Welcome to a new season of Rock Star! I will be your recapper for this evening, and I must confess that I am a Rock Star virgin. I never watched the show at all last season, although I admit that I thoroughly enjoyed JD Fortune heading up INXS. This year, we have a new band that is made up of Gilby Clarke from Guns ‘N Roses, Jason Newsted of Metallica, and Tommy Lee of Motley Crue. Also featured on the show will be the producer of the band’s debut album, Butch Walker.
Before I start out the recap though, I have just one more confession to make. The show that I usually recap here on ART is Canadian Idol, which at first didn’t seem all that dissimilar from Rock Star. However, I started to watch Rock Star, and realized that they were completely different. I am very new to this world, and so I ask for your patience as you travel on through this recap. I have never been a huge fan of rock music, however after tonight’s episode, I will confess that I might have to change that.
Brooke Burke, our hostess comes out first, and tells us all of JD’s rags to riches story. We go to a series of clips showing him performing to a sold out Air Canada Centre in Toronto, and he says that he is still homeless, but this is the kind of homeless that comes with room service. Brooke gets to introducing the 15 finalists, followed by a short introduction of the new band, Supernova – as Tommy Lee clarifies that the reason for the name is that this band is a “clash of stars”. They have finalists from Iceland, New Zealand, Australia, North America, and all over the States (yes, that’s right, they have people from North America AND people from the States… as Brooke says “North America” a picture of Toronto’s CN Tower goes across the screen. Apparently, Canada is now referred to only as “North America”)
Let’s RockUp first is Storm Large (yes, that’s her real name) from Portland, OR. She will be performing “Pinball Wizard” by The Who. It is a truly excellent performance, and very well done. Dave Navarro calls it super-dope, Tommy Lee asks her why she picked the song, and she responds that it’s because she’s unafraid, and she likes being first cause she gets a clean microphone. Can’t argue with that logic I suppose. It’s truly a great way to kick off the night.
Ryan Star, from Long Island, NY, is up next singing The Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris”. Of course, this is a song I’ve heard many times before, so I’m looking for something a little different. It seems that Ryan is ready to give me that something different, as he changes the song up quite a bit. It seemed quite frantic at the end, and while I
do give him kudos for changing the song up, I’m not sure I enjoy his arrangement that much, let alone his voice. Of course, I admit that I might be biased, because before watching this episode, I watched the online episode on
http://rockstar.msn.com, and he’s quite the whiny “nobody wants to play with me” type of loaner… but that’s beside the point. Anyway, Dave says that he believes his passion, and he likes that Ryan chose to play guitar at the same time, but he didn’t like that he had to keep looking down at his guitar to get the chords.
Aussie Toby Rand from Melbourne is up next, singing Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”. Now, I must tell you, I hate this song with a passion, as me and this song have quite the history, but I
really enjoyed Toby’s acoustic version of the song. Dave said that it was a great choice to go acoustic, while Tommy enjoyed that Toby decided to end the song by sitting on the floor. Gilby found it refreshing, and Butch the producer thought his voice sounded really good. Looks like we may have a front runner now.
Patrice Pike is up next, from Austin, TX. She sings “Somebody to Love” by Jefferson Airplane, and while she does a decent job, in my mind, she doesn’t live up to the previous contestants. Dave tells her that she killed the song (I never understood how that could be a compliment, but from Dave it was) and that she had good interaction with the band. Gilby loved the tone of her voice, and can tell that she wants it. (Funny, I just figured they ALL wanted it, since they were all on the show.)
Next up is that star from Reykjavik, Iceland, Magni. Apparently, he is one of the most recognizable people in Iceland because his band is HUGE there, but he wants to make it big in the United States now. He sings “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones, but it seems to be missing a certain “je ne sais quoi”. I’m not sure how to place it, but it lacks something. Dave says that his stage vibe was near to Vegas, while Gilby tells Magni that Supernova is a “dirty rock and roll band” and wants to see if Magni can meet those standards.
Zayra Alvarez from Puerto Rico, via Dallas, TX is up next, singing “Bring Me To Life” by Evanescence. I have to say that her voice grates on me like nothing else I’ve heard lately. Dave tells Zayra that her intro reminds him of the homeland, while Butch loves it, Tommy Lee calls it spicy, and Jason asks her to marry him. I don’t know what these guys were listening to.
Jenny Gold from Vancouver, BC is ready now to sing “How You Remind Me” by one of my least favorite bands on the planet: Nickelback. The whole song, I’m waiting for her to kick it into high gear, but she never quite gets there. That being said, I’d rather listen to her than Nickelback any day. Dave says it was hot and sexy, and a good example of someone who can play guitar and sing at the same time (clearly alluding to Ryan Star’s lack of ability to do so). Jason tells Jenny that she belongs in a rock band.
Josh Logan is up next, singing “She Talks To Angels” by The Black Crowes. He has lots of soul mixed with the rock and roll, which is a style I admire greatly, but is it right for Supernova? Jason questions whether he can front this heavy band when his forte is that funk, and Josh replies that he will bring it. Dave says that he has a great tonality, and Tommy loves that he has so much soul.
Up next is another one of my least favorite songs, by another least favorite band. Matt Hoffer sings “Yellow” by Coldplay, and my overall impression is “meh”. Dave tells him that there were a few pitch problems in the end, but who cares, it’s rock and roll! (Just for the record, I care… but that’s beside the point.)
Dilana, from Africa, via Houston Texas is up next singing “Lithium” by Nirvana, and I have to say that I LOVE it. She has a very raspy voice, and she pulls off an excellent ending. Dave says it was insane, with an intensity that’s riveting, while she leaves Tommy speechless.
Southern girl, Dana Andrews, from Augusta, GA is up next singing Melissa Etheridge’s “I’m The Only One”. Now I must say, that only one day earlier, I was listening to someone sing this song on Canadian Idol, and Dana is many, many times better, and I found her voice commanded attention. Butch compliments her on her pitch and Jason tells her that she has an incredible gift.
Phil Ritchie of Ocean City, MD performs “Cult of Personality” by Living Colors. I must admit at this point that I’ve never heard this song before, and I find both his performance and the song itself quite boring. Not only that, but I’m sick of seeing the performers’ tongues at this stage. Apparently, sticking out one’s tongue is the sign of the ultimate rocker. It worked for KISS, so it should work for everyone else right? WRONG. Keep your tongue in your mouth. Anyway, Dave tells him that he’s vocally strong, but that his stage presence lacked strength and confidence. Jason calls it pitchy, while Tommy Lee thinks it was a strange song choice.
Our second contestant from Long Island is up next, in Jill Gioia. She is a tiny little thing, but her voice packs one hell of a punch! She sings Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart”, and not only is it a strong performance, but it’s also a lot of fun to watch. Dave tells her that she does a great job, while Jason likens her to a stick of dynamite.
Our second contestant from Georgia is up next, in the form of Chris Pierson. He sings “Roxanne” by The Police. It’s a very difficult song, which he did alright with considering the level of difficulty. It was definitely a pitchy in many spots. Dave says that he’s not a huge fan of that, while Butch tells him he needs to be careful how he changes the classics. Gilby is more blunt when he says “That sucked”. Ouch.
As you may recall, JD Fortune, last years winner came out of the streets of Toronto (literally). This year, we have Lukas Rorsi who also comes from the streets of Toronto. Will he follow in JD’s footsteps? It looks like he definitely could after an amazing performance of Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell”. It was an excellent song choice, and a great way to end the night. Dave calls it insane, while Tommy sums it all up: “Can you say Rock Star?”
Well, it was an excellent night of rock and roll, and we will soon find out who will not be the next Rock Star. Be sure to tune in tonight after Big Brother to see who stays and who goes!
Do you have a different opinion? I’d love to hear it! Click here to tell us!Did you actually enjoy Zayra’s performance? Tell me about it at
supernova@alwaysrealitytv.com!