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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Other Artists → The BDS-opinion thread
As both Phil and Vince said they´re willing to explain their points of view about Back Door Slam in another thread (another than the Davy Knowles Interview thread), I decided to post one. So here´s the place where you can say about BDS what you always wanted to say about them 
... I hope it will be an interesting discussion !
Eva
Avoid the comparisons and enjoy them for what they are, that's how I approach it. You know too many people expected a harmonic convergence to occur when BDS and Joe played the same bill in Dallas, but it never happened. Perhaps not setting yourself up for the unknown is the best mindset to avoid a letdown. If they come to your town go see them, it's been a good time each time I've seen them, but do yourself a favor and leave your expectations at the door and have a SLAMMIN' good time.
Think Blue,
J Dawg
I have kept my opinion to myself since seeing them recently in Dallas. Since Eva provided a place for my opinion here we go. They are so far ahead of the game for whatever reason. They have had a run of good luck. Much of it considered hype.
I was expecting a jaw dropping performance. I didn't experience that. I saw a decent young band with a very gifted guitar player that sings extremely well. I didn't meet them or get to talk to them so I judged them on the performance and not their personalities.
I saw a certain other trio in 2002. I saw in that band something describable as power, dynamics, electricity. It featured an amazing guitarist with powerful vocals with a somewhat limited range, but good enough to bridge the gaps between blistering guitar work. A power drummer and a rockin bass player who could match the guitarist note for note if needed. There is even a video documenting that performance and line up. I thought they would be huge.
BDS is not what i would call a power trio. They are a three piece band. They get a pass from me being too critical because of their age and the story of them being mates from a small island in Great Britain, and the style of music they play. They did sound a bit thin. I do however hope they got a chance to see Joe and take a few notes on how to play with dynamics, and power. If they do that they can build a following simply on their live shows. They have had an opportunity to play in front of some big audiences and the more they can impress with what is going on stage the less it will matter if there is any humility in their personalities. Being nice guys will help them keep their fans but it won't always win you fans.
I became a fan of that power trio i saw in 2002 because of what I saw on stage. I am still here today because how I feel about that guitar player not only his talent but his personality. I have stood behind him as necessary changes have been made. He has worked over the past 7 years improving his product. From his vocals to his over all presentation. I feel that Davy might need to make some of those changes for him to reach his full potential. If not personnel then the presentation of it.
I am a hard sell so I hope that doesn’t sound harsh it is just my opinion. There are many bands that don’t impress me that are wildly popular. I would go see them again if the return to my town. I just won’t go so far as to say they are the next big thing.
I think they have a future ahead of them. They are very very young. I see them as building to their future. They've got a ways to go. And time will tell if they have the heart and soul to get there. Joe's career has built over the years. We'll see if BDS is intent on the same.
I'd love to see their setlist change a little more... okay, a lot more. That's the only current issue I have with them. But again, they are young. And it takes time and experience and the heart and soul to reach a point like Govt Mule where you rarely play the same thing two nights in a row. Okay, I'm spoiled. Been going to too many shows with bands who aren't working toward a recording contract anymore!!!
My verdict is to give them time and space and a chance to get where they are headed. And enjoy the tunes in the meantime!!
My opinion of BDS has nothing to do with comparisons to any other artist. I rarely do that, unless I'm trying to describe the sound of an artist to someone, and can't find another way.
In this case my opinion has nothing to do with comparison.
Before I go further, I'll say that I've not participated in these discussions very much because when/if you have a dissenting viewpoint, someone jumps up and claims you have an agenda.........(you must, if you don't agree...right?) Being accused of having an agenda is not optimal for a moderator.
I've never had an agenda for anything, that I'm aware of, especially an agenda with or against a forum contributor or a band. (I've been accused of both within the last 90 days. Eventually one of the accusers apologized when realization sat in that it couldn't be further from the truth).
In these forums I've shared many "other artists" and learned about many "other artists". The vast majority of I've enjoyed, at least on some level.
With that preface, here goes:
I first heard of Back Door Slam right here on these forums. I can't remember who alerted me to them, as I scan hundreds of posts. Since there was a good review and recommendation they stuck in the back of my mind. As time progressed I read more and more on these forums about them, not every word or detail but again just positive stuff. There was a thread that was started suggesting Back Door Slam tunes; at that point I decided to give them a listen. I downloaded the 4 most recommended tunes and immediately gave them a listen. First impression was, sounded pretty good but nothing spectacular. I could tell from the vocals and guitar why they were popular with several people here on the forums.
As I played them a few more times, it became apparent that the music wasn't moving me the way it had moved others. Still nothing very special about it to me. I listened to the clips of the remainder of the CD and decided that the 4 tracks I already owned was plenty for me. I let someone on these very forums know how I felt about the music -- their response was disbelief and recommended that I see a live show for the full effect.
In my days on this planet I've seen many artists that have good or great recorded stuff, but their live show was world class. So I could easily see how seeing a killer live show of BDS might give me a better appreciation for them. I waited. The 4 tracks I downloaded went dormant as I had no desire to play them. The only times I heard them was when they popped up on random shuffle. I knew it was a matter of weeks before I'd get a chance to see the BDS live show and I could get a better feel. Shoot I even hoped it would excite me as much as some of you -- its fun when something hits you like that.
I saw the live show when they opened for Joe in Dallas @ HOB. That show did not do anything to change my mind or further my enthusiasm for this band. They basically took their places, played their set, then left. No fireworks were experienced by me. As I might have stated previously, somone standing next to me looked at me and shrugged and said "pretty good for a local band". That kind of took the thought right out of my head. The reason that I used the "rose colored glasses" analogy in another thread was because it seemed to me that the fans that arrived BDS fans thought their set and show was the most amazing thing they've ever witnessed. People that didn't know who they were prior to hearing were largely mixed in their opinion, not a mass winning over.
Davey played and sang pretty well. I didn't care for his guitar tone at all. Maybe thats a poor choice of words....what I mean is his tone had no texture to me. It all sounded the same for every lick, every riff, every song. No change. It almost fell on my ears like a drone type noise after a few songs. His vocals were very good and seem peculiar coming from a young man of his stature. Big, full, cool sounding blues/rock voice. I liked it a lot. The rythym section was basically just there. Because of that the whole set ran together for me. It seemed it could have been just one long song. They didn't have a lot of stage presence.
I mentioned my thoughts on them to a big fan of theirs, now I'm advised that if I just get to sit down and speak to them I'll like them better. Or if I get to hear a full show it will be better. I'll go ahead and allow that they are good guys and the longer show would be better. I appreciate and understand all of that. In the end my original feeling about the band remained unchanged; they do some good music but not great and I do understand why some people really like them.
When I compare some of the reviews, some of the ravings about this band to the CD and the live performance, in my opinion it just doesn't add up. Way too much hype for the product. I believe there are MANY other artists that are as good or better, but they just don't have the PR that these guys do.
Then, when I've formed my opinion, the over-zealous reviews and promotion of the band almost seem obnoxious because they are so way over the top.
After all that, I'm still glad that they have an enthusiastic and (hopefully) growing fan base. I'm very impressed with what they've accomplished at this young age. I agree with the viewpoint that it is very good to have some more young blood injected into blues & blues/rock, and their success will have a positive impact on the genre that I enjoy most. I also allow that this may be a time when I'm the 'one' that just doesn't get it. I'm at peace with that.
PC
Well I’m glad to see this conversation has moved on to discussions of Back Door Slam’s music rather than exchanges about a comment Davy Knowles made about one of his idols. Everyone is entitled to their views, some of which I disagree with, some of which I sympathise with. I guess there always would be a biteback against BDS on the forum as they have been receiving such good reviews. Maybe it is only balanced for others to give less than complementary comments. In my view though, publicity is a good thing and by providing these comments you are still keeping Back Door Slam’s profile high on this forum.
Phil, if I may, I’d like to address a couple of the comments in your third last paragraph. Firstly there is no PR as such, simply word of mouth that the guys are generating by their hard work touring. People working for BDS has not posted the great reviews here, these have come from members of this forum who have enjoyed the band’s performance. If BDs were not touring so much and not touring the USA you would hear far less about them.
You also state that you believe there are many other artists that are as good or better, in that case could you please create a new topic and bring these artists to our attention. This I address to you all:
Keith for one is great at introducing new bands, a few of us from the UK have done so too. Hopefully names such as Ryan McGarvey and Oli Brown are now being recognised by forum members. I’d urge all of you who do not feel that Back Door Slam are the best new talent to give examples of better young artists and I’d also suggest that as members the rest of us read and comment upon them. There is probably too much discussion of Back Door Slam here, but there is also too much about artists that are in my opinion past their prime. Surely this is not a forum of “classic rock purists”. Don't ignore posts on artists you have not heard of, check them out. Please can we all introduce more new talent to the forum, comment on others suggestions and that way we can have a more balanced other artists section that we have at the moment. 
Unless you are specifically looking for a Power Trio ,then having a rythym section that adequately backs the vocals and lead guitar should be quite sufficient when you have a strong vocalist and much better than average guitar work.What ever else someone might feel about that part of the band , that they do the job and dont detract from the overall is considerable more than what I often hear in other bands where im so often hearing bass lines that just arent suitable for the moment.
Perhaps rather than doing a critique of these guys thats approaching something out of the Inquisition as to why other people like Them , it might be more profitable to do the same in looking at what is lacking with the bands that Arent getting this same level of response from people.
pcornell wrote:.
Davey played and sang pretty well. I didn't care for his guitar tone at all. Maybe thats a poor choice of words....what I mean is his tone had no texture to me. It all sounded the same for every lick, every riff, every song. No change. It almost fell on my ears like a drone type noise after a few songs. His vocals were very good and seem peculiar coming from a young man of his stature. Big, full, cool sounding blues/rock voice. I liked it a lot. The rythym section was basically just there. Because of that the whole set ran together for me. It seemed it could have been just one long song. They didn't have a lot of stage presence.
PC
those are exactly the points I saw when watching the live youtube videos. Good vocals, decent guitar sound and an almost non existent rhythm section. I'm really diggin the dude's voice though...
You also state that you believe there are many other artists that are as good or better, in that case could you please create a new topic and bring these artists to our attention.
I, and many others, have been doing this for the past few years. Thanks.
If I introduce a band to Jim Moody for example, he checks it out and posts something about it here -- there is no reason for me to jump on that thread and post. They've been introduced; and this is still a forum that has another main purpose. Over the years I've done both -- direct introduction to this forum, or introduction to another person that has then posted on the forum about them. Not near as much recently, as my JB forum time has been mostly alloted to keeping the sanity in the form of moderation.
In fact, in light of that, I'll go back to sleep now.
PC
Greenose wrote:You also state that you believe there are many other artists that are as good or better, in that case could you please create a new topic and bring these artists to our attention.
I, and many others, have been doing this for the past few years. Thanks.
If I introduce a band to Jim Moody for example, he checks it out and posts something about it here -- there is no reason for me to jump on that thread and post. They've been introduced; and this is still a forum that has another main purpose. Over the years I've done both -- direct introduction to this forum, or introduction to another person that has then posted on the forum about them. Not near as much recently, as my JB forum time has been mostly alloted to keeping the sanity in the form of moderation.
In fact, in light of that, I'll go back to sleep now.
PC
I hope you get some good sleep Phil, you sound a little irritable, for no good reason I do add. I just feel that positive reviews of up and coming artists are far more enjoyable to read than criticisms. Why present a negative of BDS when you time could be better spent presenting a positive review of someone else?
Of course the forum has a greater purpose, the promotion of Joe Bonamassa and rightly so, but surely the other artists page should be used to convey information on, and promote artists of Joe’s age or younger in a positive way. As I said, I do have sympathy with some of the criticisms. Its is early days for BDS and I'm sure they will improve. I also do think there are too many BDS posts on this forum. To counter this I'd like some of the attention towards BDS switched to other promising artists.
I was not over impressed with BDS when I bought the cd. When I saw them live that's when I understood what all the talk was about. I rather enjoy them. I don't know if I would put them in the blues catagory as with the tours they've been opening on (Kid Rock/Skynyrd, Gov't Mule) it seems they are going for more of the rock crowd even though the blues-blues/rock crowd picked up on them first.
When I saw them in Naperville there were an awful lot of young ladies there to see them that I beleive had more to do with Davy's looks than them being "blues" fans.
They are good, but my preference has always been rock-blues to blues-rock if you know what I mean, and BDS ain't rock enough for my blues......
pcornell wrote:Greenose wrote:You also state that you believe there are many other artists that are as good or better, in that case could you please create a new topic and bring these artists to our attention.
I, and many others, have been doing this for the past few years. Thanks.
If I introduce a band to Jim Moody for example, he checks it out and posts something about it here -- there is no reason for me to jump on that thread and post. They've been introduced; and this is still a forum that has another main purpose. Over the years I've done both -- direct introduction to this forum, or introduction to another person that has then posted on the forum about them. Not near as much recently, as my JB forum time has been mostly alloted to keeping the sanity in the form of moderation.
In fact, in light of that, I'll go back to sleep now.
PC
I hope you get some good sleep Phil, you sound a little irritable, for no good reason I do add. I just feel that positive reviews of up and coming artists are far more enjoyable to read than criticisms. Why present a negative of BDS when you time could be better spent presenting a positive review of someone else?
Of course the forum has a greater purpose, the promotion of Joe Bonamassa and rightly so, but surely the other artists page should be used to convey information on, and promote artists of Joe’s age or younger in a positive way. As I said, I do have sympathy with some of the criticisms. Its is early days for BDS and I'm sure they will improve. I also do think there are too many BDS posts on this forum. To counter this I'd like some of the attention towards BDS switched to other promising artists.
Didn't Eva ask for Phil's opinion in the first place? There is a little room for a good exchange of opinions, just as long as things don't get out of line.
How bout them Phillies!!!!! LMAO Geez this place is getting a little tense..
sorry vince can't give you that one, yes i like the band and you don't but thats not why I took what you originally said they way i did. sure i may have misunderstood your intent but the words did mean something.
Its ok, there's a reason i didn't quote your original post, but i literally couldnt' stop laughing.
please forgive me and also maybe take another gander at what i have said previously before you think that I give a hoot if you don't like the band. and ask for clarification please if its not clear. i admit maybe I should have done the same with what you said.
how could the words mean something if you misunderstood what i said? that makes no sense in itself. If you misunderstood them then they wouldn't really mean what you thought they did in the first place now would they?
again if you don't care that I don't like the band...don't read the thread. This was started for us to discuss our point of views, not for me to worry or care about who may or may not agree with me. I just posted because I was originally asked to expand upon my thoughts in a prior post in another thread (along with Phil), so thats what I did.
I'd still like clarification on what Bob meant though.
Typically, the "Other Artists" section has been used to PROMOTE and/or INTRODUCE artists other than Joe, to the people who peruse this forum. (unless we're talking about JM...:P)
vinceesquire wrote:Donna wrote:Typically, the "Other Artists" section has been used to PROMOTE and/or INTRODUCE artists other than Joe, to the people who peruse this forum. (unless we're talking about JM...:P)
I'm probably going to aggravate A LOT of people here by sayin this...but i'm a huge JM fan! lol! I have my reasons but I guess this probably isn't the place to go into that! lol!
It seems to me Vince...You have been going a bit out of your way to aggravate people....It's not necessary to get your point across young fella...This really has nothing to do with JM or BDS anymore...it's about you now..
I think you could share your opinion without insulting the artist you are criticising and the people who post here...
If you know in advance something is going to irritate people, why post it in the first place?
Couldn't you just try to be nice and a little respectful of other peoples feelings?
Give it a try........Pete
hehe...
exactly why i stopped posting here for awhile. some of you people are too touchy. i haven't insulted anyone. you guys and girls have fun. i've got better things to do.
When did this board become a forum for trashing another band or musician?
I've watched two threads, each of multiple pages, become dumping grounds of bad-mouthing another band.....a band that Joe has said he supports, and who read this forum. And it ALL started with 3 words that were taken out of context.....
I don't give a damn if someone doesn't like BDS.....honest to God, I don't. There's no accounting for taste......I get that, and I'm fine with it.
But there's a difference between saying that the band just doesn't do it for you, and going through a litany of how the rhythm section sucks, the guitar is tinny and flat, he's below average and isn't as humble as he would appear, they don't deserve the attention, or that their manager is somehow clueless.....and the fans are irrational.
I thought one of the basic precepts of this forum in general, and the Other Artists page specifically, was about promoting music.....not tearing it down.
What was it that I said that needed clarification ?
Joe Bonamassa Forum → Other Artists → The BDS-opinion thread
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