Introduction to UMC3
Well people, it is that time of the year again; Time for Ultimate Music Challenge 3 – Clash of the Titans.
Ok, well, the “Clash of the Titans” part I added for dramatic effect, but you get the drift.
For those of you who were with us last year, the whole operation is going to run pretty much the same. For those who have never been to a UMC show before, this is how it works:
Every Sunday, starting on April 19, five bands will compete for a spot in the semi-finals and ultimately, the finals. Each group will play for 20 minutes, after which, the judges will make some brief comments about the performance, write down the scores and, after all bands have played, submit their score sheets to Viejas Management; who will then bring the sheets to a dungeon below the casino where a high powered computer about half the size of a football field will determine which band advances.
About the Judging Process: First and foremost, this is a cover band contest. That’s a broad spectrum. There are top 40 cover bands, there are genre cover bands and there are tribute bands. They all have equal weight from the judges’ perspective. And yes, it is true that we will often be grading Apples bands against Oranges bands, but that that’s just the way it is. Everybody has a shot, and we will be scoring based on the merits of what you do within the confines of your genre.
About the Judging Categories: There are three categories of judging, each with their own sub-categories,which are: Showmanship, Musical Ability and Audience Response.
Here is what the judging form looks like. . .
SHOWMANSHIP (40%)
1. Choreography / Stage Presence
2. Energy
3. Charisma / Audience Interaction
4. Overall Style
MUSICAL ABILITY (40%)
1. Vocal Performance
2. Music Performance
AUDIENCE RESPONSE (20%)
1. Participation / Response
2. Crowd Noise / Applause (via decibel reading)
About Crowd Noise: The scoring in every category, be it stage presence, vocals, musicianship or audience response, is 1-10. So, if you win the crowd response battle, you receive 10 points. Second place gets 7.5 points, 3rd place gets 5.0, 4th gets 2.5, and 5th gets 0.
Keep in mind, these points are awarded on each judge’s sheet. For example, say you’re Band A and you scored 10, well that’s 10 on each judge’s score sheet. So if Band B only got a 5.0, that’s a 5.0 advantage for Band A on every judge’s sheet, for a total of 15 points – which definitely makes crowd noise a factor, as it should be.
Ok, so, after all the bands have performed, the powers-that-be take our scoring forms to the dungeon where the giant, smoking, wheezing super computer applies the scale, and tallies the votes. The results are then announced on stage and the judges get booed by the losing band’s fans and cheered by the winners. I can’t tell you how much I love that.
About the Blog: Then there is the blog, this blog, the Ultimate Music Challenge Interactive Judges’ Blog (stress interactive).
Every Monday night, the day after each round, I will post comments about the contest, performance breakdowns, reasons why we, the judges, voted the way we did, and other general information and analysis. The purpose of this blog is for the bands, the fans and the judges to connect, to have a forum to express opinions, talk some smack, and squeeze out a few sour grapes when necessary. That’s why we call it interactive. So please don’t hesitate to drop some comments on us. We ask that you please refrain from profanity, abusive or threatening language and out-and-out hostility. This doesn’t mean you can’t say it like it is, but any post that is out of line will be removed. You can also use this forum to ask general questions about judging, booking, and where you can find the judges home addresses so you can toilet paper their front yards.
About the Judges:
Alicia Champion is an acclaimed award-winning performer and record producer who’s worked with artists such as Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Pink, Melissa Etheridge, James Taylor and many more. Winner of VH1’s reality based competition, “You Rock With…” Alicia is also Co-Founder and Executive Producer of the groundbreaking San Diego IndieFest.
David Patrone is an accomplished Jazz Singer, entertainer, recording artist, and event producer. He performs around the United States with various bands and is the founder of Midnight Productions in San Diego; which produces a wide variety of entertainment from weddings and corporate events to “The David Patrone $10,000 Swing Dance Extravaganza”. In addition to his musical career, he is a former Marine Staff Sergeant, published writer and poet, long-distance thru-hiker and nationally-certified, professional ski Instructor. Sometimes you can find him busking with his harmonica, wearing his trademark hat and two-tone shoes in the Gaslamp District under his blues pseudonym: “Willy B.”
Edwin Decker is a freelance music journalist and columnist and has published articles in various newspapers and magazines in San Diego and around the globe. He is the quintessential music geek, which is to say, he has countless opinions about music without any musical talent (unless you count his bitchin’ karaoke version of “Rock Lobster”). Decker is on staff of the SD IndieFest, San Diego Music Awards, North Park Music Thing, and the Southern California Writer’s Conference. His biweekly column, Sordid Tales, is published in San Diego CityBeat magazine, his book of sarcastic anti-poetry, Barzilla and Other Psalms was nominated (and soundly defeated) for a 2007 San Diego Book Award and he was born without any nails on his pinky toes. True story.
So there you have it. I gotta tell you, I’m really looking forward to this year’s Challenge. Last year it was so much fun, we had a great turnout, and it keeps getting better every year. This year, I predict, it will be even awesomer than last. See you on Sunday!
Sincerely,
Edwin Decker
Judge #3
www.edwindecker.com
Finally!!!
~~Peace
ED!! I can’t wait for tomorrow: reuniting the original judges!
The first year we did this, Viejas didn’t want us to release our comments or talk about the bands. In frustration we used to write all of our comments and notes about the bands on the back of the judging sheets for the production crew to read after the show. After 3 or 4 Rockstar Drinks and an unrehearsed tribute band, you can only imagine what they said! I was so disappointed that I couldn’t judge last year when I found out that you were going to get to actually talk about the judging process and razz the bands (or praise them)! I almost canceled my AT hike! JK, that trip was a once in a lifetime thing but I am so excited about this show that I haven’t been able to sleep for a week! I even quit skiing for this gig!
Sincerely,
David Patrone
Judge #3
http://www.davidpatrone.com
I thought you may want to make your feeds available. There are plugins you can install to make it easy for people to subscribe. Otherwise here are the feeds:
http://ultimatemusicchallenge3.wordpress.com/feed/
http://ultimatemusicchallenge3.wordpress.com/comments/feed/
Ed! Looking forward to the event tomorrow, I haven’t slept in a week!
Tom, when you say there are plugins i can install, do you mean “widgets” as they are called by WordPress? Or something else. I would definitely like to make these feeds more accessible but I’m not quite sure how/where to do it.
Also, Tom, Dave, Colleen, what do you guys think about the font color on this? It seems kinda dim to me. Problem is, you can’t really change it on these WordPress templates unless you change the template itself and, other than the dim font, this is my favorite of the available templates
I think the font color is fine, then again, I’m on my computer in a dark office and I have good eyes. I’m just trying to figure out how to change my picture, I get dizzy when I look at it
Do I need to have a wordpress account or something?
OK I think I got it now, I’ve been doing some research on the bands and it looks like they’ve passed my first test: All of them have posted the gig on their websites.
Ed, I agree, the font color is a bit dim, and when typing this, I notice this is even harder to read than the posts! Perhaps a point or two larger? Dave… after last night’s performance I believe you that you must not have slept all week!
And as far as the picture is concerned? I like it… it looks like you are getting ready to launch onto one of Ed’s alien lizards. Your comments last night about the aliens just made me laugh… made me think about Ed’s strange world.
Yep… I went to see DP play at Gio’s last night. He and the band were having a lot of fun! Funniest part was watching Dave try to tune the snare drum! (Tom… you would have laughed just like my drummer husband did!) He was using the, and I quote, “the wrench thing” to tune it, in a clockwise manner!!Tooo funny! Hey Dave… if your comments on Jeff’s hair were any indication of what you are going to offer the bands as criticism, it should be a fun year!
As far as the lay-out of this blog… well I tend to not like new things, so I’ll hold off comment for a couple weeks. See if it grows on me. So far… not liking it. Kinda dark…
Well T minus 5 hours 37 minutes… can’t wait! Should be fun. Good luch to all the bands! Come out… bring your fans and have fun!!
~~Peace
we’re all such nerds, I can’t wait either, T- 3 hours 32 minutes 12 seconds till launch.
Dave, just shoot me the image you want and I’ll upload it for you. FYI though, I like that shot a lot.
Ed,
First you go to Plugin, then scroll to the bottom for the Plugin/Browser installer. After it’s installed then you can put it into a widget. Search for a plugin called “Add to Any Subscribe”.
I think the font should at least be larger if not brighter. I could edit the style sheet and you could paste it in to the editor if you like.
Looking forward to tonight.
Tom, let’s talk more about this tonight. I’m very interested. Thanks for your help.
I like that picture too which is why I’m trying to get it to show up over there on the right hand side of my posts instead of that red maze lookin’ thing over there, I’m trying to get my picture in there like you have the bill the cat thing.
I’m gettin’ dizzy just lookin’ at my posts
I created a blog here on WordPress and wrote some stuff but that doesn’t seem to be helping. Maybe I need another Rockstar… The blog is over at http://davidpatrone.wordpress.com or something like that.
Last night’s performance?
I don’t know what you’re talking about… I had three cappuccinos
My drum was making some weird buzzing sound like IT had 3 cappuccinos so I had to tighten it. It’s not my fault I never learned how to tune a drum!! It sounds good now though, sitting in the garage…
Love ya Colleen! See you tonight!
Dave, you have to be logged in to your wordpress account when you make your comment to get your custom avatar to appear on your comment box. If you are not logged in, the comment box will ask for your email address. That is how you know, among other ways, that you are not logged in.
Ok Dave… You MUST be on Ed’s alien planet. Just noticed the time stamp on your latest blog entry and how is it possible for you to have said something in the future? Your post stamp is Apr. 19 at 10:01 PM. Wow! How do you do that? If you are already living in the future… who won tonight????
BTW just checked the umc website and still don’t see any band names. Not fair that you already know who’s playing and we the general peons (aka public) are not privy to that knowledge! I smell a conspiracy………………….
It is now 3:15 pm on my planet….T-minus 2 hours, 45 minutes…..
~~Peace
You can find all of the band names on the Facebook website:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ultimate-Music-Challenge/86538011182?ref=mf
and if you aren’t on facebook then you probably should sign up
The UMC will be posting the band schedule today or tomorrow but just o be nice, I’m going to do this week’s right here with websites too: I didn’t even do this for my mother so I hope you like it…
Slang
http://www.myspace.com/timetogetrocked
Rolling the Stones
http://www.rollingthestones.net
Arrowhead
http://www.arrowheadrocks.com
Paradise
http://www.paradise-lsr.com
Radio Star
http://www.radiostarrocks.com
And yes…. I’ve checked them all out and tonight is going to be awesome!!
DP
It says I’m logged in but ti’s still giving me that dam dizzy pic
Oh hey Colleen, I posted an answer to your comment but it’s still awaiting moderation because I put a bunch of links on it
Ahhhhhh. I see… I just had to be PATIENT! I knew my Mama was right all those years ago…
Hey guys, the lovely Mary and I are planning on comin’ by tonight! See ya then.
Actually, DP, it’s good that you mentioned that cuz I might not have noticed till tomorrow that you had a pending comment in there.
T Minus 2 hours 0 minutes and 0 seconds till lift off!
OK, we’re all here, sitting at the table and getting ready to listen to the first band. Ed, Anna and I are anticipating the onslaught…
DP
My take…
Slang, Like a bunch of drunks at a bachelor party singin’ to Def Leopard on the radio.
Arrowhead, Resembled a group getting together for the first time in a garage. We witnessed their first rehearsal. Poor wardrobe choice for the singer.
Rolling the Stones, like the band “the Rolling Stones” <— just like the band. brilliant
Paradise, good band. Nice extended percussion section. Good players. Lacked a bit on dynamics but nice.
Radio Star, Loved the concept, hard rock take on ’80s tunes. The guitar sounds were too midrange-y causing listening fatigue. Not too loud but that is the result of poor tone. Excellent rhythm section with the skilled drummer and experienced bass.
did the bass player for arrowhead still use a music stand. was it a girl singer with arrowhead? I saw then years ago, I didn’t know they were still around!
I’m still addicted to this blog. UMC Rocks!! I hope to see you guys at the finals! Have fun…
The bands were fun. Most lacked “oomph” in the vocals department; notably backing-vocals and harmonies. Several of the bands had brand-new members and weren’t very well-rehearsed, which was immediately apparent. For future bands, I’d recommend they work on this because there’s nothing that sounds worse in pop music than a dissonant chord, especially when it’s supposed to be a vocal harmony. I think there is no more apparent mistake than a vocal mistake to the average listener. Voice is the instrument that humans use the most whether you’re a musician or not. In fact, human audio perception is specifically evolved to differentiate frequencies of the human voice from other sounds so errors in that department tend to stand out. Unfortunately for vocalists, there is no specific button or string you can manipulate that you know will produce the right note and innate abilities like pitch and memory can be affected by things like stress, fear and unfamiliar chords. This is why rehearsal and mastery of your instrument is so important.
I felt that some of the bands picked songs that didn’t really showcase their strengths. It’s very possible that they don’t know what their strengths are. This is common when the only people you’ve played for are friends or family (who aren’t prepared to offer constructive criticism). A few of the tunes picked were esoteric, rather than catchy and accessible to the general public or novice listener. A few tunes were played too fast or too slow for the particular groove that they are famous for; while a few bands had judges up and dancing on the floor.
F. Scott Fitzgerald offered the advice, “Murder your darlings.” Although he was referring to a different artistic genre, it’s an especially helpful tip for bands in a competition. Sometimes artists tend to develop an affinity for a certain obscure tune because it speaks to them musically or lyrically. Musicians tend to listen more closely to things like chord progressions and lyrics than the average person. Their sensitivity is a little different than the average listener. What a performing artist has come to like and enjoy is a direct result of the evolution of “taste” due to a progression of practice, learning and awareness which the average listener doesn’t possess. It’s not that the listener is less talented or doesn’t have an ear; it’s more a matter of over-exposure and analysis on the musician’s part. Musicians play, listen to and practice music many hours each day with a strict focus of attention toward comprehension of the total composition/arrangement/lyrics. Most people listen to music casually. This is one reason why so many music professionals can’t stand to play what they consider to be “cliche” tunes; though they may be very technical or exceptionally catchy to Bob, the accountant. We have to remember that Bob, being an accountant, paid the cover.
When you are in a tribute or cover band, on some level, you have to realize that people are coming to hear something they recognize. Your “darlings,” or the songs you think are neat, are probably not the “cliche” tunes that your audience will enjoy as much as what I call a “power set.” This may offend your sensitive and creative side; but, Dude, you’re in a cover band. Think about it. I did like that Radio Star played poppy 80’s tunes with a metal edge. This is an exception.
Every band should have a power set, even Jazzers, because there are some audiences who you are just going to lose with esoteric stuff like original composition or the lost B-side of that Frank Zappa album you found on EBay. When you’re losing an audience; sometimes, (and I don’t care if you are Pat Metheny or Wynton Marsalis) you may need to get them back with the played-out stuff that you were sick of by the time you were 15. The songs “Mustang Sally” and “Brown Eyed Girl” come to mind. I think the slave Xanthius to divine Dionysus in “The Frogs” said it first, “Shall I crack any of those old jokes master, at which the audience never fail to laugh?” Although the big D gave X the ixnay, we are, after all, entertainers and we have a responsibility to our audience no matter what Miles Davis did or said (or didn’t say). When Aristophanes wrote “The Frogs” over 2000 years ago, there was already a known divergence between what the poet wants to read and what the audience wants to hear. Even Moses broke a few stones trying to hip the audience to God’s unfamiliar tablature.
That being said,
These bands are in a competition, and they will have to put their best foot forward if they want to win $20,000. Their job is a tough one. We know most of these tunes and we already have a version in our head which was performed and produced in a pristine studio environment, with the opportunity to go back and re-do or layer backing effects and extra instruments. You can’t help but compare their performance to the original; however, we judges are aware of that and being performers in our own right, we’ve dealt with these issues and are intimately familiar with the capabilities of a live band who hit the stage without a proper sound check. We’re hoping they will exceed our expectations but we realize that most bands probably won’t. Even if the original band came in and played, we’d probably be critical of the performance.
As musicians, artists and teachers; we are aware of the effect that criticism can have to stifle or encourage creativity and perseverance. Artists are typically sensitive people and while we are giving our analysis, we’re constantly negotiating with ourselves exactly how “honest” we’re going to be. We’re trying to do a delicate balancing act: offering constructive and accurate analysis, avoiding excessive cruelty while entertaining the audience in the room with our comments. Although it’s tempting and it would get a few laughs, it would be too easy to simply say, “The singer is a semitone flat and stands glued to the microphone stand; the drummer drags because he’s listening to the bass player who didn’t learn the opening song; the backup dancers’ fat is jiggling under those ugly, yellow, lycra half-shirts and there are still fold marks in the ‘costume’ you bought at Ross Dress For Less last night.”
The winners of the preliminary weeks are often obvious; as was the case of this first week of the competition. The other bands didn’t totally suck, it’s just that the winning band was really excellent. In this case, I don’t feel the need to be overly critical of a band that wasn’t close to the performance level of another band. I’ll offer a few suggestions and move on. If they want to come down and ask me for some more details, I’m more than happy to give it to them. In the coming weeks (especially the semifinals) there will be some great bands and it will be necessary to critique them very carefully. We hope they aren’t offended by the analysis. Someone is giving them an unbiased, educated, technical evaluation for free. In this business, “Yes Men” will get you nowhere, fast.
Then again, if we’re being forced to listen to a band who didn’t respect our time and expertise by preparing themselves before they got up on the stage, maybe we should just unload on them. The audience deserves some entertainment after all.
I guess you’ll have to come out to the show and see what happens…
DP
So now that we know how about tonal qualities of the voice and all the other stuff. What did you think of the bands that played on Sunday? I guess we need to wait for Ed’s critique as posted at the top of the page:”Every Monday night, the day after each round, I will post comments about the contest, performance breakdowns, reasons why we, the judges, voted the way we did, and other general information and analysis.”
Yeah I posted this too soon here, from now on, my posts will appear on my blog http://davidpatrone.wordpress.com and after Ed’s Post on each week’s thread. Ed stole all of my notes and I can’t remember everything I wrote down about each band but I’ll try a synopsis from memory…
DP
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