Davy Knowles interveiw Guitar Player Mag (Page 1 of 2)

did he actually just say that clapton's vocals weren't good on an album? risky if you ask me. One thing to think it, another to say it in an article in a guitar magazine. But i guess it's ok in the context of which he said it. Just caught me off guard for a second.

Even though he may be humble, those kinds of statements just add fuel to the fire for the already irrational fans that have annointed him (them) as the best thing since sliced bread.

I've seen it written on this very forum by an irrational fan when speaking of Davey or this band..."Clapton wishes he wrote that song"...or...."Clapton is not as good a song writer as Davey"........please.

If these two guys were athletes, it should be said, Davey Knowles can't carry Eric Claptons jock strap. The only reason they should be mentioned in a post or an article together is if Davey covers one of Eric's songs or copies one of his licks or maybe buys a ticket to go see Clapton.

I think they have a nice sound and some pretty good songs -- and a LOT of work in front of them. I also think its great that they are noticed already. But, I can't remember a thing that has been this over-hyped at this stage.

Keep in mind that very few of the newcomers to the Blues genre stay popular (except with the most hardcore fan) for very long.

If this guy was truly humble, you'd hear and read about him saying things like "we're fortunate to be here", "we've gotten some lucky breaks", "we shouldn't be compared to the legends, we've just gotten started", etc. Not quotes of him saying others (like Clapton) work was not good.

Him being young does explain some of it, but, he has a manager with him that is not young and could coach him up some.......that is unless the manager believes the press clippings too.

I wish them the best and will be interested to see where/what they are 5 years from now.

PC

I do hate it when fans draw comparisons with other artists. It fuels bad feelings against the writers and the respondants and also against the artists in question. We're all guilty of airing our opinions on here, basically because we feel strongly (positively or negatively) about something. Please let's quit this comparing one artist against another. Everyone is (hopefully) different. When someone has a microphone stuffed up their nose, quite often things are taken out of context - huh we all do that from time to time don't we.

I think Phil's last comment is the one I prefer to remember as a moderator's response!

...and would, to a large extent, obviate the need for internet forums.

With regard to the topic in general, I have not yet been able to see BDS live since they never come over my way, I've listened to some of their music and watched youtube clips. I like them, I think they have bags of potential, but possibly because I've not yet had the live experience, I'm not nearly as starry eyed about them as some here.

Take a look at the context of what I've said as well -- it begain with this statement;

"Even though he may be humble, those kinds of statements just add fuel to the fire for the already irrational fans that have annointed him (them) as the best thing since sliced bread.

That may be a bit less than completely questioning his humility -- and,

Then I said

"Most of my comments or thoughts aren't even directed at them, but rather the small number of fans that are going "Beatle-mania" over these guys."

I may have questioned his humility a tad in some other statements, but in the framework of the whole comment its certainly softened a bit.

Just like some read Davey's interview  and take it to mean he is criticizing Clapton's work -- someone that enjoys their (BDS) music will certainly see the interview (and everything else they do) with rose colored glasses. Keeping in mind that "fan" is short for "fanatic".

PC

First off, Phil, I don't see anything with rose colored glasses.....ever.  I'm way too old for that nonsense.  I see things in black and white.  I would have said the same thing, regardless of how I feel about BDS.  The comment about Clapton's vocals was taken out of context, period.  And I was simply putting in back in the context in which it was said.....and made a good argument as to how it was being misinterpreted.....

It's no secret that I think the band is pretty special, but I've never made any comparisons to Cream, or Clapton, or any other band or guitar player, for that matter.  I think that's just plain stupid, and I cringed when I read those comments a few months back.  All I've ever said was how I felt this band was gonna be huge.....as in, "gonna be".  I don't see that as being fanatical.  Personally, I see it as vision.....

I never mentioned you in my post.....I was addressing the general misplaced notion that Davy Knowles had somehow slammed Eric Clapton, and that somehow that was showing him to be less than the humble man that he is.  Vince questioned it, but at least was fair enough to mention the context that it was in. 

You picked it up and ran with it, saying "those kind of comments add fuel to the fire...etc., etc."  Who's adding fuel to what fire?  Davy, by pointing out that Eric Clapton bared his soul, or you, by taking what he said the wrong way?  He spoke of admiring the courage it took Clapton to record that album, warts and all, and you've somehow parsed that down to Davy Knowles making incendiary comments about Clapton's vocals in general.....

I realize you prefaced your post with "Even though he may be humble...", but there's an old saying....."Everything before "but" is bullsh*t..."  The credibility of your opening statement disappeared like a fart in a windstorm as soon as you got into what Davy SHOULD be saying.....

"If this guy was truly humble, you'd hear and read about him saying things like "we're fortunate to be here", "we've gotten some lucky breaks", "we shouldn't be compared to the legends, we've just gotten started", etc. Not quotes of him saying others (like Clapton) work was not good."

Obviously, you're not well acquainted with what these 3 kids have actually said, and said all along.  They fall all over themselves downplaying their talents, their fame, and their future.  They've said what you suggested there, in spades.....in no uncertain terms, and with 1000% conviction.  They're the epitome of humility, and anyone that has followed them in the least, knows that.  You can see it in them when you meet them.  They ooze humility.....

I realize that there's no accounting for taste.....but that doesn't excuse pulling a statement out of context and using it as a slap..... 

That seems like part of an agenda, at best.....and at worst, elitism.....

Intresting discussion ... I can agree with reasons of both "sides".

I think Phil is right by saying that these guys ARE hyped in a very early state of their carreer and I can just hope that this doesn´t spoil them or their music, which is a "straight-from-the-heart" kind of music to me that expresses real emotions - mixed with a very talented young band and a great songwriter. That´s the secret of BDS to me.

Then, Davy´s statement: I have to say that I agree with the statement (in the right context as Jim pointed out!) and that I think it´s rather courageous of Davy to say something like this (or he´s just inexperienced with interviews...). If every young Band spent their first 5 years saying stuff like that in interviews:

this would be pretty boring, don´t you think?!

I think CLAPTON is also over-hyped. He is good, but he´s not God - at least not to me. I always wonder why it was exactly him who got so successful outside the Blues community ... he has a great talent in songwriting and he´s an incredible guitarist to say the least, but I wouldn´t have to think about it for a second before I´d say that Joe is much better. But - what is this all about?! There is really room enough for quite a few of these bands and you can enjoy all of them without comparing them all the time ...

But if you decide to compare bands or guitarplayers, then I think one should be allowed to do that without all the "legend statuses" that make it complicated to say something sceptical ... and Davy´s comment wasn´t even sceptical when you put it in the right context.

Eva

well said.