James Durbin on American Idol

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Just watched it on YT...gawd that was stupid. I wanted to punch that kid...out of key and his scream was like nails on a chalkboard. Like all he has to do to be Metal is wear a biker hat and scream...so fake.

Agreed. He managed to look gayer than Halford. That was pointless.

He did look "happier" than Halford.........

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Just watched it on YT...gawd that was stupid. I wanted to punch that kid...out of key and his scream was like nails on a chalkboard. Like all he has to do to be Metal is wear a biker hat and scream...so fake.

THANK YOU. I've been saying that to my co-workers all morning, they all seemed to think it was such an awesome performance and I'm like "Gimme a @#$%ing break, that squeaky punk isn't worthy to carry Halford's jock strap"

MetalGuy71 wrote:

He managed to look gayer than Halford.

Fat Freddy wrote:

that squeaky punk isn't worthy to carry Halford's jock strap"

But probably would, just the same...

You guys are being way too hard on him.He done just fine I think.At least he's into metal and not some pop or country crap.He's got a killer voice.He'll get there just give him some time.

Durbin has a great voice, but it's not as versatile as some think. It doesn't fit a style like Judas Priest, if you ask me, which is why—coupled with the godawful guitar tone on show's like Idol—it didn't sound amazing.

Well, the problem as I see it, is that I could never see myself buying or otherwise supporting an American Idol contestant, rock, pop, country or otherwise.

It's like taking a short-cut to celebrity and I can't respect a performer like that. And even if he's going the hard rock/heavy metal route, it's going to be the corporate version of what they think "heavy metal" is. Just seeing the way he was dressed last night proved that. Hire a bunch of hit writers and producers to put out a over-produced, auto-tuned modern rock record, get a famous guitarist to lay down a solo or 2 to lend him some street cred and *boom*, you've got the last Ozzy album some disposable product to promote the next season of American Idol.

I'm not trying to sound all troo kvlt metal, but there are plenty of other singers and bands that are doing it the old school way and I respect that.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Well, the problem as I see it, is that I could never see myself buying or otherwise supporting an American Idol contestant, rock, pop, country or otherwise.

It's like taking a short-cut to celebrity and I can't respect a performer like that. And even if he's going the hard rock/heavy metal route, it's going to be the corporate version of what they think "heavy metal" is. Just seeing the way he was dressed last night proved that. Hire a bunch of hit writers and producers to put out a over-produced, auto-tuned modern rock record, get a famous guitarist to lay down a solo or 2 to lend him some street cred and *boom*, you've got the last Ozzy album some disposable product to promote the next season of American Idol.

I'm not trying to sound all troo kvlt metal, but there are plenty of other singers and bands that are doing it the old school way and I respect that.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Well, the problem as I see it, is that I could never see myself buying or otherwise supporting an American Idol contestant, rock, pop, country or otherwise.

It's like taking a short-cut to celebrity and I can't respect a performer like that. And even if he's going the hard rock/heavy metal route, it's going to be the corporate version of what they think "heavy metal" is. Just seeing the way he was dressed last night proved that. Hire a bunch of hit writers and producers to put out a over-produced, auto-tuned modern rock record, get a famous guitarist to lay down a solo or 2 to lend him some street cred and *boom*, you've got the last Ozzy album some disposable product to promote the next season of American Idol.

I'm not trying to sound all troo kvlt metal, but there are plenty of other singers and bands that are doing it the old school way and I respect that.

Understood, but some of these people who are on this show have actually tried it the hard way. I know Chris Daughtry was doing it for like 10 years before Idol, having put out a couple albums and all that. Same with Bo Bice.

As for any album Durbin will put out, it'll be manufactured pop. Just like Bo Bice's first album. But have you heard Bice's albums after that first one? Surprisingly good. No corporate songwriters aiming for radio hits, just an Idol throwaway doing his own thing.

I still think this is the coolest thing I've ever seen on Idol:

I agree with both MG and exact, now James has not paid his dues like Daughtry (who I do not like) and Bo Bice (who I still think is a great artist who is underlooked). Bo Bice's first album was not bad but it followed the cookie cutter formula that other bands where doing at the time, when he was finally let go from his contract, he then played music that had nothing to do with your Matchbox 20's etc, of course his sales have plummeted.

I think James is very talented and has a hell of a range, I will give him a pass for yesterday's performance, I man the kid was performing with JUDAS "F**CKING" PRIEST!!!!!!!!!!!!


But MG has a point his lack of experience, and James is not a seasoned performer, he did not do any woodshedding in clubs or played to 2 paying customers, and IMO that kind of experince cements you as a performer, so yes he did job way ahead of most musicians.

One day I was watching the show with my 17 year old daughter, and she pointed out why Steven Tyler does not hammer the contestants when they give a terrible performance, I told her Tyler did not want to crush their dreams and that Tyler worked real hard to get where he is at, and then she asked me, shouldn't they also be made to pay their dues? She is MG's camp in her opinion in regards to this show.

Yeah, I remember when Bo Bice did that Badlands song on "Idol" - that was definitely out of the blue. I remember overhearing Seacrest introducing him (I think I was in the kitchen at the time) and when he said "Here he is, performing In a Dream by Badlands...) I stuck my head into the room and sez to my wife "Did he say Badlands? No sh*t? Wow." Haha.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Just watched it on YT...gawd that was stupid. I wanted to punch that kid...out of key and his scream was like nails on a chalkboard. Like all he has to do to be Metal is wear a biker hat and scream...so fake.

Agreed. He managed to look gayer than Halford. That was pointless.

Yeah, Durbin was fruity. It was way too contrived with "the hat" and dramatic. His goofy scream in the beginning was weird and out of place too...

Fat Freddy wrote:

Yeah, I remember when Bo Bice did that Badlands song on "Idol" - that was definitely out of the blue. I remember overhearing Seacrest introducing him (I think I was in the kitchen at the time) and when he said "Here he is, performing In a Dream by Badlands...) I stuck my head into the room and sez to my wife "Did he say Badlands? No sh*t? Wow." Haha.

I knew he was the real deal when he did that tune! He also did some Southern Rock super group thing(Brothers of the Southland) that I still don't know got officially released.

Chris Daughtry tried the Christian Rock route prior to Idol...he played Christian clubs and churches and stuff.

Bo Bice is a good singer.

This James kid just seemed so, so fake and "put together"...that scream he kept falling back on is annoying.

The irony of having those super huge names associated with Idol, Bono, Tyler, Halford, etc is that we all know that there is NO WAY any of those guys would have even made it to the competition rounds of this show...it's such pandering bull$h!+.

Carrie Underwood is still the best thing to come out of the "American Idol" factory in my book. Such a great set of.... lungs.





*SIGH*

...have I mentioned lately that I'm extremely shallow?

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Chris Daughtry tried the Christian Rock route prior to Idol...he played Christian clubs and churches and stuff.

Bo Bice is a good singer.

This James kid just seemed so, so fake and "put together"...that scream he kept falling back on is annoying.

The irony of having those super huge names associated with Idol, Bono, Tyler, Halford, etc is that we all know that there is NO WAY any of those guys would have even made it to the competition rounds of this show...it's such pandering bull$h!+.

That is true Shawn, neither would have some of my other heroes Bon Scott, Jim Morrison, Bruce Dickinson, and list goes on and on and on...

We talk about this at work. Most rock vocalists wouldn't make it on AI. About the only ones I can think of that would are Freddie Mercury (with his versatility, he'd win), Paul Rodgers, DC Cooper or David Readman.

Neil Young anyone?????? Definitely not a good singer, but a damn good songwriter who wouldn't have made it through the local auditions.

Fat Freddy wrote:

Carrie Underwood is still the best thing to come out of the "American Idol" factory in my book. Such a great set of.... lungs.





*SIGH*

...have I mentioned lately that I'm extremely shallow?

I wouldn't mind her under my wood.

God do we like to bash an artist trying to promote a music genre that america see's as evil and has no place to be heard by the most of the general public.

Give him credit for allowing Idol the chance to get metal out to the masses.
I would think most metalheads here would love to see our genre get more airplay or would you have your kids hip hip, cunrty, or rap crap.

I mean he had Zakk & Judas Priest on Idol did those other aforementioned artist before James have anyone like them on the show?

Now keep bashing if it makes you feel good!

Wargod52

Wargod48 wrote:

God do we like to bash an artist trying to promote a music genre that america see's as evil and has no place to be heard by the most of the general public.

Give him credit for allowing Idol the chance to get metal out to the masses.
I would think most metalheads here would love to see our genre get more airplay or would you have your kids hip hip, cunrty, or rap crap.

I mean he had Zakk & Judas Priest on Idol did those other aforementioned artist before James have anyone like them on the show?

Now keep bashing if it makes you feel good!

Wargod52

I'm not bashing. While I agree James got "screechy" at times, I like that he brought "metal" to the show and I have no doubt that he'll end up in some metal band somewhere. With a little more restraint, I think the guy could be a great metal vocalist.

tohostudios wrote:

Wargod48 wrote:

God do we like to bash an artist trying to promote a music genre that america see's as evil and has no place to be heard by the most of the general public.

Give him credit for allowing Idol the chance to get metal out to the masses.
I would think most metalheads here would love to see our genre get more airplay or would you have your kids hip hip, cunrty, or rap crap.

I mean he had Zakk & Judas Priest on Idol did those other aforementioned artist before James have anyone like them on the show?

Now keep bashing if it makes you feel good!

Wargod52

I'm not bashing. While I agree James got "screechy" at times, I like that he brought "metal" to the show and I have no doubt that he'll end up in some metal band somewhere. With a little more restraint, I think the guy could be a great metal vocalist.

He needs to spend some time with a vocal coach, one that can teach him some control. Sometimes it gets away from him, especially in the quieter moments where it seemed like he would struggle holding back the power, you know.

Eyesore wrote:

tohostudios wrote:

Wargod48 wrote:

God do we like to bash an artist trying to promote a music genre that america see's as evil and has no place to be heard by the most of the general public.

Give him credit for allowing Idol the chance to get metal out to the masses.
I would think most metalheads here would love to see our genre get more airplay or would you have your kids hip hip, cunrty, or rap crap.

I mean he had Zakk & Judas Priest on Idol did those other aforementioned artist before James have anyone like them on the show?

Now keep bashing if it makes you feel good!

Wargod52

I'm not bashing. While I agree James got "screechy" at times, I like that he brought "metal" to the show and I have no doubt that he'll end up in some metal band somewhere. With a little more restraint, I think the guy could be a great metal vocalist.

He needs to spend some time with a vocal coach, one that can teach him some control. Sometimes it gets away from him, especially in the quieter moments where it seemed like he would struggle holding back the power, you know.

Exactly. I see the potential but he needs some coaching.