Dave Grohl is guilty of ‘betraying one’s punk rock roots.’ A high crime in my book.
So what, you say? There are a million shitty bands that aren’t worth paying attention to. And life is too short to waste your breath on something one deems not worthy, correct? Well, you’d be right about that, but Dave Grohl was in Nirvana! And Nirvana was my favorite band. Ever. Of all time. As such Dave spent years in close proximity to my favorite artist.
Like a Vietnam vet, “He was there, man!”
Consider reading the first installment of a new fictional piece I am writing Kurt Cobain Lives In 1994 Kurt Cobain faked his own suicide. 22 years later he’s ending his self-imposed exile.
A quick caveat before you finish reading this piece. I am less anti-Dave Grohl than I am pro-Kurt Cobain. If you are interested in Nirvana, consider reading this other piece concerning my favorite band here. Or perhaps this one, Kurt Cobain was NOT a retard fucker, here.
And while I have chosen to ignore the Foo Fighters whenever possible, Dave has done a pretty great job this past year of making that difficult. Between Nirvana’s induction into the Rock & Roll hall of fame, the release of Dave’s “Sound City” documentary and the bloated HBO series “Sonic Highways” that accompanies the new Foo Fighters record, he’s fucking everywhere.
I’m a generous dude though. I’ll freely admit it’s not Dave’s fault he’s a toolbox. He’s just a person with, I assume, good intentions, going through life doing the best he can. That said, even though I know the following statement is untrue, it’s my gut reality and the one that is spilling forth into this article; Dave Grohl’s career post Nirvana besmirches Kurt Cobain’s legacy. I can’t help but think that Kurt would have nothing to do with Dave were he alive.
Of course, Kurt took care of what Kurt thinks a long time ago and despite it being a futile exercise to imagine otherwise, I’m still pretty confident he would think the Foo Fighters suck and that Dave should stick to drumming.
Hey! It’s my article and I can write what I want.
In order to understand my emotional logic you need to understand the moral compass I’m working with, and it’s the same one put forward by Kurt Cobain.
Punk rock is music to rebel by. Punk is an impassioned cry against the status quo, against the mainstream dumbed down, un-nuanced perspective on all things as propagated by “the man.” Personally, it’s also a rejection of homophobia and chauvinism and corporate greed.
That may be an idealistic and juvenile conception of punk, but that was how Kurt saw it too. Ironically that definition also posed the central philosophical difficulty Kurt Cobain had with his fame, popularity and wealth. Those things placed him in direct opposition to his punk rock ideals. The thing – punk rock – that had sustained him, that nurtured him and gave him strength, he had suddenly somehow become the antithesis of.
Growing up Kurt felt like an outsider. He felt shamed and abused by the popular kids, the townies and the jocks for being different. He glommed onto punk rock for a sense of validation. And he got it. Punk was his salvation, the one true thing in his life. I grew up that way too. Punk was the validation of my – admittedly juvenile – perception of the world. Dave Grohl pays lip service to that sentiment in his HBO series. He describes a transformative trip as a young teenager to Chicago where he saw a Naked Raygun show. It’s his first hardcore show and a revelation of democratic music making for him, his first exposure to punk’s D.I.Y. ethos.
For a young person, such as myself, armed with the pre-assembled tenets (of punk), people, ideas and things were easily classifiable. If you liked punk or hip-hop, you were cool. If you liked sports or Motley Crüe, you were uncool. I wanted nothing to do with uncool. Life – what to think, how to act – was tied up neatly. I could classify all things quickly and move on with my day.
With age, however comes an appreciation for nuance, an ability to view things with a degree of perspective, empathy even. You realize not everything can be simply black or white. Still, in regard to this issue, to my ears arrested in adolescence as they might be, Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters sound like corporate bro rockers. In short, they suck.
I feel justified in using my teenage logic in this case. If I can’t apply it here, to a lament for my favorite band, then where can I apply it?
I have never followed the Foo Fighters with any zeal, but the singles from pretty much every album through the years (and they’ve been going for a lot of years) have consistently reached me. I just never thought much of them one-way or the other. I didn’t find them disdainful. I even liked one or two along the way, found them hum-along-able on the radio. I figured everyone has to make a living, even the former drummer for Nirvana.
But then this past year you just couldn’t shake Dave Grohl. He was freaking everywhere. As such, it was only recently that I decided he’s liable for the ‘betrayal of one’s punk rock roots’ on multiple levels.
His live performances are a good example. I’ve had the misfortune of watching several clips on youtube of him playing to packed arenas. He just won’t shut up! He’s an anecdote-telling, mother-loving-happy-birthday-singing, anti-bully-advocating ringmaster between one overwrought, sanctimonious song and the next. In contrast, Kurt didn’t talk between songs. It was all about the music for him. Anything beyond a “thank you,” or, “this is a new one,” was rare. It’s abundantly clear that Dave likes to hear himself scream, “Let’s Rock!” with a Tourette’s-esque frequency.
My cardinal rule in regards to musical evaluation is dependent on where the music originates in a human being. Is it “true” to the person who is channeling it? Actually that’s true for most art. If a person is speaking their truth, whatever that might be – and however it is that that person chooses to speak it – then I can respect it. Maybe not like it or enjoy it, but respect it. With this tenet as my guide, Dave’s soul is full of fermented cheese and the overwhelming desire to “RAWK BRO!”
Then there’s the HBO show, “Sonic Highways.” What a mess. They start with the premise that America has quite a few locally grown musical traditions. Fair enough. I’d even go so far as to say documenting those local traditions is a good thing, because as with all things local, they are no doubt doomed to extinction by the rapacious appetite of internet culture. I love the history part of the show. I love that younger people – if they happen to watch the show on their parent’s “HBO-GO” account – will get to hear about music they might not otherwise be aware of.
Dave and the producers, also do a serviceable job of highlighting some legitimately under-appreciated scenes and musicians, the blues players in Chicago or the Go Go music scene in DC for example. Of course there are myriad bands, players and scenes that get missed, but that feels built in to the endeavor. Somebody will always be unhappy in that respect. That’s not to say I don’t quibble with some of the decisions made in the editorial department, it’s just in comparison to the series’ other issues, it wouldn’t be my primary beef.
The problem is that Dave and the Foos inject themselves into it in such a cheesy way. They juxtapose themselves in relation to these noble musical traditions – via the studio they record in that week – and it stinks of hubris. The first quarter of the show is spent framing Dave and the rest of the band in fashion-shoot-esque scenarios. Say staring balefully at their reflections in subway car glass or walking in adverse weather set to a melancholy Foo soundtrack. It gets worse from there, with the majority of the episode dedicated to the band writing and recording a song influenced by the given place they are profiling. At which point Dave gloms onto some stand-alone phrase uttered by one of the musicians profiled in the episode and makes it a lyric for the song they cut that week.
For example one of the blues players profiled in the Chicago episode, Buddy Guy says in the course of his interview that he went “looking for a dime and found a quarter,” regarding his search for a life as a musician in Chicago. Sure enough by the end of the episode Dave is shrieking the phrase over and over again in the Chicago “influenced” song, “Something from Nothing.”
That song by the way, being the first from the album to be debuted, is epic in its bloated musical indulgence. It’s a massive undertaking of over-ornamentation and mega-power-rocking.
And to claim the song is “influenced” by what the band “experienced” in their week in a famed Chicago studio? What a bunch of hooey! That song has got about as much to do with Chicago as I do because I’ve eaten a deep-dish pizza. Every song I’ve heard – and I admit I haven’t heard all of them – strikes me as an overwrought exercise in paint-by-numbers song writing.
Music should come from organic – not forced – inspiration. Not if you want it to have any gravitas or truth to it. The show’s concept is a flawed exercise, saccharine out of the gate.
Kurt is spinning in his grave, the poor guy. He’s lamenting what he has wroth upon us. Can you imagine him writing a song influenced by New Orleans? No, you can’t, because he’d rather blow his head off first. Which is, in the end, why you are here if you’ve made it this far. If it hasn’t bled through to you yet, then I’ll spell it out; my true beef isn’t with Dave Grohl. Yeah, he sucks and he’s a cheese ball, but then most people suck and are cheese balls. I don’t like to go negative, but Dave can take it I’m sure – plus he’ll never read it.
The true premise of this article is that the wrong member of Nirvana died. I’m resentful that we have to listen to the Foo Fighters instead of Nirvana.
Still, that doesn’t change the fact that Dave Grohl is a cheese dick and should really hang it up. Surely you have enough dough to retire at this point, don’t you, Dave?
That other Nirvana piece is here. Thanks for reading.
Futurepilgrim's Blog 
Quite right. Bit too “organic”.
Who cares what you think. You are an idiot that doesnt know anything about music. Regardless of how many bad opinions there were about Foo Fighters 15 years ago, they have proven to be genuine. Even the band QUEEN thinks so. Today’s industry robots are a joke. Today’s music sucks balls. Bands I thought I hated 15 years ago, I don’t anymore. Not after the likes of Taylor Swift and other faggoty acts. No thanks. But I will take Foo Fighters ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. Dave is part of a long legacy of REAL rockers.
Love your passion! Sing it loud and proud sister. Thanks for the comment. However, you really ought to be more careful with the homophobic language. Chances are you don’t mean anything by it but even so, it doesn’t suit you.
What I hate the most about poeple who will disagree with you is their main arguement; “Music this generation sucks”. I want to reach through my computer screen and choke whoever typed those words whenever I see them. If you think the only music coming out these days is whatever they play on your shitty local radio stations, you need to reconsider your life. When you dig deep enough, you’ll fidn that this generation is putting out some of the best music at the most consistent rates. But people are too blinded by 40 year old corporate rockers that can’t even appreciate music for themselves unless it’s in their form. Sorry for the rant, but I 100% agree with you and I’m glad to meet someone else with my same opnion.
Thanks for commenting Dylan. Too true – there’s tons of great stuff out there. I’d say the problem is there’s too much and I have to accept I’ll never get to it all. I went to see the Replacements in LA the other night and saw the singer for one of my favorite young bands in the audience – the Orwells. Nobody noticed them! These guys are barely out of high school yet they are tearing it up with the best of them! There is hope for the future.
hgr8h8fe: well… it’s a blog or a column, and people usually write stuff in them about what’s on their mind. duh! just like your response is what you think. if you don’t want to read it don’t read it. obviously you must have cared some because you read it & responded. hah!
Thanks for the comment, anonymous. This post just keeps giving! People feel so strongly about Dave G. I love it. You should see what’s happening to Dave in my stupid fictional KC vs DG story. https://whydontyoulikeme.com/2016/01/28/kurt-cobain-lives/
This is a stupid opinion.
To be fair, though I haven’t listened to it in years, the first “Foo” album was pretty decent so far as I recall. Having Cobain around was basically having standards for Dave.
…other faggoty acts…
the sheeeeeeeep love foo fighter !
that they do. mindless.
Foo Fighters are industry robots compared to bands like Black Flag and Sonic Youth, and just because you hate something doesnt mean you should settle for something that is not as good just because other things are worse.
you’re irrelevant here. Dave is a fucking sell out and panders to democratic left loonies probably much like yourself. Dave is too full of himself thinking he’s more talented than what he is. the foo music is fucking God awful now and then to put out a disco album? the fuck? let’s not forget that stupid ass truck commercial he did. maybe they should pull their music from spotify, those snowflakes don’t like what Joe Rogan had to say so they should follow neil young and all those delusional “artists” and pull their shit music. besides, they ripped off so many riffs especially the main riff in something from nothing. obviously stolen from DIO. Dave grohl is a poser.
You seem like a fun guy.
actually the foot fighters suck just as bad or worse than taylor swift so it seems you don’t know know nothing about music.
The line in that foo fighters song ” There goes my hero ” to me , is Dave’s testament to his real life hero and savior , Kurt Cobain. From Obscurity to Eternity it is. I always thought of Foo Fighters music too campy. Kinda like a modern day ” Boston”
Good way to put it. Although I saw an interview where Grohl said the song is not about Cobain, but ordinary dudes, like firefighters and the like. Thanks for commenting.
i love you man. amen. rock on kurt so sad
Yes!!
I completely agree… Foo Fighters suck. They’ve always sucked and they always will suck. They are a pop music band, nothing more.
I like both but Dave Grohl is a far better musician than Kurt. Nirvana was at their peak and Kurts formula would get old and their music would get worse. If Dave Grohl died after died after releasing Everlong you would be making an article praising him instead.
I agree with most of your comments, very detailed, very emotional, very emotive.
However, your comment of “the wrong member of Nirvana died” is immoral. It is like you are trying to choose who should no longer be on this planet. You have shared some very interesting points but that particular one just ain’t good.
I actually agree with you. I wish I had a better excuse beyond, “it’s hyperbole.” Thanks for reading and for leaving a comment! It’s much appreciated.
Foo Fighters are good. Dave Grohl is cool. You are stuck in punk mentality, everything popular is wrong and bad.
Thanks for the comment – you rock! You are right that I am totally stuck in punk mentality! You are wrong about me thinking that everything popular is wrong and bad though – I love a lot of popular stuff. I’m rocking out right now as I write this, listening to Ty Segall – he’s mad popular! I LOVE popular shit – just not Dave Grohl!
Great article. Something I noticed reluctantly reading Grohl’s biography: What becomes apparent from a deeper study in his musical career, is he’s always been very good at surrounding himself by the right people and he has good business intuition. Long before Foo Fighters, he was lucky to be offered a spot in Nirvana just before they exploded. Kurt killed himself at a relatively high point in Nirvana’s career. Using his Nirvana money, Grohl put together a demo of standard rock and roll songs that are the musical equivalent of what a Budweiser and a hamburger from Friday’s is to the culinary world. As Kurt’s popularity exploded after his death (yes, after), the public was starved for anything Nirvana. Krist Novoselic disappeared. But Dave offered the new generation of Nirvana fans (the ones Kurt directly addressed in “In Bloom”) a reliable rock and roll experience without too much intellectual work. Right away, he started attaching big names to his project (Lemmy, Tom Petty, etc.) eventually developing a reputation as rock’s favorite collaborator.
Grohl seems like a cool guy to hang with. He’s seen a lot of the business. Or, as one writer put it, he’s the living physical embodiment of a Hard Rock Café. What’s so weird to me is that, as one of the “original” Nirvana fans who bought Nevermind the year it came out, I *want* to like his music. But I just can’t. There’s been some gems over the years (Crooked Vultures, Queens, or Probot), but the focus has always been on corporate bro rock. Lyrically and musically, it gets the job done, but just barely.
I’m equally fascinated with him as I am disappointed with the Foo’s music. I don’t blame the guy for wanting to make a living doing what it takes to pack arenas, and I do think that deep down, he is true to himself and following his heart. But to me, it seems his musical legacy won’t be so much for the music he actually made, but for where, when, and with whom he made it.
This is really astute. I agree with you!
Youre an embarradment dude. Theres nothing more petty than a jealous whiner. The fact that daves shits have more musical talent than you could ever dream of having is no reason to go into a jealous fit of rage. You sound like kurts ex lover (over rated btw and not a fantastic musician, unlike dave. Kurt would kick you in the balls for your stupidity
Great comment, I love it. Thank you! You are so right Dz nutz – I will try and do better in the future.
Haha! You dork.
Thank you.
I get it, man. I truly do. But I think you’re kind of looking at Dave in the wrong way. He isn’t Kurt Cobain. He doesn’t think like him, talk like him, or write music like him. So just because something isn’t “punk rock” or Kurt Cobain Approved doesn’t make it invalid, or meaningless or “corporate” as you say so many times. What’s corporate about someone owning their own record label and writing their own songs? That sounds pretty punk rock to me. Just because someone has a lot of fans doesn’t invalidate their music(Nirvana is much more famous than the foo fighters). The Foo Fighters don’t make music like Nirvana, but just because that happened doesn’t make Dave Grohl a dick. Dave is a musician, but Kurt was an ARTIST. Two very different things. Don’t get to caught up in the ridiculous unrealistic constructs of “punk rock”(because one could argue the second Nirvana hit the mainstream they became “corporate bro rawk” too as you say) and don’t compare Dave to Kurt, it’s an apple and an orange. But I respect your opinion, I understand why you see it that way. But please don’t say the wrong member of Nirvana died. Kurt was a fucked up junkie, as talented as he was. The biggest mistake every Nirvana fan makes is getting caught in the allure and the legend of Kurt Cobain, I promise you that if he didn’t kill himself in his prime you’d most likely be talking about him the same way you are with Dave.
Love it! Thanks for commenting. I agree with many of your points. In many respects this is an apples to oranges comparison and it is pointless to speculate “what if.” Really appreciate your comment.
“…the wrong member of Nirvana died.” BAHAHAHAHAHA! I’m saving this. Everyone I know has you to thank for my running it into the ground.
Everything you wrote in this article couldn’t be more on-point than it already is. I have never seen anyone come off so disingenuous and self-absorbed than Grohl during the performance you mentioned. Seriously, what the fahk was all that?! That was hardly a performance! If he wanted to talk to an audience he should hold a conference or something; you have a band and you’re performing, that’s what you’re there to do. It’s what people paid money to see you do. Opinions or comments if at all, should be given at the beginning or the end of the damn set. Watching and hearing him ramble off about “rock and roll” this and “rock and roll” that, really left me wondering what his real agenda was or is. I left the footage of that event wondering: “is he trying to push some kind of narrative or subtext to make him seem like the last great rock and roll band? Or is he simply a man, caught in a self-created echo chamber that’s managed to catch on to the mainstream, further cementing some hidden delusion? Personally, I don’t find his multi-instrumentality that impressive because what he creates with it isn’t persuasive to my ears; it sounds recycled and very tepid. There’s hardly anything produced by Foo Fighters that sounds heavy or stirs something in me. Everlong was trash and the lasluster video that accompanies it only amplifies the platitude of the entire message of the track (if there even is one).
I don’t like Grohl as a musician. He’s just not that interesting. Not going to comment on him as a person or a father because I just don’t know him personally. Yet what he bring musically isn’t thought-provoking. What’s worse, he doesn’t really seem to have anything to say. I would agree that his drumming is and should be the only thing he should stick to. Few and far are the multi talented that actually leave you speechless and Dave just isn’t one of them. As for Kurt, he was deep. He had that “thing” you don’t come across often. But what that is is usually born from pain and struggle. Of loss and real tragedy. It shows and fie on anyone who doesn’t agree with that fact. Thank you for the article, I thought I was the only one who saw through this guy’s facade. Cheers.
Thanks for the comment. Much appreciated. At the end of the day the poor sap (Grohl) is a person so I kind of feel bad saying what I do about him in this post (Plus the post itself is getting kind of old), but I’m glad it resonated with you. He has had some pretty sad “Let’s RAWK” outbursts. Mostly I’m just bummed Kurt killed himself. Shoulda, coulda, woulda.
While I don’t doubt that Dave Grohl is a talented musician, I think he is extremely overrated. Foo Fighters are generic and unoriginal in practically everything they do. I often liken them to a slightly edgier Nickelback. Saying Dave’s voice is annoying would be an understatement. I’m positive he has his own chapter in Guantanamo Bay’s guide, “How to Torture Terrorists with Bad Music.” I really wouldn’t care as much if it wasn’t for his smugness; he seems completely smitten with himself; traits many of his fans seem to share. The type of fans that become super incredulous and defensive when they find out you don’t like “their band.” Honestly, for a couple years I thought guys only pretended to like Foo Fighters to help get them laid. Anyway, nice piece; was a good read.
Hey Goober! Thanks for the comment. Much appreciated. I agree that smugness is one of the highest crimes I can think of (short of baby killing or something similar) – I agree he looks smug, I also agree his voice is annoying – but I’ve also read he’s a down to earth person in one on one interactions. Who knows? Thanks again for the read and the comment. Actually writing this post has given me a lot more empathy towards the guy. This post generates so much traffic, that I find it strange to think about how would it make me feel to have all these people googling “Dave Grohl sucks” about me. That would blow! Anyway. Not my problem. and I guess that’s the price one pays for fame.
Don’t feel bad. Your criticisms are constructive and not nearly as harsh as mine. I’m sure Dave is a great guy, but that doesn’t mean you have to like him or the music he makes. After having his music forced down our throats for over a decade it’s not surprising that some of us are vomiting. Your post might be inflammatory to many, but for others it’s insightful and refreshing.
was never a Nirvana fan and I’m definitely not a FF fan. they’ve essentially written the same boring crap over and over again. I cannot stand Dave Grohl screaming. And he does it a LOT.
Foo fighters do suck but they could be worse. They could be nirvana.
would be hilarious to know who you deem as reputable artists. you’re a joke
Don’t listen to these cheesy Grohl worshippers, they’re all sheep. Grohl IS a sell out, cheese ball arena shlock rocker. It’s corporate bullshit and it’s not authentic. He’s fake. Your article was for Kurt and about real artistry and passion, which Cobain had and knew Grohl didn’t. Grohl is a beer guzzling cheesy Jock douchebag. You told it like it was. Bravo! We need more truth.
Thanks for the comment brother!
I hate that new stupid video with the old people. I hope dave grohls cock falls off
Thank you! Finally someone who hates them as much as I do. My husband discovered how much I dislike them a few days back and keeps chasing me around the house playing “everlong”. I hate that song … it’s so generic radio produced for heavy rotation boring … Dave should stop writing songs and fade out so we can all forget about him and move on. If I had to choose I would gladly listen to Jaden Smith before listening to Foo Fighters and he is terrible.
Hilarious! Thanks for the comment 🙂
I love Dave. But yeah I agree with some of the things you put on here. I love Nirvana. Like the Foos as well. But yeah Foos are no Nirvana. But then again theyre not trying to be. But Dave only went on to create the Foos because he didnt want to leave music and wanted to make a living doing that so he did what he had to do to stay in the game. Shit, Id do the same too ! Theyre not too bad. Id rather listen to Foos than have to stand a second listening to the likes of freaking Kanye or Taylor Swift or mother fucking Katy Perry. Barf ! So long live the Foos and I hope to see them in concert this Fall. But love your article. Express what you feel !
Glad to hear someone else besides me doesn’t like the Foo Fighters. They are nothing special and the over-rated Dave Grohl has a really irritating voice. I’d rather listen to Nickelback… at least they don’t pretend to be something they are not. The parody glam metal band Steel Panther are better musicians and far more interesting to listen to than Foo Fighters despite being vulgar cartoonish put-on caricatures of the bands from that era.
He is so bad
Dave Grohl just wants to be in the mainstream and voice popular opinions. Grohl is a phony to me almost. He just doesn’t seem sincere the way he comes across. Don’t like the way he singled out Trump supporters as being idiots while he got political voicing his mainstream liberal views. I don’t care if that’s what he thinks but him getting political like that is something I don’t like because I used to like the foo fighters when i was younger, as I get older I seem to like them less and less. The foo fighter fans are idiots for telling this vlogger to shut up or not to voice their opinion, so that confirms foo fighter fans are acting like your not allowed to voice your opinion. What fucking douchebags they are, but they idolize a douchebag of a musician, David Grohl.
Well written. I agree one hundred percent. I grew up and mostly missed Nirvana, my family listened to the Foo Fighters and so I did too. Around the time “best of you” came out I realized how I hated them, and they keep going that same horrible direction.
fuck Dave grohl!!
I find Grohl extremely annoying. I watched a few live clips (they sound mediocre) and it seems like Dave thinks the more he says ‘fuck’ the more people will believe he’s a badass. He comes off like a dork to me. He also has the attitude like he alone is keeping rock alive. Please.
You have to admit though, Dave’s drumming has gotten a LOT better since “Bleach”!
Except Dave didn’t play drums on “Bleach.”
Dave can be a prima-donna …
generally seeking sound perfection …
Yet, it remains possible, that that came at a cost for him (as it did with Krist and Kurt),
which he, perhaps, first paid in Nirvana.
I sometimes wonder why he pushes on as he does.
But he does … never stops.
Skin and Bones
It’s easy to judge him when you’re speaking to a blindfolded die-hard with narrow ears.
But I don’t ever think I would ever want to walk a mile in his shoes to understand the burden which he carries
… and the music that comes of it.
Still, I understand your frustration.
Thank you for the comment. You know, this Dave Grohl post is ancient – over 5 years old at this point – and I often think about taking it down because I don’t really think DG sucks. I think he’s probably a pretty sweet guy that doesn’t deserve to have a distastefully titled post about him crawling up the google index. I mean I still stand behind the sentiments in the post, but come on? Aren’t there more important things going on in the world? Kurt has been dead (almost) as long as he was alive. It’s all nonsense. Nirvana was great. Dave is great. Foo Fighters can be ok sometimes. Who gives a shit? But then, most of the traffic to my blog comes from this post so… Call me an opportunist. I’ll live. Thanks again.
For the record, I did not find this in a google algorithm.
The title of the post also stands, I meant it when I said that there are die-hard Foo’s fans whom one can not converse with. Conversations that lack depth. Still, it somehow feels that that is exactly what Dave may have set out to do. And I argue against him in those situations, just because the conversation has no point without a background.
There are always more important things going on in the world … yet, the history of a thought still has it’s place. As does the reason which propelled it.
Perhaps, even, some of the lyrics on the 1995 self-titled album belonged to Kurt?
This is a call.
SSWIPE~!moment this asshole promoted, Biden, pure dumbass
Fuck YOU!
Fuck you moderator.
Dave Grohl is the grim reaper of rock. When an iconic artist dies, there his ass is squawking to the press with the ultimate goal of inserting himself into the legacy of others. He’s always attaching himself to the work of much better artists. Also. “Punk” is the most abused, misunderstood term in music.
I thought Nirvana was a tad overblown but then again I am a sports fan. As for Dave Grohl, you nailed it. I enjoyed reading this and even laughed out loud a couple of times. BTW have you noticed how Stevie Nicks has been glomming onto Dave Grohl the past couple of years? She is BIG into the hubris and cheesy stories about “influences”… I wonder if she influences Dave or vice versa? Aww hell, who the fuck cares, they both suck and need to SHUT UP!!! Cheers.
Totally agree “I’m not like them, but I can Pretend” is not for Dave Grohl, no pretending necessary for this sell-out as Foo Fighters have now become FULLY VAXXED FLU FIGHTERS
I don’t understand this comment but whatever. I’ll state for the record that I”m not into anti-vaxxers. But for those that are: you do you, let’s just agree to disagree and we can keep our distance.
I liked your article, you make some great points. Just saw Dave (multi- instrumentalist-nice-guy) Grohl in a Dodge ad. I guess you can’t have too much money. Taylor Hawkins said Grohl is the Tom Hanks of rock stars, just a plain ole nice guy. But Hanks is always acting, so he might be a genuinely nice guy but you’d never know. I think Grohl’s the same way. It’s his schtick. I’m definitely tired of seeing him everywhere. And just cause he acts like a regular dude and is seemingly not a douche we’re supposed to like him and respect him and give him so much slack on the barely adequate music? He’s not a regular dude, he’s a millionaire rock star who I’ll never meet and interact with in person. So you have to go off the music, which is ok but not great. And I agree, sonic highways was awful.
A Dodge ad! Will the indignities never cease? Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt and pretend he gives all his loot to charity (who knows, maybe he really does…).
You are right, Dave Grohl sucks, but so did Nirvana. I worked in a music store back in the 80s and every snot nosed teen that came in played only one thing on guitar, Nirvana.
My Opinion on DG
First off, thank you for your perspective on this futurepilgrim. I think I have some very unique perspectives on Dave that I would like to share with you.
I don’t detest Dave Grohl as a person at all, just like many people here believe. He maybe morally excellent behind closed doors and in his treatment of people. We’re all merely critical of his artwork with the Foo Fighters, which comes across as vapid, redundant and unimaginative. Like other people have also mentioned here, Dave is an excellent businessman and astute at spotting great opportunities. He knows how to attach himself to immense, unparralled, anomalous, groundbreaking original artists. His drumming contributions to projects with Josh Homme (on QOTSA’s SFTD album and TCV album), Trent Reznor (on With Teeth) and of course, Kurt Cobain, are what I believe gives him rightful legendary status. I personally think these men are far superior guitar players and songwriters and they push him to play drums to the best of his ability. Dave’s work as a drummer is what I personally believe is his finest and most admirable hours of recorded music. Many serious musicians and music lovers will tend to agree. It has personally changed the way I’ve looked at a drum kit to be quite honest, and inspired me immensely.
What I’ve began noticing is that many of Dave’s most devoted and obnoxious fanboys aren’t particularly massive fans of rock music and have a very shallow depth of knowledge on the genre as a whole. It’s like the Foos are targeted towards the most casual listening soccer moms and accountants of the world. They have massive “Daddy” syndrome with Dave, and are never discerning or critical of anything that he does. I personally believe this is because of Dave’s everyman, salt-of-the-earth, average joe attitude. He’s very, very relatable to the average Gen-X man. This is probably the reason they defend him so vigorously. They’ve fallen in love with the wholesome, average dad persona he’s built for himself, because they see so much of themselves in him. He displays average skill (as a frontman/guitarist), he’s not extremely good looking, not in exceptional shape, not extremely intellectual, not notably well dressed and not very eloquent. Compare that to other rockers who have many of these attributes (if not all) in spades or in high competency. I’m not being shallow, but hey, that is what society uses as a benchmark to be considered special in our world. It takes devotion and sacrifice to stand out and be special. His lack of being extremely special is what makes him so alluring and therefore, special to so many. Perhaps that is why he goes to such lengths of being an attention whore by doing kitschy things, because he does not so naturally have “it” to write staggeringly beautiful music as a frontman. The work/music never does the talking for him.
Around 2008, I feel rock had started to hit a decline and legions of premier rock acts that injected creativity and ingenuity in the vein of QOTSA, The Strokes and the Chili Peppers were on indefinite hiatus. Dave seized the chance to elect himself as the poster boy of rock. He’d carry the torch and keep the good flame going, filling in the void with his mediocrity as the lame-ass Captain America of Rock. Like literal magazine headlines deeming him a “God” and “Savior” of Rock. He’s been officially annoying to me ever since. I’ve also noticed around the same time the rest of the band members in the Foo Fighters stopped hanging around him for interviews/photoshoots, and he never ceased to name drop atleast a dozen famous friends he was hanging out with (e.g. Paul McCartney, Jason Sudeikis, Dave Chappelle, John Travolta, Jimmy Page, etc.). Maybe the rest of the band got sick af with him? He seems to be a naturally obnoxious, braggadocious, annoying and overbearing person.
Evidence of him being self-centered and an attention whore started to emerge at this time. Such as when he got Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones to play some Zeppelin songs at Wembley and left his own bandmates Chris Shiflett and Nate Mendel to sit out. Despite Led Zeppelin being amazing, didn’t the audience come to see the Foo Fighters? What if some of them didn’t even care for them or were familiar with their work? Are people supposed to think something is awesome because you say it is Dave? Just super eye-rollingly lame. Josh Homme also mentioned that Dave never used to shut the fuck up about being in Nirvana when recording Songs For The Deaf. Josh’s response? “Then buy me something” lol. Soundgarden’s reunion had him doing the most insincere, try hard gag he’s ever pursued imo. At a show at the LA Forum he was filmed on phone by another “concertgoer” (and totally not someone from his crew/associate) standing in the crowd by himself watching Soundgarden play Fell in Black Days. Like, bro, we all know you know who they are and vice versa! You coulda just stood on the side of the stage like every other famous person, but no! Gotta make everything about you! You can’t brag about having Ringo Starr on speed dial AND be acting like the world’s most humble guy. What an absolute pathetic, shitshow charade. He also just needed to stick his hand in their awesome work and direct (voluntarily, most likely) a stupid, comedic music video for By Crooked Steps off their last album. The band ended up not even liking it, and were critical of the final cut. All that fuckery and he made a good, serious, intense song unlistenable for years for me til I got the video outta my head. Seriously Dave, just fuck off once in a while, please! You might even write better music because of it. Dave also looked and sounded super unstoked when asked about Royal Blood opening up for them on a filmed radio show. A very unexcited “Yeah… I think they’re good…” even when their debut blew anything the Foos wrote over the previous 10 years out of the water. Sour grapes if you ask me. Maybe the DG jock riding fanboys can finally see their man isn’t quite the knight in perpetual black t-shirted armor as they thought he was.
I don’t necessarily blame the rest of the Foo Fighters for being in the band. They joined after the band was created, and who would say no to such a steady gig? It probably saved them from being destitute musicians living hand to mouth. Not everyone can be creators in bands. A lot of people just follow along and play what they’re told. I really don’t have a bone to pick with those dudes. A LOT of working class musicians will most definitely do the same. I mean hey, they’re millionaires as a result.
Dave does the most sellout, tacky and obnoxious things not to keep rock alive, but to keep the memory of HIS rock alive. It’s all just self promotion out of the insecurity that he might be forgotten one day. I don’t hate him though, I just don’t think he deserves to be called a hero/savior/god/lord/king of rock. A fitting title would be the valedictorian/popular kid of rock that’s perfect for the radio and will introduce you to better, more amazing bands by getting interested in the genre. Kinda like the gateway drug of rock that’ll help you branch out. Rock and guitar music as a whole is definitely not dead, just merely underground at the moment. Dull-ass, Stomp-Clap-HEY! indie music did take over in the 2010s, but it’s not like Ty Segall, Turbowolf, Demob Happy, Royal Blood, Bass Drum of Death, Wavves, Ghost and Highly Suspect didn’t put in serious work and make remarkable records. Those artists definitely deserve more shine in today’s music environment, but unfortunately, Dave Grohl just seems to suck up all the air.
Ha! Thanks for the considered comment! I am a HUGE Ty Segall fan. I’m gonna reread this comment and send you a reply real soon.
He’s the one who like all our pretty songs but he don’t know what it means…
I agree with this article, I can’t stand the Foo Fighters, it’s very mediocre music at best.
ThAnks for the comment
Cobain had a true sensitivity that shone through his music. IMHO, that’s why he stands out. Grohl…doesn’t in the same way, it seems like music written for the masses.
i was part of the puget sound punk scene in the late 80s & early 90s. yes we hated jocks, yes we hated motley crue. but if you think we didn’t hate hip-hop even more you definitely weren’t there
It’s been a while – many years since I wrote this – but I don’t recall talking about hip-hop. If didn’t like NWA and Public Enemy in the late 80’s and early 90’s then that was a mistake.
NWA was low brow violent gangster rap. Nothing like PE at all. I hate you more than Dave.
Spot on!
I can’t stand foo fighters.These are the kind of guys who always want to get close to the real icons of music of the last 50 years and are always pestering them to sit in during a tv appearance or something,which usually turns out to be embarrassing indeed for the iconic artist,as they are much too loud figuratively and literally.No finesse at all,but lots of volume and lots of ego.I say leave the icons alone.Don’t emulate them,don’t beg to sit in with them during a performance because you worship them.So pathetic.
I liked Kurt as a person, but I think his music is generally very overrated, depressing, and to view him as some type of Punk Rock Messiah is to misunderstand him. Kurt wanted fame and success as much as anybody, and there is nothing wrong with that. Having said that I’m not a fan of the Foo Fighters, which just sounds like very generic, formulaic pop/ rock.
“And Nirvana was my favorite band. Ever. Of all time.”
gross. stopped reading
Thanks for taking the time!
Foo Fighters paid tribute to Oderus Urungus – the stage name of Dave Brockie, who died of a heroin overdose in March 2014 – at their crowdsourced gig in Gwar’s hometown of Richmond, Virginia last week (September 17).
Grohl, who was a fan of the horror metal act, told the crowd that sadly, the band did not feel the same about him. “One of the greatest compliments, or non-compliments, that I have ever gotten in my life, I remember seeing this interview with Dave Brockie where they asked Brockie about a Grammy nomination, and somehow he made his way to me, and he said ‘Dave Grohl, he’s actually had his teeth removed so he could fit more Grammy dicks in his fucking mouth.’ So, right now, I give it up to Brockie,” said Grohl. “He would fucking hate that I dedicated a fucking song to him.”
Gwar drummer Jizmak Da Gusha has since posted a video to YouTube in which he explains that the tribute may have spared Grohl’s life – click above to watch.
He said: “I had every intention of going to the Foo Fighters show to kill Dave Grohl but he said something really nice about Oderus and I decided I’m going to spare his life this time. Besides, the backstage brownies were delicious. Thanks, Dave!”
Great line about the Grammy dicks…