Huntington News

Issue date: 9/27/06 Section: The Inside

Rock music is supposed to be about passion. It's built on the premise of "sticking it to the man." And unlike the hits played on Top 40 radio, it's about the creation of raw intensity and brutal honesty - not about the creation of revenue.

The recent influx of competition-meets-reality shows that aim to "create" rock stars - rock reality, if you will - is killing the spirit of rock 'n' roll. It's just not right, and it's contradictory to what rock music is all about.

"Rock Star: INXS," a CBS reality show that aired last summer, was among the first of this new breed of television shows. Its objective was to find a new lead singer for INXS, an Australian band whose original singer, Michael Hutchence, committed suicide in 1997.

Some fans were critical of this ploy for publicity - two Australian radio DJs went as far as to call the show "broadband urination on Michael Hutchence's grave."

Nonetheless, the concept did well enough to be brought back for a second season. On the recently wrapped "Rock Star: Supernova," instead of replacing one member of an already established band, the show created a new group altogether made up of former Guns 'N Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke, former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted and Motley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee. Basically, a bunch of over-the-hill musicians trying to make something of their former successes.

"Rock Star: Supernova" kicks off every week with a theme song asking the audience, "Are you ready for a new sensation?" (This song is by INXS, in case you're still trying to figure out who they are.)

Well, sure, I'm always up for a new sensation, but just how is this show going to give it to me?

They couldn't even come up with an original name. Yes, that's right - the Supernova moniker was ripped off from an early 90s punk band, best known for contributing the song "Chewbacca" to one of my favorite cult classics, "Clerks."

The original Supernova filed suit in late June, the day before the finale of "Rock Star: Supernova" aired. It's doubtful the show's producers predicted this turn of events, and a good belly laugh was had by all. Let's hear it for the little guy.

To save face on the show's Sept. 13 season finale, host Brooke Burke referred to Supernova as simply "the band" or "the guys."

And last week, Supernova announced they would be touring as "Rock Star Supernova." No colon. No creativity.

What successful band in history has been put together in a few weeks on national television? O-Town doesn't count, people.

Continued...

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