by Carrie Brownstein

Lo-fi for the sake of being lo-fi.

Sent by Mike Walley-Rund | 8:04 AM ET | 11-09-2007

There are actually bands/performers that don't even take themselves seriously. Who every time they sing a curse word have to make the biggest deal about it.they wave the middle at the crowd and make a "i said it" face. I also really hate it when a band instructs the crowd to start a mosh pit when maybe a good 70 percent don't want to be involved in sweaty, gross, wrestling. Not many think of their performances as precious or special.

Sent by Mariah Reilly | 8:40 AM ET | 11-09-2007

Did preciousness exist before the 90's? Don't think so.
My very first concert was Motley Crue and Ozzy Osbourne when I was 5 years old. My excuse...my sister was 9 years older and at that time I couldn't imagine anyone cooler than her. If she was going to the show, so was I. In fact, my first eight concerts were all heavy metal, hair band shows.
From each show, I learned two things: rock hard and rock loud. Although I have grown out of that, I can still appreciate a good ear bleeding guitar solo or a nice high pitched, one finger pointing to the sky, eyes closed tight, mouth open as wide as it can get screech.
In my world, I didn't see a music show slow down, ask the audience to "take a seat for this next song" or even explain the background to why the following song was written until the mid-90's. And when that happen, it was in a fairly large coffee shop with about 50 lesbians and two of them with guitars. So, go figure.

My dealbreaker is 30 minute openers, such as light shows and music that isn't the band you came to see. The openers that play so long, you become convinced that the lights and strange sounds are the show and the real band isn't taking the stage.
2. Instructional participation, as well. I just want to hear your music. Isn't that why I paid upwards to $50 per ticket!?!

Sent by brittani | 8:43 AM ET | 11-09-2007

I have to agree about the overly-complicated 'crowd participation' schemes, unless the band actually join the audience and do it themselves.

I catch myself falling for the 'cutesy' stage manner all the time. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing - if the music's good. Take Joanna Newsom as an example, her behaviour on stage fits your description perfectly, yet her music - in my opinion - speaks for itself. I found myself going both 'Awwwww' and 'Wow!' for most of her recent concert in London.

The songs-in-adverts marriages are usually quite painful for me, when involving a song I feel strongly about. I find that not watching TV/listening to ad-heavy radio is a good way of staying blissfully ignorant of your favourite artists' affiliations with cheese, cars and everything in between.

By the way, I'm writing this listening to that old guy from the iPod ads...

PS. Lovely blog, congrats.

Sent by Micha?? | 8:44 AM ET | 11-09-2007

My dealbreaker would be bands telling that they're going on "indefinite hiatus", instead of just plainly saying that they have split up, so they won't embarrass themselves when/if they get back together. Oops! No, more seriously, I hate artists who get all preachy with their politics, religious or philosophical beliefs. I love it when said beliefs/ideas are an inspiration for their art (even if I don't share them), but don't want to have anything rammed down my throat. And, as far as preciousness is concerned, I know where you're at. Even if I have been guilty of condoning it on occasion (big communal hug at the end of a Kimya Dawson gig, erm. Just felt it was part of the experience). I think it's been around for ages. Just think of the English folk-rock in the sixties and early seventies, for instance. For one Fairport Convention, there were a shitloads of all too precious "singing with one hand on my hear" troubadours around...

Sent by Thierry | 8:48 AM ET | 11-09-2007

"asking people to lie down on the floor for the next song; and any audience singalong or participation so complicated that it needs to be explained BEFORE the song starts."

i was at a mirah show once where this happened, circa advisory committee. you were there too.

Sent by beth | 8:57 AM ET | 11-09-2007

I'd have to say, seeing Cat Power live a few years fit your description. Don't get me wrong, her music is great but the only way I can describe the show is awkward. She'd start songs and end them abruptly and start another one only to go back to the first one. It was really strange. I felt like we all needed to go up to the stage, give her a hug and say, "you're really good, keep it up." It was hard to enjoy the music because I kept thinking that if I moved the wrong way I might upset her. I guess she's changed a lot since I saw her play but that one show was pretty weird.

Sent by Ted | 9:02 AM ET | 11-09-2007

When I go to concerts, I love to investigate the opening band and give them a chance to become one of my favorite bands. This has happened before... The Stills opening for Interpol and Wolf Parade opening for the Arcade Fire.

Dealbreakers, in terms of opening bands, would have to be really pompous opening bands or stage banter that goes on longer than the song. Additionally, artists who go into in depth explanations of the amazingness of how "this next song" came into existance. Bleh.

Another dealbreaker that has only happened one time is a really bad live show. You don't have to be the best performer, but if the set list is bad... yikes. I won't say who, but one of my favorite bands have about 15 CDs, and for their set list seems to pick the one or two songs from each CD that you skip each time you listen to it. They have officially lost my business.

Basically... a dealbreaker for me is a bad live show. That is how I like to enjoy my music best.

Sent by Carla | 9:13 AM ET | 11-09-2007

It used to be screaming but that ended about a year ago.

Sent by Jaime | 9:13 AM ET | 11-09-2007

my dealbreaker is a forced singalong. there's nothing more awesome than a sudden, unplanned singalong, and nothing worse than when an artist stops singing before the audience ever started singing along, expecting us all to create a moment that wasn't there. it always feels trite and ruins the evening for me.

on a side note, i love the blog. can't wait for next week's posts!

Sent by jess | 9:19 AM ET | 11-09-2007

I think it's interesting that "matching old-timey outfits" is the very first thing on your list. Are they a deal breaker on their own, or only in conjunction with other precious indicators? I think old-timey outfits should at least be allowed for bands that play old-timey music, no?

Sent by Phil | 9:21 AM ET | 11-09-2007

As soon as I read "deal-breaker," I thought, "Playground Rock." That's the term I made up for all this precious music these days. (All: feel free to use it - I'm trying to make it into the OED; if I stole it, I do apologize.) Adults singing like kids; choirs made to sound like little teeny babies (slight exaggeration) sung by those who are probably plastered and trying to pick up models after the show. I don't understand what the draw is. Growing up has its rewards. You can maintain an air of disarming innocence without sounding as though your mother is still dressing you. Try checking in with Neutral Milk Hotel or The Raincoats.
On the flip side, count-offs and singers yelling "Guitar!" etc, can make me like almost any song.

Sent by Jill L. | 9:57 AM ET | 11-09-2007

The Vegan Knockers need a guitarist!

Do you enjoy soft spoken stage banter and old timey matching outfits? Well if you shyly smiled and quickly turned away at the thought of the above mentioned then our band is for you!

Our band aims are to one day,

::: include a horn section
::: put out a children's record
::: sell sequined pantsuits at out merch table

Your skill level can vary as we are a nurturing band and have hired encouragers during our live show to shout affirmations.

If interested leave a note tied to a balloon of your favorite color in front of the used record store.

Sent by Simon Dasher | 10:05 AM ET | 11-09-2007

I dig what you're saying about the old timey outfits. The exception being The Pogues in their drunken commodore outfits on Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash. I love Belle & Sebastian, but they every once in awhile creep into this mode. I'd lump the Smiths in there, but I have only to listen to songs like London, and I know that ain't right. However, I've yet to be able to listen to a Bright Eyes album all the way through, for this very reason.

Sent by Richard | 10:21 AM ET | 11-09-2007

you nailed most of it in your list - i get very aggravated when i pay to see a band then they ask ME to participate. i'm there to hear the band, not be their percussion section.

also, jock rock.

Sent by nina | 10:25 AM ET | 11-09-2007

My deal breaker for a live show is usually everyone in the audience suddenly turning 15. Tends to make me skip a band the next time around. Also, sounds like you must have been to a Mirah show of late!

Sent by Alana | 10:25 AM ET | 11-09-2007

I don't think I'm familiar with what Carrie's describing. Anyone have any examples?

I guess my deal breaker is a perceived phonyness, whether real or imagined. I have no problem with show business, but you have to be able to sell it convincingly. Also face paint. I can't deal with that at all. This might be a sign of me getting old, but there's a style of singing now with MTV rock bands that makes the melodies all sound really similar. It's sort of like how after Pearl Jam a lot of singers started sounding like Eddie Vedder. Now they all have this different kind of Blink-182-ish WB TV show sound to the vocals. If I hear that it's all over. I know I'm really not the target audience for that. I also can't deal with what I perceive as a kind of forced singing that makes me think that it isn't really how the person sings, but they're forcing some other kind of sound out of their mouth. That "Body Is A Wonderland' song by John Mayer is an example of that.

Sent by Gary Drechsel | 10:30 AM ET | 11-09-2007

I'd be interested in hearing specifics as to what qualifies as "precious" - artist and song title preferred. For me, the deal-breaker is when a pop song becomes jam-band central. There's something sacriligious about someone taking a brilliant 3-minute pop song and turning it into a 8+ minute noodle-fest for no reason at all (this is in a live setting, of course.) Ugh!

Sent by Shaun | 10:36 AM ET | 11-09-2007

bands that stereotype themselves and try to fit a look. i have friends in bands who often fight with this a lot. where a photographer or agent tells them they need a stylist and have to develop their look. i mean... i understand that you have to dress your look up a little, but it should always be your look not the look that you believe fits your music, or that some how will wedge your music into the genre you desire to be. for me when someone is forcing a look it makes me doubt the confidence in their music. bands like ladytron with their almost on stage uniforms are great to me, because its still their unique look. and seeing s-k on stage with a combination of handmade clothes, a black tank top and some velcro shoes, and comfy t-shirt... makes me feel that you believe your music can not only stand alone, but is supported by your real persona. i miss dave matthews in his flannel pants, the leather jacket and jeans just killed it for me.

Sent by tanya | 10:39 AM ET | 11-09-2007

a) On matching outfits: it seems like the effect of these is actually open to debate. I do agree that things like the Danielson sailor suits and Sufjan Stevens outfits are intended as a precious affectation, but what about Interpol? I"ve been led to understand that they wear matching black when in concert (or did for a period) and the combination plays off their music to increase the dread. Ditto for metal bands today, yes? Heck, certainly true for the Ramones. (At least, on their album covers.)

b) Open question: on the Sgt. Pepper tour (if there was one) did the Beatles wear matching outfits? If so, that might be the modern origin. However, I expect that many different family group-based bands have traded in matching outfits since waaaaay before then. That's an unresearched claim, but I'd bet that plenty of "The X Family Singers" groups were doing it in the 30s and 40s, if not (I suspect) even earlier. Not to be too glib, but orchestras have been doing the matching outfits thing forever -ditto ethnic music groups visiting other countries- and they've been around for some time.

c) On requesting audiences to do complicated antics: I tend to class those activities not as symbols of preciousness but as examples of a band's supreme power over its audience. The band member requests something idiotic from the watchers and they accede to the demand, and as everyone caves they collectively form a microcosm, a small block of people for whom, at that moment, band X is the be-all and end-all, the impossibly demanding leader, and everyone else ceding their will to the group mentality is just as invested and just as much a member of the world. It is the ultimate in escapism, the ultimate in creating the illusion that this moment, right here, right now, is special, and that for those of us engaging in the idiocy it is specialist of all. Sure, handclaps and singalongs can arise unrequested, indicating some kind of common love of a song held by all present, but that is less of a contract with the performer than with the music. Requested participatory idiocy is about love for the band itself, and only really succeeds when the crowd is obsessive; it works all the time for the Decemberists, and it collapsed moderately badly for the Goo Goo Dolls the one time I saw them. (No apologies.)

d) Band turn offs: I actually find the "I'm way too cool for school" attitude of groups like Sonic Youth (or at least, of Thurston Moore & Kim Gordon) a bit of a downer (though, I mean, they can get away with it because they are Sonic Youth). But plenty of bands from dozens of genres present themselves as such - or else find that the PR people have chosen to present them as such- and said image is unfortunate.

I agree that matching outfits are not inherently precious;certainly The Ramones, The Strokes, or nearly every garage band from the 60's onward, employed this tactic. I saw it as a sign of solidarity, a uniform. But old-timey, cheerleading or Civil War outfits are quite irksome to me. -CB

Sent by Yossarian | 10:52 AM ET | 11-09-2007

Carrie - Your anti-precious criteria is spot-on, but I wonder how you would classify Elliott Smith? The one time I saw him, at Spaceland in LA, he did mumble, stop in the middle of songs and, yes, people shouted "you can do it!" Is there an element of preciousness to Smith, or is he the exception that proves the rule? I lean toward the latter.

There are always exceptions to the rule. -CB

Sent by Chewie | 11:17 AM ET | 11-09-2007

this reminds me of the time i saw decemberists at south by southwest in 2004. i'd never seen them live, and i brought along a friend who'd never heard of them. it was the most disappointing performance i've ever seen, and it can be perfectly illustrated by my friend saying to himself exasperatedly, more than once, "HIT the drum! HIT the drum, god damn it!" ever since then i've lost all interest in their music; it was an epiphany of sorts that re-affirmed my feeling that good music needs to be sincere and confident and not afraid of itself or others.

if a performer's music doesn't have ALL of those things, it just doesn't have any value to me. and if i'm caught at a show like that, the impatient contempt i feel for the performer and adoring crowd becomes crazy-making and i usually go home and blast the adverts or x or something to wipe away all that insincere preciousness to which i was exposed.

gosh, i love this post, it's gotten me all excited anew about all the music i love that is NOT that music you're describing. time to make a friday-at-the-office playlist. is it acceptable to put odetta and nina hagen on the same mix? it seems like a mix rule-breaker but it feels so right...

Sent by nikki | 11:31 AM ET | 11-09-2007

Carrie...dissing the Decemberists? Your Portland land deed may be revoked!

Probably. But I happen to be a fan of their music. - CB

Sent by The Whale | 11:33 AM ET | 11-09-2007

Dealbreaker: lyrics that are so thought-out and distilled that they become cliche; recognizing that a song probably started out as a good, pretty original idea but ended up no better than anything I could've written in the 10th grade.

By a similar token, a deal-sealer for me is when a band breaks down the barrier between performer and spectator through earnestness and honesty. It's odd to me that this barrier even exists, and I will love forever a band that that destroys it. Take, for example, The Hold Steady: They do what they do with no apologies and no contrivances, and engage the audience on a real level. I saw them in the fall of '06 while they were touring Boys and Girls in America, and after the (best) show (I've ever seen) ended, Craig Finn jumped off stage, walked unmolested through the crowd to the bathroom, urinated, and then walked to the bar and paid for a beer.

Sent by Brian | 11:57 AM ET | 11-09-2007

Two Dealbreakers:

1.The "Lady Doth Protest Too Much Syndrome" from bands who go from an indie label to a major--the ones who get defensive and feel the need to constantly explain how they are not actually selling out. It doesn't necessarily bother me if they signed to a major, it bothers me that they feel the need to explain themselves constantly.

2.At concerts: bands/performers who drink beer onstage and give you that "cheers" gesture before or after they take a swig. It's even more painful when the audience does it back. If that happens at a show, I'm the person running out screaming, arms flailing wildly.

As an aside, 'Chili's' (home of babyback ribs) and 'Vegans' are now linked forever as tags on your blog. Civil war to ensue shortly.

Sent by East Coast Terry | 12:05 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Generally any overt demonstration of wealth or conspicuous consumption is a deal-breaker for me. I haven't been interested in U2 for quite some time, but seeing a photograph of Bono lounging in a post hotel room, wearing a giant plush robe, just made me sick. This is ultimately more about me than the band, though. I mean, if the guy made a bunch of money from fans who willingly gave it up, why not spend it? Music forges such a personal connection with the artist, and I'm often living vicariously through lyrics or licks. So when the illusion is shattered and I realize that I am not at all like the people in this band, then the foundation is cracked. It's a sick paradox, and Nirvana probably illustrated it better than any band I can think of (well, Elvis illustrated just about everything you can think of about modern rock). They were a punk band. Once you hit it big, are you still a punk band? And if you're rolling in it, is it pretentious to wear torn clothing and pretend that you aren't? I think it's more about a band's initial portrayal of itself, it's declaration of identity. Pink Floyd were notorious spenders, and The Who destroyed instruments and hotel rooms. But they never pretended to be anything else, and obviously didn't give a crap if a fan was poor or rich. U2, on the other hand, have been about as preachy as preachy gets, and it's jarring to see the evangelist who just whipped you into a righteous frenzy drive off in his Hummer or Lexus.

When it comes to songs and albums, a saxophone is usually the deal-breaker, and many people are with me on this one.

And in live performances, banter is NOT what I paid to see. It's like seeing an actor interviewed and realizing that the person is a complete airhead.

Sent by Jim Brucker | 12:16 PM ET | 11-09-2007

"Throw your hands in the aire... and wave 'em like you just don't care..." from otherwise respectable hip-hop artists (if there is such a thing).

Sent by Andy in Nashville | 12:47 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Many years ago I was a big fan of Love and Rockets, Peter Murphy, and Bauhaus ( by association ). I saw the Bauhaus reunion tour and found that Peter Murphy presented me with a deal breaker. The rest of the band seemed relaxed and into the performance. However, PM felt the need to work very hard posing dramatically and I found myself very embarrassed for him. Let it go Peter.

Sent by JT | 12:49 PM ET | 11-09-2007

sax solos, plain and simple. 99% of the time, the sax solo will destroy its song.

Sent by scott pgwp | 12:51 PM ET | 11-09-2007

I think for me the dividing line between mere twee and excessive preciousness is whether or not the artist believes it. I can listen to the Decemberists because I fully believe Colin Meloy is a loveable, slightly affected twit in real life. When it seems that someone has a gee-whiz stage persona but then gets offstage and partakes in hookers and blow, I am really turned off. You don't have to be precious to use big words --just look at Bad Religion.

Women singing like cutesy widdle toddlers creeps me out every time. I think the Madonna version of Santa Baby is the most viscerally unpleasant song I've ever heard.

I would really prefer if singers left their anecdotes for interviews or liner notes. I can rarely understand the spoken word when it's heard through performance amps and a cheering crowd. It ends up making me feel resentful because I've missed out on the joke.

Sent by Angela S. | 12:54 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Old-timey outfits. YES. That's my god-damn dealbreaker. People who need to dress up like they came straight out of the 1920's, or constantly associate themselves with some kitschy period piece. I cannot cannot cannot STAND the Ditty Bops. Really. I want to destroy the Ditty Bops. If they ever ditty-bop their way to LA I will ditty-kill them.

Also: Enough with stick-figure drawings and indie bands -- the oversimplified representations of self are no longer cute that and I'll bet you anything they know some a half dozen people who went to art school.

Sent by Melissa K. | 12:56 PM ET | 11-09-2007

I can't stand it when a band (usually hardcore bands) say something along the lines of "This song is about (insert social cause)." and then the songs start and they proceed to scream unintelligibly. Seems sort of pointless. Also, fake rock stars. Some people don't understand that everyone is in or can be in a band. Just because you're in a band doesn't mean you're a rock star. And if you're in a band and planing on emerging from the basement to play larger venues, please be prepared.

Sent by curt | 1:00 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Pre 90's preciousness:
Dan Fogelberg

Dealbreaker: Pretentiousness

I love Fugazi, but they take/took themselves WAY too seriously. The DIY set is cool, but it's almost like a religion sometimes when some get preachy and clique'ish. Big turnoff.

Another dealbreaker: when hip-hop artists name check themselves. It's not about you. It's about your music and our interpretation of it that counts to us (at least to me).

You'll probably never hear this sung live "Well, I'm Jeff Tweedy, and I'm rockin the mic"

Sent by Chad Bly | 1:16 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Wow, what a tough crowd! I can relate to a lot of people's peeves, and it's fun to imagine the possible combinations: old-timey vampire outfits + dramatic poses = Satan's Pilgrims...precious or cool? It kinda relates to your last post, Carrie, what we may have found super cool becomes embarrassing (shy song-explaining, earnestness, guitar solos).

One bit of preciousness that's always bothered me is when an opener band waits FOREVER to go on stage because there aren't enough people there yet to make it worth their while. Arguments with the bar people ensue, musicians get pissed off, the show starts late and the band isn't enthusiastic.

What I love is professionalism, and some showmanship. It's hard to tell where the line falls between being too fussy about your music or your act, and what is just a good show.

By the way, I saw a very little girl work a nice Pete Townsend air guitar move the other day. Precious indeed.

Sent by Jimmietown Softgirl | 1:19 PM ET | 11-09-2007

My former girlfriend and I fell in love listing songs thet had childrens choirs. Our favorites were "we don't need another hero (beyond thunderdome)- tina turner and "we beling" by pat benetar. Its a fun project-try it, there are more than you think. I recently tried to reclaim my youth by going to see Styx/def leppard and was appaled at the choices of lame cover songs- respecively "I am the Walrus" and "Rock On". That irritated me more than words could say. I just wanted to hear "photograph", you know?

Sent by meredith | 1:25 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Hm I guess the white stripes could be classified under the matching old-timey outfits label, but I would never consider them precious. Another exception, perhaps?

Sent by Allison | 1:25 PM ET | 11-09-2007

I don't happen to see a lot of live shows anymore, partially because I'm old. I don't like hanging with 15 year olds either. I can stand preciousness in a band, but I can't stand how aloof and hip the audiences are. You don't have to look so BORED all the time people! Have some fun!

I started attending small, indie rock shows in the early 90's. We moshed, sometimes, and other times we just stood and listened to the music. Whatever the case, we were there because we loved the music and we wanted to be entertained. Goofy stage antics? Fine, as long as you're having fun. Self conscious mumbling? Ok, maybe you're high or you just realized what you said made no sense. That's cool. Being on stage is not easy.

What I won't forgive is idiots yelling "Freebird." Or the jackass behind me who shouts "whooooo!" through the song. Or the people who can't clap in time insisting on trying to clap in time. Or the nimrods who talk and laugh the whole time.

Did I get off message? Maybe. I've seen a lot of bad shows, even precious shows, but I don't regret a single one of them. Maybe the Vines at Irving Plaza, but at least they tried (awful as they were). My point is that before we dismiss bands for being precious, maybe the audience needs to look in the mirror and figure out why they go to shows in the first place. Maybe then I can closer to the stage.

And I won't lay down on the floor.

Sent by Brian | 1:26 PM ET | 11-09-2007

I cannot stand affected vocals. Naturally weird voices do not fit into this category. I am most annoyed by affected vowel pronunciation.

Sent by Betty | 1:34 PM ET | 11-09-2007

MIRAH!!! That woman is the epitomy of "precious."

Sent by Nick | 1:39 PM ET | 11-09-2007

if you can use the word "precious" to describe a band or its lyrics, i'm definitely not going to like them. just like if an album review uses the word "tender," i stop reading the review. that is all i need to know. unless tender is being used in its verb form.

Sent by joanna | 1:40 PM ET | 11-09-2007

The beer swig comment caught me "LOL" as the kids say these days. Awesome.

Recorded Music:
Horns used majestically in a singular fashion. I guess that would make it Horn. (See American Football, a Polyvinyl band from like 2000ish) A single trumpeting horn played in earnest as if by an incredibly talented 13 year old at a middle school band assembly. Likewise, saxaphone solos played in a similar fashion. Cringe.

Prentious lyrics that are "poetic" or "literary." Not like Joanna Newsome more like Xiu Xiu.

Live Shows:
Bands that have clearly jumped upon the band wagon of the latest musical fade and are not sincere about their homage in anyway.

Obnxious, show off, dancing boys. You know the type... spazzy dancer young men who think their antics make them appear f*ing hottt or totally rad. If they mean it, fine. If they want to get laid or think it might look nice in photos/video, hell no.

I agree, forced crowd participation has got to stop. However, I went to see Rebecca Stark (Lavendar Diamond) at the NYC public library with Miranda July and the awkwardness of her forced sing along had a certain performance art quality to it that I was into. Thus, the exception to the rule... She also permeates an air of preciousness but mixed with a toss of sincerity that somehow works?

Bands that don't smile or seem to be enjoying themselves. Bands that act as though it is a favor to you that they are playing. Bands that take themselves too seriously. (Modest Mouse? Again Xiu Xiu)

Flip Side:
Handclaps: you win my heart

Bands that are having the time of their life and are so thrilled to share it with the audience. Like Le Tigre, Mika Miko, Love is All. Amazing.

Thanks for making me think more!

Sent by KM | 1:45 PM ET | 11-09-2007

I am not sure if it's a deal breaker, my penchant for bad taste probably out weighs the good, but I just do not get the whole showing the goods to the audience thing. I mean I still love Neko Case's music, but really what is that all about? It's like crazy fan in reverse. Some fans want to get too personal with the artist and now the artist wants to get to close to the fans. You know? Like I am here for the show, I???ve got the albums, songs that are so close to me they could be relatives, and now bam I'm getting a good look at the chick from the Dandy Warhols' boobs. It's like Aunt Sally just flashed me. Who is that for? Are they our concert mommies ready to breast feed the whole group? I go from fan to infant in a split second. Is it a political statement? I didn't make the shirt they can't stand wearing.

So yeah that would be my main gripe, but not necessarily a deal breaker.

Sent by Miki | 1:53 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Deal breaker: Bands with fashion and no passion. They dress up like emo hipsters or the like (pick your genre), but their songs sound more forced than a constipated person trying to drop the kids off at the pool.

Sent by Adam @ NPR | 1:57 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Apologies on stage, unless you accidentally threw up or spit on someone.

Sent by sever | 2:07 PM ET | 11-09-2007

A deal-sealer for me is spelling in songs. The longer the word the better, but any length will do.
It might not be so much a deal-sealer as it is a weak spot.
I guess I just love spelling.

Sent by Ben Rearick | 2:25 PM ET | 11-09-2007

women in bands, am i right??
sorry, that was in poor taste...
but seriously, a few weeks ago i saw a band get on stage at a local venue who's singer looked like an urban outfitters model. i was immediately struck with doubt. my suspicions were confirmed when he took hold of the microphone and proceeded to spew forth some of the most over-affected crap i've ever heard. he was also definitely guilty of the obnoxious spazzy-dancing which was really the clincher of the whole situation.

Sent by tim | 2:40 PM ET | 11-09-2007

My Deal Sealer is bands that are willing to jump around on stage bare foot when performing to feel the music. Not like death metal but music like Indie bands.
A Deal breaker is bands that are popular and have no meaning to their music at all. So painful.

Sent by Ben | 3:01 PM ET | 11-09-2007

I have weird dealbreakers... the "rock violin" ala dave mathews can bite me... I have a very hard time listening to hippie-ish jam bands after having lived with a dead head for too long... and the whole "rock rap" phenom srsly can suck it.

One thing that is interesting to think about is the "opposite of a dealbreaker"... that is, what is something that can happen musically to an otherwise horrible composition that instantly sells you on it?

For the anti-dealbreaker: I love screaming

Another anti-dealbreaker for me is a nice organ... especially in screamo situations. I love a good analog, fuzzy organ (ala Murder City Devils).

Sent by joe | 3:07 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Musicians who have in the past performed at Mich Fest and not spoken out against about the festivals WBW policy.

When musicians don't speak up or stop a show, when it's obvious that members of their audience are getting hurt from moshing/slam dancing.

L7, after I was informed that L7 doesn't give interviews to women centered zines.

When bands think that they can continue performing after the core original members have left the band. It's like just break-up already?

I am very excited for the new blog! I also absolutely love ThunderAnt!

Sent by sjm | 3:13 PM ET | 11-09-2007

A few years ago, I saw a favorite artist of mine perform a solo set. He had been in a band known for putting on drunken sets. When he came out he took audience requests, which was a mistake because he couldn't remember the lyrics or the chords to many of them. There were a number of false starts. Even though, he had a reputation for such poor performance behavior, and even though it was a free show, I couldn't forgive him. So, the first deal breaker of mine is the performer who isn't ready to perform.

A corollary of this is the headlining act that performs for an hour or hour and five minutes when I know they have a larger catalog. If it is your first record, I'll cut you some slack, but if you have four albums, I'd like to see at least an hour and a half. $20 bucks still feels like a lot of dough to this guy, and I hate feeling like I'm being cheated by an artist that I love. I saw the Pixies in 1992 and they cut their set super short. I stayed in the auditorium while the crowd slowly dispersed. I was dumbfounded. I know the band/audience member contract isn't etched in stone, yet you want to feel like the people you like have integrity. I guess deal breaker number two is an artist that doesn't respect their audience.

Sent by mikeyj | 3:21 PM ET | 11-09-2007

This has never happened to me, but if I was ever at a show where they asked me to lie down on the floor, I'm pretty sure I'd walk out immediately.

Anyway, a dealbreaker for me is quirkiness or weirdness to the point that is seems forced or just an act. I guess it's fine if you're artsy or weird or out there (or precious), but when I begin to focus on that more than the music, I lose interest. Let your music speak for yourself.

Sent by Carrie H. | 3:29 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Ted, I saw Cat Power less than a month ago and she has only changed slightly. She didn't stop songs abruptly but she seemed really nervous/slightly uncomfortable. Someone kept yelling We really like you! she responded Thanks, we are really nervous. Plus she would say stuff like we are just amateurs what do we know.

Now, I would have to say a deal breaker would be a set consisting of one 30 minute song. I saw an opener at a show that did just that plus it was really only strange noises with no singing or traditional musical instruments.

Sent by Amy R. | 3:31 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Dealbreaker: hearing a Journey song in the pre-show background music part of the evening.

As for pre-90s precious ... I'm so old, I saw Skynyrd play "Freebird" when Ronnie was still alive, so old I remember the 50s ... there was a lot of precious in late-60s folk music. Type "pearls before swine twee" into Google and you'll get 10,000 hits.

Then there's Harry Nilsson, whose music was so precious he was asked to write the theme song to the TV version of Courtship of Eddie's Father. Must have been too much for Harry to stand ... a few years later he was singing "You're breaking my heart, you're tearing it apart, so fuck you" (albeit with his usual sweet pop vocals and rollicking good-timey musical backup).

Sent by Steven | 3:35 PM ET | 11-09-2007

My first deal breaker with bands i'm potentially interested in is sincerity. If i feel that an artist comes across as sincere i will probably at least respect their work, if not actually buy and listen to it. But if otherwise, i get turned off.

My second deal breaker is the singer. Sometimes i just don't like the singer, and then no matter how good the music is, i become uninterested. perhaps that's why i like so much instrumental music.

My deal breakers apply to live music the same as for recorded music.

Sent by todd | 3:42 PM ET | 11-09-2007

do you think sufjan is precious?

Sent by john | 3:45 PM ET | 11-09-2007

dealbreaker: when bands get too drunk, too drunk to rock. i'm sure playing wasted is fun ala robert pollard but passing out on stage, come on! that's my job.

Sent by esme | 3:47 PM ET | 11-09-2007

I love Cat Power, but Chan's onstage manner has disappointed me more than once when she opened for your band, Carrie. ;-)

Only deal-breaker for me is performers who act like they're not happy to be there -- c'mon, show some enthusiasm!

Sent by Michael | 4:02 PM ET | 11-09-2007

My biggest deal breaker of them all is being Bono

Sent by Brandon | 4:12 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Yeah, like some others have pointed out, your entry immediately brought Cat Power to mind. I like her and her music, but her stage antics just don't do it for me.

Matching outfits? That's partly why I loathe all this emo/neo-punk thing. When what you're wearing and what your video looks like take front seat to your music... well, not my thing at all.

Musically, I guess that it all depends on the context, be it the album, the artist, the moment in time, or maybe even the song itself. For example, whenever I listen to Neil Young's "Harvest," there are two songs that just don't mesh and end up sucking. Guess which?

Sent by JM | 4:30 PM ET | 11-09-2007

@Yossarian above: To answer your question, The Beatles did not tour in support of "Sgt. Pepper," or at all, in fact, after August 1966. Their last tour, which ended in San Francisco, was ostensibly in support of "Revolver," but that music was sufficiently complicated that they didn't perform much from it on the tour. The set list on that tour was usually:

Rock And Roll Music
She's a Woman
If I Needed Someone
Baby's In Black
Day Tripper
I Feel Fine
Yesterday
I Wanna Be Your Man
Nowhere Man
Paperback Writer
I'm Down

Sent by MonkeyButler | 4:58 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Oh how I hate when rock bands feel compelled to introduce their individual members to the audience. Why, Lord, why?

The classic move, of course, is for the band to "bring it down a bit" during one of their extended jams, and for the singer to introduce each musician ("and on bass guitar, give it up for Steve 'Big Thunder' Connelly"). The audience will politely applaud, and maybe the musicians will respond to their name being spoken aloud with a clever little fill or riff. Hot! Then one of the musicians will step to the mic and introduce the singer to what will hopefully be the biggest applause of all. And if we're very, very lucky, the singer will feign surprise at being introduced at all - as if they hadn't spent hours choreographing the whole thing back in their dingy lockout.

Look, if you're a young band who I've never heard before, I don't need to know your names, so don't bother. Just play. If you're a band that I respect and admire, I already know your names, so don't bother.

Sent by Jim S. | 5:13 PM ET | 11-09-2007

I had the urge to storm the stage the other night when I saw Feist play the Schnitzer. There was a projector displaying things like leaves, the image of a woman in silhouette, and a house. I found this to be trite and rather annoying, as though somehow it was making the song more interesting.

I've never been to a show that made me feel old, until that one.

Sent by Setya | 5:26 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Singing in quotation marks, in an affectedly constrained and self-conscious attempt to sound sensitive and sincere and committed. With lyrics to match. Of course, being in quotation marks means it's all for show.

Bright Eyes, I'm lookin' at you. (The stage name alone makes me whoops.) Why did you only listen to the bad Donovan records?

Sent by Steve | 6:17 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Love your stuff on this blog, Carrie!

I find it hard to take when someone speaks a different brand of the English language than myself - so that their stage banter is not understandable.

Emma Pollock (ex-Delgados) is from Glasgow, Scotland. Her words from stage were completely unintelligible due to her ultra-thick accent.

Sent by paul merrill | 6:17 PM ET | 11-09-2007

As shallow as it may be, the line gets drawn with the crowd to me. However that usually will not stop me from going but stop me from fully enjoying myself. Sometimes the preciousness of the fans is way too overwhelming. It is mostly the attitude of how utterly hip they are, and in the know!!!
I also do not enjoy it when dj's play songs for effect instead of genuine love for the song. But that is mine.

And to the person commenting about L7 not giving interviews to women centered zine is actually false because I read an article in Rockgrrrl with L7, and plus I think they were more making a stance about not wanting to be identified by their gender. If at any time during an interview the journalist mentioned them being women, they would walk out. I thought that was a great stance they were taking. I guess you can't really please everyone.

Sent by Luis | 6:21 PM ET | 11-09-2007

My Dealbreaker:
When a performer acts bored, disinterested or self-possessed on stage. I see this once in awhile and it always surprises me. Either they are thinking "I must act as if I don't care so I can be cool" or "this crowd won't ever give me what I deserve." I wonder which it is? Thus far it has always been males who do this.

Rudeness, for some reason, is just fine. Maybe it is because I have seen a lot of punk bands or bands who are tired and in a bad mood. That is okay. At least they seem to care. Anton from Brian Jonestown Massacre is a prime example and turns a lot of people off with his antics, but I am convinced it is all an act now and they would be disappointed if he wasn't rude.

Sent by Mark | 6:31 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Mine is spelling, although I have a few exceptions. But typically if I hear someone spelling out a word in a song I pretty much want to kick them in the face. I know, R-E-S-P-E-C-T etc...etc.. It is a pet peeve. Great blog by the way.

Sent by Eric | 6:31 PM ET | 11-09-2007

People who explain the meaning behind a song. "I wrote this song because I was feeling bad/mad/sad and it means that ...." I seriously flip out and hate the band at that point.

Sent by Denise | 6:33 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Colleen opening for Beirut at the Avalon last month turned me off for this very reason. One of the members of Beirut came out and requested that we all sit on the floor. This request seemed to me to be a gimic employed with the hope of something to her music because something was missing. Which it was. And I'm not sure if that something have been missing for me had they not asked us to sit on the floor or if I automatically assumed her music was lacking because they did. And, btw, have you SEEN the floor at the Avalon?

Sent by BC | 6:39 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Is it fair to ask someone to change who they normally are in day to day interaction just because they play music on stage?

Sent by Lindsay | 6:40 PM ET | 11-09-2007

it's really tough to be at a show when everyone's oohing and awwing at the preciousness of the performer. to take micah's example, joanna newsom. i really like her music and i don't feel like her preciousness is an act so it's a little easier to forgive. i just get the feeling that she's not terribly comfortable on stage, which is fine. but i can't stand the people in the audience imploring her to buck up. like they're doing her and us a favor by being encouraging. i also feel like it must be embarrassing/insulting to hear something like that while you're trying earnestly to perform. i'm actually really curious about how it feels to have that shouted at you on stage. anyone read down this far in the comments who could answer that?

incidentally, chan marshal's fragile dove act makes me want to throttle kittens.

Sent by nathan | 6:41 PM ET | 11-09-2007

A moment of contention for me has to do with an group like Le Tigre which were fighting against the jock norm at rock shows however, their fan base is heavy in people who have adopted that jock asshole "attitude/way of life" sagging pants, backwards cap, white tank, the walk that is ready to throw a punch, the blatant oogling of women, the aggressive nature, ready to fight complaining about the way men are at shows but acting like a "man". I don't understand why because it is women acting like this it is accepted.

Sent by Ray | 6:43 PM ET | 11-09-2007

I saw a show last week, and the opening act, who was obviously intimidated by the venue, kept trying to cover up her nerves by talking way too much in between sets. Every song merited repeated "thank you"s to the crowd, and then a rambling explanation of how much she loved Seattle, and how Seattle colored all her songs, etc. Had I just heard the between-song patter, I would have left. Her music was great, but her nervousness was getting on my nerves.

The biggest deal-breaker of all time for me was Papa Roach exhorting the girls in the crowd at a show to take their shirts off and act up for the 'Girls Gone Wild' camera crews roaming the venue. Kudos to all the girls, as I didn't see any of them getting naked or otherwise 'wild'.

Sent by Jessica | 7:09 PM ET | 11-09-2007

When I go to a show, it is always way more fun if the band is enjoying themselves. A deal breaker for me is when a band just plays their songs mechanically and doesn't put any life into their live shows.

P.S. Congrats on your first week. Chili's is overrated anyways.

Sent by Dan G | 7:15 PM ET | 11-09-2007

1. I'm not sure if this counts as a deal-breaker, per se, but nothing irks me more than album filler. When an album is fantastic except for those one or two or three songs. People need to just wait until they have it ALL together. I mean, I write, and I'm not going to send out mediocre work just to fill out a book. There's nothing worse than having to skip over songs while listening to a CD. I usually don't want to get out of bed and I've lost the remote. These performers know who I'm talking to. I don't need to name names.

2. Thank you for the Elliott Smith exception. I would have to quit reading had you not made that concession. There are certain sacred things. Cat Power is another exception for me. I nearly got into the first fist fight of my life (okay, first since junior high) when she opened for S-K in Seattle in Fall? 2003 because nearly everyone in the place was rudely talking during her set. I don't care how many times she screws up, stops a song, starts singing effing Stevie Nicks, everything in me gets quiet when she sings. I like that. I have a noisy brain.

3. On a related note about preciousness: I cannot stand it when children do "precious" things in public that you can tell their parents love for them to do at home. This is embarassing for everyone. And this includes, but is not limited to the rendition of "it's only rock and roll, but I like it like it yes I do" that was screamed (and air guitared) by two of the pre-kindergarten set at the video store yesterday. Sir, if you have to take those children out again without your wife, please sedate them. No one was pleased.

4. On an unrelated note: which I mention because Jill up there wanted to promote the use of "Playground Rock" - I can dig it. I would really like some help with my coinage as well though. No one knows what to call this decade. It's nearly 2008 and we don't have a name for it. Please Please folks, can we please get the term "aughts" going on this? As in today is November 9th, twenty-aught-seven. Please? Is that so hard? Don't tell me no one cares.

Sent by Elizabeth | 7:21 PM ET | 11-09-2007

{I won't name any names for fear of heaping any further recognition upon the unworthy.]

Bands who seem to think that the nose is the best aperture through which to thread the voice.

Bands consisting of members whose birthday cakes have long since become conflagrations yet still feel compelled to harken back to their days as wobbly legged youngsters barely coordinated enough to properly smooch a lady.

Omen of the apocalypse or just an indication of our country's outstanding educational achievements?

Sent by Zia | 7:41 PM ET | 11-09-2007

"Is it fair to ask someone to change who they normally are in day to day interaction just because they play music on stage?" Yes. I have to change who I am when I go to work, as do most people. If anything the act of performing puts a greater onus on the artist than I have at a government job. I sympathize with artists that aren't good at the performance part of the equation, though I think they still need to work on it. They practice their instruments, they can practice performing.

Sent by mikeyj | 8:04 PM ET | 11-09-2007

I feel like I could've totally written this post - preciousness drives me absolutely batty in bands/musicians. I totally want to do the disruptive thing as well or scream "YOU ARE NOT CUTE! YOU'RE AN ADULT!"

I have a lyrical deal breaker: anyone who uses the phrase "like a child". But it's a deal breaker as far as that individual song is concerned, not the band or musician themselves. I've had bands or artists I absolutely ADORE come out with a song that contains the "like a child" lyric and I always feel so betrayed and scornful.

Sent by Chriso | 8:16 PM ET | 11-09-2007

I find it more interesting if you change the question to 'deal makers.' We all have our Achilles heel or the thing that sucks us in like a Kirby plugged into a 220. A pretty, yet vulnerable Lilith Fair-esque girl's image on the album cover; an animal species for a band name; a comparison to [blank], only with a [blank]; a rating above 8.0 in an online music review website? You have something that melts your metal or squeezes through your filter. And when it does, you choose to pay attention, and maybe even buy that record or go see them play live. For me, knowing they employ a Fender Stratocaster or hearing that they wrote a song about the Volstead Act will do the trick.

Sent by Doug W | 8:54 PM ET | 11-09-2007

When my favorite band became Ween from 2003-2007, it really wreaked havoc on my sense of "the deal-breaker". I think it's their personal mission to validate and celebrate every single affectation of all popular music, no matter how loathsome each might be considered by most people. But I believe that nowadays my biggest deal-breaker, oddly enough, might be the way a band will refuse to give their albums cohesion. Not conceptually or lyrically, but musically. Back in the old days it seemed like all bands took the album as a whole into more consideration when they began work on a record. Songs flowed into each other smoothly without sounding like the same song. I think the postmodernish aesthetic of 90's alt-rock bands kind of killed that by making each record sound like a burnt mix CD. Eventually records started to sound like poorly-made mix CD-Rs. Perhaps that's why Ween isn't my favorite band anymore.

Cheesy sax solos, mod synths and florid string sections are fine by me as long as they make the song fun to listen to and the song is good, and I can listen to the album all the way through.

Sent by Joel Glidden | 10:51 PM ET | 11-09-2007

Tad's stage dive.

I don't know if you'd call it "precious", but it required more support from the audience than the audience could provide.

Sent by Larry Hosken | 10:55 PM ET | 11-09-2007

"And did preciousness exist before the 90's?"

There is a pretty well documunted flowering of singer-songwriter preciousness in the seventies.

Sent by richjensen | 12:19 AM ET | 11-10-2007

Too precious for me are bands that want you to sit quietly on the floor because they are too special and unique to get a damn pickup for their banjo/ukulele/accordion/fiddle/etc. Double super extra bad vibes to them if they are playing music from the 20's that was originally written for people to DANCE TO, you fools!
I love it when bands dress up, though. Especially if they dress like cowboys.

Sent by lala | 1:01 AM ET | 11-10-2007

Dealbreaker for me: "bubbada bubbada," as a friend of mine put it--extended rolls on the toms to end every song. Just stop when the song ends, you know? We'll figure out that we're supposed to clap.

On coddling: I remember some quote from one of the Cannanes to the effect of "we don't mind when people talk while we're playing--it's just an incentive to us to play better." Good attitude, I thought.

And in the dealmaker dept.: I realize I am pretty much alone in this, but I love it when bands don't play their big hits, or only play them when they're in the mood. Nothing is worse than going through the motions.

Sent by Douglas | 1:23 AM ET | 11-10-2007

Hm, dealbreaker would be bands who try really hard to have unique vocals to the point of coming off strange. I am reminded of the first time I heard Beat Happening and I thought, by their music, that they could be a band I fell in love with. Then I heard Calvin Johnson's voice. My reaction to it was quite literally "What?!" I skipped the first song, thinking his voice was a joke. It wasn't.

Dealmakers- Artists who get really into their live shows. I don't care if that means dancing on stage, doing backflips, or having your body become a puppet for the music (ala Kristin Hersh... anything Kristin Hersh does is a dealmaker though)... If I feel like the musician is enjoying themselves at a show, regardless of if I love the music, I will have a positive reaction to it.

Sent by Carla K. | 7:05 AM ET | 11-10-2007

My first deal-breaker is when a singer exhibits any sort of damaging use of the vocal chords (screaming, yelling, not going into head voice). I just can't enjoy that because all I can think about is how much of a beating his or her vocal chords are taking. My second deal-breaker is when a lead singer or an instrument is not in tune; I can't stand it. I just can't get behind The Murder Mystery by Velvet Underground. I'm sorry, Moe Tucker. All of these are a result of having a voice teacher/professional singer of a mother, and having taken voice lessons and been in choir myself for a number of years growing up.

Consequently, a deal-maker for me is when a singer has clearly had some sort of vocal training, or is just gifted, and knows when he or she is flat or sharp, and knows when to move from chest voice to head voice and back again. I also really appreciate it when male singers sing in falsetto; it takes some balls to do that.

Sent by Anjanette | 10:23 AM ET | 11-10-2007

dealbreaker: people dressing up for the sake of looking different, ie. indie rock dance party "outfits"

Sent by RZ | 10:56 AM ET | 11-10-2007

Hey Carrie, great blog, congratulations.

Preciousness existed before the 90s sure, but I don't in the same tortured, introspective Emo Phillips kind of way it exists now. They say bad comedians become performance artists. I think, sometimes, bad performance artists then become singer/songwriters.

Anyhow, my dealbreakers? It drives me nuts when a band introduces every song. "and this next is one is called...and this next one is called..." Shut up or think of something interesting to say. I'm thinking of so many bar bands out there...

The other dealbreaker for me, being into improv and "jam" bands is noodling. Improv is meant to expand the music and mind spiritually and intelligently, to take a risk and bring the song, musician and listener to another place...not convince me you can play out of tune, nonsensical, fast junk. Umphrey's, this means you...

Sent by KyndDave | 12:05 PM ET | 11-10-2007

Uniforms, etc...don't bother me because it at leasts shows some level of interest in what they're doing...some vision.

What is a total dealbreaker is excessive shoegazerism and/or an affectation of drug-addledness. It's so played, tired and most of all, completely not interesting.

I'll take performers dressing like characters from Colonial Williamsburg over performers acting like characters from Williamsburg Brooklyn any day.

Sent by Caryn | 12:24 PM ET | 11-10-2007

my deal breaker is when bands yell at you or they start being jerks ...stuff like taht is not cool.

Sent by gillian | 12:41 PM ET | 11-10-2007

dealbreaker: being condescending to your audience
dealbreaker: posturing as if you are not happy to be on stage
dealbreaker: repeating a schtick that you used the last time you played in town

When Jeff Tweedy played solo at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park, he was guilty of all three of these dealbreakers. The last, and most egregious of these offenses, occured when he asked the audience to never, never, ever use the phrase: "I loves me some" as in "I loves me some Wilco." Because Jeff Tweedy hates that phrase. Would have been moderately amusing, except that he went through the EXACT same rant word for word at the Wilco show at the Greek Theatre a couple months before.

dealmakers: creative audience participation

When Arcade Fire played at the Great American Music Hall a couple of years ago, they passed flash lights out to the audience. Once they blasted into their next song, the venue lights were cut off, and audience members pointed the bright flashlights at the ceiling and furiously shook them around, creating this crazy frenetic energy in the room. It was like being inside of a popcorn bag as it was popping! More of that, please!

Sent by dk | 2:56 PM ET | 11-10-2007

dealbreaker:
choreographed live shows with a script for the onstage banter. totally annoying. if you can't think of anything to say, just play asshole.

I also agree wtih the "indefinite hiatus".....August 12th will always bring a tear to my eye.

Sent by shp | 4:54 PM ET | 11-10-2007

very first song that comes to mind: "justine, beckoning," by apostle of hustle. aoh is certainly a big favorite of mine, but that song is so confusingly dissonant towards the end that it just bums me out. i suppose that's not necessarily a deal-breaker, but a girl can only take so much unresolved dissonance.

additionally, i find it quite bothersome, in this day and age of proliferative mp3s and waning cds, when hidden tracks are preceded by several minutes of silence, or when silence has been appended to the end of a song for some reason. i'm diggin' on yeasayer's "all hour cymbals," but every time i listen to it, i'm stuck hearing nothing for a minute or so at the end of "waves." i can understand a certain element of nostalgia for those who want to throw it back to the good ol' days of vinyls and cds, but it seems about as archaic and arcane as playing a song backwards to unearth hidden messages.

anyhow, this is my first comment, and i've been enjoying your blog hopefully as much as you enjoy writing it. kudos!

Sent by lauren | 7:32 PM ET | 11-10-2007

It's hard for me to say I have dealbreakers, because mine have pretty notable exceptions. I would say that rap-rock is a dealbreaker for me, except that I love the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I love Blondie, too, but the song Rapture makes me want to tear off my ears.
Another dealbreaker would be nasally emo vocals, except that The Thermals come dangerously close to that vocal style (although they're certainly not emo).

Sent by Joanna Levy | 9:41 PM ET | 11-10-2007

It really irks me when performers expect encores. I think in theory encores are nice, and when they aren't planned and expected they can also be quite moving. It happens at the vast majority of bigger name shows I see and it just really gets me!

Sent by Caitlin | 10:52 PM ET | 11-10-2007

I'm obsessed with guitar tone and the sound of the band's instruments in general. For some reason, the "chorus" effect on the guitar turns me off immediately. It makes me feel like I'm in a made-for-TV movie on Lifetime, and I suppose it adds to that element of preciousness that you're talking about. The guitarist I practice with tested out that effect at one of our practices and I was so disappointed in her.

As for live music, it irritates me when guitarists crank up the distortion to the point where you can't hear the actual chords that are being played. I enjoy a dirty sound, but I also enjoy hearing music. The guitarists' motivation for doing this, I suspect, is similar to other causes of preciousness (shyness, afraid of being heard, afraid of making mistakes).

Also, singers reciting lyrics off a sheet of paper makes me feel embarrassed for them to the point where I have to look away.

Sent by Celeste | 6:14 AM ET | 11-11-2007

My dealbreaker: Guitar Solo Face. You know what I'm talking about. As if there is something incredibly physically demanding about playing the squealy high notes.

Sent by Laura | 9:34 AM ET | 11-11-2007

One word answer as to whether precious preceded the 90's: Melanie.

Maybe someone has had to sit through some opening acts of her own that she had a problem with: White Stripes (costumes), Mirah (fey), Catpower. Though I think Ms. Marshall's fragility is an act, drawing the audience in to hoping that she will just make it through. After seeing her live once (one show where she actually did keep it together)I remember tuning in Letterman to ache through whether she would fall apart or not on national TV.

But a dealbreaker is when a CD is so compressed that it is all on one level, like Le Tigre's last outing, The Woods, or many popular bands. In trying to be loudest it loses all subtlety.

Overly loud and very derivative bands are a turnoff too. A noise that vaguely sounds like another band.

Rap is not a dealbreaker because rap is not music.

Sent by Bob | 10:01 AM ET | 11-11-2007

Rage Against the Machine covers. Or vocalists that sound like pigs and squat when they're on stage.

Sent by Joe Gallagher | 11:16 AM ET | 11-11-2007

The only dealbreakers for me in terms of a live show is that the band turn up vaguely on time, sober enough to perform and that they play for at least 30mins.

If you have any dealbreakers beyond that you're probably just getting annoyed on purpose because you've run out of things to complain about and you need some new opinions.

Sent by Ben | 12:00 PM ET | 11-11-2007

Dealbreaker #1: bad songs. Too much tinkering only makes it worse. A fried egg sandwich with American cheese rules due to it's simplicity.

Dealbreaker #2: bands from Brooklyn. Too many *costumes and not enough musicianship. (Unless your name is the National.)(Or the Hold Steady.)(But those are all midwestern boys, sans costumes, so they get a pass.)(And the songs are good.)

*About 4 years ago I went to a small open mic in Manhattan. Carlos D of Interpol was the after-hours DJ. Dude rolls in with his gear, takes his jacket off, he's decked out with his Interpol-y costume, which included a shoulder holster--ala Eliot Ness--that harnessed his cigarettes. I laughed too. Now points for keeping character but it showed me what Brooklyn was all about.

Dealbreaker #3: playing with local symphanies and/or having a traveling band that exceeds 5 members. Filler starts with that 6th member.

Dealbreaker #4: band members looking like they're getting ready to do 15 to life at San Quentin while on stage. The Hold Steady was here this spring (at Carrie's favorite, the Beachland Ballroom, the Cleve) and it was the first time in a while that I could tell that a band was genuinely happy to be there and their performance showed.

Sent by Jason M. | 12:52 PM ET | 11-11-2007

need i say more than maroon 5? guy bands like maroon 5 really take my last nerve.
as for meredith's post regarding childrens choirs - foreigner's "i want to know what love is" was OUR deal breaker. though, "thunderdome" was a close second.

Sent by caryn | 1:09 PM ET | 11-11-2007

On the last day of the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, Pete Seeger opened with a recording of a baby crying. As Jim Rooney relates in _Baby, Let Me Follow You Down_, "He dedicated the program to this new citizen of the world, asking what kind of world that baby would grow up in and what the singers that night would sing to that baby about."

The closing act of that concert: Bob Dylan, with his new electric backing band, plugging in and asking the audience at high volume, "How does it FEEEEL?"

As is well (albeit variously) told, Pete threatened to cut the cables with an axe. The ultimate triumph of visceral emotion over preciousness? Certainly the best known, and probably something Dylan had to do to break free and say what he wanted to say with his music. I'm a huge Dylan fan, and I wouldn't have him any other way. But consider Pete Seeger.

Pete was no emo poseur. He was blacklisted for his political beliefs all the way back in the early 50's, when very few people had the guts to stand up to Joe McCarthy and his ilk. He was actually convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to play HUAC's game and insisting on his First Amendment rights to associate with whomever he wanted to. He didn't give in, he wouldn't shut up, and to this day he insists that his audiences sing along at concerts.

Why? Not because it's precious, or because it sounds pretty -- it's because he has a very clear idea of what he wants his music and his performance to do, which is to bring people together. He wants to break that isolating, authoritarian concept that music is something for professionals to do, for people on recordings and on stages only.

And ain't that the punk aesthetic? Mike Watt (formerly of the Minutemen) still to this day closes his concerts with "Start your own band, paint your own picture, write your own book!"

Yeah, I'm not always in the mood to get shaken out of my audience mindset and take part in the event around me, either. And double yeah, I'm sure as hell not doing it for some muddleheaded wannabe hippie who wants to push a temporary sense of oneness and stop there, as if some guru compelling obedience from the masses is the way to enlightenment.

But from somebody who's thought these things through, somebody who's willing to explain why he wants your participation and what it leads to, somebody who's willing to request rather than direct and trust you to make your own decisions -- bring on the preciousness! It may be a little uncomfortable, but since when is good art (or revolution) comfortable?

Sent by Joe | 1:49 PM ET | 11-11-2007

Feist and Cat Power are obviously the worst at what Carrie has described. I wonder if there are any boys like that, who need encouragement or act cutesy on stage.

The deal breaker for me is bad rhymes. When I can predict the rhyme. You can play 12-bar blues, which is totally predictable, but don't rhyme "girl" with "world". It's boring.

Sent by Stacia | 3:50 PM ET | 11-11-2007

Musical Deal-brakers. Ummm. I try and stay out of these sorta waters usually. So I accept the challenge to think, and rightfully take a dive. For myself, I try not to place too many obstacles that would keep me from getting something out of any given style of music as a whole. I want to be able to absorb some part of the experience, and try and respect the artistic merit behind the expression put out. With that said it doesn't mean that I will appreciate just anything mind you. I definitely won't make it a point to go out and buy something if 15 seconds out of a song sounds catchy, or cool. If I had to pin-point a make or break situation, and not feel like I was trapping myself from any sort of elitism, I'd say Black Metal is an easy turn off. Don't get me wrong I like guitar driven music, and can really get into an overdriven amp, the crunch given off from the right stompbox, distortion even.., but Chugga, Chugga, Chugga, Chunk, Krunk, SPAT... "WROAR!!!" Repeat 5x's.. break and throw in a 2 minutes of a flurry of metallic sounding notes which end with Chugga, Chugga, Chugga, Chunk, Krunk, SPAT... "WROAR!!!" just doesn't do a thing for me but maybe make me smile a smirk, give a friend an unusual look, and chuckle wholeheartedly while looking for the nearest exit. Somebody mentioned Motley Crue earlier in here, yeah, huh, that genre and style will undoubtedly make me avoid any venue. It would be safe to say that I may even choose to don a pair of opera glasses and sit in a balcony for 2 hours as opposed to the other. And sure preciousness existed in some form or another, in some dim lit club, focusing on certain circles, while tickling other's funny bones too. I'm sure recordings could be found in many a college radio formats, and vaults before particular names, and labels were so appropriately handed out. If you're lucky one night you may flip through the channels of the television and see an infomercial specifically for those 'Precious Underground Hits of the '80s', all for $19.95. Act now supplies are limited.

Sent by Brian | 3:52 PM ET | 11-11-2007

i'm with you on the urge to bang a gong. tho i get that urge in most stuffy/professional settings as well. i think when anyone takes themselves too seriously (not only musicians), it becomes boring.

deal sealers for me were all the characteristics of rainer maria (when they still existed). enough stage banter to be amusing. friendly, approachable, generous, kind. poetic but not cheesy. wore what looked like they'd probably wear on a daily. could tell they really did appreciate their fans.

Sent by Muna | 6:17 PM ET | 11-11-2007

Covers released as singles that sound 99.9% like the original. There are cheaper/easier ways to make a buck but most are illegal. At the height of "Alternative Nation" circa '94, the Twin Cites inferior but popular radio station the Edge proclaimed a "Brand New" song by the Offspring...which just happened to be a note 4 note cover of the Dammned's Smash It Up. They made a similar declaration regarding Green Day's copycat cover of the Kinks' "So Tired". Traditionally, I like covers, especially if it brings a new interpretation to the song, but by-the-book, bar band covers released as opposed to original material...100% dealbreaker.

Sent by Adam Koeppe | 6:33 PM ET | 11-11-2007

I saw M??m this weekend and they were the epitome of precious. Kazoos were sold at their merch table so that fans could play along with one of their final songs (which they spent a minute or two teaching to the crowd). When the drummer was wished a happy birthday, each member of the band ran back to give him a hug and since it was the last night of their tour they presented their engineers and tour manager with flowers. However, I didn't see it as an act and wasn't particularly turned off by it.

What really bugs me are bands who think that adding copious amounts of reverb will somehow make their boring, lethargic vocals more listenable. Especially one specific band whose name I will withhold (it starts with Band and ends with Horses).

I'm also not a big fan of unnecessary melisma - holding on to one syllable over the course of multiple notes.

And even when planned in advance, an encore should NEVER be written on a setlist.

Sent by Ryan | 9:16 PM ET | 11-11-2007

Derivative artists. Similar to how pissed off I get when I see politicians doing the Kennedy Thumb. Get your own "thing", please. I was absolutely disgusted by the most recent local artist I saw. He looked like he was wearing a Kurt Cobain halloween costume.

Sent by Karissa | 10:26 PM ET | 11-11-2007

Stupid song titles are a dealbreaker to me. It could be the best song in the world, but if it's called something dumb like "I ate cereal(and the milk was so cold)" it makes me instantly hate the music. Omit needless words! Omit them! There is no need for the parenthesis, kids.

Sent by olly | 9:05 AM ET | 11-12-2007

I realize another commenter already used this example, but in reading this blog all I could picture in my mind was Cat Power. My take is slightly different and I'm sure you will totally disagree because she embodies all of the deal-breaker entities you list in your blog.
In my 1st experience with her she did cancel her show a couple of times and may have moved venues several times before she finally decided to continue her tour and play in Boston. There may have been a broken foot involved, but I didn't see a cast or even a limp at the show. Yes, she did mumble a lot and tell us stories with obscure references that no one understood and yes, she did start songs and then change her mind only to start another rather abruptly. Chan had all of these precious bird moments and still when she did finally start I was in awe (not awww) at this beautiful, powerful, full voice that came out of this small person hiding behind her bangs playing with her back to the crowd.
I did go home that night feeling a little frustrated that the song I wanted to hear the most was the one she decided not to play half way through. I was also ecstatic to hear her melody's surround me in a place other then my bedroom. Anyone who has seen Cat Power know of her eccentricities and what to expect. I have not seen her recently, the last time being a few years ago. In this show she most defiantly showed growth with only a few minor glitches.
I guess in conclusion my point is that a precious bird is not a deal breaker for me if the end result far surpasses a few oddities.

Sent by Jaryn | 10:17 AM ET | 11-12-2007

The last time I wanted to bang a gong at a show was when I went to see Mt. Eerie at a theatre here in Mass. He had all the lights turned off and sang in complete darkness. I almost fell asleep (it was also pretty late).
At that same show, Thanksgiving opened. It was just him (Adrian Orange?) and he was running around the theatre, guitar-in-hand yelling and singing. Running up and down the aisles. Although it was really cute, and he poured his heart into it, it was kind of awkward when he'd stop right in front of me and sing or yell and I wouldn't really know what to do.

Sent by Rhianna | 10:17 AM ET | 11-12-2007

i'd say my deal-breaker is pretty much the same thing, or similar. i've always over-siplified it by saying i'm not a huge fan of slow songs, which encompasses a lot. i do love some slow, soft or quiet songs, but there has to be an element of subversion somewhere. otherwise give me straight up attitudinal rock & roll any day.

Sent by amy | 10:25 AM ET | 11-12-2007

My "dealbreaker" is two things wrapped into one, really. 1) When the bands playing shows don't really mix together (it's not that they have to sound the same or anything, but when you have a folky opening for sayyyy Clinic, it just doesn't work). 2) When the opening band should be playing at a coffee house or some other small, tiny venue, but instead is opening for a band at a large venue where they can't even fill the room with enough sound!
AGREED: Preciousness, Cat Power, the whole "i'm too nervous to perform, yet this is my 90th show of my tour" thing.

Sent by Alex R | 3:08 PM ET | 11-12-2007

Artificial coyness and/or modesty. I know some people have mentioned Cat Power, which is the first artist that came to mind when reading this. Once, when I saw her, she 1) apologized for "sucking so much" 2) didn't finish one complete song and 3) asked the audience to sit on the floor, Indian style, about 2/3 of the way through the "show," when the floor had been pelted with spilt beer and cigarette butts for at least an hour and a half. All of the above: deal breakers. I still want my $12 back.

To similar artists: If you're really that shy, might I suggest putting down the guitar that you can't really play and picking up a copy of "What Color is Your Parachute?" to find a more suitable way to spend your time? And if you really think your songs suck, work on them until you think they don't, and then perform them with no apologies. Also, stop doing smack.

Sent by Jennifer F | 4:38 PM ET | 11-12-2007

Performers who do yoga on stage--aerobics work, even acrobatics might be okay, but yoga? Gimme something I can dance to!

Sent by c8ic8 | 4:40 PM ET | 11-12-2007

two words:

JOANNA NEWSOM

Sent by Ryan | 5:02 PM ET | 11-12-2007

My deal breaker is Dave Navarro. Him in any shape, form or context is a very bad thing.

I try to be forgiving of bands being I was once in one. It's hard recognizing that you've gone and abused your listeners. But my hate for Dave Navarro is strict to the point that it is terse and maybe pathological. This isn't to say that he doesn't possess talent. On the contrary, he is a good musician. But looking at him is like having a bladder infection.

The other main deal breaker actually has nothing to do with the band but rather their fans. Fans can have a drastic effect on my ability to admire a band. Not all fans annoy me, they come with the territory. And I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't admit to a band or two having a certain hold over me.

The kind of fans I'm speaking of are the ones who seem to have no purpose in life but to embody the look, feel and sound of a band while simultaneously existing in the everyday human sphere. They will interject their obsession into everyday tasks or onto unwilling participants. It's like a chef who's obsessed with chocolate and wants to put it on everything, even say.. their armpits? But replace the chocolate with Ani DiFranco. This soup needs more Ani DiFranco and self-important statements.

Sent by Mackers | 5:16 PM ET | 11-12-2007

My deal-breaker: the use of the word "mama" in a song.

Sent by sweeet pants! | 9:39 PM ET | 11-12-2007

my deal-breaker: i'm in agreement about opening bands that play too long. i also hate it when people talk too much between songs. i also hate it when bands talk about their drug use on stage. the last time i saw ani difranco, many years ago, she'd broken her ankle and was telling us that she'd broken it in her driveway, when she was stoned and running out to get more rolling papers. i haven't seen her since, or bought any of her albums. i was totally over it.

also, anytime some sort of like rock/rap intermixing thing happens. or just dudes on stage acting like asses... i hate that, too. or covering that song that's like "move bitch, get out the way"...

oh, there are so many.

i don't mind the nervous thing, just as long as it doesn't get in the way of what's supposed to be happening. i'm nervous when i'm on stage, but i don't expect anyone to hold my hand and kiss my forehead to get me through it.

Sent by melissa ann! | 11:27 PM ET | 11-12-2007

HECTOR! I'm calling you out! My mis-answer to the Voidoids question was a mere slip of a finger. I'm ready for a rematch. Signed, c meloy aka MOZZER.

Mozzer. I think there is no doubt we are well matched at trivia. We should join forces and slay. Truce?

Sent by dekabristy | 1:31 AM ET | 11-13-2007

if a band starts their set saying, "lets jam," i know its going to be pretty disappointing to say the least.

Sent by anthony. | 9:18 AM ET | 11-13-2007

You hit the nail right on the head re: my deal-breaker. Man, I hate that stuff. I don't know if it existed before the 90's but I definitely know I can hardly find anything else besides it in the 2000's.

Sent by JD | 9:37 AM ET | 11-13-2007

performers are precious because they are too self concious to be ...SINCERE.

as for the biggest turn off at a show..one word: telepromter.

Sent by grace6697 | 11:33 AM ET | 11-13-2007

British people singing with an American accent is my dealbreaker although I'll generally forgive it in good manufactured pop. I do thoroughly enjoy hearing Americans singing in an approximation of a British accent which makes me possibly hypocritical and arguably xenophobic too. Hey-ho.

Sent by Rudy | 2:17 PM ET | 11-13-2007

Wait, Beat Happening existed before the '90s, yes?

Sent by Jaime | 5:01 PM ET | 11-13-2007

One of my dealbreakers is a five-string bass, usually made out of exotic hardwoods. The minute I see that, I'm outta there.

Sent by Michael | 6:07 PM ET | 11-13-2007

My dealbreaker: anything that sounds remotely like Spirit of the West (or any other North American 'Celtic' folk act). Unfortunately this also rules out the intro to The Who's "A Quick One While He's Away" and (more materially and surprisingly) The Mountain Goats. John Darnielle is really interesting, but that voice...

Dealsealer: I will take a stand for the saxophone solo. I think it's a lingering Rob Lowe crush.

Sent by Julia | 11:11 PM ET | 11-13-2007

The biggest deal breaker for me is when the singer doesn't enunciate. See Hootie and Blowfish. (It's sad that I have to use this as an example, but I spent a particularly dark 6 months in retail. Think "Programmed entertainment". Think "Constant repetition". Think "I will kill myself if hear that mother f*cker slur the words to this already vile song one more time."
I need enunciation.
I love enunciation.

Also, congrats on the blog. Well done.

Sent by Jen | 2:12 PM ET | 11-14-2007

Knocking down vegans in a moshpit?

Obviously you haven't been at enough hardcore shows...

R.A.M.B.O.

Sent by wall of death the system | 11:05 PM ET | 11-15-2007

I like accidentally cute. Or, so-painfully-ugly-it's-cute. Music, like anything else, is at its best when when the artist loses her or himself completely during the performance.

Sent by betsy | 3:31 PM ET | 11-16-2007

My dealbreaker is anything trippy, hippie, druggy, or the least bit Grateful Dead-ish. I used to like the Flaming Lips until I saw them live. When people started twirling, dancing in the aisles, I was horrified, and it just kept getting worse. I had no idea.

The robed long-haired choir that calls itself Polyphonic Spree are collectively multiple dealbreakers. Otherwise, I greatly appreciate matching or at least coordinated costumes. It's a fine line, though.

Sent by Kiki | 6:53 PM ET | 11-16-2007

my deal-breaker is when a band basks in the glory of an old song they wrote and doesn't feel the need to re-establish a relationship with it now. When they play that song as if it were a task to be completed in case the rest of the set is a deal-breaker to us.

Sent by pranay | 6:22 PM ET | 11-17-2007

Deal breaker for me? Bandmates kissing mid-set, or worse, mid-song.

Sent by McCormack | 9:11 AM ET | 11-21-2007

glockenspiel

Sent by Lindy | 8:20 PM ET | 11-27-2007

i cant stand the spontaneous handclap, especially when it clearly kills the song. but you cant blame the band for that - just the audience who clearly do not understand.

Sent by mattbklyn | 2:59 PM ET | 11-28-2007

My deal breaker is the appropriation of world causes as an excuse for a concert. Hey jack-offs instead of singing, why not roll up your damn sleeves and so some goddamned work?

Sent by greg heaton | 9:03 PM ET | 11-28-2007

I remember the vocalist for a band starting a show by asking everyone to please refrain from smoking while she was singing, which of course caused me to light up immediately. Only later did I find out she was pregnant at the time. This caused me a small pang of guilt. Then the baby was born prematurely (probably my fault) and later she wrote a song about it that was so beautiful and sad and redemptive all at the same time that it actually made me cry. So what seemed like a deal breaker at first was actually just me being an a-hole.

Sent by Bloodyserb | 10:19 PM ET | 11-28-2007

I, too, disapprove of bands that sing like Kermit's nephew, but my #1 deal-breaker is something a band can do in an interview, in stage banter, or in song: mention Elvis.

Sent by No Clever Name | 11:10 PM ET | 11-30-2007

i hated seeing the blow for just about every reason you listed. i hate being told this next song will be some reductive conception of girl power that will blow your mind. i hate house shows with "yummy" vegan food. i hate white punk bands that think their songs are history lessons for the rest of us.

Sent by coach | 11:51 AM ET | 12-03-2007