My genius TiVo auto-recorded something called Strictly Original from the local WB last night. The show is apparently a local American Idol that pits 15 bands against each other over six shows every Monday night. Winners are voted for online, and the winning band gets some free studio time. But here’s the conundrum — who the hell are these bands? Of the 15 listed there, I only know April Linder — and I actually only know her boobs, which were on the cover of CP this summer. Here are videos from last night’s mysteriously local performers: The New Congress, Far From Falling, and Nothing Static. Yeah, I know… who?
Our Own Personal American Idol
Aug 11 2005 — 2:00am
15 Reader Comments
11:10 am
I was just looking on this site to find Rex’s email… which I did, when I came across this post. I also have never heard of most of these bands. However, I have heard of Filthy Divine and Erin Muir. This is my second year being involved in a CD Compilation project called The Audiophile’s Guide to the Twin Cities. It’s a colaboration between the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and The Pioneer Press… why PiPress? I don’t know. Anyway, Erin Muir was on our CD last year, and Filthy Devine almost made it on the CD this year. In fact, they were pretty upset about the circumstances of their being discluded. At one point they called us cheaters, and someone from our end called them sore loosers. They have since apologized and have or are sending us free CDs. That’s what I know, just thought I’d share.
11:13 am
How was April Linder’s music?
11:18 am
She’s actually not on until August 29. (Last night was the first of six nights.) Yes, the TiVo has already been assigned this task.
12:02 pm
If I’ve learned anything from the band listing on Strictly Original, it’s that the TCs have some sad lookin’ bands. Odds are 2:1 that Leroy Smokes wins.
12:10 pm
I’ve heard Skirr. They’re pretty good, although I don’t think they play regularly.
April Lindner came dangerously close to ruining the moment when she bounced out during The Hold Steady’s Grand Old Day performance for a City Pages photo-op. I am v. v. skeptical.
Haven’t heard of anyone else.
2:25 pm
I’ve heard of Leroy Smokes and Filthy Devine. I can’t say I remember ever seeing a listing for any of the other bands playing out at all.
2:59 pm
Nothing Static used to be called Tried For Fine, if that helps anyone’s memory. I’ve seen them several times, and they don’t pretend to be cutting edge by any means — they call themselves “dark, pop rock”, but as mainstream (i.e. Cities97ish) rock bands go, they put on an enjoyable live show without a lot of that silly pretense bands of that genre typically display. And Brittany Benjamin is one of the better local female rock vocalists.
There’s an article in the Daily with some more details on this WB shindig. Since of 200 bands that supposedly auditioned, only 15 were selected to compete, I’m wondering (concerned) about the 185 who didn’t make the cut.
3:19 pm
The show includes snippets of “bands that almost made it,” which are usually pretty funny.
9:06 am
WB23 worked hard to pull this show together – the hardest part being how to get the word out to the music community to participate.
Hopefully there will be enough success tocreate a second fliught of shows with greater interest and more participation.
Call the station and encourage them to continue ! 651-646-2300
11:43 am
The thing that struck me, besides the silly band intros where band members are apparently REQUIRED to eat Pizza Hut pizza as they introduce their numbers, was how young the bands were. Fear of Falling, sorry, Far from Falling (sheesh) especially seemed right outta high school.
The highlight was the rejected act that had a few moments of video in the show. The line “Time passes through me like yesterday’s corn” is not one I will soon forget. The sad thing is, the lyrics of the selected acts, when I could hear them, were not much better.
Was my inner music snob appalled? Absolutely.
Will I watch next week? You bet.
2:13 am
The Nick Atoms I’ve heard of. They rule in person. They got my vote. I saw April Linders boobs once. They are nice. I predict that ‘Brakelazy’ wins this week’s show. I’m surprised this show has not gotten more publicity. I’m just trying to find folks to talk to about it.
7:27 pm
The Nick Atoms are awesome. They did awesome on last nights show.
5:56 pm
IF the people are going to vote on “originality” on this show,
I think the Nick Atoms are about as original as you can get.
11:37 am
I think the show is pretty awesome. I’m not too up on local music, so it’s nice to see that all the performers are local artists. Let’s hope they get to do the show again next year, so they have more time to get the word out sooner. I love it.
7:44 pm
who was SAm talking about?
_The highlight was the rejected act that had a few moments of video in the show. The line “Time passes through me like yesterday’s corn” is not one I will soon forget. _
The sad thing is, the lyrics of the selected acts, when I could hear them, were not much better.
Was my inner music snob appalled? Absolutely.
Will I watch next week? You bet.
»» Submitted by Sam at 10:43 AM on August 10