Rock used to be badass. Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aerosmith... they, along with many other classic bands, were pumping out the best rock music ever between 1968-1980.
After the classic rock bands were done, we were treated with bands like Van Halen (the Roth years) and Guns 'n Roses which kept rock music alive. The genre survived another era with groups like Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains to keep to good times rolling.
Today, I can think of very few bands that still fit the definition of "badass rock." Audioslave comes to mind, with songs like Show Me How to Live and Cochise blasting the same attitude as we used to take for granted. Velvet Revolver's 'Slither' also brings me back, with its awesome riff and amazing solo.
The problem is this. Both Audioslave and Velvet Revolver aren't technically new. Chris Cornell, formerly of badass Soundgarden, sings with former Rage musicians playing. Scott Weiland, formerly of badass STP, sings for former GnR musicians playing.
Where are the new badasses? When Weiland shoots up a bit too much and is found 2 weeks later in his apartment, rotting, and Cornell turns wuss after having a few kids, who are we to rely on?
Nickelback, Simple Plan, Incubus, Hoobastank, Staind, Jet, LINKIN PARK?! The only ones with potential I can think of are Incubus and White Stripes (7 nation's solo is badass, Incubus would be better if not overplayed).
After the classic rock bands were done, we were treated with bands like Van Halen (the Roth years) and Guns 'n Roses which kept rock music alive. The genre survived another era with groups like Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains to keep to good times rolling.
Today, I can think of very few bands that still fit the definition of "badass rock." Audioslave comes to mind, with songs like Show Me How to Live and Cochise blasting the same attitude as we used to take for granted. Velvet Revolver's 'Slither' also brings me back, with its awesome riff and amazing solo.
The problem is this. Both Audioslave and Velvet Revolver aren't technically new. Chris Cornell, formerly of badass Soundgarden, sings with former Rage musicians playing. Scott Weiland, formerly of badass STP, sings for former GnR musicians playing.
Where are the new badasses? When Weiland shoots up a bit too much and is found 2 weeks later in his apartment, rotting, and Cornell turns wuss after having a few kids, who are we to rely on?
Nickelback, Simple Plan, Incubus, Hoobastank, Staind, Jet, LINKIN PARK?! The only ones with potential I can think of are Incubus and White Stripes (7 nation's solo is badass, Incubus would be better if not overplayed).
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