If you remember anything about MuchMusic in the earlier days, you recall that it was basically the exception to see anything non-musical or non-music video on the tube. But over time, that slowly changed to the point where if you were to try and find a music video or anything music related on MuchMusic, you would gather more information from a Telemundo Weather Forecast of Sable Island.
It got to the point in recent years where shows like The New Music -- one of the staples of music journalism for much of the '80s and '90s -- was tossed aside and other shows were put to the backburner, including The Wedge, the only hour of music which did not feature pre-packaged pop and radio-friendly rock but a bevy of new, foreign (often British) and alternative rock acts. The show was a weekend staple up until last year, when the great braintrust at MuchMusic pushed it back to the prime time hour of I believe 3 am or 4 am Eastern. In a word they wanted it dead.
Well, all that has changed, and for the better. Now The Wedge has had a great deal of life put back into it thanks to the lead singer of F--ked Up Damien. Although his initial claim to fame was smashing beer cans into his forehead, which resulted in cuts and an excessive amount of scar tissue, the host seems to know what he's talking about. And even better is the fact that the show is live. The episode this week featured him cruising around Toronto en route to a concert and an interview with the support act. At the same time videos were shown of indie and alternative acts a lot of eyes and ears never laid, er, eyes and ears on.
While his reporting skills and television tact leaves a bit to be desired, you can't deny the fact that this is a guy who likes music that is sadly getting harder and harder to find. But at least there is some hope for MuchMusic thanks to this change or wake up call. Long may it air.....
No comments:
Post a Comment