2008: A Retrospective

What a year. In terms of what we've done, it's been a big one.
Being unearthed at the start of the year, playing our first festival, releasing our first EP (which sold all of 9 copies officially, although I did give away over 200), and getting our first manager. All our shit is finally coming together, and I thank you all for making this happen for us.

It's funny, because this year has been maybe the worst year for rock music since I picked up the guitar back in 2004. The return of the '80's may have started 5 years ago, but never was it more evident than now. Bullshit releases like Cut Copy, The Mercy Arms, Van She and Grafton Primary are all so lacking, stealing riffs and fashion from the worst decade of modern musical history. Ironically these are all bands we've played with at some point at Candy's Apartment.

And then there's the return of the '80s giants like Metallica, AC/DC and Guns n Roses. All these bands were freaking amazing IN THE '80s,(and late '70's for ACDC) now they're just bloated lumbering dinosaurs. Particularly Guns n Roses, as Chinese Democracy is just a guitar wankers dream.

Then there's The Killers new album. This sits in the same category as the aforementioned '80's legends new releases, except the killers were never genius' pushing the boundaries for a new generation. They've just gotten progressively worse. 'Are we human, or are we dancer?' Over produced, ego fueled BULLSHIT. There are so many things wrong with that lyric I don't want to go into it.

Anyway, that's just how I saw it. Feel free to have your own opinions on these things. I just feel that all this overblown stadium music needs to be crushed, the same way it was back in 1991 when a little song named 'Smells like Teen Spirit' signaled the cultural end of the '80's. Though, I don't think grunge needs a comeback, just something new and punchy.

I sincerely hope we have what it takes to do just that in the new year.

Also, here's my top 5 for 2008 in no particular order:

Nine Inch Nails - The Slip
Eagles of Death Metal - Heart On
Grace Jones - Hurricane
The Mars Volta - Bedlam in Goliath
The Black Keys - Attack and Release

Love and Hate
Joel
The Vignettes