Wedding Banned-Race

Of the six band members, five of them are Caucasian.  The sixth member of the band is Asian American.  By observing Wedding Banned's facebook, myspace, webpage, and by observing them in person-I have determined what I believe to be the race of the band and the audience that the band attracts.  Although, it is difficult to determine race when you don't know the group personally.  Therefore, many of my statements are simply my own observations and/or assumptions.  

I first saw them live in Carbondale at the Copper Dragon.  The Copper Dragon, from what I have observed with my own eyes, is predominantly frequented by Caucasians.  This is likely because of the types of bands that they bring to the area.  By observing pictures, comments, messages, etc on the band's websites and pages, I've come to the conclusion that Wedding Banned's audience is also predominantly made up of Caucasians.  In my Alternative Media in a Diverse Society class, we've learned that different genres of music attract different races of people.  Wedding Banned plays a wide variety of music, but most of the time you will hear some form of Rock and Roll.  This represents the classic wedding cover band.  The band is also extremely entertaining throughout the show as the members do their best to get a good laugh out of the audience.  Comedy often attracts a wide variety of people from different races.  But I'd say "Wedding" comedy is found to be most entertaining by Caucasians.  They also dress in classic wedding attire.  Something I noticed that I thought was odd... when you see weddings on television or in movies, etc., you often see Caucasians.  Which I don't necessarily understand because marriage is obviously for people of all races.

Overall, I wouldn't say that Wedding Banned "targets" a certain race, I simply believe that because of the type of music they play and the show they perform, they predominantly attract Caucasians.

Mike and Joe

Mike and Joe is a rockin' cover band that plays the latest hits, along with a healthy portion of 90's rock, and even some classic rock thrown into the mix. The covers are extremely accurate and the setlist is new every night, making for a great time. They cover all kinds of artists from modern songs like "Human" by The Killers to "Summer of 69" from none other than Bryan Adams from back in 80's. The band is composed of four talented musicians that come from an array of different musical upbringings all the way from jazz to metal. All of them sing at some point throughout the set, but as far as instruments go its Aaron Streich on drums, Mike Notaro on acoustic and electric guitar, Joe Valentino also on acoustic and electric, and Cory Flynn on bass. They tour mostly around the illinois/indiana area and play in both private events and larger venues. The shows are a great time and I would definitely recommend checking them out.

HAIRBANGERS BALL-RACE

The dictionary defines race as a competition among runners, horses, etc., to see which is the fastest in a set of courses, or another definition of race is a group or population so related.  While we aren't talking about runners or horses, we are in fact talking about race.  In analyzing the band Hairbangers Ball, I am going to start my three part analysis with defining and a more in depth review of the race of people that this Band relates to and attracts to their show.  The first step in talking about their "race" is to take a look at the band them-self.  No, I am not going to go into all the details that I did in my first post but look at the band members in terms of race.  All of the members of the band are all of the caucasian descent, as far as I can tell.  They are singing songs from 80's rock bands like Bon Jovi and Poison who are made up of white members.  I think that this in a way reflects in the types of audiences that they attract.  They also have a very specific way of dress, which is in my opinion is a mix of the 80's attire and "whitetrashiness."  That also gives you the feel that the crowd that they attract is like a "drunken white trailer park party."  That is nothing against the band, I am not saying that no other race of people are allowed or wouldn't like the show.  I am not saying that at all because I think that they would, and that is not to say that I haven't seen anyone at one of their show who is from another race.  I feel like that with the type of music that they are performing it just attracts a certain type of crowd, the same as the original bands that they are covering would.  The music and that style of performance is more specific to that type of crowd.  They know who in fact it is that they are attracting that is what makes them popular with their crowd.  The same with a group like 17th floor, their crowd is geared to a specific crowd and that is what makes them successful in what they do.  With bands like 17th Floor for example you go to have a good time and to dance.  With bands like Hairbangers Ball, you go to have a drink and to have a good time while girls are throwing their bras on the stage.  You go to party like they did in the 80's, with the big hair and the crazy nights!  Like I have previously stated,  I don't think that they are only trying to attract those types of crowds but it who that style of music and performance style is more popular with specific groups.  

I would love to hear what you think on this topic.  That is the great thing about doing this as a blog style, because I can hear your comments, and we can in a way discuss it.  Have you ever been to see Hairbangers Ball, and what did you feel the "race" of the audience was?  Do you agree with my comments or not?

17th Floor Wrap Up!

To sum up my findings during this project, I wanted to touch on the important issues that were brought to my attention. In terms of racial diversity, 17th Floor does nothing to segregate, and if anything attempts to unite audiences of all different races. All of the group members are African American but like to perform hit music that appeals to everyone. If anything, they are more age orientated because they target a younger crowd from ages 13-30, only because that age group defines the popular, "pop", music generation.

Similarly, when discussing issues concerning class, 17th Floor is strictly about performing music to anyone who likes what they do! They're music in no way segregates one class over another and is more based on unity of all people to come together and enjoy their show.

Lastly, when researching a bit about gender roles, I came to similar conclusions as when discussing race and class. 17th floor is mostly a cover band that performs songs originated by other artists. What I have noticed from seeing them perform, they never sing songs that are "risky" in terms of offense. There are some popular rap and hip hop songs out there that objectify women and some that make fun of gay men, but from what I have seen, they never choose to perform a song that would offend their audience members.

I think that 17th Floor will continue to be popular because of these three distinct reasons. They sing and dance to songs that most college kids love around the globe. I think they're smart to not make public judgments or criticisms if they do have something to say, and I believe their intent is to entertain despite any racial, cultural, class, or gender differences.

HAIRBANGERS BALL-INTRO

What do you get when you combine the music of 80's rock bands like Guns N' Roses and Motlely Crue, with huge hair and leather spandex?  I think the answer to this question is Hairbangers Ball. Hairbangers Ball is an 80's cover band complete with the 80's style costumes, who will give you a blast from the past show that you will never forget.  They are known for their incredible sense of energy and familiarity that they bring to every show. The band is made up of 7 members: 6 guys and 1 girl.  Tyler Steven, Scotty Van Blazin, Zeek Ziljian, Jeff Jackson, Bobby Bones, Sean Jovi, and last but certainly not least, Polly Pantz!  Most of their names are parities of real artist from the 80's as you can see.  One thing that they do at every show, is take pictures from the stage and post them on their website.  They are a band for all ages if you like this style of music, they will rock your world!  You might just find yourself in one of those photos.  This is a quote from their website:"Break out your acid washed jeans or parachute pants ... Oh, don't lie. We know you had a pair." This is not just some knock-off 80s cover band or some haggard old tribute band struggling to keep the flame of one band's legacy flickering." Hairbangers Ball has for a long time now been a regular band to frequent Carbondale.  They have quickly become not only a favorite of Carbondale but the southern Illinois area in general.  They have also been regulars at Herrin, Illinois' Herrinfesta Italiana.  Your next chance to see them in our area is Friday May 8th at Pinch Penny Pub and later in the month they will be in Herrin at the Herrinfesta Italiana on Thursday the 26th. 

WEDDING BANNED Intro

One of the Carbondale Regulars, or bands that frequent Carbondale bars is a band known as Wedding Banned.  Wedding Banned is a high energy cover band that plays all of your favorite hits from the 80's and 90's.  The show maximizes audience participation by picking two members of the audience to be the "bride" and "groom", and turns every show into the ultimate wedding reception.  

The band includes: Captain Mantastic-vocals, Barry Mitchell Timmons-guitar, Ted "the Gooch" Spumante-drums, Linda Ballzenstein-vocals, and Bruce Winche'll-bass.  

You can find this band at the Copper Dragon in Carbondale.  This band is targeted towards young, energetic people who like to laugh and have a good time.

"Skip the ceremony and start the party!" -WB