Most stupid feedback from a professional jury...

DriesG · #1 10-03-2011, 05:26 AM

Hey, i'd like to share this, because it's just so absurd...

With my mathcore-jazzmetal band ShtGn ("shotgun"), we tried to enter a band competition. We were rejected for the competition and asked for some feedback from the jury. We got this response:

jury: "The rhythm is so strange. There seems to be no melody. We don't think it can be played live."
our reply: "So, didn't you guys watch the videos from our latest gig?"
jury: "euhhhmm, no..."

(if you're interested in mathmetaljazzcore... the videos are on: ShtGnChannel's Channel - YouTube)

mantrabass · #2 10-03-2011, 06:44 AM

That's hilarious. The difficult part of being in an experimental genre like your own, is that unfortunate consequence of not being able to participate in certain things like that. Specifically because of those 4 on the floor rock n' roll judges who don't understand there are alternative ways to write songs...

Low Sound Love · #3 10-03-2011, 06:54 AM

got any shows soon in Ghent?

Jeff K · #4 10-03-2011, 07:26 AM

Maybe it was the NAME of your band they didn't like. Perhaps they thought the missing first letter was an "i" instead of an "o", and didn't take the time to move past that perception.

By the way - beautiful bass, and nice playing!

punkinfantry · #5 10-03-2011, 07:51 AM

Impressive musicianship! I'd buy your record!

GhostKey · #6 10-03-2011, 08:03 AM

My 15-Year-Old friend's Progressive Band was turned down for similar reasons. I actually heard one judge say to him when he asked for feedback:
"Too complex. Strip it down to three or four chords, a more forward structure and you'll have a decent song."

On the other hand, your band is so sick! I love your bass playing, it's very beautiful without detracting from the song.

pklima · #7 10-03-2011, 08:10 AM

I played at one of those competition things with a band I had freshly joined. I didn't know it was a competition till I got there (they told me they're playing a concert), I sorta learned one of the songs a little bit before we went on stage, and then was surprised that it had a bridge and stuff. On the other songs, I just asked what key we were in and played that note throughout the whole song. The jury was an art-pop singer, a jazz cajon player, and a guitarist with a cultural studies degree. WE WON. So, it cuts both ways.

BassChuck · #8 10-03-2011, 08:40 AM

Expect this is you go to a competition with material that the judges don't understand.

Matthijs · #9 10-03-2011, 09:00 AM

My first impulse was to tell you complexity in itself isn't a virtue for music. And I do think complexity is way to often used to cover the abilty to do simple things good. I have to say though I found this interesting, also because it fits the complexity of the overall theme. Wouldn't it have been nice to fit just al little bit of German in there too ?

agreatheight · #10 10-03-2011, 09:04 AM

The problem with asking for feedback is you are gonna get it.

skychief · #11 10-03-2011, 12:52 PM

Love the vibes plyr... somewhat reminiscent of old Frank Zappa & MOI sounds. You guys are good.

ironrat · #12 10-03-2011, 06:13 PM

D@@@@@@@@@@@@M! Nice song!

To the Hades with the jury!

runmikeyrun · #13 10-03-2011, 06:30 PM

I played in a math metal band for years. All the shows we played the other bands loved us, but no one in the audience understood it. We sold all our merch to other bands or people who played instruments. Most people just don't "get" the off time rhythms and crazy changes, especially if they are used to straight up 4/4 stuff or "simple" music that's not very complicated- you know, verse chorus verse solo chorus type songs. don't take offense- instead, do what we did- seek out labels, bands, promoters, and clubs who specialize in your kind of music. They are out there- spend a couple days with google, facebook, and myspace. When you're among friends you're likely to get a much better response.

theretheyare · #14 10-03-2011, 06:46 PM

Smallmindedness is of all levels and ages and that will never change. I've heard some amazingly dumb sh*t fly out of self-professed "professionals" mouth...That band of yours is dope. All you need is to find a few people who like what you do and make them happy. Find a scene that likes what you do. Make a record, push it, make another one, push it, and another one. It works.

DriesG · #15 10-04-2011, 01:42 AM

Nice comments on the band guys! Thx

Some thoughts about "complex" music: we didn't start this band to make "complex music". We just play the music the guys come up with during rehearsals. It's our sound, our music and we like it a lot. We played a gig for 2000-3000 people. Most of them didn't knew anything about the band, but they loved it! Not all people want to hear music that's been played and written 1000 times before...

I'd love to see more bands working (or trying to work) in this manner: not compromising the creative process which results in some kind of unique thing: your own music. Be proud of it!
euhmmm...

lol

@Jeff K: "Shitgun" is actually the title of our first EP and one of our songs.

@Low Sound Love: not in the near future. you can find us on facebook to keep up with upcoming gigs (https://www.facebook.com/shotgungunshot)

pklima · #16 10-04-2011, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runmikeyrun

I played in a math metal band for years. All the shows we played the other bands loved us, but no one in the audience understood it. We sold all our merch to other bands or people who played instruments.

That sounds like a bizarre nightmare to me, hahaha. But to each his own.

ZubenElGenubi · #17 10-04-2011, 10:08 AM

You now know not to enter any band competitions.

I liked *watching* your videos, but frankly could not listen to your music. It's not like straight-ahead jazz where there is a melody and/or chord progression and then improvisations over that. Maybe the audio mix was bad; I just couldn't get a feel for any melody or structure.

But, I bet your band is awesome to see live.

So, there. Another unsolicited review that you can now promptly ignore!

pudgychef · #18 10-04-2011, 10:37 AM

makes sense that this type of music wouldn't fly in a 'band contest' they are intended for the masses - it would be like expecting a beauty pageant to select a 5 ft 2 girl with 'unique features' - she could very well be the best gal there - and atttractive as all get out - but the 5 ft 11 slim blonde with 34 Cs is going to win 99 times out of 100 - even though we have all seen her before....

similarly I am sure David Lynch doesn't hold his breath when nominations for picture of the year come out anymore....

maxgrant · #19 10-04-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriesG

"We don't think it can be played live."

I would have responded that maybe the real problem was a total lack of imagination on the part of the jury, and then I would have told them where they could stick their competition.

You really can't to "battle of the bands" type competitions if you have even an ounce of creativity in you. It is always going to come down to who can do the most pitch-perfect copy of What's Super Popular Right Now.

Screw 'em. Do your own thing with heart and soul.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriesG

We played a gig for 2000-3000 people.

And there you go. If you can get a gig at that scale, you do not need some stupid battle of the bands to validate what you're doing.

K73 · #20 10-04-2011, 11:28 AM

Well I dug it.