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Random quote: 'Imagine if Neil Young played a Telecaster – it would sound like the guitar equivalent of Yoko Ono singing, and I love Neil…' -- Jay Jay French
JAY JAY FRENCH Defends Band's Decision To Play Select Shows And Not Make New Music
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Fast Joey
Posted 2014-05-06 8:02 PM (#33547)
Subject: JAY JAY FRENCH Defends Band's Decision To Play Select Shows And Not Make New Music
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Destroyer

Posts: 545
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http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/twisted-sisters-jay-jay-french-defends-bands-decision-to-play-select-shows-and-not-make-new-music/

TWISTED SISTER guitarist Jay Jay French has defended his band's choice to remain active mostly by performing live and not making a new full-length studio album, calling it "our version of survival."

After French told Full Throttle Rock in a recent interview that "no one is yet to make a case for any reason" for TWISTED SISTER to record a new studio album and claiming that "the fans who come see" the band perform live "do not care" about hearing new material from the group, a number of TWISTED SISTER fans responded unfavorably to the guitarist's comments, with some pointing out that such veteran hard rock acts as KISS, VAN HALEN and JUDAS PRIEST have all released new music in recent years with moderate success.

In a posting to the comments section of the most recent BLABBERMOUTH.NET story on this topic, French wrote: "I really enjoy seeing people discuss this issue of new recordings. The much larger picture that no one is seeing is this: Up until the band reformed to play the Eddie Trunk benefit after the 9/11 disaster in November 2001, I never thought that we would ever have played another show. Since then, the band has become one of the biggest concert attractions on the worldwide festival circuit. We have released 6 DVDs and the biggest-selling metal Christmas album of all time. We released a full bonus CD of new material with the re-record of 'Stay Hungry'. 'We're Not Gonna Take It' is the most licensed song in the world for TV commercials, movie soundtracks and TV shows. None of this was supposed to happen. I look at this as the glass half full, not half empty. We accomplished way more than I ever thought we would and our tour schedule works for us. We do enough to play to an average audience of 60,000 per show in 33 countries. The worldwide popularity has only grown and we are offered way more shows then we choose to play. This is our choice, our decision. This is how we choose to survive. It could have been nothing. Instead, it is our version of survival. The fact that KISS, [JUDAS] PRIEST, VAN HALEN, etc. choose to release new material is important to the business model that they need to survive. To each his own."

In a 2012 interview with RockMusicStar, TWISTED SISTER singer Dee Snider stated about the possibility of the band making a new studio album: "People have been talking about doing a new TWISTED record, which I feel is like going 'back to the future.' You'd be making an old record in contemporary times. And I really have no passion in doing that. And there really isn't a marketplace for it. Those records really don't sell, and people have shown that they're not really interested in old bands making new music. If it sounds like new music, they think you gave up and sold out. And if it sounds like your old stuff, they're like, 'Yeah yeah, we've heard that already, we just want to hear the original stuff (we know).'"
JJGerman
Posted 2014-05-07 5:09 AM (#33552 - in reply to #33547)
Subject: RE: JAY JAY FRENCH Defends Band's Decision To Play Select Shows And Not Make New Music
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Extreme SMF

Posts: 147
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I hate that they put the market place talk into it, sure that is true. But a ton of diehard fans that cherish the catalog from TV Wife to Love is for Suckers would like to hear some new stuff and I for one would like to see the band having passion in doing so.

We really have not heard a song written by JJ since TV Wife - one would think that he would have some demons to let loose via new songs in 30+ years. And it would be cool to hear songs that he boyz have written together - not just an all songs written by Snider + Leader of the poop cover.
ErikF
Posted 2014-05-07 4:23 PM (#33554 - in reply to #33547)
Subject: RE: JAY JAY FRENCH Defends Band's Decision To Play Select Shows And Not Make New Music
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SMF 1st Class

Posts: 13
10
JJ - We fans are most definitely grateful for all these years of shows. I think it's safe to say that if you do 10 shows a year we fans will ask for 20. If you do 50 we'll ask for 60. We all want as much of TS as you'll dole out and then some. That includes new songs. It doesn't at all mean we don't appreciate the TS we do get. We most definitely do, it's just that it makes us want more! I'd love new stuff that is vintage TS or new stuff that is modern TS or whatever. If it rocks play it live if it doesn't fit the set list skip it. It seems the main issue is that it likely wouldn't sell enough to fit their business model. I won't argue that, I can just say I'd buy it.
Armadillo
Posted 2014-05-08 12:47 AM (#33556 - in reply to #33547)
Subject: RE: JAY JAY FRENCH Defends Band's Decision To Play Select Shows And Not Make New Music
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Road Reporter

Posts: 1729
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Location: Baltimore, MD
I agree ErikF… Personally, I absolutely loved the song "30" and the few times that I heard it live, it gave me some of my favorite moments of the show. Same thing with "Heroes Are Hard to Find". If I got to pick a fantasy setlist, almost everything would be from the Club Daze, UTB, YCSRNR and covers--in fact, I would go bonkers over having a show that was nothing but Twisted performing their favorite cover songs. (that wouldn't pass the business model muster either, but then again, I'm not exactly known for having a sound mind for business. Or a sound mind, for that matter….)
Hellburner
Posted 2014-05-08 6:58 AM (#33558 - in reply to #33547)
Subject: RE: JAY JAY FRENCH Defends Band's Decision To Play Select Shows And Not Make New Music
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Full-On SMF

Posts: 83
50101010
Location: Belgium
I allways loved JJ for his open vision and honest opinion but with this article he shows a lack of respect to both fans and other bands. He says he doesn't care about a new AC/DC album? That the fans don't care? Well he is wrong. Maybe they won't sell that much copies anymore but new material makes you relevant. You don't have to do it anymore for the dollars but to make sure that you don't become a relic. Carcass didn't record new material for 14 years, now they did and this is one of their best albums ever, just like Black Sabbath did with 13. You don't have to look at the sales figures anymore, people these days listen to music on YouTube, Spotify and stuff like that. In the case of AC/DC they showed with Black Ice and Rock 'n Roll train that they still are AC/DC and that they still rock. Of course Twisted Sister does that on stage but they do it with their performences but who cares about that after seeing 2 or 3 shows? Us, the diehard fans, the SMF's but not the general public. Twisted Sister is returning this year for the third year in a row to Belgium, I'm very happy, but other people tell me: 'isn't this a bit to much, 3 times the same show?' And those are people who screamed their lungs out at Graspop. Twisted Sister can be proud of their heritage, but if they want to keep on doing these headlining shows year after year than they will have to record new material or else nobody will bother anymore.

Edited by Hellburner 2014-05-08 7:06 AM
BIGTSFAN
Posted 2014-05-08 1:01 PM (#33559 - in reply to #33547)
Subject: RE: JAY JAY FRENCH Defends Band's Decision To Play Select Shows And Not Make New Music
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Nearly A Band Member

Posts: 446
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Well i would like if they change their setlist too. they have enough good song to change it!

I would like to hear:
Ride To Live Live to Ride
The Beast
Like A Knife in The Back
King of the fools
Love Is for sucker
tonight
hot love
i believe in rock n roll!

i also would like to get a new Twisted Sister album. bbut it should be like you can't stop rock n roll and stay hungry

but i understand him when he said : Up until the band reformed to play the Eddie Trunk benefit after the 9/11 disaster in November 2001, I never thought that we would ever have played another show.
We are Lucky enough if they play near us...

Edited by BIGTSFAN 2014-05-08 1:02 PM
Jay Jay French
Posted 2014-05-08 1:45 PM (#33560 - in reply to #33547)
Subject: RE: JAY JAY FRENCH Defends Band's Decision To Play Select Shows And Not Make New Music
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Band

Posts: 130
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Thanks for your honest opinions. Thanks to social media, both artists and fans can get closer then ever before. I hear what you all are saying and will discuss these opinions with the band. Thanks again for caring enough about how much we mean to you all.
Hellburner
Posted 2014-05-08 3:22 PM (#33562 - in reply to #33547)
Subject: RE: JAY JAY FRENCH Defends Band's Decision To Play Select Shows And Not Make New Music
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Full-On SMF

Posts: 83
50101010
Location: Belgium
J.J. I think it's us that need to say thank you, for listening to us and for replying our e-mails and comments. You don't live on an ivory tower like many other bands, you care about us. So Jay Jay: thank you!
PotownSMF
Posted 2014-09-07 9:50 AM (#34224 - in reply to #33547)
Subject: RE: JAY JAY FRENCH Defends Band's Decision To Play Select Shows And Not Make New Music
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Extreme SMF

Posts: 106
100
Location: Poughkeepsie, NY
I can understand Jay Jay's position on this. I am not in a band but can put myself in their shoes with the information and experiences I've had privilege of being exposed to. That being said, if this biz model is what works for them, then fans I feel should respect that. You read a lot of message boards where fan are far too demanding. They expect to the band to dictate their every request and put out new material on demand. If I was in a bands shoes this type of stuff would discourage me from wanting to do anything. We must be grateful for the body of material the band has given us, and the fact they play select shows. It's makes the anticipation to see them much more greater. I still get goosebumps on my arms when AC DC comes on at a live show.
I will forever be grateful for everything the band gives us. I don't need any new material, but I wouldn't judge the band either by calling them sellouts because the new stuff sounds so different or call them washed up because the new stuff sounds like the old stuff. I would support it either way. If I had one request it would be for the band to take all that great bonus material recorded on cassette tapes and released on the 2 disc Stay Hungry anniversary release. Re record those tracks and have Rick Rubin produce it and do them justice. They are great songs. Oh and one more request, I hope to see you guys come "home" to play The Chance in Poughkeepsie one day soon... Take care guys..
Joe
tssmf4lyfe
Posted 2014-09-11 6:34 PM (#34253 - in reply to #33547)
Subject: RE: JAY JAY FRENCH Defends Band's Decision To Play Select Shows And Not Make New Music
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Nearly A Band Member

Posts: 944
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if they add some songs into that setlist that they don't do often would be great though
i'mthatguy
Posted 2014-09-12 8:44 AM (#34255 - in reply to #33547)
Subject: RE: JAY JAY FRENCH Defends Band's Decision To Play Select Shows And Not Make New Music
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Serious SMF

Posts: 39
101010
I don't know anything about the business of music except how to buy an album and concert ticket. I appreciate the fact that TWISTED SISTER is still a working live band after all these years, and I respect the band's position on new music. They have figured out a way to not just survive, but thrive, and not many bands that started 40 years ago can say that. They know what they are doing. But would I buy a new album from TS? Definitely. I've always loved TS's attitude as much as their music; Dee (and Jay Jay's) rants during shows get as much press as their music (read the Heavy Montreal reviews). I would love to hear that modern attitude in new music from them. As someone above mentioned, new music is what keeps a band relevant, and it is the lasting relic when memories of the concerts have faded. Tom Petty said in the press release for his new album, "The world does not need a new Tom Petty album but here it is." He plays 4 songs from it on the new tour and they fit right in with the classics. Will a new TS album go triple platinum and set the world on fire? No. But neither will a new Stones album, but there's sure to be one, and their fan base will love it. Recording is cheap today (compared to year's past). Forget releasing it on CD (CDs are DOA). LP and digital download only. What's the worst that could happen?
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