The Living Things are a rock band from St. Louis, Missouri; the band is made up of three brothers Lillian (lead vocals/guitar), Eve (bass), and Bosh Berlin (drums) and their childhood friend Cory Becker (guitar). The band may be best known for their album Ahead of the Lions released in 2005, Rolling Stones magazine named it one of the top 50 albums of that year. Track three, Bom Bom Bom, from that album was played during an AT&T commercial featuring an iTunes compatible phone.
Lillian, the bands frontman, has had several controversial episodes in the bands short history. He was stabbed in 2001 after a show in Kansas City because of his vocal opinions on the events that took place on 9/11. In Dallas, 2004, Lillian was shot at and pistol whipped after a show because of his on stage banter concerning the Republican Party. It is also rumored that his political views caused a altercation between members of the band Alter Bridge and Cory and Bosh of Living Things while touring together in Switzerland in 2006. He’s an interesting character to say the least, check out this interview on Ultimate-Guitar.com.
Living Things are a rock band; if the term were defined in the dictionary there would likely be a picture of the band and one of their tracks to accompany the definition. Their albums are good and not great, their sound has been done before and done better, their enjoyable to listen to and could be compared to bands like Oasis, KISS, Def Leppard and numerous others, but I can’t say anything I’ve heard would make me come back for a second listen. I will check them out at Lolla if they get a favorable time slot and if I see them I’d be expecting a good but not great show.
During my research of the band Living Things and their outspoken lead singer, Lillian Berlin, I began to struggle with separating the actions and statements of Lillian, from the band and their music as a whole. This got me thinking about other instances where a front man’s off stage actions can have negative and positive effects on the bands image.
When asking people whether or not they like a band, most obviously Pearl Jam and U2, the answer you get back may be something along the lines of "I just can't stand so and so." It becomes hard to separate their actions and political views from their band's music. Do I turn a blind eye to the actions of Eddie Vedder and Thom Yorke just because I enjoy the music they make with Pearl Jam and Radiohead respectively? When hearing a U2 song do I automatically dismiss it because of Bono? Can you think of any other examples where the overwhelming presence of a front man could or has influenced your opinion on a band and it's music?
Brian Jonestown Massacre comes to mind.. Their lead singer, Anton Newcombe has to be the most self destructive front man in the history of music. Check out the movie Dig! for proof.
ReplyDeleteWhy is there no police report of the alleged stabbing and pistol whipping? Wouldn't you think that would be news? Can't find anything online about either incident.
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