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What we're looking for!
We've gotten some questions regarding why we play what we play, how we pick songs, etc.. I'd like to take some time to give everyone a more clear idea of what we're looking for.
1. Originality -- This one's first and foremost. The simplest way I can put it is that if it REMINDS us of something, that's good... but if it SOUNDS LIKE something, that's NOT so good. It's cool to hear the influences in a band's sound, but if they sound exactly like another band, say Metallica for instance, then it's not very original is it? Here's what I mean -- when I listen to, say, Fuzztub, I can HEAR the influence of bands like Black Sabbath, Corrosion of Conformity, etc., but they SOUND like Fuzztub. Get my drift?
While I'm on the topic, let's discuss 'cover bands.' If you're in a cover band, that's cool. But we're interested in bands that are primarily playing their OWN music, and writing their own songs, because the purpose of the show is to showcase the fantastic scope of original music from Northeast Ohio and Western Pa., and hopefully bring it to a wider audience while also getting people out to see these bands 'live'. If you're a cover band that's working on or has a few originals, that's great, we encourage that. But you're still a cover band. Keep working, get that set list to include mostly originals, and you'll have a MUCH better chance of making the cut! Also, we prefer to play bands that are currently playing live shows. Our only exception is if we play tracks from old Y-town bands that were big 'back in the day.' We do that in order to provide some historical perspective on the Y-town scene. Yes, there is a method to our madness.
2. Musicianship -- Please, make sure your band is tight. We've gotten a couple of submissions that sounded like a bunch of crack-addled chimpanzees that got loose in New York Music. Just because your Mom says it sounds good, or your girlfriend thinks you're the greatest band since Led Zeppelin, doesn't make it so. JT, Pete and I all listen to the submissions and collaborate on what gets played on the show, we're each involved in different aspects of the music business, and we like to think we know what we're doing. Also, be ready to accept constructive criticism. We're willing to help you improve your band, but YOU have to be willing to listen. We WANT your band to get better. 3. Recording quality -- This is a BIG one. We are looking for a high quality of recording, because frankly, nothing sounds worse on the radio than a BAD RECORDING. You could be the best band on the planet, but if the recording sucks, it'll sound worse on the radio. Trust me on this. And no, I'm not saying this just so you'll go to Ampreon. Would we like you too record at Ampreon? Obviously, they're a major sponsor. But do you have to? No! We've played plenty of bands that record exclusively at other local studios, some that work out of town, and some that have done really good work at small 'basement' or 'home' studios. 4. Style -- We try to play as wide a scope of styles as we can -- we've touched on mainstream rock, guitar rock, punk, metal, hardcore, funk, pop, alt-country -- hell, we'll even consider Hip-Hop if it's good stuff. As long as the music adheres to the above, it'll get consideration! 5. Patience -- If you submit something and you don't hear it on the show right away, that doesn't mean we didn't like it or that we won't be playing it. JT, Pete and I try to work the playlists out in advance -- we've only got an hour on the air, so we can't spend the show arguing about what's going on this week. We've usually got that worked out WELL before we go on the air on Sunday, so if we get a CD late in the week, it may not get on that Sunday's show.
I hope that clears some things up. Again, thanks to ALL for your continued support of the show and the Youngstown scene! |
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