SwingOrama Forum

SwingOrama Forum: Lindy Hop: AMC Tribute to Duke

By Swiveler on Friday, April 30, 1999 - 10:41 am: Edit

***warning the following post is not positive***

Okay, I watched in morbid facination as the Cherry Poopin Daddies played song after song. To be sure, the Duke was rolling in his grave.

*The Music: Insipid, uninspiring, repetitive... The guitar was to over-powering, Steve's voice lacked musicality and I think they added some extra horns, but it didn't help. (I've never liked them and never will. I can't believe of all the bands AMC would pick them to pay tribute to Duke.

*Fashion: Okay, now they want to be called a "swing" band? Steve, (the lead singer) sported a nice powder blue 50's suit with patch pockets. Okay a little late for the 40's, but it was a nice attempt, but what was with the long, new tie. There are so many great ties out there, I saw several of them on the dancers, why oh why wouldn't he wear a good tie! That man needs help.
Well, if you love Bleyers and Neoswing clothes you would fit right in with those dancers, (nuff said, sorry, you know I'm a vintage fashion stickler)

*The Dancing. Did they look like first year students or is it just me? Maybe they were tired, but that was some unispired dancing. Maybe we can blame it on the music, it didn't give them much to work with. So, I'm once again convinced that the best dancers I've ever seen are from L.A. (sorry SD if I piss you off, we're gettin' good down here, but L.A. rocks in my book--don't get your Adidas bunched up, it's just my opinion). Don't even get me started on Steve's stage gyrations. If he did the spilts one time, he did them a million times. He just looked so out of sync with the music.

Look, sorry to me so negative, but I hate CPD, and it hurts my heart that they are put out there as a representive of the swing scene. It's not what "we're" about. It drives me crazy!

Hey, I'm open to other opinions, and welcome any civil debate.

By Ian (Ian) on Sunday, May 02, 1999 - 02:25 pm: Edit

I agree, as a swing band they are pretty lame, but I own the "new" cd, and if you take them for what they are, a ska band they are alright to listen to. In general I view bands such as cpd and bbvd as radio bands. As such they are preferable to what we had 4 years ago-grunge.

I think I liked them better in the early swing days, when swing was about the scene, not the dance.
tibet

By Red (Red) on Sunday, May 02, 1999 - 10:02 pm: Edit

Ian swing was always about the dance, when was it ever about the scene?(not being critical true question)

By Ian (Ian) on Monday, May 03, 1999 - 08:42 am: Edit

Several years back, Early 90's if not earlier, many former punks started the swing scene. As I understand it, it was pretty much what we think of as the rock-a-billy scene: dolled up girls, hot rod cars. The vintage crowd, here and in LA really weren't dancers. They knew a few rock-a-billy or east coast moves but they didn't dance any more than anybody in any bar with a dance floor. The dress, the collection of vintage stuff, going to Casbah or Tio Leo's was part of the lifestyle-dancing was a minor part.

There was and is quite a bit of anomosity towards lindy hoppers because, we are basically a bunch of trend jumpers in their eyes. We also take up the floor and for the most part don't dress the part (we've had this argument before) yada yada.

I think the reason most stripe wearers(not trying to be offensive) don't understand why the more dressy people harp on them, is because many of them are younger or don't realize that the swing scene is not something that started with BBVD, but has been around. The bar owners were quick to book big swing when the trend took off, but now won't because lindy hoppers don't drink (which is how bars make money) and the old-school swing crowd won't come to watch and drink because it is not their scene any longer.

The rocket is an excellent venue for the love of the dance, but even they have problems bringing the good bands to town. I think, and I am a dance lover, that when the Casbah or Teo Leos brings a good band, we should not worry so much about the dance but the scene. Its quite fun to get dolled up, enjoy cocktails, and dance a few here and there. The barowners and bands will like us more.(there are actually swing bands that dislike dancers and show it).

I am rambling but, I have been very disapointed that the only non-rocket swing lately has been rockabilly. i don't think this summer will be as good as '97.

By Ian (Ian) on Monday, May 03, 1999 - 11:03 am: Edit

Just a clarification: Not trying to be derogatory towards younger or newer dancers. Just don't know how to classify in better words.

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