ROUND ONE: (4) The Clash vs (13) ZZ Top

[G. Keenan]

Forget this. I'm registering junk usernames to get the Clash to advance.

[clement]

I voted a long time ago, so nothing more I can do. The Clash might be a little over-rated (after all they were once called "the only band that matters") but hyperbole aside, they should still be head and shoulders (and even beards) above ZZTop. Nothing against ZZTop, I neither like them nor hate them... But the Clash were a great band. ZZTop were okay I guess, but I dont know many people who like that kind of music that would say that ZZTop is one of the best of their genre or era. The Clash are usually considered the most important and most influential band of the punk era (moreso than the Sex Pistols in my opinion, because the Pistols really only made one record). ZZTop are only considered the best of the big bearded bands.

[stretch]

I voted a long time ago, so nothing more I can do. The Clash might be a little over-rated (after all they were once called "the only band that matters") but hyperbole aside, they should still be head and shoulders (and even beards) above ZZTop. Nothing against ZZTop, I neither like them nor hate them... But the Clash were a great band. ZZTop were okay I guess, but I dont know many people who like that kind of music that would say that ZZTop is one of the best of their genre or era. The Clash are usually considered the most important and most influential band of the punk era (moreso than the Sex Pistols in my opinion, because the Pistols really only made one record). ZZTop are only considered the best of the big bearded bands.

That may all be true, but we are supposed to vote for the bands we like better.

Lock this thread!!!

[docellis]

I want to say mean things. I want to say mean things.

But I won't.

[Fat Strat]

Forget this. I'm registering junk usernames to get the Clash to advance.

That's totally cheating.

[clement]

I don't think this is mean, but this is sorta what I think...

I grew up in St. Louis and I can tell you that nobody played the Clash on the radio in St. Louis. I mean nobody. Sure, "Train in Vain" got a few plays on KADI (it was in Casey Kasem's Top 40 for goodness sakes), but I never once, not even once heard any other song, not London Calling, White Riot, Tommy Gun, I Fought the Law, Safe European Home, Police on my Back, or any of other early Clash material, up to and including Sandinista on commercial St. Louis radio. The only way and the only reason that I was buying the Clash records (and other similar bands) was because of doing research and reading on my own to find out what was going on in New York, London, and L.A. (among other places). I bought each of the Clash records without having ever heard a single track off any of them. All of my suburban friends who were listening to Rush, Van Halen, and Foghat thought I was a freak.

I know not everyone here is from St. Louis, but I don't think that most midwestern cities (and certainly other Missouri/Illinois cities) were much different (with the exception of Chicago). The Clash never even came to St. Louis. Neither did the Ramones. Neither did Devo. Not even Blondie, with all their #1 hits, ever came. Talking Heads came only once, before anyone even knew who they were. Because ticket sales were so bad, they had the record company come in and pay KSHE to sponsor the show and sell seats for $1.95.

By the time Combat Rock came out in 1982 (and with the help of MTV), they were still okay, but not nearly as inventive or interesting as their previous 4 albums. And that's when St. Louis radio started to give the Clash any airtime whatsoever.

So while the Clash are a much more acclaimed band in rock history, most people who grew up in St. Louis or similar places, just didn't really get a chance to grow up on that music. They grew up on the classic rock that KSHE (the biggest station of the sort) promoted.

Lastly, I would add this. While guitar is a very important element to rock music, so are lyrics. ZZTop sang about "legs" and girls going crazy for "sharped dressed men". The Clash sang about class struggle, disenfranchised youth, racial tensions, and a myriad of social issues. I still remember the first time I saw the Clash being interviewed on TV, Joe Strummer was asked what "punk rock" is about, and he said, "it ain't about playing the right chords for a start".

[stretch]

Lastly, I would add this. While guitar is a very important element to rock music, so are lyrics. ZZTop sang about "legs" and girls going crazy for "sharped dressed men". The Clash sang about class struggle, disenfranchised youth, racial tensions, and a myriad of social issues.".

I think you underestimate the importance of "Pearl Necklace"

[docellis]

the police and zz top are about as unlikely for me to listen to as any band.

i feel bitter.

i can't think of anything by either band i would spend money on.

edit, i keep having to delete my mean thoughts.

[Fat Strat]

I think that's a pretty good description of what's going on Clement. Not much that can be done about it. I couldn't name any Clash songs other than London Calling, and it's not good enough to inspire me to vote for them.

ZZ Top got huge play and airtime, and they had catchy tunes, upbeat music, with great guitar work.

In a competition about what band you like better, the ZZ Top style bands are going to come out ahead of bands like the Clash for the same reasons that they got more airtime back in the day.

It's not that I enjoy listen to ZZ Top that much, but I do know their music, respect their history (and guitarist) and following, and listened to their songs on MTV while growing up. Hard to top that. I don't and won't own a ZZ Top CD.

Well, that's not true. I would buy one to learn his unique guitar style, but that's not why most people buy CD's. I would buy it for research and learning, not to just pop in and listen to.

[thrill]

Seriously, if there is any suspected tampering for either band I will kill this thread and give their next round opponent a bye.