Rock and Roll ain't Noise Pollution (unless if you're under 30)

In the 2000's, the inevitability is less importance placed on talent and far more emphasis on what draws crowds, where the downtown club crawl is concerned. However, at one club called Snitch on 21st street between 5th and 6th Avenues in Manhattan, there is a tragic irony in what exactly pulls in the revellers. The club was originally opened by the members of the all-star alternative quartet Velvet Revolver (Scott Weiland, Duff McCagan, and Slash) as a "Rock and Roll Sports Bar". The concept may not be too far-fetched, thanks to some kids that dropped out of schools and dropped into the club on December 26th, the day after Christmas.

David Peel, an underpreciated member of the extended rock and roll family, joined his beloved Lower East Side for a gig that same night. The man has been a long-term associate of some of the most legendary artists in music history (Bach included). The greatest, of course, being John Lennon. However,Peel, like Christ before him, would prefer to associate with the meek and lowly, particularly that of Union Square Park(the only reason I know him in the first place). Earlier in the day I met up with his friend Bobby, who plays with Peel's band and asked me to lend him my guitar for the night. We saw David who was initially complaining that the club was going to take his money and cancel the show on him. At first I wondered why that would even be considered for a man of his means.

When we got to Snitch's, the scene was low-key. Another band was playing a set and as David waited to set up, there were few present. I expected this to be typical of opening acts. Yet at 11:00, David was all set to perform in front of a crowd of 10. Many of the congregants were gathered at the bar. Dave nonetheless played a litany of his favorites, from "Die Yuppie Scum" to a song he recently wrote about the closing of CBGB's. He rocked despite the unfavorable odds. At 11:31, the band took down, and the crowd still didn't live up to its venue. Until around 11:45.

Swarms of fresh-faced youth darted upon the scene, doubtfully over 21, but who cares? The majority were on break for the holidays, and needed to relieve their parents for a while. Judging by the size of the crowd, it had appeared to be the second coming of Nirvana. Hardly. There was a DJ present, and the first song was by 50 cent. Whether or not I remember which song it was is pointless. The fact of the matter is, a legendary performer had just been upstaged by a faceless digital turntable.

I am no doubt aware that Rock and Roll in this day and age is obsolete, and I shouldn't be surprised at the matter. Yet I cannot but reflect on how this is just a prime example of how the Fashion Industrial Complex has seeked to supress good Rock, the Rock that had challenged an entire generation into rethinking the dominant culture, and replace it with garbage that clearly has nothing to stand on but two dancing feet and platform boots. The Rock of 2007 is pure garbage, and anyone who tries to make a difference in the scenery is ignored. Hence, they attract kids to the club scene where they don't even have to think for themselves. This is all for the purpose of dumbing down the youth and distracting them from participating in anything worthwhile. Rockers are clearly the older generation. The youth are rebelling, or rather backlashing against their parents by becoming robots.