However, there was just something missing from Friday’s premiere. But what it was, I just can’t put my finger on…
Maybe it was because a show searching for the next great American band is being hosted by a guy from New Zealand…
Maybe it was because they did the auditions in the 110 degree desert heat with the waiting contestants and their families on a boat (What was the point of that anyway?)…
Maybe it was because the “mean” judge, Ian “Dicko” Dickson wasn’t nearly as clever as Simon Cowell. Or because the “nice” judge, Sheila E.—though often misguided—was way more eloquent than Paula Abdul…Or maybe it was because the show just moved so fast. I’ve often complained that “Idol” spends way too much time with the rejects, so it’s surprising that I thought this show needed a few more just to spice it up a little. We did get some behind-the-scenes stuff, but I would’ve liked to have seen more from the boat. That had to be interesting…
Yet somehow at the end of the episode, I was on the verge of tears, moved by the story of Dayton, Ohio band, Northmont. The audition was the band’s last shot as one member decided it was time to quit and return to New Zealand to be with his family. Ward, the lead singer, was outstanding, but the rest of the band just didn’t measure up. The judges decided to give the band another chance and after a lot of yelling and practicing, they returned to the stage. But again, the band let Ward down. After telling Ward that he was one of the best lead singers in the competition and with other musicians he would be the frontrunner, Dicko voted no. Sheila voted yes, but John Rzeznik couldn’t let them pass. The band sadly got back on the bus.But while I was trying to compose myself, the show stepped on the gas again and with one simple sentence explaining that the judges looked at the bands again, they announced the 12 finalists that we will be voting on beginning next week.
I told you they moved fast. Fortunately, I had a tape in the VCR so I could tape the announcement since they’re not even listed on the show’s website.
So, here are the finalists and what I can tell you about them (which isn’t much)…
Tres Bien, a new wave band
Light of Doom, an amazingly talented heavy metal band made up of 12 and 13-year-olds that Dicko said no to (and John nearly said no to as well) because he didn’t think they could sell recordsDot Dot Dot
Cliff Wagner and the Old No. 7, a bluegrass band. When Dicko challenged them to do a more contemporary cover, they did “Like a Virgin.”
The Hatch, fronted by Sean, who Sheila was entranced by (In her defense, he is cute.)Franklin Bridge, an R & B band which Dicko said had set the bar
Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, a big band
The Clark Brothers, three brothers—Austin, Adam and Ashley—who got their start in tent revivals. They wowed the judges with a rock version of “This Little Light of Mine.”The Muggs, a rock trio, whose bass player plays bass on a keyboard after suffering a stroke
Sixwire, a great country band that was once signed to a major labelThe Likes of You
Rocket, a female rock band
One of the bands that were told they were going to the next round—and received a lot of camera time—the Zombie Bazooka Patrol did not make the final cut. I’m guessing the producers decided that a band dressed as zombies singing about the joys of being undead was not what they were looking for. They were good, though…
Now all 12 bands will perform on the show next week. At some point they will be expected to tackle different genres, but I don’t know when that will happen.
I’m willing to give this one another episode before I make a final decision, so come back next week for my reviews of the performances…
“The Next Great American Band” airs Friday with another two-hour episode at 8 p.m. on FOX…
