Neil Young News: Not All Rock Stars Are Like Neil Young. Take Godsmack for Example.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Not All Rock Stars Are Like Neil Young. Take Godsmack for Example.

This is a very interesting story about a band named Godsmack. Can't say I'm too familiar with them but they do have an important back story as the soundtrack for military recruiting videos.

The article is by Howie Klein, former president of Reprise Records, who we have quoted extensively recently regarding Neil's new album.

From the article on Godsmack's #1 album:

"I mean only one record per week goes to #1. I would have been so happy for [...] Godsmack if I knew. But I didn't. I was too busy listening to LIVING WITH WAR by Neil Young streaming for free on the Internet all week to have noticed Godsmack's album IV. But if I would have heard about it, I would have been happy... or happyish I guess."

Read this important story. And then try and post an important comment about freedom of expression.

Apparently, Thrasher's Wheat has some dedicated readers who might be fans of both Godsmack and Neil Young. Not sure. Check out some MP3 samples of Godsmack.

Because Thrasher's Wheat reports. You decide.

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10 Comments:

At 5/11/2006 12:02:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Keep it up TW, you are lighting the way. Thought you might find this interesting:

http://www.arthurmag.com/magpie/?p=1244
At 5/11/2006 01:50:00 PM, Anonymous said...: They are utterly terrible.
At 5/11/2006 02:24:00 PM, James Donnelly said...: To all you cynics who dare to criticise NY and free speech: You are the most close-minded hypocrites I have every heard utter such foul words with your keyboards. Only losers such as yourselves have nothing better to do than stone one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 20th century for saying something that should have been said long ago. Just because George W. is president doesn't mean he's right, because "some of the people can be part right some of the time, some of the people can be all right some of the time, but all of the people can't be all right all of the time."(Quote Bob Dylan, slightly out of his context) People like you should crawl back into your hovels and burrows and not attempt to drag NY into the holes you're in. One final question: How come only know when NY makes enemies for opposing Bush Jr., do you have a go at his harmonica playing, but never any time before that? Or maybe you're so busy feeding your own massive egos you don't have time to answer that... Neil Young deserves better.
At 5/11/2006 02:25:00 PM, Laurence Topliffe said...: Everyone who wants peace should read Victory Before War and become active members of the US Peace Government. Look for "Bubbling Bliss of Yogic Flying."
At 5/11/2006 08:49:00 PM, Brian Bell said...: I think Jay the interviewer and Klein the author of the article from one of the links was a little hard on that guy from Godsmack, Sully. It was all legitimate criticism, but clearly, Sully isn't the brightest bulb. He's just a guy making a buck, which probably says a lot about his band and music, too. What I found more interesting was that the Navy has licensed a song named "Sick Of Life." That says a lot about the military, doesn't it?
At 5/12/2006 09:35:00 AM, MT said...: Dear James Donnelly,

You said:

“To all you cynics who dare to criticise NY and free speech: You are the most close-minded hypocrites I have every heard utter such foul words with your keyboards. Only losers such as yourselves have nothing better to do than stone one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 20th century for saying something that should have been said long ago”

Your statement above has an intellectual sincerity I have rarely seen, you are lucky, in a post supporting NY and degrading the US government. Would you please put that keen sense of knowing and your powerful intellect to, maybe, uh just maybe, tell all us lesser people how you came up with “Most influential singer-songwriter of the 20th century”?

I mean, gosh, I would be so grateful if you would help to educate some of us less fortunate with you all knowing gift.

Humbly yours,

Mike Tyson
At 5/12/2006 11:54:00 AM, haahnster said...: "Mike Tyson" the boxer? Wow, Thrasher is attracting some famous commenters.

Mike, you might want to read Mr. Donnelly's rant a bit closer...he clearly wrote "one of the most" not "Most" as you misquoted. If you have a problem referring to Neil Young as "one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 20th century" then you probably have landed on the wrong blog.

Also, I can clearly read Donnelly's criticism of "W". But, I can't quite bring myself to automatically extrapolate that to "degrading the US government" as you have stated Donnelly's post was doing.

Do I agree with the harshness of tone of Donnelly's comment? No. But, let's not put words in his mouth to make it easier to pick a fight.
At 5/12/2006 06:10:00 PM, MT said...: Haan,

Let's agree to disagree. However, we are in agreement that James was on a "rant".

I was attempting to point out this and his clever use of insults, to us cons (as you call us), to make his point and not the use of facts.

I am sure he is a good, but misguided man.

Mike
At 5/13/2006 04:02:00 AM, haahnster said...: Mike,

You address me by (misspelled, but that's OK) name, then say "cons (as you call us)". I don't recall using that term. I'm not really into labels, as I prefer to address issues. Seriously. I'm not just trying to be an ass here. Look at my posts. I'm not into name-calling or labeling.

Just for the record, what are we "agreeing to disagree about"? Is it the extent to which disagreeing with one politician is "degrading the US government"? Or that Neil Young is "one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 20th century"?

Finally, yes, we are in total agreement that the earlier post by Donnelly was a rant, without question.
At 7/11/2006 05:15:00 PM, J.R. said...: This is a response to James Donnelly.

James......look at your response. You are critisizing someone for doing exactly what Neil Young is advocating......namely....freedom of speech. Freedom of speech means having to accept both sides of an argument. It doesn't matter how influential he is. People have a right to disagree. Even if you don't like the opinions, even if Neil himself doesn't like them, freedom of speech means they are just as relevant and just as allowed.