09-01-2013, 08:53 AM
It's good (and healthy) to see some venting on here about The Hip (Gord). Anything I write is preceded with 100% respect for all members of the band. If truth be told, I believe there is something wrong with Downie Physically. It could be his voice and only his voice (larynx) or it could be something more. After 2009 there was an effort to "Cash Grab" and take the big festival paychecks as often as they could. From the setlists to the screaming, the effort (especially from GD) is to simply make it through the shows... and move on to another big paycheck. The Hip is all of their livelihood. Although all the members are very talented, they realize they are nothing compared to the whole of the Tragically Hip. The writing is on the wall that the end is near. How near, is up for debate... It could be another album and club tour but I doubt it. I'd say they'll do the Festival thing for the next couple years during the summers until GD can no longer do it.
As a fan (still am and will always be), I can't for the life of me understand why the band doesn't release B sides, live shows or how about a roc doc that celebrates the bands ENTIRE career? For whatever reason, it seems the band (and management) believes the capital spent on doing these sorts of things will not result in profit. I disagree. Even something as small as a greatest hits cd seems like a solid idea (even though it's not something us hardcore fans would buy). I know the band did the box set thing back in 05 and the movie (Bobcaygeon) but the archives are overflowing with material. AND.....the Hip could be one hell of a roc doc that would increase the interest and excitement in the band...even here in the states.
Enough has been said about the hopeless setlists (except for the winter NFPA small shows in the USA), the teleprompter and the annoying screaming....
The band is now a business machine. No longer do the guys embrace their catalog and the music itself. I am a musician and am close to the Hip in age. I play nearly every single weekend and can't imagine playing the same setlists night after night....no way in hell. I still have a passion for the music itself.
I still love em and will go if they come to Detroit or Windsor..... not jumping off yet....just trying to get an understanding for what's up with these guys....it is a mystery.
As a fan (still am and will always be), I can't for the life of me understand why the band doesn't release B sides, live shows or how about a roc doc that celebrates the bands ENTIRE career? For whatever reason, it seems the band (and management) believes the capital spent on doing these sorts of things will not result in profit. I disagree. Even something as small as a greatest hits cd seems like a solid idea (even though it's not something us hardcore fans would buy). I know the band did the box set thing back in 05 and the movie (Bobcaygeon) but the archives are overflowing with material. AND.....the Hip could be one hell of a roc doc that would increase the interest and excitement in the band...even here in the states.
Enough has been said about the hopeless setlists (except for the winter NFPA small shows in the USA), the teleprompter and the annoying screaming....
The band is now a business machine. No longer do the guys embrace their catalog and the music itself. I am a musician and am close to the Hip in age. I play nearly every single weekend and can't imagine playing the same setlists night after night....no way in hell. I still have a passion for the music itself.
I still love em and will go if they come to Detroit or Windsor..... not jumping off yet....just trying to get an understanding for what's up with these guys....it is a mystery.