# When did it become uncool to like the Dave Matthew’s Band? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 6, 2009, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581 "2009-05-06T20:04:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/1 "2009-05-06T20:04:07Z")
Okay, I’ll happily admit that [playing DMB 24/7](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=515562) is excessive – insane, even. But I’m surprised how often I hear people talk about them like they’re in secret league with Nickleback, Cold Play, and ICP on a mission to destroy the musical world. I just don’t get it. They always struck me as reasonably talented musicians and song writers. Were they overplayed or something? I didn’t hear a ton of them (of course, I’m from San Antonio, where radio listeners have a choice of country, oldies, country, hip hop, and country. So what is it? How come the Dave Matthew’s Band doesn’t rock? Why is it that how I feel when I’m drunk isn’t correct!? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/2 "2009-05-06T20:09:27Z")
I never thought about it before, but you’re right, they are in the same league with Nickelback and Coldplay. The answer is that no one hears about bands that suck that aren’t popular. It’s only bands that suck that are somewhat popular such as the aforementioned three that get all the hate. I’d actively hate them too if I listened to radio or had it forced on me. I dont want other people to push their cultural choices onto me. That’s why the only musical genre I currently actively hate is soul-rap, because it’s the only completely lame genre that seems to be playing in places where I can’t avoid it. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/3 "2009-05-06T20:09:40Z")
Coldplay is uncool? I’m not a fan, but aren’t they both hugely popular on a global scale and critically acclaimed? ---
**Author:** ![Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d9b06d/32.png) [@Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichini_Sanshigo)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/4 "2009-05-06T20:10:41Z")
I don’t think they suck. I like them quite a lot, actually, and I’m not some frat-boy. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/5 "2009-05-06T20:11:30Z")
1. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/6 "2009-05-06T20:14:37Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > 1. Win. ---
**Author:** ![Jelymag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jelymag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jelymag)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/7 "2009-05-06T20:14:43Z")
Nickelback sucks? I, sadly, have never been cool. But I thought they were pretty popular and I like most of their music. Sigh… It’s seventh grade all over again. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/8 "2009-05-06T20:15:38Z")
I like Nickelback, but yes, they do. I’m still confused about Coldplay, though. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/9 "2009-05-06T20:17:14Z")
What seems to happen generally is that bands get super-popular, then they get cliched, and then it’s on to the Next Big Thing. I’m sure it’s been happening forever, but the Internet Age has seemed to accelerate the rise-and-fall curve quite a lot. Hootie and the Blowfish was the first band I can remember having this happen to … or maybe on a smaller scale the Spin Doctors. Other bands with similar issues are Staind and Fall Out Boy. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/10 "2009-05-06T20:17:20Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > I never thought about it before, but you’re right, they are in the same league with Nickelback and Coldplay. > > The answer is that no one hears about bands that suck that aren’t popular. It’s only bands that suck that are somewhat popular such as the aforementioned three that get all the hate. > > I’d actively hate them too if I listened to radio or had it forced on me. I dont want other people to push their cultural choices onto me. That’s why the only musical genre I currently actively hate is soul-rap, because it’s the only completely lame genre that seems to be playing in places where I can’t avoid it. Okay, but what I’m asking is, \*what \*makes them suck. Like, Coldplay sucks because all of their songs are the same bar, over and over again. Nickleback sucks because all of their songs are the same _song_, over and over. ICP sucks because - well, okay, I don’t know any ICP music, but by all accounts, they suck. Why does DMB suck? Is there something specifically about their music that’s lacking? ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/11 "2009-05-06T20:19:22Z")
> [@Small\_Hen](#): > > Why does DMB suck? Because their busdriver tried to throw poo in the Chicago River. And missed! ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/12 "2009-05-06T20:29:48Z")
DMB sucks as much as it does because I just don’t like the sound of Dave’s voice. While we’re talking about Nickelback it’s about the same reason I don’t like them: it’s _fake_ whiny. Like he is trying too hard to sound angsty. Now, many bands I am sure are faking their emotions as well, but Nickelback and DMB aren’t even doing it well, it’s sort of like they don’t give it their all because they are afraid of not sounding manly. If Dave either sang as a full out emo or as just a regular folkie, he’d be just another mediocre contemporary adult alternative act to me. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/13 "2009-05-06T20:29:57Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > Because their busdriver tried to throw poo in the Chicago River. And missed! That explains why their busdriver sucks. I don’t think anyone is paying to see him throw poo in concert, though. ---
**Author:** ![Discipline](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Discipline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discipline)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/14 "2009-05-06T20:56:16Z")
If you were in high school/college in the late 90’s, you likely never want to hear another DMB song ever again. Edit: I should add that, unlike the other bands mentioned here (Coldplay, Nickelback), DMB doesn’t _actually_ suck. They are a very talented group of guys, and they had a great sound. Their earlier works were a bit more creative than later efforts which, to me, sounded like they were trying too hard to sound like DMB. Coldplay sucks. Nickelback sucks. DMB is just a band I am so incredibly sick of. ---
**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 6, 2009, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/15 "2009-05-06T20:59:06Z")
It wouldn’t take much searching to find my position on DMB and Coldplay: Far and away, the two least-rocking bands that ever failed to rock. A matching pair of sucking musical voids. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/16 "2009-05-06T21:03:03Z")
> [@Discipline](#): > > If you were in high school/college in the late 90’s, you likely never want to hear another DMB song ever again. > > Edit: > > I should add that, unlike the other bands mentioned here (Coldplay, Nickelback), DMB doesn’t _actually_ suck. They are a very talented group of guys, and they had a great sound. Their earlier works were a bit more creative than later efforts which, to me, sounded like they were trying too hard to sound like DMB. > > Coldplay sucks. Nickelback sucks. DMB is just a band I am so incredibly sick of. This hits close to the heart of the matter for me. They’re like the Eagles were in the 70’s. Oh shit, not THIS again. Plus, I’m just constitutionally opposed to “lifestyle bands”. It seemed like every frat kid and future yuppie douchebag wanna-be thought that DMB was the most profound thing in the universe for a while, and modeled their entire existence after DMB songs. Fuck those guys, and by extension, fuck DMB. Same with the Dead, any of the million crappy college jam bands, Jimmy Fucking Buffet, etc. ---
**Author:** ![tds1273](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@tds1273](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tds1273)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/17 "2009-05-06T21:08:23Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > That’s why the only musical genre I currently actively hate is soul-rap, because it’s the only completely lame genre that seems to be playing in places where I can’t avoid it. What(or who) exactly is soul-rap? I can think of what it might be(more spiritual/metaphysical orientated underground rap?), but I can’t imagine where it might be so unavoidably widespread and overplayed. ---
**Author:** ![planetcory](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/planetcory/32/1032_2.png) [@planetcory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/planetcory)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/18 "2009-05-06T21:08:38Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > It seemed like every frat kid and future yuppie douchebag wanna-be thought that DMB was the most profound thing in the universe for a while, and modeled their entire existence after DMB songs. Fuck those guys, and by extension, fuck DMB. I think this sums up what I came here to say. I don’t think it’s so much that _they_ suck. I think it’s more that their _fans_ suck and the band suffers the fallout. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/19 "2009-05-06T21:09:01Z")
For me it’s their fans They are the most pretentious a-holes. If someone just thinks they’re better than me and just have that “air” about them…I can usually tell they listen to DMB. Edit: Didn’t see what **Ogre** said…but yeah, pretty much agree ---
**Author:** ![MichaelQReilly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@MichaelQReilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelQReilly)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581/20 "2009-05-06T21:10:10Z")
> [@Small\_Hen](#): > > Okay, I’ll happily admit that [playing DMB 24/7](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=515562) is excessive – insane, even. But I’m surprised how often I hear people talk about them like they’re in secret league with Nickleback, Cold Play, and ICP on a mission to destroy the musical world. I just don’t get it. They always struck me as reasonably talented musicians and song writers. Were they overplayed or something? I didn’t hear a ton of them (of course, I’m from San Antonio, where radio listeners have a choice of country, oldies, country, hip hop, and country. > > So what is it? How come the Dave Matthew’s Band doesn’t rock? Why is it that how I feel when I’m drunk isn’t correct!? I’m unabashedly a fan of DMB, but I understand why casual listeners might not like them. The fact is that pretty much every DMB a single on the radio has been among their weakest songs. Based on that I thought they were pretty lame when I first heard them, but after I went with friends to concerts a couple of times they really grew on me. Edit: and I graduated highschool in 99, so yes, I’m a little sick of them now, but like any of one’s favorite bands, you drift away for a while, but you always come back. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-uncool-to-like-the-dave-matthew-s-band/495581.md?page=2)