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rusty, boulder, co — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 18:00:06 GMT

wow, i've read 5 blog posts and they all are downers. can you think of the positive in a thing or two? I think a "unique view of the music, the atmosphere, and the shenanigans", as stated in the bio, translates to being a buzzkill critic.

look on the brightside, you're not in the pacific northwest anymore.

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Tom, Bklyn, NY — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 18:15:45 GMT

lighten up dude... it's only rock n' roll, but I like it

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Amanda, Cincinnati, OH — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 18:23:04 GMT

I'm with Tom from Brooklyn. Although I totally agree with the Ben Harper review...it's like Ben Harper expects us to think he is amazing before actually doing something musically memorable first.

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Margaret, Brooklyn, NJ — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:50:43 GMT

Of course, no one could possibly be as cool as John Roderick. Here's a clue about the Hold Steady:

They have fun.

And people have fun at their concerts.

Think about it.
I was not a fan - I hated the hype - until I saw them play.

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Benjamin, Los Angeles, CA — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 18:18:06 GMT

i dunno, i kind of like having a music writer who isn't afraid to to say "y'know what, this isn't that good" it's much better than the whitewash that comes out from other folks so often. besides, roderick's take is valid based on his songwriting alone. c'mon. try it.

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dgstan, OC, CA — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:43:31 GMT

Well, he's certainly not on Bonnaroo's payroll, which in itself, is somewhat refreshing.

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Smith Smithson — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 01:58:49 GMT

considering the stunning lack of originality the Long Winters (and indeed all of the Barsuk roster) displays, this is pot-calling-kettle-black of the highest order.

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Cinnamon — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 03:06:28 GMT

Man, quit drinkin' that Haterade. The Hold Steady get a crowd riled up in a way The Long Winters never will and Craig Finn's phlegm writes better songs than you do. I think you may have broken records for inane lyric repitition. Are you trying to start a nerd-rock feud or what?

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Cinnamon Redux — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 03:10:33 GMT

Oops, that's "repetition."

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nichole, ohio — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 19:35:59 GMT

a. logan i agree with you about how this roderick guy is crazy.
b. however. do not lump him in with counting crows.
c. EVER.

and: it's duritz. at least know what you're talking about before you insult someone.

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mark, ny, ny — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 20:25:05 GMT

counting crowes: music for white guys who need to get laid

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Lexi, Seattle, WA — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 20:37:35 GMT

Hold the phone! John Roderick is awesome. I've seen both The Hold Steady and the Long Winters - on the same day. And I have to agree with John. The Hold Steady were not that impressive and I don't see the big deal. And while the Long Winters don't have the most original sound, the lyrics are so impressive, clever, and hilarious that you just have to love them.

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Pat, Central, New Jersey. — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 22:05:00 GMT

I am gonna have to agree with some of the things you are saying but knowing how I have never heard of you, that shows alot to me. You down talk this band who people love because of things you dont agree with, thats normal. But you go on to basically say (although not saying it out right) that you have no respect for them. At this time it seems everyone is to worried about what people will see them as rather than have fun, no one will talk inbetween songs and just have a good time anymore. Its become a time of wether the guy in the button up vest in the front row will like you or not. And I am not leaving this being completely ignorant to you, i will give your band a listen as non-important as that seems. And alothough you didn't seem to give The Hold Steady any respect for what they are doing I will show you a little for down talking one of the most popular and acclamied bands of the past couple years.

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ben, melbourne, vic — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:46:40 GMT

"...all the sniffling indie kids... hold steady..."

i LOVE the hold steady. been listening to them for a few years now & then saw them a couple of years ago in Melbourne and they were awesome.
loud
authentic
dirty
real
unpretentious
funny
clever
friendly
believable
talented
etc
i guess what im saying is that they remind me of myself.
enjoy.

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slim — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 04:33:48 GMT

So you're somehow cooler because you rip off Rob Pollard and Doug Martsch in every other syllable?

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Ben, Minneapolis, MN — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 04:36:17 GMT

You are of course entitled to your opinion Mr. Long Winters. No one will be able to change your opinion of The Hold Steady. But why waste your time damning their existence? Isn't it possible to just accept that some people GET this band and you don't? For example, The Doors. Yeah sure I laugh every time the Lizard King gets mentioned as a great American poet. I don't feel the need to write four paragraphs about it.

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John Doe, Seattle, Wash — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 01:18:07 GMT

Classic Roderick. Reminds me of the scree of whining he threw at Everett True almost ten years ago because True didn't love the Western State Hurricanes. yawn.

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Bob Caldwell, St. Louis, MO — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 07:10:17 GMT

The Hold Steady concert I attended ONLY to see the opening band The Thermals was the biggest farce I'd ever seen. I felt like I was watching a cover band take bits and pieces of old classic rock and throw someone indecipherably telling supposedly funny stories over it. I'd never seen a larger group of people who showed up because "I heard these guys were really good!" yet you could tell had no fucking clue whats up. I don't claim to be a music snob and gave them a legitimate shot, but at one point I felt like I was at some brainwashing meeting. If you wanted energy The Thermals tore these guys down but ya know what, I guess someone's friends or Spin didn't tell
people "these guys are good!"

And oh yeah, for these guys partying hard? I sat next to them the entire time before the show, nobody drinking beer at all. Too busy on their Macs looking up NCAA tournament scores. I've seen 14 year olds drink harder. No GBV in my book.

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Seattle, WA — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:34:26 GMT

I am sorry, but I just can't get past the lead singers voice. Hasn't anyone noticed he sounds just like Randy Newman? If not, do a search for "I Love L.A." on itunes and tell me that he doesn't sound just like him.

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Kev G, Seattle, WA — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 01:08:14 GMT

2 words: Randy Newman

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Hans — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:32:43 GMT

Hold Steady? In a cut-out bin near you real soon.

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Neil, Leeds UK — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 23:00:34 GMT

From one who has lived through many eras of rock and is not an immediate fan of their style I look at them as a band that only comes up every 5 years or more. The lyrics are erudite and a coherent narrative about a dislocated world fuelled by drugs, alcohol and religion…somewhere I’ve visited but not had the courage to remain. And they can play…and enjoy doing so. Watching through this festival ridden summer I’ve seen many bands that I admire but I always find myself making allowances, with THS I have no need. At The Cockpit Leeds, UK, there was no argument, a congregation discovered their faith.

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bradillac — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:39:13 GMT

I LOVE L.A.!! (We LOVE it!)

Good to see Randy Newman resurrecting his career as the lead singer of The Hold Steady. His genius in "I Love L.A." will no longer go unnoticed by today's youth.