can’t be more than 20 years old but they dress and look like The Beatles when they first came to America in the 60’s. Their cover of “Subterranean Homesick Blues” was really nice, but I did not care too much for their original song “Easy to Love Me.” Nothing really wrong with it, I just did not like it. Dicko said they looked like a bunch of cute 60’s draft dodgers. How much are they paying this guy to come up with statements like this?

Franklin Bridge. After the auditions they were my favorite band. Tonight their cover of “Tangled up in Blue” just didn’t move me. The judges loved them and Sheila E. gave them a standing ovation. After their performance she said that she thought they would win the competition. I liked their original song “Incredible” a whole lot more. I think this might have been the song they used in the auditions last week. Dicko said he thought they were good with incredible musicianship, so he has to ask himself why they had not been signed up for a record deal yet. He thought it could be the fact the overarranged their songs (specifically the cover of the Dylan song tonight).

Dot Dot Dot. Did not like them. Not sure why, I just did not like them. They did a cover of “Like a Rolling Stone” that I did not like. Their original song “Another Stupid Love Song” was also not to my liking. Sheila E. and Dicko were not too moved by the performances.

Sixwire. My favorite band so far in the competition. (Of course that can change, but for right now they are my number one.). They did a cover of “Mr. Tambourine Man” that was so great, and the judges said they paid great respect to the song in the way they performed it. Their original song “Good to Be Back” was awesome. I could imagine myself in a bar or at a party just kicking back and listening to it. Sheila E. said that while she stated earlier that Franklin Bridge would be the winner of the competition after Sixwire performed she would have to change her mind. They are the complete package.

Next week it should be interesting to see how they are going to handle eliminations. There is no elimination show, so will they announce it at the beginning of the show or will they wait until the end and the last band is the one who got voted off.

Bookmark to: