Catty Much? Not So Sweet Sounds Regarding Sweet Sounds

Today's post is from our friend HIM.

 

Stumbling about the interwebs in a turkey-induced state of lethargy, I happened upon one of my “read it and cringe” routines, Metal Sludge. Like a tamer version of Blabbermouth (in terms of viewer postings, which never show up in my browser!), it operates like a feral adolescent’s mildly tepid dream when it comes to punching up the funny re: content. They oversell the jokes too often and adopt a Tuff posture that is, at times, a bit painful to read. But I am a reader. And this post is related to one of their posts.

 

Michael Sweet strikes me as a gifted man. He has skills I, and many of his peers, never will. He generally abides by the Godly edicts that have marked his, and his band Stryper’s, path. I liked him with George Lynch. Enjoyed his funny poke at metal-cum-country cluelessness on his recent single, “Radio,” and have grown to appreciate what God’s bumblebees were doing back when I was too blindered to give them a fair hearing.

 

Sebastian Bach (as even my recent posts would suggest) is a different sort of savage animal. Blessed with luck, looks, and an amazing set of pipes, he is the reason people remember Skid Row. But he is long since out of that band and long past his prime as re: any of the aforementioned attributes. He runs cold, then hot, then wine-induced in a series of fading swirls along the tail end of a career that has been, at the least, interesting. He occasionally finds time to shine, can be witty and on point. But, too often, he comes across as a prima donna no long capable of projecting—in literal and figurative senses--the gifts that would give him room to gloat.

 

So when the Sludge highlights a high and then provides a low I find it interesting. The high is the praise that rockers like Sweet (and Hale, etc.) have showered upon the young wunderkind, 15-year old Moriah Formica. This girl has a gift, for both mimicry and outright musicianship. She nails Heart. She does justice to some Stryper songs. Heck, she even slays on Skid Row’s “I Remember You"

Here, though, is where things get not-so-Sweet. The usually mannered Sweet comments on Formica’s prodigious talent with the following: “This kid is the future of rock "So proud of her and honored to have her on my new album – Moriah Formica kills this and in my humble opinion, smokes the original singer.”

 

Okay, that is both praise and a plug. Nothing untoward there. But the slam on Bach? That seems beneath Sweet and more . . . well, more like something a delusional Bach might say, has said, and will say again about countless other people. Moreover, it reduced Sweet to that oh so easy level of taking a swipe without really being catty (which is the flip side of a term coined in reference to dogs, mind you). There is no cleverness in hitting Bach while his angel’s trend increasingly down.

 

The other problem is this: it isn’t even true (as far as “humble opinions” go). In his prime, Bach was one of those talents who could smoke most challengers. Recall those gifts I made reference to earlier. And if Sweet took an honest look at his career and presence at the same time Bach was killing it, he might come in for some harsh introspection (irrespective of the fact that I now admire some of his youthful work). So it becomes a dumb game of the Pope calling the papacy black (for those who like a bit of a genus/species tweak to the old adage).

 

The biggest problem is, however, the following: he diminishes Formica’s incredible talent by pulling her into the maw of an all-too-familiar case of old metallers slap-fighting with each other over pieces of ever-diminishing turf (a topic worthy of more coverage on my new website, “The Outsider”). She deserves to be evaluated on her talents, even when sitting in with or paying tribute to others. She doesn’t need some old dude using her as evidence for a “humble” opinion that, even if true, is anything but. It is unbecoming on a host of levels.

 

Bach is a disaster already in process. Sweet is a man with gifts he has nurtured. Formica might have a shot if she is guided along the right—and rocky—path that is today’s music business. Leave her out of it, Sweet. When you lower yourself to the level of the person you critique, you are only looking in a mirror.

 

Original story posted at: http://metalsludge.tv/younger-gone-wild-strypers-michael-sweet-says-teen-artist-smokes-the-original-singer-on-version-of-i-remember-you/

Comments

[Bob]

Him, as per usual, a brilliant post. I whish I had even a 50th of your gift of wordsmithory. this kid has an amazing voice, and a surprising amount of depth in her timbre, especially given her age. Strictly from a physical standpoint, most female voices are in a higher register than most male voices -- meaning that, again, from a strictly physical standpoint, it is easier for Moriah formica to nail those high notes than it is for Baz to nail them. Similarly, when Ann Wilson sings Robert Plant, it is physically easier for her to nail Plant's high notes than it is for Plant. That's why, even without the catty angle, making comparisons between male and female singers doing the same song is as close to the old apples/oranges analogy that one can get. IN today's overly-sensitive overly-politically-correct society, I want to make it perfectly clear that I am commenting on the physiological differences between the male and female voice; nothing more, nothing less -- so everybody calm down. :)

[oper8n]

I'm not taking sides, because I just don't care that much and have more important things with which to concern myself, but this is interesting.

From Michael Sweet's facebook page:

Well, since it's been turned into a public bash, here's my side:
A while back I was asked by the label (Frontiers) to produce a SB album. I spoke to SB's manager and we were discussing possibilities. After a few emails back and fourth SB decided to do something else.
I was then asked about this in an interview with Eddie Trunk and I shared (respectfully) what had transpired. Later that evening, SB tweeted and emailed me and said "shut your mouth or I'll shut it for you." He also said not to "ever let his name come out of my mouth again" in an email.
I emailed him to make amends and explain yet to no avail. I'd be a liar if I said it didn't bother me. It did. I've got nothing against Sebastian. I don't even know him and he doesn't know me.
Fast forward to Moriah Formica opening for Stryper and blowing everyone's minds with her talent and voice on a cover of "I'll Remember You". I posted it and took a little grief for saying "she smokes the original singer". I must admit that that comment was made based on my opinion as well as my experience with SB. I then commented on a post and referred to SB as a "tool" based on what had transpired between us a few months back. I suppose I shouldn't have said that. I'll admit to my mistakes and apologize if need be.
He sent me an email again basically stating to "be prepared next time we meet face to face." along with a few other nice gestures. I sent him an email basically saying "let's get along and move on".
I have yet to hear from SB.
Anyone who's knows me knows that I express my opinion and I'm more than willing to back it up. I do my best to be honest yet not to be mean spirited or destructive.
I'm also no pussy. Obviously SB doesn't know me because if he did, he'd know that as fact😉
Since we're both adults, should we not take the higher road here?
In a perfect world, that would be the right thing to do☝️
Unfortunately I think because I'm a Christian some people think that I'm supposed to "turn the other cheek" and let people say and do what ever they want. I guess the "pussy" in me won't let me do that.
Thanks for listening and my sincere apologies if I've offended anyone and please know that was not my intention. I'll try a little harder next time.
M

[Jeff]

Sorry Mike Sweet - this cover is not even CLOSE to what Sebastian belted out. Nice cover version, but lets not go crazy here.

[Gary]

Sweet takes the high road. (Proving that most times, with age comes wisdom in these matters) Unfortunately, I honestly believe that Baz has the maturity level of maybe a 15 year old when he's sober, and about a 12 year old when he's not ( i.e:when he's awake). Dude is like 50 years old, fat, out of shape,drunk constantly, and he's continously picking fights? Just because your 6'4" tall (more than likely with a bodyguard to have your back) and a freaking blowhard when you're drunk doesn't mean you'll intimidate everybody you cross. I found out (the hard way) a long time ago that regardless of your size or how well you think you can handle yourself, you WILL get your ass kicked at some point, usually by the guy you least expected to be able to do it. That'd be sage advice to Baz. Stick to singing bro, it's what you're good at. Leave the "fighting" to the UFC folks who get paid for it and can actually handle themselves more than adequately.

[Gary]

@Jeff. I totally get what you're saying. But please don't lose sight of the fact this girl is doing this live, solo, while playing the guitar (flawlessly might I add), and she absolutely knocks it out of the park IMO. Anyone here think Baz nailed his version in the studio in one take, let alone while playing the guitar? (I forgot, he didn't play the guitar or write any of Skid's songs) Baz has the pipes. I'm not taking that away from him. But this girl also kicks mondo ass (for someone whom Baz probably has socks that are older than)

[Bob]

Baz spends too much time hanging around Axl Rose who is always pulling that crap of threatening people. gary, you are so right, in Dee Snider's excellent book, he has several life lessons. One of them is, "There is always someone tougher than you." Remember, dee is a big tough dude, but there was one time when he got into some kind of road rage incident with a guy in a truck, and this guy gave Dee a solid ass kicking.

[Metalboy!]

Hear, hear, HIM!

One of your BEST posts (as usual) and a great topic with universal thought provocation.

Now for my humble opinions...

Baz is wrong in how he handled the Frontier Records deal to have Michael Sweet produce his album.

Frontiers was wrong by not arranging this deal through Baz's management to avoid direct dealings between the participants until they got an initial "okay" from said participants.

And Sweet is wrong in voicing UNCHRISTIAN comments, reinforcing a perception I and many share, that those who proclaim themselves as "Christian" usually are far from it, rarely demonstrating the traits would entitle them to such designation.

As far as Moriah Formica is concerned... She is nothing short of a phenomenon. If anything good can come of the Sebastian Bach / Michael Sweet feud, is exposure for her, as unintentional as it may be.

P.T. Barnum once said, "There's no such thing as bad publicity." Though that may be true for Ms. Formica (great name, BTW) in this case, the optics don't look that great for Baz and worse for Sweet because of his "holier than thou" attitude.

[Him]

Thanks for all the great responses, even those that took a different stance than I did. I appreciate the feedback and the discussion in equal measure.

[Bkallday]

I agree that Sweet is a pussy, Christian or not. I also agree that Bach would kick his ass like he stole something.

[Jack]

Moriah is from my area, I've seen her many times, she is the real deal for someone so young, a total natural and someone who grew up on a lot of "our" music from her family, so she really does know the bands/music. Kind of sucks she got sucked into this by something Sweet said, she is a big fan of both guys.

[Laura]

I see it's been covered, HIM, but you have a way with words. YOUR jokes are worth every cent of what you're selling 'em for (a perhaps-mangled compliment, sorry; I don't share your talents).

I know who I think comes out looking _better_ in this little spat, or whatever you'd call it, but I have much more admiration for those who take the high road through and through, (next-to-)never stooping so low as both these parties have, if one of them to a lesser, more forgivable degree.

[Him]

Thanks Laura. And thank goodness my joke are free!

Personally, I didn't see Sweet's follow-up post as a true mea culpa (which came out after I drafted my entry), even if his take on the events that led up to it do provide a bit of context. And I don't think he would have offered such a long, and tangled, reply if his comments hadn't hit some nerves and if the blow-back hadn't taken him a bit by surprise. When you have hold up your macho and your Christian card at the same time, defending while still slagging, you seem to have your hands full. Best to let it go and focus on being the person you claim to be.

And what would we expect from Bach? Threats to start a fight. Geesh. It was already cringe-inducing when Axl and Vince did this stuff years ago (in their prime). Now it seems like a cottage industry for bands on the back-end of their careers. As the Joe Perry Project said: "Let the music do the talking."