Comments on: Tropical Heatwave: New World and Orpheum

By: Matt O'Neder

Matt O'Neder — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:24:12 +0000

Wait a second there, Mr. Anonymous… You write as if you are the official Sheaks biographer and were ready to raize all of Fantasia and put heads on pig poles because we were called post-rock, but now you say you were bored and enjoyed other bands more than us?? NO…NO I SAYS! You have betrayed the Sheaks with this most unkindest cut of all, and it will not stand… This aggression will not stand, man! I demand satisfaction! Pistols at dawn! Or actually 2pm…I like to sleep in…maybe 3pm if Judge Judy is on…maybe longer if something on CMT is good….but once their Dukes of Hazzard marathon is over, you shall kiss the silver fangs of justice, sir!

By: anonymous

anonymous — Tue, 19 May 2009 02:51:52 +0000

I apologize to all for my bout of mental masturbation surrounding a relatively small point. It did bother me, but I’d like to apologize to BTreoch if my arguements were too personal…It was just a brief wave of mental angst/boredom…

I should also say that I thoroughly enjoyed ALL of the bands I saw at New World on Saturday night. Some even more than The Sheaks. Peace.

By: Broseph

Broseph — Tue, 19 May 2009 02:10:55 +0000

Autonomous (misspelling), get a blog or get a life.

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 19 May 2009 01:59:05 +0000

I agree with the raccoon swallower.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:17:46 +0000

haha! awesome.

By: Matt Sheiks

Matt Sheiks — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:38:29 +0000

Yeah…Roppongi’s Ace rocked it…their set was seriously one of my favorite parts of the day… Great songs and tremendous voice on their singer… They rocked so hard Rollie Fingers and Harry Reams were immediately placed in FBI protection… Rocked so hard I forged a ’stache from gorilla glue and the pubes of a nearby homeless guy…and it melted on impact… In fact, they rocked so hard I suddenly grew a uterus, gave birth to Tom Selleck, and HIS ’stache melted on impact too! You get the point…but yeah, they seriously did rock it…

By: Joran Slane

Joran Slane — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:30:26 +0000

I want to see Matt swallow that raccoon!

By: anonymous

anonymous — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:29:37 +0000

roppongi’s ace rocked my face off. if i had a mustache, it would have caught on fire.

in fact, their rock made me grow a stache over night.

By: Matt O' the Sheaks

Matt O' the Sheaks — Mon, 18 May 2009 07:41:28 +0000

I actually thought we are pre-post-post-pre rock…or is it post-pre-post-pre rock? I can never remember…

By: anonymous

anonymous — Mon, 18 May 2009 04:46:41 +0000

While I’m not the type to quibble about sub genres either, The Sheaks simply aren’t post rock. If you wikipedia the term “post rock” you will find many bands listed- as you stated- that are not just instrumental/experimental bands, however there is a certain connotation that is implied. The “balls” of The Sheaks is far more punk or garage rock based. I’m not really sure if there’s any argument there.

And sure, we all know that words can’t describe exactly how music makes us feel, it’s more or less a rock critics job to do so. Otherwise, what’s the point or writing for this blog at all.

Besides, the point that I was making was not one of semantics, but of appropriate and responsible critical writing. Especially when it comes to relatively new bands that the general public has not been able to form their own opinion on. In cases such as these it is especially imperative that a writer to be as fair and open as possible. Let’s use an example…

Say that I’m someone whose opinion you hold in high respect and I start slandering someone else. Now this person, just like all people, has strengths and faults, but because of my words you have a pre-judgment of who they are. Now lets also suppose that I met this person in brief passing, but made my assessments based on questionable evidence. Is it fair to that third party that I’m slandering them? Or should you be allowed to make your own judgment?

If someone had never heard The Sheaks before they read your blog would be able to ascertain a few things- 1) they’re solid (ie. well rehearsed), 2) they’re unmemorable (ie. not worth your time) and 3) they’re post rock (ie. they are experimental band and take a non-traditional approach to rock music). Aside from the first descriptor, this is a complete mis-characterization. That’s my point. Whether it’s with a few words, a blog or cover article it’s important that we describe things as they are. What’s the point of journalism or any form of communication if it’s mis-leading and/or untrue?

I know it was not your intention to due so, but in this case I think you did.