Rock Isn’t Dead, Bands Are: Surviving the Love of the Game
What’s up, friend!? Welcome back to Songs That Don’t Suck, where every week I listen to hundreds of newly released songs—so you don’t have to. 😎
But before we dive into this week’s music, let’s talk about something that really sucks nowadays: being in a band.
According to Professor Scott over at the Rock n Roll Autopsy podcast, the last rock song to crack the Top 10 charts was 17 years ago. Seventeen. Years. Ago. That song? Second Chance by Shinedown—and yeah, that one has lore for days… but that’s a story for another episode.
The takeaway?
👉 Rock isn’t dead—but bands are on life support.
The Brutal Math of Being in a Band 🎸
I follow every band I feature on Instagram—nearly 700 artists at this point. I see the new singles, the tour announcements… and the breakups. The “we’re parting ways with our drummer” posts. The sudden silence.
Being in a band is hard. Like, soul-crushing, logistics-nightmare, personality-management hard.
Let’s break it down:
–Finding musicians (easy-ish)
–Finding the right musicians (nightmare)
–Managing personalities (absolute chaos)
–Practice spaces, schedules, day jobs
–Creative differences
–Money (or lack thereof 💸)
–Touring vans held together by prayers and duct tape
And all of this happens before you even get an audience.
Today, you’re not just a musician—you’re also:
–A content creator
–A social media manager
–A marketer
–A small business owner
All while “doing it for the love of the game.”
Most bands don’t last long. And honestly? It’s a miracle any of them do.
A Walk Down My Band Memory Lane
This whole thought spiral sent me straight back through my own musical history—from jamming in high school, to missed opportunities in college, to my first real band, The Influence, and everything after.
There were:
–EPs, studio albums and live albums
–Funk rock chaos
–Bands imploding while I was on my honeymoon
–Playing in four bands at once (don’t recommend)
–Opening for national acts
–House shows, festivals, and eventually… fatherhood
Every band ended for different reasons—timing, personalities, life. But here’s the thing:
👉 I’d do every single one of them again.
The stage.
The feedback loop with an audience.
The feeling of creating something real with other humans.
That stuff never leaves you.
This Week’s Songs That Don’t Suck 🎶
Alright—enough nostalgia. Let’s get into the music. Just four songs this week, but every single one earns its spot.
1. “The Age of Innocence” – Tooth
Think Brit rock energy, packed into a tight 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
Drums kick it off and slam the door shut at the end
Subtle dynamic shifts keep it from being one-note
Gritty vocals with real attitude
A bridge that actually does something interesting
A lot of song in a short runtime—and it works beautifully.
2. “Ultraviolet Daydream” – Kasador
Ah yes—Canada delivers again 🇨🇦
This track has:
Raw production (edges left on, not sanded down)
Moments that feel like clipping—but in a cool, aesthetic way
A late-90s / early-2000s alt-rock vibe
I’m hearing shades of Our Lady Peace… maybe Eve 6… or maybe I’m just old. Entirely possible. 😅
Tell me I’m wrong over on Patreon.
3. “In Your Hands” – The Sherlocks
It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from these guys—Season 1 levels of long.
Good news:
👉 They still rule.
Rock-solid rhythm section
Driving guitars with atmospheric verses
Vocals that move from introspective to full-throated catharsis
Dynamics. Restraint. Payoff.
Everything a great song needs.
4. “Donnie Takes the Bus” – Fantastic Cat
“Folk Rock for Pussies!”
Their words—not mine.
This song is:
Packed with gorgeous vocal harmonies
Catchy as hell
Roots-y, bouncy, and joyful
Honestly? I’m getting a bit of a Grateful Dead vibe here—especially knowing this was recorded live. And any band that sounds this good live deserves your attention.
Final Thoughts
Bands are hard.
Rock is struggling.
But the music? The music is still out there—alive, messy, passionate, and worth supporting.
So do the thing:
Stream the songs
Buy the merch
Go to the shows
Tell your friends
And as always…
🎧 Go out and support these artists.
