OT: Rockstar INXS thoughts

[Hurst2112]

I preface this with saying I helped my friend Jordis get on the show. She is in a band I worked with here in the cities. Bout 5 months ago, I had to mix a song for her to sing at the tryouts.

Wasn't too thrilled with the show. Jordis sang Ba ba O'Reily really well. She was the first to go on.

There were other good singers, but I can't see any of them as the INXS singer. It's too bad the band was lured into the cheap marketing ploy. They were good, real good. They won't be any better than they were.

Anybody else watch?

[Hurst2112]

DOLA: and my tolerance of Dave Navarro is shrinking fast. He seems like a nice guy, and had really good things to say (on camera) about Jordis. Yet, I am growing tired of him always popping up where he shouldn't be...like jamming with INXS. ;)

[Swaggs]

What is the format? Three judges or what?

[markprior22]

Crud...forgot about this show due to the HR Derby. I'm not into reality TV at all but the previews for this show looked pretty interesting to me. I'll have to check out the next episode.

[chinaski]

Dave Navarro makes me want to vomit. He deserves no acclaim, and it hurts me that hes associated with janes addiction.

[TLK]

For some reason, I thought the show was decent. The preformers were much better than American Idol, and the format is good. I'll be watching.

[Swaggs]

He gets to bang Carmen Electra. That deserves some acclaim.

[chinaski]

He gets to bang Carmen Electra. That deserves some acclaim.
touche!

[sabotai]

It was decent for having to squeeze 15 songs into 1 show. Didn't get to really see much of any one, but at least they got rid of the right singer. She (forgot her name) just butchered Knocking On Heaven's Door. Just terrible. Everyone seemed at least ok.

Hurst: I thought her voice was good. There were parts of the song where I thought it didn't sound good. I don't think her voice was a very good fit for The Who, but still a nice voice. (Then again, Baba O'Riley is one of my favorite songs ever, so it not done perfectly, I'd have a problem with it. :D )

[HomerJSimpson]

For some reason, I thought the show was decent. The preformers were much better than American Idol, and the format is good. I'll be watching.


I agree about voice quality as a whole. The cast has some good singers top-to-bottom. There are only a handfull of "unique" singers, though, which I think is much more important in Rock. It sucks they are going to shrink the episodes down to 30 minutes. I want to see more of the performances, not less.

[Subby]

Dave Navarro is makes me want to vomit. He deserves no acclaim, and it hurts me that hes associated with janes addiction.
Are you out of your freaking mind? Dave Navarro is the very reason that Jane's Addiction was so amazing in the late 80s, early 90s.

I get tired of his attention whoring too - but he is an incredible guitarist. Jane's Addiction wouldn't be anywhere without him.

[chinaski]

Are you out of your freaking mind? Dave Navarro is the very reason that Jane's Addiction was so amazing in the late 80s, early 90s.

I get tired of his attention whoring too - but he is an incredible guitarist. Jane's Addiction wouldn't be anywhere without him.
Not that I think hes a shitty guitar player, as Janes in one of my all time favorite bands. It just pains me to see my childhood rock gods whore themselves out. But, John Frusciante can kick Navarros ass backwards and forwards on the guitar anyday! http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif

[chinaski]

I preface this with saying I helped my friend Jordis get on the show. She is in a band I worked with here in the cities. Bout 5 months ago, I had to mix a song for her to sing at the tryouts.

Wasn't too thrilled with the show. Jordis sang Ba ba O'Reily really well. She was the first to go on.

There were other good singers, but I can't see any of them as the INXS singer. It's too bad the band was lured into the cheap marketing ploy. They were good, real good. They won't be any better than they were.

Anybody else watch?
I actually thought she was the best one, but I also thought every single other person sucked incredibly hard. Are we really supposed to believe they 'scoured the globe' and auditioned 10,000 people to get down to this 15?? Seems weird they didnt do it American Idol style. If anyone saw the part where that JD Famous guy grabs some asian chick in the front row by the back of the head; that 'asian chick' is a good friend of my girlfriends. http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[Subby]

Not that I think hes a shitty guitar player, as Janes in one of my all time favorite bands. It just pains me to see my childhood rock gods whore themselves out. But, John Frusciante can kick Navarros ass backwards and forwards on the guitar anyday! http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif
Heh - I think they are both amazing, but just prefer Navarro for whatever reason. I actually loved One Hot Minute - thought the whole thing was brilliant. I loved the sound he brought to the Chilis...

Anyway - Dave Navarro's guitar work on Three Days might be my favorite ever...

[Hurst2112]

I actually thought she was the best one, but I also thought every single other person sucked incredibly hard. Are we really supposed to believe they 'scoured the globe' and auditioned 10,000 people to get down to this 15?? Seems weird they didnt do it American Idol style. If anyone saw the part where that JD Famous guy grabs some asian chick in the front row by the back of the head; that 'asian chick' is a good friend of my girlfriends. http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif


I saw that. It was pretty lame. It was the kind of grab associated with a face-fu*k...not a rock singer singing to another person. One of the guys in the band even said he was uncomfortable watching it.

Jordis won't make it. She can sing very well, but she is a little too 'punk modern' for the band. She has her age (22) going for her. Very energetic as well. Still, I think they are going to try to find a guy to fill the role. Which, by the looks of it, won't be too easy to find on the show.

I was very impressed by the house band they have. The drummer is really, really good. Tight as hell. Of course they are playing other peoples' songs but a band like that has to be pretty professional to be ready for any screwups from the singer. If you ever played in a band where the singer doesn't know where they are, or you weren't sure that the singer would make it through the whole evening without forgetting something, you know how hard it is.

I know from the tryouts here in Minneapolis that there were better singers and front men that auditioned. My boss at Winterland Studios was approached personally to come up with some talent. That's how we got Jordis involved. Obviously she did the work to move on, but there were some other people that auditioned that were better than some on the show. I can see they were looking for personalities as well as talent due to the living situation and the drama behind it.

The contract for the show is really smothering. There were a couple people here who got asked to move on, but didn't want to sign their rights away. I don't know what it all said but there were clauses that didn't allow the singers to promote their likeness for a period of time. Other stuff like that as well. So, take that from a small city like Minneapolis and think what kind of people turned them down form the larger cities. I think the whole fiasco with the dude from American Idol dropping out to persue a career elesewhere with his 14 mintues of fame really made produces of other singing shows think about their contracts a little more.

[Hurst2112]

It was decent for having to squeeze 15 songs into 1 show. Didn't get to really see much of any one, but at least they got rid of the right singer. She (forgot her name) just butchered Knocking On Heaven's Door. Just terrible. Everyone seemed at least ok.

Hurst: I thought her voice was good. There were parts of the song where I thought it didn't sound good. I don't think her voice was a very good fit for The Who, but still a nice voice. (Then again, Baba O'Riley is one of my favorite songs ever, so it not done perfectly, I'd have a problem with it. :D )

She did screw up Townsend's middle vocal part. Like Daltry, Jordis has a subtle rasp to her voice. I thought that it was in her range. For a first song, she picked a strong one. From the looks of it, the judges (band) appreciated it. It will be interesting to see what song she does tonight. I know there is 'Somebody to Love' by queen that will be done. Good luck to whomever has to do that!

[sabotai]

I know there is 'Somebody to Love' by queen that will be done. Good luck to whomever has to do that!
No kidding. If they can make it through that whole song without making me feel pain in my ears, it will be an accomplishment.

[Rockstar]

My view of this is that the band only chose singers that they could control. Completely. I find it really hard to believe that there were 15 singers who would want to be the mouthpiece for INXS. Hasnt any of those 15 people seen the movie "Rockstar"?

[Hurst2112]

No kidding. If they can make it through that whole song without making me feel pain in my ears, it will be an accomplishment.

oops, it was the Jefferson Airplane version. Same title I believe.

haha

[Raven Hawk]

I'm personally enjoying the show. It sucks to hear that their contracts are that smothering, though. These are people, whom I would like to see at a local club with their real bands. There are some that don't impress me that much, but I gotta say that I'd pay $ to see Jordis and a couple of others perform.

I don't know how open INXS really is to having a female vocalist, but they brought plenty of them to the show . . .

INXS looks really old. It just reminds me of how old I am. The result of this show is a disaster waiting to happen. It appears that they are scraping to get some respect for an album that they want to release and avoid the county fair circuit. The truth is that INXS will have to be comfortable playing 2nd fiddle to whoever they select. On the show they've made allusions to their ability to get 100,000 fans into a stadium. Sorry guys, it's not 1988 any longer. Reality check, they'll be lucky to sell out 10,000 person venues. The publicity that this show generates will help for a little while, but the truth is that they are doomed to the county fair circuit. It's only a matter of time.

On another note, my wife and I have commented that these guys show a level of integrity and professionalism that very few reality shows have attained. Most reality shows like to use the "I'm going to kick you in the balls" technique of kicking people off of the show. INXS has been very professional in letting people go, giving them suggestions on how to improve and by not doing it in front of all the participants. They have also been men enough to do it themselves instead of letting the show's host be the bearer of bad news. Kudos to INXS on this.

[Ksyrup]

I saw parts of this on Tuesday and then watched last night. Maybe it's my rock bias, but most of these people are much better singers and/or performers than anything I've seen on AI in 4 years. Honestly, I don't think Bo would stand out among this group, whereas he was clearly the best performer on AI (aside from whether he'd be right for INXS, I'm talking just as a rock singer/performer). And the guy who got kicked off last night was Constantine, with his constant mugging for the chicks in the crowd (even after they told him to stop doing that), except with a much better voice. And he only lasted 3 days.

I think this is a brilliant marketing ploy. Take an older pop/rock band whose glory days are far behind them and make the search for a replacement member a show, all the while building a market for a new album that otherwise wouldn't exist, and at the same time showcasing your older material for those who were too young to remember it. Regardless of how good/bad it is, this new album is going to far outsell its quality and probably result in a big upswing in sales for Kick.

But regardless, I can't see a chick singing Suicide Blonde...

Now, to take this thread on another tangent...who's next for the Rockstar treatment?

My two suggestions:

Rockstar: Stone Temple Pilots

and the one that has to happen:

Rockstar Van Halen

Think of it...Eddie's getting desperate and he's a hothead. This would be a combination of AI and Hell's Kitchen. Eddie could blow up at the people being kicked off, and berate them while throwing shit at them as they leave. Must-see TV!

[HomerJSimpson]

I really hope this is getting ratings (I think I heard it is not) because I love this game. I agree with you, Ksyrup, the talent here is better out of the box than AI.

My two favorites are both women and more than likely will not win. I absolutely love Jordis. She has a great voice. I also love Heather (of whom I informed my wife that I want her to have my babies. She said that was ok, because she wants to have her babies. :)).

[Scholes]

Hurst... did I see her in the Fighting Tongs?

[Ksyrup]

I haven't been able to form opinions of most of them yet, but I did like the Canadian chick with the husky voice. She can really sing. I don't know her name, though.

[jbmagic]

what happen to the original lead singer?

[JeeberD]

Killed himself while trying to perform autoerotic asphyxiation...

[John Galt]

Killed himself while trying to perform autoerotic asphyxiation...

As far as I knew, that rumor was proven false. He died from a simple suicide.

The lead singer to Joy Division, however . . .

[Ksyrup]

I think the best story out of the whole Hutchence thing is what happened between him, Bob Geldof, and Hutchence's wife (Geldof's ex). Geldof had a kid with his then-wife, who left him for Hutchence. They had 2 kids together. Then Hutchence killed himself, and his wife killed herself a year later. Geldof ended up getting his kid back, plus adopting Hutchence's 2 kids. Talk about the ultimate revenge...

[21C]

Geldof and Paula Yates had 3 children together ( Fifi Trixibelle, Peaches and Pixie ) while Yates and Hutchence had just one child - Heavenly Hirrani Tiger Lily.

[Suicane75]

The fuck is with those names? It shocks me to find out that their parents were mentaly unstable.

[Loren]

these reality shows are killin me, i watched like 3 minutes of the INXS one..just looking at the guys sittin on the couch made me cringe..it was awful, they can never really be INXS without Hutchence..ughh..it WAS SAD
on the other hand i AMM lovin this season of the Real World(apparently something i have in common with only my friends 13 yr old daughter)
Being Bobby Brown
and tonite i caught that Hooking Up show, and liked it, though im glad i never had to really "date" cuz i dont think i could have handled that shit, some ppl are just wierd and women, OMG women are horribly picky bitchy ppl, well most of the ones i know and the majority of the ones on the show.. :rolleyes:

[Raven]

I think this is a brilliant marketing ploy. Take an older pop/rock band whose glory days are far behind them and make the search for a replacement member a show, all the while building a market for a new album that otherwise wouldn't exist, and at the same time showcasing your older material for those who were too young to remember it. Regardless of how good/bad it is, this new album is going to far outsell its quality and probably result in a big upswing in sales for Kick.



I think you hit the nail on the head.

I've been watching the show, but I am not sure why. The first episode was interesting, but the past two sucked.

Some of these people are really good singers, I just don't know why they'd want to be a part of a band where all the members are 25 years older than they are. Oh wait, they just want to make some money.

[21C]

That's the big reason for the show. I think that the band's new album will be a moderately successful seller - something like an AI CD - but the big money will be in the band's old material.

The band is going to pick whomever does the best rendition of their old hits - doesn't have to be Michael Hutchence-like but got to do the songs some justice. I think the best thing that the producers decided was to have the people sing INXS songs in that sing-off part to decide who goes. That way, the public gets a taste of the old material without getting bombarded by it - and have them wanting more.

And yeah, the band members do look old. I said to my wife that they all look like me - I'm 41. I actually ( barely ) remember seeing the band in 1980 or 1981 at the local pub. I was blind drunk so I think they were good. :)

[Hurst2112]

Hurst... did I see her in the Fighting Tongs?

Yep. They are broke up now.

4 of the 6 people in the tong's formed a new band. Jay and Jesse left. the new band is called Liar's Club. They have done a couple shows already.

[Rockstar]

When did Adam Rich change his name to Garry Beers and start playing with INXS?

[k0ruptr]

i think jordis is way way ahead of the competition, i think she will no doubt wint his show

[Cringer]

Seeing parts of this tonight for the first time. These people suck! INXS is in trouble. Atleast Brooke Burke is hot....

[Rockstar]

The other dude from INXS looks like Jason Patric all strung out.

[Raven Hawk]

I'm still enjoying the show, but it's gotta switch up quick. If they keep the same format that they've been using for too much longer, I'll be bored with it. The house stuff was stupid. I don't even know why they showed it. So far I think that they have gotten rid of the right people. Tara will be next to go. Her style is too pop to rock.

[Hurst2112]

Though Jordis didn't do quite as well with her song, she did make a smart move by picking that hoobastank song. I think it was the most current song of the whole selection. That will help her get some of the younger people to vote. Plus, she needed to mix it up with a slower song. She is still one of the favorites (IMO).

I like the fact that she isn't really saying too much. She is sitting back and letting her talents work for her. There is going to be a point where she will be in the spotlight a little more. She has the rock chick personality and is very approachable and likeable.

That JD fortune guy seems to have his shit together. as much as I don't like him, he will be one of the last people standing. I think his decision to change the score of each song he gets can help him early. however, he will need to show that he can sing other peoples' songs the way they want him to.

[Raven Hawk]

That JD fortune guy seems to have his shit together. as much as I don't like him, he will be one of the last people standing. I think his decision to change the score of each song he gets can help him early. however, he will need to show that he can sing other peoples' songs the way they want him to.
Lol, JD convinced Jordis not to take "We Are the Champions" so that he could take it last night, thinking he was all slick and shit. Then he got the song and realized that he doesn't have the range to sing it. He kept trying to switch songs with Jordis, but she wouldn't have any of that. I hope he falls on his face and Jordis rocks her song. This was an entertaining twist, but they will still need to do something more to hold my attention for the long term.

[HomerJSimpson]

Lol, JD convinced Jordis not to take "We Are the Champions" so that he could take it last night, thinking he was all slick and shit. Then he got the song and realized that he doesn't have the range to sing it. He kept trying to switch songs with Jordis, but she wouldn't have any of that. I hope he falls on his face and Jordis rocks her song. This was an entertaining twist, but they will still need to do something more to hold my attention for the long term.


All they need is Jordis and Heather. I'm signed on until they are gone at least.

[Mac Howard]

I think a lot of people are staying away from this show because they disliked the Idol shows. It's a pity because it's a lot better. I watched the "JD murders 'We Are the Champions'" set last night and it was good to see. The singers are way ahead in talent.

I think Ty has it. His first night performance had all the energy, stage performance and rock-song ability that they could need but by his third performance he was beginning to look a bit one dimensional. But his performance last night of Everybody Hurts was superb and revealed that he has the melodic ability that INXS need. By contrast Brandon didn't. Only Jordis can compete in flexibility but I don't think INXS are going to go for a female lead. (though I personally have a thing for Suzie - a bit trailer-trashy but all the more attactrive for that ;) )

JD got his comeuppance but in truth I don't think WATC is the great song they make out. It's appeal is in the lyrics and suitability for a large outdoor concert but the melody is a smorgasborg of unconnected musical phrases that reveals just how good Queen was. Freddie Mercury could make the telephone directory sound good but I've never heard anyone else make anything of it (I've heard Mig sing it fairly badly too from the London musical). The song's like a football shirt that was made famous by a great player and needed to be retired when Mercury went. JD never had a chance to rework it or the vocal range to sing it.

I'm looking forward to tonight's show and the elimination. I figure JD and Brandon with perhaps Heather to be voted down by the audience and INXS to decide Brandon should go.

[HomerJSimpson]

I think a lot of people are staying away from this show because they disliked the Idol shows. It's a pity because it's a lot better. I watched the "JD murders 'We Are the Champions'" set last night and it was good to see. The singers are way ahead in talent.

I think Ty has it. His first night performance had all the energy, stage performance and rock-song ability that they could need but by his third performance he was beginning to look a bit one dimensional. But his performance last night of Everybody Hurts was superb and revealed that he has the melodic ability that INXS need. By contrast Brandon didn't. Only Jordis can compete in flexibility but I don't think INXS are going to go for a female lead.

JD got his comeuppance but in truth I don't thing WATC is the great song they make out. It's appeal is in the lyrics and suitability for a large outdoor concert but the melody is a smorgasborg of unconnected musical phrases that reveals just how good Queen was. Freddie Mercury could make the telephone directory sound good but I've never heard anyone else make anything of it (I've heard Mig sing it fairly badly too from the London musical). The song's like a football shirt that was made famous by a great player and needed to be retired when Mercury went. JD never had a chance to rework it or the vocal range to sing it.

I'm looking forward to tonight's show and the elimination. I figure JD and Brandon with perhaps Heather to be voted down by the audience and INXS to decide Brandon should go.

Not going to spoil it for you, but only one of those were in the bottom three.

[Mac Howard]

Well one outa three ain't too bad :)

[Ksyrup]

Hurst - was Jordis talking about the guy from American Head Charge last night? She said the song she picked made her think of a friend who had recently died, and that whole situation came to mind. Just wondering.

[Hurst2112]

Yeah. I noticed that too.

She is the g/f of the other AHC guitar player. She was traveling with the band during a few shows on the tour when Brian died.

[Ksyrup]

That makes sense.

BTW, Dug's solo album was released today. Rawk!

[SegRat]

Jordis probably wont win this thing, but I dont think I really want to see her win. I think singing INXS songs will not do her justice. She is the best singer in this competition, but I think she will go so much farther with another band allowing her to sing songs to her strengths.

I think Marty will win. I think he will fit the band the best out of all.

JD is good but I dont think INXS really wants him to front the band.

Hurst is there anywhere on the net to hear what Jordis was singing before this? I would love to check out anything she has done earlier.

[Raven Hawk]

From Jordis' blog at rockstar.msn.com:

Although this is a sad story, I will fill you in: Shortly before I came here my friend Bryan, guitarist for American Head Charge, passed away while touring the U.S. with Mudvayne. When I really started paying attention to the lyrics in "The Man Who Sold the World," it wasn't long before I found myself in tears. Many of the phrases in this song ring very true to my memories of the last time I saw and spoke to him. I hope I can keep it together for my performance.
By the way she totally destroyed the rest of the competition tonight. My wife and I had it Tivo'd and ended up watching her performance 4 times in a row. Awesome. Just friggin awesome.

I agree with SegRat that I almost don't want her to win. If she does win, INXS will have to realize that they can't just use her to sing their songs. They'll need to adjust their song writing around her and write songs for/with her.

[Hurst2112]

She was great last night. I wonder how many kids(20-somethings) watching thought that she did a Nirvana song...not realizing that Nirvana covered it when they did the unplugged thing. ;)


Here is Jordis' bands myspace site.Liar's Club (http://www.myspace.com/liarsclubband) The songs on their are stuff they did post Fighting Tongs. I had no involvement with these. In fact, the stuff I did never made it to CD (other than ruffs I did). They disbanded and formed Liar's Club. The songs on the myspace site are ruff mixes...not finished product.

Now that I think of it, I could mix the songs I have sitting on my drive and sell them if she becomes big...hehe.

The thing about her and the band is that they were never really motivated. The band isn't that good, and they rely on her ability a lot. They are all cool, but they won't be part of Jordis' success if she gets signed by somebody.

[Ksyrup]

Yep, she was great last night. I thought Dave overstated a bit with his "greatest vocal performance ever" line - I hope he meant on this show, or on any TV reality show, or compared to Peripheral or Butthead. It was great, but not that great.

[Hurst2112]

Yep, she was great last night. I thought Dave overstated a bit with his "greatest vocal performance ever" line - I hope he meant on this show, or on any TV reality show, or compared to Peripheral or Butthead. It was great, but not that great.

I would agree. Dave can overstate things quite a bit from what i have seen. I mean shit, has he never listened to Michael Bolton?!?!?!

[SegRat]

She should get the encore tonight

[Raven]

I thought Ty was one of the worst last night, even though he didn't know the song. It surprised me because he is usually one of the best.

[Ksyrup]

I thought Ty was one of the worst last night, even though he didn't know the song. It surprised me because he is usually one of the best.
He didn't have much to work with.

/not a FF fan

[Ksyrup]

NBC's "Law Firm," which premiered with only 5.1 million viewers; CBS's "Rock Star: INXS" and ABC's dating game "Hooking Up" are all summer duds.



Not that this show is great, by any means, but c'mon - it's not actors dancing, it's not R&B/disco warbling by people with no stage presence, it's not retread one-hit wonders. It's just rock n roll, so no one wants to watch. Boooooooo, America!

I guess my dream of a real "battle of the bands" reality show has been flushed down the crapper for good.

[Ksyrup]

Dola.

I suspect this is part of the reason why they cut 2 people last week. Watch them go to a bottom 5 next week and cut all of their sorry asses. We'll have a winner by August 17th.

[Hurst2112]

Dola.

I suspect this is part of the reason why they cut 2 people last week. Watch them go to a bottom 5 next week and cut all of their sorry asses. We'll have a winner by August 17th.

You would think they would end it soon...for season premiers and stuff. Isn't that towards the end of august?

[Hurst2112]

I guess my dream of a real "battle of the bands" reality show has been flushed down the crapper for good.

didn't paul schaffer host that a while back? Celeb judges and stuff. The bands had to be able to play something on the spot. Not a real battle but it was kinda cool.

[Ksyrup]

They should have done something similar to The Bachelor - ctu a bunch of people early on, and focus on 5 or 6 decent people. There are too many people still in the competition, when we all knew by the second week at least who should be gone.

I was leaning toward Marty being the winner, and they all loved his performance last night, but I thought his vocals were terrible. Even compared to Scott Stapp. Maybe I just heard it wrong, though. Still, I can't hear him pulling off some of the INXS songs.

[Raven Hawk]

I pretty much agree with what's been said. Ty was crap last night. Marty didn't impress me either. But this is slow and drawn out. Like Ksyrup said it would have been nice to separate the wheat from the chaf early on, then let the wheat compete. There are certain people that you know aren't going to make it and it's just painful to see them week after week barely escaping elimination.

The top five are pretty easy for me to pick out

Jordis
Mig
Marty
JD
Ty

Everybody else is just wasting my time.

[Ksyrup]

For some reason, I like Deanna, but not for this gig. She's got a nice husky voice.

[Mac Howard]

I had the dubious privilege of watching Australian Idol and INXS in sequence last night. They were broadcast simultaneously and my wife and daughter insisted on AI first :rolleyes: The comparison is astonishing - like watching Kidderrminster and Manchester United play in sequence (sorry don't know gridiron well enough to make a suitable comparison). How the first can be so popular and the second a flop is astonishing and depressing.

I agree that Jordis is too good for INXS. She clearly has a terrific individual career ahead of her and being lead singer for an established band would be too limiting for her. I don't think she has the right image either.

Ty still does it for me though I agree his performance last night wasn't great. But with that song it was something of making a silk purse from a sow's ear. But he too might be too versatile and individual. Marty has certainly picked his game up over the last couple of weeks. He also has the image. JD did well last night but his failure the previous week said more than just one bad song - it said much about his limitations. MIG, for me, doesn't have the power and too stagey.

Jessica surely has to go soon and Tara and Suzie can't be far behind. Still, as the popularity of Australian Idol shows - what the hell do I know? :rolleyes:

Edit: since when has the rolleyes smiley been removed from the list or is this just another problem between my broadband and the forum?

[Ksyrup]

Ty just smoked that!

[Ksyrup]

Looks like the Monday show got canned.

[HomerJSimpson]

Looks like the Monday show got canned.


Yeah, I wonder if the whole show will not end up at VH1 eventually.

[Ksyrup]

If they insist on dumping one person per week, this could go on for months...

[HomerJSimpson]

If they insist on dumping one person per week, this could go on for months...


I really think they had very high hopes for the show. They imagined AI kind of support, and honestly I thought they might get it. I enjoy AI, but this is much more my cup of tea. It is strange what hits and what doesn't.

[Ksyrup]

I agree completely. I've thought about what they would need to do to make this show work, and the sad fact is, it doesn't work because it's rock music. Brooke Burke is not all that great, but the format of the show is otherwise fine - Navarro, although a bit Paula Abdul with praise at times, is pretty good, and the guys in the band seem to be somewhat honest in their opinions. The performers aren't all great, but neither are the AI contestants. Again, the biggest thing they could have done was dump 10 people in the first 2 weeks and focus on the remaining 5. But I still don't think that would have gotten people watching. It's the fact that this is a band, and they're lookingfor someone to fit in with the band, not concentrating on finding a personality to market by him/herself. And of course, no one is covering I Will Survive...

I thought maybe they should have gone with a band that was either more relevant to now, or a legendary act, but I'm not sure it would have mattered. This might make a good thread, actually - alternative versions of Rockstar. I've come up with Stone Temple Pilots, Alice In Chains, and the mother of all shows, Van Halen. But I'm not sure any of those would garner better ratings. VH would be great, because with the dick Eddie involved, it would be like a combination of AI and Hell's Kitchen - Eddie could berate the worst singers and throw shit at them as they left the stage. And they could get Hagar and Roth to give commentary.

The sad thing is, an R&B/hip hop version of this show would probably draw a large audience.

[HomerJSimpson]

I agree completely. I've thought about what they would need to do to make this show work, and the sad fact is, it doesn't work because it's rock music. Brooke Burke is not all that great, but the format of the show is otherwise fine - Navarro, although a bit Paula Abdul with praise at times, is pretty good, and the guys in the band seem to be somewhat honest in their opinions. The performers aren't all great, but neither are the AI contestants. Again, the biggest thing they could have done was dump 10 people in the first 2 weeks and focus on the remaining 5. But I still don't think that would have gotten people watching. It's the fact that this is a band, and they're lookingfor someone to fit in with the band, not concentrating on finding a personality to market by him/herself. And of course, no one is covering I Will Survive...

I thought maybe they should have gone with a band that was either more relevant to now, or a legendary act, but I'm not sure it would have mattered. This might make a good thread, actually - alternative versions of Rockstar. I've come up with Stone Temple Pilots, Alice In Chains, and the mother of all shows, Van Halen. But I'm not sure any of those would garner better ratings. VH would be great, because with the dick Eddie involved, it would be like a combination of AI and Hell's Kitchen - Eddie could berate the worst singers and throw shit at them as they left the stage. And they could get Hagar and Roth to give commentary.

The sad thing is, an R&B/hip hop version of this show would probably draw a large audience.


You're right on both the VH and R&B thing. Honestly, the thing I love about this show is the lack of a "Simon," who while entertaining, takes away from the performances. I think that this show would have been much more successfull with a Simon, though. A real dick, not just someone pretending to be.

[Ksyrup]

Found this interesting, on the following blog:

http://ultragrrrl.blogspot.com/



"I have been holding back for a while, but I can't take it anymore!!

I was one of the final 50 selected to go to LA for the final round for the INXS:Rockstar show. I wrote a journal about my experience and described all 50 contestants I saw when I was there. From day one we were told 14 people make it to the show...14...14...14...14!!! I have contracts to prove this. Anyway, all of sudden the show airs and there are 15 contestants...go figure! I recognize all of them, except one...MIG! He WAS NOT at the audtions. I promise you!!

So I came to realize, Mig is the mole..the plant if you will. INXS probably recorded the album with him already, though that I can't prove.

Check this out: One of the songs we were given to learn was "We Are The Champions"...then it was pulled. They changed it. Could it be because MIG was the lead in the London production of 'Queen: We Will Rock You'? A Broadway type show. And isn't the TV show supposed to be about guys and girls who are struggling to make a career out of singing?? MIG has a career...go figure!!

The icing on the cake was tonight. Great reality setup. One guy slaughters a Queen tune last week..then Mig comes in to show he can save the day and really sing a Queen song...go figure!!
He has been singing them for a living!!!

Anyway, if you are a betting man...call Vegas and get the odds on Mig. You walk away a rich man/woman...trust me!!

It's just disapponiting to know the band is using this program to jusat market themselves and a singer they have already selected. The auditions were really to surround MIG. Pretty sad..."<!--QuoteEnd-->

[Hurst2112]

Interesting...

"We will rock you" is not a hard queen song to sing. I am more interested in the fact of the 14 singers with 'the mole'. That is some cool news.

[jbmagic]

Mig

http://wwwimage.cbs.com/primetime/rock_star/images/bio/mig.jpg

[Hurst2112]

You love him. He's your boyfriend.

[Hurst2112]

DOLA:

I was thinking about that blog post. I was checking some online books and wondering if it would be worth it to lay down a c-note on this info.

I thought that it would either be JD, Jordis or Mig. JD seems to be plateauing while Mig is slowly getting into the spotlight more. Jordis is doing it rock solid, but isn't showing INXS 'frontman' desires. Being a chick is something that I stated will hurt her chances to win it all.

Now then, if Mig is actually a mole, and the writer of the blog is not somebody stirring up trouble...wouldn't the bookies have taken this into consideration? I mean, I was looking at 3:1 on both Jordis and Mig. Shouldn't Mig be around 3:2 or something similar.Its hard to resist the temptation of putting down a hundred on him. If I wasn't leaving for Seattle next Wednesday I would probably do it.

Thoughts?

[Mac Howard]

They haven't hidden the fact that Mig was from the "We Will Rock You" show in London - it was said in the very first show that he had given up that job in order to take part in the INXS search. The band have also commented a couple of times that he needs to change his stage persona to a more spontaneous "rock concert" one. I don't think there's been any attempt to hide his background.

I would have thought the fact he's Australian would have more influence over the band's judgement. Of course that may be seen as further evidence for the conspiracy theory. But it wouldn't suprise me at all if the band themselves knew Mig and suggested he take part even if he didn't originally apply.

But he doesn't have the talent of either Jordis or Ty.

I get the impression that we're beginning to see some divergence between the public's judgement and that of the band. The different reaction of the two to JD's and Ty's poor performances struck me - JD's "We Are the Champions" was the worst performance of all so far and was severely criticised by the band but the public didn't even put him in the bottom three. Ty's performance was not his best but not that bad but he was voted into the bottom three despite superb performances elsewhere. But there was no way the band were going to drop him.

[Ksyrup]

I'm very surprised to see that he's 35. That lends even more credence to the idea that he might get picked. Nothing worse than a band of 40-50 year olds fronted by a 24 year old.

[Mac Howard]

I'm very surprised to see that he's 35. That lends even more credence to the idea that he might get picked. Nothing worse than a band of 40-50 year olds fronted by a 24 year old.

I didn't realise he was that old and I think you might well be right. One characteristic that the band will be taking note of that the public probably isn't is how well the winner will fit in with the band on tour. Mig may fit in. Maybe Brandon and Marty. JD would be a nightmare and Ty seems to be on the arrogant/egotistical side. Fitting in could also go against Jordis - young girl and a bunch of guys suffering a mid-life crisis :rolleyes:
.

[Raven Hawk]

One thing to note is that most of these people are older than you might think. Jordis is the only one who is under 25. Most fall into the 28-32 age range. I think Ty's up there with MiG.

[Ksyrup]

Someone on another board says that he watched tonight's (supposed) episode last night on VH1. Last week, they said the next episode was Tuesday, which I took to mean they had canned the Monday episode. Apparently, what they meant was that Monday's episode wouldn't air on CBS on Monday, but on VH1 on Sunday. What a bunch of idiots. There were no performances, so it's not like I missed anything, but since I've been watching, I would have liked to have seen it.

Can anyone confirm this was on last night?

[jbmagic]

Ksyrup

there no episode tonight on CBS. i check.


damn if they took it off Monday on cbs and didnt warn us it was move to Sunday on vh1


Tuesday and Wednesday episode is on cbs still. i check.

[jbmagic]

VH1 is showing it 10:30eastern tonight 7:30pm pacfic monday night again.

so if you miss it on vh1 sunday. your ok still.

why did they move the Monday show from cbs to Sunday on vh1 without letting us know?

[Ksyrup]

They got half of it right on Wednesday's show - that it wouldn't be on CBS on Monday. Odd that they wouldn't promote it on VH1, though, considering Viacom owns both CBS and VH1. Thanks for the info - I'll watch it tonight.

[Mac Howard]

The INXS programs are shown on Fox 8 here (Australia). It might be worth checking to see if that's the case in the US also. According to the schedule there are no changes here (I'm glad to say).

[FrogMan]

so, who liked Brooke Burke's skirt, or lack thereof ;)

I guess they hope the higher she cuts the skirt, the higher the ratings will go :D

I kind of liked the format tonight though, with little pieces in between songs...

FM

[Ksyrup]

I really like this show. I don't even care that it's a washed-up 80's band. It's just so refreshing to get real rock singers, most of whom have the talent to arrange their own songs and play instruments. It's too bad no one is watching. I hope this turns into a regular series on VH1, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Ajaxab]

Did anyone else notice trouble with the audio last night? I don't know if it was a problem with our local affiliate or if it was a problem with the show. For whatever reason, both Burke's and the singers' mics seemed to have the volume turned down. We could hear the band fine, but the vocals just seemed muted. Made it difficult to tell who was doing the best job.

[Ksyrup]

I didn't notice a problem. Our local channels are ALL muted, but that doesn't affect just vocals versus music.

[21C]

I really like this show. I don't even care that it's a washed-up 80's band. It's just so refreshing to get real rock singers, most of whom have the talent to arrange their own songs and play instruments.
I'm really enjoying this show too. I cannot stand the Idol-type of talent shows but I'm really liking a lot of the performances every week on this show.

For me, I'm seeing two performers being cut this week - Brandon and Jessica. They both had the kiss-of-death critique from the band plus it will help to move the series to the end a bit quicker.

Marty has been a real standout the last few weeks. He looks like the winner at the moment if he can keep it up.

[Ksyrup]

I like Marty as a performer, but not so much as a singer and definitely not as the singer of INXS. He just doesn't have a strong enough voice. He's a great talent, though - I know some folks on another board that is based in Chicago who know him pretty well and have always thought the same thing. I think he has what it takes to front a band, I just don't think he can be as melodic as he would need to be with INXS.

I still like Ty, but I've always been a sucker for black rock singers. And I'm not sure how he fits in with this band.

Jordis, again....best talent on the show, not right for INXS. Could/should be huge in the right situation.

JD has the attitude, voice, and talent (his arrangements are, overall, excellent), but I think he's too self-centered to be a part of an existing band. He needs a band built around him as the focal point, so a gig with an established band is not right for him.

MiG seems to have everything they need - confident performer, good voice, Australian, mid-30's, ringer (at least according to that blog I posted). I just don't see them going for anyone else in this competition, if they have any thoughts about playing old INXS material.


The rest of the singers are either too one-dimensional (Brandon, Deanna) or just not that talented (Jessica, who I thought should have been gone by week 2).

[Raven Hawk]

Suzie seems to be the odd woman out. She is definitly on a level above Deanna, Brandon, and Jessica, but I don't think that she'll make the top 5. She did an excellent job last night.

Get rid of Brandon and Jessica this week and save us the pain of having to watch them struggle to survive for another week. They're not bad musicians, but they're obviously not up to the level of everybody else on the show.

[Hurst2112]

Jordis came up short in my eyes last night. This was her worst performance so far.

Bad choice of clothing too. she does not wear stuff like that around town. Only stevie nicks would wear something like that well...or ok.

[Ksyrup]

I thought Jordis was OK. SHe still was better than most even with an off-performance. I even thought the clothing matched the song. Stevie Nicks is right on-target.

[HomerJSimpson]

Jordis came up short in my eyes last night. This was her worst performance so far.

Bad choice of clothing too. she does not wear stuff like that around town. Only stevie nicks would wear something like that well...or ok.


I agree that her performance wasn't great Tuesday, but I actually loved her outfit. I'm probably going to get slammed for saying this, but I wish she'd do something else with her hair.

Anyway, Brandon deserved to go. Blow lyrics to one of their songs is the kiss of death. He wasn't right for the band anyway.

[Ksyrup]

I was disappointed they didn't can Jessica along with Brandon.

[Raven Hawk]

Jessica's time will come next week when she's voted into the bottom three for the fourth time. I'm still surprised that Suzie was in the bottom three. She rocked that REM song.

[Mac Howard]

Brandon and Jessica were obvious choices for the bottom three and I can't see Jessica surviving much longer. Coming up with a third was difficult this week but even so Suzie was a suprise. I suspect it shows the conservatism of the public audience - change the arrangement of a well known song and you'll leave a significant part of them behind.

Once Jessica and Deanna (too limited) go then it'll be very difficult to separate them. Ty has the talent. Marty has come good recently and I think will fit in well with the band (they seem to make excuses when his pitch is out). Mig has done nothing wrong but, for me, never quite has the power. Can't make my mind up about JD - a flawed gem perhaps. Jordis, extremely talented but will be better off as a solo artist and not right for INXS. Suzie has the rock-chick image and the band clearly responds to that but she never really sparkles.

It's still Ty for me with Marty coming up on the rails.

Anyone else puzzled by the way they have to launch into an INXS song when they find themselves (unexpectedly) having to sing for survival? Presumably they're each told beforehand what song they will have to sing if they're in the bottom three to allow them to rehearse it.

[Ksyrup]

Anyone else puzzled by the way they have to launch into an INXS song when they find themselves (unexpectedly) having to sing for survival? Presumably they're each told beforehand what song they will have to sing if they're in the bottom three to allow them to rehearse it.
I thought so, too, but Brandon's comment last night that he was surprised by the choice they made for him has me thinking that maybe they give them 3 songs and tell them they'll have to do one of them if they are in the bottom 3. Either that, or he was trying to cover himself in front of the audience that he forgot the words to the only song he was given to perform.

[Mac Howard]

Yes they do seem genuinely unaware of what they will be expected to sing which does suggest they're given the three songs beforehand and only know which one is theirs when INXS tells them. It does seem like an awful lot of reheasal time though to be proficient in all three.

Enormous credit does have to go to the backup band who have to cover a hell of a lot of ground in supporting every artist and song.

[Ksyrup]

If there's anything to come out of this show, it's that the backup band probably deserves to have a recording contract of its own. I don't know if any of them write music for shit, but they can play.

[HomerJSimpson]

Brandon and Jessica were obvious choices for the bottom three and I can't see Jessica surviving much longer. Coming up with a third was difficult this week but even so Suzie was a suprise. I suspect it shows the conservatism of the public audience - change the arrangement of a well known song and you'll leave a significant part of them behind.

Once Jessica and Deanna (too limited) go then it'll be very difficult to separate them. Ty has the talent. Marty has come good recently and I think will fit in well with the band (they seem to make excuses when his pitch is out). Mig has done nothing wrong but, for me, never quite has the power. Can't make my mind up about JD - a flawed gem perhaps. Jordis, extremely talented but will be better off as a solo artist and not right for INXS. Suzie has the rock-chick image and the band clearly responds to that but she never really sparkles.

It's still Ty for me with Marty coming up on the rails.

Anyone else puzzled by the way they have to launch into an INXS song when they find themselves (unexpectedly) having to sing for survival? Presumably they're each told beforehand what song they will have to sing if they're in the bottom three to allow them to rehearse it.


I'm with you on everything you said here. If JD wasn't such a flake, he'd have a good chance of winning. He just looks like he is too flawed (and I would put dollars to doughnuts he'd become a real head-case if he won).

If this were my show, I'd probably have the final two Marty or Ty against Jordis. Then give either Marty or Ty the job, but as a second place prize, make Jordis the lead singer of the House Band and give them a recording contract. I'd be front row center of the next INXS concert if Jordis and the House Band were the opening act.

[Raven Hawk]

I'm with you on everything you said here. If JD wasn't such a flake, he'd have a good chance of winning. He just looks like he is too flawed (and I would put dollars to doughnuts he'd become a real head-case if he won).

If this were my show, I'd probably have the final two Marty or Ty against Jordis. Then give either Marty or Ty the job, but as a second place prize, make Jordis the lead singer of the House Band and give them a recording contract. I'd be front row center of the next INXS concert if Jordis and the House Band were the opening act.
Well said.

[Mac Howard]

If JD wasn't such a flake, he'd have a good chance of winning. He just looks like he is too flawed (and I would put dollars to doughnuts he'd become a real head-case if he won).


Certainly confirmed that last night. I laughed at the end when they showed the winning group in the fancy restaurant drinking their wine and then cut to JD in his room making a peanut butter sandwich and mumbling "I didn't need a new audio system anyway" :D

[Ksyrup]

Another good show. Even the 30 minute VH1 show was good this week. JD is certainly proving that there's no way he can win, but they're keeping him around because he's good drama. I thought Mig was very good, and I absolutely love the fact that someone sang and played their own solo accompaniment.

The talent level here as compared to AI ...well, there is no comparison. People went ape-shit when Bo did that Badlands song, and it was great and all, but I've seen 3 or 4 better performances in the past 2 months on Rockstar. The expectations are so low for AI, that whenever someone distinguishes themselves, people blow it out of proportion. I seriously doubt the AI contestants, on a whole, are as involved in the arranging of their songs week to week as these people are. And that takes talent.

Marty continues to prove that he is not right for this band. He can't sing. And, everything he does, he has to be brooding and serious. He's too grunge for INXS. I simply cannot see him singing New Sensation or any song that is "fun." He did a similar version of Hit Me Baby One More Time to what Fountains of Wayne did, except they were able to make it feel less tense and serious than he was. And he couldn't hit most of those notes to save his life. Bulging veins in your forehead does NOT equal hitting the notes. If it did, he'd be the greatest singer of all time.

I'm starting to think Mig is the only serious competitor here, with Suzie as a darkhorse (although I can't quite put my finger on why). Jordis has been only decent the last couple of weeks, and she's just not their type of singer, both musically and demographically. Hopefully, Jessica and Deanna will go home tonight - they need to move this show along, and they aren't going to win. Jessica should have been gone long ago.

[Raven Hawk]

I've noticed that, too - about Marty. His performances are good, but his singing leaves a lot to be desired. This should really come down to Jordis vs. MiG with MiG winning in the end. JD butchered The Rolling Stones last night.

[jbmagic]

Looks Like MIG is the mole and going to win it all.

i guess that guy was right who posted about it here.

[Ksyrup]

I was the guy who posted that, but I just copied it off a blog I read.

[Mac Howard]

Another terrific show. They could stop the competition right now for me and just run a show each week with these guys doing one song each. It's quality performances right the way through - that Ty should be in the bottom three in preliminary voting with a performance like that illustrates how impossible it will be to choose who should go in another couple of weeks.

[Raven]

Jessica is smoking hot. I couldn't stop starting at her stomach and waist. I'll miss her hotness.


Mig inviting Jordis and Marty to sing with him looked staged to me. I had the impression he already knew he was doing the encore, and was "acting" when he invited them over. The problem is he wasn't a good actor. Am I the only one who got that impression?

That leads me to believe that blog may have been correct about Mig.

[Ksyrup]

I think the encore performance has been known every week. Some are better at hiding it than others. Before the announcement was made, I'm thinking the grand piano being on stage would have been a dead giveaway, no?

Jessica's stomach was the other thing I about her that I liked. She was an amateur among professionals. She sang well and didn't do anything particularly awful, but she didn't do anything well, either.

[HomerJSimpson]

I think the encore performance has been known every week. Some are better at hiding it than others. Before the announcement was made, I'm thinking the grand piano being on stage would have been a dead giveaway, no?

Jessica's stomach was the other thing I about her that I liked. She was an amateur among professionals. She sang well and didn't do anything particularly awful, but she didn't do anything well, either.


My friend said, "don't be sad, Jessica. You always have a future as a belly-button model." :D

[Ksyrup]

Marty's "other" band:

http://lovehammers.com/Music/Music.html

Does nothing to shake my belief that he's got an Eddie Vedder, non-melodic voice.

[Mac Howard]

Interesting to see that the vote has increased so much. I wonder if some people are belatedly realising that this is a quality show. I made a dvd of week three and gave it to a friend who's much more into pop than rock. A few days later she was asking me to make one of week 4 then 5. She told me this weekend she'd watched the middle program of week 5 three times already.

I was making the dvd of week 6 last night and found myself listening to Suzie's "Bring It On Home to Me" several times over. It lasts much longer than Mig's performance. Makes me think Suzie should pick other "soul" songs more often if she doesn't want to become yet another female reject :)

When Deanna's gone it's going to be difficult finding the bottom three.

[Raven]

Before the announcement was made, I'm thinking the grand piano being on stage would have been a dead giveaway, no?


Good point. :D

I was doing some work on my PC while watching the first few minutes of the show, so didn't even see the piano on stage.

[FrogMan]

so, not one comment about this week? What do you think about the boatload of crap they fed us with this "oh Marty we criticized you to see how you would react"? Woah, just like when some middle school teacher would make a stupid mistake while in class and would follow it up with the usual "I was only checking if you were following"...

Anyway, I'm not the best critic of voice quality, but as a fan of Live, I felt like he butchered "I Alone" yesterday and deserved to be in the bottom three this week. Thing is, Jordis also should have been in there. That was a rough one for her...

FM

[FrogMan]

dola, and Marty did the screaming/bulging vein in the forehead again tonight...

FM

[sabotai]

Dream on....Dream on....Dream on....DREAM OW MY EARS!!

She should not have tried that, but it didn't hurt her apparently as she probably has built up a good sized fan base since she's been one of the best.

[SegRat]

I wonder about the house band. Do they have a lead singer yet? If not do they have the option to ask any of the singers that dont make INXS? And if so I wonder who they would choose?

[HomerJSimpson]

Dream on....Dream on....Dream on....DREAM OW MY EARS!!

She should not have tried that, but it didn't hurt her apparently as she probably has built up a good sized fan base since she's been one of the best.


Yeah, it is becoming apparent Jordis is safe untill they get down to the final four or so.

[Ksyrup]

I've been saying that about Marty for weeks now. He does not have a melodic enough voice to front this band. He's a good frontman, but his quiet/intense-to-screaming vocals mean that he should be one of the next to go. I could see Jordis following pretty quickly if she continues to lay eggs - she isn't going to front the band, and eventually, the band will start making comments about it.

I think they're trying hard to sway the public, too - for example, the comments to Marty and their "save Susie" campaign.

[BrianD]

I am also a fan of Live, and I hated Marty's rendition of "I Alone". He did very well with "Lithium", and he did a great job with the Britney Spears song, but he really does need to tone it down.

Jordis doing "Dream On" was just painful. I really like her voice and would love to see her in the top 3, but she should have faced elimination after "Dream On".

[Ryche]

I do wonder what kind of contracts the non-winners have with this show, whether they are committed ala American Idol. If not, there is a record exec who appears on one of the morning shows here in the Twin Cities who will sign Jordis to a contract in about 2 seconds I think.

I think you're going to see at least a few contestants come out of this with better careers than the Idol finalists have had. There's a difference between being able to sing and being able to put on a show, and these people are lightyears ahead of Idol.

[Raven Hawk]

Marty butchered "I Alone."

Jordis should have faced elimination.

Deanna got gipped. Although she isn't right for INXS, her song rocked.

MiG's song sucked.

The reason that Ty is consistently in the bottom three is he's too "gay." The voting public doesn't like that.

JD has no range and always "re-arranges" his songs by lowering them into his range.

Marty did rock his INXS song.

[HomerJSimpson]

Marty butchered "I Alone."

Jordis should have faced elimination.

Deanna got gipped. Although she isn't right for INXS, her song rocked.

MiG's song sucked.

The reason that Ty is consistently in the bottom three is he's too "gay." The voting public doesn't like that.

JD has no range and always "re-arranges" his songs by lowering them into his range.

Marty did rock his INXS song.


You know, I've said many times on here and at home that I can see a woman winning because I just can't see a woman as the lead singer of INXS. Yet, Deanna did so well with her INXS song (not my favorite song at all, and one no one else has done well IMHO), that I honestly could have seen her win. It was just bad luck on her part that she was down there with Marty and Ty. She out performed both of them on the song, though.

[Mac Howard]

Dream on....Dream on....Dream on....DREAM OW MY EARS!!

She should not have tried that, but it didn't hurt her apparently as she probably has built up a good sized fan base since she's been one of the best.

Yes. Much of the voting by now will be for the singers rather than the performances. The major variation from here on will be where the ejected singer's vote goes. JD, Mig and Marty, along with Jordis, seem to have a sufficient fan base to vote them through a bad performance. For me Ty had the best performance this week but still he finishes in the bottom three. I think that's the second time that's happened. He has a major problem with the public vote and his reaction last night says he knows it. I was suprised too that INXS didn't push him through immediately. Perhaps they're disturbed by the lack of public support for him.

I don't understand Dave's sycophantic attitude towards Marty. How many more times is he going to excuse his lack of a singing voice or flexibility? And how much influence does he have over INXS?

This week's loser was clearly going to go but it will be a difficult choice from here on - there's no obvious candidate for ejection any more.

[Joe]

I wonder about the house band. Do they have a lead singer yet? If not do they have the option to ask any of the singers that dont make INXS? And if so I wonder who they would choose?

Tune in for season 2-- Rock Star: House Band.

[Raven Hawk]

Well, I'm guessing that Ty and J.D. will be bottom three, but I don't know who the third will be this week . . . I think that it should be MiG, based on performance, but he's got too much else going for him. I bet Marty is in the bottom three when it comes to the end.

[CamEdwards]

i ended up watching last week's replay on VH-1. First time I've seen the show and I liked it very much.

Marty needs to go based on the mullet and bad 80's outfits alone. He reminds me too much of the blond guy from the Hooters.

[sabotai]

Damn....I knew I forgot to watch something tonight.

[Mac Howard]

i ended up watching last week's replay on VH-1. First time I've seen the show and I liked it very much.

Without question it's far and away the best 'talent show" I've ever seen, Cam. Can't understand why it's not far more popular.

I guess you guys have seen the individual performances by now - another five hours or so here before it's broadcast. But I watched the first program last night - singing the new INXS song. What a pig's ear JD made of that. Surely, after his "We are the Champions" disaster, the dummy-spit over the group song and his failure with the new song, there's no way INXS can go along with him now no matter how the public vote.

Incidentally, what are the arrangements when they get down to the last three and on?

[SegRat]

By INXS's comments I think they really want to get rid of JD. I also get the feeling they dont like Jordis for the band. I am starting to think they may want Suzie to front the band.

[Ksyrup]

As I've said before - Marty is clearly the weakest, IMO. He's an above-average lead singer as a performer, but he has limited range as a singer and would be a totally horrid choice to front INXS. Navarro continues to be on the guy's jock, though.

I have to say, Susie should win this competition. I also like Ty, but again, not as the INXS lead singer. Jordis has cooled off in my mind, but would be decent fronting her own band anyway. Mig is still, I think, the favorite given the possibility that he is "the ringer," but Susie's coming on strong. And JD is a self-absorbed asshole. I thought the back-handed slap to the face he got when he questioned how the INXS guys thought he performed was great. He got a non-answer to his direct question, and the meaning could be taken either way, but I assume it wasn't a compliment.

I've probably said it a couple of times in this thread, and will likely say it a couple of dozen times in the new AI thread (whenever it starts back up), but this show has ruined watching AI for me. Well, aside from the tryouts, anyway. I've already seen a half-dozen performances and another dozen or so vocal performances that kill the best performances/vocals I've seen on the 3 AIs I've watched.

I'm still not sure why this show has done so poorly - is it the time slot changes every night, the fact that it's rock music and not pop, the fact that the band hasn't been news (other than the lead singer's death) for 15 years, the fact that they've generally been nice to the contestants and there's no Simon Factor? I can't figure it out. People are blaming the fact that it's INXS, and nobody cares about INXS anymore, but what is there to care about on AI? The AI contestants are going to be solo artists, and there's obviously no tie to them until you get to know them through the show, just like on Rockstar. If this was a competition to be the lead singer for the house band, and it was similar to AI in every respect but that one element, it still wouldn't be doing well. So I don't blame the INXS factor.

I still think it comes down to the fact that these are rock singers, and not pop singers. But people are freaking blind to the fact that the majority of these rock singers have superior talent to the AI competitors. The whole songwriting/recording thing...I could have watched a 3-hour show on that whole process. It fascinates me. On AI, those people are getting vocal coaching and choreography lessons each week; these people are working with a band to interpret the songs the way they want them to be sung, sometimes re-arranging them or playing instruments. There's no comparison.

[SegRat]

I agree with Ksyrup that AI should not even be in the same league with Rockstar, as Rockstar has people that can actually sing. Rockstar is head and shoulders above AI.

[Ajaxab]

I absolutely agree about the huge talent gap between the performers on this show and AI. I wonder if one of the reasons for the relative unpopularity of this show would be that it doesn't cater to the teen demographic/aka current and future consumers. We live in a culture that idolizes youth and unfortunately this show doesn't cater to that market. It is pretty sad that a group of people who can sing and perform circles around Bo Beiss and Clay Aiken can't reach the teen audience.

[Blackadar]

I hadn't watched this before - well, I still haven't. But I caught the recap of their performances this past week.

Suzi NAILED Bohemian Rhapsody. Just nailed it. Incredible performance.

[Ksyrup]

I agree with Ksyrup that AI should not even be in the same league with Rockstar, as Rockstar has people that can actually sing. Rockstar is head and shoulders above AI.
It's not even so much that they can sing better. I mean, maybe it's just my band/musician mentality, but there are tons of people who can sing in this world - the AI auditions notwithstanding - to varying degrees, of course. But the Rockstar contestants, at least the majority of them, not only can sing, but they can perform on a stage, play instruments, and provide substantive input on the arrangement of the songs they are required to perform. I'd be shocked to learn that even 10% of AI contestants can or could do any of those things. Most of them have very good voices, and that's about it. A few can strum a guitar while they sing - and on AI, that's considered some sort of revolutionary thing. This year's winner has the stage presence of a potato, and will be getting about as much technical assistance as anyone could get, I imagine.

[sabotai]

I think the reason that Rockstar hasn't caught on like AI is because they jumped right into it. AI does the audition shows, try out shows, they cut along the way and then by the time they get to the real competition, they've drawn you in by making you watch to laugh at the peopel who really suck while you get to really know the real competitors.

Rockstar just started off the compeition without really introducing us to the performers and gave us nothing to laugh at.

[Ksyrup]

Could be. But they couldn't show the auditions, because no one would have seen Mig. :p

[jbmagic]

how come the others have not said anything about MIg not being at the auditions?

[Raven]

I think the reason the show isn't popular is the same reason I almost never started watching it - INXS. Nobody cares about that band because they aren't current.

If you ask someone if they have been watching the show and they say no. Ask them why. They will probably say they aren't an INXS fan, and that's why they aren't watching. Most people probably don't realize the show is about the singers, and not the band. Just a guess there.

[Ksyrup]

I have no clue. Actually, that whole thing comes from a blog written by a supposed former contestant who, during the auditions, supposedly maintained a blog where she discussed each person she was competing against. She claimed that (a) there were only supposed to be 14 contestants, not 15; and (b) Mig was not at the auditions, and they chose 14 people, then he became the 15th. Whether any of that is true, I have no idea. But it's a good story, and even better now that Mig is a serious contender.

[Ksyrup]

I think the reason the show isn't popular is the same reason I almost never started watching it - INXS. Nobody cares about that band because they aren't current.

If you ask someone if they have been watching the show and they say no. Ask them why. They will probably say they aren't an INXS fan, and that's why they aren't watching. Most people probably don't realize the show is about the singers, and not the band. Just a guess there.
But again, what makes that different from AI? That's about a group of nobodies! The idea that we grow attached to the AI contestants through the auditions is a valid one, though. Here, I thought they should have cut about 8-10 people in the first couple of weeks and got into the remaining contestants' personal lives a bit more, which might have helped. I mean, who doesn't want to see more of Jordis' dad?!

[Raven Hawk]

I have no clue. Actually, that whole thing comes from a blog written by a supposed former contestant who, during the auditions, supposedly maintained a blog where she discussed each person she was competing against. She claimed that (a) there were only supposed to be 14 contestants, not 15; and (b) Mig was not at the auditions, and they chose 14 people, then he became the 15th. Whether any of that is true, I have no idea. But it's a good story, and even better now that Mig is a serious contender.
I'm starting to think more that MiG may have been a plant, but a conditional plant. Imagine being INXS and having Mark Burnett come up to you and say, "I've got this great idea, let's hold public auditions for your band and let the TV viewers choose your lead singer!"

If I'm INXS, I say, "Hold on a second there buddy. This is an intriguing offer, but let's talk it over a little bit. We want the final say on who is cut from the competition and we want a safety clause. We saw this guy, MiG rock some Queen songs in London and think that he could do the job if we can't find anything better."

I think INXS might have just been afraid of what kind of talent that they'd be seeing. As evidenced in this thread, if I'm INXS, I don't want to pick from the winners of American Idol. I think that they've been pleasantly surprised and feel comfortable with a couple of contestants including MiG, who might be their safety clause.

[sabotai]

JD and Ty whine too much. Just throwing that out there.

[sabotai]

Question for Mac. Considering that INXS was big in Australia (much more than in the states, especially in th e90's), how is the show doing there?

[Raven]

Jordis is going home tonight. :(

[Raven]

well I was wrong.

But, WOW.....did Ty just play the race card? damn.

[SegRat]

With as whinny as Ty was and actually crying every week for the last 3 or 4, I had a bad feeling if he was voted out he was going to claim it was because of race. Get a clue man, people dont care for people that whine and cry all the time.

He was a very good singer. But I wont miss him. Now I want to see JD go and Mig go. But like some of you I think it is set up that worst case Mig will be in the final 3 if not 2.

[Ksyrup]

I think they let Ty go because he performed as well or better than anyone else the past couple of weeks (and really, every week), but the public didn't warm up to him. As for the racial thing...I tend to agree with him in general terms about the lack of acceptance of black musicians in rock, but I'm not sure it necessarily applies to him.

And hey, Jordis is black, and she's had pretty solid support.

[Mac Howard]

Question for Mac. Considering that INXS was big in Australia (much more than in the states, especially in th e90's), how is the show doing there?

It's only shown on sat tv, sabotai, so I guess that limits the audience considerably. Nevertheless, Fox does promote it very heavily on the other sat tv channels still (Fox Sports for example) so that would suggest it's popular with those viewers who have it. I'm totally hooked and the friend I created a dvd for in week 3 now pushes me on Fridays for the week's shows (completed Thursday night here).

I haven't yet seen the elimination so I'm surprised to hear that Ty has gone. He was my first pick and I thought that INXS would only let him go because of his apparent lack of support from the public. Maybe that's what happened. I'll see tonight. I thought he gave a superb performance of "You Don't Always Get What You Want" and many other songs in past weeks.

My support moves to Suzie now who's picked her game up enormously over the last few weeks. She's always been my favourite female contestant but I'm still unsure if a female lead is acceptable to INXS. They insist that one is.

Last night's show lasted an hour. It seemed like 15 minutes. I could stand a few hours of this each week. Forget the elimination. Let's just have these guys on every week :)

A comment on the popularity of AI - it could be because of the "It could be me up there" mentality of AI. The INXS contestants are professional musicians (or should be if not) and I think the public can't associate themselves with them to the same degree as guys who come in off the street to the initial auditions. We can empathise more easily with singers who occasionally hit bad notes. I think the "American Dream" is in the AI show to a greater extent than the INXS show.

And on Mig as plant - the elimination of two contestants in the second week suggests that the shedule was set for 14 contestants and had to be pulled back into line when 15 were included. I think the idea that Mig was known to INXS (Australia's population is only as big as greater New York's and, though I'm not involved in the music business, even I knew about him) and was included as a safety net may well be true.

[Raven]

Sorry if I spoiled it for you, Mac. :(

[Ksyrup]

And on Mig as plant - the elimination of two contestants in the second week suggests that the shedule was set for 14 contestants and had to be pulled back into line when 15 were included. I think the idea that Mig was known to INXS (Australia's population is only as big as greater New York's and, though I'm not involved in the music business, even I knew about him) and was included as a safety net may well be true.
I hadn't put those two together (the 14/15 issue and voting 2 people off in one week), but I think you're exactly right. And the comment earlier about Mig being the safety net is as reasonable an explanation as I've heard so far.

[Mac Howard]

Not a problem, Raven. I was well aware when I chose to read the thread I would probably hear the result. I shall listen to the third show as much for the elimination INXS song performances as the result :)

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm glad I'm not the only one seeing that Suzie is the favorite. I wasn't impressed with her at all at the begining of this show, but, good God, she has blown me away the last couple of weeks. She is doing the best right now by far (though I still like Marty and really don't get the hate in this thread).

BTW, I always watch this on DVR, usually both episodes on Wednesday night. I generally skip over the "encore" because I had just watched the orginal performance. Tonight, I had to watch Suzie and Marty again. Both of those performances were incredible. This was by far the best week (except JD not getting cut. Ty wasn't winning, but I'm ready to see JD go).

[Ksyrup]

The Marty hate is mostly from me, although I don't really hate him, I just don't think he has the vocal ability to front this particular band. He's got an "Eddie Vedder voice" to me - rough-sounding, wavering, and not very melodic - and it just doesn't work with INXS. He needs to be in a modern hard rock band. Aside from that, though, I think he is an excellent frontman, has good stage presence, and has handled INXS' questions with some nearly perfect responses.

[Ksyrup]

I have to think JD is only around to make this more of a TV show. He's done nothing to demonstrate he's ready to be in any band, let alone an established band where he wouldn't be the primary focus. I just don't get how people think he is a perfect fit for this band. Maybe if they were nobodies in their 20's and his ego/personality could naturally dominate, it would work, but in a 20+ year old band of aging (former) rock stars, there's no way he could come in acting like he has and make that situation work.

[Mac Howard]

Marty needs a less rigid approach to performances. He seems to think that all songs have to be belted out and should hurt the performer :) But he made an excellent job of Wish You Were Here - really brought through the emotion in the song - without strangling it. His original performance of the new INXS song in day one this week was awful until INXS had him sing it in another key when he sang it well.

I think he needs to see what has happened with Suzie. She began unspectacularly with songs that needed more strength than she has. But recently she's been singing songs which make greater use of her excellent pitch and may well be deserved favourite to win now.

INXS are not the heaviest group on the block and Marty needs to recognise that and calm it down a little occasionally. He's shown he can on a couple of occasions but seems to forget that in this idea he has of where rock is currently going.

[HomerJSimpson]

I have to think JD is only around to make this more of a TV show. He's done nothing to demonstrate he's ready to be in any band, let alone an established band where he wouldn't be the primary focus. I just don't get how people think he is a perfect fit for this band. Maybe if they were nobodies in their 20's and his ego/personality could naturally dominate, it would work, but in a 20+ year old band of aging (former) rock stars, there's no way he could come in acting like he has and make that situation work.


I'm afraid that he might remind them of a certain ego driven late lead singer, though.

[Ksyrup]

I'm afraid that he might remind them of a certain ego driven late lead singer, though.
I think they're looking for a new singer, though, not a new leader. And I'm not as sold on JD's vocals as some of the others left in the competition. I thought his performance of the INXS song tonight (a mediocre song I'm pretty sure I've never heard before) was really bad, although the song itself didn't help. His performance was lethargic and he hit some bad notes.

[HomerJSimpson]

I think they're looking for a new singer, though, not a new leader. And I'm not as sold on JD's vocals as some of the others left in the competition. I thought his performance of the INXS song tonight (a mediocre song I'm pretty sure I've never heard before) was really bad, although the song itself didn't help. His performance was lethargic and he hit some bad notes.


Oh, I completely agree. I think he has to be on the bottom of the list right now. I just think that beyond the "good television" factor, that they like JD more than I would.

[SegRat]

I wouldnt be suprised to see Jordis go next. The band IMO doesnt really seem to care for her much, at least not as much as the others.
I also am a fan of Marty. He would make an excellent front man, just not for this band. He really needs to be in more of a hard rock - metal band. If that were the case Marty would probably be the only one I would be willing to pay to see. And possibly Jordis even though she has disapointed latley.
I fully believe this comes down to Mig and Suzzie. BTW I feel Mig is the weakest singer left.

[Ksyrup]

This will probably end up as an inside joke only I get (well, Hurst will too), but over at the King's X board, after Ty was let go, someone posted that the real reason Ty was let go is because really, who in the hell wants to see a black, mohawked singer fronting a rock back anyway? http://ironpoet.com/boards/images/smiles/lol.gif

[Joe]

I was only half watching last night, but what was the reason behind Ty's ranting? Was he saying people didnt like him because he's black, or because he's gay?

[Ksyrup]

He's a black rock singer with an inability to control his crying.

[Raven Hawk]

I was only half watching last night, but what was the reason behind Ty's ranting? Was he saying people didnt like him because he's black, or because he's gay?
I know what he meant when he said that his 'people' didn't get respect in the genre, but he was using 'people' to reflect the wrong minority that he belongs to. It's unfortunate that people can't see past any type of bias, though. Ty was an extremely talented singer and he deserved to hang around for at least one more week. J.D. should have been out, but he brings the controversy to the show that gets ratings.

One thing that you need to consider with Marty is that he is very well spoken. Anytime INXS ask him a question, his responses are pertinent to the question and intriguing. Jordis (even though I love her as a singer) isn't mature enough for the band and often stumbles over her responses. J.D. just opens his mouth and diarrhea spews forth. MiG gives Sesame Street answers that just seem to be too happy. Suzie is the only one that has any matter of countenance about her when she speaks.

If you add up Looks + Stage Presence + Voice + Personality, you get two finalists: Marty & Suzie. (My wife tells me that Marty is easy on the eyes) I still think that MiG gets a few extra votes for being Australian. Regardless, J.D. should be next to go, then Jordis. It's really getting good! I really don't want to see Jordis go, because I love her voice and style, but I'm figuring that she'll be able to lauch a career off this show, just like any of the top 8 from this show.

[Hurst2112]

This will probably end up as an inside joke only I get (well, Hurst will too), but over at the King's X board, after Ty was let go, someone posted that the real reason Ty was let go is because really, who in the hell wants to see a black, mohawked singer fronting a rock back anyway? http://ironpoet.com/boards/images/smiles/lol.gif


THAT was funny.

[Ksyrup]

I thought you'd appreciate that!

[Mac Howard]

I think they must have edited out Ty's "rant" over here. I didn't see anything other than a comment that his "people" were poorly represented in the rock community. Thinking about that I guess he's right - isn't rock the white man's black music? Most prominent black singers of this style are surely better described as R&B or Soul. But even though he did imply there was much to say there was nothing else shown here about his leaving other than this "people" bit said tearfully.

But, on talent, he did deserve to go further. It had become obvious that he wasn't popular with the public but the band always enthused about his performances and I had expected that they would support him longer than they did. The excuse given - that he had been three times in the bottom three - does imply that they realised they couldn't be fronted by a singer lacking public appeal.

A pity though.

I go along with Marty and Suzie as favourites now with Mig a (dubious) outsider. They are both talented singers, have the rock star image and are attractive personalities - Marty intelligent without being arrogant and Suzie an appealing dingbat :)

On a more sombre note - it's sad to see that Fats Domino is missing in the New Orleans tragedy. Amongst my earliest R&R recording are Fat's "I'm in Love Again", "Blueberry Hill" and "Blue Monday". A sad day if he's not found alive :(

.

[Hurst2112]

On a more sombre note - it's sad to see that Fats Domino is missing in the New Orleans tragedy. Amongst my earliest R&R recording are Fat's "I'm in Love Again", "Blueberry Hill" and "Blue Monday". A sad day if he's not found alive

I always thought Fats died years ago.

[Mac Howard]

Whoa! No advance information of the result ;)

Didn't think this week's show lived up to the last few weeks. I didn't feel that there were any outstanding performances. I'm not sure the personal song thing was a good idea - too many songs that weren't particularly interesting. Suzie's and Mig's were too far out of the genre, I didn't think too much of JD's the first time, Marty was back to his yelling and Jordis' was, well, ok I guess.

Jordis to go this week?

[Ksyrup]

I think the problem was expecting these people to write INXS-type songs for their originals. They're not developed enough as songwriters to write for a particular type of band, let alone write something for them AND good. JD's song was the best, I thought, but only because he used music INXS gave them a few weeks ago.

The show's on right now, so we don't know who's gone yet.

[Joe]

fuck JD, I wanted to hear Marty's song again. I liked the yelling.

[Ryche]

So how does Mig never end up in the bottom 3 despite being mediocre at best? Either it's rigged or everyone in Australia is voting for him.

That said, the right person went home tonight unfortunately.

[SegRat]

So how does Mig never end up in the bottom 3 despite being mediocre at best? Either it's rigged or everyone in Australia is voting for him.

That said, the right person went home tonight unfortunately.
Has to be Australia. He is the weakest one by far. No question Jordis lost her confidence which ended up costing her. I bet she gets a record deal sooner than later.

Now my feeling is Marty wins this.

[HomerJSimpson]

Has to be Australia. He is the weakest one by far. No question Jordis lost her confidence which ended up costing her. I bet she gets a record deal sooner than later.

Now my feeling is Marty wins this.


Maybe, but I'm still hoping for Suzie. She is the best at singing their songs.

[Ksyrup]

Yep, listening to Jordis, I told my wife that I just didn't think a woman could pull off INXS songs very well. Then Suzie did a fine job with her song.

Mig is too much like a 35-year old member of Backstreet Boys. That's the best way I know to describe him. His original song, that sappy Peter Cetera-esque ballad, just confirmed it for me. He's got talent, but he's not a compelling rock singer.

I'm just not getting Marty, I guess. Despite how much I despise him, I thought JD did a far better original (even though the music was provided by INXS) and outsang Marty on the cover as well. Style-wise, he seems like a much better fit for INXS - no question in my mind. If only his voice/style could be combined with Marty's attitude and public relations savvy.

[21C]

Mig is too much like a 35-year old member of Backstreet Boys.
http://migcentral.com/career/buddy/03.jpghttp://migcentral.com/career/fame/06.jpghttp://migcentral.com/career/ferals/02.jpg
So how does Mig never end up in the bottom 3 despite being mediocre at best? Either it's rigged or everyone in Australia is voting for him.
I can tell you for sure that not everyone in Australia is voting for him. I cannot stand him. His stage performance reminds me of somebody from the 80's but I can't put my finger on who.

[Ksyrup]

I knew it! He's been outed! As a poseur, anyway.

[FrogMan]

http://migcentral.com/career/fame/06.jpg
Is that a shaved head Ty? And What's he doing behind Mig??? :eek: :eek: :eek:

One thing's for sure, Mig doesn't seem to appreciate it...

:D

FM

[Ksyrup]

That picture is disturbing on many, many levels.

[Mac Howard]

Wow, three pages down the thread list. This program really isn't making an impact in the US, is it ? ;)

I noted that Jordis said "see you in two weeks". I don't know how they wind this thing up. Is it one more "bottom three vote and individual rejection" followed by a 3 man play-off program (and "man" may literally be it) with INXS deciding on the winner ?

[SegRat]

I noted that Jordis said "see you in two weeks". I don't know how they wind this thing up. Is it one more "bottom three vote and individual rejection" followed by a 3 man play-off program (and "man" may literally be it) with INXS deciding on the winner ?
That is what I am assuming.

[dunkem]

I was wondering about that two week thing too. I guess the trend's been to have a bottom three so when they're down to three in two weeks, they're all going to have to sing INXS songs to determine the final winner.

Jordis just didn't look like she wanted to be there anymore. Think she felt guilty about sticking around that other week and let it affect her future performances.

As much as JD shot himself in the foot in prior weeks, gotta admit that his original "Pretty Vegas" sounded the most "right for the band" than anyone elses. Had that INXS sound to it. Guess the vote said it all - won the encore, but still in the bottom three.

[Hurst2112]

As much as JD shot himself in the foot in prior weeks, gotta admit that his original "Pretty Vegas" sounded the most "right for the band" than anyone elses. Had that INXS sound to it.

Wasn't the music an INXS song? I am pretty sure he only wrote the lyrics to it.

[Joe]

Wasn't the music an INXS song? I am pretty sure he only wrote the lyrics to it.

Yeah it was the music that INXS provided them a few weeks back, he just wrote the lyrics. So of course INXS will like it the best. And I really dont like that accent he sings with. Its like hes trying to sound like kurt cobain or something.

[Hurst2112]

Jordis is back home now. I haven't talked to her yet. I am sure she is getting bombarded with people asking her questions.

I did hear through the small circle up here that she was hangin out with Dave quite a bit during the show. Also heard that she was jammin with Dave and his band. Don't know what is going to come out of it, but I will keep you posted if I hear anything.

[Ksyrup]

I had the same reaction to her original as Dave did - Fionna Apple.

[Ksyrup]

Interesting article. Confirms what we all suspected about that Bowie song being for the AHC guy.



TV show entrant returns ready to rock on her own

Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune September 10, 2005 <SMALL>JORDIS0910 </SMALL>

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=9></TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle><SCRIPT>OAS_AD('Button20');</SCRIPT></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2 height=9></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>She left town two and a half months ago as a struggling musician and a waitress. She came back Thursday as a rock star -- if not the rock star who will be the next singer for INXS.

"It seems like a lifetime since I left," Jordis Unga said Friday, when she was back home with her family and boyfriend in Minneapolis.

One of the final five contestants on the CBS-TV show, "Rock Star: INXS," Unga was voted off the island (actually, it was just Los Angeles) after a lackluster showing Wednesday. Her loss meant she won't get the job singing with Australian rockers INXS, one of the biggest bands of the '80s.

However, plenty of the show's regular watchers will tell you that the St. Paul-reared singer, 23, was the strongest contestant in prior weeks.

In fact, Unga was so impressive, there has been much speculation she sabotaged her chances to win so she could focus on her own music when the show ends.

"No, I had the same goal everybody else had," she insisted Friday. Her problem, she said: "I was done living on a reality-TV show."

"It was fine for a while, but once the cast gets smaller and smaller, the cameras are coming into your bedroom more and hounding you all the time. It really started to get to me."

The show's nonstop taping schedule also started to wear on her personal life. Unga's boyfriend, Karma Cheema (guitarist with local metal band American Head Charge), complained two weeks ago that he could only speak to Unga by phone in 15-minute spurts -- "with the producers listening in the whole time," he said.

Said Unga, curtly, "It was pretty extreme."

Still, she doesn't regret joining the competition. She got on the show after an audition at First Avenue nightclub in February.

"I can't even begin to tell you how much I learned from this experience," she said.

Her favorite moment was when Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro -- one of the show's judges and co-hosts -- invited her on her birthday to sing at the House of Blues, alongside ex-members of Guns N' Roses and Alice in Chains.

She was also happy with the rave reaction she got for her TV performance of David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold the World," which she dedicated to Bryan Ottoson, the American Head Charge guitarist who died in April. It's one of two songs she sang that will be on a CD of the show's best performances, due out Sept. 20.

"That meant a lot to me," she said.

Unga has to return to Los Angeles in two weeks for the final episode. Otherwise she is essentially scot-free to pursue her own music career, she said.

All of the "Rock Star" contestants were signed to a deal with Sony Music that gives Sony first shot at signing Jordis to a recording contract. She said she won't know where that might go until the series ends.

Either way, Unga plans to continue performing with the local hard-rock band Liars Club, formerly the Fighting Tongs, which she fronted before theTV show. Her bandmates coyly posted a message online that Liars Club is "in a state of dormancy as our singer is in Hollywood making us proud."

Unga's great asset might be what hurt her on CBS: She's a powerful Janis Joplin-type of rock vocalist, which wasn't a good fit for the poppy and anthemic INXS. The band's guitarist, Tim Farriss, seemed to admit this Wednesday.

"You are going to be a huge star, and I will be the first guy to buy your record," he said.

Her last song on the show was INXS's breathy "Need You Tonight," which she believes was given to her to be a nail in her coffin.

"There's nothing in that song that gives a singer any room to stretch out," she said.

But she, too, doubted her compatibility with INXS. "It's obviously accurate to say I wasn't a perfect fit," she said.

So who does fit the role?

"I honestly don't know who will win, and I don't think INXS knows, either," Unga said.

[BrianD]

I've been away from this thread for a bit, but I wanted to make a few comments about the last few weeks.

Ty had a great voice, but he shot himself in the foot by declaring that he was going to show as much soul as possible because he thought INXS should move in a more soulful direction. The band obviously disagreed with him and he really wasn't right for their band. I expect to see Ty with a contract soon.

Jordis never was right for the band. She is an amazing talent, and she definitely will be seen on a national scale soon. I found it interesting that Dave Navarro commented that he and she would make music together soon. Jordis mentioned in her exit interview that she expected them to be working together soon. I think they have already got something planned out.

JD would be perfect for INXS if you go only by voice and singing talent. If you listen to him doing INXS songs without looking at the TV, you could easily mistake him for the original singer. His voice and singing style are almost exactly the same. He has a real shot at winning.

Marty is a great stage performer. His original song kicked all kinds of ass. Unfortunately he isn't the greatest singer and probably isn't right for INXS. I'd bet he will find a home with more of a hard rock band where his limited singing ability can be better masked. Maybe we'll see him in next season's Rock Star: Nirvana.

Mig started out very strong, but he has been pretty unimpressive lately. His still has the best singing ability of all of the men remaining thought. He has the greatest range and he seems to be very at ease while singing. It all comes very naturally for him.

Suzi has recently become my favorite. She has great pipes and she is developing quite a stage presence. She is also quite cute in all of her interractions with other people. I don't know if a woman can sing for INXS, but she needs to be singing with someone. I kind of hope she wins.

[Raven Hawk]

Marty is a great stage performer. His original song kicked all kinds of ass. Unfortunately he isn't the greatest singer and probably isn't right for INXS. I'd bet he will find a home with more of a hard rock band where his limited singing ability can be better masked. Maybe we'll see him in next season's Rock Star: Nirvana.
I'd assume that Marty would be a natural winner in Rockstar: Alice in Chains. He'd be a decent fit for Nirvana, but you know that Dave Groehl is beyond that now.

[Joe]

His stage performance reminds me of somebody from the 80's but I can't put my finger on who.

George Michael?

[Ksyrup]

I'll admit...I completely missed this.




<TABLE id=contenttable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=960 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=9></TD><TD id=column2><MAP id=Map name=Map><AREA shape=RECT coords=40,48,335,184 href="http://www.doubleviking.com"></MAP><MAP id=Map2 name=Map2><AREA shape=RECT coords=2,2,109,20 href="/"></MAP><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=446 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.doubleviking.com/images/column2/body_top.gif</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=428 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>September 9th, 2005

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=428 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>‘Rockstar’ Contestant Slips Expletive Past CBS Censors (http://www.doubleviking.com/?p=9855)

<CENTER>Via: Adrants (http://www.adrants.com/)

http://www.doubleviking.com/wp-content/rockstar_1.jpg</CENTER>

In a hilarious use of Asian characters - pointed out by Tian, one of the contestants, J.D., on CBS’ Rockstar INXS wore a shirt that, when viewed normally, appeared to say something in an Asian language but, when viewed sideways, clearly reads “Go Fuck Your Self.” Censors did not catch the trick and images of the contestant are all over the Rockstar INXS website and, presumably, were broadcast as well.


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[Solecismic]

My wife likes this show. I haven't seen any of it because INXS just isn't my cup of tea. I told her about the tee-shirt, and she happened to have the episode taped. She scanned it, and nowhere is the "f-word" visible on the broadcast.

Dumb stunt, though. I wonder if CBS gave him the shirt, took the promo photos to plaster all over the web site and made sure the bad word wasn't broadcast just to generate some buzz for a show that isn't getting good ratings.

[Ksyrup]

I don't get the "INXS isn't my cup of tea" sentiment for not watching this show. Out of 2.5 hours of programming a week (including the half hour on VH1), the contestants perform about 15 songs a week, only 3 of which are INXS songs. I guess you can add to that the show's theme song if you're really adverse to the group, but otherwise, it's just another singing competition with a bunch of guys with Australian accents critiquing them.

Yes, in the end, the winner will end up singing for a band that hasn't been on top of the world since I was a junior in high school (or thereabouts), but what makes the winners of AI any more compelling? At least INXS isn't (in the words of Butch Walker, talking about AI) re-writing I Believe I Can Fly year after year to be the lead single for the winner.

From last night's show, I think JD is in the lead right now. He has the combination of looks, attitude, and ability that none of the others possess. It seems pretty clear to me that they're looking for a replacement for Hutchence, not just a new singer to carry on the band, so they need someone who gives off a sexy vibe, or a mysterious rocker vibe, or a bad boy vibe. And JD has all 3.

Marty is just too modern rock for INXS, although they're having him sing Trees again, which tells me that Sony is going to grab that song as part of the RS:INXS contract to sell his single, even though he's going to lose (and that guarantees him a spot in the top 3, IMO). Maybe he'll even get his own contract out of this, who knows? But I think he's too serious and intense to sing 80's dance rock songs. ANd he'd need a lot of work to stop keep Bulging Veins Marty from reappearing.

Mig is too nice - great voice, but like Ty, he's too theatre for a rock band (or at least this rock band). He knows when to dial back the happy go lucky attitude and performances, though, unlike Ty, but he's still missing that "rock singer" attitude. Unless he really is the ringer, I could see him going home this week. He has none of the vibes going for him, at all. Even his sex appeal, which I assume is there, is still a kind of Tom Cruise appeal, as opposed to, say, Jim Morrison. And these guys aren't looking for someone who looks right at home posing with a bunch of hand puppets (see above).

Susie...she's got the best voice, is a great performer, and I think she's hot, but I'm not convinced the band is willing to remake itself with a female singer. Too drastic a change. It's clear they're not just going to scrap the past and be a "new" INXS, and although she can pull off the old stuff pretty well, I just don't think they want a female lead singer. I could see her going home this week as well, although maybe they keep her for the final 3 just to ward off any "you were never going to pick a woman anyway" criticism.

My best guess is that Mig is gonig home this week, although Susie could also go.

[sabotai]

My quick thoughts on tonight's show.

I thought JD did the best by far, followed by Mig, Marty and Suzie in that order. I was "meh" on Mig's performance, couldn't stop yawning through Marty's and was just plain annoyed by Suzie (you don't not have to say "Come on" to the crowd every 4 fucking seconds!)

Either Suzie or Marty should go, but I don't think INXS likes Suzie's emotional breakdowns so she might be gone and they seem to like Marty for whatever reason.

[Joe]

I hate JD, mainly because he comes off as a smug asshole. But maybe thats what theyre looking for.

[sabotai]

I hate JD, mainly because he comes off as a smug asshole. But maybe thats what theyre looking for.
I hate him too...but I still he think he did the best tonight.

[Joe]

I hate him too...but I still he think he did the best tonight.

I think so too :(

[Ryche]

I HATED Mig's rendition of Paint it Black. It sounded like how In Sync would sing it. And then he says that's his favorite Stones song? Sad.

[Ksyrup]

That's my favorite Stones song, too, that and Angie. I'm not into honky-tonkin' blues rock. Never been much of a Stones fan...I've never owned a single record.

That said, you're right about his performance. He may be the ringer, but I'll still be surprised if he wins. In fact, if he does win, I think that means he definitely was the ringer, in that he was pre-chosen not just to be guaranteed a spot in the top 15 but to win, because he's shown himself as a singer who isn't right for this band.

However, if the voting is on the up-and-up, it does say something that he's never been in the bottom three. Of course, that might have more to do with a rabid Australian following and a concerted effort to keep the band all-Australian then anything having to do with his ability.

I think JD is the only choice at this point. Regardless of his personality, he is the best fit as both a lead singer and their lead singer. And he's given them a lead single that the audience has already been force-fed 3 or 4 times before it even gets to radio. In fact, in this day and age, his personality is probably a plus for him. The only question for the band is whether they can control him, but I think the fact that he's Jack Nobody and they're the unquestioned leaders of the band, should take care of that issue. That and some choice contractual provisions. It wouldn't shock me, if this joint venture is somehow successful, for him to get big-headed and desert the band at some point, but again, I'm sure the contract will have something to say about that possibility.

[Raven Hawk]

I hope MiG is the next to go. He's got rock-star looks, but he's a show-tunes guy at heart. JD did give the best performance this week. I thought that Suzie's performance was weaker than it has been in the past. Marty gave a really strong performance as well. It would have been better if he didn't do his original, "Trees," as an accoustic set, though. I really think that JD and Marty are the ones to beat at this point. Even on the VH1 portion on Sunday, INXS said that they thought that these two handled the questions the best. The interesting thing is that Suzie and MiG are superior singers, but they just don't have the personality.

My guess for tonight's show: JD, Marty, Suzie, MiG in that order, most votes to least votes.

[Ksyrup]

I thought Marty's performance of Creep was pretty good, up until the end, where he started screaming and howling out of key. That was awful.

Shows you the power of repetition to make something a hit, though. That damn Trees song has been stuck in my head all morning, and while I like it OK, I'm fairly certain it's only because I've heard it half a dozen times on this show that it's stuck in my head.

[Ryche]

At this point I think it has to be JD as well, barring Mig being a ringer of course. But I got the impression they were not enthused by Paint it Black either. Musicals are the perfect venue for Mig. The only thing holding them from picking JD would be the attitude, whether they want to deal with someone like that at their age. But then, I'm sure Hutchins wasn't the easiest person to deal with either and they managed.

Marty just doesn't have the vocal abilities for this type of band and Suzie would be just too radical a change for them to handle most likely, both musically and personality wise. My guess is Marty leaves tonight just so they can keep a female on for the finale.

[dunkem]

Yeah, I think all of these guys are great singers, but only JD has the right voice for the band although he does act and say what you want him rather than how he really feels as some of the INXS member pointed out.

Seems like MIG is letting nerves get to him like Jordis and he's not putting that energy in. His higher theatrical voice doesn't quite match with INXS stuff, and I guess we'll find out when he's in the bottom three tonight.

Marty, good performer, catchy but corny song, but just not an INXS voice. I can't see Trees as the new INXS hit single, but I can definitely see it as Marty's hit on his own.

Suzie was just alright last night, and similarly doesn't match the INXS sound. Seems like she tries too hard to "rock out" and would be better suited as a Sheryl Crow type rather than a member of a "rock band".

Hilarious when everyone tried to include Navarro in their performances all the time trying to suck up to em by rubbing on him while he's playing. And dang.... that little smooch from JD... I dunno what he was thinking.

[Hurst2112]

I don't hope Mig goes. I got 1000 dollars riding on him @ 3:1!

;)

[Joe]

Regarding the ringer/conspiracy talk, here is what Dave posted on his blog a few days ago, its pretty interesting. I dont know if anyone here has read or posted it already, but here goes.

I have always been a fan of conspiracies and the unexplained. Kennedy, Area 51, Scientology, Loch Ness, U.F.O.s… Rockstar: INXS? I never thought in a million years I would be at the center of such a controversy! As you know, I usually don’t defend myself all that much here, but now that there are accusations being thrown at my friends and co-workers, I am happy to respond. Theory #1: Mig Ayesa is a ringer and he was added much later in order to win the competition. I can tell you for a fact that Mig has been in the competition from the start. True, there were 14 singers at the start of the show, but the 15th that was added late in the game was a female. Theory #2: The voting is rigged. Now why would anyone do that? After all, this decision comes down to INXS and they can send home or save whomever they want at any time. The voting is to see how the public is feeling in order to help make that choice, but in the end, the band can always over ride something they don’t agree with. Rigging the voting just makes no sense. Theory #3: The show isn’t live. Well, nobody has ever said that it was. In fact, every week I post about how I’m going to a taping on this Sunday or that Wednesday. Theory #4: My comments aren’t accurate. Hey, I call it like I see it. Rock is very subjective. What works for me may not work for others. How long do you think Lou Reed would last in this thing? Not long but he is one of my favorite singers. Bottom line? I’m not in INXS so what do I have to gain by lying about what I am seeing and hearing? Theory #5: Too hard on J.D. Well, I’ll say, when he is a jerk, I hammer him, when he does well, I am fully supportive. Nobody else gets hammered because they don’t exhibit the behavior to warrant it.

[Joe]

I was also reading an interview that Kirk Pengilly did, and heres what he said about the show. This was back in January, so I don't know if things have changed, but...

But we are not trying to replace Michael, we just want a new singer, because he's no longer our singer, and he's absolutely irreplaceable. One of our criteria, or briefs to the casting agents and all the people involved with doing all the editions is "what we don't want is another Michael Hutchence", because you cannot replace Michael. We want someone that is different. Personally, I hope it's a female, because then there are not the comparisons with Michael.

So I'm not sure if JD is the obvious choice if this is how they still feel. The past few weeks, its been pretty obvious (to me, at least) that JD has really been trying to emulate Hutch in his performances. So if thats NOT what the band is looking for, I doubt he'll win. But maybe Kirk really wants Suzie to win based on those comments.

[jbmagic]

I hope MiG is the next to go. He's got rock-star looks, but he's a show-tunes guy at heart. JD did give the best performance this week. I thought that Suzie's performance was weaker than it has been in the past. Marty gave a really strong performance as well. It would have been better if he didn't do his original, "Trees," as an accoustic set, though. I really think that JD and Marty are the ones to beat at this point. Even on the VH1 portion on Sunday, INXS said that they thought that these two handled the questions the best. The interesting thing is that Suzie and MiG are superior singers, but they just don't have the personality.

My guess for tonight's show: JD, Marty, Suzie, MiG in that order, most votes to least votes.

MIG will win it all. it has been determine.

[Joe]

damn suzie got eliminated. wish it was JD, but it was fun to see him squirm a little bit.

[SegRat]

If mig wins this thing I wont listen to inxs. Marty and JD are much better IMO. JD is probably best for INXS. I think Marty will end up in a bigger band. Mig needs to go.

[sabotai]

damn suzie got eliminated. wish it was JD, but it was fun to see him squirm a little bit.
You know what would be really nice? If they could just pick a friggn' time slot and stick to it!! (I was getting ready to turn it on...oh well).

[Mac Howard]

JD moved into pole position for me also last night. For sure he'll make the last three as the others all produced performances with something lacking. If INXS can put up with JD's antics then, a collapse in the final not withstanding, then they could well go for him.

I think Mig is going to go next. He just doesn't have the growl for a rock singer and his moves still seem choreographed. I doubt it's the Australians that keep him out of the bottom three - the show's only on cable/sat tv here and they're not nearly as popular as in the US. I doubt there are 50,000 people watching the show here. I think he's picking up the teenage female audience vote. If he wins this then I'll go along with the 'ringer' argument :)

Suzie really screwed up in the interview when she froze. She's never struck me as the most intelligent or confident of the contestants and I think they may be right about problems with press conferances as well as an inability to really take control of the audience on stage. I think they and the program producers will want her in the last three though.

Marty? Great image, pity about the misalignment in the rock spectrum. Hard right against INXS's soft left. He may well also be a little too controlling, too confrontational on what the band needs to do.

Another good week though. Really enjoyed it. Will miss it when it goes.

[Joe]

You know what would be really nice? If they could just pick a friggn' time slot and stick to it!! (I was getting ready to turn it on...oh well).

its been on at 9 est on wednesdays for a while, the tuesdays show is the later one ;)

[Joe]

I think Mig really performed the INXS song tonight well. He could very well be picked. I don't know if hes a good songwriter or not, but the band isnt looking for that for the first album anyway, as they have all of the songs written already and just need someone to sing. They are planning to get it out as soon as possible after the show ends. I mean, of course they are, they've probably been just writing songs for the past 8 years, what the hell else have they been doing? :)

[Ryche]

I was rooting for Mig getting Devil Inside, I think that would have been a much better test of his ability. The song he got was right up his alley and he nailed it.

[Ksyrup]

I thought Mig overdid it quite a bit. He sounded very good, but his performance was bordering on ridiculous, combining the sex strut, ripped shirt, jumping around, etc., all in less than 3 minutes. I just thought that was way over the top. JD sounded great as well, though, I thought.

I still think Marty's being kept around because he's Sony's non-INXS signee, and they're giving him as much exposure as possible, including playing that Trees song over and over. Between that and Pretty Vegas, I'm leaning toward JD getting the nod for INXS. Both have been given multiple opportunities to perform a ready-made single several times for the target audience. Doesn't get packaged much neater than that.

[sabotai]

its been on at 9 est on wednesdays for a while, the tuesdays show is the later one ;)
Yeah, and every week I usually end up missing one or the other because they change the time slot from Tuesday to Wednesday.

[Ksyrup]

That's why at 8pm every night, I set DirecTV to automatically change channels to whatever I want to watch for the entire night, so I don't miss anything. For this show, I just remember 8, 10, 9. Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday.

[HomerJSimpson]

I thought Mig overdid it quite a bit. He sounded very good, but his performance was bordering on ridiculous, combining the sex strut, ripped shirt, jumping around, etc., all in less than 3 minutes. I just thought that was way over the top. JD sounded great as well, though, I thought.

I still think Marty's being kept around because he's Sony's non-INXS signee, and they're giving him as much exposure as possible, including playing that Trees song over and over. Between that and Pretty Vegas, I'm leaning toward JD getting the nod for INXS. Both have been given multiple opportunities to perform a ready-made single several times for the target audience. Doesn't get packaged much neater than that.


With ya, but I still think they'd been better off with Suzie.

[jander]

I still think there may be something funny going on...if you really think about how the "Pretty Vegas" song sounds totally like an INXS song music-wise. Does JD even play instruments? I have not seen it (but didn't follow from the beginning, if not...how did HE write that song?). Remember how evryone was pissed at JD that week when all the singers got some studio time with INXS and the complaining about JD being in there soooo long? Hmmm....who knows, but just something to think about.

I like Marty the best, but I hope he doesn't win. I think he would be better on his own, with his own style than INXS style. Mig, I don't know he is good I guess, but againjust don't know if I see him fronting INXS. The best fit is JD, even though his attitude sucks.

[Mac Howard]

.if you really think about how the "Pretty Vegas" song sounds totally like an INXS song music-wise.

Isn't it the song JD wrote to the track INXS had laid down a couple of weeks back when the group selected Jordis' song?

[Ksyrup]

The music for Pretty Vegas was the track INXS gave those two groups to write a melody and lyrics to, and then perform. Ty's group did that, to quote Navarro, "Electric Company sounding" song Stop Go, and JD's group - minus JD, did a song I don't even remember, which JD refused to join in on. He wrote the Pretty Vegas melody and lyrics by himself, then upstaged everyone else and got to perform it solo. 700 times now, by my count.

I haven't followed up on this and don't know INXS' back catalog well enough to comment, but I recall Marty making a comment about how he didn't like what JD was doing with that song during the writing session because it sounded too much like an old INXS song, and he started singing another song with virtually the same melody. Anyone know what song that was? At this point, it probably doesn't matter, because half of INXS fans who would remember that song are probably in rocking chairs by now, but I've been wondering if that melody is really all that original to begin with.

[Raven Hawk]

The song the Jordis and Marty wrote to the INXS track was "Try Not" which was later rearranged by the house band (and Jordis) before Jordis sang it ala Fiona Apple a couple weeks ago. "Pretty Vegas" was written to the same track by JD. In the last "House" episode, there was a clip of JD opening his songs that he had to sing and noticing that "Pretty Vegas" was in there and it stated "Written by Andrew Farris and JD Fortune."

I think that they made a good call on Suzie last night. She just didn't have the PR skills that the rest have. Suzie will do well in her own arena and eventually, she will pick up those PR skills.

I hate the idea that Jordis and Suzie (or any of the remaining contestants) go solo. Rock is so much more of a 'group' thing to me than Pop is. I hope that each of them can hook up with good groups who can magnify their talent. I think that JD is the only one who could effectively maintain a solo career out of the top 5. I really don't think that MiG is a rockstar. MiG needs to go back to Broadway.

[Hurst2112]

I am still scratchin my head on this whole Marty thing. I picked him to be gone weeks ago.

He is very pitchy in his singing. His song was campy, he's pretty pensive, and he looks like a girl.

Honestly, his vocals aren't that strong. He can't sing low with power. He screams in his half-octave range that he has. He strains too hard. He's not that good for a band like INXS. Maybe if Candlebox was looking for a new singer.

[Ksyrup]

My theory on Marty is that Sony sees him as a possible marketable commodity and kept him on the show to develop him and try to build an audience for him through the show. I think having him play Trees 6 million times plays right into that. I don't INXS has ever thought he would fit their band.

[CamEdwards]

Marty reminds me of the 2005 version of Richard Marx for some reason. Completely different singing styles, don't look alike. But everytime I see him I just want to cockpunch him. Just looking at Marty annoys the shit out of me.

[Ksyrup]

My wife, who listens to 80's rock and 2000s pop, doesn't get him AT ALL. I try to explain to her that he's a modern rock vocalist, but she just can't understand how anyone could like him - "he can't sing, he's ugly, and he screams." To which I point out that's why in rock/metal, they're called "vocalists," not "singers." There's a distinction that matters, and Marty is the perfect example.

[Mac Howard]

I was sorry to see Suzie go but Mig did do a worthwhile take in his playoff song. But he still looks to me like someone who could don a yellow teeshirt and become one of The Wiggles :rolleyes:

Another conspiracy theory: we now have a final between an American, an Australian and a Canadian. Are they manipulating results for maximum world appeal? :)

[HomerJSimpson]

I was sorry to see Suzie go but Mig did do a worthwhile take in his playoff song. But he still looks to me like someone who could don a yellow teeshirt and become one of The Wiggles :rolleyes:

Another conspiracy theory: we now have a final between an American, an Australian and a Canadian. Are they manipulating results for maximum world appeal? :)


I just don't see how Mig did a good job with that song. Too me it sounded like a Broadway version of the song, and his performance looked like a male stripper. As a matter of fact, just about all of his performance to emphasize his chest, not his singing ability. I guess if Suzie had gotten up there and took of her shirt, she'd still be in the competetion. :rolleyes:

[Mac Howard]

I just don't see how Mig did a good job with that song. Too me it sounded like a Broadway version of the song, and his performance looked like a male stripper.

Yes. The problem with Mig is that you can't take him seriously as a rock singer. His voice is too thin and his moves on stage too contrived. He's at the other end of the rock spectrum to Marty. JD is probably the best match to the band but, oh dear, could he be trouble for them on a personal level :rolleyes:

Interesting how it now seems that there isn't a suitable fit despite the overall quality of the contestants. I must admit I've developed a considerable respect for a lead singer that I didn't have before this series.

[Joe]

have they said what the final show will be like? is each contestant going to sing with inxs or what? cause I think that would be pretty cool. and at this point, I think they should pick JD as well. Marty doesn't fit well with them and he clearly doesn't have the vocal range to sing their back catalogue, which could be a problem with touring being the main priority since their album is due out in late november. I kinda like Mig, but he's a bit over the top, though I like his stage presence. JD fits well but he's a prick. Most lead singers with his kinda attitude get put up with because their talent carries the band, but that clearly isnt the case here so it will be interesting.

[Ksyrup]

The writing sessions last night were pretty cool. I could have watched those unedited. Once again, JD worried them with his lack of preparation, but wowed them with his pure talent, just like he's done all season.

[FrogMan]

ARG! I hate that they moved the first show to VH1, that means we don't get that one up North... :(

FM

[Joe]

yeah, those songs they were writing with Andrew looked like they were coming along pretty well (except Migs sounded like it will suck).

And for anyone who didnt get to see it, they all got to choose a song to sing from the selection of all songs that have been done this season. Marty chose "Wish You Were Here", JD chose "You Cant Always Get What You Want" and Mig chose "Bohemian Rhapsody". Yeah, Mig wanted to get away from doing Queen stuff that he did in the musical, so hes doing that song. And Suzy killed that song earlier, so its not a wise choice. But ok.

[Joe]

anyone post about this yet? MiG was on the fucking Wiggles:

http://entertainment.news.com.au/story/0,10221,16621411-10229,00.html

[SegRat]

Another reason to hate him.

It has to be JD tonight.

[HomerJSimpson]

MIG IS GONE!!! WHO-HOO!!! I feel like my team just won the Super Bowl. Well..not quite that good, but pretty darn good.

[jbmagic]

i tought Mig was suppose to win it all.

[HomerJSimpson]

i tought Mig was suppose to win it all.


Mig wasn't rigged.

[HomerJSimpson]

I know this is the Marty Bashing 101 club, but Marty did a much better job with his song IMHO. They may pick JD, but it will not be on that performance (and the sad thing is that JD had the much better/easier song).

[Joe]

JD couldnt even get through that song without getting some water between verses? weak.

[Joe]

i agree marty did better than JD..

[HomerJSimpson]

Well, it is JD. It wasn't from tonight, though. He was the over-all best fit.

[Joe]

so theres gonna be another season? i wonder which band, or if it will be AI like.

[HomerJSimpson]

so theres gonna be another season? i wonder which band, or if it will be AI like.


Rock Star: Van Halen

[Ksyrup]

JD was clearly the guy to replace Hutchence; in a way, they wimped out, but picking a modern rock singer would have forced them to change the way they write, and they're too old for that. JD was the only choice, and in fact, once they dumped Mig, it was even clearer who they'd pick. Marty just didn't sound right singing their songs, and that's what it comes down to. You can't have Mr. Intensity/Robot Man (that dance he does)/Fake British Accent singing INXS songs.

[Joe]

I like the robot man :(

[Ksyrup]

I'm not saying I don't like him, but he's just not right for our band, INXS. :p

[Ryche]

I realized it had to be JD when he was singing What You Need. I tried hard to picture Marty singing that and there is just no way I could see him pulling it off.