# Foo Fighters **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 27, 2012, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209 "2012-05-27T00:01:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/41 "2012-05-27T18:03:58Z")
> [@Svejk\_1](#): > > I love the Foo Fighters, I love their Color and the Shape album but also the later stuff that is more ballad-y and then tends to build up to some awesome climax, like Come Alive and Let it Die. > > Grohl’s relentless enthusiasm is very contagious. See him play, you can just tell by looking at him that he’s living the dream and enjoying every second of it. When they played Wembley stadium, they got to play with Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, and you can just tell that he’s just overwhelmed and exhilarated by the fact that he gets to play with those gods of rock. [link](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WFw7rgPumY) Shit, that was all shades of kick ass. Even Hawkins held his own. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/42 "2012-05-27T19:22:53Z")
> [@SykoSkotty](#): > > The best Foo Fighters track NOT released as a single :[GIMME STITCHES](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpC74hpzBvo) I know it’s not their accepted “best album,” but “There Is Nothing Left to Lose” has always been my favorite Foos album. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/43 "2012-05-27T19:54:19Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Shit, that was all shades of kick ass. Even Hawkins held his own. I was confused, until I saw the clip and see you meant as a singer, not drummer. But he’s known for having a pretty decent singing voice, isn’t he? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/44 "2012-05-27T21:01:08Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I was confused, until I saw the clip and see you meant as a singer, not drummer. But he’s known for having a pretty decent singing voice, isn’t he? I’ve seen the Foos live several times, and have his solo album, but never got a chance to see Hawkins sing live. ---
**Author:** ![GovernmentMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GovernmentMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GovernmentMan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/45 "2012-05-27T21:15:04Z")
> [@SykoSkotty](#): > > So…on that Nirvana tip…here’s a morbid thought : > > Without Cobain’s suicide, there would be no Foo Fighters. > > _Shout out to Cobain for inadvertently creating Foo Fighters_ Psh. Nirvana was the best thing he’s ever been a part of. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/46 "2012-05-27T21:24:48Z")
> [@GovernmentMan](#): > > Psh. Nirvana was the best thing he’s ever been a part of. Kurt Cobain he is certainly not, but I’d rather see a musician go on to do what he’s done, than either disappear (Novoselic), or try to ape (heh) Nirvana’s sound. I’d argue Nivana was the best thing to have _happened_ to Dave. ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/47 "2012-05-27T22:07:47Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > \I’d argue Nivana was the best thing to have _happened_ to Dave. I’d add Nirvana was the best thing to happen to all of us that was tired of listening to that cock rock that dominated the airwaves during late 80’s and early 90’s. Dave is an awesome drummer, and a down to earth guy. No rock star ego there, only on stage as it should be. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/48 "2012-05-27T22:38:42Z")
> [@happycamper\_5](#): > > I _like_ the Foo Fighters, but I can’t ever seem to get beyond that. The songs I like - “I’ll Stick Around”, “Monkey Wrench”, “Best of You” - I adore. Whenever I try to listen to an entire album, though, it just sounds too same-y and fades into the background. I’m certainly open to acquiring a better feel for their stuff. I just can’t ever seem to do so. I think that’s a fair assessment. The songs I like, I really like. But a lot of their deeper tracks just don’t grab me. Then again, that’s true for a lot of bands. That’s why they have MP3s! ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/49 "2012-05-27T23:49:56Z")
> [@Ibanez](#): > > I’d add Nirvana was the best thing to happen to all of us that was tired of listening to that cock rock that dominated the airwaves during late 80’s and early 90’s. Dave is an awesome drummer, and a down to earth guy. No rock star ego there, only on stage as it should be. Hear hear! _pounds a shot of whiskey, with a beer chaser_ ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/50 "2012-05-28T00:48:01Z")
> [@Ibanez](#): > > I’d add Nirvana was the best thing to happen to all of us that was tired of listening to that cock rock that dominated the airwaves during late 80’s and early 90’s. Dave is an awesome drummer, and a down to earth guy. No rock star ego there, only on stage as it should be. True, but Nirvana weren’t the only ones, nor were they arguably the best of the lot either. They were interesting and fresh, but I always preferred Alice In Chains and Soundgarden to them. ---
**Author:** ![azraiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@azraiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/azraiel)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/51 "2012-05-28T05:39:42Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > True, but Nirvana weren’t the only ones, nor were they arguably the best of the lot either. They were interesting and fresh, but I always preferred Alice In Chains and Soundgarden to them. Yeah, but there was something _else_ about Nirvana. I was a Sophomore in high school when Nevermind came out–the epitome of a target audience. I loved the hell out of “Man in the Box” and bought the single (on cassette!). There was anger, pathos, etc… but it didn’t feel epochal. Alice in Chains felt like a one hit wonder in the MTV age. Maybe if Soundgarden had dropped _Badmoterfinger_ first I would feel differently. As it is, _Nevermind_ was mind-bending. Man in the Box got my bile up, but Smells Like Teen Spirit left me in a daze thinking “holy fuck! I thought Axel was angry”. And then, “He’s as angry as I am.” ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/52 "2012-05-28T16:43:47Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Pff. In a desert of Nickelback clones, FF is a refreshing oasis in straight-up hard rock. They are neither cloning anyone or being cloned. While they’re first and foremost a great band, they’re also a great “test band”. “The _Foo Fighters_?? Pfst…I don’t listen to corporate clones like them!” Ah, gotcha. You’re an insufferable douche who thinks that popularity always equals lack of quality. Don’t get me wrong – in 95% of cases, that idea definitely holds true. But if you’re incapable of recognizing the other 5%, then you’re just a sad little poseur jockeying for indie cred. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/53 "2012-05-28T16:48:46Z")
What about Pearl Jam? _Ten_ made a huge splash and came out around the same time. I always liked them better than Nirvana too. My take on Nirvana was always that Cobain wrote good songs but his guitar playing was pretty sloppy. Sure, you can argue that the “garage-y” sound added rather than detracted from their appeal, but still. I liked Nirvana and the change in rock music it represented but I hardly think they were the only ones eschewing the era of hair metal in those days. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/54 "2012-05-28T16:55:55Z")
While I did enjoy _Ten_ when it came out (it really did not have a bum track on it), as well as the next two albums, I never really could deeply get into Pearl Jam, either. Their music, like the Foo Fighters, sounds too clean and calculated to me. I’m not sure if that makes any sense, because it’s really hard for me to quantify what it is about the sound and songwriting of these two bands, but there’s something they have in common in their sound that just doesn’t speak to me. It’s not really a matter of clean production, as I like other bands from that era with a clear radio sound (like Smashing Pumpkins or Soundgarden), and it’s not really the pop songwriting, either, as I love pop music. I can’t quite put my finger on it… ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/55 "2012-05-28T17:01:33Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > While I did enjoy _Ten_ when it came out (it really did not have a bum track on it), as well as the next two albums, I never really could deeply get into Pearl Jam, either. Their music, like the Foo Fighters, sounds too clean and calculated to me. I’m not sure if that makes any sense, because it’s really hard for me to quantify what it is about the sound and songwriting of these two bands, but there’s something they have in common in their sound that just doesn’t speak to me. It’s not really a matter of clean production, as I like other bands from that era with a clear radio sound (like Smashing Pumpkins or Soundgarden), and it’s not really the pop songwriting, either, as I love pop music. I can’t quite put my finger on it… Perhaps is something like “the music sounds like its meant to be played in an arena, and thus loses its intimacy with the listener”? Just a WAG. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/56 "2012-05-28T17:21:15Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Perhaps is something like “the music sounds like its meant to be played in an arena, and thus loses its intimacy with the listener”? It’s true that I generally do not like arena performances. I can’t even think of the last show I went to that was at a venue that holds more than about 2,000 people. So maybe you’re on to something. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/57 "2012-05-28T17:38:31Z")
> [@azraiel](#): > > Yeah, but there was something _else_ about Nirvana. I was a Sophomore in high school when Nevermind came out–the epitome of a target audience. I loved the hell out of “Man in the Box” and bought the single (on cassette!). There was anger, pathos, etc… but it didn’t feel epochal. Alice in Chains felt like a one hit wonder in the MTV age. > > Maybe if Soundgarden had dropped _Badmoterfinger_ first I would feel differently. As it is, _Nevermind_ was mind-bending. Man in the Box got my bile up, but Smells Like Teen Spirit left me in a daze thinking “holy fuck! I thought Axel was angry”. And then, “He’s as angry as I am.” I agree that out of the “Holy Trinity” of grunge, Nirvana had something special. Hard to pinpoint, but I think it’s largely due to Cobain himself and the very particular way he crafted their songs. I’m a huge Nirvana fan (I was a senior when Nevermind dropped), Alice in Chains to a slightly lesser degree (I even love their latest album), and Soundgarden I’d peg as the least of them. Still, big fan for all of them, especially at the time. As for Pearl Jam, even though they were a huge part of what was happening in Seattle at the time, I always saw them as something more than “grunge” than the other three. In fact, as they evolved over the years, their music became increasingly more “cautionary” and less “death, darkness, and dispair” as their grunge contemporaries. Still love everything they did up to about Yield. Some good stuff on Binaural too, though. > [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > While they’re first and foremost a great band, they’re also a great “test band”. > > “The _Foo Fighters_?? Pfst…I don’t listen to corporate clones like them!” > Ah, gotcha. You’re an insufferable douche who thinks that popularity always equals lack of quality. Don’t get me wrong – in 95% of cases, that idea definitely holds true. But if you’re incapable of recognizing the other 5%, then you’re just a sad little poseur jockeying for indie cred. My sentiments, exactly. Some people’s acceptance for new music stops at a certain point. Like arrested development in a musical sense. Sure, there are golden areas of music and pioneers of new sound. It’s far more raw, experimental, fresh and exciting, but that doesn’t negate anything that comes after, so long as they’re earnest attempts from legitimate artists. I listen to tons and tons of obscure indie rock and metal; doesn’t stop my enjoyment of the Foos (and other labeled or arena bands) in the slightest. > [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Perhaps is something like “the music sounds like its meant to be played in an arena, and thus loses its intimacy with the listener”? > > Just a WAG. I think that’s a big part of it. Grohl is _aware_ of his audience, and wants them to jam with him; he feeds off it. Cobain couldn’t have cared less. But, so long as both are writing their music to entertain and express themselves first, they’re both immeasurable enjoyable to me (albeit, in different ways). ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/58 "2012-05-28T17:42:36Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Like arrested development in a musical sense. Would that be “Tennessee” or “Mr Wendell”? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/59 "2012-05-28T17:43:06Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Ah, gotcha. You’re an insufferable douche who thinks that popularity always equals lack of quality. Don’t get me wrong – in 95% of cases, that idea definitely holds true. But if you’re incapable of recognizing the other 5%, then you’re just a sad little poseur jockeying for indie cred. But there’s also the fact that the more popular a band is, the more their mediocre stuff will be exposed to non hard core fans, and so more people will hate them even if everything else is equal. I’d remember the FF as a good little band if they’d stopped at _This is a Call_, rather than consider them mediocre like I do now. Same thing goes for _Blink 182_ and _dammit_ (I even thought “hey, why isn’t there more stuff from Blink 182, that was a pretty good song! Too bad they were just a flash in the pan!”) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/60 "2012-05-28T18:24:40Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Perhaps is something like “the music sounds like its meant to be played in an arena, and thus loses its intimacy with the listener”? > > Just a WAG. Pearl Jam was the epitome of calculated-to-be-radio-friendly-rock in the post-Journey world. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209.md?page=4)