# 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:** 4
**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, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/61 "2012-05-28T18:37:50Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Would that be “Tennessee” or “Mr Wendell”? 😃 > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Pearl Jam was the epitome of calculated-to-be-radio-friendly-rock in the post-Journey world. What’s your definition of “radio-friendly”? Talk about the most overused, contrived and abused phrase applied to music in general. Sometimes a band will write songs looking for it to top the charts, become a hit and make them and the studio shitloads of money. Other times, a song makes the circuit (a lot of the time, because the label is pushing it to get a fuck load of radio play), but this doesn’t mean the band intentionally set out to write the song only to gain a lot of radio play. Besides, dood, who listens to the radio anymore? ---
**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, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/62 "2012-05-28T18:44:46Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > 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!”) Don’t know if you knew, but _Blink_ did get back together and released a new album this year. I dug it, for the most part, but it’s no _Enema of the State._ Also, Travis Barker is probably one of the best drummers working today (speaking of Hawkins and Grohl). ---
**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, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/63 "2012-05-28T19:11:03Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Pearl Jam was the epitome of calculated-to-be-radio-friendly-rock in the post-Journey world. Can you elaborate on this? Because in my mind, much of the subject matter of Pearl Jam songs kinda fly in the face of conventional radio-friendly music themes. In my previous statement I was referring to their overall sound. ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/64 "2012-05-28T20:17:48Z")
Fan of FF. Always thought they were a pretty ok band, couple of good songs, a little too pop, but still pretty ok. Saw them live last year for the first time in Chicago. They fucking rock in concert. By date the best band I have seen in concert. They are harder and more honest live, and I have never seen a band enjoy themselves so much. They love what they do. I’ve seen them in Minneapolis and Columbus as well. They’ve turned me into a fan. If you kinda like them then now, go see them live. ---
**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, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/65 "2012-05-28T20:27:25Z")
They’re awesome in concert. Pushing 40, myself, concerts are really starting to bore me, but they’re one of the bands I’ll never pass to see play live. Also, I love the irony on how “milquetoast” and “radio-friendly” they’re claimed to be, when the title track on _The Colour and the Shape_ is [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0tWxsfxjzM) little tune. Sure, they’ll come across as radio-friendly when all you’re listening to is the radio. ---
**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, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/66 "2012-05-28T22:00:56Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > They’re awesome in concert. Pushing 40, myself, concerts are really starting to bore me, but they’re one of the bands I’ll never pass to see play live. > > Also, I love the irony on how “milquetoast” and “radio-friendly” they’re claimed to be, when the title track on _The Colour and the Shape_ is [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0tWxsfxjzM) little tune. > > Sure, they’ll come across as radio-friendly when all you’re listening to is the radio. Damn, I forgot all about that song…it rocks! ---
**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, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/67 "2012-05-28T22:08:41Z")
Oh yeh. Right now listening to _Wattershed,_ yet another facemelting song by the Foo. ---
**Author:** ![Blackzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Blackzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackzilla)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/68 "2012-05-29T02:12:26Z")
That first album is really great, ESP. “Big me” and “this is a call.” I feel like the band should maybe never have gone beyond Grohl’s bedroom vanity project, as they’ve since morphed into the most bland, corporate, non-threatening m.o.r. Arena dreck. Grohl can definitely occasionally write a huge hook like “learn to fly,” but the first time I heard “the best of you” I thought it was actually a Budweiser commercial. ---
**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 29, 2012, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/69 "2012-05-29T03:41:41Z")
I honestly don’t get this mentality. If its good, its good. If it sells, it sells. It doesn’t make it uncool if it sells, only MORE cool. ---
**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 29, 2012, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/70 "2012-05-29T04:06:18Z")
> [@Blackzilla](#): > > That first album is really great, ESP. “Big me” and “this is a call.” I feel like the band should maybe never have gone beyond Grohl’s bedroom vanity project, as they’ve since morphed into the most bland, corporate, non-threatening m.o.r. Arena dreck. Grohl can definitely occasionally write a huge hook like “learn to fly,” but the first time I heard “the best of you” I thought it was actually a Budweiser commercial. Which seems to be the big misconception. All anybody seems to have sampled are their commercialized radio singles. Best of You and Learn to Fly, I’d have to say, are among some of my least favorites by them. Sure, they have a lot of melodic, catchy tunes, but their best stuff is the songs hiding on their meatylicious albums that don’t get radio play. So, I’m confused. Some hear them on the radio, and are “meh,” yet complain that they’re too bland and only write radio-friendly music. Well, isn’t that what you’re only going to hear when you listen to the radio? While the First Eponymous album is fantastic, and there was a shift in sound to the rest of their stuff once he assembled a band, but it’s all solid rock, and very Grohl, IMO. ETA: I listen to other bands for “threatening, dark” music. That’s never really been his thing. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/71 "2012-05-29T05:03:56Z")
> [@SykoSkotty](#): > > Who’da thunk that Dave Grohl was the most talented member of Nirvana?? I thunk it and have been telling anybody who would listen for nearly 20 years now. 😉 Foo’s rock and I really want to have Dave over for a BBQ and beers. He can bring all the kids and we’ll ride dirtbikes, play darts and generally have a capital time. Only thing I don’t like about him is gum-chewing on stage. Damn “Rock Stars”! 😃 ---
**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 29, 2012, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/72 "2012-05-29T12:11:37Z")
Yeh, but it’s Foo flavored gum. Helps with fighting Foo. And godammit, if he doesn’t fight Foo, who the hell will fight Foo?!\* \*duly stolen from David Letterman ---
**Author:** ![Pashnish\_Ewing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8797f3/32.png) [@Pashnish\_Ewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pashnish_Ewing)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/73 "2012-05-29T13:12:54Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Would that be “Tennessee” or “Mr Wendell”? Or “The Final [Countdown](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R9zN7o_s2Y)”? ---
**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 29, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/74 "2012-05-29T13:19:07Z")
Dammit, now you guys are making me miss this show all together again. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/75 "2012-05-29T13:35:36Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Oh, hell yes. David Grohl is impossible to dislike in my opinion. I may have somewhat opposing views as it comes to the Foo Fighters (“somewhat,” as I don’t hate them or anything), but David is definitely a guy I would love to play with. For what it’s worth, a good friend used to work in some of the major LA studios (Sound City) and got to rub elbows with a lot of musicians (I’ve met a few through him). He always said that Grohl is one of the nicest people he’s worked with, and definitely the most “what you see is what you get” in the industry. ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/76 "2012-05-29T17:12:02Z")
There was a mini garage tour last spring. One of my favorite parts is when Dave Grohl is giving one of his biggest fans shit. [http://www.foofighters.com/us/videos/garage-tour-full-length](http://www.foofighters.com/us/videos/garage-tour-full-length) It’s in Toronto and the segment starts @ 10:20, but the shit giving is at 18:30. Watch the whole ten minutes if you’re a fan, there is some other fun going on. Also, some of the Letterman live videos. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/kqmTxasTnio/maxresdefault.jpg "Foo Fighters - Stacked Actors (Live on Letterman)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqmTxasTnio) ---
**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 29, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/77 "2012-05-29T19:41:10Z")
“Wait a minute… it’s _that_ guy!” Dave, if you’re reading this (and I know you are), I’ll buy YOU a beer. ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/78 "2012-05-29T19:55:09Z")
Who’s up for Milwaukee end of June for their appearance at Summerfest? I didn’t realize they were coming halfway close to me, but I’m in. ---
**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 29, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/79 "2012-05-29T20:46:58Z")
I’m in Detroit, so unless I can find someone with a sweet-ass boat to get me across Lake Michigan, the drive would be a bitch. But I’m thinkin’ about it! ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209/80 "2012-05-29T21:52:41Z")
It’s 6.5 hours from my house, wuss. You at least have a ferry, mine is just driving across WI dairy country. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foo-fighters/623209.md?page=5)