NEWS4U JULY 2022 | MUSIC
THE ROCK & METAL PROFS W I T H M AT T A L S C H BAC H & D R . CO U RT L E W I S
Associate professors at Owensboro Community College and Pellissippi State Community College, respectively, Alschbach and Lewis host the popular podcast The Rock & Metal Profs: The History & Philosophy of Rock & Metal. Now they're bringing their keen insights to the pages of News 4U with a monthly deep dive into some of the best bands of the rock/metal genre and thoughts on music in general.
THE COMMODIFICATION OF ROCK & METAL Iron Maiden ice chests. Judas Priest BBQ
in support of them. Many will
aprons. Metallica editions of Monopoly and
do just that. On more than
Clue board games. Sound absurd? All of these
one occasion Court and I
items can be purchased on the websites of
purchased a t-shirt for 40 or
the bands listed above. Why, you might ask,
50 bucks simply because we
do I need a Judas Priest branding iron? Does
know how tough it is for less-
my newborn child really need Metallica socks?
established bands.
Am I safer if I use Anthrax’s “Stop Spreading the Disease” hand sanitizer? Would I lead
Likewise, meet & greets
a rocking afterlife if I were buried in a KISS
are a new way for artists
Kasket? Do I need Slayer rolling papers?
to generate revenue, no
PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: MATT ALSCHBACH AND DR. COURT LEWIS
matter how awkward and The bands mentioned above are/were hugely
uncomfortable those fan
successful - they made their fortunes when
encounters might be. Sure, some artists love
selling albums was profitable. They also have
meeting the fans, but most probably find it
the purchasing power to stock and maintain
an inconvenience at best. Take for example,
their online shops with a multitude of items
former Poison vocalist Bret Michaels. On more
that fans may wish to purchase. Not so for the
than one occasion his fans were disappointed
vast majority of bands. Most artists are limited
when an inebriated Bret made it clear that
to shirts, hats, and maybe a keychain. It’s a
he was less than enthused about the idea
hard road being rock stars in 2022. Touring
of taking time out of his schedule to sign
and merch account for the lion’s share of
autographs and snap pictures. I recently
band earnings in the 21st century. Sure, the
watched a video of former KISS guitarist
Rolling Stones do fine when they tour, but
Vinnie Vincent interacting with fans, and it
Killswitch Engage, Mastodon and Primus will
was truly painful. Vincent was doing his best
make their money by touring and hocking
to smile and get through it, when one male
overpriced merch that they hope fans will buy
fan exclaimed, “I don’t care what people say
34 | JULY 2022
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about you, Vinnie, you are my favorite guitarist and member of KISS.” Vincent’s response was, “What are people saying about me?” Oh dear God, no. You could see the panic on fan-guy’s face as he stammered. Mercifully, the fellow and his wife were quickly escorted out of the room by a handler to prevent further suffering. Bottom line: support the artists you love, and if you do a meet & greet, maybe script what you intend to say ahead of time! The Rock & Metal Profs podcast is available on iTunes, Google and Spotify.
